To be truly honest, I have only recently started reading as a hobby. I have found it difficult to read, not because of my skill level, but because it was hard for me to focus on the words and form my own thoughts when I always felt like there was something else I should be doing or someone else's thoughts I could be consuming. Ironically, reading wasn’t always this way for me. When I was younger, I was pretty curious. I read almost every single A Series of Unfortunate Events book simply because I wanted to. However, as I got older, reading became something I had associated with school rather than something I chose to do for myself. This summer, I decided that I should at least try to read again and see what it could offer me. I sat down on my bed and started reading The Maze Runner. I find books with movie adaptations particularly fulfilling because I can see how the story that I had imagined compares to what is being shown on screen. Though I am early in the book and have only gone through five chapters, I have already noticed something that is honestly more important than the story itself: I am enjoying being able to sit down and become absorbed in something without waiting for something to distract me. Before I started reading again, I could spend hours scrolling on social media or playing video games. I began to notice how this had affected the choices I made and what I decided to prioritize. More importantly, I noticed that it was affecting the conversations I was having. I found it harder to continue discussions because I was so used to receiving short pieces of information from TikTok or Instagram instead of forming my own thoughts. Reading has provided me with a way to step away from a constant stream of information and other people’s thoughts. Instead of reaching for my phone, as I probably would do a month ago, I can now pick up a book and get lost in the chapters. This has also allowed me to realize how much procrastination and constant stimulation have impacted my personal goals. Reading forces me to slow down, focus on one thing at a time, and be patient enough to see it through. These are qualities I want to take into other parts of my life. I don’t expect a month of reading to completely change me this quickly, but it has made me much more aware of the person I want to become. Despite my reading journey being somewhat short, it has already shown me that growth can begin with something simple. I want to become someone more intentional with my time, more comfortable in my thoughts, and overall better at creating connections with human beings, not my phone. For me, reading hasn’t just opened a door to new stories; it has opened a hallway to versions of myself that are more patient, focused, and willing to be present instead of always reaching for the phone.

While many people think of community as working directly with people, the experience I have taken part in and witnessed has shown that helping organisations and the animals within can strengthen a community just as strongly by bringing people together for a purpose. Through my participation in various animal welfare projects, I learned that even through small actions, lasting change can be made when people put their time and effort into what they support. During my time in high school, I was able to co-found an animal welfare club called Home for Animals with one of my close friends who shared the same passion for animal support. Though it started as a small idea, it was able to develop into a meaningful organization that helps animals in need throughout the Vegas community. We had organized donation drives that collected supplies and food for shelters, raising lots of awareness surrounding challenges that take place in shelters. Over the two years since the start of the club, as a group, we were able to gather over 3,000+ donations through community support and service. Seeing my classmates, teachers, family members, and residents work together to help animals in need highlighted how, through a common cause, communities can be built. One of the most meaningful and memorable parts of this experience was noticing how the effort we put in helped groups outside of animals. Families had donated lots of supplies, many students volunteered after school and during their personal time, and organizations, like the Nevada SPCA, had gained support, allowing the operation to continue. The efforts that these students and members put in has bridged the gap between people who may not have interacted with each other in the first place, thus improving animals' lives and human relationships. Throughout the process, I was able to learn about how to organize, communicate, and trust those around me. My partner and I had to coordinate donation drives, plan the budgets, track the contributions, and ensure there were sufficient resources to be donated. These are all responsibilities that have allowed me to notice strengths that organization and financial management can provide for me in the future. Because of my experiences in Home for Animals, I have recognized that the career I plan to take in the future can be meaningful and practical. I particularly have been interested in the career of accounting due to the structure, resource management, and problem-solving aspects. Through my participation in running donation drives and organizing the activities that Home for Animals holds, I was able to see how important the responsibility of finances is for nonprofit organizations and communities. Accounting is often seen as just numbers on a spreadsheet most of the time, but I notice how it plays a huge role in impacting communities positively. Through helping businesses maintain stability or assisting a nonprofit so that they can support their cause, accountants can allow organizations to continue to serve others effectively. Additionally, the passion I have for animal welfare remains a huge part of my future and goals. Even if I plan to pursue a professional career in accounting, I want to continue supporting organizations that provide services to animals through fundraisers, volunteer work, or financial guidance. My community has taught me that giving back to a community doesn’t require following one specific path; instead, it can be helping the organizations and subcommunities that bring people together. Through Home for Animals, I was able to build leadership, connections, and compassion in order to make a change and find the deeper meaning of a community

In my high school career, I learned that receiving the outcome you desire comes from discipline and pushing yourself to meet expectations, even when challenging things come in your way. This belief has guided and led my academic journey and is the sole reason why I am seeking the Joseph A. Monachino Memorial Scholarship to support my further education. As an extremely high-achieving student, I have have and continue to use my time and effort into fully immersing myself in my education. I have taken various rigorous courses, maintained a strong academic performance, and overall set high academic standards for myself when it comes to anything I did, both academically and personally. I had to balance course work from many difficult AP classes, while also maintaining membership and leadership in my extracurricular activities. I have dedicated over 50+ hours of my time in building a club in support of animals in need, bringing students together, and highlighting my leadership and management skills. Although this leadership position requires a lot of time and preparation, I am still dedicated to spending many late nights studying, preparing, and improving resources that students can use for this animal welfare club. I did all of this while also cramming hours of studying for academics in high school in preparation for college. However, I know that this scholarship program doesn't only need to hear about my past my life in high school, but instead also wants to hear about my future and what I require to further my education. I have always seen education has more than grades. I see growth in my education as a possibility to make a meaningful impact while also preparing for a future in accounting and finance, which I plan to pursue. University will provide me the chance me to further develop my personal work ethic and leadership skills that this major requires. Although I started to build these skills in high school through the club DECA, a business field competition, I hope to further develop in higher education. Additionally, despite my parents being able to help support my education to an extent, the financial burden of college and the rising prices in this generation still remain a significant factor in college decisions. This scholarship will ease this financial challenge and allow me to fully focus on academics, rather than the strain that finances play. Receiving this scholarship would also be an investment in my future, noticing the dedication I have and will continue to show throughout my education Thank you for your time and consideration.

The moment I started to seriously plan for college, I found out that responsibility and opportunity worked hand in hand. Though I am fortunate enough to come from a family that is willing to support my education to an extent, this support isn't stable enough to cover the rising costs of books, tuition, and especially living expenses. This $500 scholarship would aid this burden by allowing me to afford academic resources, enabling me to focus on my studies, rather than finances. Ironically, at the University of Nevada, Reno, I plan to pursue a double major in finance and accounting, after completing the pre-business courses required for freshmen. These are fields that appeal to me because they allow me to use analytical thinking skills with real-world tasks that are necessary in both education and business. However, my educational goal isn’t just to gain the knowledge that resides in financial systems; instead, I hope to develop an understanding of how businesses operate and grow. Additionally, I hope to make use of internship opportunities provided by the University of Nevada, Reno School of Business, particularly opportunities that take place on the East Coast. These experiences will provide me with a chance to apply skills I learn in class to real professional environments, thus improving my confidence. I am extremely motivated by the opportunity to build a stable career, not just for myself but for others as well. Whether I pursue business or teaching, I would be in a position to guide people towards decisions, financial or educational, and provide real-world knowledge. I grew up seeing how financial uncertainty can limit opportunities, particularly with my half-sister’s experience with balancing financial struggle while raising three children. This has given me the drive to pursue a career that can make a difference. Earning a degree in both finance and accounting would be the foundation for my long-term goals. When it comes to business, I could pursue a career in financial management or accounting, contributing to responsible decision-making. When it comes to teaching, I would be able to teach students about financial literacy, a topic that is overlooked by many but is extremely important in society today. Overall, by completing my education at UNR, I will gain the tools, connections, and experiences that are extremely helpful when it comes to making an impact.