As a co-founder of the Diversity Awareness Club and treasurer, I worked to advance positive change at my school. I saw a need while attending Indian Hill, a predominately white high school. I created a safe space where different racial and cultural backgrounds set aside differences for engagement and commodore. The school administration has been supportive and embraced this concept. If applicable, I would take concerns/ issues to the administration/ staff. A direct line of communication to policymakers within the school community is critical, and the ability to articulate the club's grievances is essential. We wanted to be more inclusive and created an event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. It was open to the general audience. During the event, we had salsa night at the school. I asked dance teachers from local studios to instruct the attendees on salsa. To make the event more personal, we invited parents of the school community to assist in instruction. We celebrate Black History Month with presentations for the entire district. For optimal participation, we produce appropriate events for different grade levels. We created worksheets and person of the week for elementary students. We had performances and step shows for high school students. Usually, after the presentation, we received accolades from the faculty/ staff and students, which sparked an interest in the organization. The annual event is a catalyst for dialogue regarding black culture. Subsequently, our membership enrollment increased drastically due to activities and engagement with students. As a leader in the Diversity Awareness Club, I had to leverage relationships with some political leaders to achieve the group's goals. A prime example is the recurring incidents of specific classmates using derogatory tropes and bywords to spew hateful rhetoric. Initially, the administration did not act and stated that this was a "learning moment." Due to inaction, it has happened again. I tactfully conveyed the sentiments of the student body, faculty, and staff. Maintaining a rapport with elected officials has benefited me in negotiating an optimal solution. I am promoting positive change by actively participating in Student Leadership Organizations. In High School, my principal, Mr. Jeff Damadeo, selected members for his special organization for student leaders and I was at the top of the list. The mission of this highly selective group is to discuss issues at school and work for positive change. When we spoke to our principal about the disrespectful treatment of the minority community, especially in sports, we came up with the idea for athlete of the month. This provides a more equitable approach to coverage and allows minorities to receive proper recognition. The SLO is improving our school community by creating a dialogue with staff and faculty for immediate results.

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" Luke 12:48. This verse echoes in my head as I think of my journey. I have had numerous people enter my life. Some for a reason and others for a season. My mentors, Mr. Kevin Harrison, and Mr. Lavelle Thompson, aided the development of my increased self-confidence and my academic success. As I began my experience at the Buenger Boys and Girls Club, I met Mr. Kevin Harrison, the program director, and Mr. Lavelle Thompson, the teen coordinator. They noticed that I was new to the club and observed my shy and reserved personality. On the first day, they engaged in conversation and convinced me to participate in the spelling bee. I won all the rounds and was able to compete locally. By winning, my confidence was bolstered, and I began to meet friends. This experience was different because everyone was inclusive and engaging, unlike my school setting. Mr. Kevin and Mr. Lavelle saw something special in me and encouraged me to overcome my inhibitions. I won two other spelling bees. By winning "Youth of the Year" and "Junior Youth of the Year," I cultivated my public and impromptu speaking skills with their support and encouragement. Mr. Kevin took an interest in my education and overall well-being. He provides constructive criticism as well as much-needed assistance. As a spiritual counselor and vocal artist, Mr. Lavelle brings out my creative side and encourages me to step out of my comfort zone. From encouraging me while I praise dance at church to my performances at school, he is present and reassuring. These two gentlemen support me at all special events, including send-off for prom and games. They are the epitome of selflessness and devotion. My mentors continue to prepare me for a dynamic world. Due to my willingness to help and my work ethic, they created a position for me. Therefore, I became a junior staffer. There are three pillars one must have to become a junior staffer. The first pillar is graduate. Graduate entails tutoring children and performing at the highest level academically. You must commit 100%. The second pillar is fit for life. Fit for life pertains to your physical health. The last pillar is ready to serve. Ready to serve is volunteering and assisting others in various capacities. I helped in the kitchen, at the front desk, and in the library at the club. It is rewarding to assist others in achieving their goals. Through their mentorship and guidance of Mr. Kevin and Mr. Lavelle, I have decided to pursue a career in Psychology. Mental health has been taken for granted in society. During my time at the club, I supported kids with different concerns, including unstable homes and bullying. What I learned from Mr. Kevin and Mr. Lavelle is that whenever you see someone struggling, you take the time to invest in them. As my mentors instilled in me, I want to re-invest in the community. In essence, everyone needs a support system and a network. The world will continue to change, and having a supportive team to assist in navigating these tumultuous waters (called life) is much needed and welcomed. I went from a wallflower to a confident, self-assured, well-rounded young lady ready to embark on new journeys. Determination, confidence, and service are attributes that my mentors embedded in me. With their guidance, I am equipped for success at the next level. I am eternally grateful to my mentors and their contributions to my life and to other youths they impact.

A fascination with the development and workings of the brain has always interested me since I can remember. The correlation between an individual's behavior and the mind is intriguing. Interacting with children with special needs, such as ADHD, via the Boys and Girls Club left a lot of unanswered questions. During my junior year in high school, I decided to take AP Psychology. This class reinforced my decision to pursue a career in psychology. It was my sophomore year, 2020-2021, and I was remote learning due to the pandemic. During that time, I successfully completed all my coursework in advance to start my summer vacation early. I asked my counselor if I could take an additional class since my workload was light. I registered for a psychology class. After completing a psychology course sophomore year, I started my AP Psychology class the following semester. During this course, I was introduced to more rigorous content and was challenged by my instructor, Mrs. Sarah Croston. The syllabus included but was not limited to, brain science, various illnesses, and brain development. We utilized a docu series on Netflix entitled "The Mind, Explained" for reference on multiple subjects covered in class. This was an effective method of maintaining engagement. The episode regarding anxiety and personality disorders captivated me the most. I was intrigued by how various people may have the same condition while having different experiences. It is interesting how a person's character could change unaware over time and without an explanation. The chapter on diseases in my coursebook and their effects on the mind piqued my interest, also. Learning more about myself has been a positive byproduct of taking this course. The class has been helpful personally and academically. Taking this class was not a chore or undertaking but a benefit. After overcoming the transition from in-person learning to remote, I found my niche in AP Psychology class. In the interim, it was difficult with the lack of prompt guidance and correction, but I remembered one thing is constant, change. This mode of thinking has helped me in my life. Formal education will provide the community a servant that will assist with mental concerns and teach healthy ways of managing them. My innate desire for continuous learning is needed in the next phase of my academic career. Due to this process, I am more equipped for my future endeavors.

My end goal in life is to be happy. I want a successful life in my career, which is hopefully in the psychology field. I would also like to start my own business that relates to me and helps others.

In order to graduate from my school you have to get volunteer hours. But I decide to go where I am familiar with which is the boys and girls club. The boys and girls club has been for me time and time again. They help me find friends when I didn't have any, they help me with school when I didn't know what to do, and more. It's been a couple years since I've been to the club. It's been since freshman year. So I decided to go back not only as a volunteer but as a member for the summer. I thought I was going to hate it because all my friends stopped going when I stopped going, but it was actually a really good time and I rekindle some old flames with some friends and got my volunteer hours in. I was helping out with the little kids and I was helping out in the library with the little kids and up. I would read to them I would help them with any arts and crafts and sometimes I would just sit there and just talk listen to the drama and vibe with them. Even though they were a piece of work, they were adorable and a light in my life. Even though I got my required 20 hours I decided to double it because I enjoyed helping kids so much. I didn't even care about the hours anymore, I just wanted to be with them helping and listening to them. I believe they made me a more patient person and a more listening and open-minded person. As a member I also got to be with the teens group once again. When I got there on the first day, in my opinion it wasn't the team's room it was just called the team's room but it was filled with 12-year-olds and up. The oldest person besides me was a 15-year-old. I hated it from the instant because they changed everything about that room that itches made me ick. But over time I got a group of friends ,were in my group and who are also friends with before, who I would play Uno with and share baked goods/foods with and laugh and joke with. It really made my summer a good one. This summer was actually top tier because of I've rekindled with old friends and made new ones along the way, helping out all those kids and other people just because, and for my volunteer hours, and I am more focused on my future than before.