What is change, how do we implement change, and why does everyone want change? Growing up, most kids want to be astronauts or professional sports players. Yet my dream job was different, I wanted to become a politician. Every School Morning at seven AM, prepping for school, there was always one thing on the TV: Good Morning America. My dad always watched the news because he wanted to keep an eye on what was happening worldwide, as generations have done before us. So every morning, waiting for the bus, my dad would eat breakfast with me while watching the news. This led to me seeing some pretty disturbing news stories, cold-blooded killings, mass murders, war, and other things that were so unsettling that I would rather not reimagine them. While that answers why people want change, we have yet to answer the first two questions. After all of these tragedies, there was a common factor. Whether it was channel three, six, or twenty-five, each news station without fail had a politician being questioned on how they would implement change. This gave me the idea at the ripe age of six that the politicians were the ones who implemented change in this world. At this point, I knew that I would help enforce change and prevent those disasters on TV. Yet throughout Middle and High School, I kept reading about how little change was coming from politicians both at the local and national level. This made me look outside the box and rethink who implemented change. Living near Washington DC, I have seen firsthand how bureaucracy is the real implementer of change. Whether it is the postmen, doctors, or foreign service officers, they all look to change the world for the better. These people are not in a fancy building in the capital but around the nation and the world working for change - not just a paycheck. This realization made me recognize who changed the world: real people, not lawmakers. This made me rethink what I wanted to become. I decided to focus on the changes made possible by foreign service officers. They travel the world looking to solve problems abroad, while simultaneously helping their home nation with international relationships. While we have answered who implements change, and why people want to change, we have to ask what constitutes change. Change is shifting one thing to something else. Doing something different and hopefully making it better. Change is what you want it to be. It can be changing your thought of mind, changing what you want to do and so much more. Yet at the end of the day change is what is needed to become a better earth. A better nation. A better person. So, when the question arises of what I wanted to be when I was younger, did it change, and why? I'll answer like this: Growing up wanting to become a politician made me realize that if I wanted real change, I would have to change myself and my thoughts of mind.

Is family defined only by genetics? In my life, I have learned that family does not only include blood relations but also the people who play crucial parts in my day-to-day life. These are the people who can brighten up an otherwise dark, sour day. These are the people who will help you grow as a person through tribal challenges. So, choosing who those people are can be one of the most vital points in one's childhood, and I am grateful for the family I formed in the Delaware Saengerbund (DSB). When I was three, my family joined the DSB, a club which celebrates German heritage through singing, dancing, and traditional events such as an Oktoberfest. As I have grown, the members there have become my family and have been with me through the highest highs and the lowest lows. They helped me become ranked eighth in the nation in my age group for German folk dancing, otherwise known as schuhplattler. I felt the lack of their connection during COVID-19 and was elated when I could finally see them again. During the preparation for the first post-pandemic competition, I tore my ACL playing school soccer. The doctor was unsure if I would ever dance or play soccer again. The devastating news compounded a week later when I learned that my grandfather had liver cancer and needed to live with my family. Receiving all of this unsettling news in just over a week's span was extremely difficult and painful. As a result of the ACL tear, I couldn't compete in that year's schuhplattler competition and would need to rehab eight months, while also taking care of my grandfather. I found myself wondering how I could possibly manage all of this mayhem while staying focused in school. The members of Delaware Saengerbund were my lifesavers. My DSB family supported me through my recovery from surgery to rehab, and they helped my family mourn after my grandfather passed after months of struggle. As we grieved it became common that there were times that it was impossible to cook. On these nights our extended family took care of us by sending meals, and I quickly realized how grateful I was to be under these people's watch. After recovering from surgery, my family and members of the DSB recommended that I start re-preparing for the regional schuhplattler competition. By the end of my first practice, I was no longer hesitant due to their support. They were patient and kind, and they understood my struggles of coming back from such a difficult time.  I found myself working harder than ever, every day, to not only fully recover but to perfect my dance. As competition day arrived, I became increasingly nervous and began to doubt myself. What if I wasn’t ready? What if I suffered a reinjury? As if he could read my thoughts, a friend I have grown up with, a pseudo-brother, told me to forget everything and just have fun. His calming words made me forget my fears as I danced. After countless practices and overcoming all the struggles I endured I finally came In first place.  As I enter the next steps of life in college, I plan on extending my chosen family who can support me on tough days and help me navigate adulthood. Similarly, since I have seen how important chosen family can be, I hope that one day I'll be the person who can help someone smile on a sad day or cry with them when they need it.