Being the light in a world full of dark makes life worth living. Ever since I was young I have enjoyed volunteering. I started in sixth grade as a cheer coach till ninth grade. This may not sound like a big role, but in the long run it was because I have impacted this little league cheer and football community. At the start of high-school I worked on my silver award for GirlScouts and my commitment to being a cheer coach played the main part in this award. I wrote a pamphlet on how to coach the young kids and distributed them to the adults who volunteered there so they could give them to the newcomers. I knew I wanted my silver award to be based around this because I got word that the adult volunteers would also be leaving that year and bringing new people in. No one wanted to the league to change so I stepped up and made sure the cheer aspect of it would not be affected too much. Coaching ended when I was able to join a Junior Volunteer program at a hospital. I remember my ninth grade self walking into the interview terrified if I would selected or not. Good news, I got selected! Ever since that moment, I have gone back every year and I will continue to do so until I am out of high-school. After that, I will become an adult volunteer. Volunteering at this hospital has made me feel very rewarded even though I’m not being paid. Being able to be the light in someone’s day makes you feel like you’re achieving amazing things. I’ve volunteered beside cancer patients and whenever they see kids from the junior volunteer program they always get so happy because some rarely have family to keep them company. I also volunteer with medical floors, asking patients if they want anything free from a cart we bring around. There was one specific time out of the three years I’ve been doing it that really stuck with me. I was having a conversation with a patient and her mom, and the patient started crying because of what I said to respond to her mother. Her mom asked why I volunteer and I said, “I feel fulfilled when I get to make other people’s day and help people who may need something they cant get on their own.” The patient instantly shed tears, she told me her daughter also used to be a volunteer but stopped when she got to high school because she wasn’t getting paid. That broke my heart. She told me it’s good that some kids still have hearts of gold and volunteer because they like making other people happy. I also helped start a group called Unexpected Kindness at the hospital. It’s where people in the group make things to put around the hospital with notes that can make someone’s day. It encourages patients, staff, or the family of patients to take the little items and post them to also make other people’s days. I create bracelets and primarily put them around the kids floors and where patients families sit. I saw the first post about one of my bracelets and it was a little boy who found it and would not take it off. The post said he was very happy to wear it and kept yelling “BRACELET!!” when it fell off. These things inspire me to keep volunteering. Seeing how my presence can deeply impact someone’s day or how something I created with my own hands can make little kids happy.

Being the light in a dark world makes life worth living. I am so involved in always helping others and making my peers happy. For instance, I’ve been volunteering at a hospital every summer since my freshman year of high-school. Last year I helped start a group called Unexpected Kindness where people make things and put them around the hospital with notes on them to make people’s days. This summer I’ve been making bracelets for Unexpected Kindness and my friends and family asked me to make them bracelets also. I smiled at the thought of people liking what I do and wanting to keep something I made with my hands. Little did I know this would put me in a slump. Over 40 people wanted me to make them bracelets and I got so overwhelmed that I stopped making them and just sat in my bed doing nothing. Mental health is important. There’s no doubt about it. It’s even more important when it comes to your own mental health. You need to uplift yourself and take time with things. The best way to combat negative feelings is doing things you love. For me, that was bracelet making. I couldn’t do that anymore though. I think about what else I love… painting! Wait, too many people asked me to make them paintings, can’t do that anymore. Crocheting! Nope, my friends got to me. Drawing! Also no. Now, there’s nothing else I love that will keep the negative feelings out of my head. As a society, we need to realize mental health is real and can lead to damaging effects in the long run. I understand why we need to be more involved with people who have negative mental health issues. This is why I want to be a therapist in the future. For teenagers specifically, simply because of the fact that I know I will be able to help them. I know I can do this because I am aware that my mental health is a big deal and nothing to shrug off. I want to work with teenagers in the future so badly because I will know how to help them. I have dealt with challenges in the past like bullying, eating disorders, and family struggles. I have maintained positive mental health by dreaming about the future. What I mean by this is that I study hard and grasp at any volunteer opportunity that is offered to me. This allows me to uplift myself because it helps me focus and think better about myself and my competence. Being able to have my dreams about being a therapist makes me want to work to the best of my ability so I can be someone’s light in their dark in the future.

Dear VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship Committee, My name is Elyse Makara, and I am a rising high school senior with a interest, dedication, and commitment to the field of Clinical Psychology, which I intend to major in at Penn-state, Temple, Bucknell or Arcadia. I am very grateful for the opportunity to apply for the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship, as I believe that this recognition could play a significant role in achieving my educational and career goals. In my pursuit of excellence, I have achieved a high school GPA of 4.0, and I am determined to maintain this standard of academic performance as I advance in my higher education. I have maintained a high standing amidst my peers, not just in academic performance but also in resilience, perseverance, and leadership. I am currently taking AP Psychology and I am enrolled in two college classes already. With this being said, I am a straight A student and almost never get below a 95 in a class. I volunteer at a hospital and also do GirlScouts. I love giving back to the community and helping in anyway I can. I do Unified Track and Field, which is track and field with people who have mental and physical disabilities. In this sport people who don’t have these disabilities work and compete with people with these disabilities. Looking into the aspects of psychology and counseling, I have realized the valuable impact these professions make on individuals and society in general. The potential to facilitate, affect, and improve human behavior and well-being has driven me towards these majors. I am also driven to helping people who have disabilities and trying to understand their mind more. I am particularly interested in the ways counseling can support people during times of significant life changes and contribute to their resilience and coping mechanisms, fostering overall mental health. I have researched which colleges have the best Psychology programs. I plan to attend either Pennsylvania State University, Arcadia University, Bucknell University, or Temple University. These universities’ commitment to excellence in the study of Psychology and Counseling resonate with my own academic and career objectives. Their focus on critical analysis, innovative thinking, and the role of empirical evidence in shaping policies makes them an ideal destination for my higher studies. Investing time in research, education, and practical application of psychology will allow me to do more than just sit idly by as societal and personal mental health issues persist. I am determined to work towards a world where people have greater control over their psychological well-being and mental health. However, despite my passion and dedication, financing my higher education remains a challenge, mainly due to the substantial cost involved in studying at these prestigious institutions. This is where the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship could have a crucial part in alleviating these financial burdens. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for considering my application. This scholarship can be the stepping-stone that allows me to follow my passion for helping others at a time when it is most critical. I am ready to extend my full commitment to take this opportunity head-on and work hard towards my objectives. Thank you for your time and consideration, Elyse Makara

Books have the incredible power to bring us to another reality, and movies have special ways to evoke our emotions. The adaptation of the Harry Potter books to the movies has always had a special connection with me. There’s a whole fan base of people who are captivated by the Harry Potter universe and have memories with these books and movies. When I was younger, my Aunt got me the whole set of Harry Potter books. I remember reading through them like it was nothing and being so enticed by the world I was imagining. These books not only got me into reading, but taught me a lot of life lessons too. For example, family isn’t just blood. Harry was apart of the Weasleys even though they weren’t his blood. The Weasleys helped Harry during times he needed them since his parents were never there for him. Another thing they taught me was to never judge a book by its cover. Everyone thought Snape was a bad guy. But in the end, was he really? No, he was helping Harry, no one realized though. Finally, one of the biggest takeaways is someone who is seen as weak, can make the biggest impact. Neville was seen as the puny Hufflepuff who never stood up for himself. Many thought he was inferior but when the time came, he stepped up and made the biggest achievement someone in the Harry Potter world could. He killed Voldemort. They weren’t only books though, they were my escape from reality. So, when they became movies it was like I got to relive my childhood again. I saw all the life lessons play out on the screen and that’s when they really stuck with me. Seeing the Weasleys helping Harry, watching how many thought Snape was evil and noticing small details I forgot from my childhood. Observing how everything Snape did was to protect Harry and not harm him. Waiting and anticipating for the moment Neville leaves his mark on the franchise and staring in awe of how courageous he was when he picked up the sword to kill Voldemort. These lessons still stick with me today and correlate to my actual life. What makes Harry Potter so special to me is that I can relate to some characters. Look at Luna, no one wanted to be her friend because she was seen as weird, but in reality she was just being herself. She reminds me of myself, I only have a small circle of friends because some people think I am weird since I don’t talk to a lot of people. Let’s also take a look at Hermione, the brightest girl of her time. I feel like this character is so related to me because of how she strives for perfection, but also that she’s independent and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do. I would like to express my gratitude to you for being a scholarship donor and helping people have a chance to achieve their dreams with less financial burden on their backs. I am grateful for this opportunity to apply to your scholarship, this can be the stepping-stone to helping me follow my passion in helping people. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Elyse Makara

Picture this: something traumatic has just happened to you and you don’t know who to turn to for help. You feel lonely and like no one understands your pain. This is why I want to be a forensic psychologist. Specifically, a victim advocate. What I would do is support and assist individuals who have experienced trauma or crime. I would provide resources and guidance to help victims navigate the legal system, access necessary services, and help cope with the aftermath of their situation. Advocates are there to listen, provide information, and empower victims to make informed decisions about their healing and recovery. Knowing that I can be a guide and support for someone who has just been through a traumatic experience is what drives me to pursue this career. I love helping people in any way I can and it is my passion to be that safety net for people in the future. Becoming a victim advocate can be very rewarding in multiple aspects. First, it would allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals who have faced trauma. Which is something I strive for. Secondly, being a victim advocate would mean being a voice for someone who may feel they are overlooked or silenced. I would be able to advocate for their rights, raise awareness about their issues, and work towards creating a more sympathetic and compassionate society. Lastly, being a victim advocate can be very self fulfilling, as it allows you to develop strong relationships with survivors and contribute to their journey towards healing and empowerment. Like I said before, as you go through this career, you will be very self fulfilled. This is one main reason I want to do it. I want to feel like I have positively impacted someone’s life and that they have gained peace because of me. My path in college would be to major in Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice, then go to graduate school to get a Ph.D in Forensic Psychology. However, despite my dedication and passion, financing my higher education remains an issue. This is where the Fallen “Freaks” Scholarship can play a crucial part in alleviating these financial burdens. I would like to express my gratitude to you for being a scholarship donor and giving back to those in need. I am grateful I was given the chance to apply to this scholarship and the possibility of receiving a reward. I immensely appreciate taking the time out of your day to consider my application. Thank you, Elyse Makara

Imagine a world where substance abuse was nothing more than a distant memory. I strive for our world to someday be like this. Substance abuse has its complexities, from the depths of addiction to the light of becoming sober. I want to break the chains of substance abuse and pave the way for a brighter future for people. One of my older friends was an amazing girl. She was a bright student and overall well liked. She was also in a relationship of 4 years with a boy a little older than her. This relationship started going downhill. She started doing cocaine, this had taken a toll on her friendships, school life, and the most important, her health. She got into therapy and things started to look better for her! Until they didn’t. She tried so hard to turn her life back around and thought she was dedicated to her therapist, but her addiction overruled all the progress she had been making. Unfortunately, as time went on things got worse and worse. Everyone did the best they could to try and help her but nothing worked. There was no getting through the barrier her addiction had built. She passed away due to overdose in August 2022 but will forever be in our memories as a strong young woman. Whenever I know someone who has done drugs, I try to get them away from it. That’s who I am, I don’t want to see my loved ones getting into bad habits they might not be able to turn around. Some people might believe that those who have had struggled with substance abuse and are trying to help themselves won’t make it. They think, they won’t try that hard or they’ll go back to doing it in a day. I don’t believe this. Seeing how it affected my friend and how she tried so hard to get better, showed me not everyone gives up easily. Some people want to have a life they can enjoy, but not everyone sees that. Having someone in my personal life die due to substance abuse circumstances has shaped me into the person I am today. I want to be a clinical psychologist and help people who have problems with abusing substances, anxiety, depression and other disorders. I want to understand what has driven people to have unhealthy coping mechanisms and see how I can improve their motivation and behaviors. My desire to be a safe place for people has driven me to this career. I want to help people who think they have no one to turn to and show them unhealthy ways of dealing with their problems isn’t the only solution to escaping them. I hope to fulfill my potential of helping people and turn my dreams into reality. Acquiring the Deanna Ellis Memorial Scholarship will bring me closer to guiding individuals and making society a better place. I would like to express my gratitude for you being a scholarship donor and sharing your story with the world. Deanna’s life will live on through this and will help people become what they’ve always dreamed of. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Sincerely, Elyse Makara

From the moment I cracked open the pages of Shatter Me, written by Tahereh Mafi, I was transported into a world of dystopian enchantment. This is a series but even by the first book I was hooked. These stories are very empowering, telling how you can grow as a person even when you think you’ve hit rock bottom. This dystopian world starts off with us being introduced to the protagonist, Juliette. Now, Juliette isn’t ordinary in the slightest, she has a unique power. Her touch is lethal. People around her view her as a dangerous weapon and have kept her isolated for years. Everything changes when she gets a cellmate, Adam. They go on a journey together filled with powers, romance, alliances, and danger. Everyone should read this because it’s so empowering. Juliette feels hopeless but soon, she has adrenaline coursing through her and she becomes a strong and independent woman. Despite being labeled dangerous, she learns to embrace who she is and find her voice. She goes through adventures that help her with self-discovery and growth. The transformation between rock bottom and her becoming a powerful female inspires readers to embrace their own strength, overcome challenges, and believe in their potential. It’s a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to rise above our circumstances and make a difference in the world. In addition to the lessons within this book, it’s also a very thrilling and captivating series that will have you keep wanting to turn the page. The characters are well-developed and relatable which makes you even more hooked and you’ll find yourself emotionally invested in their journeys. Whether you like dystopian books, books with twists, or unexpected betrayals, Shatter Me has something for everyone. Overall, people love the impact of these books and that’s why everyone should read it.

I’ve always hated going to school. I absolutely loved learning but talking in school was a difficult thing for me. Ever since I was young, I was afraid people would be judging me whenever I walked into the room, answered a question in class, or had to ask to use the bathroom. Starting high school, I knew I would have to do talking presentations and the thought of that made me sick to my stomach. Looking back on all the years, I have had some panic attacks due to speaking in classes. Before presentations I would freak out, in the middle of actually doing it I would be okay just stumble on my words, and after I would be so upset with myself because I thought all the kids and the teacher were judging me and I did a horrible job. Anxiety can have a huge impact on people’s lives. This disorder has definitely had its ups and downs for me , making daily tasks overwhelming. For example, I would struggle with simply getting into my friends car because I thought I would embarrass myself. Dealing with anxiety, it feels like there’s a constant worry in the back of my mind. Luckily, I have learned healthy strategies to cope with it and some breathing techniques. Unfortunately, when I was younger I did not have the luxury of knowing healthy coping skills. I thought the only way to get rid of the anxiety and the feeling of constant worrying that something bad will happen was to make myself feel something else. Pain. I’ve dealt with self harm in the past as a way to take my mind off of these anxious feelings. This point in my life I realized I shouldn’t be harming myself and I want to help people who think this is their only escape. Helping people is what I desire in life. I aspire to be someone’s safe place and a person they can trust with their life. I’m planning on going to college at Arcadia University to major in Psychology. The next step will be to get my Ph.D in Clinical Psychology so in the future I can become a clinical psychologist. With this degree I will support people in times of need, contribute to healthy coping mechanisms, improve their well-being, guide people to have greater control over their mental-health, and help them grow to their fullest potential. I believe if people work with someone who has dealt with something similar to them, it will be better since I can understand and guide them in the ways that I know have helped me. Overall, I desire to help people that are like me and feel they have no one to turn to. I am grateful for this opportunity to apply to the Social Anxiety Step Forward Scholarship and the possibility of being rewarded. I am deeply committed to utilizing this scholarship to fulfill my academic dreams of helping people like me. I want to show my gratitude to you for being a scholarship donor and giving back to those in need. I immensely appreciate taking the time to consider my application. I am eager to continue my journey in following my passion. Thank you, Elyse Makara

My younger self would never believe what I have accomplished today. I volunteer at a hospital and do GirlScouts. Volunteering at the hospital has really opened my eyes to all the different aspects of life. I work with food service, stocking, physical therapy, cancer floor patients, pediatrics, and pharmacists. Starting off, I get to see how each job contributes to the hospital and I get to hear stories about each job. I help by lifting the spirits of cancer and pediatric patients. Two volunteers go around on these floors and ask if they want something free from a caring cart, which offers coloring books, pens, hairbrushes, toys, crossword books, toothbrushes, hair ties, etc. Most of the time we get people who just want to talk. We can only be there on three hour intervals but when someone has a story to tell us or just wants to talk we wait the whole three hours with them. Some people have told us they don’t have family that can visit them or they don’t have family in general and they appreciate us being there. I also do GirlScouts which I participate in clean ups. This is usually areas outside of grocery stores where people throw their trash, so we get a team and pick it up to make the environment cleaner. With GirlScouts, I also help summer camps and teach the younger girls life lessons and how to do skills for badges. I really like giving back to the community and helping others in any way I can. Given this, when I go to college I want to pursue a career in the mental health field. Either being a victim advocate or a clinical psychologist! The main point is, I just want to help people and guide them to living the best life they deserve to have. After I get my life job, I am still going to volunteer anywhere I can. I am hoping to volunteer at an animal shelter, homeless shelter, and at an all cancer hospital sometime in my life. Volunteering is good because it allows you to make a positive impact and help others. It's a way to give back to your community and make a difference in people's lives. Plus, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for yourself too! When you volunteer, you have the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and gain valuable experiences. It can also boost your self-esteem and sense of purpose. So, whether you're helping out at a local charity, mentoring someone, or participating in community events, volunteering is a win-win situation! It's a chance to spread kindness and make the world a better place. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for considering my application. The Larry R. Jones Volunteer For Life Scholarship can be the stepping-stone that will allow me to follow my passion in dedicating my life to helping others.

Have you ever heard about a series that has powers? You’re probably thinking, “Duh, of course I have who hasn’t?” Well, there’s a Netflix series called The Umbrella Academy. I heard about it through a friend and now you’re hearing it through me! The Umbrella Academy (TUA) is based on a comic book series and the story revolves around a dysfunctional family with adopted siblings who each have their own superpowers. One day, women from all around the world randomly get pregnant in a matter of minutes! A man called Sir Reginald Hargreeves goes around the world collecting the babies. He manages to get seven. Years later, they all get separated due to their own circumstances of growing up or moving away but they all come together after the death of their adoptive father to solve the mystery of his passing and to prevent the apocalypse from happening. The siblings must work together to unravel the mystery of their father’s death and to save the world. Throughout this series you’ll meet all the siblings and get to know their personalities. There’s Luther, the leader of the siblings who’s lived on the moon for years and has super strength. Diego, the second of the seven siblings who has become a thief and has knife-throwing skills. Allison, who has the power to influence reality with her words and has a husband and daughter. Klaus, the fourth who’s the comedic drug addict, always in and out of rehab, who can talk to ghosts. Five, a time traveling genius who’s stuck in an 11 year olds body. Ben, who died when they were kids and can grow tentacles out of his body. Finally, Vanya, the seemingly ordinary sibling who may hold the key to everything. Personally, I love this show because of the action, drama, and twists they incorporate. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that always want you to click “keep watching dont ask again”. I probably hold the record for the amount of times someone has watched TUA! One of the main things that got me hooked to this series the first time I watched it was them having to save the world from the apocalypse. The details of the apocalypse are revealed gradually throughout the series. Hinting at how, who, and why it’s happening. I don’t want to spoil it too much but let’s just say it involves a lot of destruction and chaos. The clock is ticking until it comes and they have to uncover the truth, work together, and find a way to alter the course of events. What’s really interesting is how this apocalyptic event affects each sibling differently. Some are more aware of it than others. But that’s all I’m going to say so if you watch it you’ll see what happens! It’s always a race against time with whatever is happening in this series. Every episode will keep you at the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next and if the siblings will survive the day. So, if you’re into thrilling and action storylines with high stakes, you’ll definitely enjoy The Umbrella Academy!

Picture this: there’s a math competition between a girl and a boy in your class. Everybody thinks the boy is going to win. Why wouldn’t he? As the competition goes on, no one’s really paying attention because they know who’s going to the champion. When it’s done who won? Obviously the boy. What? It wasn’t the boy? The girl won? Everyone was shocked. How could she win the boy was smarter? Or was he. This is an example of empowerment that I have personally experienced. Empowerment is something that makes you stronger and more confident. When I volunteered at a hospital I felt belittled by my male peers. We were put into groups for certain days and tasks, one day I got put into a group with an older boy. We worked together multiple times. Food service, stocking, cancer floor, and physical therapy. The first time we were put together was stocking. We had to get items from the basement then bring them up to the baby and mom floor. I’m a shorter than average girl and he was a tall boy. Meaning, he thought I wouldn’t be able to do the stuff we were tasked to do because there were tall shelves and heavy boxes. I felt embarrassed when he told me to leave it up to him. I didn’t accept that. I found ways to get the boxes and carry them. I felt confident in myself and he seemed shocked. I was empowered. I knew from that moment, not to feel belittled by my peers, whether they be adults, boys, girls, anyone. This made me have a different view on life. It impacted me so much. It gives me confidence and motivation to pursue my goals and dreams. When I feel empowered, like I did while volunteering, I believe in myself and my abilities which help me overcome challenges and achieve success. Some people would say feeling empowered is almost like having a superpower. I agree, it pushes me to be the best version of myself. It’s also like having a personal cheerleader who constantly supports you. It helps you break free from self-doubt and fear, allowing you to take risks and embrace new opportunities. Another form of empowerment that affects my life is in relationships. Building healthy and supportive relationships with the people around me empowers me to express myself. For example, me and my bestfriend support each other with our future goals and it motivates us to become the best versions of ourselves so we can pursue those goals. As you can see, empowerment is a powerful force that can help transform lives for the better. Remember, this isn’t just a concept, but a call to action. It’s about taking knowledge, inspiration, and motivation and applying it to your own life. I would like to express my gratitude for considering my application. The Empower Her Scholarship that you are providing can be a stepping-stone to achieving my dream of being a victim advocate or a clinical psychologist. Thank you for your time and consideration. Go out there, embrace your power, and make a difference!

Picture this: it’s a rainy day on a school morning and you’re wearing a pink jacket you always wear to elementary school. A few days before, a new student is introduced. You didn’t talk to him for a while but today he comes up to you. As you take your pink jacket off he tells you, “Wow your arms are really hairy, like a gorilla.” I didn’t have to picture this, it was my reality in third grade. I got made fun of for having hair on my arms. Hearing this as a third grader made me feel so embarrassed and insecure. After this moment, I wore that pink jacket everyday until the end of third grade. The next four years I wore different jackets, I didn’t want anyone to see my arms. Soon, the pandemic hit so I didn’t have to worry about anyone looking at them. In high-school, I stopped covering my arms. I thought to myself, “It shouldn’t matter what someone in third grade told me. I deserve to be confident in myself.”Since that moment, I knew my future career would involve helping people. Specifically helping people with mental problems. I learned about the general idea of psychology but I didn’t know there were different types. Now, I am taking AP Psychology and a college credit Sociology class to better understand the mind. I have an interest, dedication, and commitment to this field. I know I want to make an impact on this world. I’m still deciding between being a victim advocate and being a clinical psychologist. I aspire to be the person someone can go to for help and feel comfort in, but also be a safety net for people to know they have someone who is there for them. Being a victim advocate and a clinical psychologist will both help me achieve this dream of mine. I would either be making an impact with helping individuals with their trauma and getting justice in court or making people feel safe and help asses their mental problems and lead them to a better life. I am positive that whichever one I pick, it will lead me to being an excellent mentor and overall great person. Despite the fact that I am in two college classes, one AP, and honors classes, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA and I am determined to keep this standard of academic performance as I advance into my college education. This isn’t the only place I strive in. I am also in multiple leadership positions. I volunteer at a Geisinger Hospital where I shadow physical therapists, learn more about pharmacists and food service, contribute to helping cancer patient floors, and work with the pediatric floor. I have also been a GirlScout for as long as I can remember. In my years of helping the community, I have gotten the bronze and silver award and I am currently working on my gold award. I love giving back to the community and helping in anyway I can. Looking at the aspects of Psychology, I have realized the valuable impacts these professions make on not just individuals, but society too. The potential to improve and guide human behavior and mental health has driven me towards my potential careers. Despite my passion and dedication, financing my higher education remains a challenge. This is where the Avani Doshi Memorial Scholarship could have a crucial part in helping me overcome this financial burden. Finally, I would like the express my gratitude for considering my application. This scholarship can be the stepping-stone that allows me to follow my passion.

One word. Desire. I desire to make sure people feel heard. I desire to help others. I desire to improve addictions. I desire to understand peoples minds. I desire to be someone’s support. When I was younger, I told my mom about how people at my school were homophobic and rude to others in the school. She told me a story about her bestfriend, who was a lesbian, that committed suicide over people being homophobic. Personally, I feel a lot of empathy and sympathy for people. So, when I heard this I automatically teared up. I felt so much pain for that woman. I thought to myself, “Who would want to drive a person to take their own life.” I still ask this question today. This isn’t the reason I wanted to pursue being in the mental health field. But, it was the start. I did cheer the first year of high-school. I went away to a camp and one night I got a text from my bestfriend. A paragraph. A paragraph of her saying how much she loves me. A paragraph saying it isn’t my fault. A paragraph saying no one understands her. A paragraph saying she was about to take her life. I called her and called her. What did I get in return? No answer. Me and some girls prayed for her. Hoping that she was alright and still alive. Weeks prior she told me she was getting bullied and nothing helped. No one listened to her. This is one of the main reasons I want to study mental health. I desire for no one to feel like how my bestfriend did that night. I know I can’t help everyone, but every person I can help is a big step. Any life I can save is all I need. Suicide rates are increasing drastically. It breaks my heart to see so many lives get cut short. One of the top reasons for suicide is people either have poor or no coping skills. Two years ago, I was in a bad place. I self harmed and it hurt so bad but it made me feel better. I knew it was a bad thing to do but I didn’t care. I’m better now but most people don’t give up their habits. They know it’s wrong but they think there’s no other alternatives for them. I desire to be someone people can come to for help. So I can give them advice on what to do. I believe it’s better to have someone on your side that has been through what you’re going through so they can understand the situation better. I aspire to teach others the dangers about what addiction and poor coping skills can do. I’m going to college to major in Psychology. I dream to either be a victim advocate or a clinical psychologist. Investing time in research, education, and practical application of psychology will allow me to do more than just sit and observe people. I have a desire to help not just observe. I am determined to work towards a world where people have greater control over their mental health and well-being. However, despite my passion and dedication, financing my higher education remains a challenge. This is where the Brian J Boley Memorial Scholarship could have a crucial part in alleviating these financial burdens. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for considering my application. This scholarship can be a stepping-stone that allows me to follow my passion for helping others at times when it’s most crucial. Thank you for your time.

I absolutely love camping! So does my bestfriend and her family. One summer they brought me camping with them. As everyone knows, you just need to have s’mores at least one of the nights you’re there! Her dad started a fire and we all gathered around with the graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and sticks. We all had to carve our own tip onto the stick and that was little difficult but it was okay to manage. Now, my best friend’s little brother has never had a s’more in his life. I know, I was shocked too! He was so excited to make his first s’more. He started off with carving the stick and got everything set up to squish onto the stick when the marshmallow was done being heated up to his liking. He carved what he thought was the perfect tip and stuck the marshmallow on top. It was skewered on so high I didn’t know how it would stay on! Then he held it over the fire. But here’s where things take a turn for the worse for her little brother! He got a little too excited and held it slightly too close to the flames. It started burning and since he didn’t know what to do, he started panicking and waving the flaming marshmallow. To no one’s surprise it came off the stick and landed on his dad’s shoe! Everyone burst out into laughter and my best friend’s dad was frantically trying to put the flame out. Thankfully, since the flame was only small, it was easy to put out. His shoe didn’t get burned and no one was hurt! After the initial shock wore off, everyone was still laughing! Her mom wouldn’t stop giggling and even the brother was laughing at the situation. We all gathered around her dad to make sure his foot was okay and nothing was burned. Despite her dad always looking tough and grumpy, he has the sweetest laugh. From that moment on, her brother became the official “Master S’more Destroyer”! Isn’t it amazing how the most unexpected and silly moments can bring people closer and create special moments? I wonder if this little story made you laugh, and if not at least give you a little smile! I hope you cherish every memory you have and remember all the laughter and joy in your life and share it with those around you! I would like to express my gratitude for considering my application, this scholarship can be a stepping-stone that allows me to follow and pursue my passion. Thank you for your time, Elyse Makara.

Picture this: your friends and family tell you that your mental health isn’t as bad as you say just because everything seems alright on the outside. I don’t have to picture it, this was my reality. For multiple years of my life I have been forced into situations I did not want to be in. I have been held to high standards because of my sister. I have been told my best wasn’t nearly good enough. I couldn’t make decisions for myself since the time I started walking. My mom immediately put me into dance, gymnastics, and cheer. The first years were amazing. I made lots of friends and I was so unbelievably happy. As I got older, things took a turn for the worse. I lost my happiness in doing these hobbies and everyone compared me to my sister. It got to the point where I tried to hurt myself so I didn’t have to go to dance anymore. I would tell myself “fall down the stairs” or “I don’t need my left wrist right now”. Despite having these strong feelings, I couldn’t do it. Instead, I would cry every night I came home. I would tell my family members that I hated it and they didn’t believe me. The only person on my side was my dad. When Covid came, me and my sister quit and thankfully never went back. During Covid, I developed an eating disorder because of my mom. She would tell me I eat too much and need to stop. To paint you a clearer picture, I was a very small girl during the pandemic. I was 4’11 and under 90 pounds. So, getting told that I ate “too much” made me think I was getting fat. I stopped eating as much like she told me. It was gradual at first, but then it got to only cereal a day. Eventually, nothing for a day at a time. Her words made me self harm. I didn’t think I was a good enough daughter. Unfortunately, I still have the eating mindset to this day, but I have been self harm free for almost 5 months! When I went to high-school, my mom made me do cheer again. This was even worse than when I was younger. From the start I hated it. I hated it so much. I hated the tight uniforms, the flying in the air, and having nervous breakdowns when everyone would get mad at me. The only option for me for stunts was being a flyer. I’m a short girl so I couldn’t be put anywhere else. The thought of flying again freaked me out so bad because I got hurt in the past. I kept saying I didn’t want to fly and I didn’t want to do cheer. When we tried new stunts and everything didn’t go perfect they would blame me. I would cry so much. I cried to my mom and told her I can’t do it anymore, I want to quit. I remember the very night I told her that, she left me in her room crying without saying a word. Another day at cheer I almost got injured badly and she still wouldn’t let me quit. It took a toll on my mental health. Crying every night and people always being mad at me. But since I got outstanding grades in school and always showed up to practices, of course I’m okay. Right? That’s what everyone else told me. “You’re fine. You get good grades it can’t effect you that bad. You’re always smiling so what if you don’t like cheer?” It’s not that I just didn’t like it. I hated it. Breakdown after breakdown. Finally my whole family saw I wasn’t passionate about cheering and my mom was forcing me. They finally believed me but nothing changed. I went to cheer camp one year and it was horrible. I called it “Hell Camp”. Everything was going as good as it could. When we were all getting settled to go to sleep I got a text. A paragraph from my bestfriend. A paragraph saying how much she loves me. A paragraph telling me no one understands what’s happening. A paragraph telling me she was about to take her life. I sobbed. I cried so hard that night. I called her and called her but there was no answer. Some girls joined me in the room I was in and asked if they could pray for her. So we did. The point of this story, if I wasn’t in cheer then I wouldn’t be at that camp. If I wasn’t at camp I might’ve been able to help my bestfriend before she left this world. My mother and my mental health go hand in hand. It’s changed my outlook on life. Never judge someone by just what they look like, you don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes. All my past has shown me that I want to do something to help people in life. My main goal in life is to improve peoples mental health. I am determined to work towards a world where people have better control over their psychological well-being and mental health. However, despite my passion and dedication, financing my higher education remains a challenge. This is where The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship would help me achieve the dreams my younger self would be so proud of. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for considering my application. This scholarship can be a stepping-stone that allows me to follow my passion for helping and guiding others when they need it most. Thank you for your time.

One of my best friends, Kenzie, committed when I was at a camp for cheer. I remember the texts I got, the time, the way I was crying till I couldn't breathe. Everyone was getting ready for bed and since it was a camp there weren't really big bathrooms and we had a big team so we had to wait a while to change. It was around 12 at this time. I get a paragraph from Kenzie saying how she loves me and she's sorry that she has to break our promises, she said other stuff but I don't feel comfortable talking about that on here. I texted her back and asked her what she was doing and why she said that. The last thing I received from her was "I'm sorry but God is calling me to go, everything is dizzy. Goodbye, I love you" At this point, I'm tearing up and spam-calling her. She wouldn't pick up so I started sobbing in front of my friends. I called one of our other friends and she said that Kenzie wouldn't answer her either and that she also tried to call Kenzies mom. It was about 12:45 at this time so her mom wasn't awake. All my friends around me were comforting me and we made a circle and prayed that my friend was still alive. Fast forward to after camp, she was successful in her attempt. It's been two years since this incident and I still think about her. Sometimes I even text her number to tell her about my day. Ever since then, I wanted to be a psychologist and help people struggling with any issues that they have. I wouldn't want anyone to have thoughts like that going through their head and I wouldn't want any family to have to find out someone they were so close to did that to themselves. I try to be nice to everyone because you never know what someone going through, especially since Kenzie told me one of the reasons was because of bullying. Whenever I see some kid getting bullied I try to comfort them after I see the situation. I don't understand how the world can be so cruel to some people and how a majority of teens think that what they say doesn't matter when it does. I'm sorry to anyone who's going through anything like this and I wish you the best of luck in your future.

I have struggled with anxiety for a couple of years now. Every now and then I get panic attacks and can't calm myself down, but it has gotten better throughout the years with all the coping mechanisms that I have and the people that have helped me through my journey with this. I can't even imagine what people dealing with depression have to go through every day and the people that have abused substances to help with it. My goal in life is to help people who are struggling with anything in their lives. As of the next school year, I will be taking AP Psychology. I love to see how the brain works and how to improve other people's mental health. The brain is so fascinating to learn about and to see how you can help others. In the future, I'm hoping to get into Temple to major in Psychology or Forensic Science. I'm leaning more towards Psychology though, just because I really want to help someone who's going through stuff. I might also want to be a Psychiatrist too because they also help people, which I want to do, but rather than psychologists, psychiatrists get to prescribe medication to people. Some of my friends have to go to therapists for personal stuff that they're dealing with and when they tell me how it's been helping them a lot, it gives me motivation for the future so hopefully kids, teens, or adults will say the same about me to their peers. Also, I have one friend that has been to a mental hospital because she couldn't get help in time. She told me how awful it was and how humiliating it made her feel. I felt so bad that she had to go through that so I have also made that a goal in my life to help anyone who wants help so they don't have to go to a mental hospital if they don't need to. To save them from humiliation and feeling not good enough to be alive. All in all, I just want to be someone in the world that people can come to, to feel safe around so I can help them and they can be comfortable talking to me about their problems. I wish nothing but the best for people going through issues in their life that are too afraid to ask for help and abuse substances. If I get the chance I will make sure all my patients know that they are loved and should never be afraid to speak up about anything.

I have just finished my sophomore year of high school and this school year has made me realize a lot of things about myself. I struggled with some of my classes but always kept on them. My classes went from H Chem B, H American Studies 2, H Trig, and H Spanish 2. I was one of the only people in my history class that paid attention to the teacher, so when he saw me struggling with my grades he would always tell me that I could do it and helped me with stuff that I was very confused about. None of my other teachers helped me out like he did with me. I always just had to ask my friends because the way my teachers explained things wasn't how I could understand them, but with my history teacher it was different. My history class was the only class that semester I passed with 100 the whole time. At the end of the year I have a book that I bring in that my teachers could sign and what he wrote in it made me happy cry. He wrote about how he liked that I never gave up even when I was struggling or when I looked like I wanted to give up, that I didn't. He said he was proud of me and saw the potential in me every day, even when I was down. My dad is also a big contributor to impacting my life. He always supports me in everything that I do and never hesitates to help. Whenever I tell him about a grade I get he always says how proud of the smart girl I have become and he's proud that I'm his daughter. He always wanted me to go to college because he never did, I work hard because of this and I don't want to let him down, I have a 4.0 GPA and have had highest honors throughout my whole sophomore year. I'm going to Greece with my school to study there for a little bit and my dad supports everything about my decisions. He constantly asks what my job is going to be when I'm older since I'm still undecided. I'm leaning towards either being a psychologist or a forensic scientist, but I need a PhD and I always thought I would never be able to get that. My dad says that I'm such a smart young lady and that I just have to believe in myself and I'll achieve it. This makes me really think about what I'm going to do with my life and that if I give it my all I really can do it.