Two qualities that I value most in my life are: knowledge and giving back to the community. Being involved in community service has allowed me to mature as a person; It has shaped me to be more honest and work in partnerships. It is always good, and feels heartfelt when I give back to my community; I know that eventually it will make a difference and shape our future! Recently, for my senior year, I have decided to take on a significant community service project. In my area, some families are low-income and/or live in poverty. In correlation, the rate of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is higher in our area because families cannot provide the necessities for their newborns. So I started organizing a fundraiser and collected donations. I have created boxes and gave multiple donations to mothers in need; it is relieving for them to have a sense of security and know that our community is here for them when they need it. Since I value knowledge highly, I can always find a way to overcome many obstacles. I feel that it is always important to learn; you may not know everything, but learning new things will uplift you in life. Going to school has been, and will always be, my top priority since I was younger. I knew from the moment that I was placed in the gifted program that I could become something in life. Growing up was hard, especially because I always wanted to be right about things. But the important thing about knowledge is, you're not always right and that's okay. I slowly, but surely learned to value taking advice and listening to people when you're wrong. Although people may think money is everything, knowledge, to me, is my way up the ladder in society; the more knowledgeable you are, the more you will succeed! These characteristics have helped me in my journey of "life." Holding these values to a high standard has shaped me into the confident and kind young woman I am today. It will continue to shape me, as well. I know that my knowledge is endless, so I will keep learning. I am going to college to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse and will specialize in Mental Health. This is pivotal to me and my goals because I want to be an advocate for mental health & depressed members in my community; I want to organize programs to get them back on their feet & help them realize that they are loved and that it is worth staying. I must make a change in the world, no matter how great or minor. I want to inspire and care for patients in a mental and physical aspect. I continue to be motivated, goal-oriented, focused, and certain about my ambitions; I hope you will consider my application.

I want to be Mental Health Nurse; Mental health nursing career requires patience and empathy, and I believe I am equipped with all these skills from my personal experiences. On October 23rd, 2021, I got the news; that my friend and her brother had committed suicide. It was unimaginable, and through that, I was the star character in a new tragedy film. This news had hit close to home, not only because she was my friend but also because I was once in her shoes; I was once that girl who tried to commit suicide countless times. Not only did this send me into a dark place again, but it also made me spiral horribly. I questioned, "Why did I survive my attempts and she didn't?" or "Is it even worth living?" I like to say that I was a happy child growing up, but I was obliviously innocent. Although my mother, a single woman of 4, tried her hardest, she endured trials and tribulations. I was often exposed to unhealthy and toxic circumstances. As a child, I vividly remember crying and screaming at the top of my lungs; I could never understand why my mother and sister fought. At the age of five, I practically witnessed boxing matches, more times than I could count on my two tiny hands, between family members; an outsider would assume they were arch nemeses. As I got older, it didn't get better. Whenever my mother and sisters would fight, as little as I was in size and age, I'd try to be a mediator; it is ironic, sadly. I tend to recall the bruises on my mother from fighting and her miserably trying to cover them up for work, visiting my sister in the "crazy-house," or hearing the desperate cries for help as my mother and sister threatened to kill themselves. When I got older, it wasn't much of a surprise that I fell into a depression; the shocker was when I fell into that depression. From when I was 14 to 16 years old, I now understood what my sister felt; we weren't "crazy" but yearned for a sense of security, a sense of help, and a sense of our mother's love. I knew I didn't want to end up six feet under, so I put all of my anger and sadness into something more useful. Not only have I taken my mental health seriously, but I've also been determined to be an overachiever. Since I was young, school has been my safe space; out of all my siblings, I always had the highest grades, test scores, and rewards. Through my depression, I put a lot of effort to be where I am currently, even when I desired to end it. I did not let my assignments become overdue or my grade drop below a C. It's proven that hard work pays off; today, I'm among best students of my class with a 3.8 unweighted GPA. My personal experiences have inspired me to consider a degree in Mental Health Nursing at your University. It is important that I make a change in the world, no matter how great or minor. I want to inspire and care for patients in a mental and physical aspect. My experiences weren't ideal, but I am grateful for the push they gave me; I am stronger, appreciate life more than others would, and continue to be motivated and goal-oriented. I am focused and certain about my ambitions, and I hope you will consider my application.

To believe that mental health is important, is an understatement. The word that fits better is, KNOW! On October 23rd, 2021, I got the news; that my friend and her brother had committed suicide. It was unimaginable, and through that, I was the star character in a new tragedy film. This news had hit close to home, not only because she was my friend but also because I was once in her shoes; I was once that girl who tried to commit suicide countless times. Not only did this send me into a dark place again, but it also made me spiral horribly. I questioned, "Why did I survive my attempts and she didn't?" or "Is it even worth living?" As a child, I was put through countless predicaments: fights between my sister and mom, stress, and the feeling of being unloved. So when I got older, it wasn't much of a surprise that I fell into a depression; the shocker was when I fell into that depression. From when I was 14 to 16 years old, I now understood what my sister felt; she wasn't "crazy" but yearned for a sense of security, a sense of help, and a sense of our mother's love. I knew I didn't want to end up six feet under, so I put all of my anger and sadness into something more useful. Not only have I taken my mental health seriously, but I've also been determined to be an overachiever. In order to maintain my mental-health I talked, and talked some more. I knew how serious it was when It got bad, so I asked for help and often vented to my friends and family. Fortunately, I was able to balance out my depression. I didn't want to let it completely take over my life, and I didn't let it. I started playing sports, going on walks, and listening to music for extra comfort. One of the things that helped me the most was getting my cats. I have such a special bond with my cats; they make me feel so loved and comfortable when they're around. Whenever I'm sad, I just go and cuddle with my cats because they're there for me. I think it is important that mental health, and ways to control it, is talked about more. Our society needs help more than ever now, and I will continue to be an advocate for people who have lost their voice and are afraid to use their voice!

Two qualities that I value most in my life are: knowledge and giving back to the community. Being involved in community service has allowed me to mature as a person; It has shaped me to be more honest and work in partnerships. It is always good, and feels heartfelt when I give back to my community; I know that eventually it will make a difference and shape our future! Recently, for my senior year, I have decided to take on a significant community service project. In my area, some families are low-income and/or live in poverty. In correlation, the rate of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is higher in our area because families cannot provide the necessities for their newborns. So I started organizing a fundraiser and collected donations. Moreover, knowledge is a value that I hold highly. I feel that is always important to learn; you may not know everything, but learning new things will uplift you in life. Going to school has been, and will always be, my top priority since I was younger. I knew from the moment that I was placed in the gifted program that I could become something in life. Growing up was hard, especially because I always wanted to be right about things. But see the important thing about knowledge is, you're not always right and that's okay. I slowly, but surely learned to value taking advice and listening to people when you're wrong. Although people may think money is everything, knowledge, to me, is my way up the ladder in society; the more knowledgeable you are, the more you will succeed! These characteristics have helped me in my journey of "life." Holding these values to a high standard had shaped me into the confident and kind young woman I am today. It will continue to shape me, as well. I know that my knowledge is endless, so I will keep learning. I am going to college to become a Registered Nurse and will specialize in Mental Health. This is pivotal to me because I want to be an advocate for mental health & depressed members in my community; I want to organize programs to get them back on their feet & help them realize that they are loved and that it is worth staying. I must make a change in the world, no matter how great or minor. I want to inspire and care for patients in a mental and physical aspect. I continue to be motivated, goal-oriented, focused, and certain about my ambitions; I hope you will consider my application.

On October 23rd, 2021, I got the news; that my friend and her brother had committed suicide. It was unimaginable, and through that, I was the star character in a new tragedy film. This news had hit close to home, not only because she was my friend but also because I was once in her shoes; I was once that girl who tried to commit suicide countless times. Not only did this send me into a dark place again, but it also made me spiral horribly. I questioned, "Why did I survive my attempts and she didn't?" or "Is it even worth living?" I like to say that I was a happy child growing up, but I was obviously innocent. Although my mother, a single woman of 4, tried her hardest, she endured trials and tribulations. I was often exposed to unhealthy and toxic circumstances. As a child, I vividly remember crying and screaming at the top of my lungs; I could never understand why my mother and sister fought. At the age of five, I practically witnessed boxing matches, more times than I could count on my two tiny hands, between family members; an outsider would assume they were arch nemeses. As I got older, it didn't get better. Whenever my mother and sisters would fight, as little as I was in size and age, I'd try to be a mediator; it is ironic, sadly. I tend to recall the bruises on my mother from fighting and her miserably trying to cover them up for work, visiting my sister in the "crazy-house," or hearing the desperate cries for help as my mother and sister threatened to kill themselves. When I got older, it wasn't much of a surprise that I fell into a depression; the shocker was when I fell into that depression. From when I was 14 to 16 years old, I now understood what my sister felt; we weren't "crazy" but yearned for a sense of security, a sense of help, and a sense of our mother's love. I knew I didn't want to end up six feet under, so I put all of my anger and sadness into something more useful. Not only have I taken my mental health seriously, but I've also been determined to be an overachiever. Since I was young, school has been my safe space; through my depression, I put a lot of effort to be where I am currently, even when I desired to end it. I did not let my assignments become overdue or my grade drop below a C. It's proven that hard work pays off; today, I'm among the best students in my class with a 3.7 unweighted GPA. My personal experiences have inspired me to consider a degree in Mental Health Nursing. I must make a change in the world, no matter how great or minor. I want to inspire and care for patients in a mental and physical aspect. I want to continue my friend's and her brother's legacy; I know how pivotal mental health and I will continue to be an advocate for it.