Title: The Longing Heart Opening Scene It’s a beautiful, warm spring day. A gentle breeze flows through the open car windows as a recently divorced mother drives her six-year-old son, Carlo, through winding country roads. Blossoms drift lazily from the trees above, and birds dart across the sky. But inside the car, the atmosphere is heavy, silent except for the hum of the tires on the pavement—and the quiet sound of a mother’s tears. Carlo, innocent and perceptive beyond his years, glances up at his mother. Her hands are tight on the steering wheel, knuckles pale, tears tracing lines down her cheeks. “Mama,” he says softly, “why are you crying? Is it because Daddy screamed at you? Do you still love Daddy?” She quickly wipes her eyes with the back of her hand and forces a trembling smile. “Oh honey, you don’t have to worry. Me and Daddy just had a little fight, that’s all. Everything will be alright,” she says, voice thin but reassuring. “Yes, I still love Daddy.” Carlo looks down for a moment, absorbing her words like a child trying to solve a puzzle too complex for his tender heart. Then he perks up again, “Okay, Mama. Where are we going?” “We’re going to visit Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of weeks,” she says. “Why don’t you look out the window and see how many birds you can count?” “Ooh! Mama, I see a big one up there!” he exclaims, pointing excitedly to the sky. They continue the rest of the drive mostly in silence, the kind of silence that holds a thousand unspoken questions. Eventually, Carlo dozes off, his head leaning against the car seat as the countryside rolls by. When they arrive, the front porch of the old farmhouse creaks under their feet. The moment the door swings open, Carlo’s eyes light up. “Grandpa!” he shouts, leaping into his arms. “I missed you so much, kiddo!” Grandpa laughs, giving him a firm squeeze. “How are you doing?” “I’m good! I saw so many birds on the way here!” Carlo beams. Then he pauses. “How’s Mama doing?” Grandpa’s eyes flicker with concern. “She’ll be okay, son. She’s strong.” Carlo turns and sees his mother wrapped tightly in Grandma’s embrace. Her shoulders are shaking, and Carlo instinctively rushes over to join the hug, wrapping his little arms around them both. “When is Daddy coming?” he asks innocently. “I want to tell him about the birds I saw.” His mother bites her lip and looks away. “I’m not sure, baby… He’ll come soon,” she says, though even she doesn't believe the words anymore. Grandpa gently ruffles Carlo’s hair and says, “Hey kiddo, why don’t you go play in the woods out back? You’ll find tons of birds out there.” “Okay, Grandpa! I’ll pick some flowers for Mama too!” Carlo says eagerly, grabbing a small pail from the porch before running out the door. He skips into the woods, a mixture of excitement and confusion fluttering in his chest. He runs for a while, collecting wildflowers and chasing butterflies, until he slows to catch his breath. The deeper he walks into the woods, the quieter it becomes, like the trees are listening. His thoughts return to the argument. Daddy yelling, slamming the door, and the long drive with Mama’s teary eyes. Will Daddy actually come back? he wonders. Deep down, something tells him no. Suddenly, his knees give in to the weight of his emotions. He squats down in the middle of a mossy clearing and begins to cry, shoulders shaking just like his mother’s. Then—snap. A twig breaks behind him. His head jerks up. “Who’s there?!” he calls, voice shaking. More snapping. Closer now. A small fuzzy creature—something between a rabbit and a squirrel—jumps from the bushes. Carlo gasps. “Hey! What’s your name, little guy?” he asks. But the creature darts away. “Hey, wait for me!” Carlo shouts, dropping his pail full of flowers and chasing after it, his sadness momentarily forgotten. He runs and runs, calling out, “Slow down! I can’t keep up!” Suddenly, the ground disappears beneath his feet. He slips, tumbling into a deep, dark hole. He screams as he falls, the world blurring around him. And then—nothing. The woods are still. The flowers lie scattered beside the empty pail. The screen fades to black. Cue the title: The Longing Heart.

Kallam Anji Reddy once said, “Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” These words inspire me every day. They remind me that when we serve others with joy, we’re fulfilling life’s deepest purpose. I’m someone who finds joy in the little things. I love baking, watercolor painting, embroidery, fixing cars, and listening to Taylor Swift with friends. I’m passionate about theatre, swing dancing, hiking in the woods, picking wildflowers (especially the ones I found in Austria), and cheering on the Phillies. I also love making Boba Tea for my loved ones—and most of all, I believe that one smile can change a life. Community service is a huge part of my life. In my town, there’s a youth center that offers free after-school classes to kids. I’ve volunteered to direct and co-direct numerous plays for their Theatre Drama Program. With the help of my peers, we’ve produced shows like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Goldilocks on Trial, The Velveteen Rabbit, How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery, and a self-written piece by a fellow director titled Nine Writers and a Writer. Of all of them, The Wizard of Oz was my favorite to direct—it’s a timeless story filled with heart and imagination. I’m also the president of our local homeschool swing dancing group. Along with my committee, I organize biweekly lessons and monthly dances for high school students in our community. It’s been a joy to help create a space where teens can have fun, learn something new, and feel connected. Like Kallam Anji Reddy, I believe that when we give to others, we receive even more in return—and I’ve been so blessed by the opportunities I’ve had to serve. This fall, I’ll be attending the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics to become an aviation technician, working on airplanes and jets—something I’m truly excited about. I want to walk into my trade school with determination, courage, and joy. When I graduate, I hope to not only master my skills but also leave a positive impact on my school community. In my career, I want to bring excellence to every aircraft I work on, knowing that people’s lives depend on it. Aviation is a field that demands precision, patience, and teamwork—qualities I strive to live by. Whether I’m ensuring the safety of others through detailed inspections or one day mentoring new technicians, I want my trade to be more than a job. I want it to be a way to serve. Like Thomas Mashig, I want to serve with excellence, joy, and integrity. Through dedication, courage, and compassion, I hope to build a career where my hands fix airplanes—but my heart lifts people. As President George H. W. Bush once said, “There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.” When my time on Earth is over, I hope to be remembered as someone who never gave up on others in need, who brought joy wherever he went, and who poured his heart into everything life brought his way.