I was homeschooled growing up and was part of a large homeschooling community. Due to this, I encountered many people who ranged from extremely intelligent children who had graduated high school at 14 years of age to gifted children who were pulled out of public schools because no one could help them to learn. It broke my heart when I met this one gifted girl the same age as me in high school. I remember thinking that she had so much more potential and ability than people were giving her credit for. We attended the same charter school and over a year I saw her life change as she worked with her special tutors and therapist who tailored her education to meet her needs. They recognized her individuality and accepted it as something to work with not against. Currently, I am an Undergraduate student in Psychology at Vanguard University. I am working towards going to graduate school for developmental psychology so that I can not only serve gifted children and help them to be well-adapted members of society but also help society to adapt to their needs and well-being. At the present, I am in a Principles of Behavior class where we discuss the theories and contingencies of Applied Behavioral Analysis. In addition to this, I am also taking an Intro to Neuroscience class, where we discuss the biology that is behind our behaviors and actions. Between these two classes, I have been introduced to two different ends of the same spectrum of psychological sciences. I have learned and come to understand so much about people, their motives, behaviors, and individuality. It has motivated me further to pursue a career where I can help those who are considered to be misfits or obtuse members of society. I want to help those who are deemed unworthy so that they can understand that they are just as capable as other children. One day I hope to be working with children to manage and process their emotions and to have control over their behaviors so that they can experience the fullness of what life has to offer. As a developmental clinician, I also hope to be working in a setting where I can take the time to build a relationship with my clients so that they cannot trust and rely on me as someone who can assist them in all their needs. Whether my education takes me to a classroom or a clinic I know I will be able to serve gifted children in the best way fit for them. One of my goals is to work with children so that they can get the best out of their education and what life has to offer them.

Growing up I served at my local homeless and family shelter. There I encountered many people with whom I became familiar over time. As I got to know the people I served I noticed that most of them faced challenges that stemmed from mental and developmental disabilities. Some self-medicated, but most at the shelter I was a part of found little to no relief. One man I met had a hard time getting and keeping a job because he has dyslexia. Due to his learning impairment teachers told him that he was stupid, and failed to ever truly learn how to read. It broke my heart to see the children of God suffer in such ways, in my eyes they deserved the same respect and help that anyone else doe. This is part of what inspired me to pursue education in the field of psychology. Currently, I am an undergrad at Vanguard university in Psychology and theology. I take part in our human rights club where we address human trafficking, homelessness, and human rights. It has been harder to stay involved in activities since I have a heavy course load and work 15 hours every week, but in my spare time, I take part in activities that help to spread awareness about human trafficking and the reality of homelessness. One small thing that I do when I can talk to people about what drives people to homelessness. Most people assume that is just addiction and substance abuse, but those are only the symptom of a deeper issue. I want to make people understand that the people we see as rejects on the streets were at one time a part of society and were rejected when they needed help most. When I can I find time to serve at shelters or food pantries to help people meet their needs so that they do not have to fear choosing between buying groceries or paying the rent. In the summers I organize and distribute food from my church's seasonal food pantry, which my brother helps run. often we serve low-income and homeless families, that need a little extra help to get by. In all that I do now, I try to help people meet their needs and become connected to a community that will support them. When I get my degree in a little over a year I hope to help people before they ever come to being in a state of homelessness by finding ways to serve their needs before they arise to such a magnitude. I hope to solve the root problems of what I am currently helping to calm.

Writing is communicating. When I write, I do so to understand and communicate with myself and others. Oftentimes, I believe that we underestimate how writing simply is just communicating. From a text message, and a grocery list, to a love letter, it is all communicating. If people are not communicating with each other then there is a breakdown in society - people take sides, lines are drawn, assumptions are made, and the beauty of people is momentarily lost. Yet, when people write they communicate and it brings clarity and understanding. Writing is important to me because I cannot see a world without it. The pure act of writing to share with others your thought or feelings brings inspiration and drives more people to do the same. The times when the world is lost and fighting against itself are the times when we see great writers rise up. From the poets who wrote of the glories of love and losses of war. Or for the lost generation birthing Hemmingway and Fitzgerald. In times when the world is lost, writers rise to the occasion to pursue the question of why that is. they write to understand and communicate with the rest of the world their questions and findings. They wrote to understand the world they were in. When I write I do so to seek a better understanding of myself and to help others understand as well. I see in my generation very lost people who do not know how to find truth or fulfillment in life. The desire within me for the world to understand the brokenness and confusion of my generation is the swelling of a tide that overcomes me. Writing for me is the act of advocating for my generation, speaking of issues they face and asking questions that they are pondering. It is also about finding answers. I am inspired to write because I desire truth and long to communicate with my peers to help us find it. Our culture tells us that we can find it in social media and short 15-second videos, but they miss out on the depths of reading a piece of text that truly dives into the truth of this world. For me writing is searching for truth. Unfailing, every time I write I find it. It was never gone or missing but lost within myself. Writing for me is communicating of that truth and sharing it with others.