I was diagnosed with NF1 when I was 3 months old. This put me in an academically disadvantaged position. This disease has affected me mentally the most. I have many learning disabilities such as ADHD and dyslexia. These diagnoses often make me feel like I should not be as academically progressive as I have been. Receiving a scholarship like this will show that I am more than NF. From Kindergarten through the eighth grade I was put in Special Education classes. For the longest time, I thought I would be in those classes for the rest of my education. To my surprise, at the end of my eighth-grade year, I was told I was "too smart for Special Education". So, beginning my freshman year of high school, I began taking general classes. To my shock once again, a teacher suggested I could do honors classes. This gave me the right amount of confidence to give it a try. I took these classes and succeeded. I decided to push myself even further and in my Junior year, I took a dual enrollment class. I knew the curriculum and pace of the class would be a challenge but I pushed through. At the end of the semester, I came out of the class with an A. Passing this class was a big obstacle for me and it gave me confidence. Confidence that I could pass difficult academic classes, confidence that I could take college classes, confidence that I could do anything that I put my mind to. This scholarship would mean the world to me. I come from a low-income family that currently has three high school seniors. Due to this and our financial situation, I know that my family cannot afford to help me with college. I have dreams of attending college to earn a degree in veterinary science. Animals have been my comfort touchstone when things in my life have been very difficult. I connect with animals so much because they are very tender creatures and at times cannot help or speak up for themselves. Living with NF1, I too at times feel that I am unable to speak for myself. I have very strong opinions and I know exactly what I want to say. However, it seems to, at times, get stuck and I feel like I cannot express myself properly. I have found people in my life who understand this and who are very patient and kind to me. I would love to do the same with animals. I would love to be their voice for them. At the end of the day, I want to show that NF will not define what I can or cannot do. I stand confident in my abilities. Coincidently, you can't spell confidence without NF.