Gummy Candies Worms Berries Sharks Peaches Types of milk Whole Oat Almond Raw Different Types of Donuts Hole Cake Apple Cider Filled Foods that are also baby names Sage Kale Graham Brie Gummy Candies: Gummy worms Gummy berries (Haribo) Gummy sharks (Favorite Day, target) Gummy peaches (Haribo) Types of milk: Whole milk (cow milk that hasn't had its fat removed) Oat milk (dairy-free alternative to milk made from oats) Almond milk (dairy-free alternative to milk made from almonds) Raw milk (milk from an animal that has not been pasteurized) Different Types of Donuts: Hole (small round donut in shape of a ball) Cake (donut made from a cake-like batter) Apple Cider (cake/buttermilk donut infused with apple cider and typically spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg) Filled (a donut with filling such as jelly/jam, or a pastry cream) Foods That Are Also Baby Names: Sage (a unisex name, although typically it is a girl name, that means wise or prophet. Also a culinary herb in the mint family that is used to flavor dishes) Kale (a unisex name, although more commonly given to males, meaning affectionate or calm. Also a leafy, green vegetable belonging to the cabbage family) Graham (a Scottish boy name meaning "gravelly homestead. Also a type of cracker (graham crackers) Brie (A French girl name deriving from an old French word "bri" meaning brick or warmth. Also a soft cow's milk cheese named after the Brie region of France)

It was a morning, Sunday, January 19th, 2025, when my 16-year-old sister, Lorelei, unexpectedly died in a car accident. Lorelei was one of the happiest people you would ever meet. She had so much passion for everything. She was very, very involved in theatre and drama club, played volleyball, did powerlifting, and absolutely loved softball. Lorelei was artistic and creative in the band and the choir. She touched the lives of so many people. Even though it hasn’t been too long without her, her absence has greatly impacted me. The amount of community members who were there for me and my family was so heartwarming. Hearing all the stories of how Lorelei touched people’s lives was comforting. When it happened, I was on my winter break from college and was supposed to go back the following week. I took the first two weeks of the semester off and am now back. It has been a huge adjustment, and it’s really hard. But I know Lorelei would want me to keep going. Navigating my grief has been very difficult, I have never experienced a loss this great before. I have lost some friends and family members, but I never imagined I would lose my baby sister this early. My grief has helped me continue the career path I am choosing, social work. After my loss, I just wanted more and more to be able to help people. Lorelei touched so many lives and helped people, and I want to continue that for her. I want to continue Lorelei's legacy and spread her love for people. Navigating my grief is making me stronger because Lorelei was one of the strongest people I knew and I will continue to be strong for her. Someday, I do want to use my grief to help others. I want to be able to share what I have gone through and help people go through things at their own pace. I am not quite ready to use my grief to help others, because I need to help myself first before I am able to help others the way I would like to. Whenever I want to give up and go home, I remind myself to be strong and keep going for my sweet baby sister. She was the brightest, most beautiful light who lit up every room she was in. I am doing this all for Lorelei. A little backstory about the picture I have chosen: The night before Lorelei passed away, we went out to have a fun little night. We went to Target and TJ Maxx (two of our favorite places to go together), and we went out to eat and got Crumbl cookies. The picture is Lorelei and me in TJ Maxx. It is the last picture I have with her. I will forever cherish that picture and the memory of that night.

I have struggled with my mental health since early into high school. At the beginning I didn't know why I was feeling like this. I developed unhealthy coping mechanisms because I didn't know what else to do. Eventually, I started seeing a therapist and was beginning to work through my mental health. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. My therapist and I came up with healthy coping mechanisms and ways to stop the unhealthy ones I had at that time. Mental health is incredibly important to me as a student because it directly impacts my ability to succeed, focus, and manage the demands of college life. And I know what it is like to struggle with mental health so it is incredibly important to me to prioritize maintaining good mental health. As a student, I’m constantly juggling things like homework, personal goals, family life, trying to be social and make new friends, and maintaining good mental health is essential to handle these challenges. When mental health is neglected, stress, anxiety, and burnout quickly overwhelm me, making it harder to perform well in school and take care of myself. It’s not just about grades; it’s about feeling capable and grounded enough to navigate the ups and downs of life, both academically and personally. Mental health is also important to me because it shapes how I connect with others. As a future social worker, I need to understand how mental health affects people in different ways. Whether it’s dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles, being aware of these challenges helps me empathize and advocate for those who need support. I want to make sure I’m in the best place mentally to be there for others, and that starts with taking care of myself. I think a great way to advocate for mental health is to normalize things such as therapy or taking medications because of a mental health-related problem. So many people are uncomfortable talking about those because they think they will be judged or embarrassed. But, in reality, mental health is just as important as physical health, and everyone has dealt with some sort of mental health issue. In conversations where I have something to say related to me going to therapy or taking meds, I just say it. For example, one time my friends were talking about being stressed about something, I piped in and said "I've talked to my therapist about this before, she said a good way to deal with stress could be something like coloring, or meditation, or even just taking naps." I am not embarrassed that I see a therapist, I know I need help and I am getting the help I need. That is one of the best ways to advocate for mental health anywhere, to normalize being not ok. It is ok to not be ok!

Social work. That is my career of choice. I’ve always had a deep desire to help others. Even during times when I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my future, I always knew that I wanted to make a positive impact on people's lives. Social work offers a unique opportunity to do that, with countless paths to help individuals and communities. Whether it’s providing support to those experiencing mental health challenges, helping families navigate difficult times, or advocating for people in need, social work provides endless avenues to make a difference. This is what I love most about it: there is no one-size-fits-all path, and I am constantly inspired by the variety of ways I can contribute to bettering someone’s life. However, the road to pursuing my dream hasn’t come without its sacrifices. One of the hardest decisions I've made in my journey toward becoming a social worker was returning to college after a devastating personal loss. Over winter break, just a week before I was supposed to return to school, I was working lots to earn some extra money. I was preparing for work one morning when I received the terrifying news that my sister might have been in an accident. I waited anxiously for my parents to come home, hoping and praying they would tell me it was a minor incident, that she was okay. But it wasn’t okay. My sweet, beautiful 16-year-old sister had died. It was the worst day of my life, a day I will never forget. In the aftermath, I felt completely lost and unsure of what to do, especially with college just around the corner. For days, I struggled with the decision of whether I should return to school. It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. Ultimately, I decided to reach out to the dean of students to explain my situation. After some back-and-forth, we came to the conclusion that I would take the first two weeks of the semester off to grieve and be with my family. Returning to school after that time away has been incredibly difficult. Every day has been a reminder of the deep pain I carry, but I also know my sister would have wanted me to keep moving forward. She was always so supportive of my dreams, and I carry her memory with me as motivation to push through the tough days. The biggest sacrifice I’ve made in pursuit of my education has been the emotional cost of leaving my family. I’m not extremely far away, but the distance between us sometimes feels unbearable. I miss the comfort of being with them, and it’s hard to find my footing without them nearby. But even in the face of such hardship, I am determined to continue on this path because I know that by becoming a social worker, I will honor my sister’s memory by helping others the way she would have wanted me to.

It was a Sunday when my 16-year-old sister, Lorelei, woke me up for work an hour early. My mom thought I worked at 8, but I didn’t work until 9. Usually, when Lorelei wakes me up, I yell at her, but that morning I didn’t. Lorelei woke me up right before she left for her softball winter workout. I lay in my bed for a while until I decided I wasn’t going to be able to fall back asleep, so I got dressed for work. I went out into the living room and teased my mom because she had Lorelei wake me up too early. She seemed very off. She told me that Lorelei's Life360 wasn’t updating and that my dad went to check the spot it showed she was at (which was about a 3-minute drive from our house). I was still sort of calm, thinking that Life360 doesn’t update sometimes, and it would be okay. My mom was getting dressed to go meet my dad there. A few minutes later, my dad’s truck pulled into the driveway. I ran out to the car and asked if Lorelei was okay. He was crying and said there had been an accident. I’ve only ever seen my dad cry twice in my life before—once when he took me to his father’s grave, and again for his uncle’s funeral. I was trying to hold it together. I hugged him, and I started crying, repeating, “It will be okay, she will be okay.” He told me I probably shouldn’t go to work. My mom came out to go with my dad, and then my dad told me I should stay home. I went inside and started sobbing, repeating, “Please be okay, Lorelei.” I went to her room, grabbed her childhood bear, and started praying. I don’t pray often. I was pacing around the house, waiting for my parents to come home and tell me Lorelei would be okay. When they came home, I ran to the door. “She’s gone.” I collapsed on the floor and started screaming “No” over and over again. I found out that she had been driving and swerved for something (probably a deer, as there are usually lots of deer on that road) and hit a tree. It was instant. This happened on January 19th, 2025. Lorelei was 16 years old and one of the happiest people you would ever meet. She had so much passion for everything. She was very, very involved in theatre and drama club, played volleyball, did powerlifting, and absolutely loved softball. Lorelei was artistic and creative; she was in the band and the choir. She touched the lives of so many people. Even though it hasn’t been too long without her, her absence has made a huge impact on me. The amount of community members who were there for me and my family was so heartwarming. Hearing all the stories of how Lorelei touched people’s lives was comforting. When it happened, I was on my winter break from college and was supposed to go back the following week. I took the first two weeks of the semester off and am now back. It has been a huge adjustment, and it’s really hard. But I know Lorelei would want me to keep going. Whenever I want to give up and go home, I remind myself to be strong and keep going for my sweet baby sister. She was the brightest, most beautiful light who lit up every room she was in. I am doing this all for Lorelei.

It was a Sunday when my 16-year-old sister, Lorelei, woke me up for work an hour early. My mom thought I worked at 8, but I didn’t work until 9. Usually, when Lorelei wakes me up, I yell at her, but that morning I didn’t. Lorelei woke me up right before she left for her softball winter workout. I lay in my bed for a while until I decided I wasn’t going to be able to fall back asleep, so I got dressed for work. I went out into the living room and teased my mom because she had Lorelei wake me up too early. She seemed very off. She told me that Lorelei's Life360 wasn’t updating and that my dad went to check the spot it showed she was at (which was about a 3-minute drive from our house). I was still sort of calm, thinking that Life360 doesn’t update sometimes, and it would be okay. My mom was getting dressed to go meet my dad there. A few minutes later, my dad’s truck pulled into the driveway. I ran out to the car and asked if Lorelei was okay. He was crying and said there had been an accident. I’ve only ever seen my dad cry twice in my life before—once when he took me to his father’s grave, and again for his uncle’s funeral. I was trying to hold it together. I hugged him, and I started crying, repeating, “It will be okay, she will be okay.” He told me I probably shouldn’t go to work. My mom came out to go with my dad, and then my dad told me I should stay home. I went inside and started sobbing, repeating, “Please be okay, Lorelei.” I went to her room, grabbed her childhood bear, and started praying. I don’t pray often. I was pacing around the house, waiting for my parents to come home and tell me Lorelei would be okay. When they came home, I ran to the door. “She’s gone.” I collapsed on the floor and started screaming “No” over and over again. I found out that she had been driving and swerved for something (probably a deer, as there are usually lots of deer on that road) and hit a tree. It was instant. This happened on January 19th, 2025. Lorelei was 16 years old and one of the happiest people you would ever meet. She had so much passion for everything. She was very, very involved in theatre and drama club, played volleyball, did powerlifting, and absolutely loved softball. Lorelei was artistic and creative; she was in the band and the choir. She touched the lives of so many people. Even though it hasn’t been too long without her, her absence has made a huge impact on me. The amount of community members who were there for me and my family was so heartwarming. Hearing all the stories of how Lorelei touched people’s lives was comforting. When it happened, I was on my winter break from college and was supposed to go back the following week. I took the first two weeks of the semester off and am now back. It has been a huge adjustment, and it’s really hard. But I know Lorelei would want me to keep going. Whenever I want to give up and go home, I remind myself to be strong and keep going for my sweet baby sister. She was the brightest, most beautiful light who lit up every room she was in. I am doing this all for Lorelei.

The first time I saw Wicked on stage, I was 5. My parents took me to Appleton, Wisconsin, to see it. I have always had a love for musical theatre, so I was very excited to see it. I remember being mesmerized by the monkeys flying above the stage. After the show, I wanted a Wicked birthday party so bad. My parents said nobody my age would know what that is, so I settled with a Wizard of Oz birthday party. Surprisingly, not many kids knew what The Wizard of Oz was. But I was still extremely happy with my party. Wicked is such an extraordinary production, every time I see it, I get goosebumps. I could talk for hours about how fascinated I am with Wicked. I am lucky enough to have been able to see Wicked while in New York City on Broadway twice. The first time was July 2022. My Mom and I went, and it was such an amazing experience. I felt like a kid seeing the monkeys flying for the first time again. There’s really no word to describe this show other than magical. The Dragon is also such an iconic set piece. I was able to see it again in August 2023. That time I got to see it with my little sister and my parents. After that show my family got to meet the guy who was playing Fiero. He was so kind and talked to everyone for a bit. We learned that right before COVID hit, he was supposed to be playing Fiero on tour in Madison, Wisconsin. My family was supposed to go where he was going to be. Another reason I love Wicked is because I have always felt a connection with Elphaba. She was teased for something she couldn’t control. And I have always been teased in school because I have a circular birthmark on my forehead. I always felt a little connection with her because of that. Like her, I have also had some trouble making friends, but I have eventually found some great ones. I also love Galinda because I love pink. Every time I have seen Wicked, I love it even more. I have been waiting for this movie for years. There used to be rumors all the time about a Wicked movie, and I am overjoyed that it’s finally happening. From the music to the acting, to the set and production itself. Wicked is such a magical show. Whenever someone asks my favorite show, or what show they should see, I always recommend Wicked. It is a beautiful production I think everyone should be able to see at least once in their lives. Now that the movie is coming out, that makes it so much easier for people to see this magical show.

I have many songs I love on Taylor Swift's album '1989' and many of those songs I coordinate positive memories with. If I had to choose one my favorite song on Taylor Swift's album '1989' would have to be Clean. Clean is about Swift realizing she was finally over her ex. That ex is presumed to be Harry Styles, based on how it was a short time after they dated, and that she came up with the idea in London, where Swift and Styles used to meet up on occasion. However, this song has a different meaning to me. I have struggled with mental health issues throughout my high school career and at one point a result of my struggles I began to self-harm by cutting myself. In the song 'Clean' it says "Ten months sober, I must admit. Just because you're clean, don't mean you don't miss it. Ten months older, I won't give in". That lyric has such a powerful meaning to me, when I would be going through the worst I would listen to this song and I would think to myself "I have to get to ten months clean". Even though this song is very likely about a person, I relate it to my mental health a lot. It says "Hung my head as I lost the war. And the sky turned black like a perfect storm". I think of that in my darker times because I would be feeling as if everything was pointless and that I would lose the war going on inside my mind. And that I would just isolate myself and that would be the best solution. I have since learned that detaching myself from others and cutting myself is not a good solution. I still definitely have my struggles and times when I slip up and do something bad. Even if I'd do it over and over and over again I would continuously go back to thinking "Come on Elaine, ten months clean". I want so badly to be able to think to myself "I think I'm finally clean". This song has gotten me through a lot of tough times and has repeatedly given me so much motivation to keep going. There have been numerous times when I have sunk into melancholia and become so unmotivated and self-destructive. Then once again, Clean would somehow come up in my mind again, whether it happened to play in my car, or through my AirPods at school. In some way, it would appear again when I needed it. I do not know if playing was some sort of sign, or maybe just a coincidence. It could have been that I happened to notice it more often when I would be going through tough times, or that I would be subconsciously wanting it to play. I like to think that it was a sign and that it really did help me every time it played. Taylor Swift has made such an impact in my life, just by her music, and her releasing the song 'Clean' from her album '1989' has made an enormous impact. The song holds so much meaning to me and has gotten me through some of the worst times, but also the best of times. Swift is an extremely talented person to be able to write a song like this and make such a difference in even one person's life. I am so extremely grateful for 'Clean' and the impact it has made on me and the motivation it has given me.