Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. I feel I possess multiple qualities that will allow me to become a successful elementary teacher. Some of these qualities are effective communication skills, creativity, and empathy. Strong communication skills will allow me to talk with students, and help them solve problems. It will allow me to listen to student ideas. Those ideas can then be implemented into lesson plans, making students feel heard and valued. Creativity will allow me to create engaging lesson plans that will make learning fun. I hope to make school fun for students to attend and being creative will make that possible. Empathy allows me to build strong relationships with students as well as parents. This, in turn, will create a positive learning environment. Students are human and will make mistakes. Being empathetic will allow students to feel understood. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. I feel I possess multiple qualities that will allow me to become a successful elementary teacher. Some of these qualities are effective communication skills, creativity, and empathy. Strong communication skills will allow me to talk with students, and help them solve problems. It will allow me to listen to student ideas. Those ideas can then be implemented into lesson plans, making students feel heard and valued. Creativity will allow me to create engaging lesson plans that will make learning fun. I hope to make school fun for students to attend and being creative will make that possible. Empathy allows me to build strong relationships with students as well as parents. This, in turn, will create a positive learning environment. Students are human and will make mistakes. Being empathetic will allow students to feel understood. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life.

Throughout high school, my involvement in extracurricular activities has helped shape me into who I am today. Through sports and clubs, I have gained leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that I will use throughout my life. Athletics, especially, have helped me see how a community can come together to support an individual or a team and work toward a common goal. Seeing the strong bond built within a community has allowed me to become more inclusive. I plan to use this lesson as I move forward to always see the best in everybody. Community service has impacted my view of making a difference. Whether I am volunteering at local events, or simply picking up trash around town, I have learned that even small things can make a difference. Community service has taught me that generosity can change how people see the world. By helping others, we can inspire others to do the same. I would like to carry these experiences with me throughout my life and continue volunteering in my community, wherever that may be. Looking into the future, my career goals align with my desire to positively impact the community. As an aspiring elementary teacher, I believe I will be able to inspire children to give back to their community, the same as I have been taught. Being a teacher will enable me to help others in multiple ways. I hope to help students become the best versions of themselves, not only to benefit them, but to benefit others around them as well. As a teacher, I aim to show that success can come in many different forms, whether professional or personal. Professional and personal success go hand in hand, and work together to make a person succeed. Ultimately, my goal is to encourage others to do the right thing and help others to the best of their ability. Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for teaching and have wanted to become an elementary teacher. I come from a family of educators and have looked up to teachers in my school and in my family for my whole life. My goal is to become a safe space for students, as many of my teachers were for me. Helping others while working with children has always been something I have wanted to do. Becoming an elementary teacher will allow me to do this. Being a teacher will allow me to make a positive impact on others. It will also help me grow as a person. Teaching will ensure I learn how to control my emotions, have patience, and be the best version of myself for my students. Teachers have the ability to see the good in every child. I look forward to creating a classroom where learning is exciting. I want to make sure students feel seen, supported, and motivated. Through my experiences in school, I have learned that good teachers are patient, encouraging, and understanding. This has helped me shape the type of teacher I want to be, one who nurtures the emotional well being of students, as well as academics. I hope to be the teacher students look back on and say “That was the type of teacher I needed”. Throughout life, I have found that not everyone will believe in me. However, I know that my faith will always provide a source of support. Regardless of what church I attend, I know that I will always find a welcoming community. When college feels overwhelming and I feel alone, I can always talk to the Lord, knowing He will guide me to the right path. My strong connection with Jesus has taught me how to love people unconditionally and to always be a shoulder to lean on for others in need. As I begin the next chapter of my life, I want to continue my devotion to the Lord, and help others. This scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town like Sackets Harbor. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be. Ultimately, this scholarship will benefit me both financially and mentally. It will help with the financial strain of college and give me the determination to excel academically. I want to look at this scholarship not only as a financial award, but as a reward for all of the late nights studying and my commitment to reaching my goal of becoming a teacher. I am ready to take the next steps toward becoming a teacher who will inspire children, just as my teachers inspired me. My grandpa has inspired me in many ways. He was the person who helped me find my passion of being a teacher. From early on I can always remember him telling me I have to carry on the family tradition of being a teacher because everyone ahead of me is one. He has also shown me what it is like to love others unconditionally. No matter who you are he will always be there to put a smile on your face. He has been the strongest person in our family and very healthy for his age until recently when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Even though he is in pain and fighting hard he never fails to be there for our family and have smile on his face. His passion for family is one thing that will always stick with me. He is the definition of a family man and I hope to carry along his traits with me for my grandkids. Everything I do in life is to make him proud, especially now that he is fighting hard to be here for our family as long as he can. He is my biggest inspiration and always will be even if he is smiling down from heaven. Instagram: aud_lhuillier

Reality TV challenges are usually about drama, speed, or physical attraction—but the most important part of any relationship is trust. My new Love Island challenge, called “Trust in the Dark,” would test how well couples actually communicate and rely on each other when looks and distractions are taken away. The challenge would take place at night in a large outdoor course filled with small obstacles such as stepping stones, rope bridges, and puzzle stations. One partner from each couple would wear a blindfold while the other partner guides them through the course using only their voice. They would not be allowed to touch each other or physically lead one another. Instead, they would have to rely completely on clear communication, patience, and trust. As the blindfolded partner moves through the course, the guiding partner must give detailed instructions like when to step, turn, crouch, or stop. Along the way, the couples would encounter checkpoints where they must solve quick puzzles or answer questions about each other. For example, they might have to answer things like their partner’s biggest fear, favorite memory, or future goals. If they answer correctly, they receive a shortcut in the course. If they answer incorrectly, they must take a longer path. To make the challenge more intense, other islanders could watch from the sidelines and try to distract the guiding partner by cheering, joking, or shouting confusing directions. This would test whether couples can stay focused on each other despite outside pressure. The first couple to successfully guide their partner through the entire course and complete the final puzzle wins the challenge. Their prize would be a private sunset dinner on the beach and the power to choose another couple to go on a special date as well, which could strengthen friendships—or create drama.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. This scholarship would be tremendously meaningful to me as I graduate high school as it would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be.

My grandpa has inspired me in many ways. He was the person who helped me find my passion of being a teacher. From early on I can always remember him telling me I have to carry on the family tradition of being a teacher because everyone ahead of me is one. He has also shown me what it is like to love others unconditionally. No matter who you are he will always be there to put a smile on your face. He has been the strongest person in our family and very healthy for his age until recently when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Even though he is in pain and fighting hard he never fails to be there for our family and have smile on his face. His passion for family is one thing that will always stick with me. He is the definition of a family man and I hope to carry along his traits with me for my grandkids. He was a teacher for many years and on many different levels. After his passing he had many former students reaching out to our family. I hope to be half the teacher he was because he left a huge impact on everyone who encountered him. My grandpa taught me everything about which qualities teachers should uphold. He was the biggest light in our families life until his passing. He did everything he could do to make us happy. He qualities of patience, creativity, and love are what made him the best teacher and grandpa. I unfortunately lost my grandpa after a long fight with cancer in February of 2026. He passed away just months before he could see me graduate and fulfill my dreams of becoming a teacher. He also had the dream of me becoming a teacher because there have been multiple generations of teachers in my family. I have had the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life. Through the loss of my grandpa it will motivate me to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. I want to always make my grandpa proud even if he is not here on earth with me. I know I can always count on him being up in heaven smiling and looking down on me.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. I have had the opportunity to observe and assist a master teacher for the last three years. This has helped me to see how these qualities are used in a classroom. Spending time in the second grade classroom has allowed me to see patience, creativity, and fairness in action. It has shown me how I can become a strong teacher by displaying these qualities in my own classroom. I hope to be half the teacher my mentor is and through her guidance I know I can become the best teacher possible. I feel I possess multiple qualities that will allow me to become a successful elementary teacher. Some of these qualities are effective communication skills, creativity, and empathy. Strong communication skills will allow me to talk with students, and help them solve problems. It will allow me to listen to student ideas. Those ideas can then be implemented into lesson plans, making students feel heard and valued. Creativity will allow me to create engaging lesson plans that will make learning fun. I hope to make school fun for students to attend and being creative will make that possible. Empathy allows me to build strong relationships with students as well as parents. This, in turn, will create a positive learning environment. Students are human and will make mistakes. Being empathetic will allow students to feel understood. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for teaching and have wanted to become an elementary teacher. I come from a family of educators and have looked up to teachers in my school and in my family for my whole life. My goal is to become a safe space for students, as many of my teachers were for me. Helping others while working with children has always been something I have wanted to do. Becoming an elementary teacher will allow me to do this. Being a teacher will allow me to make a positive impact on others. It will also help me grow as a person. Teaching will ensure I learn how to control my emotions, have patience, and be the best version of myself for my students. Teachers have the ability to see the good in every child. I look forward to creating a classroom where learning is exciting. I want to make sure students feel seen, supported, and motivated. Through my experiences in school, I have learned that good teachers are patient, encouraging, and understanding. This has helped me shape the type of teacher I want to be, one who nurtures the emotional well being of students, as well as academics.. I hope to be the teacher students look back on and say “That was the type of teacher I needed”. This scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town like Sackets Harbor. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be. Ultimately, this scholarship will benefit me both financially and mentally. It will help with the financial strain of college and give me the determination to excel academically. I want to look at this scholarship not only as a financial award, but as a reward for all of the late nights studying and my commitment to reaching my goal of becoming a teacher. I am ready to take the next steps toward becoming a teacher who will inspire children, just as my teachers inspired me.

or as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for teaching and have wanted to become an elementary teacher. I come from a family of educators and have looked up to teachers in my school and in my family for my whole life. My goal is to become a safe space for students, as many of my teachers were for me. Helping others while working with children has always been something I have wanted to do. Becoming an elementary teacher will allow me to do this. Being a teacher will allow me to make a positive impact on others. It will also help me grow as a person. Teaching will ensure I learn how to control my emotions, have patience, and be the best version of myself for my students. Teachers have the ability to see the good in every child. I look forward to creating a classroom where learning is exciting. I want to make sure students feel seen, supported, and motivated. Through my experiences in school, I have learned that good teachers are patient, encouraging, and understanding. This has helped me shape the type of teacher I want to be, one who nurtures the emotional well being of students, as well as academics. I hope to be the teacher students look back on and say “That was the type of teacher I needed”. Throughout life, I have found that not everyone will believe in me. However, I know that my faith will always provide a source of support. Regardless of what church I attend, I know that I will always find a welcoming community. When college feels overwhelming and I feel alone, I can always talk to the Lord, knowing He will guide me to the right path. My strong connection with Jesus has taught me how to love people unconditionally and to always be a shoulder to lean on for others in need. As I begin the next chapter of my life, I want to continue my devotion to the Lord, and help others. This scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town like Sackets Harbor. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be. Ultimately, this scholarship will benefit me both financially and mentally. It will help with the financial strain of college and give me the determination to excel academically. I want to look at this scholarship not only as a financial award, but as a reward for all of the late nights studying and my commitment to reaching my goal of becoming a teacher. I am ready to take the next steps toward becoming a teacher who will inspire children, just as my teachers inspired me.

When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life. I would like to receive this scholarship because it would provide support as I pursue a career of becoming an elementary teacher. Receiving this scholarship would also recognize all of the hard work I have put into high school. I believe the effort you put forth in high school plays a role in your future. For me, that is going to college and pursuing a career as a teacher. Throughout high school, my involvement in extracurricular activities has helped shape me into who I am today. Through sports and clubs, I have gained leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that I will use throughout my life. Athletics, especially, have helped me see how a community can come together to support an individual or a team and work toward a common goal. Seeing the strong bond built within a community has allowed me to become more inclusive. I plan to use this lesson as I move forward to always see the best in everybody. As I look ahead to college, I know financial costs will add up rapidly. This scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town like Sackets Harbor. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be. Ultimately, this scholarship will benefit me both financially and mentally. It will help with the financial strain of college and give me the determination to excel academically. I want to look at this scholarship not only as a financial award, but as a reward for all of the late nights studying and my commitment to reaching my goal of becoming a teacher. I am ready to take the next steps toward becoming a teacher who will inspire children, just as my teachers inspired me.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for teaching and have wanted to become an elementary teacher. I come from a family of educators and have looked up to teachers in my school and in my family for my whole life. My goal is to become a safe space for students, as many of my teachers were for me. Helping others while working with children has always been something I have wanted to do. Becoming an elementary teacher will allow me to do this. Being a teacher will allow me to make a positive impact on others. It will also help me grow as a person. Teaching will ensure I learn how to control my emotions, have patience, and be the best version of myself for my students. Teachers have the ability to see the good in every child. I look forward to creating a classroom where learning is exciting. I want to make sure students feel seen, supported, and motivated. Through my experiences in school, I have learned that good teachers are patient, encouraging, and understanding. This has helped me shape the type of teacher I want to be, one who nurtures the emotional well being of students, as well as academics. I hope to be the teacher students look back on and say “That was the type of teacher I needed”. Throughout life, I have found that not everyone will believe in me. However, I know that my faith will always provide a source of support. Regardless of what church I attend, I know that I will always find a welcoming community. When college feels overwhelming and I feel alone, I can always talk to the Lord, knowing He will guide me to the right path. My strong connection with Jesus has taught me how to love people unconditionally and to always be a shoulder to lean on for others in need. As I begin the next chapter of my life, I want to continue my devotion to the Lord, and help others. This scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a teacher. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially if you’re from a small town like Sackets Harbor. Emotionally, attending college away from home can be hard, but there are financial burdens as well. This scholarship would lessen some of the financial stress allowing me to fully focus on my academics. It would be a reminder that people believe in me and my dream of becoming a teacher. With this confidence, I will have the motivation to be the best student I can be. Ultimately, this scholarship will benefit me both financially and mentally. It will help with the financial strain of college and give me the determination to excel academically. I want to look at this scholarship not only as a financial award, but as a reward for all of the late nights studying and my commitment to reaching my goal of becoming a teacher. I am ready to take the next steps toward becoming a teacher who will inspire children, just as my teachers inspired me.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal. Teachers should possess multiple different qualities, but three of the most important are patience, creativity, and fairness. I believe these qualities are essential for teachers to be the best possible teacher they can be and to create a positive learning environment. Patience is necessary in all classrooms and at all grade levels. Whether teaching elementary, middle, or high school students, teachers need to understand that students learn at different paces. Teachers cannot realistically expect students to understand material immediately. Patience allows students to see that their teacher is willing to work with them to help them become the best they can be. Elementary teachers especially need to have patience because young children aren’t always cooperative, and teachers cannot allow emotions to control their reactions. Patience is essential for teachers to better understand the challenges their students may be facing, both academically and personally. Creativity is another essential quality to have in the classroom because it brings together students from diverse backgrounds and makes learning enjoyable. At the elementary level, creativity is crucial for students because it allows students to explore different ways of completing tasks and understanding concepts. Students will be more engaged if they enjoy what they are learning about. Children thrive when learning is fun. When teachers make lessons enjoyable, school becomes a place students look forward to going to, rather than dreading. Fairness allows every child to feel valued and equal. Teachers should never judge a child based on race, gender, or intellectual ability. Every student’s brain works differently, and there is no single, right way to complete a task. When teachers display fairness to all students, it will allow students to feel safe and ready to learn. Without fairness, the classroom could become divided, which will negatively impact students' motivation to learn, as well as their relationships. Teachers should include everyone and support them to achieve their dreams. Teachers should never judge a book by its cover, and should treat all students with the same respect. I have had the opportunity to observe and assist a master teacher for the last three years. This has helped me to see how these qualities are used in a classroom. Spending time in the second grade classroom has allowed me to see patience, creativity, and fairness in action. It has shown me how I can become a strong teacher by displaying these qualities in my own classroom. I hope to be half the teacher my mentor is and through her guidance I know I can become the best teacher possible. I feel I possess multiple qualities that will allow me to become a successful elementary teacher. Some of these qualities are effective communication skills, creativity, and empathy. Strong communication skills will allow me to talk with students, and help them solve problems. It will allow me to listen to student ideas. Those ideas can then be implemented into lesson plans, making students feel heard and valued. Creativity will allow me to create engaging lesson plans that will make learning fun. I hope to make school fun for students to attend and being creative will make that possible. Empathy allows me to build strong relationships with students as well as parents. This, in turn, will create a positive learning environment. Students are human and will make mistakes. Being empathetic will allow students to feel understood. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life. I would guide special needs students to experience a sense of their own presence by sharing experiences of my own and showing them at their disability does not define them. What ever they set their minds to they can accomplish. I hope to be the best possible teacher I can be to these students

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. My involvement in extracurricular activities has helped me learn leadership skills, patience, and communication. Participating in different clubs and athletics has shaped me into the person I am today. Through these experiences, I became more inclusive. Athletics, especially, have helped me see how a community can come together to support an individual or a team. Seeing how a strong bond is built between a community can help me as an individual and encourage me to see the best in everyone moving forward. Being an adaptive athlete means that you have to adapt to all the hardships you face. Especially for me when I would hear the jokes about my disability. Moving forward I plan to not let the jokes get to me and instead try to help the people who are secretly struggling because when someone says something negative they are probably going through something you do not know.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. I have had the opportunity to observe and assist a master teacher for the last three years. This has helped me to see how these qualities are used in a classroom. Spending time in the second grade classroom has allowed me to see patience, creativity, and fairness in action. It has shown me how I can become a strong teacher by displaying these qualities in my own classroom. I hope to be half the teacher my mentor is and through her guidance I know I can become the best teacher possible. I feel I possess multiple qualities that will allow me to become a successful elementary teacher. Some of these qualities are effective communication skills, creativity, and empathy. Strong communication skills will allow me to talk with students, and help them solve problems. It will allow me to listen to student ideas. Those ideas can then be implemented into lesson plans, making students feel heard and valued. Creativity will allow me to create engaging lesson plans that will make learning fun. I hope to make school fun for students to attend and being creative will make that possible. Empathy allows me to build strong relationships with students as well as parents. This, in turn, will create a positive learning environment. Students are human and will make mistakes. Being empathetic will allow students to feel understood. I also have the unique perspective of being part of a family of educators. My mother, grandparents, and numerous aunts are all educators at different levels. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of education at a young age. They have modeled the qualities of a good educator; patience, creativity, fairness, empathy, and strong communication skills at home. I was often learning while playing; in fact my grandfather taught me math vocabulary (parallelogram, trapezoid) while using a shape sorter when I was two years old! Following in my family’s footsteps and becoming an educator is something I am proud of. I am confident that I will be able to become a strong teacher, as I have had numerous models to watch throughout my life. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

The community of Sackets Harbor has been pivotal in shaping me into the person I am today. Growing up with a disability often made me question my worth, and I wondered if it would hinder me in achieving my goals. However, Sackets Harbor Central School showed me that I am not defined by what I can’t do, but what I can achieve. The family-like atmosphere has always been supportive, where everybody wants what is best for each other. In the community of Sackets Harbor, you can rely on people to help lift you up, whether you’re at your best or your worst. Sackets Harbor shows up, whether it’s to support somebody struggling, or to cheer on their favorite team as they play a big game. If I had grown up in a different community, I am not sure that I would have had the same confidence in myself. For that, I am grateful for the community of Sackets Harbor, for helping me become the best person I can be. Sackets Harbor will always feel like home to me, no matter where life takes me, That is because of the special bond the community shares. My involvement in extracurricular activities has helped me learn leadership skills, patience, and communication. Participating in different clubs and athletics has shaped me into the person I am today. Through these experiences, I became more inclusive. Athletics, especially, have helped me see how a community can come together to support an individual or a team. Seeing how a strong bond is built between a community can help me as an individual and encourage me to see the best in everyone moving forward. Community service has impacted my view of making a difference. Whether I am volunteering at local events, or simply picking up trash around town, I have learned that even small things can make a difference. Community service has taught me that generosity can change how people see the world. By helping others, we can inspire others to do the same. I would like to carry these experiences with me throughout my life and continue volunteering in my community, wherever that may be. Becoming a teacher will allow me to give back to the community by helping others learn. I hope to help students, especially those with disabilities, realize that they can achieve their dreams, even with the challenges they may face. I want to provide others with the same kind of support and encouragement that Sackets Harbor has given me. Ultimately, this community has given me so much, and I am thankful for the people and experiences in this community that have shaped me. I am excited to take the lessons I’ve learned here and use them to help make other communities as amazing as Sackets Harbor is.

I was not in the foster care system. Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.

Every child is born with the gift of life, but not every child is born with the gift of mobility, sight, or hearing. Ever since I can remember, I was always considered different because I'm from a small town and also hard of hearing. When I was two I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. From that moment on, wearing hearing aids became my new normal. Growing up in a small village made my disability stand out more than it might have if I was in a more diverse or populated area. I attended a school with only 400 students, where everyone knew each other and comparisons were common. I was compared to my twin brother. In every grade, every sport, and every milestone we were measured against each other. When we argued, it hurt most when he said, “At least I can hear.” Classmates would ask, “Audrey, why can he hear but you cannot?” I’d just laugh it off and respond “He stole my hearing, of course!” But deep down, I always wondered - why just me? Why not both of us? In my early years of education, I was pulled out of classes for speech therapy. I used to think that I was cool for getting pulled out of class. That ended abruptly when one boy said, “She has a deaf accent. She can't speak normal.” I can remember the way he smiled, looked around and laughed with his friends. All I could think was: Why me? Growing up with the same people meant I was always the different one in the group. I was frequently the center of jokes among my friends. Throughout my last two years of high school, the jokes became significantly more common. If I asked somebody to repeat themselves, they’d say, “Of course you couldn't hear.” But when they couldn't hear, it was just because the “room was loud”. Why did it have to be different for me and not them? On the soccer field, I’d hear, “Go get the ball deafy! Or can you not hear it?” All I’d do is laugh at the jokes because I felt like my friends were just having fun. The truth is, it hurt - and I was too scared to tell them how their fun was affecting me. What I truly wanted was to fit in - to feel like I belonged, the same as I always had. One moment changed everything. A little girl came up to me with the biggest smile on her face, showing off her pink hearing aids. She said, “Someone who looks like me!” My perspective instantly changed. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education. I could be the person to show kids that they are not alone; that it is possible to feel “normal” when you're not considered to be a part of the societal normal. I want to be the safe space that I never had. I now look at my disability as a blessing, not something that holds me back. This is a part of me that I will love forever. Through being a teacher, I hope to help other students learn to love every part of themselves much earlier than I did. I am hoping to leave a lasting impression on these students that being different is normal.