There are currently 500,000 homeless animals all over Puerto Rico. Most of my family still lives on the island, so as a child, I was there frequently to watch this issue grow. As the years passed, the population of these animals increased due to natural disasters and a lack of affordable veterinary care. When it came time for me to decide whether I wanted to continue my Girl Scout journey and pursue my Gold Award, I knew exactly which community I needed to help. This felt like a meaningful way for me to make my own impact. My project is called “Shelters 4 Satos.” Sato is Puerto Rican slang for street dog. My goal was to advocate for these animals, as many people were completely unaware of the issue and unsure how to help. I wanted to change the perception that rescued animals are inferior to those from breeders because, in reality, they just want love—especially the ones in Puerto Rico. Knowing that dog adoption wasn’t for everyone, I researched and listed other ways to help. One such program involved travelers flying home with a sato, so it could be brought to the U.S. for adoption. After holding numerous workshops and public demonstrations in NYC, 98% of the people I spoke to said they had learned an effective way to help this issue, and 94% said they would implement these solutions into their lifestyles. I also created a website where people can access this information, and I promoted it through posters and social media to gain more traction. Additionally, I wrote a children's book, which I donated to animal hospitals, libraries, and schools in Long Island to ensure my project remained sustainable. I’m grateful that this issue is now more widely known, and that I’ve been able to make an impact in a place that shaped who I am. I plan to continue creating projects like this to challenge myself and benefit the many communities I am a part of—not just this one.I plan on continuing to create projects like this that challenge myself. Through this I wish to impact all the communites I am apart of, not only this one.Through my girl Scout Gold award I used my leadership, initiative, willingness to take risks, and commitment to service to help me make my dreams of giving back to my community a reality. I am incredibly greatful I have recieved the oppertunity to began making an impact where it matters to me.

Dear Future Self, I hope you are doing well. As I write to you now, I am thinking deeply about the reasons why I’ve chosen this path and how important it is to never lose sight of them. No matter how much you are studying or the other things you are involved in, you must remember to stay on track. This is your dream, and you must never surrender it, no matter what obstacles you may face. Remember, from the very beginning, you’ve always wanted to help people. It’s what drives you in everything you do—whether it’s through your work at Camp Anchor, your community service, or even just being there for friends and family. Helping others isn’t just something you do; it’s woven into who you are. Your passion for becoming a doctor comes from that same core. It’s about seeing people at their most vulnerable and being able to give them the care, compassion, and understanding they need. It’s about taking the time to understand the science behind how the brain and bodywork, not just for the knowledge itself but because that knowledge can make a real difference in someone's life. You want to be the person who can bring hope in moments of uncertainty and who can offer solutions when everything feels overwhelming. Never forget why you started this journey. There will be challenges—long nights of studying, moments of doubt, and times when it feels like the world is asking too much of you. But remember, it’s not about the title or the prestige. It’s about the lives you can change, the people you can lift, and the good you can bring into the world. Remember all the times when the only thing that mattered to you was making people feel better? If you accomplish this, you will do it for the rest of your life. So, as you read this in the future, I hope you’re still carrying that same fire inside you, the one that first lit the way toward this dream. Stay grounded in your desire to help people, to serve, and to make a difference. It’s that deep sense of purpose that will guide you through every challenge and bring you the fulfillment you’ve always sought. Keep pushing, keep caring, and never forget why you chose this path. Most importantly never stop being unapologetically and fully you With hope and determination, Your Past Self

I’ve chosen to pursue a degree in healthcare because of my experiences working year-round at Camp Anchor, a camp for children with special needs. The camp has shaped my understanding of the importance of care, compassion, and dedication to improving the lives of others. At Camp Anchor, I work closely with children who face unique challenges, and each day, I witness the profound difference that personalized care and support can make in their lives. My time there has instilled in me a deep desire to help people, especially those who are vulnerable or in need of specialized attention, which is why healthcare feels like the perfect path for me. The kids at Camp Anchor mean everything to me. Over the years, I’ve seen how patience, empathy, and a willingness to go the extra mile can change the lives of those who need help the most. Whether it’s through physical assistance, emotional support, or simply being there to listen, I’ve learned that making a positive impact often comes down to the little moments of care and connection. I have so many unique individual experiences with these campers, like a little non-verbal boy who responded with "you" when I said to him, "I love.." These small moments are exactly the reason that I want to be a part of something bigger where I can spend the rest of my life helping people. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a career where I can make that kind of difference on a larger scale. Healthcare, like working at Camp Anchor, is about improving lives, and I want to dedicate myself to helping others thrive. As a woman in the healthcare field, I hope to bring the lessons I’ve learned at Camp Anchor into my professional practice. Working with kids with special needs has taught me the importance of understanding each individual’s unique circumstances and finding the best way to support them. In healthcare, I want to continue this approach, ensuring that every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for in the way they need. The work I do at Camp Anchor has shown me that healthcare is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about understanding the whole person and providing holistic care that addresses their physical, emotional, and social needs. Ultimately, my goal is to take the compassion and dedication I’ve developed at Camp Anchor and apply it to a healthcare career where I can continue to make a positive impact. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the right kind of support can be, and I’m eager to take that knowledge with me as I pursue a degree in healthcare. The children I work with have taught me that care is more than a job—it’s a calling, and I’m ready to embrace it fully.

Malgorzata “Maggie” Kwiecien’s life, marked by resilience, intellectual curiosity, and an adventurous spirit, reflects values that resonate deeply with me. Her dedication to education and kindness mirrors my own experiences and passions. Year-round, I work at Camp Anchor, which offers various programs for children with special needs. The camp has become a central part of my life, and I’ve dedicated myself to the kids I work with, who mean the world to me. Maggie’s unwavering commitment to helping others, combined with her intellectual pursuits, feels aligned with the work I’ve chosen to do. Whether through education or support, both of us are driven by the idea of making a positive impact on the lives of others. Maggie’s story of resilience, especially in moving to the U.S. alone and establishing a successful career, reminds me of my grandmother, who immigrated to the United States when she was just 13. Her decision, like Maggie’s, was driven by the pursuit of something more. My grandmother is my greatest role model, and her journey—filled with challenges and triumphs—taught me the importance of adaptability and perseverance, traits I strive to embody every day. Her courage to leave her home country at such a young age, and Maggie’s similar experience, inspire me to face my own challenges with strength and grace. These women show that resilience isn’t just about enduring tough circumstances; it’s about thriving despite them. Maggie was never one to shy away from challenges, whether intellectual or physical. As a ski instructor, mountain climber, cyclist, diver, and traveler, she embraced life’s adventures with enthusiasm and versatility. In some ways, I see myself in this. People often laugh at the fact that my interests are so varied. I’m the girl who plays football, who dreams of studying neuroscience, who spends time doing community service but listens to rap music, and who is always at church on Sunday. Sometimes, people try to reassure me, telling me that this combination of activities reflects great balance, but I often feel a little out of place because I don’t fit into any one mold. While others may categorize people by their interests or passions, I find myself outside these conventional boxes, much like Maggie, who embraced her many interests fearlessly. In the end, Maggie’s story reminds me that living outside of expectations isn’t something to be embarrassed about—it’s something to celebrate. Like Maggie, I want to continue following my own path, exploring my passions, and living with kindness and resilience, even if it doesn’t fit into a traditional mold. Just as she didn’t let societal norms dictate her life, I’m learning to lean into who I am, balancing football with neuroscience, community service with rap music, and knowing that it’s okay to defy expectations in pursuit of my passions.