Last year seemed to pummel me with surprise, change, and adversity. But I wouldn't trade the resilience I gained because of those experiences for anything. I spent the first half of the year as a full-time, volunteer missionary in the Dominican Republic. I spent a total of 10 beautiful months there, working every day. I walked the streets from noon to 9 pm without vacations or weekends. Due to the proximity of the ocean and the equator, the country is typically 90 degrees Fahrenheit with 90-100% humidity year-round. I lost so much weight from sweating and walking in a white shirt and tie that my Dominican friends began asking if I was sick. I lived with no AC, intermittent electricity and no hot showers. I was targeted as a white person; robbed and catcalled. With these and other hardships, I became close friends with my rock bottom. But every time I reached my limits, I stretched them a little more, until problems that would have rocked my world became minor irritations. I grew to adore the people and culture there. I loved speaking Spanish and improving my Dominican accent. Though even my skin color should have made me an outsider, I felt much more like a part of the community there than in the neighborhood I grew up in. I grew close to several families and individuals as I helped them improve their lives. Most of them I counted as family, and I dreaded the pain of leaving them for my home continent. But the end arrived and I had to fly home. I hadn't seen my family in two years due to my mission, and it was an emotional reunion. Re-adjusting to my home, however, was difficult. The first night I spent at my parents' house, everything seemed to shock me. Our house seemed massive, the air conditioning was freezing, and we had so much food! I spent 18 years of my life in that house, and after being gone so long everything I looked at triggered a flashback. Everyone spoke English and when I thoughtlessly said something in Spanish, they just stared at me confused. I adapted, becoming resistant to the culture shock. A week after I moved to a new, much smaller city to begin college life. I met many people who struggled to adapt to college, but because of my homecoming experience, I adapted with ease. I ended up taking 24 credit hours and becoming a Spanish tutor at the school. Things started well but over time my mental state sank lower and lower as I couldn't complete assignments. I understood the material, but could never focus. Was I just inherently lazy, not good enough to do this? For the first time in my life, I had thoughts of suicide. Finally, I was diagnosed with ADHD and received medication. Pulling myself out of depression gave me new ways to deal with negative emotions and better coping strategies. The most valuable lesson I learned last year was that pain fosters growth. Hard things will be omnipresent and that is a good thing, as it makes me a better and stronger person. I learned that I am capable of making it through them. The emotional resiliency I developed has already helped me punch through obstacles in 2023. I look forward to discovering what things I will learn this year.

"Our brains are like a forest, and everything we do or think creates a pathway. Addiction creates a huge paved street in that forest, and since that street is so easy to travel, we become hardwired to turn to it in almost every situation. We need to wall off your street." I explained to my friend. He habitually bit his fingernails (until they bled), despite years of effort to stop it. I had an addictive personality and struggled throughout high school with video games. In my process to regain a healthy lifestyle, I learned a lot about addiction and developed a passion to fight its deleterious effects. "Wow, you're pretty good at talking to people about stuff like this. Are you really interested in addiction or something?" he responded. I had never realized how passionate I was about this subject. I had been pondering on what career path I should take for a long time, and this seemed to be my answer. I decided I wanted to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to help people that had real mental challenges to overcome, particularly those with addictions. After researching different careers, I decided I could be most effective as a full medical doctor, specializing as a psychiatrist. I began my freshman year of college and struggled to complete assignments exactly as I did in high school. What was happening? I was no longer addicted to video games and was extremely dedicated to doing well. I saw a doctor and I was diagnosed with ADHD. I received life-changing medication and counsel, allowing me to compete academically. I salvaged the semester and received a 3.88 GPA. But I was lucky, as I had access to a compassionate doctor who listened to me. Because of this, I am even more dedicated to becoming a psychiatrist. I am currently enrolled at Eastern Arizona College, working towards an associate's degree in Biological Sciences. I plan to transfer to Brigham Young University to receive my bachelor's degree in Biomedical Studies and prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test. I am 20 years old and recently returned from a 2-year volunteer proselytizing mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was sent to the Dominican Republic, where I taught myself Spanish. Because of this I now tutor other students at my college in Spanish. I love helping frustrated students find joy in a new language. However this is simply a work-study position, and as such, I am limited in hours and salary. As rent, tuition, and groceries compete for my savings, I am running out of money. I will have to find a second job, but I am worried I won't be left with adequate time for schoolwork and studying. I hope a scholarship will allow me to continue attending school. When not at school or work, I enjoy reading all kinds of books, endurance running, hiking or camping, and serving in my local congregation. Recently I felt a void in my life, and after talking with a friend began volunteering at Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry. I somehow forgot the joy that comes from dedicating your time to helping others.