I have always been a fun-loving, carefree, and happy individual. I have loads of friends and an amazing family that cares about me and yet something always seemed to be missing. During the Covid-19 shut down reality hit me like a freight train. I realized that my whole life I had been masking my feeling in order to make others like me and see me as someone who was “normal”. But now I realize that being “normal” is impossible, because the idea of “normal” is a far fetched concept, not something that is obtainable, which is completely alright. I have severe anxiety and depression, my “fear of missing out”, or FOMO, is a strong factor and yet, now more than ever I feel “normal”. I am comfortable in my skin now, it took a while, but I am at the end of that path and now with the help of my doctors I have medication that helps me in ways I didn’t think were possible. I learned that nobody is perfect, everyone is fighting some sort of demons, and that it’s okay to be yourself. The girl who once had panic attacks while standing in line for roller coasters, thought the world might be better off if she wasn’t there, and deleted all social media because she always felt left out, has now found peace. I am going to be a special education teacher, I am going to help kids who need guidance, and I am going to do my best to ensure that they know they are enough just as they are. To me, my mental illnesses aren’t illnesses at all but tools that have made me who I am today, and if I am being honest, I really love the person I am today. Now when I think about my future, I’m not nervous or scared but excited about all of the possibilities and opportunities I will have. Yes, there will be days where I don’t feel happy or excited, days when I’m down and want to hide away. But I know that these days will only be temporary and that I will be able to get up, achieve my goals, and make all of my dreams come true. I used to think I was a fun-loving, carefree, and happy individual, but there are times when I’m not. There are times when I am sad, feel alone, and riddled with anxiety. But that’s only part of me, and I am not afraid of that part of me anymore.

My whole life I’ve grown up around people who have helped others. When I was younger I had no idea what I would be, but I knew I wanted to be able to help others also. I was bullied growing up because I sounded different. I had a teacher in elementary school who stuck up for me and told me that I was very special and that one day I would do amazing things. I want to be able to do that for other kids. Kids who have been hurt and mistreated. I also want to be able to be a safe space if kids are struggling. Yes I want to be a teacher but more specifically, I want to be an elementary aged level special education teacher. I have chosen this specific path because a lot of child development starts in the early years of elementary school and depending on the treatment you receive, it can mold you into the person you become. I’ve been able to work for the local soccer club that created a special needs team for ages 4 through 18. As I coached these kids, I realize how much they were teaching me. I’ve learned how to increase my patience level, how to read others, and comfort them. I was able to calm these kids down when they throw tantrums and make them feel better when they were sad. It got to the point where whenever they saw me they were excited and even gave me hugs. It makes me feel good to know that I have positively impacted the lives of these kids, just like the teacher I had who believed in me. I want to be able to continue to help these kids who are often seen as less than. I have learned that by being around these children I have become a happier person and enjoyed more of the little things in life. I want to be able to give these kids a place where they can be authentically themselves without space for negativity. I want them to feel safe, cared for, and respected. At the end of the day people with special needs are still people, they deserve the same respect and kindness as the next person. My goal in life is to make a difference in this community and spread awareness. I will continue to strive for my goal until I can achieve it. I am determined to make a difference. I want to be the teacher that kids can talk to and are safe with. I want to be the teacher who encourages learning but in a fun way. I want to do good in the world, and with this career, I will be able to do good everyday, even if it’s a small amount.

I wasn’t given the luckiest hand when I was born, for starters I was born deaf to a mother who wasn’t ready for the responsibilities of having a child which led to me being put into foster care. However, I now have an amazing adoptive family who has taught me the importance of kindness and compassion. They were able to catch my hearing issues and now I only have minimal impairment as opposed to complete deafness. Since then, my whole life has been spent around people who have helped others, and now I am 18 years old and held a special job for the past 3 years. The local soccer club created a special needs team for ages 4 to 18, and I was the head coach. Unfortunately the funding for this team was revoked so that they could focus on their competitive teams. As I coached these kids, I realized how much they have taught me. I’ve learned how to increase my patience level, how to read others, and comfort them, and overall provide a space and routine that is much needed for many of these kids. I was able to calm these kids down when they threw tantrums and make them feel better when they were sad. It even got to the point where whenever they saw me they got excited and even embraced me. It makes me feel good to know that I have positively impacted the lives of these kids. Although the funding for the club fell through, this experience has led me to my future career aspiration, a special education teacher, specifically at the elementary education level because of the importance that the early years have on all students. I have learned that by being around these children I have become a happier person and enjoyed more of the little things in life. I want to be able to give these kids a place where they can be authentically themselves without space for negativity. I want them to feel safe, cared for, and respected, as well as confident in the abilities that they do have. At the end of the day people with special needs are still people, they deserve the same respect and kindness as the next person. My goal in life is to make a difference in this community as well as any other community that I am apart of and spread awareness.

My whole life I’ve grown up around people who have helped others. When I was younger I had no idea what I would be, but I knew I wanted to be able to help others also. I was bullied growing up because I sounded different. I had a teacher in elementary school who stuck up for me and told me that I was very special and that one day I would do amazing things. I want to be able to do that for other kids. Kids who have been hurt and mistreated. I also want to be able to be a safe space if kids are struggling. Yes I want to be a teacher but more specifically, I want to be a special education teacher. For the last 3 years I’ve had a very special job. I’ve worked for the local soccer club that created a special needs team for ages 4 through 18. As I coach these kids, I realize how much they are teaching me. I’ve learned how to increase my patience level, how to read others, and comfort them. I have been able to calm these kids down when they throw tantrums and make them feel better when they are sad. Now, whenever they see me they are excited and even embrace me. It makes me feel good to know that I have positively impacted the lives of these kids. I want to be able to continue to help these kids who are often seen as less than. I have learned that by being around these children I have become a happier person and enjoyed more of the little things in life. I want to be able to give these kids a place where they can be authentically themselves without space for negativity. I want them to feel safe, cared for, and respected. At the end of the day people with special needs are still people, they deserve the same respect and kindness as the next person. My goal in life is to make a difference in this community and spread awareness. I will continue to strive for my goal until I can achieve it. I am determined to make a difference. I want to be the teacher that kids can talk to and are safe with. I want to be the teacher who encourages learning but in a fun way. I want to do good in the world, and with this career, I will be able to do good everyday, even if it’s a small amount.

To me empowerment is confidence and freedom. The ability to fight for yourself and others. To create a sense of belonging in this crazy world. To lift people up instead of let them fall and if they fall, fall with them. It is to teach others that they are enough. It is to be a leader. Empowerment is a big word to me and it means a lot. Empowerment is what I want to be able to accomplish in life. I want to help others when they need it. I want to show people that we are all different and unique but all human. That we deserve to be treated as such. Empowerment affects my life by giving purpose. I look up to so many figures, strong, independent, intelligent women who have helped shape the world into what it is now. It shows that unity is a possibility. I’ve been empowered by teachers, family members, and friends. They have made lasting impacts on me. I want to be able to give the same impact. Empowerment has increased my confidence and ability to impact positive choices. Empowerment encourages me to take charge and stand firm in my beliefs. Empowerment will be able to bring me to my goals. I want to be a special education teacher. With this job I will be able to empower my students and lift them up and make sure they feel safe and secure in their lives. I want to create a difference in my community, and by being able to effect change, I will make this difference. I want to stick up for my future students, spread awareness, and defend them. At the end of the day they are people just like you and I, and they deserve to be treated as such. I will show appreciation to all of the people who have empowered me when I am able to create a difference for others. My mom tells me everyday to be the best me that I can be, and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I am so proud of the person I am today and if it wasn’t for those who have lifted me when I was down I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Empowerment is power, it’s magic, it’s kindness, it’s respect, it’s the ability to be free from fear and pain, it’s the ability to be safe. It is one of the most influential and impactful things that a person can show.

I’m Addison Hill and I was born deaf. I was a safe surrender baby that was put into the foster care system. Luckily I was adopted early but no one knew I was deaf. My mom eventually took me to the doctor and they ran tests and they realized I had next to no hearing capabilities. I was lucky enough to get a surgery that has helped me gain majority of the hearing that I was lacking, however I still have hearing loss. I used to think that this disadvantage would make basic everyday things more difficult, but I’ve learned that just because I am different I am still unique and capable of many things. This is the message I want to spread in the world, that differences make us special. Now I am 18, an honor student, and heading to CSUMB this fall. For the last 3 years I’ve had a very special job. I played soccer for years and have always gravitated towards helping people. The local soccer club created a special needs team for ages 4 to 18, and I knew I had to be a part of it. At first, I was a coach helper, helping kick around soccer balls and setting up goals and cones for drills and games, but I knew I wanted more. I showed up every Friday, rain or shine, cool or sweltering, wanting to help in any way I could.  Until one day, I was told that the coach was quitting and the club's executive director contacted me asking if I wanted to become the head coach. I said yes and eagerly waited for the season to start. Of course it isn’t always easy, but that’s with anything in life. Luckily I have immense patience and respect for all people so having this job was the perfect fit for me. As I coach these kids, I realize how much they are teaching me. I’ve learned how to increase my patience level, how to read others, and comfort them. I have been able to calm these kids down when they throw tantrums and make them feel better when they are sad. Now, whenever they see me they are excited and even embrace me. It makes me feel good to know that I have positively impacted the lives of these kids. This experience has led me to my future career aspiration, a special education teacher. I have learned that by being around these children I have become a happier person and enjoyed more of the little things in life. I want to be able to give these kids a place where they can be authentically themselves without space for negativity. I want them to feel safe, cared for, and respected. At the end of the day people with special needs are still people, they deserve the same respect and kindness as the next person. My goal in life is to make a difference in this community and spread awareness. Optional Story: Once upon a time, in a small village located outside of a large kingdom there was a girl named Addy who had a dream. Growing up she was taught the importance of kindness and respect towards all, regardless of their situations, appearances, or behaviors. She noticed some of the other kids in her village would be treated unfairly due to their unique needs and challenges. This inspired her to make a difference in her village she befriended these children and vowed to one day be able to teach young children who also experienced these differences. One day, Addy was invited to the big kingdom because they wanted to hear her story. So she embarked on her journey to the kingdom. This wasn’t just any kingdom it was a magical kingdom where everyone had special talents and abilities. In this kingdom everyone valued each other strengths and supported each other. Throughout her adventure, Addy faced challenges and hardships but because of her determination, she knew that anything was possible. When she made it to the kingdom she was greeted with smiles and kind words. She told her story about her small village and her hopes and dreams for the future. The kingdom was so impressed that they invited Addy to study to pursue her career choice in the kingdom, they also invited all of the children to join her in the kingdom where they could live happily and free and live and laugh and dance with all of the other children. Addy became the most well known teacher in the kingdom and all of her students learned that they were loved, cared about, and respected. And in the kingdom they all loved happily ever after. The End.

I’m Addison Hill and I was born deaf. I was a safe surrender baby that was put into the foster care system. Luckily I was adopted early but no one knew I was deaf. My mom eventually took me to the doctor and they ran tests and they realized I had next to no hearing capabilities. I was lucky enough to get a surgery that has helped me gain majority of the hearing that I was lacking, however I still have hearing loss. I used to think that this disadvantage would make basic everyday things more difficult, but I’ve learned that just because I am different I am still unique and capable of many things. This is the message I want to spread in the world, that differences make us special. My freshman year I was on the wrestling team at my high school and I won MVP as well as the highest GPA in the region among wrestlers. I also played flag football during my junior year of high school on the varsity team. Sports have made a crucial impact on my life and have helped mold me into the person I am today. I also do volunteer work at my high school in our Public Safety Pathway, it is similar to a jr. ROTC program. This program has helped me connect with my community and has even given me the opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS. For the last 3 years I’ve had a very special job. I played soccer for years and have always gravitated towards helping people. The local soccer club created a special needs team for ages 4 to 18, and I knew I had to be a part of it. This experience has led me to my future career aspiration, a special education teacher. I have learned that by being around these children I have become a happier person and enjoyed more of the little things in life. I want to be able to give these kids a place where they can be authentically themselves without space for negativity. I want them to feel safe, cared for, and respected. At the end of the day people with special needs are still people, they deserve the same respect and kindness as the next person. Now I am 18, an honor student, and heading to CSUMB this fall. My goal in life is to make a difference in this community and spread awareness. This scholarship will be able to ensure I can continue to make a difference in my community and to those who need it.