If asked "What is your dream life?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or geographical location, I now understand that a goal does not have to be defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my goal is to be filled with happiness and satisfaction, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. My way to happiness will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

If asked "What does a successful life look like?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or fiscal quantity, I now understand that "success" is not defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my state of success will be filled with happiness, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. The way I achieve happiness will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

Born and raised in the city of Rochester, I am passionate about working with large groups of people to better help Mother Nature thrive through sociology and regional planning. Having overcome much adversity in my life- from living between households to mental illness- I have developed a sense of self-discipline. As someone who finds comfort in academia and its challenges, I am very much looking forward to furthering my education and sociological impact at post-secondary school. The challenges I have faced thus far have made me into a stronger, more empathetic, and understanding person and for that I am grateful.

If asked "What is your dream life?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or geographical location, I now understand that a "dream life" is not defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my dream life will be filled with happiness, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. My way to happiness will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

If asked "What is your dream life?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or geographical location, I now understand that a "dream life" is not defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my dream life will be filled with happiness, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. My road to happiness will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

Many dread getting older because of their rights that are revoked such as driving or living in your own home, but there is one aspect of every day that affects senior citizens far more than any other population. Loneliness. On average, 40% of elderly people report television as their main company. No wonder everyone fights being put in a senior care facility; they're separated from their friends and family every day. One way I and some friends help those in senior homes is through our high school's Card Making Committee which was created as a volunteering opportunity by our National Honor Society. Every month the Committee hosts a card-making event where we invite everyone to create cards relevant to upcoming holidays to send to various groups such as veterans, kids in hospitals, and senior citizens. By participating in the Card Making Committee I'm able to reach out to people living in assisted care and although they don't know me personally, it is nice to know my card might provide them with company even for a minute.

As the world changes before our horrified eyes, it only seems natural to feel responsible for the years of damage we as a society have done to our planet. Unfortunately, even if everyone went zero-waste and carbon-neutral for one day, 71% of emissions would still be produced, because just 100 companies are responsible for almost three-quarters of pollution worldwide. Taking action is important, but not as important as understanding who the real culprit is. So instead of taking cold showers or obsessing over my carbon footprint, I sew. There are many ways one can help the environment, but I believe one of the most important eco-friendly habits is fighting the big businesses of the world. These are the multinational companies that exploit cheap labor and resources in developing countries and then upcharge the products in industrialized economies. One of the markets particularly notorious for using this business model is the clothing industry. I actively fight the negative impact of fast fashion by upcycling my old, battered clothes into functional items such as new clothes, bags, cleaning towels, etc. Sometimes it is as simple as turning a ripped pair of jeans into a new pair of shorts because that's one less pair of jeans in a landfill and one less pair of jeans bought from a large corporation. It is important to me that I recognize not everyone is fortunate enough to not support fast fashion or learn to sew. This is why I must do everything in my power to make my clothes last as long as possible. It may not mean much to the "alphas" of the clothing companies, but I am making my difference one pair of jeans at a time.

As the world changes before our horrified eyes, it only seems natural to feel responsible for the years of damage we as a society have done to our planet. Unfortunately, even if everyone went zero-waste and carbon-neutral for one day, 71% of emissions would still be produced, because just 100 companies are responsible for just about three-quarters of pollution worldwide. Taking action is important, but not as important as understanding who the real culprit is. So instead of taking cold showers or obsessing over my carbon footprint, I sew. There are many ways one can help the environment, but I believe one of the most important eco-friendly habits is fighting the big businesses of the world. These are the multinational companies that exploit cheap labor and resources in developing countries and then upcharge the products in industrialized economies. One of the markets particularly notorious for using this business model is the clothing industry. I actively fight the negative impact of fast fashion by upcycling my old, battered clothes into functional items such as new clothes, bags, cleaning towels, etc. Sometimes it is as simple as turning a ripped pair of jeans into a new pair of shorts because that's one less pair of jeans in a landfill and one less pair of jeans bought from a large corporation. Another way to combat the fast fashion industry and encourage environmental sustainability is to support those who are also attempting sustainability. This can be done by coming together within the "green" fashion community by following thrift accounts, sharing upcycling tips, teaching others how to sew or recycle clothing, etc. Not only does the Earth benefit from keeping articles of clothing in circulation, but it creates beautiful relationships between other eco-friendly people rather than blindly putting money into a giant corporation that makes cheap clothes. It is important to me that I recognize not everyone is fortunate enough to not support fast fashion or learn to sew. This is why I plan to do everything in my power to make my clothes last as long as possible and support others in their own sustainable fashion journey. It may not mean much to the big dogs of fast fashion clothing corporations, but I am making my difference one pair of jeans at a time.

Dr. Arnold Kadish, inventor of the modern-day insulin pump takes the win for being my favorite scientist. In 1963, Dr. Kadish designed a prototype for a backpack-sized pump, making diabetes more manageable. Now, with more than 34 million American diabetics, I can confidently say the underrated Dr. Kadish has saved millions of lives.

Think about any object in the room you're in and you can bet it is either a product of some sort of scientific discovery. This could be your laptop powered by the discovery of electricity or the Ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet. Although our daily life is surrounded by scientific inventions and discoveries, the one that impacts me the most isn't one that I use personally. My favorite scientific discovery is insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. People with diabetes, either don't naturally produce or respond to insulin so they need to buy insulin to keep them alive. About 34.2 million people in the US have diabetes, one of whom is my father. I have grown up seeing my father live with Type 1 diabetes, a more severe form of autoimmune disease. For many years I watched him prick his finger to test his blood, monitor his sugar, switch out his infusion set, and even meticulously care for his feet (diabetes can lead to nerve damage in the feet if not properly managed). I have great respect for my father seeing him manage his disease, but it has taken me many years to realize I should also feel grateful. Prior to the early 20th century, insulin had yet to be discovered or patented, so diabetes was considered a death sentence. Thanks to Dr. Banting and Dr. Best, insulin would not have been able to be isolated and purified to be used by those who cannot produce it. To these men, I owe my gratitude for my father's and 34.2 million American lives.

Doctors all agree that the best thing for a developing child is a stable environment. Unfortunately for me and many other families around the world, my childhood was less consistent than most. When I was young, my parents divorced and although this is not completely uncommon it leaves a big impression on the children involved. Although it is burdening to travel between two households, it has provided me with the ability to grow under pressure. It was always difficult navigating between two sets of parents each with their separate parenting styles, senses of humor, and rules. The real struggle of having divorced parents presented itself during my early teenage years when I was trying to establish my own identity. Unlike many of my peers, I had another, much larger hurdle to jump: having two different dispositions. From the time I was an infant up until this point, I had become so good- too good- at turning behaviors on and off to satisfy my different sets of parents that I began to form a different personality at each house. Despite the time I have taken to become my authentic self, I have not fully established a unique, singular identity. Parts of me may never come together, but maybe that is not such a bad thing. My struggle with a split family has taught me patience and forgiveness, because we are all doing the absolute best we can in a situation none of us chose. I am more adaptive, attentive, and I have learned to better read other people. I will continue to face the challenges of being the child of divorced parents, but I will also continue to focus on growing and discovering my true self.

If asked "What is your dream life?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or geographical location, I now understand that a "dream life" is not defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my dream life will be filled with happiness, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. The way I want to live my life will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life as I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

For me and many other families around the world, my childhood was less consistent than most. When I was young, my parents divorced and although this is not completely uncommon it leaves a big impression on the children involved. Although it is burdening to travel between two households, it has provided me with the ability to grow under pressure. The real struggle of having divorced parents presented itself during my early teenage years when I was trying to establish my own identity. For many teenagers, finding themselves is awkward and sometimes confusing. We all go through phases of music, hair, and (unfortunately) fashion styles. Through trial and error most develop a good sense of self. Unlike many of my peers, I had a much larger hurdle to jump: having two different dispositions. I had become so different around separate people that I no longer had the same interests, senses of humor, or styles at different houses. For a long time in my teenage years, I felt conflicted while trying to find common ground between my two contrasting natures. I became frustrated often because I would feel torn between different households and personalities while my friends developed confidence and style. Parts of me may never come together, but I accept that. My struggle with a split family has taught me patience and forgiveness, because we are all doing the absolute best we can in a situation none of us chose. My parents splitting is not ideal, but it has matured me in ways most my age can't relate to. I am more adaptive, attentive, and I have learned to better read other people. I will continue to face the challenges of being the child of divorced parents, but I will also continue to focus on growing and discovering my true self.

Many dread getting older because of their rights that are revoked such as driving or living in your own home, but there is one aspect of every day that affects senior citizens far more than any other population. Loneliness. On average, 40% of elderly people report television as their main company. No wonder everyone fights being put in a senior care facility; they're separated from their friends and family every day. One way I and some friends help those in senior homes is through our high school's Card Making Committee which was created as a volunteering opportunity by our National Honor Society. Every month the Committee hosts a card-making event where we invite everyone to create cards relevant to upcoming holidays to send to various groups such as veterans, kids in hospitals, and senior citizens. By participating in the Card Making Committee I'm able to reach out to people living in assisted care and although they don't know me personally, it is nice to know my card might provide them with company even for a minute.

Many dread getting older because of their rights that are revoked such as driving or living in your own home, but there is one aspect of every day that affects senior citizens far more than any other population. Loneliness. On average, 40% of elderly people report television as their main company. No wonder everyone fights being put in a senior care facility; they're separated from their friends and family every day. One way I and some friends help those in senior homes is through our high school's Card Making Committee which was created as a volunteering opportunity by our National Honor Society. Every month the Committee hosts a card-making event where we invite everyone to create cards relevant to upcoming holidays to send to various groups such as veterans, kids in hospitals, and senior citizens. By participating in the Card Making Committee I'm able to reach out to people living in assisted care and although they don't know me personally, it is nice to know my card might provide them with company even for a minute.

As the world changes before our horrified eyes, it only seems natural to feel responsible for the years of damage we as a society have done to our planet. Unfortunately, even if everyone went zero-waste and carbon-neutral for one day, 71% of emissions would still be produced, because just 100 companies are responsible for almost three-quarters of pollution worldwide. Taking action is important, but not as important as understanding who the real culprit is. So instead of taking cold showers or obsessing over my carbon footprint, I sew. There are many ways one can help the environment, but I believe one of the most important eco-friendly habits is fighting the big businesses of the world. These are the multinational companies that exploit cheap labor and resources in developing countries and then upcharge the products in industrialized economies. One of the markets particularly notorious for using this business model is the clothing industry. I actively fight the negative impact of fast fashion by upcycling my old, battered clothes into functional items such as new clothes, bags, cleaning towels, etc. Sometimes it is as simple as turning a ripped pair of jeans into a new pair of shorts because that's one less pair of jeans in a landfill and one less pair of jeans bought from a large corporation. It is important to me that I recognize not everyone is fortunate enough to not support fast fashion or learn to sew. This is why I must do everything in my power to make my clothes last as long as possible. It may not mean much to the "alphas" of the clothing companies, but I am making my difference one pair of jeans at a time.

If asked "What is your dream life?" in third grade, I would have no doubt said actress or movie star. In eighth grade, I would have confidently said I was going to live in a huge city and travel the world. Now, wiser and shaped by unique experiences, I confidently say I will be happy. Unlike in my past years when I would have answered the question with a specific profession or geographical location, I now understand that a "dream life" is not defined by titles or materials, but a state of mind. Some prefer a life full of surprise, contentedness, relaxation, etc. but don't realize where they live and what they do for a living is just a stepping-stone for their true dream life. Personally, my dream life will be filled with happiness, but I plan to build that for myself by surrounding myself with good people and a career I love. What is most important isn't the specific people or job, but how they affect me. The way I achieve happiness in my dream life will most likely change every couple of years, maybe in my twenties I'll be passionate about volunteering in Boston, in my thirties I will want to be an entrepreneur in Canada, and so on. As my interests and goals change there is one aspect of my dream life I can guarantee will not change: happiness.

Think about any object in the room you're in and you can bet it is either a product of some sort of scientific discovery. This could be your laptop powered by the discovery of electricity or the Ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet. Although our daily life is surrounded by scientific inventions and discoveries, the one that impacts me the most isn't one that I use personally. My favorite scientific discovery is insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. People with diabetes, either don't naturally produce or respond to insulin so they need to buy insulin to keep them alive. About 34.2 million people in the US have diabetes, one of whom is my father. I have grown up seeing my father live with Type 1 diabetes, a more severe form of autoimmune disease. For many years I watched him prick his finger to test his blood, monitor his sugar, switch out his infusion set, and even meticulously care for his feet (diabetes can lead to nerve damage in the feet if not properly managed). I have great respect for my father seeing him manage his disease, but it has taken me many years to realize I should also feel grateful. Prior to the early 20th century, insulin had yet to be discovered or patented, so diabetes was considered a death sentence. Thanks to Dr. Banting and Dr. Best, insulin would not have been able to be isolated and purified to be used by those who cannot produce it. To these men, I owe my gratitude for my father's and 34.2 million American lives.

Elon Musk- founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and cofounder of PayPal- is credited as being one of the richest and most powerful entrepreneurs alive. One must wonder how he has become so successful? Well the plain and simple answer: he is smart. Elon musk is highly intelligent, and although that alone can open up many opportunities, he wouldn't be where he is today if that intelligence wasn't built upon by a proper education at Pretoria High School for Boys, Queens University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Not everyone is fortunate enough to pay for university, much less moving to two different countries in the process like Musk. If Elon Musk was never able to move both Canada and the US from South Africa, would he have winded up as your average joe? And if so, does that mean the average person like the barista that makes your coffee every morning or the pizza delivery guy has the potential to also become the richest and most influential people on the planet? What it boils down to is not everyone is fortunate enough to be nurtured, pushed, and welcomed into the academic community, whether that be because of geography, finances, or discriminatory hindrances. As a society, we would benefit greatly in terms of technology, economy, and intellectual maturity if everyone were to be given educational equity. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to an education, but if they did? Maybe your barista could have been the next Elon Musk.

Contrary to popular belief, art is more than just pictures on canvases or even emotional performances. Art is disruptive. It is informative, complicated, and political. My favorite piece of art is so political, that it has started and ended wars. My favorite piece of art is the flag of the United States of America. Some paintings make people smile, frown, and even cry, but not many symbolize freedom, unity, and in these modern times: rebellion. The stars and stripes are not only artistic, but also represent my country's foundation. The thirteen stripes are symbolic of the first thirteen colonies, the 50 stars representing each of the 50 current states, the three colors representing vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Recently, the US has been experiencing turmoil regarding racial discrimination, and a country once a pillar of unity is becoming divided. Given the circumstances, some may ask "If this is the USA right now, why should the flag be celebrated?". The answer is simple: The flag does not just represent the current conflict, but also the progress made because of it. In a nation experiencing a philosophical split, the only thing uniting us is our country. Without it, we wouldn't be forced to live together, there would be no reason to argue, no reason to educate, and no reason to fight for each other. When I look at the United States Flag, I don't see one specific moment in history or one core value, because the fabric encompasses too much to be boiled down to one idea. I am proud to be represented by the American flag, it gave my great grandparents an oasis, my grandparents opportunity, my parents safety, and me: pride.

Doctors all agree that the best thing for a developing child is a stable environment. Unfortunately for me and many other families around the world, my childhood was less consistent than most. When I was young, my parents divorced and although this is not completely uncommon it leaves a big impression on the children involved. Although it is burdening to travel between two households, it has provided me with the ability to grow under pressure. It was always difficult navigating between two sets of parents each with their separate parenting styles, senses of humor, and rules. Eventually, I got the hang of switching into and out of certain habits when changing households, but the real struggle of having divorced parents presented itself during my early teenage years when I was trying to establish my own identity. For many teenagers, finding themselves is awkward and sometimes confusing. We all go through phases of music, hair, and (unfortunately) fashion styles and through trial and error most come out the other side with a good sense of self. Unlike many of my peers, I had another, much larger hurdle to jump: having two different dispositions. From the time I was an infant up until this point, I had become so good- too good- at turning behaviors on and off to satisfy my different sets of parents that I began to form a different personality at each house. It is the same as when people act differently at work than with friends, but on a much larger scale. I had become so different around separate people that I no longer had the same interests, senses of humor, or styles at different houses. For a long time in my teenage years, I felt conflicted while trying to find common ground between my two contrasting natures. I became frustrated often because I would feel torn between different households and personalities while my friends developed confidence and style. It took me until my late years in high school to dedicate my time to unite myself. Despite the time I have taken to become my authentic self, I have not fully established a unique, singular identity. Parts of me may never come together, but maybe that is not such a bad thing. My struggle with a split family has taught me patience and forgiveness, because we are all doing the absolute best we can in a situation none of us chose. My parents splitting is not ideal, but it has matured me in ways most my age can't relate to. I am more adaptive, attentive, and I have learned to better read other people. I will continue to face the challenges of being the child of divorced parents, but I will also continue to focus on growing and discovering my true self.

In a world where self-worth is defined by our pants size and the way we are visually perceived by others, Lindy West, author of Shrill, is fighting back against all of the body-shamers and internet trolls. In the book Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, West narrates her experiences as a plus-size woman and explains how people treat her differently than those considered "thinner". Her memoir is uplifting, educational, and absolutely hilarious, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone and everyone. West's writing hits the reader like a brick wall. The raw narration is both amusing and refreshing. Given the memoir's serious topics of discussion, the abundance of humor should seem off-putting, but it actually fits perfectly. In Shrill, Lindy tells stories of her struggles- whether that be of being a woman, plus-size, or a writer in the age of the internet- in a unique light, forcing the audience to see negativity at a different angle. Her sarcasm and bluntness inspires many oppressed voices to not be shy or cooperative, but rather loud and obnoxious. As a teenage girl, my physical appearance seems to constantly be criticized by myself and others. Reading Shrill helped me with my body image struggles and self-consciousness because I realized I am not alone fighting judgment and unachievable beauty standards. There are so many things in life that are more important than one's physical appearance, such as success, positive influence, and overall wellbeing- all things discussed in Shrill. Lindy has inspired me to not only focus on my mental health over my physical appearance, but to also do so with two fistfuls of sarcasm.

If given the choice, would you choose to be rich and unhappy or poor and content? If you picked the first option, you are certainly not alone. This is a problem. Since the beginning of mankind society has been plagued by man's greed, but what good is an abundance of money if it brings no purpose in life? What good is financial paradise in spiritual hell? As of recently, people have seemed to lose sight of true wealth as trends of gods of capitalism and idolized tycoons soar. With social media, the "flashy" lives of the rich are on display for billions of viewers. The content portrayed leads to the assumption that money has a direct influence on satisfaction and happiness, and this is false. With this belief comes envy and with envy comes a cut-throat environment in which it is "every man for himself". Humanity becomes competitive rather than collaborative because of the false correlation between financial success and mental well-being. As a society, we must come together and redefine wealth and success in terms of contentedness, health, and non-materialistic fulfillment. We can do this by uplifting people who work for people's mental health such as social workers and human rights advocates rather than big-business billionaires. In doing so, individuals will be less likely to tear each other down out of selfishness and be more likely to work together towards a common goal. People would work differently is not just because success is reformulated, but also because happiness and emotional satisfaction are inexhaustible. There is no governmental body regulating the amount of joy one may have. People must work both with one another and with their selves to become truly wealthy in life because things of true value come from within.