Community service holds great significance for me as it provides an opportunity to engage with my community on a personal level, forging meaningful connections and a deeper understanding of the needs within it. One of my most cherished experiences involved volunteering as an art teacher assistant at Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Across multiple days and various campuses, I had the privilege to co-teach a lesson on identity. Our lesson plan centered on students creating a six-word memoir about themselves, followed by painting a symbol representing their memoir. I guided the students in choosing affirming words to define themselves, witnessing firsthand how this activity fostered self-reflection and confidence. Witnessing the students express their identities through art was incredibly fulfilling and underscored the importance of educational programs that nurture self-awareness and creativity. During my time at the Father McKenna Center in D.C., I had an impactful experience. Beyond just organizing the food pantry, I directly connected with men in need through various activities. One particular memory that stands out is a thought-provoking discussion on happiness and finding joy even on tough days. We used the analogy of a "bucket" to represent happiness. It was fascinating to explore what "fills" and "tips" our buckets, sparking meaningful conversations and helping individuals express their emotions while finding common ground. These experiences expanded my empathy and deepened my understanding of the diverse challenges people face. Through volunteer work, I've realized the impact of community service and how it has shaped my perspective. My experiences, especially at the Father McKenna Center, have shown me the urgency of addressing homelessness. As a future lawyer, I'm committed to advocating for increased funding and support for homeless shelters and community programs. Similarly, my time at Friendship Public Charter School underscored the importance of educational and uplifting programs for children. Many students struggled to find kind words to define themselves and lacked inspiration for future careers. This highlighted the need for programs that not only bolster academic achievement but also support personal growth and career exploration. With my law degree, I aim to advocate for the implementation and expansion of such programs in schools, providing students with the tools and encouragement they need to realize their potential and envision a brighter future. The experiences of community service have shaped my ambitions and vision for the future. They have allowed me to connect with and assist my community, offering insights into pressing issues. Pursuing a law degree will enable me to advocate for systemic changes addressing homelessness and educational opportunities. I believe meaningful change begins with compassion and empathy, and I am dedicated to leaving a positive mark through my future career in law.

On a sunny day in June, as I rode my bike, the wind gusted my neighbor's snapdragon flowers into the air, filling my nose with their fragrance. Birds sang, full of life. I would have never known I could enjoy such a moment if I had committed suicide on December 13, 2021. When I was battling depression, I felt alone, cold, and confused. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I knew I had hit rock bottom. My journey with depression started with a longing for happiness that turned into emptiness and hopelessness. I did everything to escape this feeling. I created a fictional place in my head for comfort until that place became dark and cold, influenced by my reality. As I became more accepting of hopelessness, I let it crumble any form of happiness that I felt was "too good to be true," even if it was just a dream. The emotional feeling of loneliness became overwhelming because I couldn't understand how I was surrounded by friends and family but still felt alone. Friends and family became distant from my world faster as days went by. I didn't care about doing my hair or taking care of myself. During this time, suicidal thoughts were heavy chains in my mind. The thought of ending my life felt more right than living. The day I almost committed suicide became a testimony for me. Who would have known a simple glitch in my playlist could impact my life? Kodak Black's "Everything 1k" played. The intro of the song said, "You know life ain't tied with a bow but it's still a gift though, yeah life ain't fair but it's still going though, it's a blessing just to be here." It was a little spark that made me wonder if my life was a blessing. I told myself the only way I would find out was if lived my life to know. Fighting depression was not an easy process. I began my recovery by taking baby steps. It took a lot of effort and forcing myself to stay consistent. I started to go outside more to see life and feel life through plants and animals. I made little weekly goals for myself and rewarded myself. I didn't have a strong support system or access to therapy, so I studied depression and coping strategies to help me. I was in an ocean of darkness and sorrow, yet I am still here. I look back on that day, not in sadness, but with pride. Fighting depression was not an easy process. Rome wasn't built in a day. My mental health experience has shaped my goals when it comes to advocacy. Growing up, I was always deeply focused on advocating for laws and rights, but now I see the importance of expanding my focus. Raising awareness for mental health and depression has become a primary goal of mine. When I was battling depression, I lacked the resources to receive proper help. I want to help make it easy for kids battling depression to receive the proper care I wasn't able to get. I want to fight for mental health counselors in schools and for students to receive proper education about depression in health class. Health class shouldn't be centered around reproductive and physical health; students should learn that mental health is just as important. I want people to see that seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of but rather a step in the right direction. I desire to use my story to reach people who can relate and encourage them to keep fighting. Overall, I believe that educating students on mental health and making resources more accessible can contribute to positive change in our society. Most importantly, it can help ensure that my experience doesn't repeat itself in someone else's life. My battle with mental health has influenced me to show understanding, listening skills, and compassion in my relationships with others. I reflected on my journey and the difficulties I had due to not having a strong support system. I want people around me to feel that they can depend on me to be there for them. As I become more educated on mental health, I know improving my communication skills will help me be more beneficial in my interactions with others. My mental health experience has improved my understanding of the world. In this everlasting journey, I continue to grow a better understanding of life through mental health. I know mental health is crucial to our world, as it affects our lives and society. Growing to understand mental health has changed my perspective on how we treat ourselves and others. Showing grace towards others and ourselves is a critical part of understanding the world around us. In conclusion, battling depression and understanding the importance of mental health has shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world. It has strengthened me emotionally and mentally in my journey. I have learned the power of sadness but also hope and compassion. Through my experience, I have expanded my focus to see how important mental health is. It has ignited a great passion within me to spread awareness about mental health. I hope my story can one day change lives and encourage others to recognize depression and seek help, no matter if they feel unworthy of happiness.