I live in a small town and attend an online high school. I love reading and spending time with my friends and family. I am part of a local book club, and I volunteer at my town's library every week. I help with the process before the books are put on the shelf, and in the summer I assist with the children's summer reading program. I will be attending university in the fall to study elementary education. I plan on later pursuing a master's degree in library science to become a librarian. If I could start a nonprofit organization, it would be an educational charity. My organization would benefit children who lack educational opportunities. Millions of children's educational resources are limited and have nowhere to begin. From a child who is unprepared for school to a classroom in need of supplies, my organization would help fulfill these needs. Volunteers would have a variety of ways to get involved. Programs to help youths develop learning skills would be initiated. Volunteers could tutor and supervise these programs, whether it is after school, during the summer, or before a child even starts kindergarten. It is very normal in our society to let kids pass to the next grade, even if they are not ready. Children are forgotten in the education system and left to fend for themselves. These kids often have no tutoring options, and their teacher likely has limited time to help them achieve their goals. From preschool to post-high school, I would like my organization and its volunteers to assist youths who either want to learn but lack the resources or do not realize their potential due to their system's shortcomings. People could get involved by sponsoring a kid or college student to help them achieve their goals. Donations for school supplies and scholarships would also be highly valued. Children, families, and classrooms need resources that are hardly ever given. My charity would help provide those resources. Volunteers would be able to work with kids or help with charity events. They could also help within the organization by creating flyers and social media posts, sorting donations, and setting up workshops. These ways to get involved are only a handful of the opportunities volunteers for my organization would have. If I were able to create such a charity as I have described, my heart would be full. As a person who has volunteered with children, I have seen firsthand what it can do. I have gained experience working with kids by building up their skills and self-confidence. I believe that all children and adolescents should have a chance for success. My nonprofit's mission would be to have the youths' needs met and their dreams supported. By providing resources, mentorship, and educational opportunities, my charity would empower young people to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

I have always loved reading, so when I moved to a new town, the library was the first place I thought I should acquaint myself with. This library had much more than the one in my hometown. It buzzed with footsteps coming in and out, whispered voices, and children's giggles. I knew I wanted to be a part of this community. So I asked the librarian at the front desk if I could volunteer. The following week, I returned to help with a list of what could be done. Making shelves more presentable, sorting through book donations, and wrapping books in covers are all things I continue to do. The librarians seemed very happy to have some help lent to them. I watched as they discussed topics about the library and their work, noticing how much love and passion they filled the building with. Whether it was dusting or helping with the children’s program, I was glad to be of help and lessen the tedious chores for them. Going back every week makes me feel good. It feels like I have found my place in the world. I realized that I, too, wanted to become a part of a sanctuary like this one. I think of my younger self, who would browse the bookshelves looking for a new world, hoping I could leave mine behind. The library is where I have always felt welcomed. I want to return that favor and help others find joy in it as well. The library has so many resources for free, and it is not just books. People from all walks of life can come together and connect over clubs, workshops, and other social events that libraries may hold. I think it is very important to advocate for public spaces that can build and bring our communities together. The more we give to our community, the more resources we can get in return. So many people do not even realize what the public library has to offer, which is a shame. If we were able to give more attention to libraries and other public spaces, more families and individuals could find a place in their community where they could feel safe and encouraged to be themselves. I believe that helping our public goods can help them flourish. I plan to support and contribute to the beneficial means of libraries as I continue to grow as a person. I hope more people can take part in helping their local library and understand what it can do for them and their communities.

Mental health has always been something I struggled with, especially in school. I was diagnosed with anxiety in elementary school. It wasn't bad, but as I got older, it got worse. When I was about to start middle school, my anxiety grew. Everyone wondered what had happened to the bubbly person I was and why I seemed so quiet now. Being sent home due to panic attacks became a habit of mine. Going to school was becoming harder for me each day. I never understood why I couldn't help but feel stressed all the time. I thought something was wrong with me and that I would never be able to feel as happy as everyone else seemed. Keeping up with schoolwork and extracurriculars was tiring. My peers always saw me as responsible and smart, but I felt like I was falling behind. Kids announcing their high grades on papers I failed made me feel small and lesser than. When the pandemic rose and schools shut down, I transferred to an online school. The work was the same, but everything in my life was different. My grades improved, as well as my mental health. I had time to do things I liked and weren't so stressful. I missed certain people and things from my old school, but my mom assured me that I had made a good choice. Of course, my depression or anxiety wasn't gone, however, my frequent panic attacks had lessened. With so much free time in my new routine, I began to get creative. Writing and drawing had always been outlets for me. I would journal whenever I felt depressed or anxious. I could put everything I was feeling into a pencil and release it onto a piece of paper. I put more effort into sketching as well, filling up pages of characters and objects. I found new hobbies as well that took my mind off of everything in my life. My mom bought me a sewing machine as a way to spend my time productively. I made squares of fabric into shirts, skirts, and bags. Sewing is most definitely one of my favorite hobbies. Sometimes my sewing projects take only fifteen minutes, while some take days. It takes time and patience to learn to sew, so I have nothing else on my mind. I feel like I can only keep getting better when I finish a project. Being able to make gifts with my hobby for my family and friends always makes me feel accomplished. When I'm not in a crafty mood, I like to research science topics and read articles. Psychology, astrology, and environmental science are all topics I relatively read about. Learning about new things is something I am always doing. Once I read about something, I make it a goal to learn everything I possibly can about it. My yearn for knowledge takes my focus away from smaller things that can fog up my mind. I find psychology the most enrapturing. It is amazing learning about how the mind works. I hope that one day I could work in this field and continue to learn about it. I will keep working towards this goal in order to help others understand themselves better. Learning and creating are coping mechanisms I use that release me from my mental illnesses. My vigor to help others overcome their struggles with mental illness in the future continues to grow. Although my mental health sets me back every now and then, I will continue to build myself back up to achieve my future objectives and desires.