Imagine...it is possibly the last tennis match of your high school career. You win your first two matches, in subtle pain, and now it is time for the final game. The winner will be crowned the District 5, 8, and 9 Champion. I felt it, and there was no escape. My shin splints were back. I had gone the entire tournament playing two other matches with little to no pain, but of course, they decided to show up in the championship match. My opponent knew how to make my legs want to fall off, and she was using my pain to her advantage by running me all over the court and dropping short shots. I could no longer hide it. I began screaming in pain and wincing to get every shot that I could. I was limping, and I had nothing left to give. I lost the first set six games to four, but I was not ready to let my dreams of getting to the state playoffs in Hershey, Pennsylvania, end. I fought through every single bit of torturous pain, and I won the second set six to four. I was gearing up to play my final set, which would determine the winner. My coach could not talk to me in between games or sets. I was all on my own out there on the court, so I thought... I looked up to notice my coach running up and down the fence, screaming for me. Though she could not be with me on the court, she was going to be my biggest fan. To many, she looked like a fool running around, cheering for me, and losing it when I made a good shot or scored, but to me, she was my biggest motivator. She was the one who refused to allow me to give up. And when I walked off that court, having won my final set six to one, she was there to give me the biggest hug. I had never seen anyone smile as big as she did that day. She did not just sit there like my opponent's coach. Tennis is a very quiet sport, and the fans typically stay fairly quiet. She made herself look like a crazy person just for me when she knew she did not have to. Knowing that she cared and how much she wanted me to succeed was the biggest motivator for my overcoming this challenge. At some points during the match, she was making me laugh and helping to take my mind off of the pain. I will forever be thankful for her igniting a spark in me to never give up and push forward through all of the obstacles I faced that day. Oh, and Hershey was an experience that I will never forget. And just like David, I have a fighting spirit. Shin splints may have hurt, but I did not let them deter me from reaching my dream. I also had to push through them during my final year of varsity basketball. Especially in a team sport, I knew I could not let my team down and not play because I was a starter and they needed me. Through every KT tape leg wrap and bag of ice, I was playing for my girls, and we even won the District 5, 8, and 9 Basketball Championship this year as well. Working hard for my team and supporting them through my pain made us all work even harder. To my community, coaches, family, and teammates, we did it twice this year: two district championships, baby!

As an ordinary and occasionally self-centered child and teen, I have always believed that the world should revolve around me, my needs, my wants, and my life. In fact, when I was a child, I would sit in the middle of rooms, thinking that all eyes would then have to be on me. At a family party? I was in the middle of the room. In the classroom? I was in the middle of the room. However, my life was completely flipped upside down when I began to volunteer. My volunteering began as something that I did to be a part of the National Honor Society, but today it is something that I am extremely passionate about. It has become something I would rather do than something I have to do. One of the most impactful volunteer projects that I have taken part in was volunteering as a basketball coach at the Little Lions Girls Basketball Organization. While helping these young girls learn basketball, I realized how much they endure in their lives that I never had to, all in their short ten years of life. These girls felt comfortable with me; therefore, they felt safe confiding in me their hard life stories. The most heartbreaking story one girl told me was about the passing of her father, but I also heard about divorces, the deaths of family members and beloved pets, and even the drama that they were facing in school. Though I was not prepared to learn so much about these girls, it opened my eyes. I had been so fixated on my little bubble that I neglected to learn anything about the people in my community. Through my four years as a coach, I learned how much people can endure in such a short time, and all it takes is listening to someone to learn about what they are going through, although they may not show it on the outside. I must also be thankful for the health of my family, me, and my friends. I saw eight-year-olds with pigeon toes, diabetes, and low blood sugar just happy to be playing a sport, even though they were in pain. A sport that I have played my entire life and have never been truly thankful to play. Due to my time volunteering, my mindset is now vastly different than before. It has made me more grateful for what I have, made me a much more empathetic and caring person, and made me someone who wants to reach out and talk to people. I am no longer only focused on myself, and I surely would rather sit, listen, and help everyone else than sit in the middle of the room. Winning this scholarship would be both a blessing and a huge help. I come from a family of five where money has always been tight. Both of my parents work forty-five minutes away from home, and neither of them, even though they constantly apply, can get jobs closer to home. The extremely high gas prices have made financial matters even worse for my family. On top of that, I have two growing brothers that my mom has to feed. Therefore, I will have to pay for college all on my own. I have been working every chance I get and applying for hundreds of scholarships. I also plan on attending law school, which is beyond expensive. Any scholarship that I get will assist me in achieving my dream. It seems impossible financially, but a scholarship like this would get me one step closer.

I live in an extremely small town called Chestnut Ridge, which many of you probably do not even know. About four years ago, I moved from another small town called Bellwood to where I am today. While my life there was good, what I was learning about the world and mainstream media was completely backward and morally incorrect. The worst thing I was learning about was abortion. In my hometown, Bellwood, people believed that abortion was perfectly acceptable. My friends had me convinced that abortion was what women should be allowed to do if they did not want a child. I believed, too, for the longest time that killing an innocent child was okay to do. I thought a woman should be allowed to do what she thinks is correct. Do you not want a child? Kill it. Seriously, I had this belief for years. I am not proud to say that I believed what I did; in fact, I still pray each and every day that God forgives me for what I thought was right. I really did not even know much about abortion, to be completely honest. I just went with what my pro-choice friends believed because they were my friends. Although looking back on my past life, I am upset with myself. Yet I am happy that I was able to go through this experience. Why? Well, this experience led me to where I am today as a person. I moved to a school and church where everyone is pro-life. I began to do research. I read countless articles on abortion and its negatives. I met with people who were supposed to be aborted, and I attended many pro-life banquets and seminars. I finally took the time to learn about a topic that I was brainwashed to think was good. This was truly the greatest thing that I have ever done for myself. Today, I am even closer to God because of this experience. He believes that all lives are important, even if they are in the womb, and I do as well. Life begins at conception, and we must be smart if we are not ready for children. This experience is why I have dedicated hours of work to writing research papers on abortion and voicing my opinion as well as the facts. Any chance I get to do a school project on abortion, I take that opportunity. This allows me to reach my teachers and peers. Education and voicing your story are extremely important to the pro-life movement. That is why I have written pro-life research papers for others to read. I have even sent these papers to my old friends. So that they can also learn why what we thought was correct was horrible. I also voice my own story in conversations with friends, family, strangers, etc. If you have the time to talk, we can talk about why abortion is wrong. I want people to know that just because we may believe that abortion is correct, we can learn, become closer to God, and change our views. Nothing is set in stone. Opinions, views, and people can change. I did. Now, I am a proud pro-life individual and activist. This title has become a part of my character and my life.

Recently, my five friends and I went to breakfast. We sat down, only to see our friend Noah and his father. Not thinking much about it, we ate and went to pay when we were told someone had paid for our meals. It was our friend’s father. My friends and I were grateful, and this act of kindness made our day. Just like my friend’s father did for my friends and me, it is extremely important to help others because spreading kindness is the easiest way to make someone feel good. Helping others does not have to be a grand gesture; it could be as simple as holding the door open for someone. When you help others, you create a positive ripple effect that affects everyone around you. When someone does something nice for you, it is easy to feel inspired to do the same, and the cycle continues. Helping others is also a way to build connections and community. When you volunteer or donate to a cause, you are becoming a part of something bigger than yourself. You are joining forces with other people who want to make a difference, and that sense of teamwork is invaluable. Working together toward a common goal can create lasting bonds and a sense of belonging. Helping others can also expose you to different perspectives and experiences. When you are focused on helping others, you are forced to step outside of your bubble and consider the needs of someone else. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding of others. Beyond elevating someone's mood, volunteering or donating to a cause can make a real difference in someone's life. There are many people out there who are struggling and could use a hand. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a huge impact. Donating to a charity or volunteering at a soup kitchen can all make a significant difference in someone's life. You have the power to help someone who is struggling, and that is a truly amazing feeling. Helping others is also good for your own mental and physical health. Studies have shown that volunteering and practicing acts of kindness can reduce stress and anxiety and increase feelings of happiness. When you help others, you are focusing on something outside of yourself, and that can be a great way to escape your worries and problems. Additionally, volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is hard to find elsewhere. When you are volunteering, you know that you are making a positive impact on the world, and that is incredibly empowering. Finally, helping others is simply the right thing to do. We all share this planet, and we are all in this together. If we want to create a better world for ourselves and future generations, we need to work together and lift each other up. Everyone has something to contribute, and everyone deserves to feel valued and supported. When you help others, you are contributing to the greater good. You are helping to create a brighter and more hopeful future for us all. In conclusion, helping others is one of the most important things we can do. From making someone feel good to making a tangible difference in someone's life, there are countless reasons to help others. Through volunteering and practicing acts of kindness, we can build connections and community, improve our own physical and mental health, and create a brighter future for ourselves and everyone around us. So next time you have the opportunity to help someone, take it. The world will be better for it.

Helping Others, Hard Work, and Fulfillment Like many young children, I was what I like to call a "Chatty Cathy." I could talk anyone's ear off and have conversations with just about anyone or anything, even inanimate objects, for hours on end. As I got older, this stuck with me. I can easily talk to strangers, speak in public, and feel comfortable with anyone. Especially in choosing a career path, which is a major decision that has a significant impact on lives around the entire world, these skills have assisted me in deciding what my future holds. Furthermore, as a student, I have spent ample time exploring many different career options and deciding what I want to study in college. The process was both exciting and overwhelming at times, as there are countless paths to choose from. Yet, after tiresome hours and figuring out what is just right for me, I have finally figured out what careers I will be exploring in college: lawyer and pharmaceutical sales representative. Both of these career paths will provide me with incredible opportunities, but it will take nothing but hard work and determination to overcome the hardships that come with either of these careers. The path of a lawyer will require years of education and training, but it will also be rewarding and fulfilling. On the other hand, I am also considering a career in pharmaceutical sales. This field is competitive yet growing and can provide ample opportunities to work in a lucrative industry. However, while there are positives and negatives to both of these career choices, I truly believe that both of these potential careers will bring me fulfillment. This fulfillment will go far beyond providing me with decent pay, but each career will offer me a range of opportunities to help people, which was one of my top priorities when picking my desired career choices. Fulfillment as a lawyer will come from my ability to represent individuals and organizations in need of legal assistance. This can include advocating for justice, defending people’s rights, or helping clients navigate complex legal issues. Becoming a lawyer will be a challenging and rewarding process, and I will not only be helping people but also expanding my knowledge, as I will need to develop strong analytical and reasoning skills and an in-depth knowledge of the law. Similarly, fulfillment as a pharmaceutical sales representative will arise from my ability to help people by providing valuable information about medication and treatments. I will be able to work to build relationships with healthcare providers and educate them on new therapies and drugs. In this way, I can help improve patient outcomes and significantly contribute to the healthcare industry. Just like with a law path, I will be highly increasing my knowledge as this field requires a high degree of interpersonal skills, which I already have a stable foundation to build upon, as well as knowledge of pharmaceuticals, chemistry, biology, and other sciences. In conclusion, the fulfillment that I will get from either of these careers will come from my ability to make a difference in people’s lives and in the world around me. With hard work, dedication, and the right skills and knowledge, I will be able to find success and fulfillment in whatever path I choose.

Imagine letting the music flow through you, and your feet feel the beat. One technology, from an older era, that inspires me about the way in which technology can make the world a better place is record players. Record players are beyond inspiring to me because they are a piece of technology that has been around for generations, and while they were out of style for some time, they have come back in recent years. A comeback that has been truly amazing for me to witness as a teenager in 2022. I vividly remember, as a young child, seeing my great grandmother's record player playing an Elvis record. As she danced around the kitchen table with my great grandfather while singing and dancing, like no one else was around. Those memories are some that I will never forget, and they take me back to a time where life was simpler. Record players are a technology that will be around forever. The first record player was created in 1877, and over 100 years later, they are still as popular as they were when they were first made. Record players have brought music into the home for centuries, and while it seemed as though phones would make them obsolete, just the opposite has happened. Record players now have built-in bluetooth speakers that our phones can connect to, yet still allow us to use records. They have combined the new with the old and made a piece of technology that is truly inspiring to be able to use today. Touching something that our ancestors used to use is incredible. Listening to my great grandparents' favorite records is something I never believed I would be able to do, but unlike many other things, record players refuse to die off. Vinyl also provides a better approximation of hearing a live performance than any digitally formatted music can provide. It immerses the listener and almost allows them to feel the music through their "body" and through their "bones." Record players are a technology that has allowed families all over the nation to make memories for decades, and they will continue for years to come.

Hello, my name is Caylie Conlon, and I am an aspiring attorney from Bedford, Pennsylvania. My goals are not small; in fact, I desire to achieve only the very best. My goals for my future are to become a well-respected attorney and open my own law firm. Ever since I was a young child, sitting in my uncle's law firm, I knew that was what I was going to be as an adult. I seek to divorce people for a living. Not because I want to destroy relationships, but because I want to help people in toxic relationships. Having seen my own aunt struggle through the abuse of a toxic marriage, I knew I wanted to help others dealing with the same situation. I want to make a divorce as easy as possible for both individuals, so that everyone can heal and move on with their lives.     My short-term goal is to graduate with a major in communications from a four-year college. I have always been great at speaking with people, but a communications major can assist in sharpening my communication skills. This summer I will also get an internship at a law office. I seek to gain all the knowledge I can, and be prepared for the career ahead of me. It will be tough, but it will be worth it if I can help even just one individual in a horrific relationship. My long-term goal is to one day open my own law firm. I have always had a desire to help people. I hope to become a well-known attorney in the area specializing in divorces. I want to help others heal after a broken relationship. I will seek to provide a welcoming environment where both sides can sit down peacefully and come to a consensus. 

What exactly does change look like in a community? Is it perhaps taking care of the community garden or assisting the elderly? While there is no exact answer to these questions, we must create our own idea of positive community change and execute it effectively.  In the seventeen years I have been alive, I have lived in two different communities. This has allowed me to participate in unique community activities distinct to each area. My old community was a tight-knit town, while my new community is a far-spread area full of farms.  In my old town, I affected positive change for my community by helping out daily in the community garden. Many people wonder how doing something so small can really affect positive change. However, the answer is quite clear. I was part of growing fruits and vegetables that we then donated to the poor. Something small that, over time, allowed me to help hundreds of families.  In my new community, I affect positive change by coaching young girls. The organization I coach for is called the Little Lions Girls Basketball Association. My title is more than just being a coach. I am an outlet for these young girls to confide in. They tell me when they are upset or going through tough times. Sometimes they want to tell me something positive that has happened or even just talk my ear off. Besides talking to the girls, yes, I obviously coach them. I help them learn and improve their basic basketball skills while also bringing them a love for the sport. The simple change I see in these young girls over a couple of days is amazing. They are wonderful young girls, and I am beyond thrilled that I am able to affect a positive change in their young lives.  

Creativity has been a large portion of my life ever since I picked up my first paint brush at the age of two. For as long as I can remember, I have been making cards for family members and creating pieces of art. Whether it is painting, drawing, coloring, or sculpting, I am constantly creating something new and unique.  Creativity is one of the most reliable outlets I have in my life. It is where I can be myself and not have to worry about what people will think about my creations.  However, my creativity does not just stop at the art aspect of things. I am also an avid writer. When I write, I am able to sit down and let the words flow out of my system. It seems almost like a habit when I begin writing. I am able to create fictitious worlds where the characters are what I want them to be.  Besides writing, I also take part in creating pieces of graphic art. This is something I take great joy in, and recently picked up as a skill. Graphic art is a whole other side of the art world. Instead of the feeling of a paint brush or pencil, I hold a computer mouse. The art work is on a mobile device instead of physical material, but the outcome is the same. I will have created something new and amazing that is unique to me.  Creativity is a vent that I can use at any time. When I am stressed or anxious, being creative allows me to calm down and relax. It truly helps improve my mental health and the people around me. When I give my creativity, I am able to make people smile. I generate a feeling of self-pride and accomplishment. 

What is the most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received? This is a question that rings throughout my head constantly, as I have a mother who is a banker. She understands money better than any other person I know, and she is consistently teaching me how to save money for the future. Although, the best piece of financial advice she has given me is to save for everything so you do not have to get a loan for it.  We are a large family of five, and having money has not always been easy. My mother is a banker and my dad is a teacher. While they do not make huge amounts of money, my brothers and I have never not had anything we wanted or needed. We are able to afford cars when we need them and vacations. This is all because my mother is great at one thing in particular: saving money.  My mother takes money out of each paycheck and puts it into specific accounts for anything we may need. Whether it be doctor's visits or vacation funds, she will have an account for it. This allows us to have the money when we need it, of course, while not overspending on anything. We may not be the wealthiest people out there, but we are financially stable because my mom knows how to take care of my parents' hard-earned money. This piece of financial advice is so helpful to me because I am going into college in one year. Soon, I will be on my way to getting my own job and having my own family. Saving money will allow me to pay off my college loans and have money for a home and even a family in the future. Loan and debt free. 

The elderly have done so much for us, and it is only fair that we return the favor. One thing that I do to improve the lives of the elderly in my community is by spending time with the people at my local nursing home. The tasks I do are not large, but the people in the home appreciate them greatly. I sit with them while they tell me stories of their pasts and play board games with them. I am like a grandchild to them. But to me, they mean the world. I feel like I gain a new grandparent every day.  Besides giving my time to the local nursing home, I also spend time with my elderly family members. My great grandmother is 94 years old and in great shape. I do not necessarily have to take care of her, but I do help her with tasks around her home. She loves telling me stories about her life, and I adore listening to them even more. I do puzzles with her and spend time watching her favorite movies with her, while also making time for her favorite church banquet, a mother-daughter banquet. My mother and I do this every year, and I would not miss it for the world. We have a wonderful dinner and catch up with each other. I not only spend time with my grandmother but also with the other elderly folks from her church. We reminisce and talk about the good old times.  I will always cherish the times I get to spend with these wonderful people, and I know they will not be around forever. So I devote as much of my time as I can to making their lives even just a little bit better.       

I aspire to live a life where I am brave each and every day, but this seems to be more of a task than a habit. Often times, I find myself needing a little boost of courage to do the things I would not be brave enough to do myself. However, I consider it brave when I am able to step outside of my comfort zone. Bravery can look totally different for each individual. Some see bravery as serving our country, and others see bravery as standing in front of a class and reading a script they wrote. Either way, it is bravery.  For people like myself, who struggle with terrible anxiety and nerves, presenting a project in front of the class can feel like the bravest thing we have ever accomplished. And while this may seem like a small accomplishment to some, to others, it can mean the world. In reality, it is all about how you look at it. Different perspectives can give a completely different take on things.  In elementary school, I would speak with ease, and I was a bold little student. But as I got older, things seemed to change. My nerves got extremely bad, and I would shake before presentations or sporting events. With sweating palms and feeling nauseated after almost anything done publicly, I knew this was not how I wanted to finish out my last two years of high school.  After receiving wonderful grades on all the presentations I thought I could not accomplish, I realized I had nothing to worry about. I noticed that, even though I thought I would fail, I exceeded my expectations.  Today, I give speeches and presentations with ease. I raise my hand in class and ask the questions I was always too nervous to ask.

Hello, my name is Caylie Conlon, and I am an aspiring attorney from Bedford, Pennsylvania. My dreams are not small; in fact, I desire to achieve only the very best. My dreams for my future career are to become a well-respected attorney and open my own law firm. Ever since I was a young child, sitting in my uncle's law firm, I knew that was what I was going to be as an adult. I seek to divorce people for a living. Not because I want to destroy relationships, but because I want to help people in toxic relationships. Having seen my own aunt struggle through the abuse of a toxic marriage, I knew I wanted to help others dealing with the same situation. I want to make a divorce as easy as possible for both individuals, so that everyone can heal and move on with their lives.     My short-term goal is to graduate with a major in communications from a four-year college. I have always been great at speaking with people, but a communications major can assist in sharpening my communication skills. This summer I will also get an internship at a law office. I seek to gain all the knowledge I can, and be prepared for the career ahead of me. It will be tough, but it will be worth it if I can help even just one individual in a horrific relationship. My long-term goal is to one day open my own law firm. I have always had a desire to help people. I hope to become a well-known attorney in the area specializing in divorces. I want to help others heal after a broken relationship. I will seek to provide a welcoming environment where both sides can sit down peacefully and come to a consensus.