The Special Education Program was pivotal during my freshman year in high school. It was the toughest year of my high school journey. For many months, I struggled with health problems that were related to my ovaries, which kept me out of school frequently. I struggled with PCOS, which is a condition with my ovaries that causes many issues with my immune system. I am constantly in and out of the hospital due to the pain being so unbearable and overwhelming. It made it impossible for me to keep up with classwork, and my absences piled up on me all at once, causing me to fall behind. I began to lose confidence in my ability to succeed academically. Yet, one day, my physical education teacher noticed how exhausted I looked and how my health affected my physical performance in that class. He took time out of class to pull me aside to ask how I was doing and from that day he referred me to the school psychologist which completely changed everything when it came to my education because I was able to get the support I needed, and the accommodations that would ultimately help me not only be successful, but be successful. Through the school psychologist, I was able to talk to her about my academic struggles. I was then placed on a 504 plan. This became a big support in my high school experience, allowing me to receive accommodations tailored to my needs, such as extended deadlines and time to rest when needed. Before receiving my 504 plan, I was struggling in class to do simple things like focusing on the teacher due to paying more attention to the pain I was in. I was in pain all the time, it was like the pain never seemed to go away. As I was in pain, it felt like as the minutes passed by, the pain felt heavier and heavier. No one around me was able to realize the pain I was going through from minute to minute. No matter how hard I tried to ignore the pain I was going through, my mind couldn't seem to escape the pain I was in. It felt like it was digging deeper and deeper the more I tried ignoring it. My classmates didn’t know the pain I was facing, the teachers didn’t see it, and I couldn’t find the words to explain what I was facing to anyone. The more time went by, the more I felt invisible. It was like I was slowly fading away in a room full of people who were moving on with their lives while I was stuck, drowning in something no one could understand. I was always a student who was able to maintain a 3.5 GPA; however, during this time, my grades had dropped from A's and B's to D's and C's. Without my 504 plan, I would have completely failed all my classes. Being on the 504 plan helped me feel a sense of relief, knowing that I had the support that was necessary to help me manage both health and education. It was this structure and support system that inspired me to not only stay in school but also aim higher. With the accommodations in place, I was able to focus on my education and push forward, leading me to maintain an overall weighted GPA of 3.94. Overcoming health issues that affected my attendance was one of the most challenging aspects of my high school experience, yet it also taught me resilience. I learned that while setbacks like being sick (constantly and in the hospital) are difficult, they don’t define you. The support I received through my 504 Plan helped me stay organized and on track, but more importantly, it taught me how to advocate for myself and seek out the help I needed. Having my 504 plan made it easier for me to stay on track with my AP classes because even though I was struggling with my health, I knew I was capable of reaching for more. I was able to rise to every challenge. This journey has influenced my decision to pursue an education - as I hope to work towards giving back to students who, like me, struggled as a result of their health. I understand how important it is to have a strong support system and to never give up, no matter the obstacles. I am now able to proudly say the 504 plan helped me open my eyes and see how many other students face difficult situations like I did and are afraid to speak up, but with my help, they will now be able to speak up. Today, I rank 16th out of the 125 students in my graduating class. The academic and personal growth that I've experienced over the past few years shows how important persistence is and how having the right resources can make a big difference. I know that my experience has prepared me for the challenges I will face in higher education and beyond. My goals are now to attend UC Merced and major in Psychology. This experience inspired me to become a School Psychologist because I want to be able to help other students not feel uncomfortable speaking up about their problems that might be interfering with their education. I truly believe that everyone is capable of overcoming anything as long as they have the right resources and help. This scholarship will help me continue my journey, allowing me to pursue my goals with the same determination that has guided me through high school.