When I first began to learn Spanish, I never imagined the lifechanging opportunities the language would give me. I loved Spanish from the second I stepped into my ninth grade classroom, but in my small town in rural Illinois, I rarely had opportunity to use it. However, when my family hosted a Spanish exchange student my junior year, Spanish gave me a brand new way to connect with a different culture. And when I got to travel to Ecuador as a college sophomore, I realized that I wanted to choose a major where I could continue to use language as a tool for empathy and connection. Our exchange student was from Basque Country, Spain. I was nervous to host Maialen, because I wasn't sure if I would be able to communicate with her. I had only taken two years of Spanish at my high school, and I was still practicing my vocabulary and pronunciation. However, Maialen and I soon became best friends. She practiced her English with me, and I practiced my Spanish with her. Although we often laughed at each other's pronunciation and vocabulary, we both learned each other's languages over the course of the summer. Not only did we become better Spanish and English speakers; we also grew to appreciate our different cultures. We cooked our favorite foods, shared music, and became as close as sisters. After living with Maialen, I had a lot more confidence in my Spanish language skills. I could focus less on my grammar in class, and I grew to appreciate the culture of Spanish-speaking countries that my teachers taught. My teachers were excellent at providing a window into different traditions that Spanish speaking countries hold; one of my favorite days of the year was Dia de los Muertos, where all the Spanish classes celebrated with music, food, and history. I grew to appreciate other cultures on a much deeper level after learning their language. I didn't have space in my college schedule to study Spanish, but I knew I wanted to keep speaking it. So when I found an opportunity Ecuador through my university, I immediately signed up. I was extremely nervous for the trip, because I knew I would be immersed in a culture that did not speak my language. But once again, the lessons I learned in Spanish class stuck with me; not only could I communicate with the families I met in Ecuador, but I also got to experience what my teachers had told me about: the people of Ecuador welcomed me with open arms, and I felt like I joined their family for a week. I cannot wait to go back this spring! When I was sitting in my high school Spanish class in Central Illinois, I never could have dreamed that I would soon make a best friend from Spain and travel to Ecuador. These experiences have taught me that learning someone's language is the best way to connect with them. My dream is to become a journalist, where I can use my love for both Spanish and connection to tell stories both in the United States and abroad.

The first book I ever remember reading was "The Magic Treehouse." I turned page after page, enthralled by the idea of magical books that transported two children to wherever they were reading about. Looking back, I learned to love reading for the same reason as Jack and Annie: good books can transport me anywhere in the world. More importantly, books have helped me relate to people who I have never met. Reading has taught me to be passionate about everybody's stories, and my love for books has inspired me to become a journalist, so that I can tell stories of underrepresented people around the world. One of the most impactful books I read was "The Fountains of Silence" by Ruta Sepetys. The story follows a young American tourist and a hotel maid in Madrid during Francisco Franco's brutal regime. I had never learned about the violence that Spanish people had gone through, and I was astonished that I knew nothing about the lives of millions of people. However, this book became even more important when my family hosted an exchange student from Northern Spain. Maialen's grandparents had lived through Franco's regime, and her parents were born into it. Her culture was reserved; not because they were impolite, but because they had come out of a time where they could not voice dissent. Sepety's book helped me understand a small part of Maialen's story, and I connected with her better because of it. This experience inspired me to become a journalist, so I can write articles that help others become more empathetic. I decided to study English Literature and International Relations in college so that I can achieve the dreams books instilled in me. My International Relations degree teaches me about cultures around the world: I am learning about political systems, history, and cultures that I wasn't taught in high school. I also am studying abroad, and I hope to go to Spain. I want to become fluent in Spanish, so I can hear stories from people in their first language. My English degree is an extension of my love for reading that started at age five. Now, I read books from all over the world in my World Literature Class. I read things from the first century, and I read modern poetry from Palestine, Ireland, and India. The more I learn, the more I want to know. It's amazing to see how much my life has turned out like Jack and Annie's. There's no magic treehouse involved- instead, the books hold the magic. They teach me about people and places I could never otherwise understand. I am excited to become a journalist, so I can travel and write pieces that can teach other people empathy. Good books make us kinder people, and I want to continue that cycle.

Growing up, I had a tumultuous relationship with the arts. My parents enrolled me in piano lessons at age six, and guitar at age eight. I liked going to lessons at first, because everything was new and fun. My teachers gave me prizes, and we played games to learn notes and clefs. With nothing else on my schedule, lessons were a welcome adventure. As I got older, life became busier, and music became a chore. I dreaded going to piano lessons, because I knew my friends were playing together without me. I went straight from lessons to soccer, and struggled to find time in between homework and sports to practice. I dreaded performing in front of people when I got to middle school and became self-conscious. I begged my parents to let me quit; I tried to convince them that I didn't need to learn anymore. But even though they didn't play any instruments, my parents told me I had to stick with music. They kept telling me that music was something I could use my whole life, and that it was a beautiful gift I shouldn't forfeit just because I was busy. Eventually, I ran out of time for lessons. But my parents still wanted music to be a part of my life, so they let me trade out private lessons for a new instrument: the viola. I joined orchestra class, which let me do something besides a study hall. Joining an orchestra was extremely fulfilling, and it made me excited about music. For the first time, I was using the music I had learned alone to make something bigger, and more beautiful. I loved the viola; I belonged to a small group who shared our own clef! I continued to play throughout high school, and my one class was a welcome reprieve from physics, statistics, and anatomy. When I was applying to college, I faced a lot of hard decisions. Along with which college and major I would pick, I wondered: what role would music play in my future? I reached out to the orchestra director at my new school, and he told me they needed violas. I joined, and orchestra class became a creative haven and emotional outlet during a huge time of transition. My challenging courses seemed more manageable when I could relieve stress during orchestra. I am so glad my parents pushed me to take lessons while I was growing up. Looking back, I know they are the reason music was a constant in my life. The arts are in more danger than ever before, but they are more important than ever: in a world where anxiety and depression are on the rise, arts-especially music-is an important way for kids to express their emotions. When my parents forced me to take lessons all those years ago, they never knew how important they would be to me! Now, as I look to my future, I know that I want to inspire younger generations to love the arts as much as I do.

When I read “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series by Jenny Han, I was a firm Team Jeremiah fan. However, once I watched the series I quickly became Team Conrad. Throughout both seasons, Conrad’s maturity and quiet dedication to his family impressed me and made me realize how well he complimented Belly's fun-loving nature. He also has valued having Belly in his life from a young age, and he remembers so much of their shared past, Also, Conrad and Belly's scenes are often accompanied by Taylor Swift's music, and she is my favorite singer. Anyone who has Taylor's support has mine too! The first thing that made me switch to Team Conrad was how mature he appeared compared to Jeremiah in the series. Sometimes he can be intense or too serious, but I think that stems from the stress he's under from knowing about his dad's affair and Susannah's cancer. I think that Belly's bubbliness compliments Conrad's introverted personality because he can have serious conversations with her about their futures and problems. I love Jeremiah's fun-loving, extroverted personality, but he and Belly don't have a "serious" bond because they only laugh and joke with each other. One important scene in Season 1 happened when Steven, Jeremiah, and Conrad crashed Belly and Cam's movie date. After Belly got mad, Conrad respected her space and made Steven and Jeremiah leave and stop making fun of her. Conrad also helped his mom when she got sick, and in Season 2 he made a serious decision to use his trust fund to save the beach house and protect Jeremiah and Belly's hurting family. Even though Jeremiah has a sweet personality, Conrad makes a lot of decisions that are good for Belly and his relationship. One of the best moments in the show for Team Conrad fans was when he bought her the infinity necklace. Conrad has loved Belly since they were little, and the fact that he remembers telling Belly about infinity on her birthday years ago shows how much he cares about her and thinks about her. Since Belly always had a crush on Conrad, it is so sweet that he also knows how important Belly is to him. It would be impossible to be a Team Conrad fan without watching the episode where Belly attends the Deb Ball. Although Jeremiah is her date, he abruptly leaves when he sees a text about Susannah's cancer. Belly is stranded in front of everyone until Conrad steps in. They dance to "That's the Way I Loved You," which was the perfect song choice. Their dance is even more romantic because Conrad taught Belly to dance many years ago, so they go full circle. Finally, I am 100% Team Conrad because of the Taylor Swift songs that play for him and Belly. When they see each other in the first episode of Season 1, "Lover" plays. If that isn't Team Conrad, I don't know what is. Other songs include "False God," "Invisible String," "Sweet Nothing," and "Snow on the Beach" (so is Lana Del Ray Team Conrad also? I think so). It is impossible to have "Lover" play for Belly and Conrad and not be Team Conrad, in my opinion. Even though I was originally Team Jeremiah, I am now a firm Team Conrad member. I think Conrad's personality, maturity, and sentimentality make him a perfect match for Belly. And most importantly, Taylor Swift (and I think Lana Del Ray) agree with me.

I was eight years old when I first visited Disney World, but I still vividly remember how magical the parks were. Even though I loved seeing the princesses at Magic Kingdom, the jungles at Animal Kingdom, and the movie magic at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT quickly became my favorite park and my favorite thing about Disney. I have always wanted to travel the world, and when I visit the EPCOT World Showcase I'm able to see the buildings and culture of eleven different countries around the world. EPCOT has instilled in me the belief that you don't need a fairy tale for magic; people and countries around the world carry magic we can experience in real life. One of the things I love most about World Showcase is being able to see the architecture of the world around one lake. The Eiffel Tower, a Mayan pyramid, and a Torii gate are just a few of the unique features showcased by the countries. However, I enjoy the hidden nooks and crannies that each country offers. I love to get lost in the hedge mazes of England, smell macarons in the alleyways of France, and wind through the beautiful mosaics of Morocco. I have vivid memories of the sights and smells of each of the countries in the Showcase. When I was able to go to France and England in person, I was amazed by how similar it was to Disney's version. Although the EPCOT version is smaller, it is a perfect taste of how the same country is in real life. I love the architecture of the World Showcase, but the food is my favorite part. I never eat breakfast the morning that we go to EPCOT so I am hungry to snack all day! Some of my favorite foods are tacos from Mexico, lefse from Norway, ice cream from France, and of course pizza from Italy. I like to try unique flavors of everything while I'm there, and one of my favorites has been a pizza with prosciutto and cantaloupe! Recently I got a Disney cookbook, and I've been able to make a lot of the World Showcase's recipes with my family that we all love. Cooking has brought us together over the food we all enjoy, so we have been able to make memories even when we aren't at Disney! Overall, EPCOT is my favorite thing about Disney because it holds so many of my favorite memories. The sights, smells, and tastes of the world are in Orlando, Florida. I hope that I can go back and make some more memories with my family soon!

This summer, we welcomed an exchange student from Tolosa, Spain into our home. Throughout her time in the United States, we have learned as much from her as she has learned from us. By working to understand other cultures and nations, we are able to gain valuable insight into our perceptions, stereotypes, and assumptions, and work to replace them with truth. Global exploration allows us to immerse ourselves in different beliefs and traditions. I hope that one day, just like our exchange student, I will be able to study abroad. I believe that through the experience of living in a different country and culture, I will be able to learn and correct the assumptions I have made and been taught. Many Americans believe that the United States is the best country in the world. Indeed, it is certainly wealthy, and we have many freedoms through our government that other nations don't have. However, this idea of superiority often spreads to all aspects of American life, including religion, traditions, music, and academics. The assumption that Americans are better than all other nationalities is deeply entrenched in our society, but studying other cultures and nations can help overturn that stereotype. By looking at world history, we can recognize how many great inventions, theories, works of art, and foods were created by other cultures thousands of years ago. The Chinese invented gunpowder in the eleventh century; the Romans had implemented a complex aqueduct system in 312 B.C. In contrast, our nation's history is very short. Studying other cultures and nations will bring us a sense of humility when we realize how much we owe them for their great contributions to our modern society. It can also help us overturn negative or racist stereotypes that some people might have by reminding us of the strength and intelligence of people all over the world. Similarly, global exploration can help individuals from the United States deepen their appreciation for other cultures, and help broaden their worldview. When our exchange student arrived, I thought that she would have lived in a small village with limited opportunities and less stringent academics. However, I soon discovered that in her modern town, her school and university system had much harder exams than I did. Although I didn't travel to Spain, interacting with someone from a different culture, even for a month, completely reversed my ideas on other countries. Global exploration, specifically forming relationships with citizens of the world, will provide the United States with an invaluable opportunity to better understand and appreciate people from all around the world. Although the time I spent with our exchange student was short, it taught me lessons I will remember for my whole life, and it gave me memories I will treasure. I hope that every American citizen can have the experience of forming a relationship with someone from another nation because understanding a different culture will help them be a more humble and understanding person. I plan to study abroad one day so that I can continue widening my worldview and become a more responsible citizen and a better person.

I heard a crunch as fell over the goalie and hit the ground, and I immediately started crying as I realized that I would be out for another season. Breaking my arm during a game for the second year in a row marked the low point in my soccer career, but it also taught me an invaluable lesson. During my sophomore year, I was able to continue playing with a cast, but this year I had to have surgery and missed the entirety of the postseason. As a captain, I knew that I needed to set a positive example for my team, but I didn't realize how important of a lesson they would teach me. Because I was out, players who had previously sat on the bench filled in key roles on the field. Even though I wished I was playing, I gained a newfound appreciation for the support that my teammates gave each other both on and off the field. I certainly would have missed this if I was playing, so I am glad that I was able to grow as a good teammate and friend during my time being injured. On the other end of the spectrum, the best time in my soccer career happened during a club tournament before my sophomore high school season. Our team traveled to Arizona, so we were able to hike, eat, and play together, and we became extremely close during that week. The best part for me personally was that I played the best I have in my career so far. I scored a lot of goals, including a hat trick, and I won three games for our team because of it. I had so much confidence and happiness coming out of that season because of my performance, which carried me through the high school season. This experience has helped me to remember that even during rough seasons or games, I am still a talented player. It has given me confidence as a player and as a person. I am not yet sure if I want to play soccer in college, but I know that I want to pursue higher education, most likely for a degree in journalism and/or political science. One of my personal goals is to graduate college with no student debt. I have been working hard as a student-athlete to achieve this, which has required a lot of time and dedication in the classroom and on the field. This scholarship would help me to pay for college so that I can set myself up for the best possible future after I graduate. Playing soccer has taught me many life lessons, through both winning seasons and hard times. It has shaped me as a person specifically by making me a better friend and a more confident individual. I am grateful that I've had the opportunity to play learn these lessons so early in my life by playing a game that I love.

The first time I performed onstage, my legs wouldn't stop shaking. I was all alone and all eyes were on me. However, once I started playing the piano my fear melted away. This was the first of many times I would perform, and I have not only played the guitar, but also the piano, viola, and bass. Music has become an outlet through which I can interpret and explore my emotions and thoughts. This is especially true when I write my own songs, which help me process difficult experiences from my past. Additionally, performing music has given me a lot of confidence in myself. My experiences with music have changed who I am as a person, and as a result, music has shaped the way I view the world. I learned the fundamentals of music from a young age by taking piano and guitar lessons. However, it wasn't until I reached junior high that music started to have a lasting impact on my life. As I navigated the ups and downs of friendships, listening to music became an outlet for me to process my emotions. I genuinely believe that listening to music helped my mental health, because I was able to hear songs that mirrored the situations I was in, and I felt less alone. Music has given me the confidence to reach out to others in hard times because it helped me realize that I was not alone in my struggles. In this way, music has shaped the way I view the world because I was able to recognize how connected we are, even in hardships. The other way in which music has shaped my worldview is by changing who I am as a person. Writing and performing music has inspired confidence in me that has changed my life. Because I have proved to myself over and over that I have the skills and determination to perform well, I have also built trust in myself which has changed my worldview. I feel more confident in my ability to lead others, do hard things, and build a future for myself that I want to live. In this way, music has taught me that the sky is the limit as long as I am willing to work hard. I did not have this worldview before I started playing music, so I am extremely grateful that I was able to learn these lessons at a young age. Overall, music has been an extremely positive influence in my life, and it has helped me to build connections and character which have changed my worldview and will change my future.

My mouth was dry when I called my coach and told him the reason why I would not be attending the game. Later, I waited nervously as I reached out to each of my teammates. What I was encouraging was not popular, but I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew that I needed to lead my teammates by my example and not just my words. When my teammate's dad died, our coach was unwilling to reschedule our game so that we could attend his funeral. I made the hard decision individually to risk my spot on the team to support my friend, and I asked each of my teammates to consider making the same decision. Not all of the scenarios in which I have demonstrated leadership have been this difficult, but none of them were as formative. I know that as I continue to pursue a career that will hopefully nvolve leadership in the future I will often have to make hard decisions, but I hope that I will be able to stay firm in my values and make the best decisions for others over myself. One of the biggest characteristics of a leader is focusing on the well-being of others, sometimes over personal comfort or gain. Therefore, I have often had to make decisions that do not advance my own desires. Missing a soccer game seems like a small sacrifice, but I had to go against my coach's wishes and jeopardize my spot on the team. I was also afraid that my teammates would be angry with me for not playing. However, not only did I tell them why I thought supporting our friend and her family was so important, but I gently asked them to consider doing the same so that we could be there for our teammate. I was able to demonstrate both character and humility through this, both of which I consider important leadership qualities. This experience taught me a lot about myself, both as a friend and leader. If I had not made connections with my teammates, I wouldn't have been able to ask that they attend the funeral. At the same time, I realized that I had enough faith in my character to stand up to my coach. In the future, I hope to hold on to these truths about myself as a leader. I hope that I can keep supporting other people, because the most rewarding part of being a leader is helping others. And finally, I hope that I never lose the courage to lead by example, which is the most powerful thing anyone can do if they want to see change.

When my parents enrolled me in community soccer at age three, they hardly could have predicted that I would still be dedicated to the sport fifteen years later. Throughout all of the changes in my life, soccer has been a constant that I am grateful for. I am passionate about soccer because it has helped me form lasting relationships with so many different girls, and it has helped me strengthen bonds with my family. Playing soccer has also taught me life lessons, including the value of commitment, motivation, and teamwork. And last, but not least, playing soccer has given me confidence in myself that I will keep for the rest of my life. I am so thankful that I have been able to play a sport that has made me not only a better athlete, but also a better person. I have played a lot of sports in my life, but soccer is the only one I have truly been passionate about. The competitive and physical nature of the game is amazing, but the time I have put in would overshadow the sport alone. However, the relationships that I formed through soccer are what made it worthwhile for me. I have spent hundreds of hours at practices, car rides, hotels, and tournaments with girls from all over my state. I am especially passionate about club soccer because I have been able to meet some of my best friends who are from different schools that I wouldn't have known otherwise. Soccer has also helped me grow closer to my family because I can play with both of my younger brothers, and we often take trips to tournaments together. The people who I've grown close to during my years of soccer have made me passionate about the sport. The most important role that soccer has played in my life is helping me build character. This has happened through coaches, my parents, and teammates who have encouraged me and challenged me throughout the years. I have also developed a strong work ethic, which came from countless hours of practicing on my own without external motivation. Soccer has taught me the importance of teamwork, as I've learned to trust others in a way that I wasn't able to do even two or three years ago. This trust has played an important role in my personal growth. Finally, the sport of soccer itself has taught me that I can have confidence. I have always been anxious about pleasing others and being "perfect," but the messy, beautiful game of soccer has taught me to learn from my mistakes and grow. I know that I won't always be perfect, but I can still do my best and not worry about what other people think. I know I will remember this about myself even after I'm done playing. Soccer has been the biggest time commitment of my life so far, but it has also been the best. I have built amazing friendships, learned life lessons, and gained confidence in myself that I will keep for the rest of my life. Soccer is my favorite sport, and I am so grateful that I've been able to play it for fifteen years.

I've always lived in a small town, but Taylor Swift's song about moving to a big city is my favorite on her track. "Welcome to New York," Taylor's first song on her '1989' album, is my favorite because it made me fall in love with the idea of the culture and new beginnings of New York City. Not only is the song catchy, but the lyrics also inspire me to follow my dreams. I would love to become a journalist, and the New York Times is one of the most famous news outlets in the world. Although my goal of working at the Times seems daunting, I am doing my best to set myself up for success in high school, and "Welcome to New York" helps to remind me why I'm working so hard! I was born in a small town in Central Illinois, so except for a few weekend trips to Chicago I haven't experienced life in a big city. However, whenever I have been able to travel, I've been entranced by the atmosphere that is unique to big cities alone, and "Welcome to New York" perfectly captures the experiences I would love to have in the future. I want to have a fresh start in a place where anything is possible; in fact, "took our broken hearts, put them in a drawer; everybody here was someone else before" is one of my favorite lines in the song for this reason. Because I have always lived in a place where everyone knows me, the thought of a blank slate is inviting. Taylor sings that "it's been waitin' for you," which gives me confidence that even though it can be frightening to leave what you know, making the leap is rewarding in the end. One of the best things about "Welcome to New York" is how the descriptive lyrics can help you envision and feel the atmosphere of NYC. I especially like the line "walkin' through a crowd, the village is aglow; kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats," because Taylor shares her love of the people and the excitement in NYC with everyone who listens. I know that although the people she is describing might be different, they are all ambitious and working towards their dreams. It is comforting to hear echoes of my personality described in the lyrics of Taylor's song. Finally, I love "Welcome to New York" because of how Taylor includes everyone in her story. Throughout the song, she mentions how everyone is the same, and how anyone is welcome. No matter what your background is or where you are from, there are opportunities and experiences that anyone can have in New York City and other cities across the country. This message is inspiring to people like me who are afraid of rejection or failure, because it offers acceptance and community. '1989' is an amazing album, and it is full of catchy songs. "Welcome to New York" isn't just catchy though; it's inspiring and welcoming, and because of that it is my favorite. I would love to experience the opportunity to follow my dreams of journalism in the future, and I hope that visiting or living in a big city can be a part of that. Being inspired by a song to pursue my dreams for the future would be an amazing story to tell others.