The hardest moments in life are what shapes people into who they are today. Hardships are going to continue the more you live, but in childhood it hits deeper. The experience of poverty as a child is something I'll never forget. I lived in, in most literal sense of the word, squaller. It was an old run down trailer, crawling with pests and bugs, along with huge piles of trash, dirty clothes, and broken floorboards. I still remember the time at which I had found a cockroach in my ear right after lunch at school, or the time where I had found my mom yelling for help as her leg had fallen through the floor right after a bath. The trauma that I carry from this time I know will stick with me forever. Our family lived in that house from when I was born, up until the age of 12. It sounds like hell because it was. Growing up, I grew to learn how different my life was from others. I felt shame for an environment I could not control. I felt like I did not deserve to live a better life if I had not been born into it. It was in that time where my faith was truly tested. I felt hopeless to my circumstances- hopeless to the thought of change. I truly felt that I did not deserve the same opportunities others my age were given in life because of how much I felt I needed to hide. I knew I wanted to live and to accept help, but as a kid I found it hard to speak about my hardships to anyone. I really had to trust in a higher being and to trust in the adults around me to pull us out, and by the grace of god, I am living in much better circumstances. I have so much to be grateful for- a roof over my head, clean water, and loving friends and family. I've learned so much from those really hard hitting experiences. It really is so important to be there for those around you. You never truly know what someone's going through. Sometimes just being there to listen is all someone could ask for. The major I am pursuing is environmental engineering. I understand engineering is a difficult field of study to pursue, but it pays well and is so vital for all different kinds of processes out there. Plus, the environment is awesome! It's something everyone and everything lives in and I believe it's so important to protect it. Ever since I was little, I've loved learning about animals, rocks, plants- the whole nine yards. (Just. Not certain kinds of bugs. Ha!) If I can pursue something I'm passionate about while providing for myself and my family, I'd be very very happy. Thank you for your time.