Applicant #31: David Whitacre

David Whitacre is a 23-year-old from Edwardsville.

David's video application:

David online:

+ Facebook
+ Facebook event

David's current situation:

My name is David Whitacre, I am 23 years old, I am a Theatre Performance graduate (SIUE) and an all-around fun guy. So take your time; you're already here!

Please cast your vote for me, and support the top three finalists (whoever they may be!). :)

David's blog post:

I love being a young adult.  I love feeling as if my life is headed in any direction I want to take it and that I have the freedom to make my own choices and start paving the way for my more mature, adult life.

Right now, life couldn’t get much better – we are alive, Young and Free St. Louis.

I mean, I know it’s hard trying to keep a level head sometimes. It’s not surprising considering the amount of negativity and pessimism that courses through our everyday lives: on television, in the newspaper, overseas, at home – to name a few. 

But – I know a trick to make all of this 100 times easier. What’s my trick, you say?

My optimism.

It might be a simple little word, but it’s a simple word that resonates throughout my character and is held close to my heart.  It fuels me with the energy to know that I can go out and do anything.  It might take time and determination, but once the fire of optimism is lit, it’s near impossible to extinguish.  It also helps me shield my mind from the wrongdoings of society (or life in general, what you will) and puts into motion the gears of my mind, preparing my resilience and intelligent solution-making.

I think young people today, in St. Louis especially, should try to embrace their optimistic side.  Our optimism will inspire hope for the future, and help us enjoy the moment and live in the now.  It will guide young adults into the right situations and opportunities, such as dealing with finances and understanding how important a bank can be to pave the way for their financial independence and security.  Optimism should drive us - the Young and Free of St. Louis! - to go out and try new things, experience the experiences that only come our way once.  Our optimism will redefine our generation’s future scholars, inventors, teachers, performers, politicians, and on and on…

I stopped answering the question about the glass that is “half-full.” 

My cup is overflowing.

David