192 Salada Road DuBois, PA (814) 603- 3888

JCKunes21@gmail.com
John Kunes
Personal Statement
Throughout life I have, as many do, faced many many challenges. These challenges and
experiences are what makes each and every person unique. Throughout life I have experienced
what it is like to live without a biological parent figure. I have also experienced what it is to be a
student with multiple learning disabilities.
When I was 5 years old I was diagnosed with a form of autism from children's hospital
located in Pittsburg. However that is not all, at the same time I was diagnosed with ADHD and
ADD which both are learning impairments that are also slightly responsible for the reason as to
why I was not verbal until the age of 4.
Despite the unfortunate start I had in life or the start I have had as a student, I am grateful
for these challenges. These “handicaps” have not only made me unique, but also taught me
many many things over the years. For one, these titles that I have had a great deal of influence
on me when it comes to my mental state. It has taught me that I can do anything I work towards
and set my mind on completing in life. I was originally predicted to struggle immensely
throughout school, and struggle to graduate. I was also never thought of as being the student that
would have gotten the opportunity to go into a traditional college, but rather go to school and
learn a trade. Yet I managed to graduate amongst the top students in my class, take some of the
more difficult classes that were available to me throughout high school, and be accepted into
Penn State with a declared degree in engineering.

I have also had a work ethic driven into me throughout the year. While growing up
parents have, and forever will, remind me and all my siblings, that if we want anything in this
world we must work for it. This instilled into me the perception that no one owes me anything in
life, and that I can have whatever in life if I am willing to put the work and drive into achieving
my goal. Overall, I am a very goal oriented person who can drive themselves, and not absorb the
attention or ambitions of others. I am stubborn with achieving my goals, however I am not
afraid to listen to the input of others. Nor am I afraid to adjust the method that I am using to
achieve my goals when some presents me with an alternative method.