With my paternal uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather having all served in the Navy, and my maternal uncle currently training to become a state trooper, I think it's safe for me to say that serving people runs in my blood. I've always been taught that true strength comes from serving others and persevering through challenges. Leadership, resilience, unselfishness, determination, and work ethic aren't abstract traits in my life. They're values I strive to live out daily, and each of them has shaped my journey as a first-generation college student and continue to guide me as I pursue my degree and future career in publishing and/or digital marketing. Leadership, for me, begins with service. On campus, I serve as the Social Media and Publicity Chair for my school’s NSLS chapter, and I recently accepted the Vice President nomination for our Student Historical Society, where I had already been managing social media. Beyond my university, I lead a nationwide creative writing club for college students, where I coordinate meetings, manage members, and create a space where young writers can grow together. These experiences have taught me that leadership is not about titles, but rather about bringing people together and using your skills to empower those people to in turn use their skills to succeed as a group. Resilience has been essential in my academic journey. As a first-generation student, I faced both financial challenges and a rocky academic start. My ACT score was lower than I hoped, and my first semester grades did not reflect my potential. Instead of letting those setbacks define me, I used them as motivation to grow. Today, I am on track to graduate summa cum laude with a double major in English and History at the end of the year, proving to myself (and my friends and family, who've been watching me on this journey) that challenges can be overcome with determination and hard work. That's also where my work ethic comes to play. Between my academic workload, part-time internship at a marketing agency, family responsibilities, leadership roles, and writing career, I have learned to manage my time and energy strategically. I know that every effort, no matter how small, adds up to long-term success. Unselfishness and generosity are two traits VanNostrand kids have been taught their whole lives. I have over 100 volunteer hours logged serving homebound seniors through organizations like hospice programs and Meals on Wheels. At home, when both of my parents worked full-time, I stepped in to care for my younger siblings through cooking, cleaning, and helping them with their homeschool lessons. These responsibilities have given me a sense of purpose beyond myself and reminded me that true character is measured in what we give, not what we receive. Through all of this, it's been hard not to burn out (and I have before... a couple of times). But what fuels me through it all is my determination and grit. Since I was young, I have wanted to study English and become a writer. I mapped out a path to achieve these goals and stayed committed to them, even when balancing work, school, leadership roles, and family responsibilities felt overwhelming. I am proud to say that I am not only graduating with highest honors this December (and on a track to earn my master's degree immediately after graduation), but I am also working with a small press to publish my first full-length novel within the next year. These dreams aren't just dreams for me anymore. It's a reality I've worked toward with consistency and discipline.

Every story has the power to shift perspectives, and I believe God has called me to use that power in my writing for His glory. As a fantasy, romance, and suspense writer, I create worlds where despair is crushed by hope, where fears cowers to love, and where truth illuminates the darkness. My storytelling can change readers, even if it's just one reader at a time. When I craft a pirate fantasy, I'm not just setting out to write an adventure story, but a tale where redemption and second chances do exist. When I write a regency romance, I'm celebrating more than just the beauty of the genre, but also of God's always and forever love. Through my new adult Sherlock retellings, I set out to show how truth will always emerge from the shadows. In a culture saturated with hopelessness, my stories offer something different. The characters who face real struggles are still the same, but in my books, they discover that their worth isn't determined by their circumstances or past mistakes, but rather by putting their faith in the One who holds them. My readers find themselves in my flawed heroes and heroines, and find that transformation is possible through saving grace. I write because God gave me a voice and the tools (mainly a legal pad and Pilot pen) to use it. Every plot I craft and every world I build is an opportunity for me to reflect His character back to readers who desperately need to see that light. My stories may be fiction, but the hope between the pages is 100% real. When readers close my books, they can view their own lives not through a lens of despair, but one of hope. And that's when my storytelling can truly change the world.

As a first-generation student and oldest sibling of four children, I learned quickly that worth is not defined by your education status, or your annual income, or even what you do for a living. It's about how you use your God-given skills for the bettering of your community. I am worthy of my dreams because God has called me to be a vessel of His love, and over the past five years, I've witnessed how he's given me the gifts to fulfill that mission. Between my parents' installment of values like diligence and a good work ethic and God giving me an eternally curious mind, I've been using my skills in writing and encouragement to touch the lives of people around me. This calling first became clear through my nearly six-year commitment with the Memphis-Tennessee Ornithological Society. What began as simple tasks evolved into writing, editing, and designing their monthly newsletter, all of which used my God-given talents to educate others about His creation and build community among wildlife enthusiasts. This consistent service also taught me that faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibilities. Like my dad always says, "The reward for good work done is more given." My desire to help those who were lonely and forgotten shone through my extensive work with seniors across multiple organizations. At Crossroads Hospice, MIFA (Memphis Inter-Faith Association), Meritan Inc., and the Greater Nashville Regional Council, I created hundreds of letters and cards for isolated elderly individuals. I also stepped out of my comfort zone as a college freshman and worked for three months as a MIFA phone buddy caller, praying that my simple conversations could bring hope to homebound seniors. To me, these opportunities weren't just volunteer hours; they were chances for me to spread God's love to the people that society often overlooks. At Fayette County Animal Rescue, I wrote pet profile biographies for shelter animals because I wanted people to see God's creatures for who they were - lovable dogs and cats who needed a forever home. Through creative storytelling and some witty puns, I helped families find their perfect companions while advocating for animals who needed second chances. This work reinforced my belief that all of God's creation has value and purpose, even when the world's written them off as "high-maintenance" and "too broken to fix". And I'm by no means finished. My experiences revealed to me that my worth lies in being an instrument of God's love. Whether connecting shut-ins the outside world through letters, educating my local community about the importance of wildlife conservation, or helping animals find homes, I'm using my gifts to restore the connections God intended for His world. My dreams of expanding this work through nonprofit communications, community advocacy, and/or social services aren't career ambitions, but I believe they are a rolled-up package of callings to steward the gifts God's given me on a larger scale. I'm grateful to be considered worth investing in, knowing that God has used these five years to shape my heart for service. It's been a privilege to freely give my time and talents. I hope my volunteer work is a testament that I don't serve for recognition or reward; I serve because it brings me closer to the person God created me to be.

I have elected to pursue higher education for two reasons. One, I love to learn, and the school that I attend is full of classes on the passions that I love. Two, my parents did not have the opportunity to get 4-year degrees, and so I am earning my bachelor's degree in honor of them. If you've talked to me for more than ten minutes (okay...five...), then you know that I love three things in this world: reading, writing, and eating chocolate. I try to incorporate all three of these things in my daily life. While my friends were talking about going to the latest movie in the theaters, I was the nerdy kid who stayed up reading about World War 2 and medieval Europe, and scribbling my own stories about those time periods... all way past my bedtime. So, it was no secret to anyone when I told my family I wanted to major in English. I chose Professional Writing as my concentration because it was one of two options for an online degree, and because I wanted to use what I learned about editing and web design to launch my own editing business. The second reason I'm going to college is to honor my parents, who were never given the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. They have always pushed me to do my best and to work hard to pursue my dreams, and so I want to show them how much I appreciate their support by getting involved as much as I can in my school and by completing my double degree in English and History. As soon as I decided to go to college at the University of Memphis, I did everything I could to prepare. I applied to as many scholarships as I could, writing what I thought were good essays (now I cringe whenever I go back and see them) and submitting applications rapid fire. I watched video after video on study hacks, motivation, tools, and even what music to listen to to best help my brain focus. I bought G-2 pens, 5 Mead notebooks (college ruled, because I wanted to cram in as many notes as I could), a brand new weekly planner, and multi-colored sticky notes (that I managed to lose the second week of school). I pulled out all the stops. And then I took a break. Sat back in my seat, and really looked at what I was doing. And that's when it hit me. I was never really going to be ready for college. I could do all of this prep, and the first week of school would still hit me like a train. (Spoiler alert: it did.) But I kept two things in the center of my mind at all times: I was not going to drop out, because my education is too important to let slide. And...no matter how hard it got, I would strive for excellence in all things, because I wanted to be the best-educated version of myself that I could be. So, how do I prepare for each semester? I talk to my parents. I tell them everything that's going on with my grades, and they tell me what they think I should do. I bounce paper ideas off my siblings and friends, and for the most part, I just stay afloat in the sea of homework. It's hard, but it's a career worth working for. (Also, chocolate helps.)

"All the way, right away, and with a happy heart." Those words have been taped on my family's wall for as long as I can remember. My mom used to have me and my siblings repeat those words at lunch every day, reminding us that we needed to have a good work ethic and strive for excellence in everything we did. I didn't quite understand the full weight of those words when I was a child, but as I have grown older and have been challenged with more responsibilities, I have begun to realize what my mom was trying to tell me. And so, when I began my college career, I was determined to find and keep my own spirit of excellence. I view a spirit of excellence on two levels: an emotional/mental side, and a practical/doing side. The emotional part is what happens within me, and the practical is how I show that inner working. On the emotional side, I had to change my mindset. I had always struggled with excellence my whole childhood. I couldn't understand - or rather, didn't want to try to understand - the difference between completing a task and completing it to its fullest extent. (To be honest, there are days when I still struggle with this.) But the day I started college, I was determined to leave all my childish ways behind. So, I adopted the mindset of "all the way, right away, and with a happy heart", and have done my best to keep to that. On the practical side, I keep a running list of my main priorities, and do a mental check-in at the end of the month to see how well I'm performing in each category. (I'll also write it out in my journal so I can look back on how I'm doing.) I keep a weekly to-do list by my desk every day, and I highlight each task when it's done. Sometimes I don't get everything done that day, but everything gets highlighted before the week is over. But it all gets done, and it gets done well. And I don't just apply this to my personal and academic life - I do my best to show everyone I help how committed I'm to excellence. When I work on the monthly newsletter for my local ornithological society, I make sure I do my best in the design layout and the editing. When I do beta reading for the authors in my online writing group, I give my best comments and give them advice on their novels tactfully, but also honestly. My spirit of excellence has taken a lot of time, as well as trial and error, to create and to keep as I have progressed in my academic career and personal development. But I am committed to doing all things "all the way, right away, and with a happy heart". I will never lose sight of those words, taped up on our wall, reminding me what my responsibility is to my family, my friends and classmates, and myself.

Meme 1: #teenagerpost #teenlife #teenlife Meme 2: #hairmemes #girlzmemes #teenagerpost #teenmemes Meme 3: #reading #books #marvel #loki #lokilove #avengersinfinitywar #sadloki Instagram handle: @reading_writing_rhythym

My inspiration came when I visited the campus of my dream college. As I toured the halls of the dorms and talked to the professors of English, I felt like I belonged at that college. It felt like a second home for me: a place where I could mature and learn through the lens of a similar worldview as my own. I plan to attend a small-town private university close to my home. I want to study English because I have always loved reading and writing. I want to be a writer and inspire other people with my stories and novels. I hope that by earning this degree, I can learn more about writing and literature so that I can write better fiction.

Hi there! I'm Cathryn, a seventeen-year-old who wants to change the world. I'm a writer, amateur photographer (very amateur), relapsed bibliophile, and an aspiring musician. I love to learn all sorts of things (except science; I've never been good at natural sciences). I love the arts and humanities: history, English, logic, vocabulary, psychology. I desire to be a fiction editor. I know that's not as big a career as a lawyer or an architect. But I have been impacted so much by books; it was a book that led me to Christ, and another that inspired me to become a writer. I believe that words have the power to change your life; that's why I want to work in the book publishing industry. My goals also include being a published writer. I wrote my first story when I was eight; it was pretty awful. But finishing my first "novel" inspired me to create more characters, more plots. It's been nine years since that first writing endeavor; since then, I have drafted two novels, five novellas, and countless short stories. I am still unpublished, but I hope one day to be able to put my words out there for the world to see. In addition to my literary goals, one of my more distant dreams is to be a musician. I would love to become a musician one day; that's probably my dream job. I'm a terrible songwriter; you can ask anybody who has read my attempts at poetry and songs. But I self-taught myself the guitar and I can compose tunes, even though I've yet to learn how to read a music sheet. I prefer to learn how to play songs by ear; I will listen to a song on the radio or on my music streaming app, and within the next three days I can usually have it mastered. I also enjoy singing; God blessed my entire family with the gift of music, so I try to channel that gift. I can't wait to graduate from high school; I want to start the next chapter of my life. I want to meet new people and visit new places. I'm very eager to make a difference in my community; I want to help people whose voices cannot be heard. I want to be an advocate. There are kids in my neighborhood who haven't been blessed with a decent childhood as I have. I want to help them; I don't want the next generation of kids to suffer like my peers have. Overall, I desire to be a writer, singer, and advocate. I hope that next year after I graduate, I will have the ability to do these things throughout college and whatever else awaits post-college graduation.

The arts have always been important to me. I grew up in a musical family, and my parents are firm supporters of my writing. I was always told I could do anything if I set my mind to it. Thanks to this encouragement, I know how I want to impact people. I desire to be a full-time writer. I have been writing since I was 8, and I have loved every step of the process. I enjoy creating new worlds, and I have occasionally put these worlds into sketches. I love to create my own characters, some who are like me and others who are opposite. I have occasionally drawn these characters, although my sketching abilities are lacking. I prefer to channel my love for the arts in writing, music, and photography. I will use this scholarship to pursue an English degree. I believe writing and music can impact the world. I hope that through my fiction writing, I can change the world. I want to be an advocate for those who cannot use their voice. After undergrad school, I want to either earn an MFA or a Master's in English so I can broaden my job options. I hope that I can influence the world via my creativity. As stated before, I have been raised to appreciate the arts and what they can do for others.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” -J. R. R. Tolkien When I was in high school, a lot of things changed for me. I began to clamp down on my studies and try to succeed in school. I had recently become a Christian and was trying to live life by the Bible. This quote helped me so much during my freshman year. For the first week, I felt unmotivated. I was bored in my math and science classes and didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. About the same time I was trying to navigate teenagerhood, I started reading Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring. In Book 1, Chapter 2, Gandalf presents the ring to Frodo, who is reluctant to take on the heavy burden. When he laments his having to take on the responsibility, Gandalf tells him: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Ever since I read that, I desired to use my time wisely. We have a short amount of time on this Earth. It'd be best if we lived our life to the best that we can.

I wanted success; I ended up becoming my greatest obstacle, and it almost destroyed my future. When I was in middle school, I never studied. Most of my classes were Bs and Cs. Sure, my math score wasn't great and science was a C+, but things will get easier in high school, right? But when I became a high school freshman, my perspective drastically shifted. In high school, you are expected to know exactly what you want to do with your life. I had never thought about my life after high school before. My family couldn't afford for me to just live with them the rest of my life, and I wanted to find a new place to live and an exciting job. And so began the journey to discovering my true self. Going into high school, I knew there was no way I could graduate high school with a decent GPA if I kept the same rituals that I had in middle school. I needed a better plan. So I started studying for classes. I did my best to work on the subjects I knew I was terrible at. The first year of high school was very difficult; I was making myself give up the fun, self-gratifying pleasures of life every day to study chemistry and algebra. I hated it; I have never been a big science person. I don't mind it so much now, but I don't like to study it in school. And algebra wasn't much better; there were concepts that I had glazed over in middle school and shrugged off. But now I had to buckle down and really understand those numbers. And then I saw the final results. I had achieved a 4.0 GPA by the time I was done with 9th grade. That summer break, I applied myself to reading more books and improving my writing. I felt like I had high school nailed down. Sophomore year was a big turning point, however. It seemed like I had it all together. I was enjoying my classes, and I was actually succeeding in my science and math classes. And then I relapsed into laziness. I started with one assignment; It was a research paper on microorganisms for biology class. I didn't really want to work on it, so I pushed it off to the end of the week. Then I pushed off a science worksheet. By the time midterms had come around, I had fallen deep into old habits. I had procrastinated so much that my quizzes and tests came up with Cs and Ds. I was immediately grounded and I started losing my newfound hope that I could ever be a successful student. And then I saw my problem; I had gone through life expecting things to be handed to me. I didn't usually have to work very hard to get something. I had become a lazy person, and it was destroying my future. So I had to come up with a new mantra: "This is the day to be diligent; I will not let these lazy bones rule my life." Since that dreaded midweek of midterms, I have studied diligently, keeping my eyes fixated on the prize: a successful, productive life. I graduated from 10th grade with a 4.0 GPA, and as I write this, I have still maintained that 4.0 GPA as a high school senior. I've been accepted by my dream college, and the next five years are looking amazing. I hope that other students will learn like I did, that working hard will pay off in the end.

My family and I went bird banding in Mississippi. I got the chance to help catch and release birds from the banding nets. I was also able to help identify the birds we were catching, and afterwards, we released them. We banded at least 20 birds that day.