Billie Eilish’s music resonates with me because of its raw emotional depth, innovative soundscapes, and vulnerability. Her songs capture universal feelings of longing, alienation, and self-discovery in ways that feel intensely personal. Narrowing it down to three favorites is tough, but here are the ones that have impacted me the most: 1. “when the party's over” This song feels like a whispered confession, a quiet moment of heartbreak wrapped in haunting vocals and sparse instrumentation. For me, it resonates as an anthem for emotional restraint—those times when you feel like you have to put on a brave face, even though you're breaking inside. Growing up in a rural, conservative community as someone who didn’t fit into traditional molds, I’ve often had to suppress my true feelings to avoid judgment or confrontation. Billie’s lyrics, “I’ll only hurt you if you let me,” perfectly encapsulate the fear of getting too close to people when you’re not sure they’ll accept all of you. The aching simplicity of this track mirrors that quiet pain and longing for connection. 2. “everything i wanted” This song strikes a chord with its themes of self-doubt and the complex relationship between success, identity, and the people who ground you. When Billie sings about dreaming of fame and realizing it’s not what she thought, I hear a reflection of my own struggles with ambition. As someone from a small town, big dreams often feel like an escape route, but they’re also accompanied by fear: What if I get everything I want and still feel incomplete? The line, “If I could change the way that you see yourself, you wouldn’t wonder why you hear they don’t deserve you,” feels like a gentle reminder to practice self-compassion, a concept I’ve struggled with over the years. 3. “my future” This song is a love letter to personal growth and self-reliance, and it came into my life at a time when I needed it most. Billie’s transition from melancholy introspection to hopeful optimism mirrors my own journey of embracing my identity and looking forward to what lies ahead. Growing up, I often felt trapped by societal expectations and the fear of what others thought. This track’s message—that it’s okay to choose yourself and dream of a brighter tomorrow—was liberating. The lyrics, “I’m in love with my future, can’t wait to meet her,” inspire me to approach life with hope and curiosity, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. Billie Eilish’s music is transformative because it doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of being human. Her songs have been a constant companion in navigating my identity, fears, and aspirations, offering solace and inspiration along the way.

Growing up as LGBTQ+ in a small rural town can feel like living on the fringes of two worlds: one where your identity is misunderstood or dismissed and another where your dreams seem impossibly far away. Chappell Roan’s music has been a beacon of hope for me in navigating this space. Her work is not just a collection of songs; it’s a testament to resilience, self-expression, and pride that resonates deeply with those of us who have struggled to find a voice in environments that aren’t always welcoming. Chappell’s ability to channel raw emotion into her music has given me permission to do the same in my life. Songs like Pink Pony Club speak directly to the tension between yearning for acceptance and the desire to break free. The imagery of stepping into a world where you can fully embrace yourself, despite the odds, felt tailor-made for someone like me. I grew up in a place where gender norms and heteronormativity dominate, and it often felt like my sexuality was something I needed to hide. Chappell’s lyrics and unapologetic performances remind me that there’s beauty in being different and strength in claiming your space unapologetically. Beyond the music, Chappell Roan’s openness about her journey as an LGBTQ+ artist has been deeply inspiring. It’s one thing to write empowering songs; it’s another to embody them through your career. Watching her rise has taught me that success doesn’t always mean fitting into a mold. Instead, it can mean carving out your own path and creating a community where there wasn’t one before. This lesson is particularly meaningful for those of us in rural areas, where LGBTQ+ representation often feels nonexistent. Her work encourages me to dream bigger, to look beyond the limitations of my environment, and to believe that it’s possible to thrive while staying true to myself. I support Chappell Roan not only for her extraordinary talent but also for the way she uplifts others through her authenticity. In her music, I hear a call to celebrate my identity rather than hide it, a message that’s vital for anyone grappling with the isolation of being “different” in a small town. She’s more than an artist; she’s a lifeline for so many like me, and her career deserves every ounce of support from those who believe in a world where everyone can shine just as they are.

A lyric from Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS that resonates deeply with my teenage experience is from her song “Teenage Dream”: "They all say that it gets better / It gets better, but what if I don't?" This lyric encapsulates the raw, unfiltered emotions of adolescence—a time often marked by self-doubt, insecurity, and the daunting pressure to live up to expectations. Rodrigo’s words reflect a universal teenage fear: the possibility of not achieving the success, happiness, or clarity that everyone assures us will come with time. It is a poignant reminder of the emotional turbulence that defines these years and the silent, lingering question many teenagers face: What if I don’t turn out the way I’m supposed to? For me, this lyric mirrors the countless moments I’ve spent grappling with uncertainty. In high school, the pressures to excel academically, socially, and personally often felt like a mountain I wasn’t sure I could climb. Despite the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends who reassured me that “it would all work out,” there were times when that optimism felt out of reach. Rodrigo’s lyric gives voice to the hidden insecurities I’ve experienced—the fear that, despite my best efforts, I might not meet the expectations set by myself or others. This lyric also captures a broader truth about adolescence: it’s a period where self-discovery and self-doubt coexist. On one hand, these years are filled with excitement, dreams, and the freedom to imagine endless possibilities for the future. On the other hand, they’re marked by the pressure of navigating a world that often feels overwhelming and unforgiving. Rodrigo’s words articulate this duality beautifully. The promise that “it gets better” is comforting, but the uncertainty of not knowing when or how is what makes adolescence such a uniquely challenging time. The lyric also resonates with the loneliness that can accompany these struggles. During my teenage years, I often felt as though everyone around me had their lives more figured out than I did. Social media only heightened this perception, as I constantly saw snapshots of peers achieving milestones, whether it was excelling in sports, earning awards, or confidently planning their futures. This sense of comparison often left me questioning whether I was “enough” or if I was somehow falling behind. Rodrigo’s lyric reassures me that these feelings are not unique—that they are shared, unspoken experiences of growing up. However, the beauty of this lyric lies not just in its vulnerability but in its honesty. By asking “what if I don’t?” Rodrigo challenges the narrative that growth is always linear or that every struggle will automatically lead to success. Instead, she creates space to acknowledge that it’s okay to feel lost and that uncertainty is a natural part of the journey. This perspective has shifted my own outlook on adolescence. Rather than viewing every failure or setback as a sign of inadequacy, I’ve learned to embrace them as opportunities for growth. Rodrigo’s lyric reminds me that the teenage years aren’t just about achieving perfection—they’re about navigating imperfections, questioning norms, and learning to accept myself for who I am, even amid the uncertainty. In the end, this lyric captures the heart of adolescence: the simultaneous fear and hope of not knowing what comes next. It’s a bittersweet reminder that growing up is messy, but it’s also what makes it meaningful.

admire Sabrina Carpenter for her versatility, authenticity, and ability to connect with her audience on a deeply personal level. As an artist, she seamlessly navigates between singing, acting, and songwriting, excelling in each area with passion and skill. Her music, in particular, resonates with me because of its emotional depth and relatability. Songs like “Skin” and “Emails I Can’t Send” address themes of vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery, reminding listeners that it’s okay to embrace their imperfections while striving for growth. Her journey in the entertainment industry is equally inspiring. Starting with her acting roles on Disney Channel, such as in Girl Meets World, she demonstrated an early commitment to honing her craft and has since evolved into a multi-faceted performer. Watching her transition from a young actress to a confident musician who writes her own story has shown me the value of persistence and adaptability. Sabrina Carpenter’s career has influenced me by encouraging me to pursue my own passions wholeheartedly, no matter the obstacles. Her songs often highlight the importance of self-expression, which motivates me to stay true to my voice in my creative and personal endeavors. Additionally, her philanthropic efforts, like supporting mental health initiatives and advocating for equality, remind me of the impact that one individual can have on a community. In sum, Sabrina Carpenter’s artistry and journey serve as a source of inspiration, not just for her talent, but for her unwavering dedication to growth, creativity, and making a difference

Why I Want to Make an Impact My entire life has been to work toward the betterment of humanity. I try to make a difference in everyone that I come in contact with. This means even being kind to enemies when it seems impossible. Bringing up classmates that feel down because faculty members discourage them, making sure the neurodivergent students feel welcome, and keeping the workload light for others around me is how I try to make a positive impact in my community right now. Is it always easy to differ from the crowd? No. Do I always do it? Not always. It’s a challenge changing your surroundings, but sacrifices have to be made. People don’t create change without backlash. My favorite story to tell is about my junior year Algebra II class. Our math teacher isn’t the best at explaining skills in detail. A lot of the students don’t understand her teaching method. It confuses them to hear technical terminology and not just normal colloquialisms. Even when the teacher tries to work with a student one-on-one, she uses that same tone that sends the student into a daze of confusion. I am the outlier in this entire scenario. I understand math when someone says “this does that just because it does.” I understand that my peers don’t learn that way, so instead of working nonstop on math throughout the entire class period, I walk around and help out the students that need it. I still get my assignments done and do plenty of extra practice, but I find helping out my classmates more rewarding than mastering a certain math problem. Sometimes my math teacher seems irritated with me, but I try to show the most respect by not talking when she’s teaching and making sure to talk quietly to not disturb the other students. I find this to be the most rewarding experience of my high school career thus far. I looked forward to fifth period when I could help out my fellow classmates. I could tell that when I helped them out, it gave them a purpose. They didn’t hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just had to learn that themselves. I plan to double major in sports administration and secondary education in college. In any career path that I choose, I will make an impact for the greater good. In education, I’ll make sure that every student knows how capable they are in every aspect of their lives. I want to be the teacher that any kid can come to with any problem, and I could point them in the right direction. In whatever sport I’d be working in, I'd want our team to be very outspoken about any problem in the real world. Athletes have powerful voices and should use them for good. I will also make sure that our organization runs smoothly and fair, not cutting corners or violating rules. Life may not be fair, but we have to make it as fair as possible.

Why I Want to Make an Impact My entire life has been to work toward the betterment of humanity. I try to make a difference in everyone that I come in contact with. This means even being kind to enemies when it seems impossible. Bringing up classmates that feel down because faculty members discourage them, making sure the neurodivergent students feel welcome, and keeping the workload light for others around me is how I try to make a positive impact in my community right now. Is it always easy to differ from the crowd? No. Do I always do it? Not always. It’s a challenge changing your surroundings, but sacrifices have to be made. People don’t create change without backlash. My favorite story to tell is about my junior year Algebra II class. Our math teacher isn’t the best at explaining skills in detail. A lot of the students don’t understand her teaching method. It confuses them to hear technical terminology and not just normal colloquialisms. Even when the teacher tries to work with a student one-on-one, she uses that same tone that sends the student into a daze of confusion. I am the outlier in this entire scenario. I understand math when someone says “this does that just because it does.” I understand that my peers don’t learn that way, so instead of working nonstop on math throughout the entire class period, I walk around and help out the students that need it. I still get my assignments done and do plenty of extra practice, but I find helping out my classmates more rewarding than mastering a certain math problem. Sometimes my math teacher seems irritated with me, but I try to show the most respect by not talking when she’s teaching and making sure to talk quietly to not disturb the other students. I find this to be the most rewarding experience of my high school career thus far. I looked forward to fifth period when I could help out my fellow classmates. I could tell that when I helped them out, it gave them a purpose. They didn’t hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just had to learn that themselves. I plan to double major in sports administration and secondary education in college. In any career path that I choose, I will make an impact for the greater good. In education, I’ll make sure that every student knows how capable they are in every aspect of their lives. I want to be the teacher that any kid can come to with any problem, and I could point them in the right direction. In whatever sport I’d be working in, I'd want our team to be very outspoken about any problem in the real world. Athletes have powerful voices and should use them for good. I will also make sure that our organization runs smoothly and fair, not cutting corners or violating rules. Life may not be fair, but we have to make it as fair as possible.

When I was little, I felt that I was extremely selfish. A lot of the time I disregarded my actions and how they made others feel. Growing up an only child, all I knew was “me me me.” “Sharing is caring” was not something I had to have in my vocabulary at an early age. It was an adjustment being around other kids for several hours at a time. As I got older, of course, I started to change my way of thinking and started feeling compassion and empathy for others. Never really volunteering for anything until I hit junior high, I never got to experience the gratitude of assisting others. I would not have imagined the impact that community service would have on my character, nor the change for the better with my selflessness. The volunteering experience I have the most familiarity with is working the concession stands at home games for basketball and baseball/softball. The “job” is not just to serve food to guests. You want to make sure everything flows as smoothly as possible for everyone involved. This creates an easy night for everybody who has to worry about stocking, serving, or selling. Normally I am tasked with the cashier position, which I love because I get to interact with the customers more (and I really happen to like math). I get to make sure that their food comes out perfectly and their entire purchase turns out great. I know this experience may sound boring to whoever is reading this as I am not showcasing anything fascinating like a missionary trip or serving at a soup kitchen, but to me, this assures that I get to interact with the community in which I am serving. We do not have places like that around my hometown. Matter of fact, I live ten minutes away from Bradley, the little small town of about five hundred people that I call my hometown. This is a way for me to get to know the community better while also helping them out in this process. It truly makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself. My junior year Algebra II class was full of people. There were a lot of learning types in that group. Due to this, it was hard for our teacher to have one-on-one time with every student. Since I was a very good student, she let me assist my peers whenever I finished my work. By doing this, students were able to learn things from a kid’s perspective. Colloquial terms instead of technical terms were perfect to help them grasp the concepts better. It gave my classmates a sense of belonging, not feeling like they were inferior to anyone else. They did not hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just have to learn that for themselves. Character has to be shaped by others around you. Self-benefit cannot make you a better person. I look back at my younger self and cannot fathom how a little kid could be such an arrogant person. To change from selfish to selfless, you have to get out of your comfort zone. Embrace the world, make a difference, change those around you for the better. All of these experiences I have discussed have broadened my perspective on how great an idea it is to spread love and so simply create a kindle of joy and prosperity. What I am desperately trying to convey is this: community service is the backbone to shaping a great person.

Why I Want to Make an Impact My entire life has been to work toward the betterment of humanity. I try to make a difference in everyone that I come in contact with. This means even being kind to enemies when it seems impossible. Bringing up classmates that feel down because faculty members discourage them, making sure the neurodivergent students feel welcome, and keeping the workload light for others around me is how I try to make a positive impact in my community right now. Is it always easy to differ from the crowd? No. Do I always do it? Not always. It’s a challenge changing your surroundings, but sacrifices have to be made. People don’t create change without backlash. My favorite story to tell is about my junior year Algebra II class. Our math teacher isn’t the best at explaining skills in detail. A lot of the students don’t understand her teaching method. It confuses them to hear technical terminology and not just normal colloquialisms. Even when the teacher tries to work with a student one-on-one, she uses that same tone that sends the student into a daze of confusion. I am the outlier in this entire scenario. I understand math when someone says “this does that just because it does.” I understand that my peers don’t learn that way, so instead of working nonstop on math throughout the entire class period, I walk around and help out the students that need it. I still get my assignments done and do plenty of extra practice, but I find helping out my classmates more rewarding than mastering a certain math problem. Sometimes my math teacher seems irritated with me, but I try to show the most respect by not talking when she’s teaching and making sure to talk quietly to not disturb the other students. I find this to be the most rewarding experience of my high school career thus far. I looked forward to fifth period when I could help out my fellow classmates. I could tell that when I helped them out, it gave them a purpose. They didn’t hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just had to learn that themselves. I plan to double major in sports administration and secondary education in college. In any career path that I choose, I will make an impact for the greater good. In education, I’ll make sure that every student knows how capable they are in every aspect of their lives. I want to be the teacher that any kid can come to with any problem, and I could point them in the right direction. In whatever sport I’d be working in, I'd want our team to be very outspoken about any problem in the real world. Athletes have powerful voices and should use them for good. I will also make sure that our organization runs smoothly and fair, not cutting corners or violating rules. Life may not be fair, but we have to make it as fair as possible.

My entire life has been to work toward the betterment of humanity. I try to make a difference in everyone that I come in contact with. This means even being kind to enemies when it seems impossible. Bringing up classmates that feel down because faculty members discourage them, making sure the neurodivergent students feel welcome, and keeping the workload light for others around me is how I try to make a positive impact in my community right now. Is it always easy to differ from the crowd? No. Do I always do it? Not always. It’s a challenge changing your surroundings, but sacrifices have to be made. People don’t create change without backlash. My favorite story to tell is about my junior year Algebra II class. Our math teacher isn’t the best at explaining skills in detail. A lot of the students don’t understand her teaching method. It confuses them to hear technical terminology and not just normal colloquialisms. Even when the teacher tries to work with a student one-on-one, she uses that same tone that sends the student into a daze of confusion. I am the outlier in this entire scenario. I understand math when someone says “this does that just because it does.” I understand that my peers don’t learn that way, so instead of working nonstop on math throughout the entire class period, I walk around and help out the students that need it. I still get my assignments done and do plenty of extra practice, but I find helping out my classmates more rewarding than mastering a certain math problem. Sometimes my math teacher seems irritated with me, but I try to show the most respect by not talking when she’s teaching and making sure to talk quietly to not disturb the other students. I find this to be the most rewarding experience of my high school career thus far. I looked forward to fifth period when I could help out my fellow classmates. I could tell that when I helped them out, it gave them a purpose. They didn’t hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just had to learn that themselves. This is a lesson I had to learn myself. I was bullied for most of my life until high school. Things were said to me that made me have eating disorders and self image issues when my age was still in single digits. Bullying is one of the main factors in suicide, yet preventative measures are rarely taken by those in authority. I love my school and community, yet for so long I never felt welcome. When I realized to just be myself, I started flourishing and my goals became realities. I plan to double major in sports administration and secondary education in college. In any career path that I choose, I will make an impact for the greater good. In education, I’ll make sure that every student knows how capable they are in every aspect of their lives. I want to be the teacher that any kid can come to with any problem, and I could point them in the right direction. In whatever sport I’d be working in, I'd want our team to be very outspoken about any problem in the real world. Athletes have powerful voices and should use them for good. I will also make sure that our organization runs smoothly and fair, not cutting corners or violating rules. Life may not be fair, but we have to make it as fair as possible.

You want to know the real me. My interests, hobbies, and things I do for fun. A blank page that has yet to be written in the eyes of every one of you. On paper, I seem like your typical egotistical nerd who does nothing but pad my college resume. While the padding part might be truthful, I am much more than someone who only cares about crafting the perfect student. My academic stature is questioned by most people because of my rural background. My school doesn’t offer AP courses, only select dual enrollment classes. I have taken courses that have challenged my intellect, not because I’m a student from a rural community, but because my teachers have prepared me for the college rigor. They are the ones who have grown me into the person and student I am today, who is hard working at every step in every scenario. I do not have a perfect GPA because I go to a “podunk” school. I have these grades because I’ve strived to be resolute, not only in the classroom but also in representing Bradley. Everyone stresses extracurricular activities. “Join as many clubs as possible,” or “play sports so you seem like a multi-talented person,” they say. I found my passion in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). FCCLA shaped me in ways I cannot describe. From steadily saying “um” at my first STAR Event competition in eighth grade to now serving as Region V President of Arkansas, the Ultimate Leadership Experience helped me grow my ability to be human. I was never much of a people person, but once I saw the loving family that dons the red blazer, love and pure joy filled my heart. I was bullied my entire life ever since I moved to my school in first grade. I was called things that cannot be repeated, but that feeling of being worthless carried over into my self-esteem. I never had real friends until I joined FCCLA. These people loved me for me and all of my weird quirks and personality that weren’t perceived well at my school. While my peers still respect me today and I’m not bullied, I still do not feel like one of them. In the best student organization in the world, I do feel like I’m someone who matters. FCCLA is my true passion, and I love it so much. However, I do have other interests. Even though I do not reside in the town where I attend school, I still graciously volunteer as much time as possible. Even though my freshman year was limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve still been able to participate in 105 hours of various service projects in and around Bradley. From volunteering at banquets, concession stands, and carnivals, I’ve embedded myself as a community member in this wonderful town that I call my hometown. I have difficulty gaining credit for anything that I do because of where I'm from. Just because I'm from a rural community doesn't mean I'm any less valued than any other person or student in this country. I want to make sure that every student feels the same way when I become an educator. While their situation might not be exactly what mine is, I can assure them that they will feel welcome no matter what. No one should be repressed based on their economic, racial, or social background. Prejudice has no place near me.

You want to know the real me. My interests, hobbies, and things I do for fun. A blank page that has yet to be written in the eyes of every one of you. On paper, I seem like your typical egotistical nerd who does nothing but pad my college resume. While the padding part might be truthful, I am much more than someone who only cares about crafting the perfect student. My academic stature is questioned by most people because of my rural background. My school doesn’t offer AP courses, only select dual enrollment classes. I have taken courses that have challenged my intellect, not because I’m a student from a rural community, but because my teachers have prepared me for the college rigor. They are the ones who have grown me into the person and student I am today, who is hard working at every step in every scenario. I do not have a perfect GPA because I go to a “podunk” school. I have these grades because I’ve strived to be resolute, not only in the classroom but also in representing Bradley. Everyone stresses extracurricular activities. “Join as many clubs as possible,” or “play sports so you seem like a multi-talented person,” they say. I found my passion in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). FCCLA shaped me in ways I cannot describe. From steadily saying “um” at my first STAR Event competition in eighth grade to now serving as Region V President of Arkansas, the Ultimate Leadership Experience helped me grow my ability to be human. I was never much of a people person, but once I saw the loving family that dons the red blazer, love and pure joy filled my heart. I was bullied my entire life ever since I moved to my school in first grade. I was called things that cannot be repeated, but that feeling of being worthless carried over into my self-esteem. I never had real friends until I joined FCCLA. These people loved me for me and all of my weird quirks and personality that weren’t perceived well at my school. While my peers still respect me today and I’m not bullied, I still do not feel like one of them. In the best student organization in the world, I do feel like I’m someone who matters. FCCLA is my true passion, and I love it so much. Even though I do not reside in the town where I attend school, I still graciously volunteer as much time as possible. Even though my freshman year was limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve still been able to participate in 105 hours of various service projects in and around Bradley. From volunteering at banquets, concession stands, and carnivals, I’ve embedded myself as a community member in this wonderful town that I call my hometown. This scholarship could help me attend my dream school. Out-of-state tuition is something that I could go on and on about being one of the most idiotic things in the universe, but to cut it short I'll just say that it's a large financial burden. Also, in the college aid process, the financial aid offices only take into consideration the taxes from the year before. My parents waited nineteen years before they had me. To any adult reading this right now, I bet you know that unless my parents were born rich (they were not), they were in debt. They didn't have decent jobs until I was born. Financial aid is more than just what you currently make. This could make a vast difference.

Mental health is one of the biggest factors in everyday life. Disregarding your own mental health can be detrimental to how you continue to live your life. It’s your feelings: emotions that bite at you in the middle of the night. The crushes, the hatred, the pressure that is felt time and time again. Managing these feelings that happen constantly seems like the biggest nag in the world, but if you cannot find a way to do so, the results will harm you in ways unimaginable. I’ve struggled with mental health issues my entire life. Randomly on some days, I’ll feel so sad about nothing that it just takes over my entire body. These feelings cannot be explained, and it’s hard to only be able to think in your head instead of aloud to someone you know. We as a society need to better prioritize mental health and find new outlets to help people out with better convenience. Mental health is something that comes across our minds steadily. This isn’t like normal healthcare: sickness happens very seldom compared to our inner thoughts. There’s telehealth for when you should be examined in person, so why can we not accomplish telehealth that is inexpensive and easy to access for all ages? Some people think that the hassle of seeking professional help costs more than, let’s be honest, drugs or alcohol which takes away the pain for a while. If this is true, which will people turn to more often? I try to prioritize mental health in my daily life as much as possible. It’s incredibly hard to change what you’ve known for so long, the people and places, but it’s necessary to do so when the need arises. I’ve had to cut people out of my life that I love tremendously because their actions hurt my mental health, and it was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. However, prioritizing yourself is the most important thing to focus on, but you shouldn’t completely disregard others. During my career as a mathematics teacher, which is the science of quality, structure, space, and change, I will interact with some of the most vulnerable minds on the planet: students. Adults tend to disregard the mental health of children, claiming that they have nothing to complain about yet because “being an adult sucks.” The critical truth is that life sucks unless you take the steps to make it not suck. Finding your safe space, and mine also happens to be my passion, can and will make dark times better. I found that space in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. These are the most caring, compassionate, energetic people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Complete random strangers in this organization who have no clue what your name even is will strike up a conversation and make you feel important. As a teacher, I would want to make my students feel as comfortable as possible around me, so in case they need help, I can be someone that they can turn to in a time of need. Everyone, kid or adult, needs that one person they can be honest with, and I want to be that person for my students and in everyday life for whoever I come across.

Math is important because it's how we make sure everything in our world runs smoothly. Every choice, every building, and every constructed thing in life has calculations that were made. The road that you drive on to work was strategically constructed with different types of geometry and physics to ensure that it is durable and stable for cars to drive on. The mix of the concrete was thought about considerably to see how the dilution of rock and asphalt is mixed. Everything in our world is calculated. Without math, we wouldn't be able to function properly. Projects wouldn't be done right because they'd be slapped together without any stats to show that project could hold up. Everyone must know basic math so they can solve these problems themselves. I chose to pursue a degree in mathematics education because I see the struggles that students have every day in the math classroom. Teachers are very stubborn. They don't want to change their ways of teaching because they believe it's still effective. Not every student learns the same way. What may click for one student doesn't even register for another. I notice this more frequently than my other peers or teachers because I engage all the time with my classmates. They would rather ask me for help than the teacher because they know that I will explain it in layman's terms that they will clearly understand. That's my favorite memory of high school so far. I don't get to engage with a lot of my classmates because our school is full of cliques. These cliques hardly ever coincide. With the permission of my teacher of course, not only do I get to help out people who need help with a very difficult subject, but I can develop better relationships with my peers. My favorite subject is math. You probably already guessed that based on the paragraph above, but now I'm confirming it. I happen to be a very analytical person. I don't like having to guess what someone else is meaning like with what most literature is. Math is very straightforward. X equals Y simply because that's the rule. Of course, there's a long explanation somewhere out in the universe about every expression or equation, but I'm not one of those people that need it. I love the fact that math is just how it is, and I feel that's how a lot of people that also enjoy math also perceive it. It's the one thing in my world that doesn't change. Cady Heron said it best in the movie 'Mean Girls,' "I like math because it's the same in every country." While I have never left the United States, that reminisces with me. Math is just simply math to me, and that's why I love it.

People always say you should choose a career path that you love. That's what I'm doing. Math is comforting to me. If I sit down in front of a problem and solve it, my anxiety and stress float away from me. I get to focus on something and rely on the facts, and one thing in life you can count on is math being the same. I guess that's why I love it so much. Life is so much chaos, steadily running around like a chicken with your head cut off, not a clue in the world. But math stays the same, a constant in an unbearing and cruel world. I can rely on math to be my haven, and all my troubles go away. I wonder if when I get my degree in mathematics if I'll still feel that way, but it's a chance I want to take. Math is very straightforward. X equals Y simply because that's the rule. Of course, there's a long explanation somewhere out in the universe about every expression or equation, but I'm not one of those people that need it. I love the fact that math is just how it is, and I feel that's how a lot of people that also enjoy math also perceive it. It's the one thing in my world that doesn't change. Cady Heron said it best in the movie 'Mean Girls,' "I like math because it's the same in every country." While I have never left the United States, that reminisces with me. Math is just simply math to me, and that's why I love it.

I chose to pursue a degree in mathematics education because I see the struggles that students have every day in the math classroom. Teachers are very stubborn. They don't want to change their ways of teaching because they believe it's still effective. Not every student learns the same way. What may click for one student doesn't even register for another. I notice this more frequently than my other peers or teachers because I engage all the time with my classmates. They would rather ask me for help than the teacher because they know that I will explain it in layman's terms that they will clearly understand. That's my favorite memory of high school so far. I don't get to engage with a lot of my classmates because our school is full of cliques. These cliques hardly ever coincide. With the permission of my teacher of course, not only do I get to help out people who need help with a very difficult subject, but I can develop better relationships with my peers. My favorite subject is math. You probably already guessed that based on the paragraph above, but now I'm confirming it. I happen to be a very analytical person. I don't like having to guess what someone else is meaning like with what most literature is. Math is very straightforward. X equals Y simply because that's the rule. Of course, there's a long explanation somewhere out in the universe about every expression or equation, but I'm not one of those people that need it. I love the fact that math is just how it is, and I feel that's how a lot of people that also enjoy math also perceive it. It's the one thing in my world that doesn't change. Cady Heron said it best in the movie 'Mean Girls,' "I like math because it's the same in every country." While I have never left the United States, that reminisces with me. Math is just simply math to me, and that's why I love it. People always say you should choose a career path that you love. That's what I'm doing. Math is comforting to me. If I sit down in front of a problem and solve it, my anxiety and stress float away from me. I get to focus on something and rely on the facts, and one thing in life you can count on is math being the same. I guess that's why I love it so much. Life is so much chaos, steadily running around like a chicken with your head cut off, not a clue in the world. But math stays the same, a constant in an unbearing and cruel world. I can rely on math to be my haven, and all my troubles go away. I wonder if when I get my degree in mathematics if I'll still feel that way, but it's a chance I want to take.

‘1989’ starts a new journey for Taylor Swift. Shifting genres was a tough task at hand, and her record label at the time didn’t know if this was a smart move. They would become baffled as this new era of Swift would be a chart-topping phenomenon, with classic hits that are played still today. As a Swiftie (a super mega fan of Taylor Swift), it’s incredibly hard to take into consideration thirteen songs (sixteen if you count the deluxe) and try to pick a favorite. New beginnings and hopeless romanticism are the main themes throughout this pop masterpiece, and even though Taylor Swift is still on her road to reclaiming this album as her own, this album defines pop music as we know it today. Tracks such as “Style,” “Out of the Woods,” “Bad Blood,” “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version),” and “Blank Space” are some of the most globally recognized songs of all time, and each originates from this singular album. However, you mostly hear Swifties talking about a particular track number throughout her discography: track five. Track fives on Taylor Swift’s albums tend to be the most emotional or the most vulnerable of any songs on her album. As a very passionate fanbase, this has even led to some of her exes being trashed publicly. As her two last track fives were “Dear John'' and “All Too Well,” this track five was a bit of a shock when it came out for not being as vulnerable as the two before. “All You Had To Do Was Stay” is my favorite song on ‘1989,’ and for a hopeless romantic like myself, it sets apart how simple it is to love. “All You Had To Do Was Stay” (or AYHTDWS) is about Swift opening up to her partner after it had taken her some time to even be comfortable with him, and then he leaves her, once again proving that the same feeling in which us hopeless romantics feel when this happens. I relate to this song a lot. I believe that it’s not hard at all to love someone, but the process of getting there is tricky. You have to determine when you’re going to open up to your partner at the right time to make sure that you’re not just pouring your heart out to a stranger (but in my case I definitely shouldn’t pour the whiskey [a “this is me trying” reference for the folklore fans). A key lyric from AYHTDWS is “[w]hy’d you have to go and lock me out when I let you in?” This is sentimental for me as I’ve overshared too many times to count. All we hopeless romantics ask is that you listen to us and stay with us. It’s difficult to steadily open yourself up and get hurt when the people you confided in leave, basically making you feel as if a part of you is leaving as well. “You were all I wanted” and “[n]ow you say you want it back, now that it’s just too late, well, could’ve been easy,” are two lyrics that strongly resonate with me. This person was the one thing that you’d want to claim as yours, but now you can’t. If they end up coming back to you, claim your self-worth and don’t let them back into your life. I know I’m incredibly ready for ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ to be released. This album holds a special place in my heart and pop history, and when Swift claims it as her own, we will fall in love once again.

When I was little, I felt that I was extremely selfish. A lot of the time I disregarded my actions and how they made others feel. Growing up an only child, all I knew was “me me me.” It was an adjustment being around other kids for several hours at a time. As I got older, of course, I started to change my way of thinking and started feeling compassion and empathy for others. Never really volunteering for anything until I hit junior high, it was a slow growth throughout. I wouldn’t have imagined the impact that community service would have on my personal growth as a person. The volunteering experience I have the most familiarity with is working the concession stands at home games for basketball and baseball/softball. Throughout this experience, you help out several groups of people: coaches, athletes, fans, workers, booster clubs, etc. The “job” isn’t just to serve food to guests. You want to make sure everything flows as smoothly as possible for everyone involved. This creates an easy night for everybody that has to worry about stocking, serving, or selling. Normally I’m tasked with the cashier position, which I love because I get to interact with the customers more (and I happen to like math). I get to make sure that their food comes out perfectly and their entire purchase turns out great. I know this experience may sound boring to whoever is reading this as I’m not showcasing anything fascinating like a missionary trip or serving at a soup kitchen, but to me, this assures that I get to interact with the community in which I’m serving. We don’t have places like that around my hometown. Matter of fact, I actually live ten minutes away from Bradley, the little small town of about five hundred people which I call my hometown. This is a way for me to get to know the community better while also helping them out in this process. It truly makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself and like I actually have my own community. Another volunteer experience I want to talk about is when I attended the 2022 VISION Conference in Shawnee, Kansas for student council. One of the day’s activities was to volunteer in some capacity. Students did various acts of community service, from volunteering with the Special Olympics or going to local daycares and helping out. My group went to a nursing home in the area and played baggo baseball. It was incredible to see the faces of the citizens light up seeing about thirty kids loving getting to spend time with them. I feel I’ll never forget the look on Mrs. Dot’s face when she “hit” a home run and we all got up and met her at home plate and cheered. Truly remarkable what showing compassion can do to a person. Financially, I need this scholarship because my parents are in debt. What they’ve managed to save for my college education will cover me for about a year. I plan to go into education, and we all know teachers don’t make near as enough as they deserve. If I have to take out student loans, I’ll be paying them back for a very long time. I plan to not only teach high school but perhaps move up to the university level. This requires in most cases a doctorate, which means a master's along the way as well. The money just piles up, and I’m trying my best to save as much as possible.

My entire life has been to work toward the betterment of humanity. I try to make a difference in everyone that I come in contact with. This means even being kind to enemies when it seems impossible. Bringing up classmates that feel down because faculty members discourage them, making sure the neurodivergent students feel welcome, and keeping the workload light for others around me is how I try to make a positive impact in my community right now. Is it always easy to differ from the crowd? No. Do I always do it? Not always. It's a challenge changing your surroundings, but sacrifices have to be made. People don’t create change without backlash. My favorite story to tell is about my junior year Algebra II class. Our math teacher isn’t the best at explaining skills in detail. A lot of the students don’t understand her teaching method. It confuses them to hear technical terminology and not just normal colloquialisms. Even when the teacher tries to work with a student one-on-one, she uses that same tone that sends the student into a daze of confusion. I am the outlier in this entire scenario. I understand math when someone says “This does that just because it does.” I understand that my peers don’t learn that way, so instead of working nonstop on math throughout the entire class period, I walk around and help out the students that need it. I still get my assignments done and do plenty of extra practice, but I find helping out my classmates more rewarding than mastering a certain math problem. Sometimes my math teacher seems irritated with me, but I try to show the most respect by not talking when she’s teaching and making sure to talk quietly to not disturb the other students. I find this to be the most rewarding experience of my high school career thus far. I looked forward to fifth period when I could help out my classmates. I could tell that when I helped them out, it gave them a purpose. They didn’t hang their heads or think of themselves as “dumb” or “unworthy.” Different people learn in different ways, and they just had to learn that themselves. I plan to double major in sports administration and secondary education in college. In any career path that I choose, I will make an impact for the greater good. In education, I’ll make sure that every student knows how capable they are in every aspect of their lives. I want to be the teacher that any kid can come to with any problem, and I could point them in the right direction. In whatever sport I’d be working in, I'd want our team to be very outspoken about any problem in the real world. Athletes have powerful voices and should use them for good. I will also make sure that our organization runs smoothly and fair, not cutting corners or violating rules. Life may not be fair, but we have to make it as fair as possible.

I would say that I don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to financial education. I do somewhat manage my bank account, but even so, sometimes I end up spending more than I have in the account at the time. I’ve taken a few classes in school that have dabbled with personal finance, but none of them have gone into full depth to help me learn and remember terms or teach real-life scenarios. It’s been that way for years. While I’m still growing up and learning about how the real world works, my parents faced the same issues with being taught about personal finance when they were in high school in the 1980s. There hasn’t been a class to educate high school students about finance at my high school, and that I know in the state, for at least fifty years. My father went straight into the military after he and my mother were married, which was right after my mom received her diploma. Since she'd followed him around in his career, she never had the opportunity to go to school and get a high-paying job. She had to rely on temporary jobs or minimum wage jobs. My father also didn’t have a high-paying job in the U.S. Army. When my father eventually left the military, they had to build a house, help support my mother’s parents who were severely declining in health, and try to find a job that worked for them. This accumulated an insurmountable amount of debt to be in. This was in the late 1990s to early 2000s. I wasn’t born until 2005. Luckily, my parents realized that they had to go to college to get well-paying jobs. However, this ended up accumulating even more debt due to student loans. A brand new house and hospital bills for three eventually in the first five years of the millennium didn’t bode well. Kids are just as expensive as they keep on growing too. My parents didn’t have the most luxurious life growing up as both of them had many siblings (six for my dad and nine for my mom). They wanted me to have the best life growing up, so I didn’t get told “no” often. Many of my classmates always called me “rich,” but l was far from it, and my parents weren’t. There are two flaws in this scenario: one being that financial education isn’t taught proficiently in schools, but also that financial aid isn’t evaluated on such a scale that helps out families like mine. When I fill out financial aid applications, they’ll only ask for my parents’ most recent taxes and current yearly income. This doesn’t account for the years that they had to scrap by. While they may seem like they can pay thousands upon thousands of dollars easily, they don’t. Something needs to change. We could start with every state mandating that personal finance be a full credit class that everyone needs to pass to graduate. Not everyone may need to take AP or college classes, but personal finance is an essential life skill. To help out with these long-term debt scenarios, there should be a way to submit a form with all of your parent’s income and taxes filed for as long as they have worked. When it comes to planning for my future, I’ll continue to educate myself in the world of personal finance, try to avoid heavy usage of loans, and budget, budget, budget. Planning where your dollars are spent goes a long way.

Gun violence is one of the hottest topics in today’s world. Some may say it’s “controversial,” but it’s everything but controversial. No one should be opposed to stopping gun violence. When the topic of gun violence is introduced, people want to talk about how guns are the problem or how people are the problem. The task at hand isn’t deciding whose fault it is—guns or shooters—because it’s both of their faults. We as a society need to regulate the guns that are sold and whom they’re sold to if we want any chance at stopping these horrible tragedies. The United States is the worst country by far in the G7 when it comes to gun violence. A stand has to be taken. I don’t have any direct experience with gun violence, but a couple of core memories reappear when the topic is discussed. When I was in ninth grade, our school district was in lockdown because we received a threat that one of our campuses would have an active shooter on it. I remember being terrified and wondering if one of the horrific news stories I’ve seen time and time again would come true right then and there. Luckily there ended up not being a shooter on our campus, but that wasn’t true for schools such as Columbine, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, or Uvalde. Another instance I can recall has nothing to do with guns at all. I was at a hockey game and we got tickets right by the glass. When the players skated on the ice to warm up, one of their drills was to slap the puck to the boards to warm up their shots. I had never experienced this before, but when the players started warming up, the sound of the puck colliding with the board sounded like a gunshot. I wasn’t the only one who noticed this similarity, as everyone around me was ducking and looking all around them. It’s pathetic that our first instinct is to duck because we thought there was an active shooter. What world do we live in when our mind directly goes to a shooter and not just a loud puck in this scenario? I plan to double major in college in secondary education and sports administration. This would lead me to work in two of the most vulnerable locations for an active shooter. At the beginning of my career, I would make sure that my students know exactly what to do in case a situation like a shooting happens. I would also advocate for clear backpacks, no excessively baggy clothes, and for visitors to have their vehicles checked to make sure that the law of no firearms on campus is enforced. Working in event venues in sports administration, I’d make sure our security team is the best there is, surveillance cameras everywhere to constantly monitor fans, and make sure our team is active in their powerful voices about the dangers of firearms. Working in both of these careers for a while, I feel in the long run I could build a rapport where I could speak to the legislature and get laws in place about what guns are “street legal.” I am active in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the National FFA Organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Honor Society (NHS), Science Club, Student Council, Gifted and Talented, Track & Field, and I’m also on the yearbook staff. I compete in district, state, and national competitions for most of these organizations. I’ve served in leadership positions in all of these activities.

The dream version of my future self is someone who is daring to strike a new adventure, looks for the good in every aspect of life, and lends a hand to everyone who may need it, as nothing can be accomplished in life without a loving support system in place.

All my life, I’ve been taught that other people are themselves and that I am me. Everyone is different in their way, good or bad. Treating people the way you want to be treated is very cliche, but phrases are cliche for a reason: they’re completely true. I always try to extend a hand to anyone who may need it. Not everyone learns the same, acts the same, or thinks the same as you. I see teachers all the time that have students who don’t grasp a concept, but the teacher puts little effort into changing their method of instruction. The kids then feel like they can’t learn, and they don’t put forward any effort anymore. Defeat takes over when it should never be there. When I become an educator, I want to see to it that every student feels as if they can learn anything, but perhaps looking from different angles better suits them. Teaching is an occupation in which you encounter many diverse personalities. Learning to accept those personalities as dissimilarities and working alongside them is important for any child. As I’m a gifted child myself, I sense the struggles that other students feel when learning a difficult subject, and the look of annoyance on a teacher’s face once I’ve figured it out. I tend to be a difficult student at times, but not in a bad way. Blurting out the answer before the problem is even read isn’t terrible. We gifted students just tend to get bored easily. When we consider helping out at all, teachers shouldn’t feel down about their abilities or prevent the student from helping others. It makes us believe we’ve done something terrible, which we haven’t. The perfectionist little robot that lives inside all of us starts to criticize us for something incredibly positive. Helping out others helps to grow our social skills and gives us more purpose than sitting in a classroom and being bored throughout the day. This is a unique way for us to make our sense in the social chain where we can have conversations with our peers about topics that we have in common. Every student shares that interest in the lesson being taught. Students from all cliques have something in common when these moments occur in classrooms. During my Algebra II class, I steadily help out other students that have trouble grasping the hard concepts taught. Our math teacher explains these concepts well, but a different angle is all these students need to figure out for themselves. As I help them discover that different angle, a door opens for them to see the new possibility that they can accomplish anything with a change in work style and attitude. Kim Mulkey, Louisiana State University’s head women’s basketball coach, said numerous times throughout her championship season that she can “handle personalities. I played with one myself.” The distinction between her and other coaches is that she embraced the personalities on her team. She molded her way of coaching around their uniqueness. If we as a society could learn to mold around the unique personalities that we encounter every day, the world would become a better place overnight. Disparities aren’t a negative thing. They make people. If we were all the same, we’d just be homo sapiens. When I become a teacher, I want to help celebrate and recognize the differences in all of us. I don’t know what style of teaching I’ll set my foundation with. I’ll most likely adapt this for every child. One-on-one lessons aren’t a big deal. Changing correct terminology into colloquial phrases isn’t a big deal. The sooner we all recognize that changing our way of living can help out someone else, the sooner we can all bond with one another. What works for one person doesn’t work for another. That’s okay. Making sure that we are changing ourselves for the better is vital for a better society. Lieba Joran made sure that every child was taken care of. Differences never changed her perspective on the characters of the world. She knew at a very young age what most never figure out: individualism is remarkable. Showing others that being different is perfectly fine is something that many adults don’t figure out. Celebrate individuality. It’s what makes these lives colorful instead of dull, and Lieba was a rainbow in a cloudy sky.