If you had asked me as a freshman what class I was most nervous about, I would’ve answered without a second thought: organic chemistry. Before I even stepped into the classroom, I had heard countless stories about how difficult it was—the kind of course that “weeded out” students, the one that even the best students struggled with. That reputation alone was enough to intimidate me. I remember sitting in the first few lectures feeling overwhelmed by the diagrams, reactions, and fast-paced instruction, wondering if I could actually keep up. But instead of letting that fear get to me, I made a decision: I was going to give it everything I had. I started attending STEM Guide hours every week, even when I wasn’t completely sure what questions I needed to ask. I spent time with the material outside of class, practicing problems over and over until things began to click. Most importantly, I built a strong relationship with my professor, who was always willing to explain complex concepts and encouraged my persistence. Little by little, the subject that once scared me began to make sense. To my surprise, by the end of the semester, I wasn’t just surviving the course—I was doing well. I started to genuinely enjoy the logic and puzzle like nature of organic chemistry. It felt like learning a new language, and once I started to understand its rules and patterns, it became something I looked forward to instead of something I feared. My greatest achievement came when I was invited to become a STEM Guide the following year. The very same program that helped me gain confidence was now asking me to step into a mentorship role. Becoming a STEM Guide was an honor, not just because it’s a selective and respected program, but because it meant I could now help other students feel supported the way I had been. As a STEM Guide, I attended organic chemistry lectures again—this time not as a nervous student, but as a peer mentor. I sat alongside students, helping clarify difficult topics during and after class. I held group sessions where we worked through take-home worksheets together, sometimes staying late into the evening to make sure everyone left with a better understanding. I saw students go from unsure and anxious to confident and capable, and it was incredibly rewarding to know I played a part in that transformation. This entire experience taught me a lot about who I am. I learned that I’m not someone who backs down from a challenge. Even when something seems out of reach at first, I’ve learned that with enough effort, patience, and support, I can not only overcome it—I can thrive in it. I also discovered a deep passion for helping others succeed. Mentoring through the STEM Guide program showed me how powerful peer support can be, and how important it is to build community in spaces where people often feel isolated. Looking forward, I hope to continue making an impact in education and mentorship, whether that’s through tutoring, research, or community outreach. I want to be someone who makes STEM fields more accessible and less intimidating—especially for students who might not see themselves as “science people” at first. If I can help someone else feel even a little more confident, more curious, or more connected in their academic journey, then I’ll consider that a success. What started as my biggest fear has now become my proudest achievement—and a foundation for what I hope will be a future filled with curiosity, persistence, and service to others.

In the small city of Decatur, a young student lived a comfortable life. She had a stable job, a loving family, and all the comforts one could ask for. Yet, despite her seemingly perfect life, She felt a nagging sense of emptiness. She yearned for something meaningful, something that would ignite her spirit and bring purpose in her life. Yes, she wanted to be in healthcare and help others, but what about those who aren’t hurting? What about those who need a helping hand outside of the hospital? That young student was me. It was a normal hazy day in November and I found myself anticipating my thanksgiving break. Suddenly I heard sirens and saw the sight of others gathering around with tearing eyes. Looking down to my left I realized the harsh reality that there was a house fire. I rushed outside and witnessed the profound loss and despair etched on the neighbors faces and soon discovered there were 2 kids inside of the burning house. Night came, and soon the silence. I stayed up all night listening and watching videos on what I could do to help that family that was split up by a place they shouldn’t have to worry about, a place they called their home. The next day I decided I should help those who were involved in the fire. I recognized that the rebuilding process was not wanted. Instead I gathered a small group of friends and coordinated efforts to provide immediate assistance to those left homeless. I gathered supplies, organized shelters, and offered food, clothing, and essential items. As one said, my unwavering dedication and selflessness inspired others to join the cause, and soon the community came together in an incredible display of resilience. The fire stole more than people’s lives and security and I wanted to address this by not only this house fire but others also. I knew that these families were hurting mentally and physically and wanted them to know that I am a helping hand. While there thankfully isn’t much house fires around I plan to keep up with Decatur until I attend college and make sure that they get what they need. I also plan on helping those who are struggling that unfortunately don’t have a place to call their own. It makes me feel special knowing that I could help those who have a broken leg and those who struggle with loss, whether it be a home or family member. I know the feeling of losing those who you hold dear to your heart and while I may not get everyone It gives me a sense of urgency to know I have touched someone's heart out there. Reminding myself everyday that it only takes one to make a meaningful impact on those who suffer the most. Looking back, I’m glad I got involved, that nagging sense of emptiness doesn’t reside anymore. Therefore, I strongly advocate for increasing our involvement in community service as it is a pathway to personal growth, enriching my life in profound and meaningful ways.

The role of a mother in shaping a child's life cannot be overstated. In my case, my mother's influence has been instrumental in my decision to pursue a career in healthcare. Her dedication to helping others, coupled with her unwavering compassion, has inspired me to pursue a path that would allow me to make a positive impact in people's lives. Growing up, I witnessed my mother helping those in need firsthand. As a nurse, she would often come home exhausted from long shifts at the hospital, but her dedication to her patients never wavered. I remember her telling me stories about the people she had helped, from newborns to the elderly, and how her work had made a difference in their lives. Her passion for healthcare was infectious, and it was impossible not to be inspired by her. My mother's work ethic and compassion have always been a guiding force in my life. In high school, I started interning at a local hospital, and it was there that I realized that healthcare was where I wanted to be. I was drawn to the fast-paced environment and the opportunity to help people when they needed it the most. It was clear that healthcare was not just a job, but a calling, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. As I progressed through my academic career, my mother continued to be a source of inspiration and support. Her experience in the field was invaluable, and she was always willing to share her knowledge with me. Her influence helped me to stay focused on my goal. Now, as a Certified Nursing Assistant, I feel a sense of responsibility to give back to my community. My mother has instilled in me the importance of serving others and making a positive impact in people's lives. I plan to do this in several ways. Firstly, I want to work in underserved communities, where healthcare resources are scarce. Seeing things firsthand in the hospital, I understand the importance of access to quality healthcare, and I want to help bridge the gap for those who may not have the means to seek medical care. I plan to work with organizations that provide healthcare services to these communities and to offer my skills and expertise to those who need it the most. Secondly, I want to help educate the public about healthcare issues. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and many people are not aware of the resources that are available to them. As a healthcare professional, I feel a responsibility to help people understand the importance of preventative care and to promote healthy lifestyles. I plan to work with community organizations to provide education and outreach programs that will help people make informed decisions about their health. Finally, I want to be a mentor and a role model for young people who are interested in healthcare careers. My mother was a mentor to many young nurses, and I have seen firsthand the impact that a positive role model can have on a person's career. I want to be that person for others, to help guide them through the challenges of healthcare education and to provide them with the support they need to succeed. My mother had dedication to helping others, coupled with her unwavering compassion which inspired me to work in a field where I can make a positive impact. I plan to give back to my community by working in underserved areas, educating the public about healthcare issues, and mentoring others who are unsure about what they want to do.

In our society, being quiet is frequently seen as a bad quality. Such emotions might result in low self-esteem and feelings of isolation and can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. Growing up, I often felt intimidated in social situations and was hesitant to share my opinions and ideas. I had a significant number of friends, but I struggled to express myself in social settings and frequently felt intimidated by other people’s attention, which caused me to withdraw into my own bubble and avoid socializing as much as possible. However, as I grew older, I realized that my shyness was holding me back from experiencing new opportunities and forming meaningful relationships. I decided it was time to overcome my feelings and step out of my comfort zone. I started by getting down to the root of it all and started to notice the intense fear I had of being judged and the lack of confidence when being heard. By understanding the root of what was happening I began to work on building my confidence and self-esteem. I stopped letting myself stay in my comfort zone and pushed myself to be in those uncomfortable situations by also letting people know the truth. I found a way to make it my duty to summon up the courage to start conversations with others and connect with others who have the same interests as me. It took some time but I finally started to see the differences in my changes and have even made some meaningful relationships. I started taking on new challenges at work and opportunities that I would have shied away from. When I got my job at the hospital I came to the realization that there are people who want to hear my input and truly care about what I say. Not only did I push myself to be in situations, but I also had to realize that we make mistakes and from there I can only grow and do more with what I learned which had a huge effect on my self-confidence in social situations. I made sure to engage myself with supportive individuals who knew where I’m coming from while I worked through those difficult times. I have gone on to be in one of the most communicational careers with healthcare and couldn’t see myself anywhere else. These experiences helped me to gain confidence and become more comfortable in social situations. Ultimately, my shyness is not an insurmountable obstacle, and has even made me more of a stronger person today. Through self reflection, self enactment, and improved communication skills, I have been able to get out of my head and become more confident in social situations. Talking with others and making my challenges aware was a huge step in making myself assured and strong. If it wasn’t for my determination and support I wouldn’t have realized that everyone has weaknesses that can interfere with their success, but addressing and overcoming them takes the right attitude and strategy.

As a student who has always thrived for stability and getting good grades, my goals don’t just include finishing college; they also include maintaining a good GPA. Along with that, I also want to take part in clubs and extracurricular activities and prepare for my future work. Since I have already put in a lot of effort to get where I am today, preparing my future won’t be difficult because I know the amount of hard work I intend to put in towards my future goal. Going to a small college will allow me to be more active in the classroom and in my studies by asking my instructors and my peers for further assistance. I plan to be a traveling Physician assistant and while I know getting there will take hard work and determination I plan to work with others and get insight on the field. I plan to get help when needed and utilize the opportunities given to me. In our society, being quiet is frequently seen as a bad quality. Such emotions might result in low self-esteem and feelings of isolation and can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. Growing up, I often felt intimidated in social situations and was hesitant to share my opinions and ideas. I had a significant number of friends, but I struggled to express myself in social settings and frequently felt intimidated by other people’s attention, which caused me to withdraw into my own bubble and avoid socializing as much as possible. However, as I grew older, I realized that my shyness was holding me back from experiencing new opportunities and forming meaningful relationships. I decided it was time to overcome my feelings and step out of my comfort zone. I started by getting down to the root of it all and started to notice the intense fear I had of being judged and the lack of confidence when being heard. I stopped letting myself stay in my comfort zone and pushed myself to be in those uncomfortable situations by also letting people know the truth. I found a way to make it my duty to summon up the courage to start conversations with others and connect with others who have the same interests as me. It took some time but I finally started to see the differences in my changes and have even made some meaningful relationships. I started taking on new challenges at work and opportunities that I would have shied away from. Working at a hospital, I came to the realization that there are people who want to hear my input and truly care about what I say. I made sure to engage myself with supportive individuals who knew where I’m coming from while I worked through those difficult times. I have gone on to be in one of the most communicational careers with healthcare and couldn’t see myself anywhere else. These experiences helped me to gain confidence and become more comfortable in social situations. Ultimately, my shyness is not an insurmountable obstacle, and has even made me more of a stronger person today. Through self reflection, self enactment, and improved communication skills, I have been able to get out of my head and become more confident in social situations. Talking with others and making my challenges aware was a huge step in making myself assured and strong. If it wasn’t for my determination and support I wouldn’t have realized that everyone has weaknesses that can interfere with their success, but addressing and overcoming them takes the right attitude and strategy.