I’ve been working at a small family owned business called Mercatino Italiano. There I worked in the office organizing and filing invoices along with reconciliation of checks. I handed calls and helped the owner during the end of the fiscal year. This helped me understand how much work it takes to run a business and it created a good foundation of how accounting comes into these businesses. At this job I also helped out front with customers either at the register or back at the pastry counter. There I learned some communication skills and I became more outgoing. I gained many connections to people in my town and it has opened many doorways to me. Some things I do outside of work is hiking and paddle boarding. I also like to make art and draw. Another thing I am into is singing and I hope to keep singing as I go into college. I regularly volunteer at my church doing various things like child care and a leader in some activities. I sometimes also volunteer as a singer on the worship team. I also help at the Night To Shine which is a special prom night for those with mental disabilities. This past year I was able to be a buddy and hang out with a guest. Here I learned that everyone deserves a night about themselves. At church I learn a lot of life lessons from my mentors like making sure to reach out to loved ones and staying connected. I learned that communication and building connections are a key part to finding opportunities. I’d like to be able to attend Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in Accounting. After that I’d like to get my masters degree in accounting so I’ll be able to take the CPA exam. During school I hope to join the AFROTC and the accounting club. In these next few years I’ll have so many new opportunities and I will meet many new people. I hope to grow as a person as well in my own understanding of what I want to achieve in my life. So far I’ve been able to overcome many challenges that have come my way even though they seemed impossible. I seem to be growing stronger mentally even though things are still hard. Being religious knowing that Jesus is always there for me in my hardest times is a great comfort. I lean on him when things get hard and I put any of my stress and worries at his feet. I hope to keep following him and grow our relationship as I keep fighting my battles.