During Covid we all lost a lot of things, our ability to assemble, our routine of going to school, and we also lost loved ones. I lost a close friend not to covid but to type 1 diabetes complications during shutdown. Brianna was a kind loving funny friend who had a great love for the Lord. We couldn't go to her funeral or viewing because of rules not allowing us to assemble in large groups. It didn't seem real especially because I was not in face-to-face contact with any of my friends during this time so had not talked with her during the pandemic. The restrictions that were enforced with COVID also brought a lack of a support system for me. I eventually shut the world out and became depressed during that time. When school started back up in August is when Brianna's death really hit, she wasn't in my classes or in the hallway. She wasn't on my soccer team or at my lunch table. I didn't get a chance to grieve and process her loss. It was this experience that showed me how precious life is, how quickly it can be taken from us, and how important it is to have support. Brianna's death and the isolation I experienced during covid, despite being some of the lowest moments of my life, have been important in shaping the person I am today. It showed me the importance of being the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. Because of my experiences, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I am on the media team for Youth for Christ, I am a student helper where I volunteer 2 class periods in the middle school science and lunch rooms. I have tried my best to love people and show Christ's love to all just like Brianna did. It is because of these experiences, that I feel God is leading me to major in counseling and minor in Biblical studies so that I can encourage and build up the next generation and help them in their walks with God. It will also give me the opportunity to help youth who are dealing with grief and loss to process it in a healthy way.

At the start of the COVID pandemic, I remember how life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, leaving me to pick up the pieces in the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends and family began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I rededicated my life and established a new identity in Christ. Since that moment on, I have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to be surrounded by others who love and support you. After the pandemic was over, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could, each task looking different from the rest. In my local campus life, I pray for local schools, help prepare Thanksgiving dinners, and volunteer for the social media and event planning team. At St. John’s Bible Church, I am a small group leader, where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible. With St. John’s, I also participated in a homeless ministry out of state, where we handed out soup and clothing. At my home church, Lima First Assembly of God, I volunteered at several Vacation Bible Schools, where I took on various roles. This included assisting with snacks, leading worship, performing skits, and serving as a kindergarten leader. Additionally, with Lima First Church, I volunteered at Indian Lake to help clean up debris following a tornado that had recently passed through. I also worked with the social media team running cameras and with the Light the Night program focused on serving the community. Outside of a church setting, I try my best to incorporate God into my sports life. I prayed with my soccer team and other track athletes and often wrote scripture on myself to share about God. I also help with the National honor society peer tutoring group, and I am a High School helper for the middle school cafeteria and science classes. It is through these experiences that I have seen a need for encouragement and guidance. So many youths in the community are struggling the same way I was with feeling alone and isolated. The experiences I have drawn from have opened my eyes to the gifts God has given and prepared me for to pursue a Major in Psychology with a focus on Counseling and a minor in Biblical Studies. I will use these degrees to serve the community by working with teens who have mental health problems. I would also like to serve in some way through a mission organization focused on youth. I feel that these two degrees combined are the definition of service to others and I am so excited to be able to encourage and guide the next generation.

A big part of who I am is my faith in Jesus Christ; I would like to share some of my testimony to help explain my calling. During covid life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I help with Bluffton's youth for Christ (YFC) media team where we make engaging posts on multiple social media platforms to share about God and encourage youth to come to YFC. I also am a small group leader at St. John's Bible Church's youth group. This gives me the opportunity to encourage girls in there walk with God. It is because of these experiences in my community and my personal experiences that I have a strong desire to pour into the next generation and to help them with their walks with God. I want to include God in all my decisions and after prayer and fasting feel he wants me to be attending Evangel University majoring in Psychology with a focus on counseling and a minor in Biblical studies. This is where I am going to start but if God leads me in a different direction, I am willing to follow. God willing, that after graduation, I will be able to work with kids who are struggling with depression and other issues. I would love to offer a Christian after school club for youth. We would need volunteers to help with tutoring kids, some counselors available if any of the kids need to talk, praise and worship group and someone wanting to give an encouraging word to the kids. I want them to leave each day happier than they came with hope and a true identity in Jesus Christ. This is of course what I would like to do, but if God calls me to a different ministry, I will faithfully follow his lead. God is always my compass guiding me through this life and obedience to him is so important. I strongly feel that he has a plan for each of us and that we must follow him for those plans to succeed.

During Covid we all lost a lot of things, our ability to assemble, our routine of going to school, and we also lost loved ones. I lost a close friend not to covid but to type 1 diabetes complications during shutdown. Brianna was a kind loving funny friend who had a great love for the Lord. We couldn't go to her funeral or viewing because of rules not allowing us to assemble in large groups. It didn't seem real especially because I was not in face-to-face contact with any of my friends during this time so had not talked with her during the pandemic. When school started back up in August is when it really hit, she wasn't in my classes or in the hallway. She wasn't on my soccer team or at my lunch table. I didn't get a chance to grieve and process her loss. It was this experience that showed me how precious life is, how quickly it can be taken from us, and how important it is to have support. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. It encouraged me to establish a closer relationship with Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. Because of my experience, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I am on the media team for Youth for Christ, I am a student helper where I volunteer 2 class periods in the middle school science and lunch rooms. I have tried my best to love people and show Christ's love to all just like Brianna did. It is because of these experiences, that I feel God is leading me to major in counseling and minor in Biblical studies so that I can encourage and build up the next generation and help them in their walks with God. It will also give me the opportunity to help youth who are dealing with grief and loss to process it in a healthy way.

During Covid we all lost a lot of things, our ability to assemble, our routine of going to school, and we also lost loved ones. I lost a close friend not to covid but to type 1 diabetes complications during shutdown. Brianna was a kind loving funny friend who had a great love for the Lord. We couldn't go to her funeral or viewing because of rules not allowing us to assemble in large groups. It didn't seem real especially because I was not in face-to-face contact with any of my friends during this time. When school started back up in August is when it really hit, she wasn't in my classes or in the hallway. She wasn't on my soccer team or at my lunch table. I didn't get a chance to grieve and process her loss. My Aunt who also has type 1 diabetes was able to talk with me and answer questions I had. It was this experience that showed me how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken from us. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. It encouraged me to establish a new identity in Christ, and I have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I am on the media team for Youth for Christ, I am a student helper where I volunteer 2 class periods in the middle school science and lunch rooms. I have tried my best to love people to life just as Jesus did to me. It is because of these experiences, that I feel God is leading me to major in counseling and minor in Biblical studies so that I can encourage and build up the next generation and help them in their walks with God. It will also give me the opportunity to help youth who are dealing with grief and loss to process it in a healthy way.

Hi, my name is Aubrey. I am a senior at Bluffton High School where I am active in varsity soccer and track. I also participate in marching and concert band as well as show choir and musicals. A big part of my life is my faith; I would like to share some of my testimony to help explain my calling. During covid life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This time of depression, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I help with Bluffton's youth for Christ (YFC) media team where we make engaging posts on multiple social media platforms to share about God and encourage youth to come to YFC. I also am a small group leader at St. John's Bible Church's youth group. This gives me the opportunity to encourage girls in there walk with God. It is because of these experiences in my community and my personal experiences that I have a strong desire to pour into the next generation and to help them with their walks with God. I want to include God in all my decisions and after prayer and fasting feel he wants me to be attending Evangel University majoring in Psychology with a focus on counseling and a minor in Biblical studies. This is where I am going to start but if God leads me in a different direction, I am willing to follow. God willing, that after graduation, I will be able to work with kids who are struggling with depression and other issues. I would love to offer a Christian after school club for youth. We would need volunteers to help with tutoring kids, some counselors available if any of the kids need to talk, praise and worship group and someone wanting to give an encouraging word to the kids. I want them to leave each day happier than they came with hope and a true identity in Jesus Christ. I will continue to surround myself with people who also love the Lord and who build me up instead of tearing me down. It is also important to have a few close Godly friends to keep me accountable. Accountability is a great way to stay far from depression as long as I am willing to be honest and open. This is why it is important for me to have a close community of friends who have good discernment who know me.

Hi, my name is Aubrey. I am a senior at Bluffton High School where I am active in varsity soccer and track. I also participate in marching and concert band as well as show choir and musicals. A big part of my life is my faith; I would like to share some of my testimony to help explain my calling. During covid life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This time of depression, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I help with Bluffton's youth for Christ (YFC) media team where we make engaging posts on multiple social media platforms to share about God and encourage youth to come to YFC. I also am a small group leader at St. John's Bible Church's youth group. This gives me the opportunity to encourage girls in there walk with God. It is because of these experiences in my community and my personal experiences that I have a strong desire to pour into the next generation and to help them with their walks with God. I want to include God in all my decisions and after prayer and fasting feel he wants me to be attending Evangel University majoring in Psychology with a focus on counseling and a minor in Biblical studies. This is where I am going to start but if God leads me in a different direction, I am willing to follow. God willing, that after graduation, I will be able to work with kids who are struggling with depression and other issues. I would also love to offer a Christian after school club for youth. We would need volunteers to help with tutoring kids, some counselors available if anyone needs to talk, a praise and worship group and someone wanting to give an encouraging word to the kids. I want them to leave each day happier than they came with hope and a true identity in Jesus Christ.

Hi, my name is Aubrey. I am a senior at Bluffton High School where I am active in varsity soccer and track. I also participate in marching and concert band as well as show choir and musicals. A big part of my life is my faith; I would like to share some of my testimony to help explain my calling. During covid life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I help with Bluffton's youth for Christ (YFC) media team where we make engaging posts on multiple social media platforms to share about God and encourage youth to come to YFC. I also am a small group leader at St. John's Bible Church's youth group. This gives me the opportunity to encourage girls in there walk with God. It is because of these experiences in my community and my personal experiences that I have a strong desire to pour into the next generation and to help them with their walks with God. I want to include God in all my decisions and after prayer and fasting feel he wants me to be attending Evangel University majoring in Psychology with a focus on counseling and a minor in Biblical studies. This is where I am going to start but if God leads me in a different direction, I am willing to follow. God willing, that after graduation, I will be able to work with kids who are struggling with depression and other issues. I would love to offer a Christian after school club for youth. We would need volunteers to help with tutoring kids, some counselors available if any of the kids need to talk, praise and worship group and someone wanting to give an encouraging word to the kids. I want them to leave each day happier than they came with hope and a true identity in Jesus Christ.

I knew I was being challenged to go out of my comfort zone. A high school soccer captain included having uncomfortable conversations with players and coaches to resolve conflict. Conflict is something I use to avoid but ironically, I was voted as team captain. Our team had conflicts and diversity requiring communication with my coaches and teammates to make the season a success not just on the field but off the field as well. My goal was to help "create connections" by helping the girls understand each other and bring them to a realization that everyone has different aptitudes and attitudes and to embrace our differences while encouraging each other and not tearing each other down. This was done by showing love and grace to each girl and publicly admitting to the team when I fell short. "Connection was created " during a big game. I am an extremely competitive person and was very hard on myself. During the game my negativity towards myself started to be absorbed into the rest of the team. They all started to be frustrated with themselves as well and our negativity was starting to show in our play on the scoreboard. This broke my heart, my actions were not Christ like, and I had not realized how much my actions affected the team. So, at half time, I apologized for my negativity and told the girls I was not upset with their performances just mine but that my actions on the field were not ok. I then asked them to help me be accountable to my actions. My vulnerability and obedience in my faith helped to make a more open and honest dialog at practices and games. Did the season go completely drama free? Of course not, we are girls and we get offended often but we worked through it. Because of my leadership, players would come to me with life problems to seek my advice. Some players who were extra nervous before a game would ask me to pray with them. This experience has shown me the true potential I have to work in leadership settings. The respect that I earned from coaches and teammates came from me being bold and from my response to being thrown out of my comfort zone. After one our games, some of us decided we wanted to bless others in our community. We went to a local flower shop and purchased bouquets of flowers. We then wrote encouraging notes and attached them to the flowers and placed them on peoples' windshields around town. This "kindness in action" brought joy to many in our community and taught us that small acts of kindness can go a long way. Another "kindness in action" our soccer team does is help to set up and tear down displays' tables and chairs and pick up trash at our community's national night out. This was a lot of hard work and took some time. We do this every year and usually I am like "let's just get this over with" but this year I sat back and thought, it is the small things that many people don't notice that are some of the biggest investments. If we didn't help with set up or tear down, the event would not be what it was. These "kindness in actions" have helped me realize that any service I am a part of is always bigger than the actual act. There is always a bigger picture and if you step back and look it's a beautiful masterpiece of many people working together from all backgrounds and beliefs.

I remember my most impactful service project was when I spent a day with my church, helping to clean up the rubble of people’s houses after a tornado. It was such a humbling experience taking a break from my everyday life to help other families who lost everything because of this tornado. Sifting through the remains of people’s personal belongings and houses was the most detrimental and accurate display of having to pick up the pieces of your life. Each memory that the now destroyed items held seemed to fade as they were added to the pile of soon-to-be-disposed items. There was so much accomplished over a wide variety of strangers, as they were all united towards the seemingly unfathomable goal of returning these people’s lives to normality. While they did not have much to show in return, the families we helped were extremely grateful for the community support that surrounded them during their time of need. Reflecting on my journey, I can draw significant parallels between that experience and my own struggles during the pandemic. Life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I am on the media team for Youth for Christ, I am a student helper where I volunteer 2 class periods in the middle school science and lunch rooms. I am so thankful that I am no longer struggling in isolation, and I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me to encourage others. I have seen him transform my identity and the lives of many people. Due to Jesus’s legacy, the amazing stories I have read in the bible, and the love that the Lord has given to me, I have tried my best to love people to life just as Jesus did to me. It is because of these experiences, that I feel God is leading me to major in counseling and minor in Biblical studies so that I can encourage and build up the next generation and help them in their walks with God.

My most impactful volunteer experience was when I spent a day with my church, helping to clean up the rubble of people’s houses after a tornado had passed through. It was such a humbling experience taking a break from my everyday life to help other families who lost practically everything because of this tornado. Sifting through the remains of people’s personal belongings was the most detrimental and accurate display of having to pick up the pieces of your life. Each memory that the now destroyed items held seemed to fade as they were added to the pile of soon-to-be-disposed items. There was so much accomplished over a wide variety of strangers, as they were all united towards the seemingly unfathomable goal of returning these people’s lives to normality. Reflecting on my journey, I can draw significant parallels between that experience and my own struggles during the pandemic. I remember how life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. All aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school, friends and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I now have a new identity in Christ and have try to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After the pandemic was over, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. Out of choice, I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I pray with my soccer and track teams before games and meets and even pray with individuals if they feel weighted and stressed. I am so thankful that I am no longer struggling in isolation, and I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me to encourage others and for him walking along side me in my struggles. I have seen him transform my identity and the lives of many people. Due to Jesus’s legacy, the amazing stories I have read in the bible, and the love that the Lord has given to me, I have tried my best to love people to life just as Jesus did to me. While I know it is impossible to be that for everyone, getting a degree in Biblical studies at Evangel University will give me an avenue to help in youth organizations and ministry. This will give me the opportunity to pour into youth of all demographics and backgrounds who are struggling with the same things I once was. And helping them to find their true worth not from things that this world has to offer but in their faith in Jesus Christ.

I remember the most impactful volunteer project that I participated in was when I spent a day with my church, helping to clean up the rubble of people’s houses after a tornado had passed through. It was such a humbling experience taking a break from my everyday life inside my warm house to help other families who lost practically everything because of this tornado. Sifting through the remains of people’s personal belongings and houses was the most detrimental and accurate display of having to pick up the pieces of your life. Each memory that the now destroyed items held seemed to fade as they were added to the pile of soon-to-be-disposed items. There was so much accomplished over a wide variety of strangers, as they were all united towards the seemingly unfathomable goal of returning these people’s lives to normality. While they did not have much to show in return, the families we helped were extremely grateful for the community support that surrounded them during their time of need. Reflecting on my journey, I can draw significant parallels between that experience and my own struggles during the COVID pandemic. I remember how life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends and family began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today in my walk with the Lord. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic was over, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. Out of choice, I prayed over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I pray with my soccer and track teams before games and meets and even pray with individuals if they feel weighted and stressed, and I also participated in a homeless ministry out of state where we handed out soup and clothing items. Another thing I love to do with my friends is visit a store, buy bouquets of flowers, write encouraging messages on notecards, and put them on people’s cars around town. Whenever we do this, it leaves a lasting impression not only on others, but it also makes me feel happier for the rest of my day. I am so thankful that I am no longer struggling in isolation, and I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me to encourage others. I have seen him transform my identity and the lives of many people. Due to Jesus’s legacy, the amazing stories I have read in the bible, and the love that the Lord has given to me, I have tried my best to love people to life just as Jesus did to me. While I know it is impossible to be that for everyone, this scholarship would help for me to afford to get a degree at Evangel University in Biblical studies. Serving in youth organizations and ministry will give me the opportunity to pour into youth of all demographics and backgrounds who are struggling with the same things I once was. And helping them to find their true worth not from things that this world has to offer but in their faith in Jesus Christ.

The Challenge of severe depression during COVID I remember the most impactful volunteer project that I participated in was when I spent a day with my church, helping to clean up the rubble of people’s houses after a tornado had passed through the Indian Lake area. It was such a humbling experience taking a break from my everyday life inside my warm house to help other families who lost practically everything because of this tornado. Sifting through the remains of people’s personal belongings and houses was the most detrimental and accurate display of having to pick up the pieces of your life. Each memory that the now destroyed items held seemed to fade as they were added to the pile of soon-to-be-disposed items. There was so much accomplished over a wide variety of strangers, as they were all united towards the seemingly unfathomable goal of returning these people’s lives to normality. While they did not have much to show in return, the families we helped were extremely grateful for the community support that surrounded them during their time of need. Reflecting on my journey, I can draw significant parallels between that experience and my own struggles during the pandemic. I remember how life went from being so loud to so quiet. What started as an exciting two weeks off from school turned into months of loneliness. It was as if everything crashed down and froze, and I was left to pick up the pieces within the isolation of quarantine. My relationships with my friends and family began to dwindle, and other aspects of my life that I had invested a significant portion of my identity in, such as school and sports, came to a screeching halt. I did not know where life would take me next, and after weeks of feeling frozen, I wondered if life would ever move again. Without having a community and support system behind me, encouraging me to keep moving forward, I decided to freeze in life. I became so depressed, and without all of the external factors contributing to my identity, I did not know who I was. This experience, despite being one of the lowest moments of my life, has been important in shaping the person I am today. I have now established a new identity in Christ and have tried my best to be the encouragement that others need in life when they need it most. After my experience of struggling in isolation, I learned how important it is to have a community of support surrounding you. After the pandemic was over, I re-immersed myself in my community and local youth groups. I volunteered wherever I could each task looking a little different from the rest. Out of choice, I would go with youth for Christ members and pray over local schools, I am a leader in one of my local youth groups where I can help teach and encourage girls to read the bible, I pray with my soccer and track teams before games and meets and even pray with individuals if they feel weighted and stressed, and I also participated in a homeless ministry out of state where we handed out soup and clothing items. Another thing I love to do with my friends is visit a store, buy bouquets of flowers, write encouraging messages on notecards, and put them on people’s cars around town. Whenever we do this, it leaves a lasting impression not only on others, but it also makes me feel happier for the rest of my day. I am so thankful that I am no longer struggling in isolation, and I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me to encourage others. I have seen him transform my identity and the lives of many people. Due to Jesus’s legacy, the amazing stories I have read in the bible, and the love that the Lord has given to me, I have tried my best to love people to life just as Jesus did to me. While I know it is impossible to be that for everyone, getting a degree in Biblical studies and helping in youth organizations and ministry will give me the opportunity to pour into youth of all demographics and backgrounds who are struggling with the same things I once was. Helping them to find their true worth not from things that this world has to offer but in their faith in Jesus Christ is a passion that has been laid on my heart all because of the challenge I faced my 6th grade year of school. What could have ended in a horrible way, God is using for good and I could not be happier.

"And it looks like our Captain for this year will be Aubrey Burkholder, and while she at it she might as well be the prayer leader before games" I think I made an audible gasp when I heard my soccer coach make that announcement. I love soccer, when I step onto the field my quiet, reserved, introverted self is magically replaced with a confident, loud, aggressive player. I'm not entirely sure how this happens I know it is nothing I consciously change about myself, but it happens non the less. That is on the field. Now off the field, that is a completely different story. It felt as if I was being thrown completely out of my comfort zone by my peers and coaches. No stepping out and gradually getting my feet wet to the situation just an abrupt and aggressive throw to the wolves. I knew I was being challenged to go way out of my comfort zone on this one. Being a captain included having uncomfortable conversations with players and coaches in order to resolve conflict. Conflict is something I normally run far away from. This past year, our team had a lot of conflict and diversity in thought. I was constantly in communication with my coaches and teammates trying to make the season a success not just on the field but off the field as well. My goal was to help the girls understand each other and bring them to a realization that not everyone has the same aptitude or attitude and to embrace our differences while encouraging each other and not tearing each other down. This was done by showing love and grace to each girl and publicly admitting to the team when I fell short. My vulnerability and obedience in my faith helped to make a more open and honest dialog at practices and games. Did the season go completely drama free? Of course not, we are girls and we get offended often. By the middle of the season, I had gained the respect of my peers and coaches. Players would come to me with problems some not even soccer related to seek my advice. Some players who would be extra nervous before a game would ask me to pray for them. The respect that I earned came from me being bold and my response from being thrown out of my comfort zone. When my senior soccer season was over, I was afraid of what would happen next. Even though I enjoy my quiet time, I was going to miss the girls and the growth we all had during the season on and off the field. It was just a few days later that the letters started coming. Several underclassmen wrote to me thanking me for my leadership and love for them and saying how much they are going to miss me leading them next year. It was in that moment that I knew they would be ok. They have seen how to lead and felt the impact of my leadership and also knew my fear of being the center of attention and how I overcame the fear. I encouraged them and told them I know they can lead the same way next year. Its these qualities and experience that I will use to better myself as an educator. I have a strong desire to leave things better than they were. Whether that be a soccer team or a student, my desire is that they find purpose and passion in themselves and things they are gifted in doing.

To say I was an introverted awkward child would be completely accurate. I was just starting my 3rd grade year, and all of my friends were in different classes. If you know an introvert, you know how hard it is to make friends. I sat quietly at my desk feeling the weight of the world on my little shoulders. As I sat contemplating how incredibly horrible 3rd grade was going to be, my teacher Mrs. Fry quietly looked at me with a big smile. She saw something in me I was yet to discover. She helped me to find my love of writing short stories and even would read my stories to the class. This simple act of kindness helped for me to be accepted by my peers and gave me so much confidence. It is because of her wisdom and compassion that I am now a more confident and encouraging person. Who would have ever thought that an experience in 3rd grade would shape my desires and dreams for my future. I feel like many times teachers are not given the credit they deserve. Being able to teach a class subject is so important but many teachers go above and beyond that by investing in their students and showing them their worth and abilities. For the last 4 years I have attended St Johns Bible Church youth group. I have a passion for growing in my faith and love that most of my friends attend youth group too. The girls' leader Rachel Antrim saw my passion that I have for God and this year asked if I wanted to lead a small group during breakout sessions. I am currently still leading and love having the opportunity to encourage the younger girls in the group. Mrs. Fry is why I am going to be pursuing a degree in education. I want to pour into the lives of young students especially girls so that they can find their passions and gifts and encourage them along their journey. And Rachel is why I want to also get an education in Biblical Studies. I am planning on going to Evangel University and major in middle child education and minor in Biblical studies. On top of being a teacher I would love to lead a girls small group bible study to help middle school girls with struggles they may be facing and encourage them in their walk with God. My long-term goals in addition to become a middle school teacher and serving in a ministry of some sort is to pursue a doctorate degree to become a guidance counselor later into my teaching career. I feel it is important to experience teaching and the challenges that occur with students as well as teachers so that I can be more empathetic in the guidance counselor position. By being a guidance counselor, I will be able to spend more time focusing on the emotional aspect of the student and also be able to give guidance to situations and directions on what they should do. I find myself in this roll often now. Many of my friends seek my advice in situations when it comes to family situations, school conflict, or their futures. It's something I enjoy doing and I feel like I am gifted at. Thank you so much for offering the Bob Thompson Memorial Scholarship. I hope you will consider me when selecting a winner, but more importantly, I hope that whoever wins will honor your father's legacy through the love of education. Thank you Aubrey Burkholder Bluffton High School (Ohio)

To say I was an introverted awkward child would be completely accurate. I was just starting my 3rd grade year, and all of my friends were in different classes. If you know an introvert, you know how hard it is to make friends. I sat quietly at my desk feeling the weight of the world on my little shoulders. How was I going to get through 3rd grade without the voice of my friends to talk for me and help to encourage me? As I sat contemplating how incredibly horrible 3rd grade was going to be, my teacher Mrs. Fry quietly looked at me with a big smile. She saw something in me I was yet to discover. She helped me to find my love of writing short stories and even would read my stories to the class. This simple act of kindness helped for me to be accepted by my peers and gave me so much confidence. I started writing stories for my classmates and Mrs. fry would read the story out loud and then announce who the story was for that week. My peers would get so excited if it was their week to get the story. It is because of her wisdom and compassion that I am now a more confident and encouraging person. Who would have ever thought that an experience in 3rd grade would shape my desires and dreams for my future. I feel like many times teachers are not given the credit they deserve. Being able to teach a class subject is so important but many teachers go above and beyond that by investing in their students and showing them their worth and abilities. For the last 4 years I have attended St Johns Bible Church youth group. I have a passion for growing in my faith and love that most of my friends attend youth group too. The girls' leader Rachel Antrim saw my passion that I have for God and this year asked if I wanted to lead a small group during breakout sessions. Because of my experience with Mrs. Fry as a young 3rd grader, I was more confident and felt like leading a group would help me to grow more as a woman. I am currently still leading and love having the opportunity to encourage the younger girls in the group. We have discussions about the Bible and relate them to everyday scenarios. It not only has helped me, but I feel it is also helping the girls to grow in wisdom, faith, and maturity. Though youth group is not a school setting it is still a teaching community. When leaders help youth to grow in their faith and challenge us to learn and dive deeper into God's word. Mrs. Fry is why I am going to be pursuing a degree in education. I want to pour into the lives of young students especially girls so that they can find their passions and gifts and encourage them along their journey. And Rachel is why I want to also get an education in Biblical Studies. I am planning on going to Evangel University and major in middle child education and minor in Biblical studies. On top of being a teacher I would love to lead a girls small group bible study to help middle school girls with struggles they may be facing and encourage them in their walk with God. My long-term goals in addition to become a middle school teacher and serving in a ministry of some sort is to pursue a doctorate degree to become a guidance counselor later into my teaching career. I feel it is important to experience teaching and the challenges that occur with students as well as teachers so that I can be more empathetic in the guidance counselor position. By being a guidance counselor, I will be able to spend more time focusing on the emotional aspect of the student and also be able to give guidance to situations and directions on what they should do. I find myself in this roll often now. Many of my friends seek my advice in situations when it comes to family situations, school conflict, or their futures. It's something I enjoy doing and I feel like I am gifted at. But, like I said it is something I plan to do later in my career, so if God leads be to stay teaching or down a different path instead of guidance counselor, I will be obedient to his direction. Thank you so much for offering the Dream Big, Rise Higher Scholarship. I hope you will consider me when selecting a winner, but more importantly, I hope that whoever wins will be able to use this money to better themselves and will use this education to create a better future for themselves and others. Thank you Aubrey Burkholder

My parents both attended 2-year technical schools and have become extremely successful in their careers. For some people a 2-year degree meets their needs and requirements. Because both of my parents paid for their education by themselves, they felt it was essential that I also take responsibility for my own education. Because of this mindset, I always felt that a 4-year degree was completely out of the question. Even though they are not contributing to my education, my parents' income is high enough that I am not offered any government aide, so it is up to me to find financial means to help me achieve my goal. It was with the knowledge of this that helped me to push myself academically. I currently have a 3.97GPA and am eligible for some academic scholarship but still need to find a way to pay for the rest of my education. If I were to get this scholarship, I would use it to help pay for my education. While I first thought that the idea of going to college was unfathomable due to the debt that was associated with it, I am now learning how truly close I am to achieving this goal. As of now I am really hoping to go to Evangel university to become a teacher for middle school education and get a 2nd major in biblical studies. Through these majors, I will be able to continue my passion for ministering to my community and strengthening my faith and roots in Christ. As well as be able to mentor and encourage young students in an age where they are seeking their identity and value. Both of these majors require a 4-year degree and would make me the first person to get a 4-year degree. Tracing all the way back into my 4th generation of family members the highest education anyone has had is a 2-year technical degree. My long-term goals are to become a middle school teacher and to pursue a doctorate degree to become a guidance counselor later into my teaching career. I feel it is important to experience teaching and the challenges that occur with students as well as teachers so that I can be more empathetic in the guidance counselor position. By being a guidance counselor, I will be able to spend more time focusing on the emotional aspect of the student and also be able to give guidance to situations and directions on what they should do. I find myself in this roll often now. Many of my friends seek my advice in situations when it comes to family situations, school conflict, or their futures. It's something I enjoy doing and I feel like I am gifted at. But, like I said it is something I plan to do later in my career, so if God leads be to stay teaching or down a different path instead of guidance counselor, I will be obedient to his direction. Thank you so much for offering the Harvest Scholarship of Women Dreamers. I hope you will consider me when selecting a winner, but more importantly, I hope that whoever wins will be able to use this money to better themselves and reach their pie in the sky goals. Thank you Aubrey Burkholder

My parents both attended 2-year technical schools and have become extremely successful in their careers. For some people a 2-year degree meets their needs and requirements. Because both of my parents paid for their education by themselves, they felt it was essential that I also take responsibility for my own education. Because of this mindset, I always felt that a 4-year degree was completely out of the question. Even though they are not contributing to my education, my parents' income is high enough that I am not offered any government aide, so it is up to me to find financial means to help me achieve my goal. It was with the knowledge of this that helped me to push myself academically. I currently have a 3.97GPA and am eligible for some academic scholarship but still need to find a way to pay for the rest of my education. If I were to get this scholarship, I would use it to help pay for my education. I am planning on attending Evangel university to become a teacher for middle school education and get a 2nd major in Biblical studies. Through these majors, I will be able to continue my passion for ministering to my community and strengthening my faith and roots in Christ. As well as be able to mentor and encourage young students in an age where they are seeking their identity and value. Both of these majors require a 4-year degree and would make me the first person to get a 4-year degree. Tracing all the way back into my 4th generation of family members the highest education anyone has had is a 2-year technical degree. My long-term goals are to become a middle school teacher and to pursue a doctorate degree to become a guidance counselor later into my teaching career. I feel it is important to experience teaching and the challenges that occur with students as well as teachers so that I can be more empathetic in the guidance counselor position. By being a guidance counselor, I will be able to spend more time focusing on the emotional aspect of the student and also be able to give guidance to situations and directions on what they should do. I find myself in this roll often now. Many of my friends seek my advice in situations when it comes to family situations, school conflict, or their futures. It's something I enjoy doing and I feel like I am gifted at. But, like I said it is something I plan to do later in my career, so if God leads be to stay teaching or down a different path instead of guidance counselor, I will be obedient to his direction. Thank you so much for offering the Bick First Generation Scholarship. I hope you will consider me when selecting a winner, but more importantly, I hope that whoever wins will be able to use this money to better themselves and their situation. Thank you Aubrey Burkholder

My parents both attended 2-year technical schools and have become extremely successful in their careers. For some people a 2-year degree meets their needs and requirements. Because both of my parents paid for their education by themselves, they felt it was essential that I also take responsibility for my own education. Because of this mindset, I always felt that a 4-year degree was completely out of the question. Even though they are not contributing to my education, my parents' income is high enough that I am not offered any government aide, so it is up to me to find financial means to help me achieve my goal. It was with the knowledge of this that helped me to push myself academically. I currently have a 3.97GPA and am eligible for some academic scholarship but still need to find a way to pay for the rest of my education. If I were to get this scholarship, I would use it to help pay for my education. While I first thought that the idea of going to college was unfathomable due to the debt that was associated with it, I am now learning how truly close I am to achieving this goal. As of now I am really hoping to go to Evangel university to become a teacher for middle school education and get a 2nd major in biblical studies. Through these majors, I will be able to continue my passion for ministering to my community and strengthening my faith and roots in Christ. As well as be able to mentor and encourage young students in an age where they are seeking their identity and value. Both of these majors require a 4-year degree and would make me the first person to get a 4-year degree. Tracing all the way back into my 4th generation of family members the highest education anyone has had is a 2-year technical degree. My long-term goals are to become a middle school teacher and to pursue a doctorate degree to become a guidance counselor later into my teaching career. I feel it is important to experience teaching and the challenges that occur with students as well as teachers so that I can be more empathetic in the guidance counselor position. By being a guidance counselor, I will be able to spend more time focusing on the emotional aspect of the student and also be able to give guidance to situations and directions on what they should do. I find myself in this roll often now. Many of my friends seek my advice in situations when it comes to family situations, school conflict, or their futures. It's something I enjoy doing and I feel like I am gifted at. But, like I said it is something I plan to do later in my career, so if God leads be to stay teaching or down a different path instead of guidance counselor, I will be obedient to his direction. Thank you so much for offering the Bright Lights Scholarship. I hope you will consider me when selecting a winner, but more importantly, I hope that whoever wins will be able to use this money to better themselves and their situation. Thank you Aubrey Burkholder

My name is Aubrey Burkholder, and I am from Bluffton Ohio. I participate in Varsity soccer, track, marching and concert band, and show choir, and have also been involved in our school's theater program and NHS. My home church is Lima First Assembly of God, I am also a Senior leader in St John's Bible Church's youth group and go to Bluffton Youth For Christ on Monday nights. I have served my community in a variety of different ways inside and outside of the church. At my home church's VBS I help with a different thing practically every year. One year I helped lead worship, another year I was on the skits team, and the most recent year that I helped I was a leader helping with Kindergarteners. I also worked on the media team every other Sunday at second service for two years to help with online services for my home church by working on cameras. The past two years I also have helped with a Halloween ministry called Light the Night where our church goes out into different communities and passes out candy and spreads the word about our church, and shares Jesus's love. My family also has a strong passion to serve God by serving others. My family and I recently pent 6 hours with my church volunteering to help those who were hit by a tornado in the Indian Lake area by helping to clean up the aftermath. While I have helped with multiple VBSs at my home church I also have helped with VBS worship at St. Mary's catholic church for three years. At St. John's Bible church during the girl's retreat, we helped serve food for a homeless ministry. We also helped pass out clothes, blankets, and other items that were needed at that time. With Bluffton Youth For Christ, a group of us helped pack Thanksgiving dinners and bags full of cleaning products for a homeless ministry as well. In school I helped serve lunch in the Middle school cafeteria, and I also student helped in a first-grade classroom. I also am in NHS and last year I was able to dedicate a study hall to help tutor those who might need help. This year, I helped kids with a nature walk with 2nd graders with several of my other classmates. In soccer, our team has helped clean up after an event called National Night Out where the community fosters good relations between kids and first responders. We also had a week where we would help youth improve their soccer skills. For Marching band, concert band, show choir, and some theater programs we put on a free show for a monthly Senior Citizens Breakfast. I enjoy serving helping others in need. It gives me a sense of purpose and joy in knowing that I am being the hands and feet of Jesus. Galatians 5:13 is a verse I feel explains why I do what I do. "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve on another humbly in love." Jesus was constantly serving others; it was a big portion of his ministry because words without actions have less meaning. He went out in the communities and helped. Because I am called to be like Jesus, I feel called to serve my community with love and compassion. If I were to get the scholarship, I would use it to help pay for my college expenses. While I first thought that the idea of going to college was unfathomable due to the debt that was associated with it, I am now learning how truly close I am to achieving this goal. As of now I am hoping to go to Evangel university and major in middle school education and biblical studies. Through this I will be able to build relationships with middle school kids and be able to pour into their lives as well as continue my passion for ministering to my community and strengthening my faith and roots in Christ. However, Evangel University is over 9 hours from home and travel expenses are pricey, which means that my relationship with my family may dwindle as a response to the financial burden of traveling home. Having some extra cash to help with school, will free up some of my savings making it more possible to be able to visit family more. This would not only help me but also my family. Thank you so much for giving the opportunity for someone to be able to financially be able to further their education. I appreciate that you are seeking someone who loves the Lord and loves serving others to bless. Thank you for your time in reading my application. Aubrey Burkholder

To say I was an introverted awkward child would be completely accurate. I was just starting my 3rd grade year, and all of my friends were in different classes. If you know an introvert, you know how hard it is to make friends. I sat quietly at my desk feeling the weight of the world on my little shoulders. How was I going to get through 3rd grade without the voice of my friends to talk for me and help to encourage me? As I sat contemplating how incredibly horrible 3rd grade was going to be, my teacher Mrs. Fry quietly looked at me with a big smile. She saw something in me I was yet to discover. She helped me to find my love of writing short stories and even read my stories to the class. This simple act of kindness helped for me to be accepted by my peers and gave me so much confidence. I started writing stories for my classmates and Mrs. fry would read the story out loud and then announce who the story was for that week. My peers would get so excited if it was their week to get the story. It is because of her wisdom and compassion that I am now a more confident and encouraging person. For the last 4 years I have attended St Johns Bible Church youth group. I have a passion for growing in my faith and love that most of my friends attend youth group too. The girls' leader Rachel Antrim saw my passion that I have for God and this year asked if I wanted to lead a small group during breakout sessions. Because of my experience as a young 3rd grader, I was more confident and felt like leading a group would help me to grow more as a woman. I am currently still leading and love having the opportunity to encourage the younger girls in the group. We have discussions about the Bible and relate them to everyday scenarios. It not only has helped me, but I feel it is also helping the girls to grow in wisdom, faith, and maturity. Mrs. Fry is why I am going to be pursuing a degree in education. I want to pour into the lives of young students especially girls so that they can find their passions and gifts and encourage them along their journey. And Rachel is why I want to also get an education in Biblical Studies. I am planning on going to Evangel University and major in middle child education and minor in Biblical studies. On top of being a teacher I would love to lead a girls small group bible study to help middle school girls with struggles they may be facing and encourage them in their walk with God.

"And it looks like our Captain for this year will be Aubrey Burkholder, and while she at it she might as well be the prayer leader before games" I think I made an audible gasp when I heard my soccer coach make that announcement. I love soccer, when I step onto the field my quiet, reserved, introverted self is magically replaced with a confident, loud, aggressive player. I'm not entirely sure how this happens I know it is nothing I consciously change about myself, but it happens non the less. That is on the field. Now off the field, that is a completely different story. It felt as if I was being thrown completely out of my comfort zone by my peers and coaches. No stepping out and gradually getting my feet wet to the situation just an abrupt and aggressive throw to the wolves. I knew I was being challenged to go way out of my comfort zone on this one. Being a captain included having uncomfortable conversations with players and coaches in order to resolve conflict. Conflict is something I normally run far away from. This past year, our team had a lot of conflict and diversity in thought. I was constantly in communication with my coaches and teammates trying to make the season a success not just on the field but off the field as well. My goal was to help the girls understand each other and bring them to a realization that not everyone has the same aptitude or attitude and to embrace our differences while encouraging each other and not tearing each other down. This was done by showing love and grace to each girl and publicly admitting to the team when I fell short. My vulnerability and obedience in my faith helped to make a more open and honest dialog at practices and games. Did the season go completely drama free? Of course not, we are girls and we get offended often. On top of my captain duties, I helped to run little kicker soccer camp for youth athletes. This helped for us to pour into the next generation. I was also awarded the job of praying before games. I had to make coherent words come out of my mouth in front of my team and while doing it honor God and make each prayer intentional and meaningful. By the middle of the season, I had gained the respect of my peers and coaches. Players would come to me with problems some not even soccer related to seek my advice. Some players who would be extra nervous before a game would ask me to pray for them. The respect that I earned came from me being bold and my response from being thrown out of my comfort zone. When my senior soccer season was over, I was afraid of what would happen next. Even though I enjoy my quiet time, I was going to miss the girls and the positive community I had help to build. It was just a few days later that the letters started coming. Several underclassmen wrote to me thanking me for my leadership and love for them and saying how much they are going to miss me leading them next year. It was in that moment that I knew they would be ok. They have seen how to lead and felt the impact of my leadership and also knew my fear of being the center of attention and how I overcame the fear. I encouraged them and told them I know they can lead the same way next year.

My name is Aubrey Burkholder, and I am from Bluffton Ohio. I participate in Varsity soccer and track, marching and concert band, and show choir, and have also been involved in our school's theater program and NHS. My home church is Lima First Assembly of God, and I also am a Senior leader in St John's Bible Church's youth group and go to Bluffton Youth For Christ on Monday nights. I have served my community in a variety of different ways inside and outside of the church. At my home church's VBS I would help with a different thing practically every year. One year I helped lead worship, another year I was on the skits team, and the most recent year that I helped I was a leader helping with Kindergarteners. I also worked on the media team every other Sunday at second service for two years to help with online services for my home church. The past two years I also have helped with a Halloween ministry called Light the Night where our church passes out candy and spreads the word about our church, and shares Jesus's love. During special church events, I also serve on the theater team. My family and I also spent 6 hours with my church volunteering to help those who were hit by a tornado in the Indian Lake area by helping to clean up the aftermath. While I have helped with multiple VBSs at my home church I also have helped with VBS worship at St. Mary's catholic church for three years. At St. John's Bible church during the girl's retreat, we helped serve food for a homeless ministry. We also helped pass out clothes, blankets, and other items that were needed at that time. With Bluffton Youth For Christ, a group of us helped pack Thanksgiving dinners and bags full of cleaning products for a homeless ministry as well. In school serve lunch in the Middle school cafeteria, was a student helper in a first-grade classroom. I also am in NHS and last year dedicated a study hall to help tutor those who might need help. This year, I helped kids with a nature walk with 2nd graders with several of my other classmates. In soccer, our team has helped clean up after an event called National Night Out where the community fosters good relations between kids and first responders. We also had a week where we would help youth improve their soccer skills. For Marching band, concert band, show choir, and some theater programs we put on a free show for a monthly Senior Citizens Breakfast. If I were to get the scholarship, I would use it to help pay for my college expenses. While I first thought that the idea of going to college was unfathomable due to the debt that was associated with it, I am now learning how truly close I am to achieving this goal. As of now I am really hoping to go to Evangel university and study biblical studies. Through this I will be able to continue my passion for ministering to my community and strengthening my faith and roots in Christ. However, Evangel University is 9 hours from home and travel expenses are very pricey, which means that my bond with my family may dwindle as a response to the financial burden that visiting home will be. Having some extra cash to help with school, will free up some of my savings making it more possible to be able to visit family more. This would not only help me but also my family.

"And it looks like our Captain for this year will be Aubrey Burkholder, and while she's at it she might as well be the prayer leader before games" I think I made an audible gasp when I heard my soccer coach make that announcement. I love soccer, when I step onto the field my quiet, reserved, introverted self is magically replaced with a confident, loud, aggressive player. I'm not entirely sure how this happens I know it is nothing I consciously change about myself, but it happens non the less. That is on the field. Now off the field, that is a completely different story. It felt as if I was being thrown completely out of my comfort zone by my peers and coaches. No stepping out and gradually getting my feet wet to the situation just an abrupt and aggressive throw to the wolves. I knew I was being challenged to go way out of my comfort zone on this one. Being a captain included having uncomfortable conversations with players and coaches in order to resolve conflict. Conflict is something I normally run far away from. This past year, our team had a lot of conflict and diversity in thought. I was constantly in communication with my coaches and teammates trying to make the season a success not just on the field but off the field as well. My goal was to help the girls understand each other and bring them to a realization that not everyone has the same aptitude or attitude and to embrace our differences while encouraging each other and not tearing each other down. This was done by showing love and grace to each girl and publicly admitting to the team when I fell short. My vulnerability and obedience in my faith helped to make a more open and honest dialog at practices and games. Did the season go completely drama free? Of course not, we are girls and we get offended often. On top of my captain duties, I was also awarded the job of praying before games. This may sound like an easy feat but to me this was an additional challenge. I had to make coherent words come out of my mouth in front of my team and while doing it honor God and make each prayer intentional and meaningful. By the middle of the season, I had gained the respect of my peers and coaches. Players would come to me with problems some not even soccer related to seek my advice. Some players who would be extra nervous before a game would ask me to pray for them. The respect that I earned came from me being bold and my response from being thrown out of my comfort zone. When my senior soccer season was over, I was afraid of what would happen next. Even though I enjoy my quiet time, I was going to miss the girls and the growth we all had during the season on and off the field. It was just a few days later that the letters started coming. Several underclassmen wrote to me thanking me for my leadership and love for them and saying how much they are going to miss me leading them next year. It was in that moment that I knew they would be ok. They have seen how to lead and felt the impact of my leadership and also knew my fear of being the center of attention and how I overcame the fear. I encouraged them and told them I know they can lead the same way next year.

The grass had that just cut smell with a mix of earth that permeated in my nose. I had waited for this moment from the age of 4 and it was finally here. But this moment wasn't what I had dreamed it would be. Instead of basking in the moment getting to play varsity soccer as a freshman, flying up the field and scoring my first goal, I was bent over gasping for air. I had only been on the field for minutes, how could I already be out of breath. I was so upset with myself. Did I not condition well enough before the season? Why couldn't I rise above this and play? During school, I would find myself winded going up stairs and before big exams. I had so many questions and they were sadly soon to be answered. I was diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction in 2022. This diagnosis hit hard because I was a competitor. I loved competition and overcoming obstacles on the field but never had an obstacle to overcome in life outside of soccer. Many people know what sports induced asthma is. You use an inhaler during competition and breathing becomes easier. With Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD), inhalers do not work. The vocal cords close up during competition causing you to not be able to breath. There is no cure for Vocal Cord Dysfunction, only techniques to help. I was shown how to do diaphoretic breathing to help get larger breaths. This technique is intended to work during competition but remembering to do it while competing is extremely difficult. This challenge also took a toll on me mentally; soccer was my identity. It made such a big part of me, my friends where soccer players, my conversation was usually about soccer, it consumed me. Being diagnosed with vocal cord dysfunction opened my eyes to the bigger picture, I am so much more than soccer. Having VCD increased my faith in God and eventually brought healing to my situation. Going through this difficulty has shown me empathy for my teammates when they are going through physical and emotional battles. I listen with them and share my story to help them see hope. It has helped me to become a leader on and off the field. In soccer, I have been the team captain for 2 years and also have led the team in prayer before games for 3 years. Outside of soccer, I lead a small group Bible study that has helped to increase my confidence in my faith and leadership skills. I also compete in track and was a state qualify this past year in the 300 hurdles. I am also now a member of the national honor society and have kept a 3.97 GPA. VCD was not a barrier stopping me from living my dreams. It was just a hurdle that with the help of God, I overcame. Because of the experience, I have grown into a more companionate and appreciative person. I would never whish VCD on anyone, but I am thankful for the lessons it has taught me and the person it helped me to become. Receiving this scholarship would help me to afford going to college. Above that it would help VCD be more known. It is a rare disease that not a lot of people know about. I know my family didn't know what it was until I was diagnosed. I'm sure there are many people who have the disease and don't know they do. and are struggling through it without the help they need.

The grass had that just cut smell with a mix of earth that permeated in my nose. I had waited for this moment from the age of 4 and it was finally here. But this moment wasn't what I had dreamed it would be. Instead of basking in the moment getting to play varsity soccer as a freshman, flying up the field and scoring my first goal, I was bent over gasping for air. I had only been on the field for minutes, how could I already be out of breath. I was so upset with myself. Did I not condition well enough before the season? Why couldn't I rise above this and play? I had so many questions and they were sadly soon to be answered. I was diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) in 2022. his diagnosis hit hard because I was a competitor. I loved competition and overcoming obstacles on the field but never had an obstacle to overcome in life outside of soccer. Many people know what sports induced asthma is. You use an inhaler during competition and breathing becomes easier. With VCD, inhalers do not work. The vocal cords close up during competition causing you to not be able to breath. There is no cure for VCD, only techniques to help. I was how to do diaphoretic breathing to help get larger breaths. This technique is intended to work during competition but remembering to do it while competing is extremely difficult. VCD also took a toll on me mentally; soccer was my identity. It made such a big part of me, my friends were soccer players, my conversation was about soccer, it consumed me. Having the diagnosis opened my eyes to the bigger picture, I am so much more than soccer. Having VCD increased my faith in God and eventually brought healing to my situation. Going through this trial has shown me empathy for my teammates when they are going through physical and emotional battles. I listen with them and share my story to help them see hope. VCD has helped me to become a leader. In soccer, I have been the team captain for 2 years and also have led the team in prayer before games for 3 years. Outside of soccer, I lead a small group Bible study that has helped to increase my confidence in my faith and leadership skills. I am a member of the National Honor Society, 2 youth groups, Youth for Christ, band and show choir. I also compete in track where I run sprints and hurdles. I have qualified for regional finals for 3 years and this past year was a state qualifier in the 300 hurdles. VCD was not a barrier stopping me from living my dreams. It was just a hurdle that, with the help of God, I overcame. Because of the experience, I have grown into a more companionate and appreciative person. I would never whish VCD on anyone, but I am thankful for the lessons it has taught me and the person it helped me to become. It has made such an impact on my life and faith, that I am planning on majoring in Biblical studies at Evangel University. While there, I also plan on continuing to play soccer at the Colegate level. This scholarship would mean so much to me because it will help me to financially be able to attend Evangel University with less debt. It would also help me emotionally to know that my story has been heard and has hopefully helped to impact someone else in a positive way.

I began to feel my toes and fingers going numb, it was March and a late snow had fallen on top of the destruction, but I had to go on. My lack of preparation didn't excuse my need to help. My church is active in disaster clean ups and community outreach. The time I felt my help was most needed was during March 2024. A large tornado ripped through a highly populated area around Indian Lake Ohio. My family helped to move destroyed homes and business and clean up debris from around the area. During this time, I realized I didn't need to be with a person in order to help them. Many of these people were in complete shock of losing everything and in many cases were either injured or caring for someone who was. My job was to pick up all the debris I could find. Because of the March snow, finding small things became a challenge. It started out as just a job picking up piles and piles of trash, but it became real when I started finding toys and pictures of people's lives. I had different piles, one for trash and one for people from the community to sort through to see if the more personal items were still wanted. I can't image things being taken from me that I had cherished. Clean up became less of a job and more of a mission to help the community heal. We also brought water, food, blankets, cleaning material, diapers, and clothing to the residence. At the school, a makeshift resource center, is where I encountered many walks of life effected by the tornado. It was here I realized destruction doesn't discriminate all are impacted. Young, old, poor, rich all were in need. The need varied, some just needed some water, some everything, and some didn't need anything physical but instead emotional help. We carried supplies into the school and played with the kids who were too young to understand the impact of the destruction around them and were confused about the situation. Bringing some joy to their small faces during a time of sorrow was so encouraging to me. We also prayed with and over the community which in turn helped to start the emotional healing process for those who were in need and felt helpless. Volunteering helps in so many ways. Communities can become cleaner and safer for those who live there. Families can have an easier way to move forward after devastation because a lot of the heavy work of cleaning up is taken care of. Needs can help to be met physically and emotionally when volunteers serve. The work is hard and takes time, but it is completely humbling to see a community come together and help.

To tell the story of Mr. Sycks my amazing band teacher, I would also have to also tell you the story of Micah. Micah is an amazingly smart and funny person who happens to also be autistic. Micah was placed in my percussion section in band. He had a gift for keeping beat and playing snare, base, and the triangle. It is a requirement that all band members also be in the marching band, no exceptions. While this may differ a few people from being in band it did not thankfully make Micah want to change his mind. Mr. Sycks, thinking outside of the box, had Micah play in the pit. The pit is a group of instruments placed on the sideline of the football field. The pit stays stationary while the rest of the band marches. That way, Micah didn't have to march and keep time with a drum. I was also assigned to play in the pit to help but honestly, he excelled without my help. Before this, we had seldom if ever had a pit we usually all just marched but this was a great way to help Micah still be included and valued. The great thing about Mr. Sycks, is he didn't point Micah out as being any different he expected the same result from him as he did the rest of the band. He also had compassion for Micah as he did the rest of us. The next year to all of our surprise Mr. Sycks assigned Micah to base drum. The percussion line all helped to let him know when to stop and when to go with marching. This decision helped to show all of us that no matter what disability you have, you can achieve what may have seemed impossible. It also helped to show me; how incredibly smart and talented people are who have disabilities. Mr. Sycks did an amazing job of including Micah and treating him like everyone else. This paved the way for the rest of us to do the same. It also helped for friendships to grow and develop that may not have happened in other surroundings. For Micah's senior year, we competed in a local competition in concert band. We had so many percussionists that not everyone was able to play every song. Mr. Sycks could have easily not had Micah play at all but instead he gave Micah parts in 2 of the 3 songs. This helped to show all of us the importance of every single person no matter the disability. With Micah's help, our band score a superior rating, the highest score possible. This is Mr Sycks last year of teaching. I teased him that he had to wait till I graduated and that is what he is doing. I will always remember his creativity, love for his students, humor, and how included everyone.

I strongly feel that movies should be for entertainment and not to mold one's mind into the plot that a movie holds. Far too many movies have bad morals and intentions that hopefully would not influence the viewer to mimic. For instance, a horror movie or that of a drunken comedy would hopefully not inspire the movie goer to do the same. In the same since many movies do have good values and over comer tales and would help to inspire the viewer. Some movies that come to mind are Forest Gump or Fried Green Tomatoes. They both show hardships the character encounters and how they overcome the obstacles through the help of friends and self-reflection. The most impactful movie I have ever encountered is "The Passion of the Christ". This movie carried so much love, pain, and conviction into one cinematic experience making it hard to watch without tearing up. The movie does an excellent job of showing the walk of Jesus, the friendships he formed along the way, the love he has for all, and the hardships he faced. The gruesome details of his betrayal, him being beaten and mocked by soldiers, and agonizing death are so hard to watch, partly because Mel Gibson went into so much detail and also realizing that it happened because of his love and willingness to erase our sin. I also makes me step back in realization that this really happened. Multiple books outside of the Bible depicted the same facts on what happened to Jesus in death and resurrection. As a Christian, getting to watch what Jesus went through for me, a sinner, is humbling and so sad. It puts into perspective the importance of following Christ and sharing his love with others. As a child, I was told Jesus died for my sins. But that isn't entirely true. He did so much more. He was humiliated, abused, rejected, laughed at, mocked, and murdered in an extremely slow and agonizing death all to bridge the gap between my sin and my heavenly father. Because of Jesus abounding love, I am saved. The movie, The Passion of the Christ, helped to show me in detail what Jesus went through. It helps me to remember not to take for granted his sacrifice. I have Christian friends who willing choose to go out and get drunk or sleep around with as many people as they want and use the excuse, that's ok, God will forgive me. And while that is true, he will forgive them, they are completely taking for granted the immense sacrifice that he gave. Watching this movie has helped to convict me to live my life more for Christ and less for me. This is why I am planning on majoring in Biblical studies in college. I want to share Gods love and his plan of salvation and with additional education will be able to do this with confidence. His sacrifice was much too great for me not to share his love for everyone.