Hello, My name is Breanna Sisler, and I am amongst the oldest of 11 biological and nonbiological siblings. I am I first generation college student, and possibly a first generation high school graduate. My entire life, my mother has worked two jobs just to keep up afloat. I got taken away from my mother at age nine due to abuse, and at age thirteen my father abandoned me. My mother was awarded custody the following year, and I received the help I desperately needed. That help involved multiple therapists and doctors. I had gone through three therapists before I settled with my current therapist of three years. My experience in the mental health care field as the patient has not been positive, as I’ve had Social Workers stare down at me on a hospital bed as if I were a science project. My previous therapists overlooked concerning behavioral issues, and after that, I swore to myself I would make the Social Workers field better for all. When I was in a local psychiatric facility, the nurse would scream at the patients and cry afterwards in front of us. Nursing, especially in the psychiatric field, is not easy, but it should not have been handled that way. I would begin my positive impact by advocating for proper treatment of nurses, as their treatment affects patients. I would then advocate for more funding for mental health care, as it isn’t accessible to most people in poverty. Mental health facilities are overwhelmed by the need, so that hints at either needing more professionals in the field, more facilities, or both. I believe everyone is worthy of an investment to their education. My past has taught me that I need to fight for what I want in life. I wasn’t raised with good academic discipline, I was allowed to skip whenever. I graduated with a 2.7 GPA because I essentially dropped out in 9th grade. When I began college, I was determined to do it right. I have the luxury of going to school, so I began to act like it. I finished my first semester with a 3.7 and recognition from the Deans list and Honors Club. I may be receiving placement of my cousin Kesha, who is thirteen and living with my disabled grandmother. She keeps getting in trouble with the law and running away. I want to show her that she can recover from the cards dealt to her, and that it’s worth it to graduate. I am determined to adopt her if her mother does not get custody back, and give her a better life than the both of us had. I will leave the world better than I found it. I will offer my time to help others in need, and hopefully set their lives on a better path than before. I want to return the kindness of others that donated their food to food centers that I and others relied on. I want to help provide resources to homeless shelters, and soup kitchens. I want to set a standard for my cousin, that she too can graduate. With my degree, I would have more power to advocate for those whose voices aren’t being heard. Thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you for the opportunity to write this essay, and for the work TJ has done for our country. I am currently seeking a degree in Social Work. I am pursuing this degree due to my past, I was a victim of not only physical abuse, but also sexual violence. I have spent my life feeling like I couldn’t get my skin clean, and I want to help people who were in my position realize there is still life to live after trauma. I’ve had therapists who seemed as if they did not have my best interest at heart, ignoring my cries. Every-time I close my eyes, I get flashbacks of the worst moments of my life. When I spent time in the hospital, I had hospital social workers look at me as if I were a test subject, and since that moment I swore I would change the field for the betterment of all. As for the military, I am looking into either the Navy or Army. More specifically, I am looking to be a medic. For the Army, that would be a 68w Combat medic, responsible for combat and humanitarian situations. For the Navy, it would be a hospital Corpsman, either working on a ship or the shore. I have not committed to these plans, as I’m still waiting for a recruiter to reach out to me to answer some questions, and I’m hoping to graduate with my bachelors in Social Work before I enlist, if possible. My mother isn’t supportive of this idea, she swears she won’t attend my basic training graduation. After Graduation if I haven’t already enlisted, I would enlist and pursue a medical career. I’m not sure at what length I would sign a contract for, likely beyond two years. After my enlistment period, I would likely settle into a Social Work career, making good of my promise to make the field more positive. I plan to come back to the military to work as an officer, as both the Navy and Army employ Social Workers. As a Social Worker for the military, I would help soldiers and their families over the hurdles of deployment. Helping those who sacrificed themselves and their families for our country is one of my top priorities in my career. Earning a degree in Social Work will not only change my future, but others as well. The mental health field is known to be scarce, and there is a suicide rise happening in my hometown Toledo, Ohio. It is even higher with veterans, I want to be one of the resources that help lower those rates for our citizens and troops. Thank you, Breanna Sisler

What motivated me to pursue a higher education was living in a lower income household with 8 children and struggling to create our own spaces. I care deeply about saving our oceans because there are animals who are suffering due to our negligence. The ocean s are a huge part of the world, and there are species amongst them that need protection or else they may go extinct. Avoiding items that may have micro beads, glitter, etc can help prevent so much water pollution. These thin plastics are hard to filter out of water when there are cleaning teams with nets as the plastics aren’t big enough to be caught. I plan on using my degree to become a marine biologist or conservation scientist to focus primarily on preserving and improving our environment and specifically our oceans. I want to work to clean up the plastics in our oceans, and to protect our animals habitats. Marine conservation resonates specifically with me as it combines my two most passionate interests, environmental and animal conversation. I will learn how to strategically manage the oceans resources sustainably to avoid habitat destruction, species depletion, and pollution. I'm interested in researching microplastics and their impact on the marine food chain. By understanding their pathways and effects, we can develop better filtration technologies and wastewater treatment solutions. Additionally, I'm passionate about advocating for policies that encourage sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Habitat protection is another crucial aspect of marine conservation. I envision myself studying the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems and working on strategies for restoration and sustainable fishing practices. At the current rate, plastic is expected to outweigh the ocean by time 2050. That gives us less than 30 years to reduce our pollution levels. Year after year, our animals are strangled by our plastics. Roughly 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled and suffocated in plastic almost yearly. Not only are the animals endangered, the plastics give off chemical pollution. Almost all plastics are made of plant warming fuels such as oil, gas, and even coal. The plastic sits in our water and the heat expands the plastic allowing it to give off the toxins. Plastics also create microplastics whilst sitting in our water. This poisons ground water and causes health issues due to the carcinogenic chemicals of it. The chemicals intervene with the body’s endocrine system causing reproduction, development, and immune disorders within humans and wildlife. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to and accelerates climate change. Ultimately, i’m passionate about this career because saving our oceans requires a collective and passionate effort. While I'm committed to contributing through my studies and future career, everyone can contribute. Supporting organizations that are working on ocean conservation, reducing our own plastic consumption by using plastic alternatives, and spreading awareness are all vital steps towards a healthier ocean.

My name is Breanna Sisler, and I’ve grown up mostly in the city parts of Ohio. My love for the outdoors is gardening and volunteering. I’m currently working on a volunteer project to mark storm drains and educate communities on why it’s harmful to dump chemicals down them. No one has truly been instrumental in me wanting to pursue a career in the outdoors. It’s the animals and the planets well beings that made me truly passionate about the outdoors. I care deeply about saving our oceans because there are animals who are suffering due to our negligence. The ocean s are a huge part of the world, and there are species amongst them that need protection or else they may go extinct. Avoiding items that may have micro beads, glitter, etc can help prevent so much water pollution. These thin plastics are hard to filter out of water when there are cleaning teams with nets as the plastics aren’t big enough to be caught. I want to work to clean up the plastics in our oceans, and to protect our animals habitats.I will learn how to strategically manage the oceans resources sustainably to avoid habitat destruction, species depletion, and pollution. I'm interested in researching microplastics and their impact on the marine food chain. By understanding their pathways and effects, we can develop better filtration technologies and wastewater treatment solutions. Additionally, I'm passionate about advocating for policies that encourage sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. I envision myself studying the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems and working on strategies for restoration and sustainable fishing practices. At the current rate, plastic is expected to outweigh the ocean by time 2050. That gives us less than 30 years to reduce our pollution levels. Year after year, our animals are strangled by our plastics. Roughly 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled and suffocated in plastic almost yearly. Not only are the animals endangered, the plastics give off chemical pollution. Almost all plastics are made of plant warming fuels such as oil, gas, and even coal. The plastic sits in our water and the heat expands the plastic allowing it to give off the toxins. Plastics also create microplastics whilst sitting in our water. This poisons ground water and causes health issues due to the carcinogenic chemicals of it. The chemicals intervene with the body’s endocrine system causing reproduction, development, and immune disorders within humans and wildlife. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to and accelerates climate change. Ultimately, saving our oceans requires a collective and passionate effort. While I'm committed to contributing through my studies and future career, everyone can contribute. Supporting organizations that are working on ocean conservation, reducing our own plastic consumption by using plastic alternatives, and spreading awareness are all vital steps towards a healthier planet.

I care deeply about saving our oceans because there are animals who are suffering due to our negligence. The ocean s are a huge part of the world, and there are species amongst them that need protection or else they may go extinct. Avoiding items that may have micro beads, glitter, etc can help prevent so much water pollution. These thin plastics are hard to filter out of water when there are cleaning teams with nets as the plastics aren’t big enough to be caught. I plan on using my degree to become a marine biologist or conservation scientist to focus primarily on preserving and improving our environment and specifically our oceans. I want to work to clean up the plastics in our oceans, and to protect our animals habitats. Marine conservation resonates specifically with me as it combines my two most passionate interests, environmental and animal conversation. I will learn how to strategically manage the oceans resources sustainably to avoid habitat destruction, species depletion, and pollution. I'm interested in researching microplastics and their impact on the marine food chain. By understanding their pathways and effects, we can develop better filtration technologies and wastewater treatment solutions. Additionally, I'm passionate about advocating for policies that encourage sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Habitat protection is another crucial aspect of marine conservation. I envision myself studying the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems and working on strategies for restoration and sustainable fishing practices. At the current rate, plastic is expected to outweigh the ocean by time 2050. That gives us less than 30 years to reduce our pollution levels. Year after year, our animals are strangled by our plastics. Roughly 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled and suffocated in plastic almost yearly. Not only are the animals endangered, the plastics give off chemical pollution. Almost all plastics are made of plant warming fuels such as oil, gas, and even coal. The plastic sits in our water and the heat expands the plastic allowing it to give off the toxins. Plastics also create microplastics whilst sitting in our water. This poisons ground water and causes health issues due to the carcinogenic chemicals of it. The chemicals intervene with the body’s endocrine system causing reproduction, development, and immune disorders within humans and wildlife. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to and accelerates climate change. Ultimately, saving our oceans requires a collective and passionate effort. While I'm committed to contributing through my studies and future career, everyone can contribute. Supporting organizations that are working on ocean conservation, reducing our own plastic consumption by using plastic alternatives, and spreading awareness are all vital steps towards a healthier ocean.

I care deeply about saving our oceans because there are animals who are suffering due to our negligence. The ocean s are a huge part of the world, and there are species amongst them that need protection or else they may go extinct. Avoiding items that may have micro beads, glitter, etc can help prevent so much water pollution. These thin plastics are hard to filter out of water when there are cleaning teams with nets as the plastics aren’t big enough to be caught. I plan on volunteering to preserve and improve our environment and specifically our oceans. I want to work to clean up the plastics in our oceans, and to protect our animals habitats. Marine volunteering resonates specifically with me as it combines my two most passionate interests, environmental and animal conversation. I will learn how to strategically manage the water sources resources sustainably to avoid habitat destruction, species depletion, and pollution. I'm interested in researching microplastics and their impact on the marine food chain. By understanding their pathways and effects, we can develop better filtration technologies and wastewater treatment solutions. Additionally, I'm passionate about advocating for policies that encourage sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Habitat protection is another crucial aspect of marine conservation. I envision myself studying the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems and working on strategies for restoration and sustainable fishing practices. At the current rate, plastic is expected to outweigh the ocean by time 2050. That gives us less than 30 years to reduce our pollution levels. Year after year, our animals are strangled by our plastics. Roughly 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled and suffocated in plastic almost yearly. Not only are the animals endangered, the plastics give off chemical pollution. Almost all plastics are made of plant warming fuels such as oil, gas, and even coal. The plastic sits in our water and the heat expands the plastic allowing it to give off the toxins. Plastics also create microplastics whilst sitting in our water. This poisons ground water and causes health issues due to the carcinogenic chemicals of it. The chemicals intervene with the body’s endocrine system causing reproduction, development, and immune disorders within humans and wildlife. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to and accelerates climate change. Ultimately, saving our oceans requires a collective and passionate effort. While I'm committed to contributing through my studies and future career, everyone can contribute. Supporting organizations that are working on ocean conservation, reducing our own plastic consumption by using plastic alternatives, and spreading awareness are all vital steps towards a healthier ocean.

I care deeply about saving our oceans because there are animals who are suffering due to our negligence. The ocean s are a huge part of the world, and there are species amongst them that need protection or else they may go extinct. Avoiding items that may have microbeads, glitter, etc can help prevent so much water pollution. These thin plastics are hard to filter out of water when there are cleaning teams with nets as the plastics aren’t big enough to be caught. I plan on using my degree to become a marine biologist or conservation scientist to focus primarily on preserving and improving our environment and specifically our oceans. I want to work to clean up the plastics in our oceans, and to protect our animals habitats. Marine conservation resonates specifically with me as it combines my two most passionate interests, environmental and animal conversation. I will learn how to strategically manage the oceans resources sustainably to avoid habitat destruction, species depletion, and pollution. I'm interested in researching microplastics and their impact on the marine food chain. By understanding their pathways and effects, we can develop better filtration technologies and wastewater treatment solutions. Additionally, I'm passionate about advocating for policies that encourage sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Habitat protection is another crucial aspect of marine conservation. I envision myself studying the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems and working on strategies for restoration and sustainable fishing practices. At the current rate, plastic is expected to outweigh the ocean by time 2050. That gives us less than 30 years to reduce our pollution levels. Year after year, our animals are strangled by our plastics. Roughly 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled and suffocated in plastic almost yearly. Not only are the animals endangered, the plastics give off chemical pollution. Almost all plastics are made of plant warming fuels such as oil, gas, and even coal. The plastic sits in our water and the heat expands the plastic allowing it to give off the toxins. Plastics also create microplastics whilst sitting in our water. This poisons ground water and causes health issues due to the carcinogenic chemicals of it. The chemicals intervene with the body’s endocrine system causing reproduction, development, and immune disorders within humans and wildlife. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to and accelerates climate change. Ultimately, saving our oceans requires a collective and passionate effort. While I'm committed to contributing through my studies and future career, everyone can contribute. Supporting organizations that are working on ocean conservation, reducing our own plastic consumption by using plastic alternatives, and spreading awareness are all vital steps towards a healthier ocean.

In the tapestry of life, we often encounter individuals who leave an enduring mark on our souls, shaping ourselves and guiding our paths. While I may not have had the privilege of such a deep connection in my childhood, I have always harbored an unyielding passion for extending a helping heart to those in need. Growing up in an environment devoid of positive influences, I found peace in the belief that even the smallest acts of kindness could make a world of difference. Despite the challenges I faced, my resolve to make a positive impact never wavered. I sought opportunities to volunteer at local libraries. Through these experiences, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassion and empathy. Each person I encountered, regardless of their background or circumstances, had a unique story to tell, and I was humbled by the resilience and strength they displayed in the face of adversity. As I delved deeper into the world of service, I realized that true fulfillment came not only from providing material support but also from forging genuine connections with those I helped. By taking the time to listen, offer words of inspiration, and simply be a shoulder to cry on, I discovered that I was not only making a difference in their lives but also enriching my own in immeasurable ways. The act of giving became a reciprocal exchange, where I received just as much as I offered. Over time, my passion for service evolved into a unwavering commitment to social justice. I decided that I wanted to help those who felt the same loneliness as myself. Taking the time to get a masters degree in Social Work was solely inspired by my troubled endeavors as a child and witnessing the people I loved struggle. Today, I stand on the cusp of adulthood, filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me. While I may not have had a single individual who profoundly impacted my life, I have been blessed with the unwavering support of countless mentors, friends, and community members who have inspired me to pursue my dreams and make a difference in the world. Many of my current teachers believe in my dreams. Their belief in me has given me the courage to continue onto my journey for social work, embrace challenges, and strive to be the best version of myself. As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I am confident that the lessons I have learned and the connections I have gained will continue to guide me. I am eager to use my voice, my skills, and my passion to advocate for those who are voiceless and to create a more just and equitable society for all.

I envision myself as a compassionate and trusted counselor in a civilian role in the army or in a hospital setting. I hope to use my degree in Social Work to help people feel closer for their past endeavors. I want to help people realize there’s more to life than bubbling hatred and the unfortunate feeling of sadness. I specifically chose the Social Work path because I am deeply passionate about helping those who are in dire circumstances with their mental health. I envisioned myself possibly having a job in as a civilian counselor in the army so I can help the children on military bases or help the soldiers who may need it. The opportunity to serve in a civilian capacity within the military truly resonates with me, as I am hoping to provide support to children, parents and soldiers who have endured the horrors and sacrifices of military life. I live in an unfortunate area of town and not a lot of our people have access to mental health services, whether that be a physical way to get there or their medical care. That has ignited a deep desire to improve mental health services availability and ride shares. The long term goal extends beyond my profession. My goal is to be able to push my community and people to be better. I hope to be able to teach young children and adults to recognize that gangs and negative stereotypes aren’t the only way of living and that it’s not the only thing their life entails. Many people believe that all they’re good for is this dangerous activities, and that they’ll never succeed in anything else and I hope to be able to help them change that thought process. I hope to leave a positive impact on my community and its people. I envision myself as a mentor and advocate, guiding young people toward paths of success and fulfillment. Additionally, I will use my degree to help adults with grief that they struggle to recover from on their own, providing them with support and resources to aide their recovery. Although the hurt will be everlasting, I want people to feel a sense of relief and happiness for their loved one. Through my dedication to make a positive impact, I am confident that I will be able to make a lasting contribution to my community and the lives of countless individuals.

In five years, I envision myself as a compassionate and trusted counselor in a civilian role in the army or in a hospital setting. I hope be in a financial position to have bought a house by then. Within the next decade, I am confident within myself to be established firmly as a counselor within my job. I envision myself being dedicated on improving lives of those in need. I will be donating goods and volunteering my time to people who need it. While I do not currently plan on having children, if I one day change my mind within those ten years, I am open to having a child and they will be adopted. I would choose adoption so that I can help a child who needs support and a sense of security. I recognize the joy that comes with having a child and the fulfillment providing a loving home to them. I specifically chose the Social Work path because I am passionate about helping those who are in unfortunate circumstances with their mental health. I envisioned myself possibly having a job in the civilian the army so I can help the children on military bases or help the soldiers who may need it. The opportunity to serve in a civilian capacity within the military truly resonates with me, as I am hoping to provide support to children and soldiers who have endured the horrors and sacrifices of military life. I live in a dodgy town and not a lot of people have access to mental health services and that has ignited a deep desire to improve mental health services availability. The long term goal extends beyond my profession. My goal is to be able to push my community to be better. I hope to be able to teach young children to recognize that gangs and negative stereotypes aren’t the only way of living and that it’s not the only thing their life entails. Many people believe that’s all they’re good for and that they’ll never succeed in anything else and I hope to be able to help them change that thought process. I envision myself as a mentor and advocate, guiding them toward paths of success and fulfillment. Additionally, I see myself helping adults with grief that they can’t recover from on their own, providing them with support and resources to aide their recovery. Through my dedication to make a positive impact, I am confident that in five to ten years I will make a lasting contribution to my community and the lives of countless individuals.

I admire Zendayas fashion and acting aspects. I grew up watching her in Shake It Up Chicago, K.C Undercover, Spider Man movies, and The Greatest Showman. I hope I can see her upcoming role in Dune. Zendaya has a creative and unique sense of style when it comes to clothing, and I adore her fashion sense. Zendaya is a great role model for little girls. In such roles as Shake it Up Chicago, Zendaya often wore struck bold colors and layers. I often tried to replicate those color palettes and layers patterns to look like her. It was inspiring to grow up as a little girl with no good role models to see Zendaya succeed. To see a young woman in such powerful roles is inspiring and admirable. I admire the fact that Zendaya is in a career where a lot of women are belittled, but she’s still rising the ranks. Zendaya received recognition from Times Magazine for being one of the one hundred most influential people of 2022. She plays in many roles in popular movies and shows, Zendaya is such a career oriented woman. Not only is that inspiring and admirable, it shows that women can succeed in Hollywood without being torn down by sexism.

When I was a child, some very unfortunate events happened to me and I felt alone. I felt as if no one cared enough to notice whether I was alive the next day or not. As that child, I remember feeling disgusting and unworthy. I was often told that I had nothing to be upset over. No one knew what happened to me until I opened up about it in 2020 because I protected my perpetrator in favor of their own mental health. Regardless of whether my family knew or not, belittling my experience caused me a lot of issues along the line. I felt like a burden for my own mental health. When I was thirteen years old, I would often talk people out of their lowest moments, whether that be suicide, harming themselves, or even just crying. Even to this day, I’m still guiding my mother along the path of healing and responding better to criticism. My mother claims she’s a better person than she was before she received custody of me again. Mental health is beyond important to me because there’s still that unyielding feeling of disgust and sadness within me. I had and still have family members with severe mental health conditions, and it’s painful to know there’s people around the world who are in the same boat and feel alone. I often still open myself up to others online so they can vent and feel a sense of support. I advocate for those with mental health issues online in places like Facebook, online forums or even in person. I’m currently working on destigmatizing mental health and its consequences with those around me. It’s very easy to look at a person who is different from us and discuss their looks without thinking about their experiences and why they may be that way. I specifically enrolled into college for the Social Work career to help those in dire situations. I would love to be able to help people who felt the same way as me and who struggle to keep their head above water. I want to be the person that I and many others needed. There are people all over the United States who need someone to believe they can be better. They need to have support behind them to make their journey easier. I’m always actively looking for ways to help out within nonprofit mental health facilities within my community, to just lend a hand to make things easier for others.