It is nothing new that people tend to close themselves off to new ideas and ways of life, but the internet also encourages this behavior with highly personalized algorithms and subscriptions. I am not an exception to this, there were times in my life where I based my beliefs on sensational internet headlines and defined myself by what I hated. I've learned a lot from real life experiences and found that major issues are rarely black and white. It's so easy to take sides in big arguments and reduce the opposing side to brainless manchildren that live only to aggravate you. There is nothing scarier than the realization that everything we know in life might be a lie, so we surround ourselves with others who believe exactly what we do and act as an echo chamber. Growth happens outside of our comfortable familiar bubbles, where the world is in constant motion and usually doesn't play fair. I would like to see change in how the world sees LGBTQ+ people. To many, the word queer brings to mind little more than a porn category or a lifestyle of sexual deviancy. It is little wonder why suicide rates are higher among this community, since our rights to simply exist are still being debated to this day. Fearmongering is rampant, with children and "traditional values" being used as a shield to excuse blatant acts of violence. Jokes and slurs may seem harmless, but they normalize the justified attitude of "putting sinners in their place". This is not to say that the LGBTQ+ community isn't warranting of constructive criticism, they aren't to be coddled like children. But there are many ideas that we have an agenda to brainwash and prey on the innocent. Being queer is more than who you have sex with, it's acceptance of yourself and who you choose to love. Being straight is not the default mode of humanity, rather it is one of many forms that love can take. Willingness to be open to new ideas takes understanding from both sides, but it is very possible. Nothing good comes from defining yourself by what you hate, nor does proclaiming yourself as God's right-hand man. At the very least, open respectful conversation between two opposing parties is a start to understanding. We do not fight for wholehearted acceptance from others, but for a voice and the rights of any other human.

My relationship with learning has been a long and hard one, and it's only recently that I figured out how to love it again. Early on, I struggled in school due to trouble focusing; I obsessed over perfect grades to make up for the fact that I didn't truly understand what was being taught. Perfectionism had a negative impact on my social life and kept me from asking for help when I needed it. I felt like a failure whenever I didn't understand something immediately and kept up a facade of comprehension as a result. In my early 20s I was diagnosed with depression and ADHD, and was relieved to discover that I wasn't crazy for doing the things I did. It's been a long road of unlearning self-destructive views of failure, but I've learned to love and seek out knowledge that interests me. Learning is important to me because seeking out knowledge lasts a lifetime, there is always something new to learn from the world and the people that live in it. History's most influential and intelligent people are the ones who take risks, who aren't afraid to be seen as stupid or do things differently. There are so many types of intelligence that don't show up on exams or in textbooks, such as emotional intelligence or street smarts. And even if a piece of knowledge isn't useful from a productivity standpoint, it can open the door to a new passion or career path in someone's life. It's easy to judge someone based on their education or where they work, but the only insignificant jobs are those that don't challenge you or help others. A custodian keeps areas presentable, a food service worker helps feeds the masses, and a garbage man keeps the streets from overflowing with waste. In my educational journey, I plan to continue studying the human body and one day work in an operating room. I have always been fascinated by science, disease, and the body's functions. Our cells wage a constant war against all kinds of lifeforms, sometimes its own. There is so much going on inside us that we take for granted until it no longer functions properly. I plan to continue learning by embracing failure and asking for help when I don't understand something. I seek to understand concepts critically and apply them to my daily life as I become a true adult. I strive to help kids like me understand that learning doesn't have to be a stress-ridden night of crying on your geometry homework at the dinner table.

Before I took the time to educate myself on personal finance, just the idea of facing adulthood financially on my own towered over me like an elephant. I was used to people seeing me as a screw up who could barely handle transactions or understand financial language. Anyone can learn how to take care of themselves financially, regardless of how little you know to start with. One personal finance lesson that I would give is to plan ahead and prepare for emergency situations. Impulse buying is an easy pit to fall into, since businesses pull out every trick in the book to convince you to spend more. Have a plan in mind of what you want/need to by before you walk into a store, and never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Keep an eye out for deals and coupons for things that you buy on a regular basis; the savings may seem small in the moment but they add up over time. Take time for yourself to write down what you want to accomplish in school, your career, and at home, even if you haven't made up your mind completely on what you want to do. It's expected that plans may change or hardships may come to throw you off track, but planning is better than wandering aimlessly and living a life that other people want.

I can count the number of times I've seen my family members cry on one hand, while they have seen me burst into tears on a weekly basis. I was never overtly shamed for it, but took notice of the silent looks that told me to get thicker skin already. Because I constantly compared myself to others, I began to see my sensitivity as weakness and isolate myself when tears were imminent. In highschool these repressed emotions manifested into a callous sarcastic attitude towards others, and I brushed off offers of connecting with peers as if I was too good for it. I know now that being emotional has as much advantage as it does disadvantage. Empathy is a powerful tool in one's arsenal because it allows you to diffuse situations and help others feel understood. Human connection is essential for our wellbeing, and I'm more than happy to make a fool of myself if it means letting someone know they're seen. I show empathy by taking note of the subtleties in people's expressions, body language, and tone. If they are visibly stressed, I ask them if they would prefer a healthy momentary distraction or to talk through the issue. At gatherings, I do what I can to make everyone comfortable and politely shut down passive agressive tones by encouraging genuine communication. I strive to treat strangers with respect because I have no idea what could be going on in their lives outside of work. There's no one size fits all way to comfort someone, which is why it's important not to overstep boundaries like physical contact before asking permission.

One of my favorite pieces of art is "The Lunatic of Etretat, 1871" by Hugues Merle. This oil painting created in Paris, France was made at the same time as the events of the Franco-Prussian war, specifically when France had lost. Paintings like this serve to shed light on the suffering of the poor through very personal depictions. Not only is the painting itself gorgeously detailed, but it speaks a thousand words! In it we see a woman sitting on the edge of a well cradling something swaddled in cloth. What she holds is not a baby, but a log of wood dressed in a pink baby bonnet. This is a detail that I only noticed on my second look, because what catches your eye immediately is the unwavering glare of the "lunatic" woman. The raw emotion captured in her expression alone is astounding to see, and it contrasts with her calm forest surroundings. Her hair is unkempt and her sleeves are ragged, yet her body is seemingly relaxed compared to her face. Is the woman longing for a child, or grieving over the loss of her own? There is no clear answer as to whether she had a baby previously, however her expression and body language heavily imply that she has experienced loss. Her eyes convey an unsettling mixture of anguish and wrath, truly hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. It's unclear whether the woman depicted was a real person, but its widely accepted that she is a fitting allegory for madness and loss.

When I was less than 2 years old, my mother absentmindedly fed me a peanut butter sandwich and was given a nasty surprise. My throat was closing up and I was rushed to the hospital; unfortunately my grandmother was inexperienced with an epipen and ended up shooting it through the car window. This is something that we all laugh about now, but at the time it was one of many allergy scares to come. Luckily for me my throat only closed up when I ingested them, because I would frequently bring my mother peanuts and she would slap them out of my tiny palm. As a clueless toddler I would always ask if a food had peanuts when it was offered to me, even if it was a piece of fruit or a deviled egg. Because I was so paranoid as a child and carried epipens everywhere I went, I haven't had a reaction since I was about 3. However, I have discovered slightly less fatal allergies to other nuts like cashews and almonds. I have lived through many other sensitivities such as asthma, eczema, and altitude sickness; because of exposure to both my own issues and the sickness of loved ones, I became very interested in the human body and diseases. I love learning about things like why people are lactose intolerant, why we have fingerprints, and why we get heartburn. The more I learn about how we function, the more amazed I am that I'm alive typing this at all! If there's anything allergies have taught me, it's how fragile and resilient I am at the same time. I take pride in knowing that I'm still here and thriving after all the hardship my environment has thrown at my body. I am a sensitive person, but that also means that I feel and experience more of the world around me. I have more sympathy for those who struggle with chronic illness, and make an effort to create an inclusive environment for everyone. My current career goals are to become a surgical technologist and assist in the operating room. I have past experience in phlebotomy, cadaver study, and dissection of animals anatomically similar to us. I would be so grateful for scholarships because they would help me to complete the surgical tech program while helping my family at home. Thank you for this opportunity!

1. Why do you deserve this scholarship? Quick question, is there a "sitting on the couch watching Family Guy and eating cheese nips" scholarship? I deserve this scholarship because I'm tired of "work" and "contributing to society." What have the needy ever done for me? I need the money so much more than them, these gold Rolexes and lime green Ferraris aren't gonna pay for themselves! What do you mean "no?" I'm a nice guy! 2. What are your academic and/or career goals? I don't care to set goals, it's too much effort. But I do want to be in whatever job has 6 figures and lets me work 1 hour a week; I simply can't be bothered to work with any people ever. I plan to cheat my way through school, but don't tell my professors that! 3. Tell me about a time you've overcome an obstacle. Just writing this is an obstacle in itself, my fingers are sore. I prefer to coast through life and wait for opportunity to show up on my doorstep, funnily though the only thing that's showed up is amazon packages. I do recall overcoming the obstacle of being woken up while my wife was noisily giving birth at the hospital.

My mental health journey has not only taught me some hard lessons, but motivated me to make the most of life and the people around me. During my early childhood I witnessed sickness and death in my family firsthand; my mother has suffered from a chronic illness since I was 5, and I've come home to find her comatose or hallucinating from lack of sleep. During my teenage years I left home to attend a highschool in Michigan and live with my grandparents. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was socially inept and only left the house when absolutely necessary. I became paralyzed with fear at the thought of making a phone call, talking to peers, or even being around family. Despite these hurdles, I forced myself to talk to people and project confidence each day. Around sophomore year I discovered that I was attracted to girls, but quickly learned that the school wasn't tolerant of LGBTQ+ relationships due to religion. This caused me to start dating a male friend at the time and sink further into depression. I became numb and felt unworthy of good things in life; my sleeping and eating habits deteriorated as I kept up a facade of happiness. The thought of dying became a relief from life, something I eagerly awaited and attempted. These life lessons have taught me that mental health is far more important than our society tells us it is. A mind that doesn't work properly is just as serious as a broken bone or an open wound, the only difference is that it can't be seen as easily. Since my teenage years I've learned a lot about myself, mainly that I'm a chronic people pleaser that needs to start living for herself. I broke up with my male friend shortly after graduation, and finally felt like I could breathe. Covid was a tough time, but it also gave me the time I needed to figure out who I really was. I rekindled my love of science and am currently working through the surgical tech program at my local community college. I've become much more comfortable in my own skin and found identity in the LGBTQ+ community. Most of all I've learned that life is too short to try and please everyone around you, sometimes you have to stick up for your own choices.

Living with and maintaining mental health can sometimes be the biggest obstacle in our lives. Unlike a broken leg or a bruise, it cannot be seen and often goes unnoticed. I can remember days where I was at my lowest and had no energy to care about anything, much less myself; I would go weeks without showering and choked down dry frozen waffles at 1AM to stop hunger pangs. My brain would beat down on itself while airing reruns of regretful memories and seeing itself as nothing more than a waste of gray matter. I couldn't be around people, and I couldn't be alone. After months of numb agony I made up my mind to dig myself out of the nest of empty redbull cans and dirty laundry I'd built, despite having no idea how to fix myself. Ultimately, what got me out of my own head was to unlearn what I thought I knew about both the world and myself. We are our own worst enemies, and constantly sabotage the good things we believe we don't deserve. It's easy to get caught up in what might have been or what could be, which is why it's important to know how to ground yourself in the present moment; a healthy amount of distraction works wonders on a mind that races. It helps greatly to find things you enjoy and find purpose in the world, it's the little things that keep you going most of the time. Most of all, chasing after happiness shouldn't be your ultimate goal; it's simply not natural for a person to be completely content and joyful all of the time. As much as I hated depression, I thank it now for making the good days even better in comparison.

In middle and highschool studying was always a struggle for me, it was difficult to focus among all the things in my life that demanded attention. Over time I've developed habits and become more familiar with methods of studying best for me. I personally learn best through visual and hands-on tools; these include flash cards, illustrations/diagrams, and models. If you're more of an auditory learner, there are other options to try; these include recorded lectures, reading aloud, and teaching concepts to others. When studying I try to eliminate as many distractions as possible, though sometimes music helps me to focus. I begin a chapter by reading the summary and getting a general idea of what's in store before diving deeper into the details. It's wise to not procrastinate and study more material in less time, otherwise you're more likely to forget what you've read. Depending on how much time is needed for a given class, its usually best to study intently for a couple of hours each day for 4-5 days out of the week. When studying for a specific test, pay attention to the study guide and narrow your studying down to the task at hand. The internet is an excellent resource to get a better grasp on big concepts, there are thousands of youtube channels dedicated to explaining a vast array of subjects. When studying, it's critical to remember that retention is just as important as memorization. While grades are important in some cases, they are not the only thing to focus on.

While I don't have every step in my life planned out, I do know that potential is a terrible thing to waste. Ever since I was small I've had a hunger for problem solving and creative mind. Medical science and professions have always intrigued me, due to the logical way of looking at issues and constant new discoveries being made. My plans for the future are to enroll in my college's surgical tech program and assist in the operating room for my future career. A career in surgery would be very fulfilling to me, it would offer both stability and variety in day-to-day life. In my spare time, I plan to volunteer in my community and pursue creative art mediums like animation or ceramics. I also wish to continue more active hobbies like weightlifting and gardening, since my health is very important to me. Ultimately, my family is what matters most to me and it's important to make time for the people you care most about. Balancing priorities is a daunting task, but its something I take pride in keeping as consistent as I can.

I've heard many people's advice in my life, but I think that the wisest of them would be from my grandmother. When I was at my lowest in highschool and could barely find the strength to get out of bed, she opened up to me about her experiences with depression that followed her long after she had children. She empathized with my exhaustion, and said, "Depression is the illusion that you have everything in the world figured out. You have ideas in your head of how people see you, how good or bad of a person you are, how the world works, but you'll be surprised to find out you have a lot of things to unlearn." These words have stuck with me to this day and helped me to separate myself from the confines of my mind. Depression has a way of finding us when we're at our most vulnerable, like cold air seeping into an old cabin. Embracing help from those around us adds other voices to the ones that repeat self-deprecation over and over; it reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Taking time to be present and live in the moment allows us to check in with ourselves and face fears head on, rather than drowning out anxiety with noise. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to my grandmother, because she taught me that I am worthy of help and happiness. Life is too difficult and important to face all on your own.

My experiences as a lesbian and member of the LGBT community have been made easier by the continuous online support of others and family members, and I'm so grateful to be living in a generation with the internet and countless sources of information on such topics. There were moments in my life however where I struggled with my identity, love, and place in the world. In highschool I began dating one of my male friends, hoping it would help me to fit in with people my age and make new friends. I was in complete denial of the mere possibility of liking other girls, and as a result pushed away possible female friends. As schoolwork piled up I began isolating myself more and more frequently, even from loved ones. I would spend time with him every chance I could get and ignore my family to avoid the thoughts in my head. I lied about wanting marriage and children in the future, until it became something I would chant to convince myself. My depression became worse, to the point where everything I did was a chore and I wouldn't leave the house for weeks. The relationship lasted about 2 years after highschool, and out of fear of breaking his heart I almost gave up my dreams. Once I was single again, I began experimenting with my appearance; I felt indescribable joy at simple changes like wearing masculine clothing and cutting my hair short. I began journaling and meditating, and found comfort in my new identity and who I felt attraction to. My goals for the future are to encourage younger generations to take pride in their identities and be accepting of others. I also hope to bring awareness, representation and education to our media to normalize different sexual orientations and gender expressions.

For this essay I've decided to write about Coraline, my favorite animated movie since I was 14. At the time I first watched it, I felt depressed and without direction. I grew up watching media centered around the wonders of childhood and following your passion, with portrayals of adulthood generally being bleak or filled with disappointment. Coraline gives the viewer a refreshing perspective on the experiences of childhood, with an atmosphere that feels grounded and personal rather than pandering. The main character, Coraline, is a young and naive yet clever girl who craves adventure and has more layers than a pop-up storybook. This movie is the epitome of "show don't tell," painting bright colors and whimsical music over subtle horror elements that make you unsettled beneath your wonder. It inspires me to put love and care into things I create, and look more critically at the world around me.