The Love Island challenge, “Heart vs. Head: The Truth Tides,” is designed to test each couple’s loyalty, honesty, and emotional connection in a dramatic and revealing way. The villa is transformed into a beachfront arena split into two sides: the “Heart” side, decorated with candles and roses to represent emotion, and the “Head” side, styled with neon lights and a sleek look to represent logic and strategy. Each couple begins standing together on a platform called “The Line,” where they must make important decisions about their relationship throughout the challenge. In the first round, the host asks a series of intense and revealing questions, such as whether they are with their partner for love or safety or if their head could be turned in Casa Amor. Without communicating, each Islander must choose to run to either the Heart side or the Head side based on their true feelings. If partners choose different sides, it immediately shows a disconnect in their relationship and adds tension between them. This round highlights whether couples are truly on the same page or if they are thinking differently about their connection. The second round introduces even more drama through pre-recorded confession clips. Before the challenge, each Islander privately answered questions about their true thoughts, including who they are most attracted to besides their partner or whether they feel like they are settling. During the challenge, their partners must guess whether they gave a loyal or disloyal answer. If they guess incorrectly, the full clip is played for everyone to see, exposing secrets and potentially causing conflict. This round forces Islanders to confront what their partners really think, rather than what they say to their face. In the third round, called the “Truth Tide,” the entire villa participates by voting anonymously on statements about each couple, such as whether one person is more invested than the other or if feelings are being faked. The couple that receives the most votes for a negative statement is dramatically splashed with water from a large wave behind them, symbolizing the truth crashing down. This adds a layer of public opinion and pressure, making Islanders aware of how others perceive their relationship. Finally, in the last round, couples return to “The Line” and are asked if they want to remain together after everything they have learned. They must answer yes or no at the same time without discussing it. If both say yes, they stay together, but if one says no, the couple immediately breaks up. If both say no, they part ways mutually. The couple that performs the best overall by staying in sync, avoiding negative votes, and choosing to remain together wins a romantic overnight date outside the villa and immunity from the next elimination. This challenge would create intense emotional moments, reveal hidden truths, and bring both drama and clarity to the relationships in the villa.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

Relationships, whether it be romantic, familial, or friendships and mentorship, are an incredibly important part of not only my personal development but also my professional aspirations. As an individual who aspires to become a dentist, I realize that it is not a solitary achievement. The people I choose to surround myself with impact my mentality, drive, and personal goals. To begin with, my familial relationships have been the driving force behind my aspirations. Observing my family members’ hard work has taught me the importance of perseverance and sacrifice. My family members’ influence reminds me of the significance of having a fulfilling and secure career as a dentist. I am driven not only by my own success but also by the need to give back to the people who have helped me along the way. Friendships also play a significant role in my development. As an athlete, I have learned that teamwork is essential. Sports have shown me how relationships built on trust, communication, and accountability lead to success. The same applies to my professional goals. Dentistry is not just about technical skill—it requires collaboration with staff, hygienists, assistants, and patients. Being part of a team in sports has strengthened my ability to lead, listen, and work with others toward a shared goal. These skills directly translate into the kind of dental professional I hope to become. Romantic relationships, while still a learning experience at this stage of my life, also contribute to personal growth. Healthy relationships require communication, respect, and balance. Learning how to support someone else while continuing to prioritize my own goals is an important skill. Long-term professional success requires emotional intelligence—the ability to understand others’ perspectives, manage conflict, and show empathy. These qualities are developed through meaningful connections. As a future dentist, I will work closely with patients who may feel anxious or vulnerable. My ability to communicate clearly and compassionately will come from the relationship skills I continue to develop now. Another relationship that will be very important in reaching my goals is mentorship. I look forward to meeting dentists and individuals who can walk me through the educational and career path that I have ahead of me. Having mentors gives me insight into the realities of the profession, encouragement during tough times, and examples of what success looks like. No long-term goal is reached without guidance, and I appreciate the value of learning from people who have already walked the path that I am trying to take. Relationships keep me grounded and motivated. They remind me that success is not only about personal achievement, but also about impact and connection. Dentistry is a profession of relationships—patients come back to dentists that they trust. Creating lasting patient relationships means being reliable, empathetic, and a good communicator. How I take care of my current relationships prepares me for this. As a typical teenager trying to juggle school, sports, and planning for the future, I am still developing and learning. But I do know that the quality of my relationships will help determine the quality of my future. They help build my character, sharpen my discipline, and fuel my ambition. Ultimately, my personal and professional aspirations will not be independent of my relationships but will be enhanced by them.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that it’s hard. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.

At the impressionable age of ten years old, my life changed. The person who was considered to be my best friend and my role model was no longer here with me. My number one supporter was gone in just a snap of a finger. The one who I spent all my years growing up with, was now in her grave. At just seventeen years old, my older sister was killed in a car accident. Because I was so little and young, I didn’t know what this meant for me. I never would’ve thought that I would be waking up for school on my own, riding the bus on my own, and even be the only child at the dinner table for the rest of my childhood. The time kept going, and I kept growing. The loss of my older sister never went away, but it had changed me forever. My sister, my biggest supporter, always taught me to chase my dreams while trying my best to succeed. Growing up, I've been around dentistry my whole life. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all in the dental field. As I’ve grown older and now started to learn anatomy as well as be in a dental career program at school, I've learned to love everything about dentistry. Being in the dental careers program for the last two years has taught me so much about where I want my career path to go. The anatomy and biology of the human body truly amazes me. Learning about all the different aspects of dentistry has pushed me to the point that I'm excited to start my future and career. Losing my sister has taught me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, so don't take it for granted. The one thing I would hate to do is to never chase my dreams. I want to prove to my angel above that I did it. I made it to dental school and became a dentist. Overcoming the death of my older sister, while being in school, has never been easy. Showing up to school on her birthday, death date, and even my birthday has taught me that when it’s hard, I can still show up and be present for my future. School always came easy to me work wise, but the school experience has not always been ideal. Being challenged taught me so many things like resilience, problem-solving, and to overcome the deepest things. As I continue to grow, I have learned that the days don’t get easier, you just get stronger. This has truly helped me get through the days that I never thought I would. Now, sitting here as a senior in high school who made it through the days, weeks, months, and even years of grief, I have changed as a person. One of the things I carry with me is this: my sister had an impact on every single person she met. That's what I will strive to do in the dental field. I don’t see becoming a dentist as just a job. I see it as a huge part of my life. Dentists aren't just people you go see every six months for a cleaning or someone who checks your fillings. They help improve confidence and change people's lives daily, which is truly my end goal. I want to have an impact on all of my patients like my older sister had an impact on everyone she came in contact with.