At the young age of 10, I towered over everyone around me. My awkward size drew unavoidable attention, causing everyone's eyes to focus on me. When you walk into your 3rd-grade classroom, standing a head taller than everyone else and creeping on eye level with the teacher, people notice you. They pay attention to you. I quickly learned that my words were heard, and my voice was noticed more than those around me. Not because I had anything better or smarter to say, but because I stood higher than those around me. Understanding the impact I had was key to my development. People did what I said and what I asked. Maybe people liked me, or maybe they were scared of me. It feels dramatic, I know, but it's true. Others respected me; my demeanor naturally demanded it. Somewhere around my 3rd grade year, I was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes one to make involuntary sounds or movements. People now really heard me, even when I didn't want them to. I stuck out like a sore thumb already, amplifying my condition. I was stuck under a spotlight, looking like a fool. I would never escape curious eyes and confused attention. This time in my life was the worst yet most altering phase. I grew to understand that I would always be noticed by others, no matter what I did. My life became a megaphone as I learned how to use my voice to magnify others. I live to advocate for the smaller, less-heard voices. Those who can't speak, don't want to or are simply ignored. I used to want to be a star, to use all that attention for myself, but I learned there's a more fulfilling life ahead of me. I know that my future won't be on a stage or in the spotlight because I no longer want it to be. I want to amplify others' passions. I'm currently studying professional performance, a program designed to support future stars as they define their careers. I've seen the way art has supported me through my developmental years, something that can never be created by technology. Watching real people with real ideas create and display their vulnerable feelings is an irreplaceable part of society. So, for me, my lifelong project is to magnify voices for as long as my life allows. I want to manage the arts and performers and support them as they navigate their careers. It takes a village. The things you see on TV and stage aren't one single person, it's an entire crew of other, just as passionate individuals. I've been the star of every room I've walked into, and I've had the attention. But it's time for me to hide in the back. It's my turn to lift those around me and watch as they pursue lifelong dreams. My WHY is my entire life leading up to today. Because I live a life where I'm able to help others, because I've struggled, because I've seen how music, performance, and art keep people GOING. And why wouldn't I want to be a part of that?

Lyric: “I could change up my body and change up my face / I could try every lipstick in every shade / but I’d always feel the same / 'cause pretty isn’t pretty enough.” – pretty isn’t pretty Olivia's debut album is teenage years tied up in a bow. It's a story of 20 years of being a girl stuffed into 39 minutes. Each song reflects the pressures and realities of youth in a different way, it was no problem finding a lyric I relate to as a teenage girl. My problem was picking which one to use in this essay. When Olivia Rodrigo sings “pretty isn’t pretty enough,” she captures a feeling I’ve carried for years but never had the right words to express. It’s the feeling of trying your hardest to fit into a mold you were never made for. The never ending cycle of comparison, insecurity, and the constant sense that who you are will never be quite enough for the world around you. Growing up, I spent way too much time staring into mirrors. From the time I got an iphone I spent more time opening the camera than anything else. I’d scroll through social media and wonder how other girls made it look so effortless. How they had perfect skin, bodies that fit the trendiest clothes perfectly. No matter how hard I tried to find my perfect "aesthetic" I always felt like I was never fitting into an image that everyone else could. Like there was something I was always missing, something was always off, and the worst part was the fear I would never fit into the look I wanted to. That’s why this lyric from pretty isn’t pretty hit so hard. Olivia didn’t just describe insecurity, she described the loneliness and awkwardness of it. The quiet, constant belief that if you just fixed one more thing, maybe then you’d finally feel confident… only to realize the emptiness doesn’t go away, no matter how you run away from it. What makes this song, and that lyric so powerful is that it doesn’t try to offer a fake solution. It doesn’t say, “Just love yourself!” lt doesn't put a bandaid on a bullet hole. Instead, it acknowledges the truth. Self worth is complicated, especially when you’re a teenager. Especially when everything around you tells you that your value is in how you look. When I heard Olivia sing those words, it felt like someone finally got it. Like maybe I wasn’t alone in feeling this way. She turned all those private, painful thoughts into something beautiful and relatable, and in doing so, she gave me permission to stop being so cruel to myself. Since then, I’ve been working on unlearning those harmful standards. It’s not easy. I still have days where I feel like I’m not “pretty enough,” smart enough, cool enough. But now, I remind myself of that lyric, not because it’s sad, but because it’s real. It reminds me that chasing perfection will never make me feel whole. And that maybe, just maybe, being “enough” doesn’t have to look like anyone else. Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS isn’t just an album, it’s a reflection of the hardest parts of growing up. And this lyric in particular gave voice to something I thought I had to hide. Now, I wear it like armor. Not because I’ve fully healed, but because I’m learning and that’s enough for now.

It's undeniable that the games and challenges are the best part of love island. Whether it's the disgusting food challenge or the beloved heart rate challenge, they get us INVESTED! Every season thrives on twists, and nothing gets islanders (or us viewers) more fired up than an unexpected shake up. Nothing is more exciting than a new bomb shell entering the villa. They get the islanders hot and heavy by introducing danger for the couples in the villa. But what if there was a game that switched up the couples and got islanders to explore connections without bringing anyone new into the villa. Enter “Couple Swap Roulette,” a high stakes challenge that tests trust, sparks chemistry, and flips relationships upside down, literally overnight. Heres the setup: Islanders are gathered in an open space, where a giant roulette wheel awaits, with names of all islanders, color-coded by gender. The queen, Ariana Madix explains the twist: Each islander will spin the wheel once. Whichever name it lands on, they must couple up with that islander for 24 hours. Here are the rules: -Everyone spins once. If the wheel lands on their current partner, they must spin again. -The new temporary couples must sleep in the same bed, do a paired challenge together, and go on a private date. -The next day, each islander must vote anonymously on whether they felt “more connected” to their swap partner or original partner. -If more than 50% of the villa votes to explore the new match-ups, the couples officially change. Bonus Twist: The audience gets to vote on 2 islanders they want to see couple up, outside of their original pairings. At the end of the game, it is revealed which 2 America voted for, those 2 must couple up. Their roulette partners will be matched together. Objective: The goal is to push people out of their set couples. Many pair off and dont explore additional connections in the villa. With this challenge, some may discover stronger connections they didn’t expect, while others may realize how much they value their original partner. Either way, it guarantees movement and DRAMA!!!! Similar to casa, the switch up gives our islanders the opportunity to explore. But for us viewers, it gives us content we can't wait to see on movie night! But most importantly, it brings the unexpected, which is Love Island’s true signature.

Sabrina Carpenter has been more than just a favorite artist to me, she’s been a guiding light through some of the most formative years of my life. I first discovered her as Maya Hart on Girl Meets World, a character who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, challenge expectations, and love fiercely. As a little girl growing up, Maya’s strength and vulnerability helped me feel seen. It was the first time I truly connected with a character on screen, and it left a lasting impression. I rediscovered Sabrina in her transition from child actor to music super star. What makes Sabrina Carpenter truly special is how she’s evolved. Watching her transition from a Disney Channel star to a confident, genre defying musician has been nothing short of inspiring. Her songs are not only catchy but full of emotional honesty and clever lyricism. They prove that pop music can be fun and still carry depth. Sabrinas loud feminism has inspired a generation of young women exploring what it means to be a female. Her songs reflect independence and acceptance of your feelings. Sabrina’s journey reminds me that reinvention is not only possible, it’s powerful, its important and it's freeing. She is constantly breaking expectations, norms and stereotypes as she continues to push boundaries in pop music. Whether she’s speaking out on women’s rights or embracing feminism on stage, she teaches that it’s okay to be multifaceted, to take risks, and to grow. As someone pursuing a career in the arts, Sabrina’s dedication, hard work, and individualism motivate me. She has shown the world that being authentic and fearless is the key to creating meaningful work. More importantly, she’s made me and thousands of others feel it’s okay to be unapologetically yourself. That’s why I’m a Sabrina Carpenter fan. Not just because of her talent or music, but because of how she has used it to create a defying genre in pop music. How she challenges norms and does what she wants. Her journey has undoubtedly helped shape my own.

The rapid and significant changes that appear transitioning from high school to college is a scary and anxiety inducing shift for almost everybody. Being a woman transitioning into a world alone comes with its very own unique challenges. Independence can be freeing for some, and lonely for others. As someone who has struggled with anxiety, adhd, ocd, and tourettes for as long as I can remember, school has always been an interesting challenge. Heading to college all by myself seemed unrealistic and had a whole lot of unknowns attached with it. Living on my own, I didn't know who to go to for support. I didn't have my family with me directly to help me when I needed it and I was still in the process of meeting new friends. My days felt lonely and isolated, and I was anxious to find new people to talk to. I began taking steps to make my days intentional by doing things alone. I wandered into random buildings on campus, looked at posters for events and joined clubs. Anything unusual to my routine I tried. I eventually began to adapt to life on my own. I learned that just because I was alone, I didn't have to miss out on doing things, sometimes you just have to do them by yourself! In my search of campus resources and outreaches I discovered my school's mental health efforts. I signed up for therapy for the first time in my life. I've never wanted to talk to a stranger about my life problems, and I didn't even know what I was supposed to say. But I did it anyway and I kept going. To my surprise, my therapist actually interacted back with me. Instead of telling me how to fix all my problems, or telling me I was right or wrong, he taught me methods to process the world around me. I learned how to help calm my anxiety, increase my focus when I'm feeling uncomfortable, and how to work through my issues in a reasonable, intentional way. Being lonely at college seemed like the worst thing in the world. I was bored, anxious, I felt awkward and out of place, and I was too scared to try new things and meet new people. Thankfully I learned how to get up and do things on your own. This helped me discover a whole network of mental health resources that changed my perspective on handling hardships. While usually I look for people I know well to surround myself with, I've learned this year that sometimes you need to do the opposite. Having alone time allows you to reflect on yourself, the world around you, and what you are feeling. This revelation has changed the way I approach my mental health completely. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, unproductive or anxious I sit on my own and take time to discover why I'm feeling this way. I can uncover the root of my problems, and tackle things from there. While my anxiety can never go away, and I may lose my mind if I forget to take my ADHD medicine, I can find ways to push through challenges and keep on learning!

I am not a successful person. I have won no national titles, no state championships, I'm not a Nobel Peace prize winner and I have not cured any life threatening diseases. My entire life I have looked to other people to decide my accomplishments and that has led to a very unsuccessful life. Growing up a student athlete I have learned a lot of life lessons and I have let my life be defined by the number of championships, titles, awards I have won. At first, it was enough. But soon the struggle to be successful became too much and I fell out of love for what I was doing. Anything I did didn't matter unless I was good at my sport and everyone knew it. In my attempts to become the best I began training with a private track and field coach. For a while it was great, my hard work paid off as I became the best in the state. My success was defined by my name at the top of the leaderboard. After my name was knocked down, my ambition, drive and contentment was knocked down along with it. All the hard work I did was now all for nothing, I was yet again, unsuccessful. My dad kept telling me to look at the big picture. Each practice was a stepping stone, each meet was a part of the puzzle. I was told to count every one of my successes each day. I decided to start writing every good thing in my life down in a notebook. Sports, school, family, anything that was good I wrote it down. Slowly I started to see that there was more to life than a first place medal. My life was made up of many moments. No matter what, after I'm done with track my life will keep moving along. When I didn't win that state championship that I worked rain, sun, and even in a foot of snow for, only then I realized. Holy cow! I worked in rain, sun, and literally in an entire foot of snow! I worked hard because I loved what I was doing. Not because I loved success, because I loved working hard. I loved the people the sport brought to my life. I loved the lessons that it taught me. While I'm not a state champion, nor will I ever be, I am an entirely new individual and that is the biggest success I've ever had. No matter how hard one may try, nobody can define my passion, drive, hard work or ambitions. Therefore nobody can ever define my success. If I let my dad define my success I would be the most successful person in the room since the day I was born. If i let my coach define my success i would be the most successful person on the team. If I let the people who hate me define my success I would have none. But the REAL truth is that we define our own success. When we let our insecurity and worry in, we defeat all the good work we have done. For myself, I define success as the work I put in to be better. Every day I get up and decide to work towards a goal that is a success. Every time I make a mistake and choose to try and be better that is a success! Success is getting up and putting on your shoes before a run. Success is at the beginning of the run, it's also in the middle, and at the end. And then success is there the next day because yesterday we ran and today we are better because of it. With the assistance of scholarship I can continue my track career at University of Kansas as I also pursue a degree in journalism with a focus on communications and digital media. My ultimate goal is to be able to work in management with music artists. Either running media or touring. Being able to not only support the artist sharing their art with the world, but also helping people find music they are passionate about is my dream. Music has changed my life and I want to show other people it can do the same for them. I want to change the view many athletes have, and help encourage others to redefine success. As soon as I press submit on this essay, that is yet AGAIN another success. My hard work has led me to this moment with the chance to go to college and help others understand that success is defined by whatever they want it to be. If you are lucky, life is made up of many years. Don't define it by a single moment.

The credits roll as you reach for the remote to select, Next Episode, until you realize it's not there. It's the last episode of the last season. Every night for a month you have spent Infront of this screen investing your life into the fake reality. What is the pit you feel at the bottom of your stomach? Why do you feel like you have nothing to live for!?!? DON'T worry, I'm here to help you. Yeah, it's a show hole. You are stuck in a show hole. Scary, I know but this is a curable problem! You just have to find a new show! I have just the watch to fix your problem. You may wonder what my qualifications are. As an avid Netflix spectator, I'm no stranger to the show hole. Since I was a kid, I found myself relating to characters and imagining myself in mythical worlds that only exist on the tv screen.... also my Netflix screen time is very high. So you CAN trust me. Before I reveal the title you must understand that I'm not responsible for any emotional damage you may undergo…. This show will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as the limited series takes you through the lives of our two stars, Emma and Dax. The show I recommend may be one you have been avoiding starting. Yes, it's the show, One Day. Whether you have or haven't heard about it, I'm going to convince you that any pain that may come from watching is worth it. One Day has EVERYONE raving all over social media, and for good reason. In 14 episodes 20 years of our characters' lives are revealed. You get to fall in love with the two as they graduate college and prepare to take on the real world. You find yourself rooting for them in any scenario as they navigate life's many changes. That's what gives this show its draw, it's nowhere near predictable and I found myself gasping at each plot twist. While it's no amusement park, you will have to strap in to ride this rollercoaster of emotion. I laughed, cried, got angry, screamed at the tv, but best of all i fell in love with the imperfect characters and their trials and tribulations. You have to trust me when I say this, watching is excruciating. It's awkward, embarrassing, frustrating, any emotion you can think of you WILL feel. But that's what makes it so good! You feel every single moment. It sucks you in and brings you alongside Dax and Emma. You get angry at them and for them. Any pain that they feel you also feel. Like any great film, or cinematic piece you engage with the characters and temporarily become part of their lives. One day shows you the reality of life and the struggle that comes with growing up. The pair are well rounded, dynamic characters and their flaws make you root for their happy ending even more. It's more than a romance, it's a look into the complexity of humans, life, and love. By the last episode you will be asking yourself in what ways you are like the characters. How can you be intentional and savor each moment? One day everything can change for Emma and Dax. One day, everything can change for you. So settle in and get ready to transport to 1990s London. I hope this watch helps you get out of your previous show hole… even if it transports you right into another one. What can I say, it's just the human experience, good luck!

The day I heard The Summer I Turned Pretty was being turned into a show I was on facetime with my best friend. We immediately lost our everloving minds, then made a quick shift to detective mode to stalk each actor to see if they matched our depiction of the characters. After some serious stalking we were left worried, the Conrad we saw in our minds did not match what we thought Chris Briney would portray. When the first episode was released, we finally realized why Chris was chosen for the part. Everyone loves a bad boy. Even if you won't admit it, you do too. Conrads broody attitude and risky behavior make his sincere moments all the more heartwarming. I am a team Conrad girl until they bury me 6 feet under and I make sure everyone knows it. When the show got popular, those around me kept their mouths shut if they were team Jerimiah because they knew I had an entire document of book facts on why Conrad was the better choice. It's obvious that Jerimiah is a sweet boy, he's kind, loves his family, and wants to do good. But deep down he is always in search of validation from his father, and wants to be like his brother. He feels that Conrad casts a shadow upon him, and so he strives to be better than his older brother. In more ways than one, it's obvious that what Jerimiah feels for Belly is in retaliation. It's no lie that Belly and Jerimiah love eachother very much. They are childhood best friends, they grew up together. They have a connection untouchable by anyone, and that's why so many people root for Jerimiah. But everyone knows Belly loves Conrad and she always has, Jeremiah never stood a chance. Losing their mother was hard on both the boys. But without a healthy relationship with their father Conrad became the man of the family. He knew he had to protect his little brother while also coping with the loss of his entire world as he knew it. Conrad was aware of his behavior, and he knew he could not care and love belly the way she needed him to. The reason he acted the way he did wasn't because he didn't love her, but because he did! His confusing and unpredictable behavior reflected his life at the time as he struggled to cope and to do the right thing for his love and family. Jeremiah was too selfish to see what his brother was doing and swooped in at the chance to have something Conrad couldnt. We get to see flashbacks to when the 4 were kids. Conrad was always alongside Belly, protecting her, teaching her, and loving her. My favorite part is Conrad teaching Belly about infinity, then later giving her an infinity necklace. I love his soft spot for belly, and the way he loves her. He might not be as outgoing or bright as his younger brother, but he has a love and loyalty like no other. He will do what it takes to protect his people even if it hurts himself in the process. He knew Jerimiah and Belly needed each other. Jer was more emotionally ready and Conrad knew he was not, so he let her go. That is why I love him so much. He works to be loyal and selfless with his family, and that's not a trait Jeremiah has. Jenny Han says it best, for Belly Conrad is the sun, and when the sun comes out the stars disappear.

The importance of representation in the media is key to a good story, movie, or TV show. People gravitate towards things they resonate with, therefore your audience depends on diversity. I got my first experience with this when I discovered the book, Michael Vey. The story is about a young boy dealing with his differences and navigating high school. He thinks that his Tourette Syndrome is the one thing that sets him apart from others. That is until he discovers he has electric powers, amplified by his tourettes Michael is powerful. He thinks that yet again he is alone until he uncovers a whole new community just like him. He finds his place with people supporting him and depending on him because of his differences. This book is important not just for people with tourettes, but anyone with a trait they feel makes them different, difficult, or outcast. It highlights the good in difference and how when we accept who we are we uncover a whole new world waiting for us. This book inspired me. It showed me to look for where I fit in my surroundings, and how I can stand out. This story is so relevant to young minds exploring where they fit, and who they are. It came to me in time when I needed it. Seeing another kid with Tourettes navigating life and struggle reminded me of the good that is to come. If I could have everyone read a book, it would be this one. Everyone has something they struggle with. We just have to find how to accept and overcome. Although I don't have electrical superpowers, I have my own missions I want to accomplish! Tackling college and navigating disability on my own. Being able to see the bigger picture and working hard to the finish. Every time you read you gain the perspective of another world. The authors teach what they know through their characters, it's up to us to take the lessons and apply them to our lives. That's the importance of reading. Seeing places and people you couldn't meet in real life. Often those are the greatest learning opportunities. My goals are often changing. As I grow, read, and learn I get a glimpse of what I could be. Reading has shaped my goals by showing me to throw my expectations and narrow view of life out the window and be ok with change. My goals are to live the best life possible, be my best self, and take big risks. That's what Richard Paul Evans taught me through his story, Michael Vey. Be proud of who you are and what you can do. You might just end up being the key to saving the world.

The importance of representation in the media is key to a good story, movie, or TV show. People gravitate towards things they resonate with, therefore your audience depends on diversity. I got my first experience with this when I discovered the book, Michael Vey. The story is about a young boy dealing with his differences and navigating high school. He thinks that his Tourette Syndrome is the one thing that sets him apart from others. That is until he discovers he has electric powers, amplified by his tourettes Michael is powerful. He thinks that yet again, he is alone until he uncovers a whole new community with powers, like him! He finds his place with people supporting him and depending on him because of his differences. This book is important not just for people with tourettes, but anyone with a trait they feel makes them different, difficult, or outcast. It highlights the good in diversity and how when we accept who we are, we uncover a whole new world waiting for us. This book inspired me. It showed me to look for where I fit in my surroundings, and how I can stand out. This story is so relevant to young minds exploring where they fit, and who they are. It came to me in time when I needed it. Seeing another kid with Tourettes navigating life and struggle reminded me of the good that is to come. That is why if I could have everyone read a book, it would be this one. Everyone has something they struggle with. We just have to find how to accept and overcome. That's what this story taught me. Be proud of who you are and what you can do. You might just end up being the key to saving the world.

I remember December of 2021 like it was yesterday. I went to the theater to watch the new Spiderman movie. Little did I know that choice would literally change my life. That seems silly, but I fell in love with the movie so fast. I've always liked Spiderman, but never to the extent now. It was my first time really seeing Andrew Garfield in something, and it took me .5 seconds to immediately fall in love with him. His acting had so much depth to it, the emotion he was able to portray while reflecting on the character was amazing. I've never cried so hard watching a movie, the ending absolutely crushed me. The reflection of the past movies incorporated into the present overwhelmed me. Andrew was the perfect actor for the role. I wish I would have gotten myself an AMC Stubs membership at that point because I saw the movie 3 times a week for months. People think I'm kidding when I say I cried every day, every night about this movie. Every time I opened tik tok it would be a sad edit of Gwen and Peter. At one point I had to delete all social media because of it. embarrassing, I know, but it was such a nice thing to have something I loved so much. I would go on to watch every Spiderman movie, and further fall in love with the character. I love the idea of bringing each Spiderman into one world, where people can see all the characters they love together. Each contributes something different to the same cause. Spiderman is a touchy subject at this point, if someone brings it up I could go on for hours, cry for hours, and yell for hours. Every Christmas since then I've felt a sense of nostalgia remembering that winter. it was such a good time, and the Spiderman movies bring me back to that. I loved Andrews's Spiderman, and the Amazing Spiderman movies will always make me sick to my stomach.. in a good and bad way. I like to pretend the second movie doesn't exist. Whatever character you pick, there are so many good things about them and their actors. Toby's sense of nostalgia, and originality, Andrews's unique take on the character, and everything he portrays as Peter. his ability to show so much emotion with little effort. His amazing awkwardness, but yet finesse. Toms's new fresh take on Peter that he brings to the table. His ability to relate to people, and be one of the most loveable characters ever. I will always love Spiderman, and the direction the movies all went is fantastic, one of the best series franchises ever made. It will continue to be the best, and contribute to the film industry forever.

After high school, I want to go into music management. I feel that music impacts every person in many different ways. I think that managing music artists and helping them get their art out there will make a tremendous impact. Music management will be a relevant career choice for me, and a way I can contribute by doing what I love. Contributing to society in a positive way can help us build meaning in our lives, while making an impact on others. We can make meaningful contributions by finding ways we love to serve others. For me it's volunteering with people who need support, and educating society. Voting, advocating, and showing kindness are all ways I plan to contribute to making society a better place for everyone. When we are relentless in what we believe in, people pick up on it. A way I work to make the world better now is working with special education students within my school and helping them find a way to connect. I love to serve in this way, helping them grow, and learning communication. I plan to keep this up my whole life, whether that's volunteering with the special olympics, or getting a part time job as a peer. It's something I believe strongly in, helping people different from us. When we connect with different people, we take away the things they can teach us. And by teaching them communication I learn communication, and how to understand. When we try to just do good, or do something for the credit we don't put our heart into it. We don't get as much out of it. So in order to contribute to making a better world I will continue to do the things I love, and want to do. This way, whatever i'm doing gets my all. Working with people gets my all, it gets the very best of me. This is truly how we grow and help others grow. So that's how I plan on contributing to society, finding ways outside of highschool i can help people. Work with them, and support them in ways they need support. Advocating for others, and backing up what I believe in. Voting, and speaking up for what I believe in. Voting is also a way I plan to contribute to our society. It's one of the most overlooked things someone can do. Every “little” election like school board, mayor and other city wide voting opportunities I will be contributing to. As well as bigger elections like the presidential. When I know where I'm located after college, I'll be better equipped to help my city out in other ways. Such as volunteer opportunities, city functions, fundraisers, and events. Recycling, donating, keeping up my vegan diet and planting in a community garden are also ways I will take care of my community. I'm excited to make my efforts known when I graduate, and can't wait to encourage others to do the same.

"The rumors are terrible and cruel but honey most of them are true", my 2023 soundtrack would kick off with New Romantics (Taylor Version). While sometimes during this year, every day is like a battle, this year has been a gift that won't stop giving for us Swifties. This song would be the #1 song every year for me. I still remember the choreography I made up back in 2014. It's my pick me up, get hype, dance everything off song. It's a reminder that no matter what happens, what people say about you, or how you are treated you are in control of your life and how you respond. We can either get down or get up and stand even taller. So though my 2023 has been tough, I can still dance, I can still be proud, and I can still live my life the way I want to. "We're too busy dancin', to get knocked off our feet." The best people in life are free! This re-release has been a nice reminder of what it felt like to dance to this song, feel the lyrics, and believe them. When we "shake it off" things can and will get better. My favorite lyric that has always stood out to me is, "Cause baby I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me." I love, love, love this part. It's so powerful, to not only deflect the words, actions, or "bricks" thrown at us, but we build something out of them. To be constantly under fire so much so you could build a castle, but still dance and live your truth. To this day almost 10 years later it still gives me shivers listening to this song. remembering what it has meant for me this entire time. So in honor of needing to hear those lyrics this year more than ever, I would kick off my 2023 soundtrack with New Romantics. Following that up is the oh-so iconic Out of the Woods. This song is so good, one of the best songs in the entire world. That definitely a fact, ask science. If you need to scream, cry, throw something, or drive with your windows down music blasting this is the go-to song to play. All 2023 this song was blasting from my car, and it will never get old. And when I'm feeling crazy, I'll listen to the live version. Some call it, the angry girl version. 2023 has been the year of sacrifice for me. Sacrificing things for others, then realizing I needed to sacrifice losing relationships that simply were not working. I was trying too hard to hold on to things that were not healthy. Sometimes I felt like I was in the woods, wandering, wondering what to do, or when things were going to get better. But when you make a change for the better, things will work out. It's hard, scary, and will suck for a while sometimes. but ultimately, you will find the clear, you will get out of the woods. I'm still asking myself, are we in the clear yet? I was always saying, I wish you would, to the people in my life. Hoping the people who were not good, would give efforts that they were never going to make. My soundtrack would end with Bad Blood featuring Kendrick Lamar, not because I have bad blood, but because it's an absolute banger, and an epic way to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. So I welcome the end of 2023, but (My Version).

Olivia's new album is a big shift from her past album Sour. you could feel the change slowly, and the new album jumped right into it. The contrast of rock, to her slower ballads is a perfect balance. I feel Olivia has always done a good job of getting her point across with her lyrics. One I love is from her song, All-American Bitch. '" All the time, I'm grateful all the time, I'm sexy and I'm kind, I'm pretty when I cry." The song is about an "all-American bitch." The lyrics sing about her being all these things. Her being optimistic, being sunshine, and everything ideal. As a woman, she is the perfect model of it all. The song is her trying to convince someone she's the perfect standard, but then it goes from a ballad to more of a rock style then back to calm. Its lyrics are about how we as women, have to be perfect, happy, and hold this image all the time. We have to be Pretty when we cry, and so on. This is a great representation of the standard for women, especially in America. I, as a woman resignate with the song, and how it feels to try and be perfect and in the end lose control. That's what the song does, it loses control and attempts to fix it again. I know a lot of young women understand how it feels to be held to this unrealistic standard. We don't have to be pretty when we cry, we don't have to be okay "with movies that make jokes about senseless cruelty", and we don't have to "make light of the darkness all the time". we do not have to be pretty when we cry. We can yell, be angry, be sad, we can stand up for what we want and go against men. We as women are expected to be everything all at once, sexy and kind, and grateful all the time. If we are not, we are ridiculed, shamed, and looked down upon. I refuse to try and be everything all at once, and I will never encourage women to be either. Get angry, get even, get whatever you want. We as women deserve to feel things and express them without fear of judgment. Especially as a teenager, we are learning and being influenced. Olivia's song is a great way to capture these unrealistic expectations. When you listen to the song you think about it and how crazy it sounds because it is! So get angry, say no thank you, and be an ugly crier. You won't be the only one.

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. i plan to study psychology in college. its always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When i started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me, and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.

Fall is my favorite season and always has been. Starbucks has actually been a part of my getting ready for the fall ritual. I'm not the only person in love with pumpkin spice, but I truly am obsessed. It begins in August, On the first chilly day I go to Starbucks and get a venti Iced Chai tea latte, light ice, oat milk, with vanilla, and 2 pumps of brown sugar syrup. It gives the taste of butterbeer from harry potter. to me at least! I'm instantly brought back to the fall of the year before and it gets me so excited. The chill weather. leaves. flannel, Halloween. I love it, it's my favorite drink but I have to save it for that first chill day of August. then the wait begins for Starbucks to make the post announcing the return of the infamous pumpkin spice. it's a glorious day. when they do I trade out my substitute fall drink for a iced chai with pumpkin spice and pumpkin cream cold foam. it's truly amazing. My friends and I get our drinks and run to the nearest Target to shop in the fall dollar bin and update our wardrobe to the fall aesthetic. It signals the true start of Fall, it's almost my birthday, the time for pumpkin patches, and yearly carving with my family. My birthday most importantly. High school football season, and everything I love. I love fall, and I love the nostalgia it brings. Everything I love starts when Starbucks announces its pumpkin spice season! Don't forget to put on the Smiths, grab my favorite flannel jacket that my grandpa gave to me, and play Sweater Weather. Go to AMC for their 5 dollar Halloween movies, celebrate in an almost empty theater with all my friends. indulge in pumpkin spice chai tea lattes for as long as I can, because then it goes away and I'm stuck making a trip to Walmart to buy pumpkin spice syrup that's only half as good. I can't wait for the day to come this year! I'll be the first one on the mobile app to order. I better get to picking up more shifts at work, because my money is going to fly out faster than the leaves can fall off the trees.I can't wait for fall, and i cant wait for pumpkin spice season, it can't come any faster!

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. I plan to study psychology in college. its always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When I started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others. I hope to help kids learn to be confident in themselves, and be able to advocate what they need. I will help kids discover ways to do this, and ways to deal with mental health in school, and in general. kids with ADHD, Tourette's ocd, and many other disabilities and disorders are overlooked in schools, they think because they get sometimes special accommodations they are all good, and thats all they need. But dealing is very hard and being in school takes a big toll on many mental health. I hope to help kids climb this barrier, and enjoy school, interacting with friends, and living life without the stress and pressure to be "normal", or ok all the time.

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. i plan to study psychology in college. its always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When I started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.

If I could have anyone in the world read one book in the world, I would want them to read Wonder. The story by author, R. J. Palacio is a truly inspiring one about a kid who had facial differences, Treacher Collins syndrome. The book is not complex, or super long and puts a great perspective on what it's like to be a kid who is different from others. Almost anyone can read and understand the story, and hopefully, the message gets to them like it did to me. I read the book when I was younger and it changed my life for sure. The story hits close to home for kids who were bullied, or who are different from others during their childhood, and strikes readers who don't relate with the sad reality of it all. The book is good for all audiences, and all ages and stresses the importance of compassion and kindness. The story is such a good one to teach anyone an important life lesson and gives a good point of view for people who don't understand what it's like. I love this story even as a 17-year-old, I still look back on it and relate. I remember instantly falling in love with the story, and its message and wanted more people to read it. There's now even a movie to go along with it! If we can spread awareness through our stories that is so important, thats why I would want everyone to read, and try to understand this book!

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. i plan to study psychology in college. its always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When i started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me, and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.

I'm sure I'm not special when I say, I've taken the harry potter house quiz many, many times throughout my years. I've gotten different house results and aspired to be a Gryffindor just like Hermione Granger. But the house I fit best in is very contradicting to that. Slytherin is my perfect fit. Slytherin are very loyal people, they stick together and I too am a very loyal person to those close to me. I stick like glue to people and will do whatever it takes to protect them. The stereotype of Slytherins being selfish and evil simply does not apply to everyone in the house, such as Leta Lestrange. I'm a very driven and strong leader. in every setting, when needed I can step in and help lead or support a group. Slytherins are known for wanting power, and influence which isn't always bad as long as you don't become overbearing, and corrupt. I love deeply and reflect it by my loyalty, and dedication to those I love. Don't let tom riddle fool you, though he didn't feel, or reflect love Slytherins are deeply rooted and motivated by love. Slytherins are shrewd. I feel that perfectly encapsulates them. The definition on Google is, able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage. Some synonyms of the word are, cunning, sharp, sly and sensible. I feel I can be as well, while I don't use it to become a dark lord, I can use it to get out of sticky situations, and I'm a dependable person to rely on to get out of a bind. I'm self-sufficient and self-reliant. I feel this ties things together. I have the most confidence in myself and often push to be a leader, and do things on my own because I feel I'm the one who can get them done. While this may seem bad, it's good to be confident in yourself and your work, and also keeps me motivated. most of the things I do are out of love, I want to protect others by doing risky things because I feel I may be the only one who can handle it. It goes back to loyalty as well. Not all Slytherins are good, but not all Slytherins are bad either. Their traits may seem evil but with balance and pure intentions. After all, the renowned harry potter was said to be truly a Slytherin. I feel confident siding with my fellow pals in Slytherin.

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone was aware of what it was, and advocating helped grow my self-confidence. It changed my life, I grew a passion for educating others and advocating. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. I plan to study psychology in college. its always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes, you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. But I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When I started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When i started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me, and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.

When I was in the 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette's. What a confusing thing for a 4th grader to have to navigate. To find out this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Having Tourette syndrome in school is difficult. You're the weird kid who won't shut up, that everyone stares at. It's weird, and I hated it. I was embarrassed to go to class, I used to love school and I ended up hating it more than anything. I decided to advocate for myself. To teach everyone what it was that I had, and what it meant. This helped me a lot, everyone knew and as time went on I got fewer and fewer looks. If someone said anything about a weird noise, people I wasn't even friends with would tell them that it was just Addie, and that I had tourettes and couldn't help it. I had a whole community on my side and it changed my life. As time went on and I went to high school things changed, I still get weird looks and people still say mean things. But I know who I am and that I can't change. I now love school and can't wait to graduate and go to college. I didn't, and won't let having tourettes stop my life or my education. I deserve to live and learn just as much as someone without tourettes. I hope to continue to advocate for myself and others. Earning this scholarship will help me get to go to the college I want. This will further my dreams of showing other students with disability and disorders that make school hard, that it can be done. Even kids who are different deserve to have big dreams and goals and get an education. Even when you might feel school is not for you like I felt, you can't let people push you out. i plan to study psychology in college. it always interested me because it relates to me. I want to help people understand why they are the way that they are. Having something that stops you from living your life is so scary. With Tourettes you never know what will happen. it's scary to drive, cook, and talk to new people, even reading and writing can be hard. but I hope to teach about what Tourettes is, and in doing that others can see they too can advocate for themselves. When i started teaching the kids in my classes what tourettes was, it spread to the other classes. It was fascinating to see people talk about it in a curious, educational way. This little thing inspired me, and has been something I carry with me. Advocating is one of the most important things someone can do for themselves, and others.