When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. One way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Possible byproducts of my being bullied in the past are the depression and anxiety which I started experiencing as early as sixth grade, when I was twelve. At first, it was hard for me to understand what was going on with my emotions, and why I felt sad and got upset at things that didn’t upset most people, like having to do an extra chore. The point when I really came to grips with my depression was in ninth grade, when I had a youth group leader share their experience with depression. With the help of therapy starting when I was fifteen, I was able to learn how to deal with the confusing emotions of depression and anxiety that I felt. My first therapist really helped me learn how to work through relational problems in the past that were preventing me from moving forward in the present, which was one of the things that I think contributed to my anxiety around people, and when making new friends. The year after, I experienced a worsening of my symptoms, so much so that it was emotionally hard (motivation and energy-wise) to get out of bed and go to school in the morning.Because of my worsened emotional state, I visited a psychiatrist who prescribed me with antidepressants. I am still taking these antidepressants almost three years later, but I hope someday to overcome my mental health issues enough to not have to take them. In summary, I have used creativity through writing and other methods as a coping mechanism to help me problem solve my depression and anxiety. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

I am writing, fostering dogs, and most importantly, content with my life.

One volunteer program I participated in involved me signing up for a program and signing a waiver to participate in a program that aids the homeless. I care passionately for my city, so I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homeless people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. If they were to give out money, the homeless would simply stay on the streets and not be motivated to use this monetary compensation to take their lives into their own hands, and possibly continually engage in substance abuse issues. After this experience, I wrote a fictional story about spreading kindness, which was not directly based on my time volunteering but was inspired by my time at the homeless shelter. The organization I volunteered for also offers a rehabilitation program for men who are experiencing drug addiction. I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely. In elementary school, I was bullied, and because of this, I desire to advocate for others going through the same experience as I did, as well as those dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. I am an aspiring writer, and my future writing career is one way I aspire to give back to those who have been bullied or are experiencing mental health issues which I hope to use to inspire others. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. I have been preparing myself for this career by participating in National Writing Month, where I created a writing goal of ten thousand words for November; about three hundred words a day. This experience was challenging yet rewarding since I pushed myself to write stories that are compelling and from the heart. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it allows me creative license and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. I am majoring in English in college, with a minor in creative writing, to prepare me for this career.

My favorite Disney character is Belle because I can relate to her the most. She loves to read, is quiet and keeps to herself yet not afraid to speak up for those she loves, and has her head stuck in the clouds a lot of the time. I have had a love for reading for as long as I can remember. My academic goals are receiving a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing in the hopes of becoming a writer or editor. I have had a passion for reading and writing since I was young, and I wish to use these gifts to spread positivity and hope to those who read my work; especially those experiencing bullying or depression, both instances I have endured myself. One of the challenges that I think is in the writing field is the difficulty of starting a career as a writer. I had been writing for three years before I got my first piece published this past fall, so I know firsthand how much of a struggle it can be. I plan on using my education to meet this challenge by using the publishing and editing skills which I will learn to aid me in finding a job where I will be able to use my writing talents. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. I will accomplish this by working and obtaining grants and scholarships, if possible. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

Hiking is one of my favorite forms of exercise, since there are many trails in beautiful areas, with many flowers, trees, and animals. It gives time away from civilization and the hustle and bustle of the city, and allows time for reflection and relaxation. Sitting next to a river or creek and watching the water run its course, sitting on a rock, watching the dragonflies and butterflies flit by, is a great way to unwind. Walking, and putting one foot in front of the other, provides a sense of routine and repetition that is good for mental and physical health and well-being. Even the man-made fixtures like bridges have their own industrial beauty. Long, strenuous hikes are very rewarding and satisfying, but even shot hikes give a sense of satisfaction. Hiking is one of the ways I stay fit, and others include walking, running, riding my bike, and playing basketball. A healthy lifestyle should include a diet that is good for the body, along with an exercise routine that keeps the body fit and in shape. This means different things for different people, depending on many factors, but I believe that all lifestyles should be based on a routine that keeps them in check. Whether that routine is in the form of a calendar, both paper or digital, or a detailed schedule, they will be successful if followed faithfully. The most important part of this lifestyle, though, is happiness. If a healthy lifestyle does not make someone happy and content, then it is not right for that person. If they are exercising regularly but it does not bring them joy, then there is no point. Exercise should be used as a tool for recovery, happiness, and connection. The benefits I have achieved by staying fit are emotional wellbeing, as exercise makes me happy and helps me feel accomplished, as well as helping me maintain a healthy lifestyle. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published twice in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. An experience that has helped me grow as a writer is NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Writing Month. This challenge takes place every November, and in it, individuals set a writing goal for the month, which I did. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact. I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published twice in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. An experience that has helped me grow as a writer is NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Writing Month. This challenge takes place every November, and in it, individuals set a writing goal for the month, which I did. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

Hiking is one of my favorite forms of exercise, since there are many trails in beautiful areas, with many flowers, trees, and animals. It gives time away from civilization and the hustle and bustle of the city, and allows time for reflection and relaxation. Sitting next to a river or creek and watching the water run its course, sitting on a rock, watching the dragonflies and butterflies flit by, is a great way to unwind. Walking, and putting one foot in front of the other, provides a sense of routine and repetition that is good for mental and physical health and well-being. Even the man-made fixtures like bridges have their own industrial beauty. Long, strenuous hikes are very rewarding and satisfying, but even shot hikes give a sense of satisfaction. Hiking is one of the ways I stay fit, and others include walking, running, riding my bike, and playing basketball. A healthy lifestyle should include a diet that is good for the body, along with an exercise routine that keeps the body fit and in shape. This means different things for different people, depending on many factors, but I believe that all lifestyles should be based on a routine that keeps them in check. Whether that routine is in the form of a calendar, both paper or digital, or a detailed schedule, they will be successful if followed faithfully. The most important part of this lifestyle, though, is happiness. If a healthy lifestyle does not make someone happy and content, then it is not right for that person. If they are exercising regularly but it does not bring them joy, then there is no point. Exercise should be used as a tool for recovery, happiness, and connection. The benefits I have achieved by staying fit are emotional wellbeing, as exercise makes me happy and helps me feel accomplished, as well as helping me maintain a healthy lifestyle. When exercising, the body releases endorphins that diminish the body’s perception of pain. So by exercising, it chemically improves one’s mood. It also helps relieve stress and gives one something to focus on. Exercising also has health benefits, such as reaching and or maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping organs like the heart healthy. Overall, the physical and emotional benefits of exercise have helped me greatly, and I believe that they can help others, including college students. Even with busy schedules that college students often have, exercising for thirty minutes a day or every other day is doable, and can improve their lifestyles. The improved lifestyle that comes with exercise is something I believe everyone, including college students, should aspire to.

I volunteer regularly for causes that I am passionate about, especially shelter dogs and homeless people, both of which are often overlooked and neglected. Through my volunteer work with the Valley Animal Center, Fresno Rescue Mission, Martin Park, my church, and other similar organizations, I am able to give a voice to the powerless. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely. Another thing I am able to do as a volunteer is give dogs a break from their kennels, which for many dogs can be a stressful environment, what with the people walking around and loud noises. Whether I take dogs on a walk or take them to a dog park to let them run around and interact with other dogs. Just yesterday I was able to give Santana, a dog who has been at the shelter for almost two years, a break from her kennel. I took her to a dog run where she was able to run around for a good fifteen minutes, and once she was back in her kennel, I could tell that she had gotten out a lot of her energy. Another way I plan on advocating for dogs in the future is by fostering through various local animal shelters, including the one I am volunteering at now. I will wait until I live in a house to start fostering, in order to give them the best life possible with a backyard to run around in and a place to call their own. I am excited to be able to help rehabilitate animals and find them their forever homes.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published twice in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. An experience that has helped me grow as a writer is NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Writing Month. This challenge takes place every November, and in it, individuals set a writing goal for the month, which I did. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact. I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

Headaches Missing the bus is a terrible thing Being late for a job interview is even worse The receptionist looks at you like you have horns sprouting out of your head You smooth down your hair just to see The manager that ushers you back into his office is frowning It’s safe to say you didn’t get the job When your mom asks if you have gotten yourself a job, You wish she would drop the whole thing It just leaves you both frowning And she sends you home with pity brownies, which is even worse It’s the bigger picture your mother struggles to see And that’s metaphorically, not literally, because she’s shorter than you by more than a head When you walk beneath a pine tree on your way home, it drops its sticky needles on your head Maybe you wouldn’t be so unlucky if you found yourself a job You log on to all the usual job sites to see This just isn’t your thing But if you don’t try, your mom’s baking will only get progressively worse You remember the last time she baked, when she pulled a burnt cake out of the oven, frowning That seems to be her constant state of mind, frowning Or maybe it’s all in your head Like the pain in the back of your eyes that keeps getting worse Maybe you could afford a doctor’s visit if you had a job But that’s the thing You’ll just have to play the game you’ve gotten so good at, wait-and-see But you don’t want to see Your mother and everyone that interviews you frowning Like you’re not a person, but a thing An injured dog that hit its head Heck, even dogs can get a job Working with the police and what not, which makes you feel worse Speaking of worse Your mom said there’s a movie in the theaters that she wants you to see Never mind the fact that you don’t have money from a non-existent job When you text her back that you’re busy, you can imagine her frowning She’ll think that you’re not right in the head All of us are mad here, that’s the thing The pain behind your eyelids gets worse as the doctor walks in, frowning When he moves closer to see into your eyes, you can see the top of his bald head He says you’re fine, that spending so long on a computer looking for jobs isn’t the best thing

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

A tip I learned from my former youth pastor is Dave Ramsey’s budgeting method, which involves putting cash into categorized envelopes to pay for expenses. This has multiple benefits and purposes, the first of which is handing over cash as opposed to swiping or tapping a credit card has more of an emotional impact, and it is in a way harder to give up cash than to swipe a credit card. When you pay with cash, you can see just how much you are really spending right in front of you, as opposed to with a credit card. Another benefit of this method is being able to organize money into envelopes by spending categories, such as food, gas, clothes, entertainment, and other categories. This way, you can see how much you are spending from each category, and cut back on certain unneeded expenses when the money in that envelope is running low. These and other budgeting tips help students save money in college, for their future.

I have loved dogs ever since I was younger, around 5. I actually used to want to be a veterinarian until I realized that I would have to see animals in pain on a regular basis. My family got a dog when I was 9, and he has taught me responsibility, patience, and how unconditionally that dogs are capable of loving people. Being diagnosed with depression three years ago and dealing with confusing, soul-sucking emotions has been a tough journey for me. One thing that brings me joy is spending time with dogs. I enjoy dog-sitting for neighbors and family friends, spending time with my dog, and volunteering at my local shelter. It's hard to describe how much joy spending two hours with dogs there boosts my mood. A couple months ago I met a dog and went into her kennel and after just a few seconds of petting her as she cuddled with me, I found myself singing the the song "So This is Love". The only real downside of volunteering is that I want to take half of the dogs home with me. Through my volunteer work at this shelter, I have been able to teach abused or abandoned dogs that not all humans are bad, or that not everyone likes to be jumped up on constantly. My time at this shelter has only increased my love for dogs and I intend to volunteer with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life. I volunteer once or twice a month at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. There, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. I volunteer regularly for causes that I am passionate about, especially shelter dogs and homeless people, both of which are often overlooked and neglected. Through my volunteer work with the Valley Animal Center, Fresno Rescue Mission, Martin Park, my church, and other similar organizations, I am able to give a voice to the powerless. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. I will accomplish this by working and obtaining grants and scholarships, if possible. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact. I volunteer regularly for causes that I am passionate about, especially shelter dogs and homeless people, both of which are often overlooked and neglected. Through my volunteer work with the Valley Animal Center, Fresno Rescue Mission, Martin Park, my church, and other similar organizations, I am able to give a voice to the powerless.

I want to attend college because it will open up many opportunities in my future career and life in general, since many of the jobs in the yield that I am pursuing require a Bachelor’s degree or higher. My academic goals are receiving a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing in the hopes of becoming a writer or editor. I have had a passion for reading and writing since I was young, and I wish to use these gifts to spread positivity and hope to those who read my work; especially those experiencing bullying or depression, both instances I have endured myself. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

I want to attend college because it will open up many opportunities in my future career and life in general, since many of the jobs in the yield that I am pursuing require a Bachelor’s degree or higher. My academic goals are receiving a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing in the hopes of becoming a writer or editor. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. I will accomplish this by working and obtaining grants and scholarships, if possible. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

To me, generosity means giving both time and finances. I have volunteered for an Iocal organization where I helped serve and provide meals to homeless individuals. I care passionately for my city, and I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homelessness people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. If they were to give out money, the homeless would simply stay on the streets and not be motivated to use this monetary compensation to take their lives into their own hands, and possibly continually engage in substance abuse issues. After this experience, I wrote a fictional story about spreading kindness, which was not directly based on my time volunteering but was inspired by my time at the homeless shelter. The organization I volunteered for also offers a rehabilitation program for men who are experiencing drug addiction. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

If I had 1,000, I would spend it on my education expenses. I have saved up money for college over the past 2-3 years and my aim is to graduate college debt-free and not take out any student loans. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. Not having to pay off student loans would allow me to pursue my dream career as a writer. It may take me a while to get my footing and get published as a writer, so having no student loans to pay off would help me spend money on more essential expenses, and would take a lot of potential stress out of my life in a time that is already stressful.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

My favorite book that I've read is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The heroine of this book, Katniss Everdeen, is selfless, brave, and smart. She volunteered in the place of her younger sister who was chosen to take part in the annual Hunger Games, which involves people fighting to the death until there is only one survivor. Katniss participated in not only one but two Hunger Games, which shows extreme bravery and courage. In her first games, she and one Peeta Mallark were the only two to survive. Instead of killing him in order for her to survive, she came up with a solution where they could both survive. This selfless act led to them both being put in the next Hunger Games, where they both managed to survive yet again, although Peeta was taken and experimented on. Katniss served as a role model for me, and everyone else that reads the books or watches the movies. Dystopian fiction is one of my favorite genres, both to read and to write. Some of the books included in this genre besides the Hunger Games are Divergent and The Maze Runner. Last year, I wrote a dystopian novella (short novel), and am looking to get it published. This is the longest work I have written to date so it was a major accomplishment for me. I am pursuing a career in writing by majoring in English with a minor in creative writing, and I will take classes that will teach me valuable writing and editing skills.

The most inspiring book that I've read is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The heroine of this book, Katniss Everdeen, is selfless, brave, and smart. She volunteered in the place of her younger sister who was chosen to take part in the annual Hunger Games, which involves people fighting to the death until there is only one survivor. Katniss participated in not only one but two Hunger Games, which shows extreme bravery and courage. In her first games, she and one Peeta Mallark were the only two to survive. Instead of killing him in order for her to survive, she came up with a solution where they could both survive. This selfless act led to them both being put in the next Hunger Games, where they both managed to survive yet again, although Peeta was taken and experimented on. Katniss served as a role model for me, and everyone else that reads the books or watches the movies.

I'm committed to being selfless because I like making other people happy. One thing that I do to help others is volunteer. I have volunteered with the homeless community before. I care passionately for my city, so I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homelessness people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. The organization I volunteered for also offers a rehabilitation program for men who are experiencing drug addiction. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely. In elementary school, I was bullied, and because of this I desire to advocate for others going through the same experience as I did, as well as those dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. I am an aspiring writer, and my future writing career is one way I aspire to give back to those who have been bullied or are experiencing mental health issues which I hope to use to inspire others.

Being diagnosed with depression three years ago and dealing with confusing, soul-sucking emotions has been a tough journey for me. Through it all, I have found things in life that make me happy, and I seek them out. Some things that make me happy are my family and friends, reading, writing, spending time and/or volunteering with dogs, and baking. The pandemic over the past two years has given me more time then I would have had to pursue these passions. Last year, I wrote an 150-page novella (short novel) which I am trying to get published. The library and books in general have always been safe havens for me, and I intend to use my love and knowledge of books in my future career as a writer. As for my love of dogs, I enjoy dog-sitting for neighbors and family friends, spending time with my dog, and volunteering at my local shelter. It's hard to describe how much joy spending two hours with dogs there boosts my mood. A couple months ago I met a dog and went into her kennel and after just a few seconds of petting her as she cuddled with me, I found myself singing the the song "So This is Love". The only real downside of volunteering is that I want to take half of the dogs home with me. Through my volunteer work at this shelter, I have been able to teach abused or abandoned dogs that not all humans are bad, or that not everyone likes to be jumped up on constantly. My time at this shelter has only increased my love for dogs and I intend to volunteer with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

I make sure to treat others with empathy through my volunteer work. One volunteer program I participated in involved me signing up for a program and signing a waiver to participate in a program which aids the homeless. I care passionately for my city, so I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homelessness people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. If they were to give out money, the homeless would simply stay on the streets and not be motivated to use this monetary compensation to take their lives into their own hands, and possibly continually engage in substance abuse issues. After this experience, I wrote a fictional story about spreading kindness, which was not directly based on my time volunteering but was inspired by my time at the homeless shelter. The organization I volunteered for also offers a rehabilitation program for men who are experiencing drug addiction. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

My favorite way to help others is through volunteering. One volunteer program I participated in involved me signing up for a program and signing a waiver to participate in a program which aids the homeless. I care passionately for my city, so I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homelessness people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. If they were to give out money, the homeless would simply stay on the streets and not be motivated to use this monetary compensation to take their lives into their own hands, and possibly continually engage in substance abuse issues. After this experience, I wrote a fictional story about spreading kindness, which was not directly based on my time volunteering but was inspired by my time at the homeless shelter. The organization I volunteered for also offers a rehabilitation program for men who are experiencing drug addiction. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

A turnaround story from my life that I'm proud of is how I overcome being bullied. A time when I have used persistence to overcome an obstacle is when I overcame being bullied and the emotional damage that it caused me. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

The most helpful piece of financial advice that I have ever received is a tip that I learned from my former youth pastor is Dave Ramsey’s budgeting method, which involves putting cash into categorized envelopes to pay for expenses. This has multiple benefits and purposes, the first of which is handing over cash as opposed to swiping or tapping a credit card has more of an emotional impact, and it is in a way harder to give up cash than to swipe a credit card. When you pay with cash, you can see just how much you are really spending right in front of you, as opposed to with a credit card. Another benefit of this method is being able to organize money into envelopes by spending categories, such as food, gas, clothes, entertainment, and other categories. This way, you can see how much you are spending from each category, and cut back on certain unneeded expenses when the money in that envelope is running low. These and other budgeting tips help students save money in college, for their future.

A time when I have used persistence to overcome an obstacle is when I overcame being bullied and the emotional damage that it caused me. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

One of my talents is writing. I practice it through getting my Associate's degree in English, and in the fall I will start pursuing a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in creative writing. The English and writing classes I have taken so far have taught me valuable skills that I will carry into my career as a writer. How to edit my writing, identify elements of other's works, and give peers thoughtful feedback are a few of these skills. In the fall, I had my first poem accepted for publication, through The Kings River Review. This acceptance will hopefully open up doors for me in my future career. Last fall, I participated in a program called NaNoWriMo (short for National Writing month). This program helped me grow as a writer because I created a goal and over the month I achieved it. Creating writing goals will be something I will have to do in my future career as a writer, so this program was helpful to me.

My best skill is writing. I am improving it through getting my Associate's degree in English, and in the fall I will start pursuing a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in creative writing. The English and writing classes I have taken so far have taught me valuable skills that I will carry into my career as a writer. How to edit my writing, identify elements of other's works, and give peers thoughtful feedback are a few of these skills. In the fall, I had my first poem accepted for publication, through The Kings River Review. This acceptance will hopefully open up doors for me in my future career. Last fall, I participated in a program called NaNoWriMo (short for National Writing month). This program helped me grow as a writer because I created a goal and over the month I achieved it. Creating writing goals will be something I will have to do in my future career as a writer, so this program was helpful to me.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. Another hobby of mine is volunteering at a local animal shelter. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like shelter dogs at the Valley Animal Center. Every dog I walk, every kennel I clean, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I interact with makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for almost half of my life, so relaxation and self-care can be difficult for me sometimes. With that being said, I have found things that help me relax and relieve my stress. Reading has been one of those things. If I've ever had a bad day at school or am just emotionally drained, a good book has always been a good way for me to destress. Being around dogs is another thing that helps me relax. My family has had a dog since I was 9 and I have dog-sat for neighbors for almost that long. I also worked at a pet boarding facility last summer, and have volunteered at a local animal shelter for two and a half years now. What these experiences have taught me is that petting or cuddling a dog (if they'll let me) is a great way for me to destress. I plan on volunteering in some capacity with dogs for the rest of my life.

Some of the simple pleasures in my life are my friends and family, dogs, reading, and writing. It brings me joy to spend time with my friends and family, and their unconditional support of me is reassuring. Dogs have brought me joy for as long as I can remember. My family got our dog when I was 9, and I started volunteering with dogs at a local animal shelter 2.5 years ago. It's hard to describe how much joy spending two hours with dogs there boosts my mood. A couple months ago I met a dog and went into her kennel and after just a few seconds of petting her as she cuddled with me, I found myself singing the the song "So This is Love". The only real downside of volunteering is that I want to take half of the dogs home with me. Some day I might be able to do something about this, because once I get my own place I want to foster dogs, especially those who aren't doing well in the shelter environment (stressed, injured, behavior issues, etc.) Through my volunteer work at this shelter, I have been able to teach abused or abandoned dogs that not all humans are bad, or that not everyone likes to be jumped up on constantly. My time at this shelter has increased my love for dogs and I intend to volunteer with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.

Giving back is important because it makes a tangible impact on both the community and individuals. I give back financially by tithing (donating 10% of the money I make each month to various charitable organizations, such as MCC which helps improve the living conditions of people around the world). I also give back through volunteering at various local organizations, including the Fresno Rescue Mission, which serves meals to homeless people and facilitates programs for men dealing with addiction, Martin Park, which provides a safe space for children in the neighborhood to go to after school or on the weekends, and the Valley Animal Center, which is a local animal shelter which cares for cats and dogs. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

Giving is important because it makes a tangible impact on both the community and individuals. I give back financially by tithing (donating 10% of the money I make each month to various charitable organizations, such as MCC which helps improve the living conditions of people around the world). I also give back through volunteering at various local organizations, including the Fresno Rescue Mission, which serves meals to homeless people and facilitates programs for men dealing with addiction, Martin Park, which provides a safe space for children in the neighborhood to go to after school or on the weekends, and the Valley Animal Center, which is a local animal shelter which cares for cats and dogs. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. It means giving back to even those who don't deserve it, whether it is people who have committed wrongs time and time again, or who have wronged me personally. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs, at organizations including Valley Animal Center and Fresno Rescue Mission. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering in these capacities indefinitely.

I am passionate about writing. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. I plan on helping my community through my future career by writing books and other works of literature that connect and empower young adults, especially those who have endured or are enduring mental health issues such as depression, or bullying, as these are both things I have gone through myself. When young adults, or people of any age really, read my work, I want them to be able to find something to connect with and feel a part of, even if they feel left out and alone in every other aspect of their lives. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness.

On a daily basis, there are a number of things that motivate me. A desire to succeed, earn a living, make my parents and family members proud, and make an impact on the world motivate me on a daily basis. I am currently studying English and will earn my Associate's degree this May. When I transfer to Fresno State University in the fall, I will obtain a Bachelor's degree in English with a major in creative writing. My education will give me the skills to ready me for a career as a writer. I plan on helping my community through my future career by writing books and other works of literature that connect and empower young adults, especially those who have endured or are enduring mental health issues such as depression, or bullying, as these are both things I have gone through myself. When young adults, or people of any age really, read my work, I want them to be able to find something to connect with and feel a part of, even if they feel left out and alone in every other aspect of their lives.

My dad has been a pastor since before I can even remember. I have spent my whole life in the church, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The details of my accepting Christ when I was little have faded with time; but the look of joy in my father’s eyes when I opened my heart up to the Lord is something I will never forget. Growing up, other church members often assumed that my siblings and I were perfect, or at least as close to perfect as those of us who dwell on this Earth can be. Once they got to know us better, though, they realized that we have more in common than they thought, because of our Heavenly Father who connects us all in deep, profound ways. In a church, or even just a gathering of brothers and sisters of Christ, God calls us to have no judgement. Those who sit next to us in the pews are fighting their own battles with God by their side, but fellow Christians will also come to their aid in their times of need. Throughout my faith journey, many things have helped me grow closer to God and fellow Christians in my community. To me, Christianity isn’t just a bible verse in a social media profile. It’s a daily way of life. When I lead by example, I am given the opportunity to tell others about God and lead them closer to him. As Matthew 28:19 states; One way God calls me to live out his calling is when I volunteer as a vacation bible school leader. I am able to interact with kids and teach them not only about God and the Bible, but about important life lessons like self control and kindness. In April of 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Youth conference in Glorieta, New Mexico, a gathering of Mennonite brethren churches from around the country. It was a life-changing experience, and everything about it was amazing. The worship sessions were incredible, because the singer’s enthusiasm was infectious. The speakers were inspiring and relatable, and they effortlessly combined short skits and lessons. I grew closer to God and my friends over the week-long conference. A good life to me looks like satisfaction in everything, and doubts in nothing. Throughout the hard experiences I have endured in my life, I have relied on God, my family, and my friends to keep me moving forward everyday. That’s what life is in my eyes; a bumpy, treacherous road that is traveled with trusty companions by one’s side.

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for almost half of my life, so relaxation can be difficult for me sometimes. With that being said, I have found things that help me relax and relieve my stress. Reading has been one of those things. If I've ever had a bad day at school or am just emotionally drained, a good book has always been a good way for me to destress. Being around dogs is another thing that helps me relax. My family has had a dog since I was 9 and I have dog-sat for neighbors for almost that long. I also worked at a pet boarding facility last summer, and have volunteered at a local animal shelter for two and a half years now. What these experiences have taught me is that petting or cuddling a dog (if they'll let me) is a great way for me to destress. I plan on volunteering in some capacity with dogs for the rest of my life.

Joy to me is a zest for life that is uncontrollable and infectious. Being diagnosed with depression three years ago and dealing with confusing, soul-sucking emotions has been a tough journey for me. Through it all, I have found things in life that bring me joy, and I seek them out. Some things that bring me joy are my family and friends, reading, writing, spending time and/or volunteering with dogs, and baking. The pandemic over the past two years has given me more time then I would have had to pursue these passions. Last year, I wrote an 150-page novella (short novel) which I am trying to get published. The library and books in general have always been safe havens for me, and I intend to use my love and knowledge of books in my future career as a writer. As for my love of dogs, I enjoy dog-sitting for neighbors and family friends, spending time with my dog, and volunteering at my local shelter. It's hard to describe how much joy spending two hours with dogs there boosts my mood. A couple months ago I met a dog and went into her kennel and after just a few seconds of petting her as she cuddled with me, I found myself singing the the song "So This is Love". The only real downside of volunteering is that I want to take half of the dogs home with me. Through my volunteer work at this shelter, I have been able to teach abused or abandoned dogs that not all humans are bad, or that not everyone likes to be jumped up on constantly. My time at this shelter has only increased my love for dogs and I intend to volunteer with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I plan on becoming a writer once I graduate college. One thing I plan on doing with my future writing career is writing uplifting stories and books that people, especially teens, can connect to when they feel like they are alone with no one to talk to. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied when I was younger through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. So, even though I have yet to start my career as a writer and make an impact in that way, I am still helping out my community through volunteering at various organizations that I am able to make a positive impact in. In addition to volunteering my time, I also donate money to the organizations that I volunteer at and other charities, so I am able to make an additional impact.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. Another hobby of mine is volunteering at a local animal shelter. I believe that giving back means more than repaying those who have done good to and for me. That is why I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like shelter dogs at the Valley Animal Center. Every dog I walk, every kennel I clean, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I interact with makes a difference in my community. In this way, I am giving a voice to the overlooked and powerless, with the knowledge that my efforts will empower them to eventually speak up for themselves. I intend to continue volunteering with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it will allow me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. Another thing that led me to a career as a writer is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. I have been preparing myself for this career by participating in National Writing Month, where I created a writing goal of ten thousand words for the month of November; about three hundred words a day. This experience was challenging yet rewarding, since I pushed myself to write stories that are compelling and from the heart. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it allows me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. I am majoring in English in college, with a minor in creative writing, in order to prepare me for this career.

I think that it is important for people to be involved in their communities because it is an opportunity to give back and help others who are in need. One thing I love about volunteering is you can choose a cause that you are passionate about and use the skills you have to make a difference. For instance, I have a passion for helping animals, especially dogs, so I volunteer once or twice a month at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. I have also volunteered in various other organizations that work towards bettering the community, including Martin Park, an after school program for kids from low-income neighborhoods, Fresno Rescue Mission, which provides housing and food for homeless people, as well as programs for recovering addicts, and the Ronald McDonald House, where I prepared food for the families staying there. Volunteer work for me is so rewarding because I know I am making a positive, tangible impact on my community. I especially enjoy helping rehabilitate shy and skittish animals, as I can relate to them, being an introvert myself. I plan on becoming a writer in my future career. I plan on helping my community through my future career by writing books and other works of literature that connect and empower young adults, especially those who have endured or are enduring mental health issues such as depression, or bullying, as these are both things I have gone through myself. When young adults, or people of any age really, read my work, I want them to be able to find something to connect with and feel a part of, even if they feel left out and alone in every other aspect of their lives.

My vision for this poem and many of the pieces that I write is to convey my life experiences and struggles, which include being bullied in elementary school and dealing with anxiety and depression. This poem offers a glimpse of the shift in my life and attitude towards finding beauty in the little things in life that slowly accumulate. I hope to spread joy, positivity, and connectivity through my writing now and in the future. I am an aspiring writer. I have had my work published in The Kings River Review. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. I have been preparing myself for this career by participating in National Writing Month, where I created a writing goal of ten thousand words for the month of November; about three hundred words a day. This experience was challenging yet rewarding, since I pushed myself to write stories that are compelling and from the heart. I am currently majoring in English in college, with a minor in creative writing, in order to prepare me for this career.

One volunteer program I have participated in in the past involved me signing up for a program and signing a waiver to participate in a program which aids the homeless. I care passionately for my city, so I chose an organization that aligns with my ideas and concerns. This organization believes that giving homelessness people food and shelter will allow them to eventually be reintegrated into society, including having a job. If they were to give out money, the homeless would simply stay on the streets and not be motivated to use this monetary compensation to take their lives into their own hands, and possibly continually engage in substance abuse issues. By engaging with these individuals, I was able to show them that there are people out there that care about them, even if they feel alone in the world, with no one to turn to. I was also able to learn about the lives of the men that were a part of the program that focused on substance abuse rehabilitation. I volunteer once or twice a month at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. I have also volunteered in various other organizations that work towards bettering the community, including Martin Park, an after school program for kids from low-income neighborhoods, Fresno Rescue Mission, which provides housing and food for homeless people, as well as programs for recovering addicts, and the Ronald McDonald House, where I prepared food for the families staying there. Volunteer work for me is so rewarding because I know I am making a positive, tangible impact on my community.

My most memorable experience during the 2020 Covid pandemic was my high school graduation. Unfortunately, I was unable to walk the stage as I had always imagined myself doing, and had looked forward to. I had gone to the graduation ceremonies the first three years of high school to perform in band, but was unable to have my own graduation in person. My school still put together events and a televised ceremony for us, though, which I really appreciated. I had a separate graduation celebration on Zoom with my grandparents, where I wore my cap and gown. My grandparents got to watch my graduation ceremony and see my name and picture on the screen, although we did not watch it in person together. My church also put on a drive-by graduation parade, where church members came in their vehicles and dropped off gifts, which was fun. My school put on a graduation celebration, where we came through in our cars and picked up our cap and gown, diploma, and medals, and our teachers and principal cheered us on as we came through. This was memorable for me because I got to see my teachers and peers for the first time in months. All in all, Covid has taken away many experiences from me, but I was still able to have a memorable graduation.

My biggest artistic ambition is to write a book. Ever since I was younger, I have loved to read, as reading was a habit instilled in me by my parents and my grandpa. My junior year of high school, I discovered my passion for writing, and I have written many poems, short stories, and a novella (short novel) since then. This scholarship would help me pay for my college education, as I am trying to get through college without having to take out any student loans. I personally know people who are still paying off their student loans and face troubles because of them, which is one reason why I am doing everything I can to avoid student debt. Writing has been a coping mechanism for me, as I was bullied when I was younger and have used writing and journaling to overcome the experience, and I have also used writing as a tool to combat depression and anxiety which I have experienced for almost eight years now. Because of the experiences I have been through and am still going through, I want to write to provide a beacon of hope for those who are going through similar experiences that I have gone through.

One click could change the world, or some people say. Once something is posted on social media, anyone in the world can see it. Social media and smart phones can be used as a helpful tool for good, but also a terrible instrument for bad. The choice is in the hands of the beholder; literally and metaphorically. Cyber bullying is one such problem that has risen from the prevalence of social media. The anonymity that the internet provides makes people do and say horrible things. People hide behind their laptop or cellular device and belittle others, making them feel bad about themselves. The increase of cyber bullying is closely linked to young people committing suicide, and according to a recent study, cyber bullying doubles the chances of self harm and suicide. Something must be done to radically change this statistic, and the kind of community it creates. Many people nowadays consider social media friends they barely now as real friends. They see tiny, carefully crafted glimpses of their lives that do not do justice to the full picture, and they think they have similar tastes. To them, if a dating app matches them with another person, then it must be written in the stars. These types of people rely so heavily on what a string of code that is an app to tell them what to do, that they become lazy and impersonal. This skewed definition of friendship that social media has created, along with the mentality it develops in people, is negatively affecting the meaning of “community” in this day and age. Today, community could be people thousands of miles away from them, their only connection being through social media. True community doesn’t necessarily need to be face-to-face, but I believe the best communities are fostered through this real-life connection. Even if members of a community move away, they will still be able to be connected to their old community through technology and social media. Thus, social media has its benefits and its drawbacks. In order to build true communities in a world unwilling to exit their digital lives, people must take time to set aside their differences, along with their cellular devices, to come together. Without distractions, technological or otherwise, communities will blossom. Spending time together is what humans were designed to yearn for, and without it they lack the most vital part of a community. Young or old, rich or poor, these community members are then able to relate to each other on a deeper level that does not merely scratch the surface, but digs deep to the heart. These communities will be ones built on a solid foundation of human connection and friendship, since the barrier social media tends to create will be broken down. If everyone in the world decides to break down all barriers between themselves, then life would be a much more welcoming place. I think that smartphones impact my day-to-day activities by making me less productive on a typical day, because I spend quite a bit of time on social media. I think it impacts me while I'm behind the wheel because if I see or hear a notification then I have the urge to look at it. Because of that, I leave my phone on silent while I'm driving and either leave my phone in my purse or have it turned over so I can't see notifications pop up or have it distract me.

My everything is books, and my love of reading is emulated in the attached photo which shows me with a book. My love of reading was instilled in me from a young age by my mom, grandpa, and teachers. Books for me have been an escape from social situations where I don’t feel comfortable or something to do with downtime in school or at home. My affinity for reading has morphed into a love for writing over time, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in creative writing to help prepare me for this career.

This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of taking out student loans that I will need to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

I am an aspiring writer. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. I have been preparing myself for this career by participating in National Writing Month, where I created a writing goal of ten thousand words for the month of November; about three hundred words a day. This experience was challenging yet rewarding, since I pushed myself to write stories that are compelling and from the heart. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it allows me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. I am majoring in English in college, with a minor in creative writing, in order to prepare me for this career. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year of high school; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. I hope that my writing will be able to instill hope in those who read it, especially young people, and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.

I volunteer for causes that are close to my heart like homeless people and shelter dogs. Every meal I cook, every bowl I scrub, and every dog I pet makes a difference in my community. While these monotonous tasks can become tiring, they are well worth it because I am able to make a profound change in the lives of those around me, human and canine alike. I have a passion for helping animals, especially dogs, so I volunteer once or twice a month at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. Giving back to the community is my greatest inspiration in life. Whether this is volunteering on a regular basis or preparing myself for a future career in writing where I will be able to encourage others to overcome obstacles in their lives, such as bullying and depression, both of which I have endured myself.

A quote that I find motivational is “Maybe in the end it’s the voice that tells the stories more than the stories themselves that matters," from the book It by Stephen King. I find it inspiring because it reinforces the fact that everyone's voice matters when it comes to telling stories, and that readers should consider the writer's voice when reading stories. This quote has inspired me to pursue my goals because I am in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in English which I will use to start my career as a writer. This quote reminds me that my voice matters when it comes to my writing, and that I can use it as a medium for good. For example, I have been bullied in the past and am currently experiencing mental health issues, and by writing about my experiences, I can encourage and inspire others to overcome obstacles in their lives.

I think that it is important for people to be involved in their communities because it is an opportunity to give back and help others who are in need. One thing I love about volunteering is you can choose a cause that you are passionate about and use the skills you have to make a difference. For instance, I have a passion for helping animals, especially dogs, so I volunteer once or twice a month at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. I have also volunteered in various other organizations that work towards bettering the community, including Martin Park, an after school program for kids from low-income neighborhoods, Fresno Rescue Mission, which provides housing and food for homeless people, as well as programs for recovering addicts, and the Ronald McDonald House, where I prepared food for the families staying there. Volunteer work for me is so rewarding because I know I am making a positive, tangible impact on my community. I especially enjoy helping rehabilitate shy and skittish animals, as I can relate to them, being an introvert myself, and I also help provide individuals with sustenance, and put a smile on their faces. I plan on becoming a writer in my future career. I plan on helping my community through my future career by writing books and other works of literature that connect and empower young adults, especially those who have endured or are enduring mental health issues such as depression, or bullying, as these are both things I have gone through myself. When young adults, or people of any age really, read my work, I want them to be able to find something to connect with and feel a part of, even if they feel left out and alone in every other aspect of their lives.

My most memorable experience during the 2020 Covid pandemic was my high school graduation. Unfortunately, I was unable to walk the stage as I had always imagined myself doing, and had looked forward to. I had gone to the graduation ceremonies the first three years of high school to perform in band, but was unable to have my own graduation in person. My school still put together events and a televised ceremony for us, though, which I really appreciated. I had a separate graduation celebration on Zoom with my grandparents, where I wore my cap and gown. My grandparents got to watch my graduation ceremony and see my name and picture on the screen, although we did not watch it in person together. My church also put on a drive-by graduation parade, where church members came in their vehicles and dropped off gifts, which was fun. My school put on a graduation celebration, where we came through in our cars and picked up our cap and gown, diploma, and medals, and our teachers and principal cheered us on as we came through. This was memorable for me because I got to see my teachers and peers for the first time in months. In 2020, I learned about the importance of self-motivation and setting a schedule to ensure that I remain productive and meet deadlines for assignments. Last year gave me the time to pursue my writing more, and has reinforced for me the fact that I want to go into the writing field as a career. All in all, Covid has taken away many experiences from me, but I was still able to have a memorable year.

Two women in my life that I admire are my mom and a family friend, who I won't name due to the nature of her experiences that I will be discussing. I admire my mom because she works very hard for me and my family. She recently changed careers, after nearly fifteen years at her last job. I think that it took immense courage for her to leave her old job and start her new one. Bravery is one thing that my mom has taught me in life. My mom has impacted who I am today by setting an example for me of perseverance, hard work, generosity, and also showing me that it is possible to work and raise a family at the same time. I will carry these life lessons into my potential career as a writer because writing is a field that can be hard to get a start in, but with the work ethic she has emulated for me, I am confident that I will be able to succeed. As for my family friend, she had a difficult experience in her childhood, where she was molested by her father. What made this even worse was that her father was a pastor, so church was a place that she couldn't go to feel safe with him there. Later in life, probably due to this experience, she developed mental health issues including depression and an eating disorder. About fifteen years later, she is now much more stable, and has overcome a lot. She recently had a baby with her husband, and I have been able to babysit her. She has impacted me by being a mentor in my life and someone I can talk to about my own mental health issues, and she writes as a hobby so I talk to her about my writing, as well. I will carry the life lessons she has taught me into a potential career by managing my emotions, and remembering that sometimes I need to take a mental break from things and people.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Another passion that the experience of being bullied has imbued in me is working with shelter animals, dogs in particular. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donor who made it possible.

Liz’s Bee Kind Scholarship Essay One time at youth group at my church, we were in the middle of a game but I was leaning on the wall by myself. Then, the new girl, Sydney, came up to me and said “You look lonely. I’m lonely too”. We proceeded to introduce ourselves and get to know one another. She was a really cool person, and did things like ride horses, which reminded me of my sister who loves horses. For the few months that she attended youth group, I really enjoyed spending time with her. What was amazing about this act of kindness, besides the fact that Sydney was new to the group and only really knew her boyfriend and his friends, was that I had been going to the church for ten years, and my dad was the lead pastor at the time. So, I was a lot more connected to the church and people there than Sydney was, but she still came up to me when she noticed that I was by myself. It takes more time than most people to make friends because I am shy and reserved, so to have Sydney walk up to me and express interest in me really meant a lot. I’ve been shy for as long as I can remember, preferring the company of fictional characters to real-life people, except for my friends. I think a part of the reason why I am so shy is due in part to the fact that I was bullied in elementary school. At the time I didn’t know that I was bullying, I just thought that my friends were being mean to me. They chose the perfect person to bully (if there is such a thing), because they knew I was too shy to tell a teacher or adult what they were doing to me. Over time, I was able to recognize that what they did to me was wrong, and forgive them. I even became (real) friends with one of my former bullies, which shows how forgiving I was and still am. Looking back on what they did to me though, I don’t know if I’d be able to be friends with any of them. Maybe they didn’t know that what they were doing was wrong, but they still hurt me deeply and had a lasting negative impact on me. Luckily, friends like Sydney have taught me what true friendship is, and have helped heal my emotional scars from the past.

Tell Me I'm Pretty Scholarship Essay Two women in my life that I admire are my mom and a family friend, who I won't name due to the nature of her experiences that I will be discussing. I admire my mom because she works very hard for me and my family. She recently changed careers, after nearly fifteen years at her last job. I think that it took immense courage for her to leave her old job and start her new one. Bravery is one thing that my mom has taught me in life. My mom has impacted who I am today by setting an example for me of perseverance, hard work, generosity, and also showing me that it is possible to work and raise a family at the same time. I will carry these life lessons into my potential career as a writer because writing is a field that can be hard to get a start in, but with the work ethic she has emulated for me, I am confident that I will be able to succeed. As for my family friend, she had a difficult experience in her childhood, where she was molested by her father. What made this even worse was that her father was a pastor, so church was a place that she couldn't go to feel safe with him there. Later in life, probably due to this experience, she developed mental health issues including depression and an eating disorder. About fifteen years later, she is now much more stable, and has overcome a lot. She recently had a baby with her husband, and I have been able to babysit her. She has impacted me by being a mentor in my life and someone I can talk to about my own mental health issues, and she writes as a hobby so I talk to her about my writing, as well. I will carry the life lessons she has taught me into a potential career by managing my emotions, and remembering that sometimes I need to take a mental break from things and people.

Favorite Film Scholarship Essay My all-time favorite film is Catching Fire, the second movie in the Hunger Games series. This is my favorite movie because the book that the movie is based on is also my favorite book. My favorite character in the series is Katniss Everdeen, the main character, because she is selfless, brave, resourceful, and inspiring, because she is a strong female lead in the series. This movie is full of action with a bit of romance, both of which are genres that I love. I have seen this movie three or four times already, but every time I watch it I notice something new, which I love about it.

Amplify Mental Health Scholarship When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Possible byproducts of my being bullied in the past are the depression and anxiety which I started experiencing as early as sixth grade, when I was twelve. My career aspirations have been impacted by mental health because my anxity makes it hard for me to have a job where I am interacting with people often, especially if I’m required to give presentations. So, I am planning on becoming a writer and this way I could work from home and not have to work in an office. At first, it was hard for me to understand what was going on with my emotions, and why I felt sad and got upset at things that didn’t upset most people, like having to do an extra chore. I remember once I almost ran away when I talked back to my mom and was told I couldn’t have dessert. This is one instance that shows the mixed-up jumble of emotions I had to sort through in my youth. The point when I really came to grips with my depression was in ninth grade, when I had a youth group leader share their experience with depression and attempted suicide. Suicide is something that I have contemplate in the past, although not for a few years. With the help of therapy starting when I was fifteen, I was able to learn how to deal with the confusing emotions of depression and anxiety that I felt. My first therapist really helped me learn how to work through relational problems in the past that were preventing me from moving forward in the present, which was one of the things that I think contributed to my anxiety around people, and when making new new friends. The year after, I experienced a worsening of my symptoms, so much so that it was emotionally hard (motivation and energy-wise) to get out of bed and go to school in the morning.Because of my worsened emotional state, I visited a psychiatrist who prescribed me with antidepressants. I am still taking these antidepressants almost two years later, but I hope someday to overcome my mental health issues enough to not have to take them.

This meme is funny to me because it reminds me of a joke I have heard before, that says people who drive alone with a mask on are the reason that Pop-tarts have instructions. This meme means to me that during Covid, our country and the world have been through a lot, but if there are memes and jokes such as this one that we can laugh at, then it can remind us that there are good things that have happened during the past year in the pandemic.

Hiking is one of my favorite forms of exercise, since there are many trails in beautiful areas, with many flowers, trees, and animals. It gives time away from civilization and the hustle and bustle of the city, and allows time for reflection and relaxation. Sitting next to a river or creek and watching the water run its course, sitting on a rock, watching the dragonflies and butterflies flit by, is a great way to unwind. Walking, and putting one foot in front of the other, provides a sense of routine and repetition that is good for mental and physical health and well-being. Even the man made fixtures like bridges have their own industrial beauty. Long, strenuous hikes are very rewarding and satisfying, but even shot hikes give a sense of satisfaction. Hiking is one of the ways I stay fit, and others include walking, running, riding my bike, and playing basketball. A healthy lifestyle should include a diet that is good for the body, along with an exercise routine that keeps the body fit and in shape. This means different things for different people, depending on many factors, but I believe that all lifestyles should be based on a routine that keeps them in check. Whether that routine is in the form of a calendar, both paper or digital, or a detailed schedule, they will be successful if followed faithfully. The most important part of this lifestyle, though, is happiness. If a healthy lifestyle does not make someone happy and content, then it is not right for that person. If they are exercising regularly but it does not bring them joy, then there is no point. Exercise should be used as a tool for recovery, happiness, and connection. The benefits I have achieved by staying fit are emotional wellbeing, as exercise makes me happy and helps me feel accomplished, as well as helping me maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Being bullied growing up had a significant impact on my self love and acceptance. The girls who bullied me growing up really made me doubt myself and my aspirations. These girls would manipulate me into making their dreams and aspirations my own. This resulted in a long period of me being unsure of what my life aspirations were, and on top of that, I have had to sort through the expectations society and my parents have for my future career. My parents, although they are supportive of me, think I would make more money pursuing a different career, but I have decided to pursue my dream of becoming a writer. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.

Expect The Unexpected Scholarship Essay To me, legacy means leaving something behind, whether tangible or intangible, for others to look back on and remember you in a positive light. When people look back at the legacies that have been left behind for them, they will remember who left their legacy behind for them, and what kind of person they were. I think leaving a legacy means that your persona will live on through it, and if enough people experience your legacy, it will stay around for a long time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies, from children and grandchildren to works of art and writing. Only those experiencing these legacies can measure just how valuable they are. The sort of legacy I want to leave behind is one where I have somehow made the world a better place. I plan on having a career as a writer, in which my legacy would be my books, which I hope I will be able to use to remind young children and teenagers that no matter how lonely, unworthy, or upset they may feel, there is still hope out there. Hopefully, my books will give them a safe place to explore their identity and interests with no judgement.

Community Impact I think that it is important for people to be involved in their communities because it is an opportunity to give back and help others who are in need. One thing I love about volunteering is you can choose a cause that you are passionate about and use the skills you have to make a difference. For instance, I have a passion for helping animals, especially dogs, so I volunteer once a week at the Valley Animal Center, a local animal shelter. Through my work there, I am able to better the lives of animals and prepare them for their future home. I have also volunteered in various other organizations that work towards bettering the community, including Martin Park, an after school program for kids from low-income neighborhoods, Fresno Rescue Mission, which provides housing and food for homeless people, as well as programs for recovering addicts, and the Ronald McDonald House, where I prepared food for the families staying there. Volunteer work for me is so rewarding because I know I am making a positive, tangible impact on my community. I especially enjoy helping rehabilitate shy and skittish animals, as I can relate to them, being an introvert myself. I plan on becoming a writer in my future career. I plan on helping my community through my future career by writing books and other works of literature that connect and empower young adults, especially those who have endured or are enduring mental health issues such as depression, or bullying, as these are both things I have gone through myself. When young adults, or people of any age really, read my work, I want them to be able to find something to connect with and feel a part of, even if they feel left out and alone in every other aspect of their lives.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Possible byproducts of my being bullied in the past are the depression and anxiety which I started experiencing as early as sixth grade, when I was twelve. At first, it was hard for me to understand what was going on with my emotions, and why I felt sad and got upset at things that didn’t upset most people, like having to do an extra chore. The point when I really came to grips with my depression was in ninth grade, when I had a youth group leader share their experience with depression and attempted suicide. Suicide is something that I have contemplate in the past, although not for a few years. With the help of therapy starting when I was fifteen, I was able to learn how to deal with the confusing emotions of depression and anxiety that I felt.

I hope to write about both fiction such as fantasy, but also eventually my life experiences and things I have learned that I think can help others. When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. I hope to differentiate my writing from everything else online by using my unique perspective and life experiences along with my affinity for fiction to create a genre that blends the two.

A change I want to see in my community and country is the implementation of resources to help people who are homeless or disadvantaged in other ways, including housing, job counseling and opportunities, and classes to obtain GEDs and other degrees. If we work towards providing lasting solutions for people that will keep them off the streets, instead of giving them temporary solutions like food and money, (which are still needed, they just don't provide a permanent solution), then the homeless population should be significantly reduced. An organization that I work with that works towards making these changes is Fresno Rescue Mission, which provides many resources to the community, from food distribution and housing to jobs and a drug rehabilitation program which places the men in the program in jobs and housing. Another change I want to see in my community is more awareness of shelter animals and their plight. The animal shelter I volunteer for, Valley Animal Center, is a no-kill shelter, but some shelters like the SPCA do euthanize animals if they can not find someone to adopt them or a shelter to send them too. This is very sad, and if more people become aware of this, then they can do their part to reduce the population of shelters and educate others, and reduce the number of animals that are euthanized. I have a passion for working with shelter animals, dogs in particular. Many of the animals there have been abused or abandoned, which is evident in their shy, skittish behavior. I am able to break down these dog’s walls; getting them to a point where they no longer flinch and run away when I move, but eat from my hand and let me pet them. In doing so, I prepare them for their future home that will hopefully treat them as the wonderful, loving companions that they are. Not only is rehabilitating these dogs fun for me, it is very rewarding over time when I see the dogs I have worked with get adopted, because I believe that all dogs deserve a home and a second chance. I volunteer regularly for causes that I am passionate about, especially shelter dogs and homeless people, both of which are often overlooked and neglected. Through my volunteer work with the Valley Animal Center, Fresno Rescue Mission, Martin Park, my church, and other similar organizations, I am able to give a voice to the powerless. This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

I volunteer at a local animal shelter, Valley Animal Center, and help in many ways there, including washing food and water bowls, bathing dogs, walking dogs, rehabilitating dogs by interacting with them and getting them used to attention/touch, and clean cages.

My dad has been a pastor since before I can even remember. I have spent my whole life in the church, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The details of my accepting Christ when I was little have faded with time; but the look of joy in my father’s eyes when I opened my heart up to the Lord is something I will never forget. Growing up, other church members often assumed that my siblings and I were perfect, or at least as close to perfect as those of us who dwell on this Earth can be. Once they got to know us better, though, they realized that we have more in common than they thought, because of our Heavenly Father who connects us all in deep, profound ways. In a church, or even just a gathering of brothers and sisters of Christ, God calls us to have no judgement. Those who sit next to us in the pews are fighting their own battles with God by their side, but fellow Christians will also come to their aid in their times of need. Throughout my faith journey, many things have helped me grow closer to God and fellow Christians in my community. To me, Christianity isn’t just a bible verse in a social media profile. It’s a daily way of life. When I lead by example, I am given the opportunity to tell others about God and lead them closer to him. As Matthew 28:19 states; One way God calls me to live out his calling is when I volunteer as a vacation bible school leader. I am able to interact with kids and teach them not only about God and the Bible, but about important life lessons like self control and kindness. In April of 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Youth conference in Glorieta, New Mexico, a gathering of Mennonite brethren churches from around the country. It was a life-changing experience, and everything about it was amazing. The worship sessions were incredible, because the singer’s enthusiasm was infectious. The speakers were inspiring and relatable, and they effortlessly combined short skits and lessons. I grew closer to God and my friends over the week-long conference. A good life to me looks like satisfaction in everything, and doubts in nothing. Throughout the hard experiences I have endured in my life, I have relied on God, my family, and my friends to keep me moving forward everyday. That’s what life is in my eyes; a bumpy, treacherous road that is traveled with trusty companions by one’s side.

Right off the bat, Covid took a lot of things from me: the last half of my senior year of high school, which was supposed to be the highlight of my high school career, prom, a trip with my friends to Disneyland, and worst of all, my chance to walk the stage with my friends and peers while my family watched. This was all a lot to deal with, and some days all the things I missed out on really got to me emotionally, but I had things to keep me busy and people to remind me of all I still had. I had started a job at a fast food restaurant a few months prior to the pandemic, and I have continued this job throughout the pandemic. While it can be scary sometimes going to work, what with the possible chance of exposure to Covid, the safety measures my workplace has put in place make our current situation as safe as possible. Work has been something that has kept me busy and gotten me out of the house on days where I otherwise would have stayed in the house all day. A few weeks ago, my mom got Covid from a coworker. I can remember vividly the moment she received a text telling her about her coworker’s positive diagnosis, how she came out in a mask and my siblings and I didn’t understand why. Luckily, my mom was the only one who tested positive out of our family, so she isolated herself for ten days, away from the rest of us. It was hard for me being apart from my mom for so long, and also knowing how many people this virus has killed, but luckily, she survived and is recovering.

My playlist showcases my taste and background in music. The song Rhapsody in Blue in my playlist is a classical song that I heard when I was in band in elementary school. The rest of the playlist is mostly pop or rap, which are my favorite genres of music. These are my favorite genres because they are mostly upbeat and uplifting.

This scholarship would give me the freedom and peace of mind to pursue my academic goals without the burden of student loans to pay off. Graduating college without debt would open up my future and make it easier for me to focus on my career, family, and the pursuit of other goals. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and to the donors who made it possible. I am seeking to graduate from college debt-free in order to open up more opportunities for a content, successful life. In addition, since my parents have already given me so much in life, monetary and otherwise; I am trying to establish financial independence from them in college and pay for as much of my financial bills as possible.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Possible byproducts of my being bullied in the past are the depression and anxiety which I started experiencing as early as sixth grade, when I was twelve. At first, it was hard for me to understand what was going on with my emotions, and why I felt sad and got upset at things that didn’t upset most people, like having to do an extra chore. I remember once I almost ran away when I talked back to my mom and was told I couldn’t have dessert. This is one instance that shows the mixed-up jumble of emotions I had to sort through in my youth. The point when I really came to grips with my depression was in ninth grade, when I had a youth group leader share their experience with depression and attempted suicide. Suicide is something that I have contemplate in the past, although not for a few years. With the help of therapy starting when I was fifteen, I was able to learn how to deal with the confusing emotions of depression and anxiety that I felt. My first therapist really helped me learn how to work through relational problems in the past that were preventing me from moving forward in the present, which was one of the things that I think contributed to my anxiety around people, and when making new new friends. The year after, I experienced a worsening of my symptoms, so much so that it was emotionally hard (motivation and energy-wise) to get out of bed and go to school in the morning.Because of my worsened emotional state, I visited a psychiatrist who prescribed me with antidepressants. I am still taking these antidepressants almost two years later, but I hope someday to overcome my mental health issues enough to not have to take them.

When I was younger, from kindergarten to first or second grade; I was bullied. From what I can remember, I endured more emotional abuse than physical abuse, but the girls who bullied me inflicted both on my shy, reserved self. With patience and resilience, I was able to overcome their harsh words and actions, and I am now surrounded by supportive friends and family who build me up instead of breaking me down. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves. Possible byproducts of my being bullied in the past are the depression and anxiety which I started experiencing as early as sixth grade, when I was twelve. At first, it was hard for me to understand what was going on with my emotions, and why I felt sad and got upset at things that didn’t upset most people, like having to do an extra chore. I remember once I almost ran away when I talked back to my mom and was told I couldn’t have dessert. This is one instance that shows the mixed-up jumble of emotions I had to sort through in my youth. The point when I really came to grips with my depression was in ninth grade, when I had a youth group leader share their experience with depression and attempted suicide. Suicide is something that I have contemplate in the past, although not for a few years. With the help of therapy starting when I was fifteen, I was able to learn how to deal with the confusing emotions of depression and anxiety that I felt. My first therapist really helped me learn how to work through relational problems in the past that were preventing me from moving forward in the present, which was one of the things that I think contributed to my anxiety around people, and when making new new friends. The year after, I experienced a worsening of my symptoms, so much so that it was emotionally hard (motivation and energy-wise) to get out of bed and go to school in the morning.Because of my worsened emotional state, I visited a psychiatrist who prescribed me with antidepressants. I am still taking these antidepressants almost two years later, but I hope someday to overcome my mental health issues enough to not have to take them.

I am an aspiring writer. What led me to this career is my passion for reading and writing, which has been instilled in me from a young age by my grandpa and my parents, along with my freshman English teacher, who taught a poetry unit that was very engaging and interesting. I have been preparing myself for this career by participating in National Writing Month, where I created a writing goal of ten thousand words for the month of November; about three hundred words a day. This experience was challenging yet rewarding, since I pushed myself to write stories that are compelling and from the heart. Not only will writing allow me to create my own schedule, it allows me creative license, and gives me the ability to write about what I want, when I want. I am majoring in English in college, with a minor in creative writing, in order to prepare me for this career. Another thing that has influenced my desire and passion to write is when I was bullied in elementary school, since I used writing as a coping mechanism. I have reflected on the experience of being bullied through writing, which has greatly helped me in moving forward with my life. At first I wrote these feelings down in a journal, as was suggested to me by a close family friend who was my therapist for a short period of time in elementary school. After a particularly enjoyable poetry unit in my English class during my freshman year; which was both enlightening and invigorating, I used this newfound tool as a coping mechanism. Since I was no longer being bullied, I wrote about other challenging things I was dealing with: stress and loneliness. Thus, one way I aspire to take a stand against bullying is through my future writing career; which I intend to use along with my prior experience of being bullied to inspire others to stand up for themselves.