In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide with an estimated 1.2M suicide attempts, among those, a classmate, friend, family member, and myself. Efforts to educate and promote awareness of self-harm have been long overdue for a national effort. Amidst societal stigmas, discussing one's mental health can be met with misunderstanding and shame. Partnering with my school's chapter of Healthcare Occupational Students of America, I began to research mental health research and advocacy, particularly focusing on self-injury and its connection to suicidal intent. Through this research, I surveyed over 100 individuals and personally interviewed ten survey-takers. I discovered profound insights about myself and gained a deeper understanding of my own actions while also promoting mental health education to my peers. My own experience with self-harm is a testament to society's strict expectations. I grappled with the weight of stereotypes associated with my actions. As a high-achieving student in a loving, supportive family with kind friends, uttering the word "self-harm" in therapy felt like a betrayal of the person I thought I should be. I struggled to reconcile my reality with the idealized image of myself, coming to understand that my actions do not adhere to one singular expectation or stereotype, but rather the expectations I set for myself. The power of mental health advocacy lies in challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. Individuals with mental illnesses face not only the symptoms and disabilities resulting from their conditions but also the prejudice rooted in misunderstanding. By partnering with HOSA, completing research, promoting mental health awareness and resource posters, and inviting licensed psychologists to guest speak during club meetings with audiences of over 100 students, I am working to change perspectives, promote open and judgment-free dialogue, and dismantle inadvertent discrimination. My research initiative had a profound impact on my school community. Following the presentation of my findings at the HOSA Spring Leadership Conference, my school counselors recognized the importance of my research and took a more active role in promoting mental health within our educational environment. This was a significant shift that indicated that my research wasn't just data on paper; it had the power to inspire action and change. By fostering a more open and empathetic approach to mental health, my actions set in motion a wave of awareness and understanding that extended well beyond my initial research. It marked a pivotal moment in our school's journey toward a better understanding of self-harm and mental health, promoting a culture of support, empathy, and openness. Though my journey in mental health is ongoing, I am committed to raising awareness and promoting understanding.

In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide with an estimated 1.2M suicide attempts, among those, a classmate, friend, family member, and myself. Efforts to educate and promote awareness of self-harm have been long overdue for a national effort. Amidst societal stigmas, discussing one's mental health can be met with misunderstanding and shame. Partnering with my school's chapter of HOSA Future Health Professionals, I began to research mental health research and advocacy, particularly focusing on self-injury and its connection to suicidal intent. Through this research, I surveyed over 100 individuals and personally interviewed ten survey-takers. I discovered profound insights about myself and gained a deeper understanding of my own actions while also promoting mental health education to my peers. My personal experience with self-harm is a testament to society's strict expectations. I grappled with the weight of stereotypes associated with my actions. As a high-achieving student in a loving, supportive family with kind friends, uttering the word "self-harm" in therapy felt like a betrayal of the person I thought I should be. I struggled to reconcile my reality with the idealized image of myself, coming to understand that my actions do not adhere to one singular expectation or stereotype, but rather the expectations I set for myself. The power of mental health advocacy lies in challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. Individuals with mental illnesses face not only the symptoms and disabilities resulting from their conditions but also the prejudice rooted in misunderstanding. By partnering with HOSA, completing research, promoting mental health awareness and resource posters, and inviting licensed psychologists to guest speak during club meetings with audiences of over 100 students, I am working to change perspectives, promote open and judgment-free dialogue, and dismantle inadvertent discrimination. My research initiative had a profound impact on my school community. Following the presentation of my findings at the HOSA Spring Leadership Conference, my school counselors recognized the importance of my research and took a more active role in promoting mental health within our educational environment. This was a significant shift that indicated that my research wasn't just data on paper; it had the power to inspire action and change. By fostering a more open and empathetic approach to mental health, my actions set in motion a wave of awareness and understanding that extended well beyond my initial research. It marked a pivotal moment in our school's journey toward a better understanding of self-harm and mental health, promoting a culture of support, empathy, and openness. Though my journey in mental health is ongoing, I am committed to raising awareness and promoting understanding.

In today's society, financial responsibility plays a crucial role in shaping one's future and defining quality of life. As a high school senior living in a single-parent household and a prospective nursing student, I bear a deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact in the world, most precisely in the realm of healthcare and aspire to exemplify dedication to my community. I possess an unwavering passion for helping others which combined with leadership experience and continuous involvement in my community, has shaped my understanding of the significance of communication and compassion in healthcare. As I embark on my journey toward a nursing career, I prioritize a thoughtful and careful approach to managing money that will undoubtedly pave the way for a safe and prosperous future. My unwavering commitment to the nursing profession stems from an innate desire to contribute meaningfully to society. My dedication to serving others is not limited to academic pursuits alone but is a key perspective I endeavor to make evident in all aspects of my life. I understand that making a difference requires not only passion but also the resources to support my endeavors. By recognizing the importance of managing money carefully I ensure that I can continue serving others effectively. My understanding of financial responsibility is rooted in my community-oriented perspective and experience. To make an impact in the healthcare field, I recognize that being a wise steward of my financial resources will allow me to maximize my impact. By receiving the grants, I can alleviate the burden of worry for myself and my father while also building a financial foundation for college, reducing the need for excessive student loans and enabling me to graduate with less debt. This early start on saving money not only provides me with more financial security during my college years but also instills a sense of financial responsibility and independence that will benefit me throughout my academic and professional journey. As a dedicated nursing student, I understand the value of quality education while recognizing that investing in my education is an investment in my future and the lives I will impact through my nursing practice. My commitment to continuous growth and improvement is evident in my pursuit of professional development opportunities. I understand that investing in my skills and knowledge will not only benefit myself but also the patients I will care for in the future. By allocating my financial resources wisely, and attending workshops, conferences, and seminars relevant to my field, I will stay updated with the latest advancements in nursing and healthcare. My understanding of the vitality of financial stability not only stems from my passion for healthcare but my experience in the deaf community. Being involved with the deaf community since my freshman year of high school has instilled a deep appreciation for inclusivity and the power of communication. As I progress in my nursing career, I plan to actively give back to the community that has shaped me. My journey as a future nursing student encapsulates my profound enthusiasm to make a positive and sincere impact on the lives of others. By using money carefully and responsibly, I ensure a safe and prosperous future for myself, allowing me to continue serving others wholeheartedly. As I embark on this fulfilling path, my financial choices will align with my passion, enabling me to leave an indelible mark on the world of healthcare and beyond.

To be a leader is to lead with unconditional empathy. Empathy is a subjective sensation debated heavily by almost all divisions of society that are deeply influenced by one’s own experiences and relations. In recent years, thousands have marched on the streets of major cities to encourage others to expand their empathy for women, minorities and refugees in times of disparity. The limits of empathy pose a question many are asked in the wake of these most recent national and global events. Growing up as a female-identifying person, in my adolescence I detested my empathetic inclination. My ears stung when adults commented on my "sensitive personality," and praised my emotional awareness. However, as I mature, empathy is a trait I highly value and one I try to prioritize my actions and keep prevalent in my thoughts. Being empathetic has proved useful in forming valuable connections with friends and strangers and advanced my self-awareness and love for my community. Moral obligation is frequently referred to in terms of civic duties and selfless service. The basis of moral obligation implies that it is improper to suppose that all right acts are right for the same reason. However, it is critical to consider two possible grounds for moral obligation: 1) the goodness of the effects of an action upon the community, and 2) the goodness of the act itself. Moral principles are not deducible either from one single act of service, but rather the intent that the action is acted upon. I believe the basis of individual civic duties lay directly in the intent to which actions are performed as performing a righteous act cannot simply be right when done as an act of selfishness or in an attempt at personal gain. Theories of civic duty suggest that through communal ethics, society will benefit as a whole, and to this understanding, it is a civic virtue rather than a civic obligation to aid in your community. I believe that as a member of my community, it is my moral obligation to give back in forms of community service as small acts of assistance serve as catalysts in affecting positive modifications in society. Dedication, morality and empathy manifest in creating enduring positive change for the collective. I believe that empathy is crucial to creating a thriving society, as a force that unites communities regardless of initiative. The ability to connect empathically with others—to “feel” with them, to care about their well-being, and to act with compassion is a greater potency than any malicious intention or latency. Ramo was a short and stout man with the description of others of his old age. His sign name was an “R” to the chest, something he thought was perfect for him. Ramo had three children and a former beautiful wife, who he could not restrain from showing me pictures of. Ramo’s shaky and worn hands illustrated the story of his life to anyone who cared enough to listen. His dreams, values and his emotions utterly brought to life through his demeanor and charismatic attitude were enough to transition the aloof atmosphere of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Center to one of involvement and solace. Empathy and compassion are privileges of being a woman that is of utmost vitality regarding the creation of valuable connections in the community as a collective for years to come. To test the limits of empathy by confiding, connecting and relating to a stranger is among the many advantages of forming connections with one's community through empathy that manifest into becoming a benevolent leader.

In elementary school, I would craft butterfly-themed "Mother's Day cards" and sculpt my imagination out of clay to give to her as a gift. I would buy her flowers for Valentine's Day and write her notes to display my admiration. My father showed me what it meant to be a mother. He proved to me that a mother could be created through love and not simply a proclaimed title given so freely. He showed me what it meant to be gentle. He showed me what it meant to love and be loved unconditionally. He hung my cards on the fridge-which felt like an honor, and the juvenile sculptures forged out of praise remain still near his bed. My pictures litter his mirror and he refuses to throw away my flowers. A parent and a daughter- what a brutal combination of feelings, confusion and love. Everything that is possible and ever will be possible is done often in the name of love and rapport, from a daughter by her parent. The parent's injuries are handed down to the daughter, and the parent's disappointments are to be paid for by the daughter in the name of educational endeavors and personal oblation. We have all sensed the pain that our parents carry. And to some extent, we are all suspicious that we are the ones partly to blame for this pain- the ones rightful to be held accountable. But the truth is, no child can save their parent. No sacrifice a daughter has or may make will ever be enough to compensate the utterly unreachable price of the losses her parent has experienced over the years. The decision to compensate for this lack of love is entirely forged by love and loyalty. Growing up, I listened to my parent's failing marriage as a lullaby. I crafted my body into a punching bag and turned my voice into a whisper. I would think about my father and lay crucified in my bed. I was and am forever in debt to his labor and hospitality. He has learned to love me, while also learning to love himself. He has been pummeled by life, loss and upheaval and through it all, he has supported my mental and educational goals unconditionally. My father taught me what it felt like to be kind, and it felt like love. As I mature I learn that there is a ribbon of sacrifice laced through me. I bask in the chance to propose my exertion to any who dare to ask. I owe my father to thank him for this habit. Maybe it is cruel, as to be so optimistic to offer my love and labor, but I now as I grow I verge on the opportunity to give, as an attempt to amount to the giving he has done so freely and lovingly to me. Please take another sip. of my drink. And if you're thirsty, please take another. Please borrow my notes even if they're unable to read. I will proudly hang your pictures on my mirror. Please give me your flowers to keep for an eternity and I, too, will learn what it means to be kind.

Moral obligation is frequently referred to in terms of civic duties and selfless service. The basis of moral obligation implies that it is improper to suppose that all right acts are right for the same reason. However, it is critical to consider two possible grounds for moral obligation: 1) the goodness of the effects of an action upon the community, and 2) the goodness of the act itself. Moral principles are not deducible either from one single act of service, but rather the intent that the action is acted upon. I believe the basis of individual civic duties lay directly in the intent to which actions are performed as performing a righteous act cannot simply be right when done as an act of selfishness or in an attempt at personal gain. Theories of civic duty suggest that through communal ethics, society will benefit as a whole, and to this understanding, it is a civic virtue rather than a civic obligation to aid in your community. I believe that as a member of my community, it is my moral obligation to give back in forms of community service as small acts of assistance serve as catalysts in affecting positive modifications in society. This ideology parallels healthcare settings. Dedication, morality and empathy manifest in creating enduring positive change for the collective as a whole. Empathy is a trait I have highly valued since childhood and a trait that I try to prioritize through my actions and keep prevalent in my thoughts. It has proved useful in forming valuable connections with friends and strangers and advanced my self-awareness and development. I believe that empathy is crucial to creating a thriving society, as a force that unites communities regardless of initiative. The ability to connect empathically with others—to “feel” with them, to care about their well-being, and to act with compassion is a greater potency than any malicious intention or latency. The “R” handshape used in American Sign Language has a multitude of variations. It is the handshape you would use to label someone as “respectful.” It is the handshape you would use to ask if someone is “ready” or what “restaurant” they would like to go to. It is also the handshape you would use to refer to Ramo. Ramo was a short and stout man with the description of others of his old age. His hands were shaky and his hair was grayed. His sign name was an “R” to the chest- a description his community adopted for him that he believed was perfect. Ramo’s worn hands painted narratives of cultures unbeknownst to my hearing ears. Descriptions of trials through loneliness and efforts against affliction were illustrated through his hands as he encapsulated the story of his life to anyone who cared enough to see, watch and learn. Though the number of hours we spent together was not that large, his dreams and values largely brought to life through his demeanor, compassion and inordinate attitude were enough to transition the aloof atmosphere of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing center to one of involvement and solace. Empathy and compassion are of utmost vitality regarding the creation of valuable connections not only in a healthcare setting but in the community as a collective. To confide, connect and relate to a stranger is among the many privileges of forming connections with one's community. By working in a medical career I will verge on the opportunity to dedicate my passions, values, and empathy to creating lasting positive change through valuable relations with patients and families alike.

To be a leader is to lead with empathy. The “R” handshape used in American Sign Language has a multitude of variations. It is the handshape you would use to label someone as “respectful.” It is the handshape you would use to ask if someone is “ready” or what “restaurant” they would like to go to. It is the handshape you would use to ask someone the “rules” or the “results” of a game. It is also the handshape you would use to refer to Ramo. Ramo was a short and stout man with the description of others of his old age. His hands were shaky and his hair was grayed. His sign name was an “R” to the chest- a description his community adopted for him that he believed was perfect. Ramo was 73 and celebrated his birthday from the shallow comforts of his home with a familyless dinner. Ramo’s worn hands painted narratives of cultures unbeknownst to my hearing ears. Descriptions of trials through loneliness and efforts against affliction were illustrated through his hands as he encapsulated the story of his life to anyone who cared enough to see, watch and learn. Though the number of hours we spent together was not that large, his dreams and values largely brought to life through his demeanor, compassion and inordinate attitude were enough to transition the aloof atmosphere of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing center to one of involvement and solace. Often, moral obligation is referred to in terms of civic duties and selfless service. The basis of moral obligation implies that it is improper to suppose that all right acts are right for the same reason. However, it is critical to consider two possible grounds for moral obligation: 1) the goodness of the effects of an action upon the community, and 2) the goodness of the act itself. Moral principles are not deducible either from one single act of service, but rather the intent that the action is acted upon. The basis of individual civic duties lay directly in the intent to which actions are performed as performing a righteous act cannot simply be right when done as an act of selfishness or in an attempt at personal gain. To feel with others, regardless of cultural agenda or personal perspectives is a virtue of service in and of itself. The ability to connect empathically with others—to “feel” with them, to care about their well-being, and to act with compassion is a greater potency than any malicious intention or latency. Developing an understanding of the deaf world through community involvement has allowed me as a leader within my community to foster impartiality and broaden my compassion. Often there are polarizing lines dividing cultures aiding in the hindrance of empathy and selflessness. Being actively involved with not only the deaf community, but the community as a collective through selfless service has not only developed my morals and greatly advanced my love of giving back to the community. Recompensing the community through empathetic and solicitous immersion has paralleled the amelioration of self-contemplation and growth. Though it is optimistic to commend the shape of a hand for the urge to bask in affinity and tribute, I verge on the chronicles resurrected from Ramo’s palms in aspiration to display to others a sliver of the compassion I was given so freely.

Depression is not linear. Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the US. In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide with an estimated 1.2M suicide attempts, among those, a classmate, friend, family member, and myself. Efforts for the education and promotion of the importance of acknowledging non-suicidal and suicidal self-harm are overdue for a national push. By now, we're all well aware of the signs because of some informational video mandated by the school, made by a middle-aged psychologist who has been studying suicide for their whole life, but often we have yet to see suicidal information from those who have been directly affected. Unfortunately, we are also well aware of the stereotypical “sad” teenager who cuts themselves in response to emotional affliction, and the funerals with crying parents wondering how it could happen to their child, who was on the varsity sports team and made straight A's and just seemed so happy. A better understanding of factors related to the occurrence of self-injurious behavior facilitates more efficient and appropriate assessment and treatment. By breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and self-sustained injury, we are one step closer to diminishing the magnitude of self-injurious behavior. Because of societal stigmas, I often feel heavily shameful about discussing my mental health. By partnering with my school's chapter of Healthcare Occupational Students of America, myself and a team of two others who have been personally involved in mental health crises were able to embark on mental health research and advocacy regarding self-injury and its relation to suicidal intent. With the findings conducted in personal research, I have learned much about myself and found a deeper understanding of my actions. A few days after my sixteenth birthday, I purposefully harmed myself intending to end my life. I felt full of shame and struggled heavily to overcome harmful stereotypes associated with my behavior. Being a high-achieving student in a single-parent household, the first time I uttered the word "self-harm" in a therapeutic setting, the word stung my lips, turned my voice into a whisper and my body hallow. I'm a straight-A student, I belong to a loving, supportive family and have kind friends. I believed that this word and this action could not belong to me. But the truth is, depression is not linear. I would like to say I commanded myself to live as a testimony to my bravery and emotional endurance. That I verged on the possibility of those who waited to meet me and tucked myself into bed with comfort knowing that something beautiful might happen to me in the morning. I wish I could say that I knew all the trillions of chances my life still had for me, waiting for my arrival. And now, as I mature that I have grown to appreciate even the most desolate of times I have experienced. But depression is not linear. Many people with serious mental illness are challenged with both the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease, stereotypes, and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness. As a result of both, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life. To change our fixed perspectives is to allow for accessibility, spark open and judgment-free conversation, and avoid inadvertent discrimination. To properly unlearn and dissect our prejudices, it is critical to understand that mental health usually appears in different forms. By partnering with my school's HOSA chapter, I am one step closer to not only understanding my own battle with mental health but elevating my community in the understanding of the importance of mental health advocacy. Depression is not linear. My own battle with mental health is far from over and I often lay crucified in my bed still thinking of disappearing. However, though it may be cruel, as to be so optimistic to verge on inquiry, now as I grow I strive for the opportunity to give and to learn. It is my purpose and passion to inform as many as I can and to save as many as I can.