Thirteen years old. I was only thirteen when I first started noticing signs of depression and bipolar disorder in myself. Eighth grade is already a challenging time of change for many teenagers, but I felt like I was on a constant rollercoaster with the highs and lows of my emotions increasing beyond what was considered "normal." While my classmates were dealing with typical adolescent experiences, I was struggling with mood swings, manic and depressive episodes, and a growing sense of isolation. This is when I was officially diagnosed with bipolar and depression. My early experiences with bipolar disorder and depression were overwhelming. The stigma surrounding mental illness at the time made it difficult to talk about my feelings openly. I struggled in silence, unsure of how to express the chaos I was experiencing internally. However, as the years went by, I found strength in understanding that seeking help wasn’t a weakness but a form of resilience. That’s when I began to go to therapy and was prescribed medications to help with my disorders. This therapy and medication, along with a strong support system became the pillars that helped me stabilize and thrive. The process of learning how to manage my symptoms helped me gain insight into the value of mental health care, and it inspired my desire to help others in similar situations. As I grew older, I began to see my experiences more as growth opportunities rather than burdens. There were setbacks, and there still are moments when the weight of my condition feels heavy. I learned to embrace vulnerability as strength, and through this, I became more aware of the struggles others face. These experiences have deeply influenced my passion for mental health advocacy and my goal to become a youth mental health therapist. I believe that my journey with mental health disorders has equipped me with a special perspective that will allow me to understand my future clients on a deeper level. Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. The idea of working with young people excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

One of my favorite poems is a poem titled "No Man is an Island" written by John Donne in the seventeenth century. It is written as follows: "No man is an island, Entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, As well as if a promontory were: As well as if a manor of thy friend's Or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee." At our core, humans are not meant to live in isolation—we thrive on connection, community, and shared experiences. John Donne’s famous passage, “No man is an island,” taken from Meditation XVII in Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, written in 1624, serves as a reminder that our lives are intertwined. His meditation explores the idea that every person is part of a larger whole, and any loss or suffering experienced by one individual affects the entire human experience. By using the metaphor of land and the sea, illustrating the ripple effect of loss, and emphasizing the universal nature of mortality, Donne delivers a powerful message about empathy, responsibility, and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity. His words remain just as relevant today, urging us to embrace compassion, solidarity, and a deeper awareness of the connections that define our existence. One of the most striking aspects of Donne’s passage is his use of geographical imagery to represent human unity. He states, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” Here, Donne rejects the idea of isolation, emphasizing that all people are part of a larger human existence. The metaphor of a continent highlights an interconnected world where no one truly stands alone. Just as the removal of a single clod of earth affects the entire landmass, the loss of a person also affects humanity as a whole. This imagery makes it clear that people are not separate from one another but rather pieces of a larger community. The sea in Donne’s metaphor represents the forces of time, fate, and mortality, which eventually reach us all. He writes, “If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.” This suggests that every loss, no matter how small, weakens the whole. Europe, symbolizing civilization, suffers from the weakening of any part, whether it is a tiny clump of earth or a major landmark. This metaphor reinforces the idea that individuals do not exist in a bubble; rather, their lives and deaths send ripples through the world, affecting others in ways both obvious and subtle. In today’s context, this could mean the widespread impact of global tragedies, from natural disasters to other catastrophes such as war or accidents, proving just how closely our lives are tied together. Donne’s meditation also speaks to the shared experience of grief and how the suffering of one person inevitably affects others. The line, “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind,” perfectly captures his central message: every loss is felt by the whole. This challenges the idea of emotional distance or detachment, instead pushing for a greater sense of empathy and a recognition that we are all in this together. This idea is especially important when thinking about war, disease, and social injustice. The belief that the death of one person impacts everyone aligns with modern humanitarian values, which emphasize the need to take responsibility for helping those in need. Whether it’s a pandemic, poverty, or violence, the struggles of any person ultimately send shockwaves throughout society. Donne’s meditation serves as a moral reminder that we should acknowledge our connection to others and respond with kindness. It encourages a way of thinking where human suffering isn’t just someone else’s burden, it’s something we should all care about, whether it’s happening to a neighbor down the street or a stranger across the world. The most famous line of Donne’s meditation— “never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee”—highlights the universal nature of death. The tolling bell, often used in funeral rites, is a reminder that death is not something that happens to “just someone else” but is a reality that awaits us all. Donne suggests that instead of asking who has died, we should recognize that every death is a reminder of our own mortality. Donne sees mortality as an opportunity for reflection and a closer relationship with God. His meditation is not just about mourning death but about raising awareness of life’s deeper meaning, pushing people to think about their purpose and role in the world. In today’s fast-moving society, where conversations about death are often avoided, Donne’s words challenge us to acknowledge our own fragility and appreciate how short, yet valuable life truly is. They remind us that we shouldn’t live in isolation but instead recognize and cherish the relationships that connect us to others. Beyond its religious background, Donne’s meditation also carries a strong moral message. His belief that each person’s death affects the whole suggests a responsibility to care for one another. In a world that often values individualism and self-interest, his words serve as an important reminder of the need for community, compassion, and social responsibility. This idea is especially relevant in today’s world, where big challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and human rights violations require us to work together. The phrase “no man is an island” highlights the importance of collective action in solving global problems, reminding us that the struggles of one person or group ultimately affect us all. Whether it’s a community rallying together after a tragedy or countries cooperating to address pressing issues, Donne’s message is just as meaningful now as it was in the 17th century. His words also push us to think about how we treat people in our daily lives. They encourage us to be more aware of those around us—to be kinder, to listen more, to help when we can. They remind us that the problems of others aren’t separate from our own and that by embracing our shared humanity, we can create a better, more connected world. John Donne’s “No Man is an Island” remains a powerful reflection on human connection, mortality, and empathy. Through the metaphor of land and the sea, he shows how individuals are deeply linked to the broader human community. His statement that “any man’s death diminishes me” is a lasting reminder that we are all connected, urging us to recognize that bond and respond with compassion. Finally, his thoughts on death as a universal experience reinforce the importance of self-reflection and taking responsibility for the well-being of others. In a time where people seem more divided than ever, Donne’s meditation reminds us that we are all part of something bigger, united by the shared realities of life and death. More than just a poetic thought, it’s a call to action—one that asks us to look beyond ourselves, care for others, and understand that, in the end, our lives are intertwined in ways we may never fully realize.

Thirteen years old. I was only thirteen when I first started noticing signs of depression and bipolar disorder in myself. Eighth grade is already a challenging time of change for many teenagers, but I felt like I was on a constant rollercoaster with the highs and lows of my emotions increasing beyond what was considered "normal." While my classmates were dealing with typical adolescent experiences, I was struggling with mood swings, manic and depressive episodes, and a growing sense of isolation. This is when I was officially diagnosed with bipolar and depression. My early experiences with bipolar disorder and depression were overwhelming. The stigma surrounding mental illness at the time made it difficult to talk about my feelings openly. I struggled in silence, unsure of how to express the chaos I was experiencing internally. However, as the years went by, I found strength in understanding that seeking help wasn’t a weakness but a form of resilience. That’s when I began to go to therapy and was prescribed medications to help with my disorders. This therapy and medication, along with a strong support system became the pillars that helped me stabilize and thrive. The process of learning how to manage my symptoms helped me gain insight into the value of mental health care, and it inspired my desire to help others in similar situations. As I grew older, I began to see my experiences more as growth opportunities rather than burdens. There were setbacks, and there still are moments when the weight of my condition feels heavy. I learned to embrace vulnerability as strength, and through this, I became more aware of the struggles others face. These experiences have deeply influenced my passion for mental health advocacy and my goal to become a youth mental health therapist. I believe that my journey with mental health disorders has equipped me with a special perspective that will allow me to understand my future clients on a deeper level. Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. The idea of working with young people excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. I work with children for a living, and I am always there for them in their times of struggle. The idea of working with young people excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. I also support my friends, family, and community members as much as they support me. I believe that what you give is what you receive, and I love to give it my all and love others with all of my being. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

Thirteen years old. I was only thirteen when I first started noticing signs of depression and bipolar disorder in myself. Eighth grade is already a challenging time of change for many teenagers, but I felt like I was on a constant rollercoaster with the highs and lows of my emotions increasing beyond what was considered "normal." While my classmates were dealing with typical adolescent experiences, I was struggling with mood swings, manic and depressive episodes, and a growing sense of isolation. This is when I was officially diagnosed with bipolar and depression. My early experiences with bipolar disorder and depression were overwhelming. The stigma surrounding mental illness at the time made it difficult to talk about my feelings openly. I struggled in silence, unsure of how to express the chaos I was experiencing internally. However, as the years went by, I found strength in understanding that seeking help wasn’t a weakness but a form of resilience. That’s when I began to go to therapy and was prescribed medications to help with my disorders. This therapy and medication, along with a strong support system became the pillars that helped me stabilize and thrive. The process of learning how to manage my symptoms helped me gain insight into the value of mental health care, and it inspired my desire to help others in similar situations. As I grew older, I began to see my experiences more as growth opportunities rather than burdens. There were setbacks, and there still are moments when the weight of my condition feels heavy. I learned to embrace vulnerability as strength, and through this, I became more aware of the struggles others face. These experiences have deeply influenced my passion for mental health advocacy and my goal to become a youth mental health therapist. I believe that my journey with mental health disorders has equipped me with a special perspective that will allow me to understand my future clients on a deeper level. Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. The idea of working with young people excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

Thirteen years old. I was only thirteen when I first started noticing signs of depression and bipolar disorder in myself. Eighth grade is already a challenging time of change for many teenagers, but I felt like I was on a constant rollercoaster with the highs and lows of my emotions increasing beyond what was considered "normal." While my classmates were dealing with typical adolescent experiences, I was struggling with mood swings, manic and depressive episodes, and a growing sense of isolation. This is when I was officially diagnosed with bipolar and depression. My early experiences with bipolar disorder and depression were overwhelming. The stigma surrounding mental illness at the time made it difficult to talk about my feelings openly. I struggled in silence, unsure of how to express the chaos I was experiencing internally. However, as the years went by, I found strength in understanding that seeking help wasn’t a weakness but a form of resilience. That’s when I began to go to therapy and was prescribed medications to help with my disorders. This therapy and medication, along with a strong support system became the pillars that helped me stabilize and thrive. The process of learning how to manage my symptoms helped me gain insight into the value of mental health care, and it inspired my desire to help others in similar situations. As I grew older, I began to see my experiences more as growth opportunities rather than burdens. There were setbacks, and there still are moments when the weight of my condition feels heavy. I learned to embrace vulnerability as strength, and through this, I became more aware of the struggles others face. These experiences have deeply influenced my passion for mental health advocacy and my goal to become a youth mental health therapist. I believe that my journey with mental health disorders has equipped me with a special perspective that will allow me to understand my future clients on a deeper level. Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. The idea of working with young people excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

Thirteen years old. I was only thirteen when I first started noticing signs of depression and bipolar disorder in myself. Eighth grade is already a challenging time of change for many teenagers, but I felt like I was on a constant rollercoaster with the highs and lows of my emotions increasing beyond what was considered "normal." While my classmates were dealing with typical adolescent experiences, I was struggling with mood swings, manic and depressive episodes, and a growing sense of isolation. This is when I was officially diagnosed with bipolar 2 and depression. My early experiences with bipolar disorder and depression were overwhelming. The stigma surrounding mental illness at the time made it difficult to talk about my feelings openly. I struggled in silence, unsure of how to express the chaos I was experiencing internally. However, as the years went by, I found strength in understanding that seeking help wasn’t a weakness but a form of resilience. That’s when I began to go to therapy and was prescribed medications to help with my disorders. This therapy and medication, along with a strong support system became the pillars that helped me stabilize and thrive. The process of learning how to manage my symptoms helped me gain insight into the value of mental health care, and it inspired my desire to help others in similar situations. As I grew older, I began to see my experiences more as growth opportunities rather than burdens. There were setbacks, and there still are moments when the weight of my condition feels heavy. But I’ve come to appreciate the importance of persistence, self-compassion, and, most of all, the support of others. These principles have carried me through tough times and pushed me to be proactive about my mental well-being. I learned to embrace vulnerability as strength, and through this, I became more aware of the struggles others face. These experiences have deeply influenced my passion for mental health advocacy and my goal to become a youth mental health therapist. I believe that my journey with mental health disorders has equipped me with a special perspective that will allow me to understand my future clients on a deeper level. Mental health is a challenging battle for anyone, especially for young people who may not fully understand what they’re going through. I want to be a resource for them, someone who can listen without judgment, offer guidance, and help them navigate their path to healing…just like my own therapist did for me. The idea of working with young people, particularly those who are just beginning to understand their mental health challenges, excites me because I know just how important early intervention and support can be. My educational goals are centered around becoming the best therapist I can be. I am committed to earning my master’s degree in psychology with a focus on mental health counseling, and I plan to specialize in working with youth, ages 18 and under. Through my education, I want to deepen my understanding of mental health disorders, therapy techniques, and the best practices for providing compassionate and effective care. My goal is not only to master the academic side of psychology but also to continue growing as a person so that I can relate to my future clients and help them feel understood. Having a healthy support system, including friends, family, and medical professionals, remains a key part of my recovery. I am also committed to regularly assessing my mental health and taking proactive steps to ensure I stay balanced. This means being open to adjusting my treatment plans when necessary, seeking help when things feel overwhelming, and practicing self-compassion when I encounter setbacks. One of my long-term strategies for managing my mental health is to stay involved in activities that bring me joy and purpose outside of my professional work. Reading, listening to music, helping others through volunteering, and singing are a few ways that I maintain simple happiness in my life. My journey with bipolar disorder and depression has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person. It has given me the resilience to face challenges, the understanding to help others, and the motivation to pursue a career in youth mental health therapy. I am confident that my firsthand experiences, combined with my educational goals and commitment to mental wellness, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people facing their own mental health battles. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and express my passion for mental health advocacy. Your support would greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals, allowing me to continue my journey toward becoming a youth mental health therapist.

Love is necessary at all levels. Infants require love to thrive and survive. Families require love to remain intact. Our communities require love to become cohesive and successful. Our world is starving for love as we witness tragedies, hunger, war, and all varieties of loneliness and fear. Our need for love is outpaced by our lack of sharing love. Scholarships such as this Loxie Burckhard Scholarship exemplify sharing love. My mom loves kids' books with messages, and she filled my childhood full of books and messages! “Have You Filled a Bucket Today” by Carol McCloud was such a favorite book that she even gifted it to my homeroom teacher each year and reminded me (more than) daily to fill others' buckets with love and kindness. The message still sticks with me as I finish my senior year of high school. Love is the most powerful gift. It brings hope, beauty, unity, and joy into one’s life. Also, it brings pain and heartache if neglected. There are many different forms of love -for example, the love for a parent for a child, which is unconditional but has challenges of ups and downs. The love shared with friends, that is built upon getting to know a person and slowly caring for them, and sacrificing anything in your life for them. Regardless of the type of love shown, love brings people together in ways unexpected. Love is to be respected, it is forever, and that love is essential to life. Love is to be respected and protected. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 states,” Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” I have been taught to replace the above scripture word of “love” with my name, “Liz”, to remind me to be patient, kind, serve others, and forgive, among the other admonishments. I will use my gifts to “fill others' buckets'' with love and, in turn, fill my own bucket with blessings. Helping others see their potential and feel love, love is given freely and unexpectedly, provides strength in me. I would like to pursue a career in psychology. I would like to provide counseling and support to children with mental illnesses. Children with mental illnesses are frequently viewed as “bad kids'' and are left only to fulfill that description. This world is full of so many challenges, and children with a psychiatric diagnosis and/or challenges at home and school need to feel the same love of “normal kids''. Your support financially would help me achieve my goal to become a licensed counselor. Thank you for considering me for Mrs. Burckhard’s generous gift of love.