Despite the fact I have always felt a calling for the law, my own research in the field has helped me find ways to adapt my future career to the wishes of my past. It started when I was just a young girl. Whether from grandparents on Thanksgiving, family friends, and my mom, any time I got an “A” on a test, I always received the same response: “You should be a lawyer”. Maybe this is because I am and have always been an outspoken young girl, but something about these words has always felt right to me. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world for the better, I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for reading and literary analysis and for me this led me to law. Growing up with a single mother and two siblings was tough in a small town. A tight-knit community like my own knows the value of true companionship and hospitality and this became abundantly apparent on the day my family became a bit less traditional. After my dad had passed away it was the news in the town, I couldn't leave the house without a freshly baked pie and a thousand hugs from people I had never met. The meal train organized by the town fed us for months and the donations allowed us to save some money to pay new expenses. This dark time in my life had a light shined on it by the grace of my community and after experiencing this I knew just how important it is to be there for those in need. I noticed quickly that some have to grow up faster than others, and this is a part of life that you must adapt to. I realized a way to connect both my academic and personal interests into a career I have always dreamed of. Being able to work in procecution beings justice for those who can not seek it for themselves. Helping underprivileged families and those hurt by crime and poverty is my main goal and my time working at the Orange County District Attorneys Office taught me this. In my junior year of high school, I was given an amazing opportunity to intern for an A.D.A of Orange County, this experience only solidified my love for the law and my passion for my future major and career. My own experiences in my particular field of study allowed me to gain a real understanding of what it will take for me to achieve my goals.

22 a day. Our nation and its core beliefs and values were made possible due to the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms. Our veterans have historically suffered from both physical and mental disabilities after being discharged- and today a third of America's homeless population is veterans. Veterans however just a small percentage of our population, take up 14% of the national suicide rate. The phrase ‘22 a day’ refers to the average of 22 veterans taking their lives daily I come from a military family. Nearly all men on both sides of my family have been Marines, my brother is currently a Marine stationed in Camp Pendleton- the base on which he was born when my father was a Marine. My father thought the military was an option to escape his hometown and his family after dropping out of college. Years later, and many diagnoses ignored- my father suffered from PTSD, and depression and is now included in the 22-a-day; so this is a topic significant to me on a personal and moral scale. Aside from coming from a military family, and losing my dad to his own struggles relating to his mental illness this has never stopped my drive. I have always been both family and academically driven, receiving high honors in school, working two jobs to help support my family and balancing several volunteering and sports activities outside of school. From interning my junior year I solidified my love for the law, and the difference I can make in people's lives by becoming a lawyer. It started when I was just a young girl. Whether from grandparents on Thanksgiving, family friends, and my mom, any time I got an “A” on a test, I always received the same response: “You should be a lawyer”. Maybe this is because I am and have always been an outspoken young girl, but something about these words has always felt right to me. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world for the better, I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for reading and literary analysis and for me this led me to law. Everyday I try my hardest to bear responsibility with a smile and work to support my single mother and younger sibling. I hope to go through my life doing the same and helping those in need and specifically helping lower the standard of 22 a day. I hope to spend my life working with our country's great constitution to heal those who have been broken and aiding those in need by furthering my education.

22 a day. Our nation and its core beliefs and values were made possible due to the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms. Our veterans have historically suffered from both physical and mental disabilities after being discharged- and today a third of America's homeless population is veterans. Veterans however just a small percentage of our population, take up 14% of the national suicide rate. The phrase ‘22 a day’ refers to the average of 22 veterans taking their lives daily I come from a military family. Nearly all men on both sides of my family have been Marines, my brother is currently a Marine stationed in Camp Pendleton- the base on which he was born when my father was a Marine. My father thought the military was an option to escape his hometown and his family after dropping out of college. Years later, and many diagnoses ignored- my father suffered from PTSD, and depression and is now included in the 22-a-day; so this is a topic significant to me on a personal and moral scale. Aside from coming from a military family, and losing my dad to his own struggles relating to his mental illness this has never stopped my drive. I have always been both family and academically driven, receiving high honors in school, working two jobs to help support my family and balancing several volunteering and sports activities outside of school. From interning my junior year I solidified my love for the law, and the difference I can make in peoples lives by becoming a lawyer. It started when I was just a young girl whether from grandparents on Thanksgiving, family friends, and my mom any time I got an “A” on a test, I always received the same response: “You should be a lawyer”. Maybe this is because I am and have always been an outspoken young girl, but something about these words has always felt right to me. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world for the better, I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for reading and literary analysis and for me this led me to law. Everyday I try my hardest to bear responsibility with a smile and work to support my single mother and younger sibling. I hope to go through my life doing the same and helping those in need and specifically helping lower the standard of 22 a day. I hope to spend my life working with our countries great constitution to heal those who have been broken and aiding those in need by furthering my education.