I've never been punched in the face, but I think it would feel like nothing compared to the punches anxiety throws. Questioning every single thing you think, do, or say takes quite a toll on a person. During my sophomore year, I could barely leave my bed, let alone the house. It was easier to just exist on my own rather than to try to deal with the anxiety I felt every time I even considered going out. Fortunately, I have two parents who would not let me lose the battle. I began therapy, and medication, and I was incredibly fearful of it as I didn't want to be perceived as weak. It was embarrassing, right? To be so unhappy when I have so much. I am an athlete with a loving family and supportive friends. Little did I know, I was doing the bravest thing I think I have ever done. Anyone can suffer regardless of their situation, which is something people don't understand. Also, asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, rather a sign of immense courage. These stigmas within society are why people suffer in silence. I hate the number 6. I also hate improper grammar, germs, and the color blue. At first, I thought these were just average pet peeves, but once I started becoming hyper focused on such minuscule things, I realized they were more than just a simple irritation. While I always knew I had anxiety, I wasn't aware of my OCD until later on. I became more observant of my behaviors and habits. There are these connotations that I would get within my brain with certain colors and numbers. For blue, I thought if I wore it, I would have a bad day. I remember being late to school on several occasions as I kept changing my shirt because I wanted to fight my OCD but didn't want something bad to happen to me. To someone without this illness, it may seem irrational. They don't understand that OCD has the power to make you fully believe something bad will happen just because of a silly little color. These mental illnesses often lead to the addition of depression. It swallows you with a lack of motivation and will to live. Luckily, for me, I have had so much support to beat this guy up, but so many people go without guidance. They feel selfish, burdening, or scared to reach out. Sadly, I think almost everyone has gone to this dark place at a time in their life. I am so grateful I have the support system to shut depression down, and I hope every other person struggling with the fight has someone to be there. My life has been drastically changed by my anxiety, OCD, and depression. I have grown greatly, learning how to ask for help, and how to deal with struggle. I am stronger than an illness and will not be defeated. My experiences with mental health have taught me how strong and resilient I can be. Additionally, I now view the world with a more empathetic lens. I want to dedicate my life to helping others, specifically through a career in medicine. I have not always been sure that I could make it through medical school, but with all the punches mental illness has thrown at me, I know that I can accomplish anything. I can be a considerate, understanding, and supportive doctor due to my background in mental health, fully allowing me to give my patients the care that they deserve.

Every time I head to the doctor's office I find my heart racing, palms sweating, and anxiousness bubbling up to my chest. I struggled to make it to every appointment, making me avoidant of healthcare settings. I think that this is likely due to first, my anxiety diagnosis which I received during my sophomore year of high school, and second, because of the negative experiences I had at the doctor when I was younger. Why is it that kids from such a young age are taught to be afraid of healthcare providers, when in reality everything they do is to help us? My therapist has me focus a lot on changing my thoughts, when I am swarmed with negative pesky 'what ifs' in my brain, I am to stop and change those ideas into positive ones. I hope to be a neurologist in a pediatric setting and change the way that children view the doctor. Yes, it is not going to always be pleasant, but I will do everything in my power to make them feel safe. I have worked with kids for almost six years now and they teach me something new every day. Whether it be at sports camps, coaching, refereeing, or at an open gym, I make sure to take time to speak with as many of the kiddos as I can. I want my positive impact to be simple, yet extremely important. As a neurologist, I want my patients to feel safe, welcome, and heard when coming to my office. I have spent a lot of time dog sitting, and this experience has made me want to include having a therapy dog at my office for the ease and comfort of my young patients. I also feel that it is very important to talk to the child and listen, not focusing on your needs but rather theirs. I have a passion for neuroscience. I discovered this through my capstone project in high school in which I raised eight hundred dollars and collected over two hundred gently used books to initiate the installation of a 'Little Free Library' in my town's public park. I got to experience young kids using my library when I filled it up with a new stock of novels and heard them as they rushed over. I also researched the impact of reading on the brain and was fascinated with all the positive benefits, especially for kids. This experience taught me that I find the brain enthralling and that I want to dedicate my life to helping others. During the summer before my freshman year of college, I was approached with another fundraising opportunity. I was scouted and selected to represent Connecticut as an A Shot for Life athlete, participating in a 2 hour long shooting competition. ASFL raises money for brain cancer research, which I knew was something I had to be a part of. I was able to gather over one-thousand dollars in contributions due to the wonderful support of my town. ASFL is changing the world through their donations to the medical world and being even a small part of that showed me that I want to positively impact the lives of others. All in all, my goals for the future are countless, but I hope to make an impact in the world of neurology as well as the negative connotation that children associate with the doctor.

During my sophomore year, there was a solid three months where I could barely leave the house. My palms dampened, heart pounding in my chest, and a wave of nausea overcame me every time I even thought about leaving the comfort of my room. I finally asked for help, and the beginning was so hard. I started medication and started seeing a therapist. I had done the bravest thing possible by seeking support, so why wasn’t I seeing immediate results? Time. Mental illness isn’t magically curable. It takes patience and effort. I hate the number 6. I also hate improper grammar, germs, and the color blue. At first, I thought these were just average pet peeves, but once I started becoming hyper focused on such minuscule things, I realized they were more than just a simple irritation. While I always knew I had anxiety, I wasn't aware of my OCD, a kind of anxiety disorder, until later on. I proudly wore a royal blue dress to prom. I recall when shopping for my dress, blue was the last color I wanted. There were these connotations that I would get within my brain with certain colors and numbers. For blue, I thought if I wore it I would have a bad day. Blue is a saddening color, the color of depression. This means, if I wear blue I will have a day full of tears. I fully and truly believed this. For months, I would avoid the color blue, not wanting to risk the possibility of having a sad day. To take away the power of OCD, you have to make yourself uncomfortable. Slowly I started trying to expose myself more and more to the color. I remember being late to school on several occasions as I kept changing my shirt over and over because I wanted to fight my OCD, but I was afraid of not listening to that voice in my head. To someone without this illness, it may seem irrational. Just wear the shirt, they might say, it's just a color. OCD has the power to make you fully believe something bad will happen just because of a silly little color. This is obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having to wash your hands every time you touch something that has even the slightest possibility of being contaminated, counting anything and everything until it lands on a number that feels right, and thinking that something as small as a color, can determine the occurrence of horrible things. I am different. I now know and acknowledge that. Rather than dwell on the daily adversities that I face due to my appearance and illnesses, I like to focus on the positive. While I had once hated the way I looked, I now choose to embrace it. I am a unique form of beauty, and appreciate the features that my parents blessed me with. Anxiety, OCD, and depression will never be positive, but the journey has and continues to teach me a lot. I have become stronger, persevered, and stayed hopeful. There is beauty in everything, and I know now that I too am beautiful. College is so important to me because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. Doing things with anxiety makes everything feel so much scarier than it is for the typical person. I am almost done with my freshman year of college, high school me would be so proud. This education is so empowering for me because it shows me that I am resilient and can do anything I put my mind to.

Dedicating my life and career to helping others has always been a goal of mine. I have known from a young age that I often will put my family and friends before myself. This is likely due to my obsession with reading, which I have learned from research makes me a more empathetic person. Due to my ability to pretend to be the protagonist, I have developed a fondness for seeing and helping others in distress. On top of that, I have anxiety, a mental illness that causes chronic worry. Rather than viewing this diagnosis as a burden, I choose to view it in a more positive light. I feel that my fight with the illness has made me a more caring and understanding person. Sometimes it is very difficult to express how you're feeling, which a lot of people lack to understand. Since I have felt this way, I believe I am capable of identifying others who are struggling in silence. I am grateful for my anxiety as it has shaped me to be thoughtful and caring individual. I am majoring in neuroscience and on the course track to earn my doctorate in occupational therapy. I have also greatly considered medical school, pursuing neurology. Either way, I know I want to go into healthcare, and more specifically want to work in pediatrics. I have been working with kids for over five years now and find myself enjoying it more and more every day. We can learn so much from kids and I appreciate the knowledge they impart on me which is why I want to work with them. My experience working in a youth occupational therapy office furthered my decision to work in the healthcare field. I found myself looking forward to going to work at night despite my busy day filled with classes and athletics. I knew that this was the right path for me when despite my exhaustion I still wanted to go and see the kids I worked with. I recall having to miss a day of work due to a basketball game and coming into my next shift excited to hear the updates on each kid's day, apologizing for the time I had missed. It may seem simple, but learning about the daily happenings of each child was so joyful for me as I got to be a positive part of their day. I learned a lot from this experience, but most importantly, I was taught how to be a good listener for these kids. Little things are so important in this day and age because it shows true commitment and care. I want my future patients to know that I care to know them, and I will make the effort to be a personable doctor. Healthcare is all about showing compassion and empathy, which is why I feel it is the perfect field for me.

I have always been fascinated by the brain and its complex capabilities. Additionally, I foster a deep love of reading and feel its presence throughout my childhood has shaped me into the person I am today. I combined my passion for reading with my interest in science to learn about how reading impacts the brain. Through my studies, I discovered the various benefits, and I wanted to find a way to help others have access to literary sources, and therefore these benefits. Through a school project, I raised eight hundred dollars to implement the installation of a free library in our local community park. I also held a book drive with a local author and collected hundreds of books as a supply for the library. I was able to give out free books at an event the author held due to the amount of donations I received. The library will give over 80 kids who are in our town summer camp access to free books, as well as anyone who visits the park. The pride I have in this project is immense as I know I was able to make a positive long-term impact on the lives of others. I have found reading to be an outlet for my stress, a method I can always rely on which motivated me to create this library to improve the accessibility to literary sources within our town. I hope to inspire this love in the current youth so that they can have the resources to cope. I was truly motivated by the fact that there are just so many kids that don't have the same resources that I had growing up. I wanted to change that. Yes, we have a public library, but how many kids have a ride, or a parent willing to take them? I wanted to encourage this healthy habit in the youths of our town despite their home situation, especially over the summer where the school library is not an option. On top of that, the library brings our community together and provides a way for people to connect with literature. As a neuroscience major, I get to learn more and more about the brain and how it functions every day. From this education, I plan to continue the promotion of reading due to its many benefits for the brain. I want to help people, which is what I did through this project, and this major will allow me to expand my knowledge on ways I can contribute to better the health of my community.

I have always adored the literary world. Reading was an escape from the worries and fears that haunted me. There is great comfort that comes with a good book and I realized how few children also had this opportunity to love the art of storytelling. In our school, we are required to take a Capstone course in which we are able to pursue knowledge on any topic of our choice. Immediately, I knew that I had to find a way to share the joy of literature with my community. I thought about what might be holding students back from the enrichment that a novel can provide, and realized that not everyone grew up with the accessibility of books that I had, or the encouragement to read from their parents. Determined to find a way to convince the youth population to read, I researched the numerous benefits of reading on the brain. I was fascinated by the immense health advantages something as simple as words on a page can have. I was also stunned to learn how few children have the influence to read in their homes as well as the access to books while away from school. Especially during the summer, many young kids don’t have the encouragement of reading since they can’t afford books, have working parents, and lack access to their school or local libraries. Working with the wonderful people within my town I was able to raise eight-hundred dollars to install a ‘Little Free Library’ in our local park. I knew this would be the perfect location to implement the source due to the summer camp that is held there daily that hosts over eighty kids. Additionally, I worked with a local author to hold a book collection so the shelves would always be stocked. Our advocating for the need to read led to us receiving over two hundred books that can find new homes where they will be loved again. I was able to give out free books to the parents and children that participated in a craft event held by the author that mentored me throughout the project. The joy I witnessed was an unforgettable experience for me. Now I try to refill my library weekly as each time I check on it, it is practically empty. I haul an overflowing box and announce to the people at the park that there are free books that anyone can take. Little kids come squealing over in glee, anticipating the new stories that they will be able to take home with them. This experience was life changing for me. Being able to see the direct impact I was able to make on my community further solidified my choice to pursue a career in which I can help others. The lack of accessibility to literary sources is a chronic issue in our technology influenced world, so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to gift the joy of reading to the people of my town.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as a wave of nausea overcame me. As we pulled into the parking lot I contemplated all of the possible ways that I could escape. The fear, embarrassment, and shame was overpowering, but I had no choice. I was going to therapy. The stigma surrounding mental health made it extremely difficult for me to ask for help. I truly believe that it is the bravest thing I have ever done. I thought that I would be labeled by my peers due to the negative connotations surrounding therapy. Putting myself first and going to a psychiatrist allowed me to see the internal strength that I have. Self-advocacy is hard, especially for teens who are still discovering who they are. My struggles with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression have taught me to stand up for my feelings and recognize that I can overcome anything. Although I have greatly improved, I still struggle with these disorders on a daily basis. I do not always find it easy to do simple tasks that I enjoy such as going to social events and playing basketball games. I battle with anxiety when trying to do something outside of my comfort zone, making it extremely hard to experience new things. Rather than dwelling on the hardships that my mental illness has caused me, I like to remind myself of the ways they have positively impacted my life. My favorite way to describe myself is resilient. My internal fight shows me that I am stronger than these disorders. Knowing that is reassuring to me and helps me to attack any challenge that I may face. Through my adversity I proved that I am resilient, an affirmation I remind myself of everyday. I don't want others to feel that they can't seek out the help that they deserve. I am blessed to have extremely supporting family and friends which made it a lot easier for me to have access to the resources that I need. Despite this support, I still struggled to express how I was feeling. Unfortunately, not everyone mirrors this situation. In order to prevent suffering, I want to dedicate my life to helping others. I plan to major in neuroscience, a degree that allows me an array of creativity in my choice of career path. Whether I pursue research, occupational therapy, or a medical degree, I plan to focus my studies on my goal of helping others. I advocate for mental health by simply talking about my own struggles. While this may seem small, it was incredible difficult for me at one time to even grasp the idea of my friends knowing my diagnosis, let alone talking to them about my experience with it. By being more open about going to therapy, getting the help I need, and my experiences with mental health, I hope that I am creating a safe space for others to seek out support.

I plan to make a difference in the world by creating a genuine connection with those surrounding me. Science, specifically discovery, is the key to human betterment which is what I hope to accomplish through my higher education. I am currently studying neuroscience as a student athlete at Western New England. Not only do I want to make a difference in an academic sense, but I strive to impact the individual life on a personal level. I am a huge believer in the importance of the simplistic aspects of life. Small acts of kindness are key to longitudinal change in society. Our world has a lot of hate, and you never know how one generous deed can influence a chain reaction. Athletics specifically have shown me how I am able to make an impact on others. I have coached kids of all ages, having to be a role model for them. My favorite extracurricular experience I have had was working with our town's youth basketball program. The young girls adored us, and we were overjoyed to notice them begin to fill the bleachers at our games. We supported them, so they showed up for us. After our last home game of the year, I signed my first autograph. My smile beamed as I scribbled my name on the little girl's shirt. At that moment I knew I made a difference. We changed those little girls' lives. By showing them our love for basketball and each other we encouraged them to keep playing basketball. We also became role models that the girls looked up to. Even though the program ended, I still have girls wave to me and smile at me whenever I see them around town. I had made a difference by just dedicating my time to a group of aspiring athletes. I aspire to gain as much knowledge as possible, which is why I plan on going to medical school. Unfortunately, this is a very costly endeavor for my family and me. I am also committed to playing division III athletics meaning I will have little time to work with school and sports. I believe that I should be awarded this scholarship because I will work hard to further my education and make this funding meaningful. I want to put as little burden on my parents as possible and this scholarship would help me give back to them for all that they have done for me. My parents are currently funding my brother's tuition as well as mine. Additionally, they pay monthly medical bills to support my mental health through therapy. Although it is costly, I have seen a change and plan to continue through college for my personal well-being. I appreciate your time and consideration for this scholarship.

Recently, I watched the film Out of My Mind, and I was rushed back to elementary school when I first read the novel. Out of My Mind is about a young girl, Melody, with cerebral palsy who is incredibly intelligent though constantly judged due to the stereotypes surrounding disabilities. I remember feeling hurt while reading this novel, struggling to understand how could so many people treat this bright girl as though she is incapable. Watching the film brought me back to this feeling of empathy towards individuals with disabilities. As I admired this young girl's bravery, I felt myself inspired, wanting to find a way to help kids with similar struggles. I found myself watching the film a second time with my parents, telling my mom that I wanted her to gain a better understanding of the kinds of kids I want to help. I plan to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs by treating them with the respect and kindness that they deserve. As of right now, I plan on applying to medical school to pursue a career in neurology. The research and findings are growing more and more every day on how we can improve the quality and duration of life for those with severe disabilities. I am also exploring the idea of becoming an occupational therapist, working with children to improve their ability to complete everyday tasks. Either way, I know that I want to help people, especially those with special needs. I have had many volunteer experiences that have shaped my future aspirations. Working in an occupational therapy office with young children was extremely beneficial as it allowed me to see how rewarding and helpful OT can be. I found myself excited to go to work to see the young kids and hear about their day and telling their parents about how much I adore them. As a college student and athlete, I enjoyed the stress relief that came with spending time with these creative and brilliant children. Given the fact that I am a STEM major, collegiate athlete, and planning to pursue medical school, I am trying to get as much support as I can towards my tuition, though I have very little time to work during the school year. I am blessed to have the support of my parents, but medical school is a costly endeavor, and I don't feel that it is fair of me to ask them to fund that part of my education. I have been working with kids for over five years now, and I can't see myself working with any other population. Every year I witness myself learning and growing from their young minds as they have so much to teach us. I think that any young adult going into a field with children should read Out of My Mind to see the viewpoint of a kid with a disability in order to learn how to treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve. Our words hold a lot of value and meaning especially when it comes to the manner in which we treat others. I can't wait to begin my career to assure that those with special needs are given the treatment they deserve.

Recently, I found myself facing this adversity on the basketball court. As an athlete who has been a part of the Varsity Basketball Program since my freshman year, my name is now known throughout our conference due to the dedication and work I have put in to become a successful player. Now that I am in my senior year, I find myself being face guarded, overplayed, and denied the ball during games. As frustrating as this was for me, I still wanted to try to score. I faced great difficulty within this desire because although I wanted to have good statistics to achieve my personal goals, scoring wasn't the best way for me to help my team. I did not want to find myself forcing shots during a game, overexerting myself in an attempt to boost my point average. I knew I had to face the ethical choice to pursue my own hopes of performing well, or doing what's best for my team and making the right plays. Hubris seeped into my vision, yearning to persuade me to think of myself, but I knew that it would go against my morals to adhere to this vision. I decided I would help my team in a different way than I typically would. I would be a leader. Having graduated five seniors the prior year, our team is young, with four freshmen on the roster. Many of these girls would face substantial minutes in the game and needed to feel confident in their abilities to perform well. Remembering how I felt as a first year, the fear and doubt I had, encouraged me to be a voice for the younger girls on the team. I learned how to support and uplift others through this experience, proving to me that I made the right choice in my dilemma. Furthermore, I noticed I began to score as my teammates and I worked together to create the right shot. I was able to grow both as a player and person through this experience and I saw how simple acts of support can help those surrounding me. I always knew I wanted to help others and my experiences through athletics furthered this motive within me. Being able to uplift and support one another in a team environment has been life changing for me, an impact that stemmed from the numerous basketball programs that I have been a part of over the years. Although my hobbies mainly include basketball, I also enjoy reading, flag football, volunteering, and student government. Each of these individual activities have helped to shape who I am today and who I want to be in my future. Reading has taught me how to view the perspectives of others which reminds me to always choose kindness. Flag football proved to me that girls can do anything, as I played many years as the only female on my team while still succeeding despite being at a social disadvantage. Volunteering allows me to give back to those around me who have helped and shown support throughout my life. Lastly, student government has proved to me that you can't always satisfy everyone, therefore furthering my use of compromise. Experiences create the people that we are, and involvement is key to developing. Sports have taught me so many things, but most importantly how teammates can become a second family. That type of support and mutual care for each other showed me that I want to help others as I do for those I care about.

I stand out in a crowd. Not because of my freckle specked face, tall athletic build, or bright blue eyes. Rather my hair, natural red locks that flow down to my lower back. This is not my only distinction from society. Anxiety, depression and OCD have frequently made me feel as though I am emotionally separate from my peers. Oftentimes I have found myself resenting my differences, wanting to fit in instead of being who I am. Every person is unique to some degree. My rarities happen to be externally due to my unique appearance, as well as internally due my mental health . Obsessive Compulsive Disorder causes me to process things in a way that contrasts the thoughts of my peers. A need for control and order causes irrational fears to develop. Anxiety results in difficulty to try new things, an overbearing guilt complex, and the haunting ideology that everything is your fault. These disorders make it difficult to maintain a plastered smile on my face. Depression creeps in, eating at the soul. How does someone stop these illnesses, especially when they can only be conquered within oneself? Clearly I haven’t always loved myself for who I am. Whether it be my appearance, or my thoughts, I have found reason to hate my differences. I have struggled to navigate my life while feeling out of the ordinary. Over time, I have learned and grown through hard work and self advocacy. The bravest thing I have ever done is seeking help. I was scared to admit that something was wrong with me. I go to therapy and I am now not ashamed, but it took time for me to accept that I needed help. I vividly remember being afraid of how my friends would perceive me when they found out. Again, I saw myself as different from my peers. Even before I began therapy, I knew I wasn’t normal. I would get anxious every time someone asked me to leave my house. My palms would dampen, heart racing as a wave of nausea overcame me at even just the thought of going out. Why did no one else have this same experience as me? The truth is there are others that go through this same thing, but sadly it is not talked about. Thankfully for me, I have had an immense support system, though it wasn’t easy, explaining to others that I battle with simple things that they do everyday. Despite my struggle, my differences have made me resilient. That is my favorite way to describe myself. I haven’t given up on becoming a better person for both myself and others. I work hard everyday to love who I am. I have had support from loved ones which has shown me the importance of looking out for others, causing me to aspire to have the care they show for me. I love to play basketball, read, watch movies, and talk. I also love my red hair and how beautiful it makes me feel. My mental illnesses may not be as pretty, but they have made me who I am, and slowly I have begun to see the positive in that. OCD has made me stronger, as I have learned to fight the deceiving voices in my brain. Anxiety has made me more caring since I worry for those that I love. Lastly, depression has taught me to be mindful and appreciate the little things. Each of these differences has taught me something new, but most importantly how to love who I am.

I have always adored the literary world. Reading was an escape from the worries and fears that haunted me. There is great comfort that comes with a good book and I realized how few children also had this opportunity to love the art of storytelling. In our school, we are required to take a Capstone course in which we are able to pursue knowledge on any topic of our choice. Immediately, I knew that I had to find a way to share the joy of literature with my community. I thought about what might be holding students back from the enrichment that a novel can provide, and realized that not everyone grew up with the accessibility of books that I had, or the encouragement to read from their parents. I knew that I was lucky to have this experience growing up, which is why I need to take advantage of what has been given to me and pursue a collegiate experience. I also want other kids to be motivated to learn and further their education. Determined to find a way to convince the youth population to read, I researched the numerous benefits of reading on the brain. I was fascinated by the immense health advantages something as simple as words on a page can have. I was also stunned to learn how few children have the influence to read in their homes as well as the access to books while away from school. Especially during the summer, many young kids don’t have the encouragement of reading since they can’t afford books, have working parents, and lack access to their school or local libraries. Working with the wonderful people within my town I was able to raise eight-hundred dollars to install a ‘Little Free Library’ in our local park. I knew this would be the perfect location to implement the source due to the summer camp that is held there daily that hosts over eighty kids that likely don’t have parents that are able to bring them to a local library due to their careers. Additionally, I worked with a local author to hold a book collection so the shelves would always be stocked. Our advocating for the need to read led to us receiving over two hundred books that can find new homes where they will be loved again. I was able to give out free books to the parents and children that participated in a craft event held by the author that mentored me throughout the project. The joy I witnessed was an unforgettable experience for me. Now I try to refill my library weekly as each time I check on it, it is practically empty. I haul an overflowing box and announce to the people at the park that there are free books that anyone can take. Little kids come squealing over in glee, anticipating the new stories that they will be able to take home with them. This experience was life changing for me. Being able to see the direct impact I was able to make on my community further solidified my choice to pursue a career in which I can help others. I am planning to double major in biochemistry and psychology to focus more on learning about the brain. I want to find more ways that I can change lives and I think science is the perfect field to accomplish this. Discovery and research will allow for us to change the world, and broadening my knowledge with two majors will allow me to pursue medical school and carry out my educational goals.

I plan to make a difference in the world by creating a genuine connection with those surrounding me to result in a lasting impact. Science, specifically discovery, is the key to human betterment which is what I hope to accomplish through my higher education. I am attending Clark University, an institution that focuses on the importance of research and striving for change. Not only do I want to make a difference in an academic sense, but I strive to impact the individual life on a personal level. I am a huge believer in the importance of the simplistic aspects of life. Small acts of kindness are key to longitudinal change in society. Our world has a lot of hate and you never know how one generous deed can influence a chain reaction. My contribution will be to seek life-changing data, but also show compassion daily to spread a positive light within our world. This scholarship will bless me with the ability to pursue my secondary education with a lessened amount of stress regarding my academic tuition. I aspire to gain as much knowledge as possible, which is why I plan on going to medical school. Unfortunately, this is a very costly endeavor for my family and I. I am also committed to playing division III athletics meaning I will have little time to work with school and sports. I believe that I should be awarded this scholarship because I will work hard to further my education and make this funding meaningful. I want to put as little burden on my parents as possible and this scholarship would help me give back to them for all that they have done for me. My parents are currently funding my brother's tuition as well as mine. With both of us being collegiate athletes it makes it difficult for us to find time to work and repay them. Additionally, they pay monthly medical bills to support my mental health through therapy. Although it is costly, I have seen a change and plan to continue through college for my personal well being. This scholarship will allow me to seek my degree worry free. I truly want to make a discovery and change our world. I want my research to be published due to its ability to help others. Having funding to support my tuition will give me the time and ability to fully focus on my future successes and accomplishing my goals of changing our world and furthering science.

When I was younger, the only movies I tended to watch were comedies. I was petrified of horror movies and easily bored by dramas. If my parents thought that I wouldn't like a movie, they would still try to entice me to watch it. This was the case when I was introduced to the marvelous musical that is La La Land. Many people despise this movie due to the reality of it. Shamefully, I was once one of those people. At 11, I wanted to see a happily ever after, two people riding off into the sunset, together forever. In La La Land, they tease you, showing what could've been rather than what happened, resulting in a breathtaking ending. I quite significantly recall being filled to the brim with anger over this conclusion, but little did I know how much this movie would steal my heart as I grew up. No one wants to see a romance movie where the two love interests don't end up together. In La La Land the two main characters, Mia and Sebastian are yearning artists whose aspirations lead them in different directions. Due to their differing dreams, their love for each other is broken apart. Their paths intertwine and we watch them fall in love while seeking out their dreams. Unfortunately, when Seb joins a band and Mia is performing her self-written show, he lets her down. Sebastian later redeems himself by forcing Mia to attend an audition rather than giving up. She gets the part, having to move to Paris to film and leave Sebastian behind. The two reencounter years later, when Mia is a famous actress and enters a jazz club. She finds Sebastian there playing the piano, and we are shown the possibility of what could have happened. Seb was there for her, married her, and they had a son together in this false reality. Then we are brought back to the present time, where he gets his final look at her before she leaves the club, and his life, forever. As I mentioned before, I hated this movie the first time I watched it. No young girl wants to see a failed romance, especially when they are perfect for each other. Despite this feeling, I found myself drawn to the movie and rewatched it. I have probably seen La La Land twenty or more times at this point in my life and will put it on anytime I find myself sad. I view this story as hopeful and comforting. The two artists were both able to achieve their dreams and find happiness. They found success despite all the adversity they faced. On top of that, the love they shared for one another was an experience, within the journey that is life that I am sure neither one would have given up. They had a beautiful relationship and without one another, likely would not have pursued and carried out both of their goals. The aspect that resonated the most with me was how much Sebastian truly loved Mia. He loved her enough to let her go and have success in her dreams. It is a truly beautiful story that I feel accurately represents the experience that is life. I want to change others' lives for the better. To do so, I am currently planning to pursue a degree in neuroscience to help those in need. La La Land showed me that despite how difficult my journey may be, dreams are always possible. Most importantly, the film taught me to be mindful and appreciate every experience that life gifts me with.

Reading has changed my life. I read every night before I can sleep, reading over 200 books in my life, and a goal of 35 books for this year. The words on the page blend together creating a story, or as one of my friends likes to say: "a movie for your mind". Reading can be many things, an escape, a dream coming true, a story of love, or even loss. The most important takeaway of these various messages that one can gather from a novel is to learn and grow through experience. Each novel tells a story or a different experience. As someone who suffers from anxiety, reading became an outlet for me, an escape to another world. Anytime I needed a distraction from reality I would find my way to a new book and therefore a new life being shared with me. I was able to put myself into the main character's shoes, which translated to my daily life, making me a more empathetic person. Even though I had originally found reading as a coping mechanism, I also used it as a way to grow as a person. A big part of coping with anxiety is focusing on the present moment. Reading has taught me to appreciate every moment, every experience, and every gift life has to offer. Due to my bond with books, I committed myself to a project to share my love with my community. Through a capstone project at school, I researched the benefits of reading, how to encourage others to read, and methods of how to improve access to books. My project goal of making a lasting impact was achieved as I raised eight hundred dollars to purchase and paint the free library, and received over two-hundred donated novels through a book drive I held. I immediately felt a sense of pride over what I was able to accomplish. Hundreds of people are now going to have improved accessibility to literary sources, promoting my passion for reading throughout the community. That feeling of satisfaction, knowing that I was able to make a lasting impact on others, is what I strive to have every day within my work environment. Over the summer I have been blessed to see the impact my library has had on the youth community. I try to go and refill the library at least once a week and I am always thrilled with how empty it is each time I check. Our town holds a youth camp at the park throughout the summer with over 70 kids attending. I am so proud to say that these kids are gaining access to books throughout the summer because of my efforts. Throughout my project, I learned how many children lack access to books, especially over the summer. I happily brought a bag of books during camp hours and was swarmed by kids excited to see the new choices they would have to take home with them. I left the park that day full of hope that kids will learn to love reading the same way that I do. Through this project and my experiences with reading, I have been able to create goals for my future. I know that no matter what career path I end up following, I will focus on helping and changing the lives of others. Reading has taught me so many things, but most importantly how to be a better person.

I have done a sack race in front of my entire school. My long legs were not fond of the tight brown bag I had to force my feet into. The unfortunate result of this was falling on several occasions, as well as my gum flying out of my mouth. Not once when I decided to run for student government did I think that my role would entail this task. I have been my class treasurer since freshman year and was just reelected for our senior year. While I do like having an influence I never expected to love student government as much as I do. Being able to make important decisions to satisfy my peers has been challenging, but at the same time, greatly rewarding. I have also had to be willing to embarrass myself in front of the whole school when no one else is brave enough to step up. You can never make everyone happy. Whether it's deciding on a dance venue, choosing a theme for the pep rally, or planning spirit week, someone always has something to complain about. While this is painful, it has taught me how to truly be a good leader. I have found that instead of attempting to make every single person happy with the decisions that I and the other officers make, I should focus on what I think would be the best for the people in my class. Which will get the most participation, which will benefit the entirety of the people, and which will be the most fun. All of these factors must be considered to have a successful event. Most importantly, as a leader you can't allow your desires to influence the decisions that you make. Just because there's an idea that you like better than another doesn't mean that it will be what is best for the people. Selflessness is key. I recall the first dance we hosted. It was sophomore year, finally starting to reach normalcy after experiencing the past year in the world of a pandemic. Despite the improved conditions, the underclassmen were still overlooked. We were not allowed to attend the semi-formal dance, which is usually for all grades, to minimize the number of people gathered together. We had already lost our 8th-grade semi and freshman-year semi, meaning our class never had the experience of a formal dance. After meeting with the other officers, we knew we had to do something to change that. The Spring Fling was a massive success. A dance for freshmen and sophomores to make up for the years of dances we had missed out on. We planned, decorated, and scheduled everything with the help of our advisors to hold this event for our peers. Seeing the entirety of it come together was the best feeling, to know we gave our classmates an opportunity they were previously deprived of due to unfortunate circumstances. In the future, I want to help others. Having this experience as a student leader has been such a rewarding and humbling experience. I have been able to learn and grow as a person. My peers have taught me how to be an effective leader which will greatly help me in my future career no matter what I choose to do.

As an empath, I have always been drawn to the idea of helping others. I have known from a young age that I often will put my family and friends before myself. This is likely due to my obsession with reading, which I have learned from research makes me a more empathetic person. Due to my ability to pretend to be the protagonist, I have developed a fondness for seeing and helping others in distress. On top of that, I have anxiety, a mental illness that causes chronic worry. I feel that my fight with the illness has made me a more caring and understanding person. Sometimes it is very difficult to express how you're feeling, which a lot of people lack to understand. Since I have felt this way I believe I am capable of identifying others who are struggling in silence. Every student in our high school is required to complete a capstone project to graduate. I chose to combine my passion for reading with my interest in science and learn how reading impacts the brain. Through my studies, I learned about the various benefits and I wanted to find a way to help others have access to literary sources, and therefore these benefits. I raised eight hundred dollars to implement the installation of a free library in our local community park. This will give over 70 kids who are in our town summer camp, access to free books, as well as anyone who visits the park. The pride I have in this project is immense as I know I was able to make a positive long-term impact on the lives of others. I have found reading to be an outlet for my stress, a method I can always rely on. I hope to inspire this love in the current youth so that they can have the resources to cope. I adore the concept of STEAM. From this project, I was able to see how the arts and sciences can go hand in hand. I want to have a wide array of knowledge as I feel it will help me to be the most successful I possibly can be in my future. I want to be an editor, neuroscientist, author, occupational therapist, and publisher. Due to the vast differences in these careers, I plan to double-major. Whatever path I end up taking, I will find a way to incorporate the concepts from both fields into my work. By doing so, I will be able to help others in the best possible way.

Today I went to the local park in town and filled up my newly installed 'Little Free Library' with donated books. Through a capstone project at school, I researched the benefits of reading, how to encourage others to read, and methods of how to improve access to books. My project goal of making a lasting impact was achieved as I raised eight hundred dollars to purchase and paint the free library, and received over two-hundred donated novels through a book drive I held. I immediately felt a sense of pride over what I was able to accomplish. Hundreds of people are now going to have improved accessibility to literary sources, promoting my passion for reading throughout the community. That feeling of satisfaction, knowing that I was able to make a lasting impact on others, is what I strive to have every day within my work environment. I currently plan to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Although I know my mind may change the reasoning behind why I choose my career will not. I want to help others. My favorite volunteer experience I have had was working with our town's youth basketball program. The young girls adored us, and we were overjoyed to notice them begin to fill the bleachers at our games. We supported them, so they showed up for us. After our last home game of the year I signed my first autograph. My smile beamed as I scribbled my name on the little girl's shirt. At that moment I knew I made a difference. We changed those little girls' lives. By showing them our love for basketball and each other we encouraged them to keep playing basketball. We also became role models that the girls looked up to. Even after the program ended, I still had girls wave to me and smile at me whenever I saw them around town. I had made a difference by just dedicating my time to a group of aspiring athletes. People like people who care. I plan to make a difference in the world by showing people that I am one of those people who truly want to help others. While I know this will not necessarily help everyone in the world, it will begin the butterfly effect. You never know how helping one person may impact another. It's a chain reaction. I will set an example of being a person who demonstrates empathy for others. My newest passion will be the people that I work with. Whether it be clients, co-workers, or even my boss. I will dedicate my career to caring.

I have read over 200 books in my life and I intend to read 35 more books this year. I adore reading and the adventure endured while drinking in the words. In theory, this is an impossible question for a book lover, as I would have everyone read a different book suited to their individual preferences hoping that they would continue to read throughout their lives. Although, if I had to pick one singular book, I would choose I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette Mccurdy. Jennette Mccurdy hated acting. Despised it to be more accurate. But how would her audience know that? She slapped on a happy face to satisfy her mother. On top of that, she bore the responsibility of the debt her family had acquired from medical bills. Mccurdy's Mom suffered from breast cancer and used it as a method to manipulate her daughter. Jennette had no clue that her mother's hateful words and actions were not okay. Her Mom was willing to do anything to keep Jennette acting and had an obsession with her daughter maintaining a youthful appearance. She associated Jennette's success with her young age and thought that if she could continue to appear young she would keep booking roles. Anorexia and bulimia haunted Jennette for the rest of her life due to her mother's sadistic body shaming and unhealthy eating habits she taught her from such a young age. Her life was forever changed. Despite all the darkness in her life, Jennette found light. We see her friendship with co-star Miranda Cosgrove blossom and grow. Cosgrove shows her kindness despite not knowing what Mccurdy had been going through. Despite all of the horrible and traumatic experiences Jennette had because of acting, she was able to find a life-long friend. You may be wondering why I chose a book that is seemingly so saddening for someone to read. I think that this book shows you that you never truly know what a person might be going through. No one knew Jennette was going through so much suffering. This story shows how a kind act can impact a person, how you never truly know what someone could be struggling with, and how Jennette persevered and made the best of this terrible experience. I think that everyone should acknowledge the bravery and resilience of Jennette Mccurdy and learn that not everything is the way it seems.

For people fighting a mental illness, simple tasks become a bit more difficult. Well, a bit is quite an understatement. I fight against anxiety, OCD, and depression every single day. I use a variety of different methods to cope, making it easier for me to live my life, although the negative thoughts still scrape their gnarled fingers across my brain. Mental illness changes you as a person and teaches you resilience, courage, and most importantly, how to fight back. I've never been punched in the face, but I think it would feel like nothing compared to the punches anxiety throws. Questioning every single thing you think, do, or say takes quite a toll on a person. I constantly feel that I am doing something wrong. The voice nags me, telling me I am hurting someone, not feeling like I'm enough, or convincing me I am a burden. I have learned to tell this voice to shut up, but not without a great struggle. During my sophomore year, I could barely leave my bed, let alone the house. It was easier, to just exist on my own rather than to try to deal with the anxiety I felt every time I even considered going out. As a 15-year-old girl, staying confined to my room meant little to no social life, but I didn't care. It was easier than stirring up my cruel mind. This was not the high school experience that I had wanted for myself, but it was comfortable. Fortunately, I have two parents who would not let me lose the battle. I began therapy, and medication, both of which I was incredibly fearful of as I didn't want to be perceived as weak. It was embarrassing, right? To be so unhappy when I have so much. I am an athlete with a loving family and supportive friends. I should be content with my life. Little did I know, I was doing the bravest thing I think I have ever done. That's one of the many stigmas with mental illness. Anyone can suffer regardless of their situation, which is something a lot of people don't understand. On top of that, asking for and receiving help is not something people should be ashamed of. These commonalities within our society are why so many people suffer in silence. I hate the number 6. I also hate improper grammar, germs, and the color blue. At first, I thought these were just average pet peeves, but once I started becoming hyperfocused on such minuscule things, I realized they were more than just a simple irritation. While I always knew I had anxiety, I wasn't aware of my OCD until later on. Typically these illnesses are a package deal, so I wasn't necessarily surprised with my diagnosis, I just became more observant of my behaviors and habits. I am planning to wear a royal blue dress to prom. I recall when shopping for my dress, blue was the last color I wanted. There were these connotations that I would get within my brain with certain colors and numbers. For blue, I thought if I wore it I would have a bad day. Blue is a saddening color, the color of depression. This means, if I wear blue I will have a day full of tears. I fully and truly believed this. For months, I would avoid the color blue, not wanting to risk the possibility of having a sad day. Slowly I started trying to expose myself more and more to color. I remember being late to school on several occasions as I kept changing my shirt over and over because I wanted to fight my OCD, but didn't want something bad to happen to me. To someone without this illness, it may seem irrational. Just wear the shirt, they might say, it's just a color. They don't understand that OCD has the power to make you fully believe something bad will happen just because of a silly little color. By wearing that color, I sapped away the strength of my OCD. Even though it was hard for me, once I got over the initial fear, I found myself having a good day, despite the color I was wearing. This is obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having to wash your hands every time you touch something that even has the slightest possibility of being contaminated, counting anything and everything until it lands on a number that feels right, and thinking that something as small as a color, can determine the occurrence of horrible things. Someone may joke they have OCD just because they like things neat and tidy. Believe me, there is a massive difference. These mental illnesses often lead to the awful disease known as depression. This monster sucks everything out of you, leaving the feeling of hopelessness. It swallows you with a lack of motivation and will to live. Luckily, for me, I have had so much support to beat this guy up, but so many people go without guidance. They feel selfish, or burdening, or scared to reach out. A lot of teens may not have anyone they feel safe enough to go to. It is so scary. To be haunted by the feeling that you don't want to be alive anymore. Sadly, I think almost everyone has gone to this dark place at a time in their life. I am so grateful I have had the support system to shut depression down, and I hope that every other person struggling with the fight has someone they can count on. Everyone faces adversity at some point in their life. Unfortunately, for those with mental illnesses, adversity instantly becomes a whole lot harder. My life has been drastically changed by my anxiety, OCD, and depression. Rather than dwell on all the negative aspects they contributed, I like to focus on the positive. I have grown greatly, learning how to ask for help, and how to deal with inner struggle. I am stronger than an illness.

My future self will be helping others in some way, shape, or form, no matter how many obstacles I face.

Generational wealth is both a blessing and a curse. The determining factor is how a person is exposed to and experiences money. While yes money is important to live our lives, it can also fuel unwanted greed and hatred within an individual. To me, generational wealth is a blessing that I have learned through my parents' teachings of the value of money and I plan to achieve it through my ambitious spirit. Growing up, I haven't ever truly had to worry about money. I am incredibly grateful for this and would like to continue that feeling for my children. Despite having no financial worries, this does not mean that I have devalued money. My parents have taught me from a young age that things are always earned, not given. Living in a fairly wealthy community has shown me that many kids are not taught this important lesson. Money should be used with the purpose to improve your life or others. With that being said, this does not mean you should depend on money as a joy in life. Simply use it to help others as well as yourself to achieve happiness. Both of my parents came from families that worked immensely to earn money. Nothing was given; my father grew up with a single mother of 4 and my mother grew up with self-made parents. Nana worked tirelessly to provide for her children allowing my father to understand the importance of work ethic. Likewise, my Grandfather grew up in a two-bedroom home that housed 11 kids as well as the parents. He had to work to support the family and eventually to support a family of his own. Both of my parents came from families with persevering adult figures. The result of this was the upbringing of two persevering kids who wanted to encourage these values in their children. Therefore, I have little experience with the concept of generational money as I haven't grown up in a family with it. The only exposure I have had is through the viewership of others. I feel that I am conscious when it comes to money and this will allow me to achieve generational wealth for my family. I have been taught that nothing is accomplished without hard work, which leads me to believe that I will be able to provide for my family. I will also learn from those around me, and teach my children the importance of valuing the dollar. Knowledge is important in handling money and I will use how I have been educated to influence others in a positive light. Morals are a necessity if you have great wealth. My Mom and Dad worked to earn their wealth and were sure to make my brother and me aware of this. They taught us to be gracious with money and use it with purpose. I will be sure that I work to provide for my family and teach them the importance of valuing money.

As a redhead with blue eyes, I am a member of the rarest genetic combination to exist. My other unique physical factors include my freckled skin and lanky legs. While it is fascinating to be physically unique, the most important factor is what makes you unique within. What truly makes me stand out in a crowd of others is my empathetic nature. Helping and impacting the lives of others in a positive light is a skill to be mastered, but I have always felt a draw towards this concept. Having this attribute makes giving back to my community even more fulfilling than it already is. My parents taught me from a young age the importance of kindness through the power of books. By reading to me every night I was exposed to a whole new world within my imagination. Eventually, this love to read led to the idea of the formation of a Little Free Library. I concluded that I could use my empathetic ability and constant effort to encourage others to see the strength of books. Many people judge their quality of life based on successes and failures. The result of this tendency is a series of highs and lows throughout our lives. Everyone hits a low point in their life forcing them to find a way to cope with the struggle. My coping mechanism was reading. Through all of my anxieties, I knew that I could always rely on a good book to have my back. This need to read fueled the development of my empathetic nature, as I was constantly putting myself in the protagonist's shoes. The words of the book enveloped me, causing my eyes to view the world differently. A connection was formed and I knew that I needed to find a way to allow others to see this way. Through some research, and a suggestion from a friend I found the Little Free Library organization. Their mission is to encourage literacy throughout the nation with the incorporation of miniature cost-free libraries throughout communities. The rules of the library are simple, you can take a book, leave a book, or both! Fortunately, this means more access to books for everyone within the area. With the constantly evolving technology and handheld devices being exposed to kids at young ages, not many people have a love for reading anymore. As one of the few people that still hold on to the passion to read, I feel obligated to help others find this joy. By working to implicate this project I have learned a variety of new skills. Most importantly, I have learned how to ask others for help. As a person who is constantly worried about others, I tend to be more independent when I am struggling. This project has taught me that others are eager and willing to help if you are kind and willing to ask. It is important to know what you are good at, and what you need to work on. I for example know that I am unique through my appearance, empathy, kindness, and neverending smile. On the other hand, I struggle with control, anxiety, and focus. Despite these positives and negatives, I do know that I will always make the effort to do what's best for others. By creating this library, I will be benefitting our community and bringing others together. With the completion of this project, the many people of my town will have a chance to see what makes me unique.