Drive. Being able to complete a goal. Persisting until I do something correctly. Giving 100% in everything I do. I have found that my drivenness is the most important quality of my personality. I have accomplished so many things in life because I was determined to become successful. Without drive, what is anyone's motivation to keep living? Pushing myself to be the best I can be is what I value most within myself because it keeps me enriched and engaged in my own life. When I grow old, I want to look back and think I did everything possible to make myself proud. I'm not talking about always being the best at everything. It is impossible for anyone to hold themselves to that type of standard. However, there is a reasonable alternative: doing your personal best. At the end of every day, I want to think I did my personal best in all areas of my life, whether that be completing all of my homework, focusing hard on my dance technique, or doing quality work at my job. Just simply doing everything I am capable of fulfills me to keep living and growing. I take pride in my driven personality. It has really helped me in my life's journey because of what I have been able to achieve. I have been at the top of my class not because I am naturally the most intelligent, but because I study and work hard outside of the classroom. I have become a strong dancer not because of talent, but because I go home and stretch, train, and practice to develop my craft. I have a good job at a local business not because I know people, but because I could prove I was capable of doing the job well. So far, being driven has equipped me with the skills I need to succeed in the areas of my life that I want to improve in. In the future, I think this quality will help me go far in my career and personal life. People want to employ those who will be an asset to their business. I will be able to start a strong family because I will be driven to raise my children well and be a loving wife. I will be able to achieve the goals that I set for myself, big and small, because I am driven to accomplish them. That is my most powerful quality.

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life would be the 1983 classic, The Breakfast Club. I have always appreciated older things, whether that be music, clothes, people or movies, so naturally, I was inclined to watch this movie to immerse myself in the 1980s phenomena. Not only was TBC a completely cool culture shock, but also a movie that helped put my high school relationships into perspective. Without it, I don't think I would have the understanding that I do today. I've always held myself to a high standard. In school I craved A+ grades, in dance class I moved fiercely to be in the center spot, and even at home, I kept my room the cleanest to impress my parents. Those expectations that I held for myself naturally flowed into my relationships too. I only befriended those who made the right choices, shared only my interests, and always strived to be the best they could be. It didn't make sense to surround myself with anyone else. Needless to say, I was isolated. Yes, I had friends. Friends who I gravitated to because I needed people to sit with at lunch. Friends that I chose because I knew they could get a school group project done. Friends who only had qualities that I liked. I chose these friends not because I wanted a valuable relationship with them, but because they were just like me. I had no intention of changing my standards. I didn't accept anyone else. I couldn't figure out why these relationships never lasted. I was tired of drifting from friend group to friend group only to feel excluded or let down by how different people were from me. I felt empty even though I had A's, finally got my splits, and received praise for my picture-perfect room. I had no one to share my accomplishments with but me. The Breakfast Club sparked an idea in me that I had never considered before: maybe it was okay to be in relationships with people who weren't my clone. It was possible to befriend people who didn't have their lives together. Or weren't studying for the best grades, or training 24/7 for their sport. If a group of teenagers with nothing in common could become a tight friend group in just one day, I could let my guard down and welcome people who were different from me. I stopped immediately judging the nerds for not being athletic enough, the athletes for not being smart enough, the popular crowds for not caring enough, the troublemakers for not always being perfect, or for the “outcasts” for not being social enough. I let my guard down. Since watching The Breakfast Club, I've welcomed a slew of new people into my life who are nothing like me. Years ago, that thought would have scared me. Now, I've learned to appreciate all kinds of people, no matter what stage of life they are in.

When we were about ten years old, my cousin Kamryn and I decided we wanted to make homemade apple crisp entirely by ourselves. My mom was skeptical about the idea but trusted us enough to bake something sweet without destroying the kitchen. (Looking back, she probably should have thought twice about that.) We found an old recipe book, collected our ingredients, and made sure to follow the directions step-by-step. All seemed well and good until we got into combining the ingredients into a mixing bowl, which included sugar, flower, a little bit of vanilla extract, and about half a stick of butter that came straight from the fridge. Neither of us had the strength to hand-mix this freezing cold butter, but we were pretty clever kids (for the most part) and wanted to figure out a solution without asking an adult. Originally, my cousin just wanted to throw the bowl in the microwave. I was at least smart enough to know metal bowls don't belong in a microwave. That's about as much knowledge as I had for the rest of this story. I kept thinking of things that I knew produced heat, and my mind landed on a hair dryer. It was perfect! I knew where to find one in my bathroom, it was light enough to hold, and we could control it as we held it over the bowl. The only thing I didn't think of were the powdery ingredients inside. We weren't just blowing-drying the butter with heat, but every other light ingredient as well. I raced to the bathroom, came back to the kitchen, plugged in the hair dryer, clicked the buttons to the highest settings and aimed it at the bowl. Whoosh! All of the ingredients shot out of the bowl, completely covered us in flour and sugar, coated every inch of counter space, and billowed in the air like a mushroom cloud. It was seriously everywhere. When my mom heard us screaming she raced out of her room to find two stupid ten-year-old girls who thought they could outwit a stick of butter, all while ending up looking like Pilsbury dough boys covered in sugar. I still remember the look of terror and then the tears of laughter streaming down my mom's face. The whole event was priceless and a funny memory that my cousin and I will cherish forever, mostly because this story is brought up at almost every family gathering to this day even though it happened almost a decade ago.

I was fortunate enough to grow up with a second support system that was close to home. My grandparents have lived next door to me my entire life, so much of my childhood was spent with them. Quite frankly, they raised me as much as my parents have. That's why my story of loss is so significant to me. The passing of my Pap felt like the passing of my second father, and although it has filled me with an immeasurable amount of grief, it has sparked me to fight for more in my life. My grandfather was truly a family man. He was a part of the United States Army Reserves, raised three sons, was a loving husband and a prominent businessman in the area. He had a large family, filled with grandchildren who adored him and parents who were inspired by him. Growing up, he was the picture of success. That all ended for him in 2015. He had cancer in his left leg and it had to be amputated for him to survive. He could no longer walk as he had before, which simply stunted the rest of his life. From 2015 to his actual death in 2022, he hardly moved from his chair at home. He lost his desire to push on in his old age. He had given up. No matter what attempts were made to give him a spark back, it had been lost. To this day, I don't really know why he stopped trying at life. He sort of let death happen to him over seven years, rather than wanting life to win out. Now that I have taken the time to look at how quickly he was willing to lose, I have been inspired to keep up the fight to win. I want to be fulfilled from age 17 until the day I die. I want to have an exciting career. I want to have hobbies that enrich my life when I can no longer work. I want to find joy in what I have. I want some spark to keep me invigorated, searching for a zest for life. I want the will to push on. I look at the achievements my grandfather made and wonder why they weren't enough for him. I hope that mine will be enough, whatever they may be.

When you wake up in the morning, you're either A) excited for the day ahead or B) dreading the next hours until you get to go back to bed. I'd like to say that I'm always option "A", however, for a very long time I was consistently option "B". Although young people often feel like they should have a greater zest for life compared to an adult working the typical 9-5, we too have struggles keeping our minds in check. My mental health is important so that I can confidently choose option "A" and not let the pressures of life force me into "B". To choose "A", one of the first things I do each day is think about what I know will make me smile. Even if it seems too simple to put a smile on my face, I think about it anyway. Getting to eat a good breakfast, sitting with friends in my favorite class, or even walking with my boyfriend for a few minutes at school each day lifts my mood. I think looking for the good in what you already have is important to maintain your mental wellness. It's impossible to make everyday interesting. You're not always able to be at the beach, or see your favorite band in concert, or go shopping with friends. Some days will simply be ordinary. Learning to accept this while looking for the joy in what you already have is critical in keeping your mental wellness in check. Movement is another necessity of mine if I want to choose "A". The days where I feel the most joy often include movement in some form, whether that's dancing, hiking, or taking a walk with my family. Breaking a sweat is not exactly everyone's favorite pastime, but for me it keeps my emotions regulated. It allows me to get fresh air, or if it's dance, express myself in a way that isn't speaking. I like having an outlet that allows me to forget about the stressful facts of life such as schoolwork and family obligations, and simply lets me move. Being with others in any way, whether at school, work, or home is the most significant factor that keeps me choosing "A". Being social is crucial in lifting my mood. When I am alone for too long, I have a tendency to overthink things compared to when I'm with people. Surrounding myself with others keeps my social battery charged and brightens my day. Spending time with loved ones uplifts my outlook, even if there isn't much excitement happening. Maintaining strong mental health is truly the key to happiness. Understanding that each day has its bright spots and downfalls, yet continually looking for joy, allows one to wake up, smile and choose "A".

The high school experience is a journey that transforms one's entire personality from their first day as a tiny freshman to their final time walking through their Alma Mater. I am certainly no exception to that statement. Attending a public high school has taught me more about myself and my needs more than any Biology or Geometry course ever could have. While I could go down many routes that describe my personal growth throughout high school, I am choosing to speak about friendships and the role they have played in my growth. My high school friendships have changed what I now prioritize in all of my relationships and how I let others impact my decisions. Growing up watching TV shows and movies that glorified having the most friends and being a part of the popular clique skewed my view of what's important in a friendship. I was looking to be friends with people at face value. Who was the most social, who dressed in the best clothes, and what people would envy me if I was in a certain group were the factors of a person that I examined before initiating a friendship. The people who checked these boxes ended up being some of my least enriching friendships to be in. While they fulfilled some sort of external needs that I was looking for, they also influenced me to make poor choices that affected my character internally. I was often peer pressured into doing things that I knew I wasn't comfortable with, yet did anyway to keep up my image with them. Whatever I had to do to remain friends, I did. I ended up going against my morals more times than I would like to admit. Not only did these low-quality friendships influence my decisions, but also how I looked at myself and my interests. I needed to lose weight (even though I was healthy). I needed to dress in revealing clothes to make boys look at me (even though I didn't love showing much skin and wasn't looking for a boyfriend). I needed to become more active on social media to be more popular (even though I hated being on my phone for hours on end). I compromised how I felt about myself and what I spent my time doing to be friends with people who weren't content with who I actually was. While I was looking to be friends with them to meet expectations that I thought were important, they were molding me into a person that they were interested in being friends with in the first place. Needless to say, they didn't fulfill what I actually needed in a friendship and I stopped trying to be what they wanted me to be. It didn't last. Even though I just wrote about how they negatively affected my relationship with myself, I still need to give those people credit for helping me on my self discovery journey. They showed me what I actually need in my relationships, and what I love about myself. I need people who accept my personality and aren't constantly forcing me to change it. I need people who won't pressure me into doing things that compromise my character. I need people who enrich my life with excitement, not dread or fear. I also look at myself a bit differently, too. I am enough in what I look like and act like. I don't need to change my appearance or my personality to meet anyone else's needs besides my own. I look back now and say "thank you" to those who I thought hurt me.

"Pretty Girl" written by Emily Smith She plasters herself with beauty unknown, To place her at the top of the throne. She covers the darkness, shadows and shame, With false hopes of triumph ever the same. She piles and piles the powder so deep, Concealing the identity no one can keep. She glistens and glimmers with nothing but polish, And tosses her spirit, ready to demolish. She throws away each piece of her soul, As if it was her number one goal. She takes one look at the mirror anew, And wonders where the girl is whom she withdrew. People will pass with envy in their eyes, And not question her wondrous, mistaken disguise. But she holds the secret, nobody must know, Her appearance is merely a deceiving show.

“Written by Emily Smith.” These are the words I long to see. The only way I will be able to read my name in print is through a college degree. It is my pathway to success. Travel writing is what I want my life to be filled with. Spending my days discovering the beauty of this plant while I document what I find for people is my dream. Those who cannot afford to see the landscape around them should have the ability to discover this entire planet themselves, even if it’s through pages of a magazine. Travel writing will allow me to give people these experiences. Money should not be an inhibitor. A college education is the way I can make this happen. I want to study Professional Writing in order to understand the fundamentals of language and learn how to convey myself in the most expressive and direct way possible. The way I write must be imaginative. It must be creative. It must be thoughtful. How could a person understand the precision of the Great Wall of China or the inner workings of the Amazon Jungle if my language choices are subpar? Quite simply, they would not be able to. Besides the obvious career opportunities that college will open up, it will also enhance my journey of self-discovery. College is the time where you are surrounded with all types of new experiences; living alone for the first time, joining clubs that peak new interests, making friends with diverse backgrounds, etc. College is a whole new world compared to what I am used to at home. I will be more self-sufficient and become more adult-like. I will have to take care of myself without relying on my parents to be easily accessible if I mess up. It is a trial run for real-life. I often hear from college graduates that “college was the best experience of my life” and that the memories made in dorms, lectures and other events are long-lasting. I want to have fond memories to look back on once I enter the real-world. Although becoming an adult has its own perks, there is something so invaluable as being a kid or young adult. The whole world is in front of you, yet you don’t quite have heavy responsibilities thrust upon you just yet. College is my final opportunity to enjoy being young with reality still remaining in the rear-view mirror. The college experience seems so invigorating and exciting not only to the possibilities it opens career-wise, but also the interpersonal journey that it evokes.

I wake up at 6:00 a.m. and sometimes don't get home until 9 o'clock at night. I race from school, to work, to dance without a moment of rest in between. To an outsider, my lifestyle may appear to be overindulged and impossible to manage. While I would consider myself busy, there are certain habits that I've developed to keep me grounded both mentally, physically, and nutritionally. These consist of meal prepping, plenty of exercise, as well as scheduled social time over the weekend. They are what gives me momentum throughout the week. The first habit that I've mastered to keep myself healthy is prepping meals. The food served in my high school cafeteria does not provide my body with the right type of energy to make it through long days. Instead of opting for the easier route of purchasing a lunch, I pack my school lunches the night before school and include foods that give me lasting energy. I pack whole foods such as apples, berries, peppers, high-protein yogurts, salads with grilled chicken, mixed nuts and other clean foods that fuel my body. By developing this habit, I feel more energized throughout the day and experience less frequent sugar crashes. While many high schoolers achieve their fitness requirements through after school sports, I have chosen the more artistic route: dance. Not only do my dance classes give me the opportunity to sweat, but to also express my inner emotions that are sometimes too difficult to speak about. Dance classes have increased my stamina and flexibility physically but have also been a mood-booster outside of the classroom. Dance is an outlet for exercise but also expression. The final action that I take to maintain my social wellness is prioritizing spending time with friends besides during the school day. On weekends, I make sure to take the time to plan hangouts with a group or even just one friend. If for some reason I don't have plans, I always make a point to call or text a friend to keep in touch. Maintaining these relationships is crucial to keeping myself emotionally healthy because I enjoy being social. Without these friendships, I would be quite lonely and isolated. Through meal-prepping, dance classes and spending time with friends, I can effectively ground my mental, physical, and nutritional health all while my schedule seems to be constantly full. These practices have kept me happy and healthy no matter how packed my agenda seems to be. I plan to include these habits in my everyday routine through college and beyond.

I have recently begun applying for scholarships and the number one thing that I have learned is the importance of being a well-rounded individual. Many of the scholarships that I have read about are seeking out students who stand out. Not just for their grades, but their interests and experiences. They are very specific and are only looking for a certain kind of candidate. Some require applicants to have a passion for baseball or even those who are interested in aviation studies. Scholarships are definitely not a "one size fits all" type of aid. Since beginning this process, I have felt the need to dig deep and found out what I am truly passionate about, but also what sets my passion apart from the rest. It is incredibly important to be able to articulate this passion through an essay. If you can't explain to a scholarship panel why you love baseball or are excited to become a pilot, then your passions cannot benefit you as well as they should. I am grateful for my interest in writing because it has become incredibly useful when applying for applications who want essays that aren't by the book and describe the raw passion that an applicant has. Nevertheless, having diverse experiences or uncommon interests is important to stand out regardless of one's writing abilities. It is also important to be able to recognize what is interesting in your everyday, regular lives. Most people who are only seniors in high school have limited life experiences that are truly captivating. Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary is a great way to set yourself apart. For example, a person might find that babysitting is a common experience that most people have, therefore it is not worth including in an essay. However, if a person realized their love for taking care of children or helping children grow while babysitting, then that is an experience that will stand out to a scholarship panel and is worth writing about. Being able to identify one's passion, articulate it, and explain why their passion sets them apart is the optimal way to apply for a scholarship. While this may require some soul searching or memory jogging, it seems to be the perfect way to feel confident when applying for any scholarship. It's all about what makes you stand out to a panel of judges who are used to reading cliché essays.

As a child, Language Arts was the subject that most kids hated. Writing seemed to be a miserable experience that was loathed by the entire class, except for me. I always felt that writing came naturally, like Van Gogh with a paintbrush or Louis Armstrong with the trumpet. Like these famous creators, it was a way for me to express myself in ways that talking could not. Communication, especially at a young age, can be difficult for those who aren't always confident in who they are. Writing helped me articulate my thoughts without opening my mouth. Now that I've grown up, I've realized the opportunities that writing could open up for me. I could turn something that I was gifted with into an actual career that I was excited to pursue. This is why I am aspiring to be a travel writer. The idea of combining my love of writing with exploration sounds like the perfect career. As a person who would prefer to be nomadic rather than settle down, traveling seemed like the optimal choice for me. Combining that with my passion for writing seems like a win-win situation. Practicality aside, I really do love writing. I think my joy for reading as a small child fueled my interest. I was captivated by how one person could create places that only existed in my mind. Their ability to transform entire worlds within a few pages was something that I marveled and eventually grew my appreciation for. I began getting excited for independent reading time, and frequent trips to Barnes & Noble were more exciting than Christmas morning. Reading was a way to travel before I was old enough to escape on my own. Now that I've grown up, I want to make writing my reality instead of a way to escape. Being able to leave my small town and venture out into the world is something I've longed for since I can remember. I think travel writing can help me get there.

The art of dance has had the most extreme impact on my life. While most would look at dance as simply one moving their body to music, I view it as an extension of who I am. Dance allows for me to rid myself of the stress that comes with being a teenager growing up in an unpredictable world. As cliche as that may sound, it truly has given me an outlet away from the craziness of the world around me. Dance has also helped me feel good enough. Although I am continuously working at improving my craft, I will always know that the feeling dance invokes in me means more than finally landing that triple pirouette. When I dance, I finally feel as though I am enough. No matter who is watching or where I am, it helps me be at peace with myself. Sometimes it can be hard for me to accept my flaws, but dance has always been there to help me be content in who I am. Along with feeling good enough, it has also given me a home when I've felt out of place in my own. Growing up with an athletic brother whose MVP trophies lined the walls made me feel inadequate, as if my accomplishments could never rival all of those great success stories that were always retold at family reunions. Nobody really asked about my dancing or any of my school achievements. I don't fault them for it anymore, because I didn't have medals to show off for all of the great things I'd done. I never had those tangible objects that signified how talented I was. I just had the passion that dance gave me. It filled the void when praise from my family didn't. Not only has it molded my character on the inside, but it also has helped me be aware of how I present myself on the outside. As dancers, we are always watching ourselves in mirrors to learn more about how our bodies move in specific ways. Since beginning dance, I have learned how to hold my head higher, walk with more poise, and overall make my presence in a room greater. When I am struggling with confidence, I always remember to keep my head held higher and shoulders down, which always boosts my self esteem just a little bit more. Dance is not just the passion that I've consumed my time and thoughts with, but it's a living part of me that I hope I will never lose. It was there when I was lonely or when I was happy. It was there when I didn't fit in. It was there when I had no desire to keep going. Dance is my passion, my outlet, and my joy. Its impact is one that has been with me every single day.