I am no stranger to mental illness. My father was abusive and suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) from combat in Iraq. My parents divorced when I was five with a restraining order prohibiting all contact with my father. My mom suffers from complex post-traumatic syndrome disorder (C-PTSD) from the years of abuse and I also am diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. There is no part of my world that isn’t touched by the strain of mental illness. I tried to hide my problems for many years, often not even understanding what was wrong with my brain, or not realizing something I experienced wasn’t “normal”. But hiding my problems and pushing down the pain was not the answer. When I was in 7th grade, I couldn’t hold everything inside and all the pain came out when I started cutting myself. I started posting vague cries for help on social media when I would let out some of my suicidal feelings. This could have ended in tragedy, but my mom was there to save me. She let me know that it’s ok to feel big feelings and took me to talk to a therapist. I felt silly and ashamed until my mom let me know she was talking to her own therapist already. I wasn’t alone. But it took me a long time to realize that. I still struggle with forming attachments to anyone except for my mom. It’s hard to date someone, knowing they might turn into my absent and abusive father. I’ve learned to be independent but find it hard to trust anyone else. My relationship with my mom has been my rock throughout all this. I know she is always there and she will always have my back, even when I say I don’t want her to. I am actively working on opening myself up and understanding that not everyone I meet will mirror my father’s actions. My mental health struggles and experiences have made me mature past my years. I know that the “real world” can be impossibly hard and unfair, while my schoolmates are gossiping about who wore the same dress to homecoming and prom. But I believe my premature growing up has helped me become more responsible and empathetic towards other people’s blights. Living with a mental illness can be extremely hard, but there are bright points. I’m holding onto those bright, silver linings that are always around on those rainy days.

Growing up, I never realized we were poor because we were happy. My mom, a single parent, never showed how worried she was about the bills or where she was going to find money to buy food. I learned how to comparison shop before I was in kindergarten and summer garage sales were our shopping sprees. Weekly we visited the local food banks to get the staples and I loved it when some Kool-Aid packets were thrown in as a treat. No matter how hard our life was, we helped others in any way we could. The most memorable moment was in winter when I was around 7 years old. We were going to Wal-Mart to grocery shop and saw a homeless man near the adjacent vacant building lot, huddled near trees to get out of the bitter Kansas wind. When we came out of Wal-Mart, we had a sleeping bag, gloves, socks, beef jerky, a case of water, baby wipes, and a wool stocking hat and my mom had $3 left in her bank account. We took these items to that lonely stranger along with the $20 bill my mom had stashed in her wallet for emergencies. He was so grateful, he had tears streaming down his cheeks and said “God bless you” so many times. My mom pointed out that even though we had little, we still had enough to make someone else’s life a little better. That memory has stuck with me and I still wonder where that poor fellow went and hope that we did indeed make a difference in his life. That moment had such a strong effect on me and has encouraged me to look for ways to add a little joy in others’ lives. I’ve been a volunteer at the Gray County food bank for more than 5 years and have also volunteered my time to help elderly people living at home, that just need an extra hand or a strong arm once in a while. I have gardened, grocery shopped, helped clean, and lots of yard work through the last 3 years and have gained so many brilliant smiles by helping others. Along with volunteering at the county food bank and the senior citizen’s center, I have chosen to pursue a degree in hospitality. I love putting a smile on people’s faces and the hospitality industry is centered on customer service and providing excellent interactions and experiences for other people. I am looking forward to my summer job, as a can-can girl and old west citizen at the Boot Hill Museum, where I will get paid to bring joy to someone else’s life, even if it’s just their summer vacation. But the real joy comes when I can buy a few packets of Kool-Aid to drop into the bags at the food bank when I volunteer there.

Cheerleading is often seen as a sideline activity. But looking beyond the pom-poms and chants, cheerleaders are entrusted with the responsibility of boosting team spirit, leading by example, fostering inclusivity, and driving performance excellence both on the court and off. Being part of the cheerleading squad and selected as Captain during my Junior and Senior years gave me many opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership. As Captain of my squad, I had a pivotal role in setting a positive tone and serving as an inspirational role model embodying the values and morals of my school. I demonstrated leadership through my dedication, resilience, and positive attitude and motivated fellow cheerleaders to strive for excellence in the classroom and on the field. I represented my school when in the community or at a visiting school during competitions. I was involved in multiple activities and charities while maintaining my 4.0 GPA and always remained respectful and responsible. I upheld high sportsmanship, integrity, and professionalism standards, setting a positive example for my schoolmates and community. As a leader, I motivate and empower my classmates, through encouragement, constructive feedback, and recognition of their strengths. I would not only cheer loudly for our sports teams from the sidelines, but also quietly in the classroom to encourage others in school daily, pushing them to unlock their full potential. This was especially beneficial to my forensics/speech teammates, as many beginners did not have the confidence to speak publicly and needed encouragement from an experienced upperclassman (me)! Cheerleading is a team effort and thrives on collaboration. Not only did I coach my cheer squad to coordinate sharp movements during cheers, but to work together to get past obstacles we were facing. I encouraged underclassmen members to work together, creating a half-time routine we performed. I discouraged drama and gossiping while emphasizing the importance of positivity. This simple act caused our team to grow closer as friends through the years, and I was rewarded with a surprise group hug during Senior Recognition night that left me with tears in my eyes. Cheerleading has also helped me to persevere. We encounter various obstacles, from sprained ankles to scheduling conflicts or performance setbacks, requiring me to demonstrate adaptability and resilience in navigating adversity. I remained calm under pressure, offered support and guidance to my peers during challenging times, and led by example. One of my teammates had a family member pass away the day before a key basketball game and was emotionally a wreck. I empathized and comforted her, but also encouraged her to believe in herself as I did and she recovered enough to last through the game. In the cheerleading universe, leadership is not always defined by titles but by the ability to inspire, unite, and empower others toward success. As Captain, I embodied these beliefs through my actions and served as an inspiration and catalyst for positive change. While I uplift spirits and ignite passion on the sidelines, my leadership dynamics exemplify the power of teamwork, resilience, and dedication.

I am no stranger to mental illness. My father was abusive and suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) from combat in Iraq. My parents divorced when I was five with a restraining order prohibiting all contact from my father. My mom suffers from complex post-traumatic syndrome disorder (C-PTSD) from the years of abuse and I also am diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. There is not a part of my world that isn’t touched by the strain of mental illness. I tried to hide my own problems for many years, often not even understanding what was wrong with my brain, or not realizing something I experienced wasn’t “normal”. But hiding my problems and pushing down the pain was not the answer. When I was in 7th grade, I couldn’t hold everything inside and all the pain came out when I started cutting myself. I started posting vague cries for help on social media when I would let out some of my suicidal feelings. This could have ended in tragedy, but my mom was there to save me. She let me know that it’s ok to feel big feelings and took me to talk to a therapist. I felt silly and ashamed, until my mom let me know she was talking to her own therapist already. I wasn’t alone. But it took me a long time to realize that. I still struggle with forming attachments to anyone except for my mom. It’s hard to date someone, knowing they might turn into my absent father. I’ve learned to be independent but finding it hard to trust anyone else. My relationship with my mom has been my rock throughout all this. I know she is always there and she will always have my back, even when I say I don’t want her to. I am actively working on opening myself up and understanding that not everyone I meet will mirror my father’s actions. Social interactions are another area that does not come naturally to me. I learned as a toddler to stay quiet and not draw attention to myself, as a method of survival when my father was around. It has been very hard to break that mindset, but I am getting there. In high school, I was able to become an amazing clarinetist, taking solos to State Music three times, and even being selected to play with the State Honor Band. I joined the cheerleading squad in 8th grade and all through high school, even being chosen as Team Captain for 2 years. Most helpful has been the Forensic, or Speech, team. It really helped me open up and be comfortable in my skin, contradictorily where I acted like someone else for those 10 minutes of a skit. I became so good that not only did I compete at the State level all four years, but I also competed Nationally my Junior and Senior years. After years of help, I have learned that I’m not alone. Many peers my age suffer from anxiety and depression. I petitioned my school counselor to make a bigger fuss about suicide prevention week and as captain of my cheerleaders, I purchased purple and teal bows for us to wear at the football game and asked the crowd to dress in purple and teal in recognition of suicide prevention awareness. It is a small act, but I believe it helped a few other teens at my school feel like they weren’t alone either. My mental health struggles and experiences have made me mature past my years. I know that the “real world” can be impossibly hard and unfair, while my school mates are gossiping about who wore the same dress to homecoming and prom. But I believe my premature growing up has helped me become more responsible and empathetic towards other people’s blights. Living with a mental illness can be extremely hard, but there are bright points. I’m holding onto those bright, silver linings that are always around on those rainy days.

Everyone has faced a challenge in their life or a big change. I am facing my high school graduation in a couple of weeks, which will propel me into the world as an adult and push me towards my college years. The one book that has held a life-changing statement for me has been a children’s book, written by none other than the genius Dr. Seuss. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” might have been written in a cute, rhyming fashion, but the message behind the words is just what the world needs to hear. The book starts off with congratulations and gives positive affirmations that the reader has everything they need – “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes… YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” The reader is given the choice to decide what the future will hold; not their parents or teachers or church leaders, but the reader. The story carries on with the travels the reader might come across including wide open streets and meeting people of all sorts. Of course, that includes some “bang-ups and hang-ups” along the way also. In life, everyone has bad days or weeks. Dr. Seuss’s story lets us know it’s ok that those bad days happen to us. And we can feel lost in our paths, with all our friends taking different routes and leaving us behind. Life can be extremely confusing at times and we might even feel stuck in one place for a while. But that waiting game is not for the reader! Dr. Suess flips a switch and turns the light on encouraging the reader to escape and find the bright places in their life. Because there’s places to go and fun to be done! Even though you will still come across not-fun times in life, and you may feel alone. The story concludes with encouragement to just take that next step and the next, and then success will follow. While this is a story intended for a young audience, I believe it should be read at all ages and stages of life. The simple words and encouraging message give hope to the reader. And after all, hope is the one thing we can never give up on. Dr. Seuss sums it up best, saying “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”

I started life in an abusive household. But I didn’t realize how abusive, because my mom shielded me from the worst of it. We were living in poverty, but I didn’t realize it because my mom always made sure I had new clothes and food in my belly. I don’t know what it feels like NOT to have my mom at every school event, whether band, forensics, cheerleading, tennis, or National Honor Society. My mom is there, waving like a lunatic until I smile back, with her camera pointed in my direction. Even though I grew up in a single-parent home, my mom has been there for me every step, giving me more than enough love and encouragement to equal two parents. It all started way back in preschool when my mom would take time daily to cuddle me close and read bedtime stories and later, encouraged me to start reading them too. That was the start of my love of reading. Reading is the basis for all learning – reading textbooks, understanding word problems in math, and expanding my vocabulary. I love reading and that turned into a love of learning. In early adolescence, I went through a very dark time in my life, where depression and anxiety overcame me. I struggled with my mind and abandonment issues because of my early years and my father’s abuse (my parents divorced when I was 5 years old). I became suicidal, but fortunately, my mom was there to pull me back. She let me know that it was ok to have feelings, and it’s ok to tell someone about them. She was also seeing a therapist for the same reasons, and I felt not-so-alone. Even though there were a rough couple of years, our bond became as strong as steel. Throughout my school years, my mom would always praise me for receiving good marks on my schoolwork. If I had a bad grade on an assignment, she would be there, not angry at me, but helping me understand and encouraging me to ask the teacher for help. I was afraid to approach my teachers, fearful they would be mad if I didn’t understand. But with my mom’s encouragement, I realized the teachers really wanted to help me. This realization helped me earn straight A’s all through Jr. High and High School, to graduate as Valedictorian this May. I had a very difficult time deciding what to do with my future. I knew I wanted to attend Kansas State University, in my original hometown of Manhattan, KS. My mom did everything she could to support me, including finding a list of proposed classes for four different degrees at KSU. And she helped me understand that it’s ok to change my mind and pick a different major later in life. My mom’s constant presence and reassurance have helped me overcome my anxiety and helped mold me into the person I am today. Even when I’m having a rough day, I know she will always be on my side, sitting in the stands, and being my biggest fan throughout life.

I believe that no good act is too small and small acts can snowball into a big difference. Studies have shown that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of personal well-being and happiness, in both the receiver and the giver. I have positively impacted my school and community, and my future goals will continue to reflect that positive emotion. I have been a cheerleader for my school since 8th Grade and have been Captain the last two years. As a cheerleader, I represent the school, on and off the court. I may be best known for cheering on the school's athletic teams during games, but I continue that spirit of encouragement in the school hallways also. I embody true sportsmanship, positively elevating school spirit during activities and throughout the school day. I am an ambassador for my school, with a 4.0 GPA, and showing respect for my teachers and fellow students. As a Captain, I am expected to elevate those expectations and be a role model and a trusted confidant for my team members and peers, while encouraging them to be leaders in their own ways. For the past 4 years, I've volunteered at the Gray County Food Bank every month. I have helped stock shelves, filed paperwork, and greeted individuals needing assistance. Growing up, my family needed help from food banks so I have seen both sides of the counter. I realize the importance a food bank can have to a family that is down on their luck, and sometimes a friendly greeting can mean the world to a person. I've also helped facilitate food drives for the food bank through my 4-H club, my church, and my school groups, and organized a coat drive in the winter for two years for individuals coming to the food bank. I’ve also begun a volunteer work program in the last two years, offering my help to elderly individuals still living at home who need an extra hand to do yard work, gardening, housework, etc. Sometimes it’s as easy as changing a lightbulb when the homeowner uses a walker and cannot climb a ladder. I have been a member of the Charleston Astronauts 4-H club since 3rd grade through my Junior year of high school. Throughout those years, I not only learned from various projects I was enrolled in, but I also learned about my community and how I can help others. I had various service commitments each year; some of my favorites were organizing food drives and coat drives in the winter, a book drive for the library, and reading weekly to the senior citizens at the Shepherd's Center assisted living facility. As I grew older, I also became a mentor for younger 4-H members. I have not moved mountains with my actions, but I have made a positive impact continuously on my peers, at my school, and within my community and I will continue to do so throughout my career in hospitality. Small acts of kindness can have the power to change a person’s life. The world is full of division and conflict; I want to be a beacon of hope and compassion with my actions.

Small Acts, Big Impact By Angel Myers I believe that no good act is too small and that small acts can snowball into a big difference. Studies have shown that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of personal well-being and happiness, in both the receiver and the giver. Here’s how I have made a positive impact on my school and my community. Cheerleading: I have been a cheerleader for my school since 8th Grade and have been Captain the last two years. As a cheerleader, I am a representative of the school, both on and off the court. I may be best known for cheering on the school's athletic teams during games, but I continue that spirit of encouragement in the school hallways as well. I embody true sportsmanship, positively elevating school spirit during activities and throughout the school day. I am an ambassador for my school, with top grades and showing respect for my teachers and fellow students. As a Captain, I am expected to elevate those expectations and be a role model and a trusted confidant for my team members, while encouraging them to be the best leaders of their abilities. Volunteer at Food Bank: For the past 4 years, I've volunteered at the Gray County Food Bank every month. I have helped stock shelves, filed paperwork, and greeted individuals needing assistance. When I was growing up, my mother needed help from food banks and so I have seen both sides of the counter. I realize the importance a food bank can have to a family that is down on their luck, and sometimes a friendly greeting can mean the world to a person. I've also helped facilitate food drives for the food bank through my 4-H club, my church, and my school groups, and have organized a coat drive in the winter for two years for individuals coming to the food bank. I’ve also begun my own volunteer work program in the last two years, offering my help to elderly individuals still living at home who just need an extra hand to do yardwork, gardening, housework, etc. Sometimes it’s as easy as changing a lightbulb when the homeowner uses a walker and cannot climb a ladder. Church Choir/Cantor: We are all blessed with abilities and the best way to nurture those are to share them with others. I use my musical ability to sing at my church, St. Stanislaus. I have been a part of the church choir and an individual cantor (lead singer) since I was in 5th grade. I feel that music can be an important part of mass, with songs that have statements in them that coordinate with the Priests' message. When I can sing a message to the congregation, to help them understand and feel the love of Christ, I feel my own heart swelling with joy. In contrast, I have attended services where the music was not in sync with the readings or was poorly executed, and it has degraded the quality of the mass for me. I truly enjoy singing and hope to continue it at a church when I go to college. 4-H: I have been a member of the Charleston Astronauts 4-H club since 3rd grade through my Junior year of high school. Throughout those years, I not only learned from various projects I was enrolled in, but I also learned about my community and how I can help others. I had various service commitments each year; some of my favorites were organizing food drives and coat drives in the winter, a book drive for the library, and reading weekly to the senior citizens at the Shepherd's Center assisted living facility. As I grew older, I also became a mentor for younger 4-H members. I helped them with various projects, their annual record books, county fair entries, and at monthly meetings. I was even asked to help conduct a style show modeling training at another county! I loved being able to help others through 4-H and am planning on looking for similar groups when I am established in college. I have not moved mountains with my actions, but I know I have made a continuously positive impact on my peers, at my school, and within my community. Small acts of kindness can have the power to change a person’s life. The world is full of division and conflict; I want to be a beacon of hope and compassion with my actions.

Small Acts, Big Impact By Angel Myers I believe that no good act is too small and that small acts can snowball into a big difference. Studies have shown that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of personal well-being and happiness, in both the receiver and the giver. Here’s how I have made a positive impact on my school and my community. Cheerleading: I have been a cheerleader for my school since 8th Grade and have been Captain the last two years. As a cheerleader, I am a representative of the school, both on and off the court. I may be best known for cheering on the school's athletic teams during games, but I continue that spirit of encouragement in the school hallways as well. I embody true sportsmanship, positively elevating school spirit during activities and throughout the school day. I am an ambassador for my school, with top grades and showing respect for my teachers and fellow students. As a Captain, I am expected to elevate those expectations and be a role model and a trusted confidant for my team members, while encouraging them to be the best leaders of their abilities. Volunteer at Food Bank: For the past 4 years, I've volunteered at the Gray County Food Bank every month. I have helped stock shelves, filed paperwork, and greeted individuals needing assistance. When I was growing up, my mother needed help from food banks and so I have seen both sides of the counter. I realize the importance a food bank can have to a family that is down on their luck, and sometimes a friendly greeting can mean the world to a person. I've also helped facilitate food drives for the food bank through my 4-H club, my church, and my school groups, and have organized a coat drive in the winter for two years for individuals coming to the food bank. I’ve also begun my own volunteer work program in the last two years, offering my help to elderly individuals still living at home who just need an extra hand to do yardwork, gardening, housework, etc. Sometimes it’s as easy as changing a lightbulb when the homeowner uses a walker and cannot climb a ladder. Church Choir/Cantor: We are all blessed with abilities and the best way to nurture those are to share them with others. I use my musical ability to sing at my church, St. Stanislaus. I have been a part of the church choir and an individual cantor (lead singer) since I was in 5th grade. I feel that music can be an important part of mass, with songs that have statements in them that coordinate with the Priests' message. When I can sing a message to the congregation, to help them understand and feel the love of Christ, I feel my own heart swelling with joy. In contrast, I have attended services where the music was not in sync with the readings or was poorly executed, and it has degraded the quality of the mass for me. I truly enjoy singing and hope to continue it at a church when I go to college. 4-H: I have been a member of the Charleston Astronauts 4-H club since 3rd grade through my Junior year of high school. Throughout those years, I not only learned from various projects I was enrolled in, but I also learned about my community and how I can help others. I had various service commitments each year; some of my favorites were organizing food drives and coat drives in the winter, a book drive for the library, and reading weekly to the senior citizens at the Shepherd's Center assisted living facility. As I grew older, I also became a mentor for younger 4-H members. I helped them with various projects, their annual record books, county fair entries, and at monthly meetings. I was even asked to help conduct a style show modeling training at another county! I loved being able to help others through 4-H and am planning on looking for similar groups when I am established in college. I have not moved mountains with my actions, but I know I have made a continuously positive impact on my peers, at my school, and within my community. Small acts of kindness can have the power to change a person’s life. The world is full of division and conflict; I want to be a beacon of hope and compassion with my actions.

The hospitality industry has my heart and we both beat to create a pleasant experience for people we care about. My goal is to not just provide a customer experience, but customer EXCELLENCE. The world is full of diversity, but one thing remains the same among all cultures and backgrounds. People like to smile. I want to create that smile. I have been torn about what to further my education in, between hospitality and personal nutrition. Instead of deciding between the two, I want to combine two of my strongest passions into one successful resort – a wellness resort. My vision is a luxury resort that encompasses all aspects of well-being: physically, mentally, and spiritually. When someone leaves my resort, I want their soul to be singing praises about their visit. Guests will be pampered with spa treatments, fitness classes, and meditation opportunities. They would be surrounded by soothing colors and textures throughout the resort and hotel rooms would be havens to escape the daily stresses of life. On-site professionals would include nutritionists to help answer questions and give recommendations to guests with star-rated chefs preparing delicious and healthy meals, personal trainers for instructions and guidance in fitness, and therapists or counselors who can allow visitors to unload their mental burdens. Guests would register with the style of well-being they’d prefer, from relaxing to invigorating or deep sleep to fitness. There is no other industry that has as much impact on the world as the hospitality and tourism industry. Hotels, resorts, and restaurants are essential to the tourism infrastructure, providing accommodation, dining, and entertainment options. A vibrant hospitality industry attracts tourists, stimulates the local business economy, and promotes cultural exchange. Hotels and restaurants often serve as meeting places where people can interact and share ideas, as well as providing spaces for social gatherings, celebrations, and events. They support local suppliers, artisans, and producers, further contributing to economic development, plus offer a wide variety of employment options. My favorite part of a hospitality-based business is innovation and creativity. Hotels, restaurants, conference centers, and arenas are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the guest experience, whether through technological advancements, creative cuisine, unique amenities, or elevated customer service. Thinking outside the box is celebrated in this industry. The hospitality industry is vital to the world’s societal and economic goals because it enriches lives, encourages innovation and creative thinking, unites diverse individuals, and stimulates both business and entertainment sectors. There’s nothing more pleasing than feeling welcomed into a space and given excellent customer service. That smile that is on guests’ faces after interacting with me is how I let my light shine through to others.

Growing up, I never realized we were poor because we were happy. My mom, a single parent, never showed how worried she was about the bills or where she was going to find money to buy food. I learned how to comparison shop before I was in kindergarten and summer garage sales were our shopping sprees. Weekly we visited the local food banks to get the staples and I loved it when some Kool-Aid packets were thrown in as a treat. No matter how hard our life was, we helped others in any way we could. The most memorable moment was in winter when I was around 7 years old. We were going to Wal-Mart to grocery shop and saw a homeless man near the adjacent vacant building lot, huddled near trees to get out of the bitter Kansas wind. When we came out of Wal-Mart, we had a sleeping bag, gloves, socks, beef jerky, a case of water, baby wipes, and a wool stocking hat and my mom had $3 left in her bank account. We took these items to that lonely stranger along with the $20 bill my mom had stashed in her wallet for emergencies. He was so grateful, he had tears streaming down his cheeks and said “God bless you” so many times. My mom pointed out that even though we had little, we still had enough to make someone else’s life a little better. That memory has stuck with me and I still wonder where that poor fellow went and hope that we did indeed make a difference in his life. That moment had such a strong effect on me and has encouraged me to look for ways to add a little joy in others’ lives. I’ve been a volunteer at the Gray County food bank for more than 5 years and have also volunteered my time to help elderly people living at home, that just need an extra hand or a strong arm once in a while. I have gardened, grocery shopped, helped clean, and lots of yard work through the last 3 years and have gained so many brilliant smiles by helping others. Along with volunteering at the county food bank and the senior citizen’s center, I have chosen to pursue a degree in hospitality. I love putting a smile on people’s faces. I am looking forward to my summer job, as a can-can girl and old west citizen at the Boot Hill Museum, where I will get paid to bring joy to someone else’s life, even if it’s just their summer vacation. But the real joy comes when I can buy a few packets of Kool-Aid to drop into the bags at the food bank when I volunteer there.

I have a passion for helping others and find personal satisfaction in creating that smile on someone's face and have chosen to follow my passion to a career in hospitality. Hospitality is a service-based industry that is ultimately aimed at creating a positive and welcoming experience for patrons, whether it is based in a restaurant, hotel, conference center, or any travel and tourism destination. It has been proven by research that service-based learning drives personal growth and development in students, and so by improving myself, I will be able to improve my chosen community. I will be in a position to influence customers' outlook when they interact with me or my staff in a positive manner. That single, positive interaction could affect their day and carry through to their job performances and interactions with other community members. While all hospitality areas are beneficial to learn from, I aspire to be a successful, high-end restaurant manager and entrepreneur. My studies will include practical, hands-on experiences at Kansas State University and industry-relevant skills including leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Success in the restaurant industry requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for hospitality and I will continue to strive to learn, adapt, and excel in this field. Studies consistently show that individuals with higher levels of education tend to have higher earning potential and greater economic mobility. Pursuing a degree at Kansas State University will expose me to diverse perspectives, force me to challenge preconceptions, and encourage me to think independently. A college experience also provides a unique opportunity for me to network with peers and build lasting social connections that can be revised in the corporate world. College is a powerful opportunity for personal and professional growth, shaping individuals into critical thinkers, informed and involved citizens, and adaptable professionals. The importance of higher education remains vital in preparing individuals to navigate the modern world and be meaningful contributors to society. Quality hospitality has a lingering effect on people, similar to a domino effect. Being kind, courteous, and anticipating and fulfilling customer wants and needs are the fundamentals of a hospitality role. Hospitality is not just a career choice to me, it is a way of living. And any community would be improved if more people had a hospitality-based outlook on life.

My first six years of life were blanketed in fear. My father was a military veteran, medically discharged for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to an accident that happened 6 months after I was born. He was narcissistic, manipulative, and became very violent with a hair-trigger fuse on his anger and I learned at an early age to fear him unfortunately. I knew only trauma from him, never knowing him as anything except angry and violent. My mother shielded me from as much abuse as she could and finally escaped with me from that relationship when I was in kindergarten. Taking advice from the psychologist I saw at that young age, and from observing my mother and myself in the courtroom, the judge ruled a permanent protection order in 2012, ordering that he was never to contact me or my mother again. But the damage had already been done. The human brain is amazing, and science has shown that it blocks out memories that are considered too traumatic to process. I don’t remember much of my father. But I am not saddened by it, as my mother has done an amazing job raising me by herself and has given me the love equivalent of two parents. But the trauma I endured is still lingering in the back of my brain somewhere and has arisen in the form of severe anxiety, social awkwardness, a fear of abandonment, and panic attacks. These feelings came to erupt in my 7th-grade year of school, where I became suicidal and started to cut my arms, grasping for control over my life. My mother put me back into counseling, and I started medication to help unravel the emotions and thoughts in my brain. I had to re-learn what “normal” was; that violence and self-hurting were not the answer and not what every household experiences. I have worked hard to overcome the damage I experienced, growing up in a violent household. While I am still going to therapy regularly (and probably will for most of my life), I have learned to find joy in life, and how to accept love when it is not a tool of manipulation. I have overcome the crippling anxiety and panic and evolved into an outgoing, smiling teenager. I am in line for Valedictorian this year at my high school graduation, have been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, and have been the marching band Drum Majorette. I have not only joined the cheerleading squad but have been selected as Captain for two years. I have enjoyed being on the tennis team, competing at a National level in Forensics (aka Speech), and I have acted as a mentor and role model to my peers. Over the years, I have discovered a passion for helping others; I receive as much joy from putting a smile on someone’s face as that person does. That passion is guiding me to a career in hospitality. Hospitality is ultimately aimed at creating a positive and welcoming experience for patrons. I will be in a position to influence customers' outlooks when they interact with me. That single, positive interaction could affect their day and carry through to their lives and the people they interact with. Jack Terry was a survivor of war, and I am still fighting to survive the war in my head. I am inspired by Jack’s ability to overcome all the negatives that crafted his childhood and be able to succeed in his life, surrounded by family and colleagues. I strive to do the same.