There are so many noble and wonderful ways that we as women can change the world around us. Making a change in the government, fighting against racial injustice, working to further women’s roles in STEM careers, and many other pursuits are admirable, but my goals to change the world are both on a micro and macro scale. I want to use my future degree in marketing to spread awareness about the impact humans have on the Earth, and I want to start a movement of kindness that ripples throughout the world. Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by the beauty and science of nature; the intricacies of every system and living thing amazed me. It was only recently, to my horror, that I discovered that we are in danger of permanently destroying the beautiful planet we live on. In just a few years, we will cross the threshold of global warming being irreversible, unless actions are taken as soon as possible. As someone who wants to go into the marketing field, it is my dream and goal to use my career to bring this knowledge into the public eye, and market for companies that are truly working to make a difference in the way humans treat the Earth. Knowing that our planet and future generations are in jeopardy due to humanity’s carelessness sparks a passion within my heart to be at the forefront of the fight to protect the world around us. Even though conserving our planet is a large and dire issue, I also am passionate about changing the world through small actions. As a Christian, I wholeheartedly believe that showing people daily acts of kindness is showing them the face of Jesus. Paying for a stranger’s coffee, giving a friend a hug, praying over a loved one who is struggling; there are so many ways to create small changes in other’s lives. By doing this, my hope and prayer is that others will see Jesus’ love and kindness instilled in me, and that they too will make an effort to care for those around them by following my example. The beauty of kindness is that once it is in motion, it has a ripple effect that touches the lives and hearts of many others, and I believe that this difference in the world could begin with one person: me. My goals may seem hard to accomplish, or perhaps even unlikely, I truly believe that I am equipped with the gifts and mindset to make my dreams a reality. Through my life on Earth, I want to restore and protect the beautiful world that the Lord has created, and touch the lives of others with kindness, so that the world may feel mercy and love. Change is difficult and challenging, and I know that I am capable of delivering it.

Living through a pandemic has been hard as a young person. The spread of Covid-19 impacted every part of my life; I was isolated from my friends, struggling through school, and losing passion for my interests. As I have fought to get through the past year, I have had to adapt to this new way of life, and embrace it. Instead of lamenting about the big things that got disrupted in my life, I learned to cherish the small things, and through self-discipline, became a better student. Over the past year, most of the things I have looked forward to the most have been ruined. My church youth group cancelled retreats and mission trips, all school dances were cancelled, my band could not compete at our usual competitions, and the yearly band trip was called off. I felt dejected and cheated out of the fun things in high school. I became bitter, and stopped looking forward to anything at all. The longer I kept this dejected and negative mindset, the worse I did in school, in social relations, and with my mental health, and I decided I needed to make a change. Instead of being bitter about not being able to do big events, I focused on the small joys of life. I celebrated every time I got to see my friends, complimented strangers at the store, and spent time with my family every day. As I made these small daily things into bursts of joy, I became a happier and more motivated person. No longer did I complain about my life, but instead went out into the world every day with an open and appreciative mind. After Covid-19 hit, my work ethic as a student declined. I was once an A+ student, even while taking dual credit college classes and Advanced Placement courses, but after doing a year of virtual school, returning to an in-person education was hard. No longer could I slack off and do the bare minimum in classes as I was used to doing during virtual school, when work was light and easy. Now as I returned to those normal high-level classes, my grades suffered because I lacked the motivation and self-discipline to give it my all. As college applications began to come up, I realized that I needed to make a change in order to set myself up on a path for success. I set time aside daily to learn new study habits and methods of learning, and pushed myself to become a model student. I learned to go the extra mile in every class, making connections with every teacher and asking insightful questions in class. Every moment I spent re-learning self-discipline and studious habits paid off; my grades and grade point average increased, and I rose to be in the top 9% of my class. By doing all of this hard work, I was able to become the student I once was, and was accepted into all of the colleges I applied to. Changing and growing after the pandemic started was hard, especially this last year. I had to learn how to appreciate everyday parts of my life, and find the joy and skill in becoming a good student again. Even though this last year has challenged me, I have come out of it stronger and with my head held high, ready to take my next steps into the world and a higher education.

There are many problems we face today: economic strife, racial violence, sexism, mental health. Although these are all very serious problems, the most time-sensitive and widespread issues we face are the global warming and environmental destruction that are slowly destroying the planet. The world is turning a blind eye to the damage we do to the planet, but I believe it is not too late to make a difference, and that Mechanism can be one of the first to begin the movement towards Earth’s restored health. The Earth around us is dying, and we as humans are to blame; businesses, corporations, and governments do not respect our planet the way that they should. Due to the pollutants and environmental damage caused by these groups, climate change is worsening and environments are being decimated. Yearly temperatures are rising, environments are collapsing, fossil fuels are creating CO2 emissions at an alarming rate. Within a short span of years, the damage that humans have caused to the Earth will become irreversible, and the natural systems of the Earth will begin failing. The water cycle, the oxygen cycle, and weather patterns will all change.This in turn will also affect all environmental systems, and humanity itself. There is no hope for future generations to live on a healthy Earth if we let this pattern of destruction and disrespect for the environment continue. Steps can be made right this moment to fight this issue; Mechanism can be at the forefront of this movement if it chooses. This problem gives Mechanism the unique chance to change the future, and in other terms, contribute to saving the world. The Earth’s health is a dire concern; if we do not first solve this problem, we cannot go on to later solve the other problems in our world. It is up to us, as problem solvers and passionate workers, to ensure that our Earth will be healthy for generations to come. Steps towards making the Earth healthy again can be both big and small: encouraging governments to open their eyes to climate change, donating to conservation efforts, or reducing the use of single-use plastic in our daily lives. The biggest step we can take towards a healthier world is by using greener sources of energy; fossil fuels, coal, and natural gasses are all some of the largest contributors to pollution and climate change. Mechanism could help lower the use of these emission-causing energy sources by funding and providing cleaner and more healthy sources of energy, like wind turbines or solar panels. While these are just ideas for how to protect the Earth, Mechanism could make them a reality. The environmental impacts and pollution people cause must be addressed as soon as possible, because time is quickly running out. We must take a stand and treat the Earth with respect. Mechanism has the potential and power to start this change. As someone who is passionate about protecting the future of the planet, I beg you to step out as entrepreneurs and leaders, and take action!

As a high performing student, I feel pressed and riddled with anxiety to keep performing well to please others. While I perform well in school, my mental and social health suffers greatly from it. As I have matured, I have taught myself to relieve my anxiety by taking joy in little things, instead of constantly stressing about big things, and as a result my quality of life has improved significantly. When I entered high school, I fell into the habit of constantly stressing about large things, to the point where it cost me my happiness. Through diligent practice, I have learned to find joy again through small things. I celebrate when I find a good parking spot. I smile at my neighbors. A stranger tells me they like my clothes. All the little things have become my greatest joys, because while life is long and imposing, the moments in the present are short and sweet. As soon as I started teaching myself to notice and celebrate small things, my life felt more stable. Although the stress did not entirely go away, the joy of little moments took away from that stress and provided a healthy distraction from my school life. By doing this, I have kept my success as a student, while making my life more joyous and spontaneous. Anxiety is a large obstacle, and I have discovered that the best way of dismantling it is by cherishing minuscule joys I find. I feel so much healthier and more carefree as a result of this lifestyle, and it will now and always be a daily goal and habit of mine.

History is filled with many admirable figures, all different and all having unique gifts. When I look back at history to find someone I admire, I look to Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh was one of the most prolific painters of his time despite the challenges he faced, and broke the mold for what painting and art was defined as. Many people in history have defeated obstacles, but Van Gogh’s challenges were large and imposing. Vincent struggled his whole life, with no reward. As a young man, Vincent studied under his father, who was a priest and at one point worked as an art vendor. Vincent wrestled heavily with the idea and role of religion in his life, and as a result gave up on priesthood and instead went to a formal art school. After moving back home with his parents after his education, Vincent’s struggle with mental health became apparent. Van Gogh was then admitted to a mental hospital, and only then did his art blossom and take hold. Vincent used new and efficient painting styles and ideas than other painters, which would change the future of art considerably. In the last two years of his life, Vincent created a plethora of works, and soon after, lost his life as a result of his mental health. Without Van Gogh’s works, I would not be as passionate about art, and the definition of art would be different. Vincent Van Gogh’s struggle with mental health makes me have a deep respect for him as a person and the works he created. Despite Vincent’s struggles, he pursued what made him feel fulfilled and happy, and I admire that deeply.

Riches, fame, and boldness are all things that many young people strive for, but not me. While some people want to be known for making a big difference in the world, I want to be known for making a million small differences, and living a life that makes me happy. I want to make a difference in the world through small acts of kindness to those around me. While it is wonderful to tackle big issues to make a difference, my goal is to make a change in other people’s daily lives by little things. Giving a compliment to a stranger, paying for a friend’s meal, lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need. My goal is not to make a permanent change in their lives, but to cause a chain effect of kindness to ripple throughout people’s daily relationships and interactions. Along with showing kindness to others, I want to live a life that shows kindness to myself. My goal is to plan wisely for my future financially, so that I won’t have to worry about what’s coming next. I aspire to work in the field of marketing, so that I may get to exercise my creative mind and artistic talents in a way that I can enjoy and feel stable in. In order to do so, I also want to graduate college with an undergraduate degree, and later a graduate degree, so that I will be knowledgeable about my future career. Although my goals for the future are different from most people’s, they will make me the best person I can be and will make me feel fulfilled. Through small acts of kindness, and living a life that I find rewarding, I will accomplish all my goals.

As a young child, I was always creative minded. I made small crafts, doodled on any scrap paper I could find, and painted in my free time. I tried any media I could get my hands on, and often branched out to try new art forms. As I grew older, I began to look into art through school courses, and in my free time, worked diligently on teaching myself a wide range of art. Once I entered my high school years, art courses that pushed my limits became available to me. I began by taking a basic art course, and soon after was allowed to skip multiple courses in order to take classes at my skill level. I took an Advanced Placement Drawing class in which I worked year round to push myself and my skills to develop a themed portfolio to submit to the College Board. I received college credit for the course, and am now currently enrolled in another Advanced Placement course for 2D Design through the College Board. Prior to and during my art courses in high school, I have been self taught. I diligently work in my free time to try new techniques and push myself as an artist and creative. I constantly learn new media and make a daily effort to improve my skills through practice. Most of the improvement I have seen in my own work and talents has come from my self-discipline. I find so much joy and love in art, and I want to continue to improve my art for my whole life. I have put so much work and effort into my knowledge of art, both through self-taught methods, experimentation, and formal art courses. Without this work, I would not be the artist I am today.

As a lover of literature, language, and diction, I have a deep respect and admiration for every book I have read. When asked to think of a specific book that I favor, I would have to say the one that comes to mind is Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. Where the Sidewalk Ends is a book meant for all ages that encourages readers to delve into their imagination and the humor of the poetry. I first read Where the Sidewalk Ends when I was in elementary school, and it sparked my imagination and curiosity in poetry. Silverstein’s writings are outlandish, sporadic, and intentionally make the reader question the poem’s meaning and phrases. As a young reader, it was so comprehensive and enjoyable, and fueled my imagination. I imagined in depth the settings and characters he described, and that in turn piqued my interest to become an avid reader. I adored the worlds he created in his book, and to this day I still enjoy rereading it for pleasure. Where the Sidewalk Ends not only was the main cause of my interest in reading, but it also taught me to enjoy humorous writing. Silverstein’s book was so different from the novels I was accustomed to reading, and challenged my mental definition of what poetry and writing could be. The more I read the poems, the more I enjoyed and found delight in Silverstein’s humor and delivery. Where the Sidewalk Ends will always hold a special place in my heart, starting my journey of reading and feeding my mind as a young learner. Silverstein’s writing shaped my childhood, and continues to challenge my imagination. Where the Sidewalk Ends stands out to me as a book I will always delight in and find a child-like joy in.

There are many problems we face today: economic strife, racial violence, sexism. Although these are all very serious problems, the most time-sensitive and widespread problem we face is global warming and environmental destruction. There will be no future for us if we do not first tackle the problem of conserving our Earth. Businesses and large corporations are emitting gasses and waste that over time have led to global warming, and will eventually make the Earth uninhabitable. We are quickly approaching the threshold in a few years that will make the damage we have done to the atmosphere and the environment irreversible. If we do not first solve this problem, we cannot go on to later solve the other problems in our world. Fixing the problem of global warming and pollution starts now. Big businesses and corps need to be held accountable for the damage that they cause; governments need to regulate them and monitor their environmental effects. Greener sources of energy need to be harnessed and used in place of strong pollutant materials like coal, gas, and other fossil fuels. We also need to implement protections on our oceans and land habitats to protect ecosystems and prevent their collapse. There are many green efforts and conscious choices that could be made by companies, individuals, and governments to help protect Earth’s future. If this problem is not addressed, then we will not have a healthy Earth to live on. Solving all of the world’s problems starts with protecting the planet we live on and making an effort to conserve it for future generations to come.

Living in a complicated society makes it incredibly difficult to stay true to myself. As I have navigated through my high school years, I too have felt pressured to conform to become like the people around me. My faith in Christ is what has kept me true to myself, and surrounding myself with others who also share the same beliefs. The world I live in today is severely lacking in compassion and kindness. I am surrounded by people who turn the other way when they see people in pain or suffering, and it is hard not to become discouraged by it. But, my faith teaches me that it is my responsibility to care for others and to be a good Samaritan when others fail to be. The teachings of Jesus have guided me to show compassion to everyone I meet, and I hold every word he spoke dear to my heart. Although many people do not share my same faith, everyone is deserving of kindness according to the Bible, which has guided me strongly as I have felt pressured and challenged by society. To help fight off the peer pressure and societal pressure to lose faith, I have surrounded myself with close friends and family who share my beliefs. Spending time with those who share my feelings and thoughts serves as encouragement to me and keeps me strong. Without these close family and friends, I would struggle to stay true to myself. Although the society I live in is harsh and full of pressures, my faith and my loved ones have preserved my true self. If I keep these things close to my heart, I will always be able to be my honest, genuine self.

As someone who grew up being a follower and copying the actions of others, it was hard to envision anything other than a follower’s perspective. When I had the opportunity to become a section leader in my marching band, my entire viewpoint changed. I finally understood the importance and role of a leader. Prior to being a section leader, I was accustomed to doing what the leaders told me to do, and I often found them to be controlling and serious. As I then filled the role of section leader in the following years, I began to understand how much responsibility and pressure is truly involved in leadership. Rather than following blindly, I was now tasked with teaching 25+ other students music and marching skills. The longer I taught, the more I understood that teaching takes skill, patience, and often a focused mindset. The “seriousness” I had noticed in leaders of the past was just their dedication and hard work driving them to keep us as focused and as productive as possible. Being in charge of so many other students also taught me the importance of leadership not only in my band, but in any part of life. Becoming a leader showed me how taking care of others and directing them benefits everyone involved, even though sometimes the followers do not appreciate it. Through my leadership in the band, my outlook on being a leader and being a follower has changed. I have so much respect for the time, effort, dedication, and care that it takes to be a leader. My experience has taught me that leadership is as necessary as being a follower, and that both perspectives matter

As a young adult, finances and investing will soon become a big part of my life as I move from being a dependent with my parents to an independent on my own after college. I have had many mentors, teachers, and adults give me tips to help prepare me for financial independence, but I think the investing tip that I find the most important is to invest in the long term, not the short term. I have been counseled by many others that the way to be the smartest investor is by starting to invest early, and making a plan to invest the most in future prospects. If money is spent on things that I want in the present, then my future will not be as prepared as I would like it to be. By saving money and investing in future things like college, a car, a mortgage, etc., then I will have a return on my investment once those things I have been investing in arrive. If I am consistent about putting my savings into future goals instead of frivolous spending, then I will be financially stable and will be more prepared for when the time comes to pay on big investments. Saving this money will also allow me to take use of compound interest and the resulting exponential growth. Long term this will set me up to be successful and prepared for future things like retirement. Many mentors have told me that I am never too young to start saving for the future, and I believe them wholeheartedly. This advice is in my best interest and is something I will continue to implement my whole life.

When I look around at the world, I see the environmental damage that we as humans are causing. We are deliberately and unapologetically killing the beautiful planet we call home. When I see this, a passion starts within me to redirect this environmental destruction and protect the nature and ecosystems around us. If we continue on this path of ruination, there will not be much of a world left for us in the future, and it sickens me to think about. I want to protect the natural beauty around us and stabilize the environment once more. With the skills that I have, I want to go into a career of marketing, and I want to find a way to use this to help with environmental protection. My goal is to work for a company that makes groundbreaking products to improve pollution or waste, and advertise and market their products to effectively distribute them out into the world. By doing so, I will help put new methods of environmental conservation out in the world. Another idea I have to apply my career to help heal the Earth is working for a non-profit group. Working for a non-profit conservation organization would allow me to market how the org makes a difference in environmental health, and to encourage others to donate. Environmental conservation is a huge concern of mine, and I want to share it with others and raise awareness. By applying my future career of marketing to this dream, I will be able to help progression into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly and conscious world.

My whole life, I have been a jack of all trades. I have had many hobbies, ranging from painting, to music, to reading. I love to try new things, and often find myself with a new hobby every week or month! I have been a consistently AVID reader since kindergarten, and still read the news daily, as well as novels or short stories. Reading educates me as a person and fuels my mind, as well as gives me a temporary way to escape the world. Art has also been a huge passion of mine, especially in high school. I have been lucky enough to even enjoy doing art in AP courses at school, and getting college credit from my hobby. I love sharing my art with others to express my feelings, thoughts, and opinions, and I hope to one day be able to apply this hobby into a marketing career. It gives me a creative outlet to constantly explore art and try new methods and materials . As a student with a creative mind, I have also been a musician since third grade. I began learning piano, and after a few years learned flute in addition to piano. As well as playing instruments, I also love to listen to music in my free time. Every hobby I have brings me great joy, as they are all hobbies that continually teach me and push me to become even more skilled. Art, reading, and music all fuel my mind, and truly are a big part of my happiness.