I have attended public school in the state of Georgia for a decade and have been so thankful for every opportunity thrown my way. From overnight field trips to abundant scholarships, this state’s education system has a lot to offer for students. Although not perfect, I understand that as a state, we are given one of the best educations this country has to offer. The opportunity to participate in the International Baccalaureate program at Decatur High School is one that I am very grateful for. 57 schools in the state give their students the opportunity to pursue an IB diploma, a feat that we should be proud of. Through this program, I have learned how to be a critical thinker and have developed a more well-rounded view of education and life as a whole. It has pushed me to strive for excellence and taught me how to manage my time well. Another educational opportunity that I am grateful for is the HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship. Despite not going to school in-state myself, this scholarship has been a blessing for many people I know, allowing them to go to college when they did not think they could afford it. Just like the name implies, it has given my peers hope for their futures. One thing I feel like could be improved upon is the gifted program, especially in elementary school. When I lived in Orlando, Florida, the elementary school that I attended had separate classes for gifted and talented students, allowing me to be pushed in my academic coursework throughout the day. However, when I moved to Decatur, Georgia, this was not the case. My lower elementary school, Oakhurst Elementary, implemented a system where gifted students were pulled out of class once a week for a “LINKS” class, essentially a catch-all gifted class where we focused on mathematics in addition to our regular math classes while the rest of my class that didn't get pulled out played fun games and got extra recess time. This program left me feeling alienated. This continued into upper elementary at Fifth Avenue Elementary, where my gifted class took place of another fun, creative class where students could design their own food truck or make artwork out of nature. Returning to a lively classroom after doing math for an hour straight dampened my opinion on gifted class. I think that implementing a program where gift students have the opportunity to participate in their own, separate classroom all day while still getting the opportunity to make friends with those not in a gifted class, such as during recess or specials, would benefit all of the students involved.

Dedication. There is simply no teacher as committed to her students as Mrs. Erika Leach. I have had the privilege and burden of having her as my teacher for the past two years. During junior year, she was my International Baccalaureate Language and Literature teacher and during my senior year, she has been my International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge teacher. For most high school students, these two classes are the ones that you slack off in, ones that you can just breeze through and pass without putting in much effort at all. We had been taught that essays are written in a basic claim, evidence, and reasoning format and that this subpar, cookie-cutter level of effort was okay. This was not the case with Mrs. Leach. She pushed us. I hated her. I had never gotten Cs on my essays before her class. Since she was the only IB Lang/Lit year one teacher, those of us that wanted a chance to earn the IB diploma were required to take her class. The first semester with her as my teacher was torture. I would fear going to her class and look forward to leaving it for lunch every day. All of her students felt the same way as I did. No one enjoyed her class and we were all scared our grade point averages would drop. But, I saw improvement. My writing skills soared. I learned how to analyze Shakespeare’s poems and gained insight into common motifs that appear throughout literature of all ages. I went from Cs to As and even finished the class with an A. She is harsh on her students out of love. It has honestly been really refreshing. None of my teachers have ever cared about me, both as a student and as a person, like Mrs. Leach has. Now, in my IB Theory of Knowledge class, she is the only teacher of that subject who cares and I understand that it is because she wants me to have a deeper understanding because she knows that lessons learned inside a classroom are applicable in the real world. She taught me how to love people. Be harsh, be honest, be tough, but encourage growth and cultivate an environment of risk-taking. And don't make greatness, like getting an A in the class, unattainable. I am forever thankful for Mrs. Leach and grateful that I can now see her love in all of the critiques she gave me.

God has been my guiding light in life, giving me hope, strength, and direction at all those moments when I have needed them most. His presence has formed my identity and will continue to lead me through His love and wisdom. From moments of challenge to times of celebration, I have felt His hand guiding me toward my purpose. Perhaps the most life-changing lesson I have learned is to trust in God's plan. My transition from middle school to high school, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of uncertainty and isolation. This abrupt change disrupted not only my academic routine but also my personal connections. It was easy to feel lost, but in those moments, I turned to God for reassurance. Through prayer and scripture, I found peace in knowing even in chaos, His plan was unfolding. Jeremiah 29:11 became a verse I clung to: *“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”* This promise reminded me that I was never truly alone, and God’s purpose for my life was greater than the struggles I faced. God has also worked in my life through the people He has placed around me. My family has been a source of inspiration, especially my grandmother, who has shown me what it means to love others deeply. Her selfless care for those around her has taught me to approach life with compassion and humility. Similarly, my involvement in my church has strengthened my relationship with God. This is the reason why, as a volunteer, I have had great moments of serving others and how faith transformed our community right before my very eyes. Such experiences have truly instilled in me the values of a life of service and kindness, as shown by God. And as I head into the future, I am confident that God will be with me to guide my dreams. It feels, to me, that my passion about business and hospitality in general, or especially sports, is just more of a calling-combining gifts and interests that can make a difference to people's lives. I believe He has given each one different unique gifts, and if this is why He would equip me for something and open and lighten my pathway to work these goals. My faith has been a source of comfort, as well as a foundation on which to base my acts. It encourages me towards hard work, serving people, and meeting challenges with resilience and optimism. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me to, trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean on God for help and comfort. This verse encapsulates my belief that when I surrender my plans to God, He will lead me exactly where I need to go. As I look back on my sojourn in this life, I thank God, who has always been my guiding light. His leading has seen me through challenges, molded character in me, and given me a bright hope for the future. With His help, I know I can accomplish my goals and make my presence felt in this world.

Throughout my life, one of the most meaningful ways I have contributed to my community is through my volunteer work at Decatur City Church. I have invested time in many programs over the past couple of years, from community outreach events to working with children during weekly services. All these experiences together have really deepened my values and shown me the power that even small acts of service can have in creating lasting change. After college, I plan to continue serving my community through my church by using the leadership skills I will develop to reach further and make a greater impact with programs close to my heart. I have been able to help plan and execute community service events at my church, such as food drives and charity fundraisers that bring people of all walks of life together. These projects not only deepened my organizational skills but have also given me the privilege to see for myself how collective efforts can really make a change. I've seen how the simplest outreach efforts can make a huge difference—be it feeding a family in need or just offering support to people going through tough times. These experiences only deepened my belief in the importance of helping those around me and strengthened my commitment to volunteerism. I also work with children during Sunday services, teaching them the values of kindness, respect, and compassion. This role has been the most rewarding because it lets me make a difference directly in the next generation. During the interactions with the kids, I encouraged them to think about how they can contribute to the well-being of others. Teaching and mentoring have taught me the importance of leading by example and instilling in the young a sense of service to others. Showing them the value of giving back is something that will hopefully help them keep the cycle of service alive in their own lives. During and after college, I will continue to volunteer at a local church through the organization of more community outreach programs or by taking on larger leadership roles within the church's youth ministry. I also hope to expand my impact by engaging in bigger projects that link the church with the surrounding communities to ensure we keep reaching out to those in need. It is my desire to leave a legacy of service in the church, such that people feel supported, valued, and empowered to make a difference in their own communities. I also want to inspire others, especially young people, to understand the importance of serving others as a way to build a stronger, more compassionate community. My experiences of volunteering through the church have shown me that even the smallest acts of kindness multiply to create a ripple effect, hence building a stronger, more connected community. After college, I am going to continue giving up my time and energy in serving others by using my church as a platform to reach out and serve those in need. My passion for service will remain a guiding principle in everything I do, and I am excited for the opportunities ahead to make my community, and the world, a better place.

Not all heroes wear medals—some drive the mail truck. My grandfather, George Curtis Petree Jr., served in the United States Army Reserves for many years, quietly contributing to the backbone of military life. He filed paperwork and delivered letters to those living on the base, ensuring communication and order behind the scenes. Yet, in his eyes, this work disqualifies him from being called a veteran. He refuses discounts and remains seated when announcers at baseball games invite veterans to stand and be recognized. Through his quiet humility and steadfast service, he has taught me that true heroism lies not in seeking recognition, but in dedicating oneself to others. George Curtis Petree Jr.’s path in the Army Reserves was shaped by his intellect and unique skill set. A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and a Phi Beta Kappa honoree, he was deemed too valuable for combat roles. Instead, his sharp mind was directed toward meticulous tasks that required precision and reliability. He filed crucial paperwork and delivered mail across the base, ensuring communication and operations ran smoothly. While others served on the front lines, my grandfather supported them from behind the scenes, demonstrating that not all contributions in the military are measured by medals or battles fought. His role exemplifies how every talent has a place in service, and his humility in carrying out these tasks has left a lasting impression on me. One of my favorite times with him was at an Atlanta Braves game. When the announcer asked all veterans to please stand and be recognized, he remained seated, quietly clapping for the people who had stood around us. I leaned forward and whispered to him, "Papaw, you should be standing." He shook his head, saying, "I did nothing compared to my brothers," but I wasn't ready to give up just yet. After a few seconds of begging, he finally stood up, shaking his head but with a smile from ear to ear as I cheered him on. That was when I realized just how deep his humility runs. He himself does not consider his service as something that should bring him recognition, but to me, the fact that he was willing to give of himself for others, even in a small role, is precisely what makes him a hero who deserves all the recognition in the world. My Papaw showed me that heroism isn't about medals or awards or even standing up to be recognized—it's about doing your job with integrity and humility. His quiet service in the Army Reserves, processing paperwork and delivering mail for the military, may seem uneventful, though it has taught me that every individual's role, no matter how small, contributes toward something greater. He taught me, through example, the strength that lies in humility and that service really doesn't mean being in the limelight; it means making a difference. A difference so minute one can barely notice it with the naked eye. My Papaw's legacy will always remind me that the impact of one's actions is not measured by recognition but by the heart with which they are carried out.