There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

I was not in the foster care system. There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

My mother has always been and will always be my best friend. Her support throughout my life has motivated me to be the best version of myself that I can become. Together we have survived through thick and thin, and, although I may not have acknowledged it at the time, her choice to move me from rural Vermont to Dallas has been the greatest gift she has ever given to me. Living in a large city has taught me how to embrace my differences and voice my opinions loud enough for them to be heard, which is a skill that I may have never needed to learn in my small hometown. The trade of my childhood friends and sense of familiarity with my home state was worth the reward of opportunities that I am presented with in my new life. Growing up I lived within a small circle of close friends and family, most of whom lived within 20 minutes from my house in Essex. When I was 7 years old, my parents went through a nasty divorce which ultimately led to me not being able to see my father regularly. Until it was never. But it was all okay, because I still got to see my friends, right? You might be able to imagine how upset I was to learn about our upcoming move across the country. I remember being so afraid to start fresh in a large city such as Dallas, Texas. It was terrifying for me as a little girl to start late in the school year in a neighborhood full of young girls whom I had never met. I felt alone in Dallas with no familiar faces or family members. At the time I did not look at our move as a blessing, I saw it as something detrimental to my life and happiness. But I have since grown to see the opportunities that I may never have been presented with if I had stayed in Vermont. Although I may not have seen any familiar faces, I met an immense amount of new people within the first years of living in Texas. Comparably, there are only about 600,000 people in the entire state of Vermont, whereas there are 1.3 million residents living in Dallas alone. These people have grown to be my best friends and mentors, like my friends at school and neighborhood families. With this abundance of new people I am now able to share opinions with perspectives other than mine. I am able to try new things and join organizations to help people in my community, such as my job at the YMCA and my volunteer work to help starving children all over the world. These experiences and opportunities are all thanks to my loving mother and built-in best friend. While 10-year-old Ava Smith might not have loved the idea of moving away, I now realize how much of a blessing it has been to spend part of my life in Dallas with my biggest supporter. This gratitude has motivated me to be the best version of myself that I can be. I am motivated every day to voice my thoughts to anyone who will listen, which is a skill that I will hold with me for the rest of my life. Every day I strive to become as wonderful of a woman as my mother. I thank her for teaching me to be able to meet new people and to explore unfamiliar territories without the fear of risk or failure. These abilities have shaped me into the strong woman that I am today.

My mother has always been and will always be my best friend. Her support throughout my life has motivated me to be the best version of myself that I can become. Together we have survived through thick and thin, and, although I may not have acknowledged it at the time, her choice to move me from rural Vermont to Dallas has been the greatest gift she has ever given to me. Living in a large city has taught me how to embrace my differences and voice my opinions loud enough for them to be heard, which is a skill that I may have never needed to learn in my small hometown. The trade of my childhood friends and sense of familiarity with my home state was worth the reward of opportunities that I am presented with in my new life. Growing up I lived within a small circle of close friends and family, most of whom lived within 20 minutes from my house in Essex. When I was 7 years old, my parents went through a nasty divorce which ultimately led to me not being able to see my father regularly. Until it was never. But it was all okay, because I still got to see my friends, right? You might be able to imagine how upset I was to learn about our upcoming move across the country. I remember being so afraid to start fresh in a large city such as Dallas, Texas. It was terrifying for me as a little girl to start late in the school year in a neighborhood full of young girls whom I had never met. I felt alone in Dallas with no familiar faces or family members. At the time I did not look at our move as a blessing, I saw it as something detrimental to my life and happiness. But I have since grown to see the opportunities that I may never have been presented with if I had stayed in Vermont. Although I may not have seen any familiar faces, I met an immense amount of new people within the first years of living in Texas. Comparably, there are only about 600,000 people in the entire state of Vermont, whereas there are 1.3 million residents living in Dallas alone. These people have grown to be my best friends and mentors, like my friends at school and neighborhood families. With this abundance of new people I am now able to share opinions with perspectives other than mine. I am able to try new things and join organizations to help people in my community, such as my job at the YMCA and my volunteer work to help starving children all over the world. These experiences and opportunities are all thanks to my loving mother and built-in best friend. While 10-year-old Ava Smith might not have loved the idea of moving away, I now realize how much of a blessing it has been to spend part of my life in Dallas with my biggest supporter. This gratitude has motivated me to be the best version of myself that I can be. I am motivated every day to voice my thoughts to anyone who will listen, which is a skill that I will hold with me for the rest of my life. Every day I strive to become as wonderful of a woman as my mother. I thank her for teaching me to be able to meet new people and to explore unfamiliar territories without the fear of risk or failure. These abilities have shaped me into the strong woman that I am today.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase means that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are. My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not “manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. Although I may encounter the burdens of society as it continues to normalize the ignorance of serious mental health issues, I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase means that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are. My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not “manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. Although I may encounter the burdens of society as it continues to normalize the ignorance of serious mental health issues, I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase means that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are. My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not “manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. Although I may encounter the burdens of society as it continues to normalize the ignorance of serious mental health issues, I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase means that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are. My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not “manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. Although I may encounter the burdens of society as it continues to normalize the ignorance of serious mental health issues, I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

My favorite way to volunteer is to help out at my local pet orphanage, East Lake Pet Orphanage. I began my journey with ELPO in 5th grade when I began collecting service hours for my GIrl Scouts troop. ELPO is an organization that fights against animal cruelty and focuses upon “connecting people and pets for the mutual enrichment of life.” My family and I fell in love with the values and atmosphere of the organization and found ourselves continuing to volunteer at the cat shelter. Needless to say, I was able to submit an immense abundance of service hours for Girl Scouts that year (my leaders were very impressed). Not only was I helping out animals that were in need, but I had fun doing it. This discovery led to the blossoming of my love for volunteer work. While continuing to volunteer for ELPO, I started to branch out in my journey to help my community with my Girl Scouts troop. My younger sister’s elementary school hosts a free carnival each year for students, parents, and family members of the school. I am now invited to volunteer to help out with the carnival each year alongside some of my past teachers and peers. It brings me so much joy to see the children have a blast at the carnival, and to know that I was a part of something full of life. I chose to participate in this youth activity because the smiles that I see on the faces of children and families when they are having fun together is priceless and something that not many things could match. Additionally, I love to spend time each year with my troop volunteering for Feed My Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization that works to pack healthy, inexpensive meals for families, schools, orphanages, medical clinics, and feeding programs in over 70 countries all over the world. I chose to participate in my volunteer work with this organization because of the large impact their service has had for families in need. Even if my personal help does not save the world, the important fact about volunteering is that with everyone’s contributed help, a large difference can be made to help make our world a better place. Along with volunteering for established organizations, I will always take any opportunity to help any of my friends or family members when they are in a time of need. I am very proud to thank the Girl Scouts organization for instilling these values into my character and helping me learn to love everyone around me no matter what. Thank you Girl Scouts for helping me to build life-long relationships with people who will support me no matter what life may throw at me. And most of all, thank you Girl Scouts for teaching me to joyously love and serve my community. I was a part of Troop 127 in Dallas, Texas.

My favorite way to volunteer is to help out at my local pet orphanage, East Lake Pet Orphanage. I began my journey with ELPO in 5th grade when I began collecting service hours for my Girl Scouts troop. ELPO is an organization that fights against animal cruelty and focuses upon “connecting people and pets for the mutual enrichment of life.” My family and I fell in love with the values and atmosphere of the organization and found ourselves continuing to volunteer at the cat shelter. Needless to say, I was able to submit an immense abundance of service hours for Girl Scouts that year (my leaders were very impressed). Not only was I helping out animals that were in need, but I had fun doing it. This discovery led to the blossoming of my love for volunteer work. With my education, I plan to bring my love for community service into my daily life by serving my peers who may be mentally troubled or questioning their certainty of life. I plan to obtain a doctoral degree in the field of medicine in order to become a psychiatrist who will be able to contribute to the bettering of our world.

My favorite way to volunteer is to help out at my local pet orphanage, East Lake Pet Orphanage. I began my journey with ELPO in 5th grade when I began collecting service hours for my GIrl Scouts troop. ELPO is an organization that fights against animal cruelty and focuses upon “connecting people and pets for the mutual enrichment of life.” My family and I fell in love with the values and atmosphere of the organization and found ourselves continuing to volunteer at the cat shelter. Needless to say, I was able to submit an immense abundance of service hours for Girl Scouts that year (my leaders were very impressed). Not only was I helping out animals that were in need, but I had fun doing it. This discovery led to the blossoming of my love for volunteer work. While continuing to volunteer for ELPO, I started to branch out in my journey to help my community. My younger sister’s elementary school hosts a free carnival each year for students, parents, and family members of the school. I am now invited to volunteer to help out with the carnival each year alongside some of my past teachers and peers. It brings me so much joy to see the children have a blast at the carnival, and to know that I was a part of something full of life. I chose to participate in this youth activity because the smiles that I see on the faces of children and families when they are having fun together is priceless and something that not many things could match. Additionally, I spend time each year volunteering for Feed My Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization that works to pack healthy, inexpensive meals for families, schools, orphanages, medical clinics, and feeding programs in over 70 countries all over the world. I chose to participate in my volunteer work with this organization because of the large impact their service has had for families in need. Even if my personal help does not save the world, the important fact about volunteering is that with everyone’s contributed help, a large difference can be made to help make our world a better place. Along with volunteering for established organizations, I will always take any opportunity to help any of my friends or family members when they are in a time of need. I am vert excited to be bale to continue my path of volunteer work and to be able to encourage my fellow student body to do so as well.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

My ultimate goal after my graduation from Richardson High School is to improve my education in preparation to make our society a better place in terms of mental health awareness. Therefore, I intend to expand my knowledge by obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of North Texas before obtaining my medical degree to become a psychiatrist. Making this realization and setting goals that align with my motive have allowed me to view my life through a new perspective, one that allows me to approach my educational career with a sense of purpose and grace. The University of North Texas will be my way of improving my educational value, but unfortunately the cost of tuition will be a great burden without financial assistance. This financial award would help my family and I immensely to pay for my education. It is a well known fact that an education from a notable institution is not cheap by any means, which is why I am very grateful for organizations such as your own who dedicate time and money for students to be able to afford the education they deserve. With this award, I will be well on my way to achieving my goals of making our society a better place by helping mental health patients of all ages and backgrounds. With this award, I plan to become part of a bigger cause that expands farther beyond the limits of my hometown. I plan to spend my education empowering young students and adults to stand up for their beliefs without any fear of judgement or rejection. At the notable institution of my choosing, which may be the University of North Texas, I will be be able to gain an essential education that will set me on a path to social justice and mental stability for all others whom I will come into contact with. I live alone with my wonderful mother and my younger sister. My mother tries her very best day and night to give my sister and I the most vibrant life possible with any resources she has on hand. I am forever grateful for her contributions, even through the most troublesome times for the three of us. My mother is recently divorced from my stepfather, and is currently paying for everything as one single mother, because my father does not make any financial contributions or child support payments directly to her. Her wage and the payments she receives from the government as a minimal substitute for our absence of child support payments are just enough to provide my sister and I with the necessities that we are immensely grateful for. We are currently renting an apartment in Richardson, Texas. This was all because of my mother's loving gesture in letting me finish out my senior year at my current high school. I am asking for your help in terms of financial assistance so that I can continue to pursue my plans after high school graduation, and turn society into a better place.

My ultimate goal in terms of my future professional career is to be able to stand as a voice to be used within the time of darkness. I plan to be able to help those who may be struggling with mental health, whether that be a result of an internal conflict or being caused by the effects of others, sometimes in the form of bullying. As a child, I remember feeling like an outcast who would never be able to stand up against those who did not include me. However, I often did not receive the help that I hoped for from teachers and guidance counselors. With my degree, I plan to become a well-educated advocate for children's mental health within schools. I will listen to year voice, young or matured, who speaks my way with concerns about their in-school treatment from other students. I plan to advocate for these students by making sure that no child goes un-helped, and by making sure that each child ends their days with a smile. I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men and children like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood. along with this goal, I intend to help spread awareness about bullying and its ultimate effects upon children and their families. I will strive to empower these impressional minds, and help to remind them that life is sweet, and so is the world. I cannot wait to serve my lovely world and to help those who may be looking for a light.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wonders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

My name is Ava Smith and I am currently a senior in high school living in Dallas, Texas. I was born and raised in a smaller city in Essex, Vermont. I moved to Dallas in fourth grade following the downfall of my father's mental health and eventual suicide attempt. I often find myself wondering if he might have been offered a different outcome if he had better access to adequate mental healthcare, or someone to simply tell him that it was okay to feel these strong emotions. I often make it a priority to look after many popes whom I hold close to me in terms of their mental health and emotional state. It is important to me that the people that I am surrounded with feel their best and that I do all that I can to make them comfortable. Specifically, I strive to help out many men within my life, including figures such as my father. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not “manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my heroes smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

I often make it a priority within my daily life to strive to help others around me in terms of mental health, specifically the health of men and struggling individuals whom I hold close to me. I am motivated to help others by listening and guiding them with my best abilities in order to help them to feel more secure. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.

There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes. At first glance, this phrase has a face meaning that your heroes are never all of what they seem, and that you will always be disappointed with your learnings about the “real” person that they are.My hero as a young girl was my father because of his brave service in the United States Military. Needless to say, I couldn't avoid meeting my hero, but this phrase was still applicable to my situation. Instead of being disappointed by his character, I grew older while watching my father fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of depression and addiction. I have seen my father cry; I watched as my greatest hero fell to rock bottom. This helpless descension eventually led to his devastating suicide attempt, which dramatically changed his own life, the lives of my family, and the lives of members of our community. I often find myself wondering whether his outcome might have been different if he had been able to access better mental resources. This is a recurring issue for not just my father, but millions of other men and veterans alike within our society. The problem that most often plagues my mind is the lack of help for the mentally ill, and I plan to be a part of the solution. The topic of this issue wanders very close to my own experiences, meaning that I have suffered the effects of the lack of mental assistance offered to veterans, and the normalization of mental disregard for men in general. Watching as one’s parental figure falls closer and closer to their own internal collapse is something that I wouldn't curse upon my greatest enemy. A common pattern within the subject of men’s mental health is that there simply is a lack of representation for men who may be struggling. Men are told that it is not“manly” to be sad, and that they are too weak or sensitive. This is honestly such a ridiculous and destructive social norm that is consistently in practice. The first steps in defying this social norm are to acknowledge men's mental health and make the principle of mental help a more normalized practice. In order to contribute to the solution to this problem, I plan to use my future education to become a psychiatrist in order to help men like my father recover from their mental disorders and melancholiness, before their troubles turn into a threat to their survival. My plan is to become a figure who will help these men to better understand themselves and their mental health. In doing so, this will ensure security within their home and give their family members clarity within their feelings and struggles. I intend to gain the best education that I possibly can so that I can become a part of something bigger than just myself and the experiences which I have endured in terms of my father’s suicide attempt. I know that as a small girl, I would have given anything to see my hero smile. Now I plan to become part of the cause that will help to protect heroes and their families all over the world. Brick by brick, patient by patient, I will build the sense of security for families similar to mine that I searched for throughout my childhood.