Some of my earliest memories are wrapped up in the sounds and smells of the barn. I was only a toddler when I bottle fed my first calf, I remember its slobbery wet nose nudging my hands as I clumsily held the bottle. I didn’t understand much at the time, but looking back, that moment has sparked a lifelong passion for caring for animals. Since then my life has been shaped by early mornings, late nights, and countless hours in the barn. More importantly, it has been shaped by the deep bond I've witnessed and experienced between animals and those who love them. Through 4-H and FFA, I have raised and shown livestock for many years, gaining hands-on experience and learning a long list of life lessons. I have spent hours clipping, fitting, and working with animals to prepare them for shows, but my passion lies beyond the competition. Some of my favorite experiences include me helping younger members learn how to show their animals. I've run clinics, given one on one lessons, and helped others grow their confidence and skill in the show ring. Watching a nervous child beam with pride after walking out of the show ring taught me the true power of agriculture: it builds connections, responsibility, and resilience. I’ve seen vets work tirelessly to save animals and, when that isn’t possible, provide comfort and compassion in the hardest moments. Losing one of my own animals showed me firsthand how much a caring veterinarian can help a grieving family. Those experiences made me realize that veterinary medicine isn't just a career, it is a calling. To further pursue that calling, I began working at a small-animal veterinary clinic. There, I’ve gained invaluable exposure to the realities of veterinary medicine, assisting with daily care, observing procedures, and watching the veterinarian interact with clients during both joyful and heartbreaking times. The veterinarian I work with has become a true mentor to me. She has taken time to teach me not just about medicine, but about compassion, patience, and professionalism. She answers my questions, lets me observe and learn, and constantly encourages me to grow. Watching her connect with both pets and their owners has shown me the kind of veterinarian I aspire to be. Her mentorship has also broadened my perspective: while my dream is to become a large-animal veterinarian serving rural communities, I’ve learned how important small-animal medicine is in strengthening families’ bonds with their pets. Seeing her balance medical expertise with genuine empathy has reinforced my desire to follow this path and eventually mentor the next generation of aspiring veterinarians, just as she has mentored me. My goal is to combine my background in agriculture with my clinical experience to serve both livestock and pets in rural areas. I want to give back to the agricultural world that has shaped me by providing excellent care for animals and helping the families who depend on them. Beyond treating animals, I want to educate farmers and youth, support families through tough moments, and embody the compassion I’ve witnessed firsthand. This scholarship, created in honor of the bond between Pinot and Dr. Rocky Deutsch, reflects the type of veterinarian I hope to become. Pinot’s story reminds me that veterinary care is about so much more than medicine, it’s about kindness, empathy, and relationships. With this scholarship’s support, I hope to dedicate my life to making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them.

Living with multiple chronic illnesses has taught me more about resilience, patience, and perseverance than I ever expected to learn at my age. Balancing education while managing these conditions isn’t just difficult, it is a daily act of courage. Every test I take and class I attend happens alongside my symptoms, invisible to others. What these illnesses have taken from my comfort, they have returned tenfold in inner strength and determination. My journey has shaped me into someone who refuses to be defined by my diagnoses. Instead, I use them as fuel to pursue my goals, inspire others, and build a future where I can make a meaningful impact on the world. There were many times during high school when simply getting out of bed felt like climbing a mountain. Daily, my heart would race uncontrollably from POTS, my vision was blurred, and I could barely stand. My joints ached from Ehlers-Danlos, and I hadn’t gone one morning without throwing up due to GERD and IBS. Every part of me wanted to give in. Instead, I got up, slowly, painfully, and made it to class. I sat through the school day not because I wasn’t struggling, but because I had decided that my education was worth fighting for. I have dreams worth accomplishing, and I couldn’t let my own body get in the way of that. Those moments remind me that while my body may set limits, my mind, drive, and purpose remain limitless. Chronic illness doesn’t make me weak, it has made me stronger. There have been many times I found myself angry at my own body. I questioned why it always had to fight against me. I have told my family, “People ruin their perfectly healthy bodies with drugs, vapes, and alcohol, and I have to sit here and fight for mine. I wish we could trade bodies so they’d understand what some people could only dream of having.” Eventually, I learned to let that anger fuel my fire for success, it helped me fight harder. Instead of letting my diagnoses defeat me, they became my motivation. I knew that if I could survive the worst days, when I could barely sit through class or walk down the hallway, then I could also chase my dreams. I began to advocate for myself, manage my health with discipline, and communicate openly about my needs. These skills, resilience, communication, and time management, aren’t just academic tools, they are life tools, sharpened by years of navigating invisible battles. My illnesses taught me to never take a good day for granted and to pour everything I have into moments when I can show up. Through it all, my passion for animals never wavered. In fact, it grew stronger. Becoming a veterinarian isn’t just a career goal, it is a calling. Caring for animals, and supporting the humans who love them is a purpose that keeps me focused, even on my hardest days. My goals are big, and they won’t change because of my body’s limitations. Though chronic illness has shaped my life in challenging ways, it has also ignited a fire in me to rise, to grow, and to pursue education as both a personal triumph and a path to helping others. I don’t want to just succeed, I want to make a difference. As a future veterinarian, I hope to be a source of comfort and healing not only for animals, but for their families too. With the support of this scholarship, I’ll continue to fight, not in spite of my conditions, but because of the strength they’ve helped me build.

“Just try it.” My teacher said as his eyes were locked onto the FFA contest screen as I was sitting nervous and unsure in a chair next to him. “I don’t know how to do it, I will be unsuccessful, it will make me look bad.” These were all things going through my mind as he was trying to convince me to compete. Never in a million years did I think that I would be looking back on these countless moments where he was trying expand my comfort zone and think, “I am grateful for the times he pushed me when I was too scared.” I did not understand how one teachers determination to push me beyond my limits would transform the way I approach and tackle every experience. I was lucky enough to have a teacher that had confidence in me and my abilities even when I did not. Before highschool, I was the quiet student. I stayed in my bubble, I kept to myself, and I did not explore the depths of my comfort zone. All I new was that I was comfortable within it. I did not take risks because I was scared of failure, I would not push myself because I was afraid of judgment, and I even doubted my own abilities. I used to be the kind of student who did everything “right,” I turned in assignments on time, studied hard, and kept to myself. But I also avoided risks. I rarely raised my hand unless I was absolutely sure of the answer. I admired people who spoke with confidence but never saw myself as one of them. I thought playing it safe was the best way to succeed. My teacher saw beyond that, he challenged me to accomplish hard tasks, like competing in countless FFA competitions. He knew I was capable of success and saw that I needed pushed to get there. Specifically, when it came to my prepared public speaking contest, I was a nervous wreck, I knew I could do it but I was scared because failure was possible, but he made me do it anyway. I left my speaking room feeling more confident than ever. I felt light like a feather, and I felt as if I had accomplished something big, and I did. When it came time for the awards ceremony, third place was called, not me, second place was called, and it wasn't me, and I sat nervously in anticipation, but then first place was called. It was me. Through that experience, and many similar experiences, a newfound confidence was instilled in me. I was no longer afraid, I saw my own potential. My leadership flourished, my fear was belittled, and I expanded my comfort zone. David foster believed in challenging the status quo, he encouraged students to think differently and uncomfortably. My teacher did just that, he didn’t just teach an agriculture class, he taught how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. He showed me and many others our potential, he led us to success within ourselves and in our world. I now approach life with a new mindset, I set goals that scare me and I chase after them. I speak up even when it’s uncomfortable. And most importantly, I try to be the kind of person who encourages others to step into their potential, just as he did for me. I am inspired to become the person I envision. I am not afraid of my future, I am excited. I can confidently see my self as a successful person in my dream career as a veterinarian.

I can´t recall a time when animals were not my passion. I never had to wonder what I wanted to be when I grew up. In every classroom icebreaker, my answer was always a veterinarian. I will never know where my interest stemmed from, however, I do know that it's what I am meant to do. As a child, some of my favorite places included my local zoos and farms. As an infant, I was very ill and spent a lot of my time in the children's hospital. With that, I was consistently given free tickets to the local zoo. I loved the animals, I would sit there for hours and watch them play and swim. I dreamed of being the zoo keeper who got to be with them each day. As I got older, my love for animals grew. I specifically recall a time when my parents took me to Fair Oaks, where you can explore farm life. This particular day, they had an opportunity to watch a cow give birth. As a farmer's daughter, a girl who grew up on the farm, and a girl who loves animals, my eyes were glued to the glass window. I was intrigued and did not want to look away for one second. This process was beautiful to me, and I could have sat there all day. I begged to be in the four glass walls so I could help, and I would have done anything to get inside. This also reminds me of another life-changing event that happened to me at eight years old. I was on a family vacation in Clearwater, Florida. My parents took my brother and me to see Dolphins at a small aquarium. We were walking to the main excursion of the day (the dolphin show), and I was stopped in my tracks when I looked to my left and saw a sea turtle on the operating room table. By no surprise, I never wanted to leave, and yet again, my eyes were glued to the glass window. I begged my parents to allow me to stay for the whole surgery so I could watch every step, not wanting to miss a thing. These small moments throughout my life have brought me so much joy, and I would relive them over and over if I could. Even though I have always known that I wanted to be a veterinarian, these countless memories have proven my passion and ultimate decision to pursue that career. I plan to either attend Purdue University or Ohio State for a career in large animal medicine. In the future, I would love to travel and expand my reach as a veterinarian to many different species, but for now, living in a rural farm community and owning my livestock, large animals are ultimately where my heart is. My goal is to make a positive impact as a female veterinarian in a rural community. I want to show that our animals and our environment are just as important as us, who live in it. I want to help our world thrive from our food animals to our dinner plate, and our pets in our home. I know that this career path is meant for me, and I am prepared to study, work, and learn until I get there, and I am so excited to see what my future holds as a veterinarian.

We have all heard the saying, “Farmers feed America.” While this is true, agriculture is so much more than just the backbone of our food system. Agriculture is a livelihood; it is a community; it fuels our economy, culture, and way of life. My name is Bailey Hanna, and I was raised in a third-generation farming family in a small town in Indiana. Growing up in a farming family, I have seen firsthand the profound impact agriculture has on our world. I believe that agriculture supports communities in countless ways. The most obvious way is that agriculture provides a food source for communities. Farmers dedicate their lives to a career where their success relies on Mother Nature. Despite these challenges, they continue to work tirelessly to provide food for the world, ensuring we have access to fresh produce, grains, and meat. But agriculture’s influence extends far beyond feeding us—it also creates jobs. Agriculture provides an immense number of employment opportunities in rural areas, giving people in these communities the chance to thrive. These jobs sustain the livelihoods of many, from farmhands to agricultural scientists, and help keep local economies strong. In fact, agriculture is often the backbone of rural communities, creating a positive, intricate cycle that has a far-reaching impact on our society. However, I believe agriculture is more than just farming. I think it is a place where youth can grow and find a sense of community. Agriculture teaches invaluable life skills such as hard work, responsibility, dedication, and perseverance. I have experienced this firsthand through my own experiences with showing livestock and working on our farm. Whether it’s feeding and caring for animals, learning new skills, or managing time between school and farm duties, agriculture has shaped who I am today. I have learned not only how to work hard but also how to appreciate the rewards of dedication and persistence. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons and skills I’ve gained and will continue to learn through this industry. So, how will I impact the agriculture industry? I plan to continue sharing my knowledge and passion for agriculture with future generations. My favorite part about showing livestock is teaching younger kids along the way. It is incredibly rewarding to help them learn about the process and guide them toward success in the show ring. Agriculture has given me so much, and my goal is to give back in the same way. Many of the skills I’ve developed in agriculture will help me pursue my dream career as a veterinarian, where I can serve my community by providing care to animals and educating others on the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. In that role, I hope to continue inspiring the youth, advocating for agriculture, and helping others understand how essential the agricultural industry is in supporting our world. Yes, farmers feed America, but more importantly, agriculture fuels our world, and it is a powerful force.

Thomas Jefferson once stated, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” This is a quote that I believe should be recognized more often, as it is relatable and very true. My name is Bailey Hanna, and I am a third-generation farmer. Being a part of the farming industry is the reason for my deep love and passion for livestock and animals. I grew up on our farm in a small town in Indiana. Since I was little, animals have held a special place in my heart, and since I could talk I wanted to be a veterinarian. To this day, that is still my passion and my ultimate goal. When I was about nine years old, I was introduced to the idea of livestock showing. We started small, and that led to my deep affection for that hobby. At the time, I was a competitive dancer as well as a softball player. As you can imagine, this was a lot of commitment and time, especially for a nine-year-old. So, I made the easy decision to quit my two other extracurriculars, and solely focus on my livestock. The last six years in the livestock industry have helped me tremendously in reaching my ultimate career goal of becoming a veterinarian. I have learned so much like, taking responsibility for my animals, and life skills like public speaking and communication, I have learned useful skills like administering medications, being observant of a problem, and finding a solution. Honestly, I could write an entire essay on what being part of the livestock industry has taught me, I am very lucky to have the experiences and knowledge that it has brought me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Not only am I an active member of the livestock industry, but I also have a passion for the FFA and our 4-H program. I have taken many leadership roles in both of these organizations. I was the president of our local 4-H Goat Club for two years. For the past few years, I have taken a large step in my leadership and I help out with demonstrations and workshops for the younger members. I believe that these industries are for the youth to learn and grow just like I did, and still am. So, I take pride in sharing my knowledge and passion to help others. I love the ability to share what I love while helping others grow in the process. To me, that is the most rewarding part of it all. I am also an active member of the FFA, I have served as my chapter secretary and currently serve as my chapter president, and it is my goal to serve as a district and state officer in the future. Through FFA I have made so many lifelong friends and connections while doing what I love in the process. Last summer, I took a big step toward my goal of becoming a veterinarian by working at my local veterinary clinic as a Veterinary Assistant. This job has only fueled my compassion for veterinary medicine. It is my goal to be a large animal veterinarian so I can continue to help share my love and passion for the livestock industry. The excitement is indescribable and I cannot wait to see what is to come in the future.

Imagine starting high school with every step you take feeling like a constant struggle. This was my reality during freshman year as I silently battled constant illness. I saw doctor after doctor, and specialist after specialist. Everything was unknown, there were no answers. I endured countless tests and therapies, and yet, technically I was "normal." Having an invisible chronic illness brings a person so much more than just symptoms. During my journey of searching for answers, I saw an urgent care doctor who looked at my chart and medical records and he came into my exam room not to help me, but to tell me that I am being hyperaware of my body. This doctor made me feel like my pain and my suffering was not real. He said that I have had many, many tests, and they were all normal, so I should stop trying to find something that is not there. Many people with chronic, invisible illnesses, tend to have these experiences. Dealing with an illness presents with so many challenges. It caused my anxiety to worsen, and it made me think less of myself. I was angry at my body for not being able to do the activities that I loved; I was upset that I was able to do less than I had three years prior. Finally, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Raynaud's, and more. Knowing this provided so much comfort because it was real. Unfortunately, these things have no cure. So, I took advice from the doctors and others with these problems and kept going. However, as the year went on, and the stress and workload from school increased, my symptoms started to worsen. I was missing school constantly, which made my workload heavier. My mind and my body could not keep up. It was, and still is a struggle every day as I combat symptoms like brain fog, tachycardia, vision loss, fatigue, and so much more. I have been able to manage my symptoms the best as I possibly can to keep my grades up and stay on the honor roll, all in hopes of reaching my dream career as a veterinarian. Since I could talk, my dream has been to become a veterinarian, and it has not changed since. This career is not an easy educational path, even for someone without medical struggles. However, I am determined to reach my goal, and I am not willing to let my own body get in the way of it. Soon I hope to get into the Mayo Clinic to receive treatment to help make my symptoms easier to manage. It won't give me a cure, but it will hopefully provide some relief in hopes of reaching my goals. Some day, I plan to own my own small and large animal veterinary practice. All though it won't be an easy road, I am bound and determined to make my dreams come true.