Blue Jays are loud, stubborn birds. They show up whether you are ready for them or not, and they announce themselves to the whole forest. There is something about that presence that I have always connected with. The refusal to be ignored, the insistence on being heard. In a way, my life has felt similar.
My life goal is to be a psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health. That goal came from years of trying to understand my own mind. Growing up, I struggled with Bipolar II Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. There were periods when everything became overwhelming enough that I needed hospitalization and extra support.
It often felt like my mind was a stormy sky that was unpredictable and hard to navigate, with the sky turning thundery one second and calm the next. As a bipolar teenager, it is confusing trying to understand why your brain sometimes feels like it is racing ahead of you, with thoughts moving too fast to hold onto, and other times feels stuck in place.
From a young age, I began learning about psychology before I could even name it. I found myself constantly observing and questioning, trying to piece together why people behave the way they do (Personality typology with the works of Carl Jung especially interested me,) and why emotions can feel so intense and unpredictable. I was drawn to understanding how therapists help people make sense of traumatic experiences. I wanted to know how they sit with someone and help them understand themselves and what they've gone through instead of pushing them away.
The more I learned, the more the storm started to feel less chaotic. I realized that mental health struggles can also become powerful sources of empathy and perspective. I started to channel my inner Blue Jay, and began to fly without faltering.
My struggles helped shape my purpose. I know what it feels like to sit on the other side of the conversation, to be the person trying to explain feelings that seem scary and unclear. I know what it is like to want someone to truly listen, not just respond. Because of that, I feel a strong calling to give back. I want to help others who might be navigating storms of their own, especially adolescents who are often experiencing these emotions for the first time without guidance.
If I can be even a small part of helping someone else find hope in their lives - like a Blue Jay, calling out from the trees, saying that something can survive the storm - then every step of my journey will have been worth it.
I hope to use my education to become a child psychologist specializing in working with children with autism. My long-term goal is to earn a PhD in psychology so that I can support children and families through assessment, therapy, and advocacy. I want to help children better understand themselves, build confidence, and access the tools they need to thrive in a world that is not always designed for them.
I chose psychology as my field of study because of my hands-on experiences working with children with autism over the past three years. As a swim coach, I have worked one-on-one with autistic children, adapting instruction to fit their individual needs and learning styles. Through this experience, I learned how important patience, consistency, and flexibility are when working with neurodiverse children. I enjoyed observing how each child processed information differently and how progress often came in unique and meaningful ways. Seeing their confidence grow as they mastered skills at their own pace confirmed my desire to pursue a career focused on understanding the mind and supporting children with autism.
Athletics has also played a major role in shaping who I am. For the past four years, I have volunteered as a youth soccer coach, working with young athletes to build skills, teamwork, and confidence. Coaching taught me how to lead with empathy, encourage perseverance, and create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued. I learned how to motivate children through challenges, celebrate effort, and model positive behavior. These experiences reinforced my belief that children succeed best when adults meet them with understanding, structure, and encouragement.
In addition to coaching, I am the founder of The Zen Hens Therapy Chicken Volunteer Organization, a youth-led initiative that supports emotional well-being and connection in schools, nursing homes, libraries, and community events. I created this program after noticing how calming and grounding animal interactions could be for people of all ages. As the founder, I coordinate visits, work with community partners, and ensure that each interaction is safe, respectful, and meaningful for both participants and animals. Through The Zen Hens, I have seen how calm, nonjudgmental environments can support emotional regulation and communication, especially for individuals who struggle to express themselves verbally. Founding this organization taught me leadership, responsibility, and the importance of service rooted in compassion.
Joseph T. DeVivo Jr.’s life and work strongly resonate with my goals. His dedication to supporting children and adults with disabilities and his commitment to equity and inclusion reflect the kind of impact I hope to make through my own education and career. His work as a special needs educator and advocate reminds me that education is not only about personal achievement, but about lifting others and creating opportunities for growth and dignity.
Through my education, I hope to gain the knowledge, research skills, and clinical experience needed to become an effective and compassionate psychologist. I want to work directly with children and families, contribute to research that improves interventions for autistic individuals, and advocate for inclusive practices in schools and communities. This scholarship would support my academic journey and allow me to remain focused on my studies and hands-on experiences as I prepare for graduate school.
Ultimately, I chose psychology because it allows me to combine my passion for working with children, my curiosity about how the mind works, and my commitment to equity and service. I hope to honor Joseph T. DeVivo Jr.’s legacy by dedicating my education and career to helping others, advocating for individuals with disabilities, and creating meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of children and families.
