My sister’s laughter and excitement bounced off the walls of her bedroom. “His name is Orly, but his code name is ‘Ocean’.” I smiled and laughed with her as my best friend told me about her crush. We all attended Martinez Elementary School. I was in sixth grade, and her and her crush were in fourth grade. Fast forward about three years to the year 2017, I came across the song “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish. Seeing this code name, I just had to tell my sister. She could not believe her eyes, and I was just happy to bond with her over a boy. My baby sister and I have always been so close, so we listened to this song together on repeat. Eventually, Billie Eilish was an artist we began listening to together more and more. In addition, I also listen to “idontwannabeyouanymore” by Billie Eilish. This song resonates with me the most as she discusses her true feelings behind her current state. She has fallen into an unhappy state of mind, and she cannot help but to lie to herself and to others. My emotions go haywire from time to time, and I do not feel like my true self. When my emotions are not right, I resonate with this song as I feel tired of dealing with myself and my erratic feelings. Furthermore, my third top song is “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish. The meaning behind this song is just as the title states. It prospects a deep yearning for purpose in life and themes of existential confusion. I share a personal connection with this song as it provides a loss of oneself and a sensibility of uncertainty. It also shares the pressures that society pushes onto women, such as the only purpose of any and every woman is to bear children and to stay at home to raise them. I am a 23-year-old woman, and I always question my own purpose in life. What am I here for? What was I made for? Despite the melancholy theme of the song, we also feel impulse into self-discovery and development.

“You came out crying, so I immediately told your father to play the music.” As soon as the boombox echoed throughout the hospital room, “Your eyes immediately widened, and you instantly stopped crying. We looked at one another and were both astonished at the sight of you recognizing the Beethoven music we played for you everyday you were in my tummy.” This is the story of the day I was born my parents have told me a thousand times. They told me that once I recognized Beethoven at just a few minutes old, I was destined for great things. My parents, especially my mother, have always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. My mother has always taught me to stand tall and strong and to never allow anyone to take advantage of me. At a young age, my mother taught me that my body is my body. “Only you and the doctor can look or examine your body,” she would say. “If anyone does anything you do not like, you put your hand up in front of their face, and you forcefully say, ‘Stop!’” And sure enough, at two years old, my teachers would tell my mother during parent-teacher conferences that if any of my classmates bothered me, I knew what to do. She was always so proud of me, and I was proud of myself. As I grew older, I sustained my bodily autonomy. To this day, I will not remain silent if I am feeling ignored or pressured. Furthermore, I would use this scholarship to help pay towards the Radiology Program I will be starting in Fall of 2025. This program is at Saint Philip's College located in San Antonio, TX. It is a two-year program consisting of 64 hours, which totals up to $17,152. This cost is for the courses alone and does not include the miscellaneous fees. I aspire to become a certified Radiography Technologist, A.A.S. to have a purposeful impact in the healthcare community. I plan on working in a hospital with my husband. Besides being a sensitive and understanding healthcare worker, I plan on providing the care of a loving mother towards two children one day in a cozy home with several acres of land. My husband and I also plan on giving a home to a variety of livestock, including goats, ducks, and quails, and filling the land with an assortment of fruits and vegetables.

Similar to most students, I grew up extremely focused on my studies. This was something I was trained in from a young age so as to not disappoint my mother. Even in elementary school, my academics needed to be perfect. Throughout my middle and high school years, I had received nothing but As and a few Bs here and there. I had never experienced failure as failure was not an option in my mother’s eyes. Once I entered university, I felt confident in myself to continue this regime. However, I never imagined my mother’s perfect student would fall off the wagon. I have greatly enjoyed math and science from a young age, so as an eager senior in high school filling out my college applications, selecting ‘Biology’ as my major was a no-brainer. During my last few months of high school, I was told by a few other STEM majors to watch out for Organic Chemistry. I had only ever taken General Chemistry as a sophomore, so I had absolutely no clue what Organic Chemistry was about. Nonetheless, I thought nothing of it as I learned to tackle any course. I did this by studying for at least five hours everyday– only leaving my desk to use the restroom or snack on something to keep my energy up, and I was fully prepared to continue this schedule in university. During my second year of university, I had Organic Chemistry I and II set in my schedule for the Fall and Spring semester, respectively, but nothing could have prepared me for the course. I had this course every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday morning, my professor made his introductions and immediately jumped into teaching. The course was extremely rigorous, and we were to have our first exam that Friday. I studied profusely daily, but for the first time in my life, I had lost. Due to its high-demands, this professor graded on a major curve. However, even with a curve, I received a 37. I could not believe my eyes as the lowest score I had ever received was an 80. I felt a knot in my throat and all I could think to do was curl up into a ball and wallow in self-pity. I knew I could not allow this one singular course to break me down and lower my GPA. Therefore, I went to office hours and studied harder. The following exam I received a 58. This was a failing grade, however, it was a 57% jump, and, nonetheless, I was proud my grade had increased. For the third exam, I barely passed with a 70. I never in my life would have imagined being content with a 70. From there, my scores slowly improved. Overall, I learned that there is always going to be a course that can take down a straight-A student. I learned that stepping away from a difficult class and crying to relieve oneself is nothing to be ashamed about. I learned to be strong and not allow a course to define me or my academics. In addition, I would be delighted to work in a mentorship program with Inspire11, especially with my previous mentorship experience I underwent as an undergraduate student in the McNair Scholars Program. I believe it would help achieve my goals as I will be starting a radiology program in the Fall of 2025, so I would like the experience of working with other people and possibly learning other ways to stand tall and strong.

I am interested in the Radiography Technologist program as I have had a deep fascination in the art of healthcare since my middle school years. My aunt and grandmother both have careers in the health field, so it was their combined exposure of assisting others that sparked my interest in the inner workings of the human body. My passion in science further grew once I hit my high school years as we were all required to specialize in a singular endorsement. These endorsements included STEM, Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, and Public Services. I was immediately drawn to Public Services as this endorsement included Health Science. During my second year of high school, I applied to the Health Science Clinical Rotations Program that would provide me with the skills and knowledge related to a wide range of careers in the health field. The following year, I began the clinical rotations at Mission Regional Medical Center. During the program, I was able to shadow nurses and doctors from all across the hospital– including an anesthesiologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, and radiologist. Once on the Radiography Floor, I was able to shadow a radiologist technologist. To witness firsthand the vital role radiographers play in diagnosing, along with treating patients just flipped a switch in me. I am interested in the Radiography Program as I am drawn to a radiologist’s unique ability to operate such revolutionary imaging equipment to provide insight into a patient’s diagnosis. Besides the passion I possess towards providing meaningful care to others, I am captivated by the dynamic nature radiography has. The knowledge society possesses in the healthcare field has never been stationary. We are constantly making medical advances as every day passes; therefore, I know there will always be new cutting-edge imaging equipment to master as the years pass by during my career. In the short term, I plan on excelling in the Radiography Program alongside my husband, Brian Trevino. I have always been the type of student to be quite dedicated to my studies, so I will be fully committed towards the program. I plan on being fully proficient while working with any and all equipment, but I also plan on applying the required attention to detail to always have the patient’s safety in mind. I am entirely prepared to attack the challenges the program will throw at me, along with gaining first hand knowledge from experienced professionals to contribute to the field as best as I can. Furthermore, in the long term, I aspire to become a certified Radiography Technologist, A.A.S. to have a purposeful impact in the healthcare community. I plan on working in a hospital with my husband. Besides being a sensitive and understanding healthcare worker, I plan on providing the care of a loving mother towards two children one day in a cozy home with several acres of land. In addition, my husband and I plan on giving a home to a variety of livestock and filling the land with an assortment of fruits and vegetables. All in all, my journey towards radiography has been deep-rooted since my high school years. With the adequate amount of authentic commitment and determination I will apply to the program, I am positive I will excel in the program to accomplish all the goals I will set forth in my journey towards becoming a certified Radiography Technologist.

I am Aileen Trevino, an alumna of Saint Mary’s University, Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS) degree, December 2023. I am a private person who keeps to herself. I absolutely love math! I spend hours in the kitchen cooking and baking. I love plant-based recipes, baking fresh bread, and juicing a variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition, I love exploring my creative side by crocheting amigurumi, sewing my own clothes, and coloring bold and easy coloring pages. Lastly, I love watching Supernatural, Mako Mermaids, H2O: Just Add Water, and The Middle. My husband is my all-time biggest cheerleader in my life. He is the shining light in my life when all seems dull, gloomy, and meaningless. He motivates me to get up and start a new day doing what I love everyday. He is my inspiration to save all of my earned income to one day purchase up to 50 acres of land, build a lovely 800-square foot home, and fill the land with livestock and an abundance of homegrown produce. He is the reason I practice weightlifting and train until failure as he is the reason I wish to be the best version of myself. If I could do absolutely anything in my life, it would be to open up a plant-based restaurant with my husband featuring the plant-based versions of fan-favorites, such as chick’n sandwiches, burgers, and mac and cheeze. I would also love whole-food meals, such as salads and wraps. In addition, delicious smoothies, lattes, and desserts. I am intrigued with STEM as I have had a deep fascination in the art of healthcare since my middle school years. My aunt and grandmother both have careers in the health field, so it was their combined exposure of assisting others that sparked my interest in the inner workings of the human body. My passion in science further grew once I hit my high school years as we were all required to specialize in a singular endorsement. These endorsements included STEM, Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, and Public Services. I was immediately drawn to Public Services as this endorsement included Health Science. However, I ended my high school years by completing every endorsement offered. During my second year of high school, I applied to the Health Science Clinical Rotations Program that would provide me with the skills and knowledge related to a wide range of careers in the health field. The following year, I began the clinical rotations at Mission Regional Medical Center. During the program, I was able to shadow nurses and doctors from all across the hospital– including an anesthesiologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, and radiologist. Through a job in information technology, I can create solutions that improve lives, such as increasing ones’ access to education or protecting data privacy. By using society’s ever-growing technology, I strive to make a meaningful and uplifting impact in my local community. The greatest challenge I have faced is learning to live without my baby sister. My sister is two years, eight months, and nine days younger than I am so some might say she is not a baby at all. However, my sister has always and will always be my baby sister. In August of 2022, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I decided to go low-contact with my own mother. Granted, many will wonder how on earth I could do something so drastic‒ leave the woman who birthed me, fed me, clothed me, loved me before anyone else did‒ loved me the most. This major decision in my life resulted in the most drastic change in my sister’s and I’s relationship. I have always believed that despite being raised by the same parent(s), all siblings are brought up differently. Thus, the way I view my mother and the relationship we had growing up, is immensely different compared to my sister. As a result, my sister could not understand my decision to leave. I never wanted to leave my loved ones‒ my sister, my maternal grandparents, my aunt. My sister and I hardly speak to each other anymore. I try messaging her and calling her, but I know I have provided her with so much pain and suffering, talking to me just hurts. I do not believe she has forgiven me for what I have done to the family. Unfortunately, I am still working to get past my grief. I have visited my family a few times in the past year, and they have done the same. Seeing her and laughing with her makes me feel like I am floating. I truly hope that all of our hearts will heal and my baby sister will be my baby sister once more.

On April 14, 2022 I met Brian Travis Trevino during my third year at Saint Mary’s University. I was 20-years-old at the time, and he was 22-years-old. The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew. He had the most beautiful caramel eyes, a strong build, and a captivating smile. Meeting his gaze for this first time caused me to look directly upwards as I am 5’4” and he is 6’4”. A whole foot of additional height made him even more compelling. Brian and I spent every waking moment together for a month straight before I had to return home for Summer break. In those 30 days, Brian and I fell so deeply in love with one another, and we both ached for the three months and three days of Summer days to be over to meet once again. On August 14, 2022, I returned to the dorms for my final year of my undergraduate studies. Waiting for Brian to arrive was both exhilarating and terrifying. I sat on my bed waiting for Brian. I was so nervous and excited, I could not get up and unpack my belongings into my new dorm. On April 14, 2023, Brian and I married one another. It was the most thrilling day of my life. We were married at our favorite duck pond where we fed the ducks and admired the scenery as newlyweds. We then ate at our favorite restaurant, Cava, and watched a movie at the movie theaters. Marrying my soulmate taught me to be a better person as Brian is the most caring, loving, and loyal person I know. I learned how much love my heart had to offer to another person. In the short term, I plan on excelling in the Radiography Program alongside my husband. I have always been the type of student to be quite dedicated to my studies, so I will be fully committed towards the program. I plan on being fully proficient while working with any and all equipment, but I also plan on applying the required attention to detail to always have the patient’s safety in mind. I am entirely prepared to attack the challenges the program will throw at me, along with gaining first hand knowledge from experienced professionals to contribute to the field as best as I can. Furthermore, in the long term, I aspire to become a certified Radiography Technologist, A.A.S. to have a purposeful impact in the healthcare community. I plan on working in a hospital with my husband. Besides being a sensitive and understanding healthcare worker, I plan on providing the care of a loving mother towards two children one day in a cozy home with several acres of land. In addition, my husband and I plan on giving a home to a variety of livestock and filling the land with an assortment of fruits and vegetables.

I’m 23 years old, and I’ve known I was bisexual since high school. Realizing my truth, it was a feeling that I didn’t need to shout and express to anyone. I’ve never been open about my sexuality to the world as I don’t believe it’s anyone’s business whether I am attracted to men, women, or both. It’s not something I hide out of shame or fear, but rather a deeply personal part of my life I choose to keep close. In a way, my bisexuality has been something I’ve carried privately—known to a few, but not broadcasted. Some might believe I am hiding my true self, but to me, it’s just part of how I move through my own life. Due to the quietness, I’ve never really felt excluded. I haven’t experienced the rejection or alienation that thousands feel in the LGBTQ+ community every day. In fact, I am married to a wonderful man. We have known each other for three years and have been for two. Due to this, I don’t believe anyone besides him and a handful of people will ever know I am also sexually attracted to women, as well. A lot of the time, I wonder what life would have been like if I had been more open and dated women during my college years. I wonder how different of a world I would have lived in. In addition to my sexuality, in the short term, I plan on excelling in a radiography program alongside my husband. I have always been the type of student to be quite dedicated to my studies, so I will be fully committed towards the program. I plan on being fully proficient while working with any and all equipment, but I also plan on applying the required attention to detail to always have the patient’s safety in mind. I am entirely prepared to attack the challenges the program will throw at me, along with gaining first hand knowledge from experienced professionals to contribute to the field as best as I can. Furthermore, in the long term, I aspire to become a certified Radiography Technologist, A.A.S. to have a purposeful impact in the healthcare community. I plan on working in a hospital with my husband. Besides being a sensitive and understanding healthcare worker, I plan on providing the care of a loving mother towards two children one day in a cozy home with several acres of land. In addition, my husband and I plan on giving a home to a variety of livestock and filling the land with an assortment of fruits and vegetables.

I understand financial freedom as being in control as to where one’s money goes when they so please. It is about not owing anyone money and purchasing just about anything. I plan on obtaining my own financial freedom once I have paid off the entirety of my university tuition, along with the tuition of the medical school I choose to attend, and am financially stable with my profession. My heart yearns to travel the world, meet new people, try exotic foods, and breathe in the wonders of the world. I also wish to never worry about purchasing groceries, a home, a car, a phone, or to pay for a doctor’s visit.

I love the deep admiration I give to others. I seem to always love those in my life fairly quickly, and when I do, I am head over heels showcasing that wonderful love not only to the individual but to the world. I am currently in my second year of college working in the Biology Stockroom for my work-study. A few weeks in, I became friends with another Biology major who I knew was a prior classmate but had never spoken to. It did not take us very long to practically always be with one another. Talking during work manifested to always having lunch together, going out on the weekends, and spending time together at our dorms. Overall, I love the way our relationship has blossomed in a matter of weeks. Due to our friendship, we decided to be suitemates for this upcoming semester, which I am beyond excited about. I love love, and I love the way my heart yearns to give love out into the world. I love the size of my heart, because it causes the happiness of others to grow in response. One of my favorite things to do is to make others laugh with joy, because there is nothing better in this world than being happy in life.

As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters.

I struggled with an eating disorder from my junior year in high school up until my sophomore year of college. A lot has certainly changed in the past three years. My bulimia has affected my health, social life, confidence, and academics. I would constantly feel fatigued, sleepy, drowsy, and terribly cold. I never wanted to talk to anyone about what was going on, nor did I feel deserving of my closest friends. I was so insecure, I would starve myself for days. However, when I did eat, I just felt even worse, so to compensate, I would resort to throwing up. Which caused me to feel even worse than before. I felt that no matter what I did, I could not fix what I was doing to myself, yet the cycle continued to the next meal. Once I hit college, it became much easier. There were several weeks in the semesters that I would challenge myself to go 72 hours without food to feel beautiful. Every time I did, I felt like I could soar, but if I stopped at day two or hours in advance, I simply punished myself even more. Due to a disrupted sleep cycle and a lack of energy, keeping up with schoolwork or having the motivation of success was never there. I had always been a well-rounded student who excelled when I put my mind to something, but my eating disorder was truly taking a toll on my body and mind. Because of my insecurities, how little I thought of myself, I had even deeper reasons to draw the blade to my pale skin. With the years of self-blame and self-torture, the one thing that gave me a sense of belonging was listening and understanding the dangers of my eating disorder. I am currently majoring in biology; therefore, I am a firm believer in science and logic over creativity and optimism. As a result, knowing I was potentially causing chronic issues or that if I continued, my hair could slip away, my skin could morph into the Sahara desert, my nails could go brittle, my menstrual cycle could pack its bags and leave, frightened me, so I would eat. Yet that feeling of fullness, staring at my stomach, it was all enough to fall through the cracks and be re-enslaved to the masterminds of my bulimia. I plan on using the experiences I have gone through to understand what it is like to play the cards of life and death with others still struggling on their own path. For instance, I noticed changes in a close friend of mine while at school. His actions and eating habits were quite similar. It took effort, but I wanted him to know I was there for him, so I confronted him about it. It turned out I was right. In the end, discussing it was a huge help, since he knew no one who understood what he was going through. I would also like to alter the stigma that merely women struggle with disordered eating, because clearly, men can, as well. In my college years, I would like to bring a bright awareness to all who cannot bear the sight of their own skin or weight. I restricted food intake. I exercised until I would pass out. I made blades dance on my skin. However, I am the one who saw a brighter future, and now, I smile and beam with joy at the thought of delicious food. I am grateful my life changed for the better, and that is all I wish for the rest of us.

I admire every book from the Splintered series by A.G. Howard. The series encompasses a descendent of Alice Pleasance Liddell from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. However, it is a twisted version with words, such as, "...a white rabbit, bony enough to be a skeleton; flowers sporting arms, legs, and mouths dripping with blood... It's the Wonderland crew after a heavy dose of radiation poisoning (59)." I have always been a fan of the young adult romance books with supernatural beings showcasing their world. I have reread the series again and again and plan on doing so again in the future. The main character, Alyssa Gardner, has two boys falling for her, Jeb and Morpheus, and together, they go on crazy adventures, where they attempt to break the curse Alice brought upon her family. Alyssa and her mother, who is locked away in an asylum, are able to hear bugs and plants talk. I love the books because of the seductiveness, supernatural powers, friendship, and gore it brings. I love the pictures Howard paints in my head and the overwhelming emotions her books gift upon me. On their journey, Alyssa unleashes her powers, sprouts wings, and defeats the curse. She also marries her boyfriend, Jeb, years later. Eventually, once he dies, she returns to Wonderland with Morpheus, the one with power and deep seduction. There, she regains her youth and becomes the rightful Queen. Alyssa and Morpheus have children and live in Wonderland forever. Overall, the books are simply beautiful, and I cannot stress enough that everyone must read the series, as well.

I published a private YouTube video: https://youtu.be/5VIthW0_uMg.

I have been passionate about animals since elementary school. However, as most parents, I was never informed of the gruesome pain animals endure every day to make it to our plates, into a lipstick, behind bars, or on the wall. About a year and a half ago, I decided to cut all animal and animal by-products out of my diet to showcase my compassion towards all life. As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. One of the best things the whole food plant-based lifestyle has done for me is significantly reducing the number of stomach aches I endure. I went from having them every few months for two to three days since elementary school to just twice for a day or two in these last 18 months. I also went from unbearable menstrual cramps where I could not work for the life of me and having to take medication to never having any pain the week of my menstrual cycle; the lengths of the cycles have also diminished from seven to nine days to merely five days. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. Since I still live under my mother’s financial aid, I have not made every switch that I so wish. However, I enjoy informing my family and relatives of what they can also do to assist the environment. Once I begin living by my own paychecks, I also plan on purchasing and making my own sustainable laundry, kitchen, and cleaning products. I fear the world’s life, that it will not make it at the rate humans are harming it. However, I am hopeful that there are more people out there like me who care for its life in the same manner that I do. I hope people begin to care about the billions and billions of animal lives lost a year because of us and the little time earth has left if we do not begin to make more changes. I yearn that the community, the country, and the world will make the appropriate changes.

“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be,” by Sonia Ricotti. Ricotti’s words made it as my senior quote, for how deep and personal I take it to be. One of my greatest issues is becoming, too, attached to someone. I love people, and I love showing it. However, friendships end and people drift apart. I have lost several close friends in the past, and those experiences always tore me apart and made me feel unworthy of anyone. My greatest loss was losing my ex-boyfriend. I know young love may be deemed as silly or that teenagers know nothing of tangible love. However, I felt like I could fly with that one special boy. After our drifting, I thought the world would end, and I would gradually fall apart. Once I found this quote, things changed. I knew I had to accept what had happened, simply let it go, and know my future was still bright. Three years have passed since my ex-boyfriend broke up with me, yet I still remind myself of these words. The quote is also meaningful, because it applies in different instances. I also take it as everything occurring for one reason or another. For instance, coming to terms with the death of a family member and being faithful in the outcomes of the future. My life is not perfect, no one’s is, but I decide to keep my head held high and be grateful for everything that I have.

I have been passionate about animals since elementary school. However, as most parents, I was never informed of the gruesome pain animals endure every day to make it to our plates, into a lipstick, behind bars, or on the wall. About a year and a half ago, I decided to cut all animal and animal by-products out of my diet to showcase my compassion towards all life. As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. One of the best things the whole food plant-based lifestyle has done for me is significantly reducing the number of stomach aches I endure. I went from having them every few months for two to three days since elementary school to just twice for a day or two in these last 18 months. I also went from unbearable menstrual cramps where I could not work for the life of me and having to take medication to never having any pain the week of my menstrual cycle; the lengths of the cycles have also diminished from seven to nine days to merely five days. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. Since I still live under my mother’s financial aid, I have not made every switch that I so wish. However, I enjoy informing my family and relatives of what they can also do to assist the environment. Once I begin living by my own paychecks, I also plan on purchasing and making my own sustainable laundry, kitchen, and cleaning products. I fear the world’s life, that it will not make it at the rate humans are harming it. However, I am hopeful that there are more people out there like me who care for its life in the same manner that I do. I hope people begin to care about the billions and billions of animal lives lost a year because of us and the little time earth has left if we do not begin to make more changes.