I am a high school senior at Kent Island High School in Stevensville Maryland where I participate in varsity soccer and softball, hold the position of Vice President of my senior class and the board secretary for our chapter of the National Honor Society. I am also an active member of my Girl Scout troop, play travel softball and like to spend time volunteering in my community. My first educational goal is to earn my bachelors degree with a major in environmental engineering and a minor in international studies. I aspire to continue to learn from fellow conservationists as well as taking on new experiences like traveling to natural treasures such as the Great Barrier Reef to learn how to best preserve them. I’ll ensure that even outside the classroom, I’ll never stop educating myself. I would like to be remembered for being kind, compassionate and my volunteering efforts. During my time in high school I have volunteered at the following organizations: KIHS Beach Cleanups → Cleaning trash in local beaches and parks. Wonder in the Wild → Environmental school where we teach responsible outdoorsmanship. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center → Promote environmental stewardship and awareness. Night to Shine → Attend prom organized for special needs teens as their date or “buddy”. Anthony's Run → Local 5k dedicated to ending opioid and drug abuse in our community. Rowan’s Run → Local 5k event to promote awareness for those with special needs. Thanksgiving Food Bank and Delivery → Collection and distribution of nonperishable goods. I have learned the most from the Night to Shine organization. They give people who are differently abled a true prom that they may have never had before. This community of people have inspired and changed my life more than I could have ever imagined. Year 1: Constince was a charming boy who you would never know experienced the world differently from the rest of us. While he was shy at first, once on the dance floor, he lit up like a beam in the night. Constince showed me sometimes even the quietest people can tell the funniest jokes and the best stories if you give them a chance to. Year 2: Sheila had a wheelchair and was older than most of the guests. When I asked if she wanted to dance, she smiled and shook her head. We may have only said two words to each other, but she seemed content watching the young people enjoy their evening. Sheila taught me that some experiences transcend words. Year 3: Joe was the life of the party and known as the king of the prom. He was never afraid to try a new dance move or sing karaoke. He made a girl like me sing Journey in front of 100+ people and not regret it to this day. Joe taught me to live life to the fullest and never fear embarrassment. Night to Shine changed my perspective on volunteering. Before, I thought volunteering was all about how I could help my community and make a difference but I now see that the opposite is just as true; they helped me just as much as I hope I helped them. All of the people that I met through this event taught me something different and brought me a new sense of empathy, growth, and perspective. I would like people to remember me this way in hopes of being an inspiration for them to find an organization to volunteer with and learn first hand that you get so much more than you give.