Substance use disorder is a severe issue that affects millions of people around the world. As someone who has struggled with substance use disorder, I understand the importance of education and advocacy in helping people recover and positively impact the world. When I was 14-16 years old, I struggled with substance use disorder of two substances that people generally do not believe to be abusable, Benadryl and Gabapentin. At the time, I was afraid to ask for help because people did not take me seriously when I did; they told me there was no way to abuse those drugs, so I must be okay, even though I knew I was not. However, I eventually got help and am better now. In the future, I will use my study of political science at George Washington University to help me understand how the lawmaking and political system work so I can effectively advocate for and implement strategies to make people understand that just because there is a label on the bottle that reads "non-habit-forming" doesn't mean it can't be addictive. I also want to advocate for laws regulating when a drug manufacturer can advertise a medication as "non-habit-forming." Furthermore, I want to educate people on ways to recognize someone abusing various substances, look for tell-tale signs such as unexpected drowsiness when they weren't that way before, and ask them about it without alienating them and directly accusing them of anything. This would help people struggling with substance use disorder to seek help and increase their general knowledge about substance use disorder and the different ways it can manifest. In addition, I want to work with organizations that provide support and resources to people struggling with substance use disorder and their families. I believe that providing education and resources to families and loved ones of those struggling with substance use disorder can also positively impact the world. My ultimate goal is to use my education and personal experiences to positively impact the world by raising awareness about substance use disorder and advocating for policies that support people who are struggling with it. I want to help break the stigma and discrimination surrounding substance use disorder and create a more supportive and understanding society for people working with it. In conclusion, I believe that education is a powerful tool in the fight against substance use disorder. I plan to use my education and personal experiences to positively impact the world by raising awareness about substance use disorder and advocating for policies that support people struggling with it. I want to help break the stigma and discrimination surrounding substance use disorder and create a more supportive and understanding society for people working with it.

At the age of 15, I began experiencing what I perceived to be "sleep attacks." I had no idea what was happening to me, and I had no idea what to do about it. These sleep attacks would happen multiple times a day at the least convenient times, like during class. I would suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to sleep, and I would be unable to fight it off. I would fall asleep for 10-15 minutes at a time, and when I woke up, I would be completely disoriented and confused. I had no idea what was happening to me, and I had no idea how to stop it. As a result of these sleep attacks, I missed a lot of schools. I could not attend class, so I missed a lot of classroom education. I could not participate in class because I was either asleep or recovering from a sleep attack. Because I lacked any official diagnosis, I was ineligible for any accommodations. I couldn't think of any concessions that would have helped me with my sleep attacks. During this time, my grades began to slip significantly. I could not understand and retain the material being taught in the classroom. I was constantly behind, and I was unable to catch up. I had a hard time focusing and I was unable to absorb the material that was being taught. This had a detrimental effect on my ability to comprehend and retain learning material. I believe I am a good candidate for this scholarship because I want to use this scholarship to advocate for more widespread recognition of narcolepsy as a learning disability. I want to raise awareness about narcolepsy and its impact on a person's ability to learn. I want to educate people about the effects of narcolepsy and how it can be a barrier to education. I want to raise awareness about recognizing narcolepsy as a learning disability so that people with it can receive the accommodations they need to succeed in school. I am motivated to pursue a law degree to advocate vigorously for people with disabilities like myself. I want to renew and strengthen laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act so that people with disabilities can have the same opportunities as everyone else. I want to seriously engage in politics and support more excellent laws mandating accessibility for people with disabilities. I want to be a voice for people with disabilities and ensure they are treated with respect and dignity. In conclusion, I believe that I am a good candidate for this scholarship because of my experience with narcolepsy and my motivation to advocate for people with disabilities. I want to use my education to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing narcolepsy as a learning disability. This scholarship will help me achieve my goals so I can positively impact the world.

The most significant impact a teacher has ever had on me was Mrs. Marsh. For context, the year before being in Mrs. Marsh's AP US History class, I struggled deeply with depression, suicidal ideations, and even some substance issues. I spent over six months away from school at a residential rehabilitation center, so beginning my junior year was quite a shock, primarily because of the large size of my high school. Though I was intimidated by taking an AP class, Mrs. Marsh helped ease me back into school, understanding that I had not been in a severe lesson in quite a long time. Mrs. Marsh also connected with me over our shared love of politics and showed me that I could enjoy school again, particularly the study of politics and how it works. In doing this, she helped me discover that I had a deep passion for government reform and interacting with my community, which led me to attend George Washington University to study political science. Mrs. Marsh was more than just a teacher to me; she was a mentor and a friend. She was always willing to listen to me when I needed to talk and gave me valuable advice. She helped me see that I had a purpose and that my struggles were not barriers to achieving my goals. She was always supportive and understanding, and I am forever grateful for her positive impact on my life. One of the lessons I learned from Mrs. Marsh that I will continue to exemplify in the future is the importance of understanding and empathy. She always made sure to understand where I was coming from and to be empathetic toward my struggles. This is a lesson I will carry with me in my future career as a lawyer and a public defender. I want to be able to serve underprivileged people and ensure that they have access to justice. By being understanding and empathetic, I will positively impact the world. In conclusion, Mrs. Marsh has made the most significant impact on my life. She helped me see that I had a purpose and that my struggles were not barriers to achieving my goals. She was always supportive and understanding, and I am forever grateful for her positive impact on my life. The lessons I learned from her will stay with me forever, and I will continue to exemplify them in the future.

My future education plans involve attending The George Washington University starting in the fall of 2023, studying political science. One of the aspects that I appreciate most about the school is its proximity to Washington, D.C., and the Capitol, where all the most important activity happens. Being near the heart of political action will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and network with professionals in the field. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend either George Washington Law School or Harvard. Studying law will give me the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve my career goals. My ultimate goal is to argue in front of the Supreme Court and positively impact the world. To achieve my career goals, I plan to work pro-bono and as a public defender after graduation. By doing this, I will be able to serve underprivileged people and ensure that they have access to justice. I believe everyone should have the right to legal representation, regardless of their financial situation, and I want to use my legal education and skills to impact the world positively. My future education plans involve attending The George Washington University and law school. My ultimate goal is to argue in front of the Supreme Court, and to achieve this goal, I plan to work pro-bono and as a public defender after graduation. By serving underprivileged people, I will be able to make a positive impact on the world and ensure that everyone has access to justice.

As a political science major, I understand that knowledge is power, and I plan to use my knowledge to make a difference in the world. With the world facing multiple challenges, I want to use my understanding of political science to advocate for solutions that will make the world a better place. My goal is to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and leave a lasting impact. One of the most pressing issues I hope to address is the housing shortage. In most cities, housing is becoming increasingly expensive, and many people find it difficult to afford it. I plan to use my knowledge of political science to advocate for more dense urban architecture, housing subsidies, and relaxing zoning laws to allow more apartment buildings. This will help increase the supply of affordable housing and make it accessible to more people. Another widespread issue that I want to tackle is the popularity of public transportation. We can reduce car dependency by making public transit more appealing to the public. By accomplishing this, we can save lives from traffic accidents and reduce the amount of carbon released, helping stop climate change, which is an existential threat to the planet. I plan to use my knowledge of political science to improve public transportation's popularity and make it a more viable option for people. Third parties should have more influence in politics. Many people are displeased with the choices offered by the Republicans and Democrats, and I want to advocate for a more significant impact from third parties to provide voters with another option. By doing this, we can create a more inclusive and diverse political system and provide more opportunities for people to have their voices heard. Finally, I want to look at examples of unnecessary voting restrictions, predominantly in the south, and how we can do away with them to expand access to voting. As we have seen during the reconstruction era, increasing access to voting is crucial in creating a more just and equitable society. In conclusion, I know I can make a difference in the world by using my knowledge of political science. I plan to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and leave a lasting impact on society. I aim to advocate for solutions that will make the world a better place and create a more just and equitable society.

My name is Bryson and I am an 18-year-old senior in high school in Keller, Texas. I have lived in this community my entire life and it has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Growing up in Keller has given me a strong sense of community and the importance of giving back. One of the ways I am connected to my community is through my church, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. I am a Catholic and have been actively involved in the church since I was a child. I have been a part of my church's mission council, which organizes various service projects and events to help those in need in our community. These experiences have taught me the importance of compassion and service, and have motivated me to want to make a positive impact on the world in the future. As I look toward my future, I have decided that I want to become a lawyer and a public defender. I am particularly interested in pro-bono work, which is legal work that is done free of charge for those who cannot afford it. I want to use my legal education and skills to serve economically disadvantaged people and ensure that they have access to justice. I believe that everyone should have the right to legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. I know that becoming a lawyer and a public defender will not be easy, but I am determined to work hard and achieve my goals. I am currently taking classes that will help me prepare for law school, such as government and economics. I also volunteer at a local legal aid clinic, where I assist clients with various legal issues. This experience has reinforced my desire to become a lawyer and has given me a glimpse of the positive impact that I can make in the world. In addition to my legal work, I also plan to actively volunteer and give back to my community. I believe that it is important to not only make a positive impact through my career but also through my actions and actions. I want to continue to be a part of my church's mission council and participate in other service projects in my community. I also plan to mentor young students and guide them in achieving their goals. In conclusion, I am an 18-year-old senior in high school in Keller, Texas, who is deeply connected to my community through my church and volunteer work. I am determined to make a positive impact on the world through my future career as a lawyer and a public defender, serving economically disadvantaged people. I believe that everyone should have access to justice and that it is my responsibility to ensure that they do. Furthermore, I plan to continue to volunteer and give back to my community in order to make a positive impact in the world.