In the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, I found my purpose in serving others, inspired by the legacy of my veteran father. Growing up in a household steeped in military values, I learned the importance of sacrifice and resilience. But it was through my involvement in local children's church programs that I discovered the profound impact of community and compassion. Guiding young minds, nurturing their spirits, and fostering a sense of belonging became not just a duty but a privilege—a way to honor the values passed down through generations.
Beyond the church, my commitment to service extended to the broader community. Organizing clothing and food drives for the homeless and volunteering at blood drives became outlets for me to put compassion into action. Each endeavor was not only an opportunity to help those in need but also a chance to honor the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
As I immersed myself in these volunteer activities, I began to recognize the crucial role that healthcare plays in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Witnessing the impact of health disparities firsthand, I became increasingly drawn to the field of healthcare. Volunteering at blood drives, in particular, fueled my desire to pursue a career where I could make a tangible difference in people's lives.
The experience of interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and providing them with essential resources further solidified my resolve to pursue a career in the health field. Whether it was offering a warm meal to a homeless individual or donating blood to save lives, I realized the transformative power of healthcare in promoting well-being and fostering hope.
My father's service in the military deeply influenced my aspirations and instilled in me a profound sense of duty to give back to my community. His experiences taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the enduring impact of acts of service. His dedication to serving others, both in uniform and beyond, inspired me to follow in his footsteps and make a positive difference in the world.
As I look to the future, I am driven by a deep-seated passion to combine my dedication to service with my aspirations in the health field. Whether studying nursing, public health, or medicine, I am committed to leveraging my skills and knowledge to address healthcare disparities and improve the lives of marginalized communities. In doing so, I hope to honor the legacy of service instilled in me by my father and inspire others to join me in creating a healthier, more equitable world for all.
French poet Anatole France wrote, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” Since I was a little girl, I have had a deep care for all animals. I joined my school's Humane Society Club in sixth grade, and have remained a part of the club for six years. My involvement within the club is driven by my love for animals and my passion to advocate for them. When the club sponsor left our school prior to my ninth grade year, I took the initiative to propose the club to several teachers and administration, and found a new club sponsor. This action led to me being named Vice President in grades nine, ten, and eleven. As one of the only two remaining members for the original club, I took the responsibility to organize and build the club from the ground up, to where it is now at about 20 members. I ran the advertising booth at club rush, directed fundraisers, and organized supply drives and volunteer dates. The club president often had to be absent from meetings, so I stepped into his position and began running the meetings as well. Although this was a challenging and overwhelming position to undertake, it is a position I cherish, and one that has taught me countless leadership skills.
Since I have been a part of the club, we have raised thousands of dollars through fundraisers. One of our most popular fundraisers is the selling of chocolate bars from Old Kentucky Chocolates. My responsibilities within this fundraiser include: working with the treasurer and school administration to purchase the chocolates, picking up the chocolates and distributing them to members, and organizing who has turned in money, as well as the money itself. Another fundraiser we typically do is a bake sale at our school’s Spring Fling, although this has been limited due to coronavirus restrictions the past two years. During my ninth grade year, we were able to successfully run the booth, during which I organized who was bringing goods and the shifts each person would work, decorated the booth, and managed and carried the money. I also stepped in to cover shifts of those who were unable to attend. Currently, I am working with the other club officers to organize events for this year. We are once again organizing a fundraiser selling chocolate and brainstorming other events. This year, we are hoping to return to volunteering directly at the Madison County Humane Society, which we were unable to do for the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. This will allow me to give back directly through service instead of just charity.
Although when thinking of "humanitarian acts" supporting animals in need may not immediately spring to mind as fitting the definition, I believe that by supporting animals in need I am directly promoting the welfare of my community, both human and animal. I hope that my work in the Humane Society Club inspires my community to care for each individual life, big and small. I know that supporting an organization like the Humane Society positively affects my community by caring for the smallest members: the animals in need of homes. These animals are taken off the streets to create a safer urban area, and in turn bring joy to the families who adopt them. The leadership skills I have gained from this experience include decisiveness, problem-solving, and dependability. These are skills that will allow me to flourish as I continue finding new ways to give back to the members of my community, including those with four legs.
