I believe that mental healthcare is absolutely essential, and its rising relevance in society has been beneficial to many who need care. It is especially important because people are struggling so much with modern pressures, particularly teens. Taking care of your mental health is a way to stay healthy and focused on what is truly important. As a rising freshman at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in International Business and Spanish, I understand the importance of maintaining mental wellness. Balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and social life can be challenging. This is why I make it a priority to take care of my mental health. One way I maintain my mental wellness is through frequent exercise. As an athlete involved in rowing, volleyball, and soccer, I have found that physical activity is a great way to relieve stress. Exercise helps me clear my mind and stay focused. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts my mood, which is essential during stressful times. Another important aspect of maintaining my mental health is talking to my loved ones about any issues I may be having. Open communication with family and friends allows me to express my feelings and receive support. It is comforting to know that I have a support system that cares about my well-being. This has been particularly helpful during challenging times, such as preparing for college and managing my responsibilities. In addition to exercise and communication, I also engage in activities that bring me joy and relaxation. Being a part of the Concert Band, Drama, National Honor Society, and Book Club has allowed me to explore my interests and connect with like-minded individuals. These activities provide a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for mental wellness. I also make sure to take breaks and practice self-care. Whether it is reading a book, listening to music, or taking a walk, these small moments of relaxation help me recharge and maintain a positive outlook. It is important to recognize when I need a break and to give myself permission to rest. In conclusion, mental health is important because it helps individuals cope with modern pressures and stay focused on what matters. I maintain my mental wellness through exercise, open communication with loved ones, engaging in enjoyable activities, and practicing self-care. As I embark on my college journey at Loyola University Chicago, I will continue to prioritize my mental health to achieve my academic and personal goals.

Being a student athlete has changed my life in a multitude of ways, but especially in the way it has shaped my mindset with regard to difficult or long-term problems. I have now been rowing crew for two years, but they have been the most rewarding two years of my life. When I started rowing at the boat club downtown Detroit in late summer of my junior year, I had absolutely no intentions to actually like the sport, but the moment I got on the water, I felt an immediate love for the sport that I didn't have for my other sports like volleyball or soccer. Although I love the sport immensely, the scheduling is extremely difficult for me. My school finishes the day at 3 p.m., I have Band Club or NHS Tutoring until 3:30 p.m., and rowing practice starts at 4:30 p.m.. Even though an hour of time buffer may seem like plenty of time to go home and get changed and ready for practice, I live thirty minutes away from my school and the boat club is thirty minutes away from my house. This constant press on my time left me stressed, but it also taught me how important it is to budget my time for other life things like food and homework. I also could only row in the fall and spring seasons, because I do the musical at my school in the winter and work as a lifeguard during the summer, which puts me behind the girls on my team who were training year-round. I often needed to work twice as hard just to make it to practice, and prove myself worthy of the varsity boat. Rowing itself is also a sport which requires great determination and mental wherewithal. It's often easiest to just let the rest of the boat pull harder, especially when it gets to those last few hundred meters, when it feels like the piece will never end, but it is not the right thing to do. The most important thing I have learned from rowing is that even when it hurts, and even when I am tired, or cranky, it remains incredibly important to keep pulling my weight, if only for the sake of my teammates. The mentality I have gained from rowing has also played a major part in the direction of my future career goals. I would like to eventually become a patent lawyer. Getting in the field of law itself is difficult enough. It requires a high level of mental focus in both undergraduate and law school, and while law has always been within my realm of interests, I was never quite sure whether I had the determination to actually complete all the required schooling for the degree. Rowing, however, has shown me that I do have the ability to be strong through difficult situations, academic, physical, or otherwise. Rowing has also prepared me for college in general, where I will have to regulate my own schedule and make sure the I do all the things required of me, which I know can be stressful, but I also know I am up to the task. In conclusion, my experience as a student athlete has been incredible, and I could never fully and properly articulate how much rowing has changed my life for the better.

The 2018 Met Gala, with its theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” stands out as one of the most iconic and well-executed events in its history. This theme offered a unique blend of religious art and fashion, inviting attendees to explore the intersection of spirituality and style. While many attendees stunned that night, including Lana Del Rey, Gigi Hadid, and Ariana Grande, Blake Lively’s dress perfectly embodied the theme, while Katy Perry’s outfit failed to strike the right balance, and presented as tacky and lackluster. Blake Lively, known for her magnificent Met Gala ensembles, graced the Met Gala red carpet in a custom-made Versace gown and Chrstian Louboutin heels that perfectly captured the essence of the theme. The dress practically dripped with religious symbolism, from the 600 hours spent to hand-stitch the intricate beading, which brought to mind the length of time behind the construction of the church, to the deep red coloring of the gown, which provoked thoughts of the blood of Christ. Even the more modestly cut scoop neckline of the gown adhered closely to the modesty present within Catholicism. The intricate patterns and luxurious fabrics mirrored the opulence found in religious art and architecture, creating a seamless fusion between fashion and the divine, as the theme demanded. Moreover, Lively’s commitment to the theme extended beyond her attire; her accessories, including the delicate, halo-like headpiece was symbolic of sainthood, and while other celebrities that evening also donned halos, many were dramatic and overbearing, while Lively's whispered of the little things that truly earn one sainthood, not simply the grandeur. On the other hand, Katy Perry’s choice of attire for the 2018 Met Gala failed to align with the theme and, instead, veered towards the realm of tacky. Perry sported a shiny gold Versace mini dress and golden, thigh-high patent leather boots. Although the core of her costume was already off-theme, the gold mesh overlay and massive angel wings only worsened the look. Perry’s attire lacked the symbolism and elegance that made Lively’s dress so spectacular. The ginormous wings overshadowed any potential connection to the religious motifs, resulting in a look that felt forced and disconnected from the theme. The choice of a metallic gold color, while bold and surely meant to be representative of the majesty of the Church, contributed to the overall gaudiness of the outfit, pulling away from the sophisticated atmosphere of the Met Gala. While Lively emulated the religious theme, Perry’s outfit seemed like an attempt to garner attention and direct disrespect towards the institution of Catholicism rather than a genuine appreciation for the theme. In conclusion, the 2018 Met Gala’s “Heavenly Bodies” theme provided a captivating platform for the combination of fashion and religious imagination. Blake Lively’s dress, with its intricate details and respectful interpretation, emerged as a shining example of how to seamlessly blend the heavenly with the contemporary. Meanwhile, Katy Perry’s outfit, marked by its dramatic and gaudy appearance, fell short of capturing the essence of the event. The stark contrast between these two approaches underscored the significance of thoughtful and tasteful interpretation when it comes to executing a theme as nuanced as “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”