Growing up in a family of first responders has had a profound impact on my life, shaping both my character and my future goals. My mother and sister are active members of the Odessa Fire Company—my sister serves as a volunteer EMT, and my mom supports the fire company through mandated fire and EMT trainings and other essential activities. She is also a community health nurse with a trauma background, and I’ve witnessed her bring calm, care, and professionalism to countless emergency situations. My father was also a volunteer firefighter with the Townsend Fire Company. His stories about responding to fires and helping people in crisis made a strong impression on me early in life. Service is not just something my family talks about—it’s something we live every day. Growing up around my mom and sister and seeing how dedicated they have really shown me the importance of staying focused, being responsible, and giving back—and those values are a big part of the goals I’ve set for myself. I also currently volunteer with the Odessa Fire Company. I’m also enrolled in the EMT program at St. Georges Technical High School, and I’m on track to become a certified EMT within the year. This hands-on training is preparing me not only for certification but also for a life of helping others in their most critical moments. One of the most defining moments of my life was being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2022. At the time, I felt overwhelmed. I had to quickly adjust to a new lifestyle that included blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections, dietary changes, and constant awareness of my health. Over time, though, I learned to manage it—and more importantly, I learned how to use the experience to connect with others. In many ways, my diagnosis has been a blessing in disguise. It forced me to take control of my health and motivated me to stay focused, driven, and determined to succeed. Living with diabetes has also taught me empathy. I understand what it feels like to be vulnerable and scared. I know what it means to face something unknown and life-changing. That perspective helps me offer comfort and understanding to others—especially during emergencies or medical crises. Whether it's on a call with the fire company, during my EMT training, or in everyday life, I try to be someone who brings calm and compassion to situations that are anything but. I plan to pursue a degree in nursing, with a focus on trauma care. My goal is to become a registered nurse working in an emergency department. I want to be the kind of healthcare provider who can make quick, confident decisions, and still provide comfort and reassurance to patients and their families. Nursing will give me the chance to bring together everything I've learned- from my own personal experience, my exposure to the world of first responders at home, my EMT skills, and the empathy I’ve gained from living with a chronic illness. In the future, I plan to continue serving with the Odessa Fire Company, advancing to EMT and maybe even joining my sister with a firefighter certification. I also hope to mentor cadets and help train future first responders, just as others have supported and encouraged me. Ultimately, I want to make a lasting impact—not only through a successful career in healthcare but also through ongoing service to my community. My journey began with the examples set by my family, and it continues through the training, education, and experiences I’m gaining every day. I want to continue to spend my life helping others, especially when they need it most, and doing it with compassion and understanding.