My affection for veterinary medicine was a passion I stumbled upon almost accidentally. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not have an affliction for human healthcare. In sixth grade, I was assigned a career project. After very little research I chose to study veterinarians. My research for this project intrigued me greatly. A few years later, a couple, both veterinarians, moved into a house on my street. While building a new hospital, they conducted mobile veterinary wellness visits to people's homes. After accompanying on only a few visits, I realized I found my calling. In 2024, I began at the University of Georgia as a freshman majoring in Animal Biosciences at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. To say this opportunity is a blessing is an understatement. I could have never imagined that all my hard work would help me attend my dream university to pursue my dream career in veterinary medicine. This introduction to animal science academics has incited much more excitement in me than I knew possible. My vision for animal science and veterinary medicine is to bring cost-effective, thorough care to all of God's creatures unable to speak for themselves to the best capability. Working in an emergency animal hospital for four years as a veterinary assistant has shown me what kind of sacrifices in care have to be made due to financial stress. I am the first person to defend a veterinarian charging for services and collecting payment as I know how costly it is to operate a practice. However, I plan to be a veterinarian who offers a multitude of acceptable payment options ranging from any type of medical credit card to payment plans with trusted clients. Additionally, I believe in providing ample education on medical credit cards as well as pet insurance. Pet insurance is an underused resource that many pet owners and patients would greatly benefit from using. Finally, I plan for my veterinary practice to have additional income aside from client revenue. Since being at the University of Georgia, I have worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Development and Alumni Relations Office. This position has opened my eyes to the thought of people sitting comfortably enough financially to donate money to worthy causes. I predict advertising the idea of client donations towards a Patient Care Fund would encourage clients to respond to a call to action. While it is unrealistic to assume this fund would help in all financially-burdened cases, its existence would ease the stress of payment in critical cases. Another opportunity for alternative income I plan to exercise is grant funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, however employing two practice managers would help to ease this task along with many other duties this role assumes. My experience in veterinary medicine has shown me how financial stress can lead to frustration and conflict. As every member of the veterinary community knows, harsh feelings from clients are often reflected on the care team. This can ultimately lead to undesirable working conditions. Achieving this dream starts now, in my undergraduate career. Financial aid via scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the fear of financial strain. It would be an investment not just in my education, but in the future of compassionate, accessible veterinary care.

My earliest memory is sitting on the couch, preparing to hold my new baby sister. I was not happy she was there. In fact, I asked the doctor to put her back and bring me a brother. At three years old, I sat on the couch and was handed a nine-pound baby in a hospital blanket. Her elbow was pushing into my neck. I smiled for a picture and asked my mom to "take her back now, please." A few short months later, she was crawling around and biting everyone. I was still not satisfied with welcoming her to share my spotlight. Seventeen years later, I find myself at her seventeenth birthday party, basking in all of the sweet memories I have with her. Six years after her birth, my sister revealed that a family member had been sexually assaulting her. It was an abrupt announcement in our quiet car ride on the way to his house. She burst into tears. I was so confused as I was only about nine. My mother almost wrecked the car. My mom is not angry at us but furious at the situation; she cannot stop yelling. My stomach dropped to my colon. I am crying before I know that my sister is profusely apologizing for getting our cousin in trouble. We keep driving to his house. My mom doesn't knock, but she flings open the door to their double-wide trailer and yells for her twin sister. My other cousins, the girls who babysat us, held my sister and me on a bed while I screamed that "He hurt her!" and was threatened by unwavering nausea. My sister is still apologizing. Months go by, a confession is given, and we have lost half of our family. My little sister never loses her light. We go to an underfunded government-issued therapy once a month. She goes to court more than once to never be called to the witness stand. Nightmares interrupt her sleep for years to come. She sleeps in our parents' bed through middle school. By night, the monsters are out and chasing her. By day, she is smiling, laughing, and kind. She plays with all her classmates to be sure none are left out. She colors pictures of rainbows and family portraits. She takes karate and wins all of her matches. I have never observed such strength as that of my six-year-old baby sister, and that season of our lives made her into my hero. My cousin has not impacted my life with any significance. His actions have not affected my life greatly. My baby sister's response to her abuse has changed my view of people and the world. She is seventeen years old and does not reserve anger and anxiety for this cousin. She is old enough to fully understand everything she has endured, and she is the most loving friend and sister. The biggest impact on my life was made by my baby sister, who is not so much of a baby now.

My affection for veterinary medicine was a passion I stumbled upon almost accidentally. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not have an affliction for human healthcare. In sixth grade, I was assigned a career project, and after very little research, I chose to study veterinarians. My research for this project intrigued me greatly. A few years later, a couple, both veterinarians, moved into a house on my street. While building a new hospital, they conducted mobile veterinary wellness visits to people's homes. After accompanying on only a few visits, I realized I found my calling. This past year, I began at the University of Georgia as a freshman majoring in Animal Biosciences at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. To say this opportunity is a blessing is an understatement. I could have never imagined that all my hard work would help me attend my dream university to pursue my dream career in veterinary medicine. This introduction to animal science academics has incited much more excitement in me than I knew possible. My vision for animal science and veterinary medicine is to bring cost-effective, thorough care to all of God's creatures who are unable to speak for themselves. Working in an emergency animal hospital for the past four years has shown me what kind of sacrifices in care have to be made due to financial stress. I am the first person to defend a veterinarian charging for services and collecting payment as I know how costly it is to operate a practice. However, I plan to be a veterinarian who offers a multitude of acceptable payment options ranging from any type of medical credit card to payment plans with trusted clients. Additionally, I believe in providing ample education on medical credit cards as well as pet insurance. Pet insurance is an underused resource that many pet owners and patients would greatly benefit from using. Insurance information would be a great resource for clients beginning their pet wellness journeys. Finally, I plan for my future veterinary practice to have additional income aside from client revenue. Since being at the University of Georgia, I have worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Development and Alumni Relations Office. This position has opened my eyes to the thought of people sitting comfortably enough financially to donate money to worthy causes. I predict advertising the idea of client donations towards a Patient Care Fund would encourage clients to respond to such a call to action. While it is unrealistic to assume this fund would help in all financially-burdened cases, its existence would ease the stress of payment in critical cases with extreme costs. Another opportunity for alternative income I plan to explore is grant funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, however employing two practice managers- one for day to day activities and one exclusively for financial handlings. My experience in veterinary medicine—especially over the past four years as an emergency veterinary assistant—has shown me how financial stress can lead to frustration and conflict. As every member of the veterinary community knows, harsh feelings from clients are often reflected on the care team. This can ultimately lead to undesirable working conditions and negatively affect the mental health of the staff. Achieving this dream starts now, in my undergraduate career. Financial aid via scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the fear of financial strain. It would be an investment not just in my education, but in the future of compassionate, accessible veterinary care.

My affection for veterinary medicine was a passion I stumbled upon almost accidentally. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not have an affliction for human healthcare. In sixth grade, I was assigned a career project. After very little research I chose to study veterinarians. My research for this project intrigued me greatly. A few years later, a couple, both veterinarians, moved into a house on my street. While building a new hospital, they conducted mobile veterinary wellness visits to people's homes. After accompanying on only a few visits, I realized I found my calling. This past year, I began at the University of Georgia as a freshman majoring in Animal Biosciences at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. To say this opportunity is a blessing is an understatement. I could have never imagined that all my hard work would help me attend my dream university to pursue my dream career in veterinary medicine. This introduction to animal science academics has incited much more excitement in me than I knew possible. My vision for animal science and veterinary medicine is to bring cost-effective, thorough care to all of God's creatures unable to speak for themselves to the best capability. Working in an emergency animal hospital for the past four years has shown me what kind of sacrifices in care have to be made due to financial stress. I am the first person to defend a veterinarian charging for services and collecting payment as I know how costly it is to operate a practice. However, I plan to be a veterinarian who offers a multitude of acceptable payment options ranging from any type of medical credit card to payment plans with trusted clients. Additionally, I believe in providing ample education on medical credit cards as well as pet insurance. Pet insurance is an underused resource that many pet owners and patients would greatly benefit from using. Finally, I plan for my veterinary practice to have additional income aside from client revenue. Since being at the University of Georgia, I have worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Development and Alumni Relations Office. This position has opened my eyes to the thought of people sitting comfortably enough financially to donate money to worthy causes. I predict advertising the idea of client donations towards a Patient Care Fund would encourage clients to respond to a call to action. While it is unrealistic to assume this fund would help in all financially-burdened cases, its existence would ease the stress of payment in critical cases. Another opportunity for alternative income I plan to exercise is grant funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, however employing two practice managers would help to ease this task along with many other duties this role assumes. My experience in veterinary medicine—especially over the past three years as an emergency veterinary assistant—has shown me how financial stress can lead to frustration and conflict. As every member of the veterinary community knows, harsh feelings from clients are often reflected on the care team. This can ultimately lead to undesirable working conditions. Achieving this dream starts now, in my undergraduate career. Financial aid via scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the fear of financial strain. It would be an investment not just in my education, but in the future of compassionate, accessible veterinary care.

My favorite Billie Eilish songs may seem cliche, but I find all her music to be such soul-touching tunes. The three Billie Eilish songs that have most deeply resonated with me are "everything i wanted," "What Was I Made For?" and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER." These songs have all been close to my during different eras of my life. When "everything i wanted" released in 2019, I had not heard much about Billie Eilish. However, around 2021, I reached my lowest point as far as my mental state. I felt extremely lonely and as if I had not one friend. I felt empty. This lyrics of this song were so desolate and sad, but they put into perspective how easy having everything can feel like having nothing. Her words in this song are so elegant and make such complex feelings seem more manageable. When the newest Barbie movie was shown in theaters in 2023, Billie Eilish song, "What Was I Made For?" was featured. This song is one of the most genuinely gut-wrenching pieces of music I have encountered. While this song is not overtly feminist, its placement within the Barbie movie resonates with so many women experiencing the same expectations from the modern culture. Finally, Billie Eilish's song "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" is so incredibly joyful and refreshing. This song illustrated the love Billie and her brother have for each other, and I love that my sister and I can mirror that love. This song deeply connects me to my sister. Moreover, this song has been culturally established as an anthem for families, friends, chosen family, significant others, and so many important figures in people's lives. Billie's music is music that the world relates to, and that is what I admire so much about her music composition and execution.

My affection for veterinary medicine was a passion I stumbled upon almost accidentally. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not have an affliction for human healthcare. In sixth grade, I was assigned a career project. After very little research I chose to study veterinarians. My research for this project intrigued me greatly. A few years later, a couple, both veterinarians, moved into a house on my street. While building a new hospital, they conducted mobile veterinary wellness visits to people's homes. After accompanying on only a few visits, I realized I found my calling. This past year, I began at the University of Georgia as a freshman majoring in Animal Biosciences at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. To say this opportunity is a blessing is an understatement. I could have never imagined that all my hard work would help me attend my dream university to pursue my dream career in veterinary medicine. This introduction to animal science academics has incited much more excitement in me than I knew possible. My vision for animal science and veterinary medicine is to bring cost-effective, thorough care to all of God's creatures unable to speak for themselves to the best capability. Working in an emergency animal hospital for the past four years has shown me what kind of sacrifices in care have to be made due to financial stress. I am the first person to defend a veterinarian charging for services and collecting payment as I know how costly it is to operate a practice. However, I plan to be a veterinarian who offers a multitude of acceptable payment options ranging from any type of medical credit card to payment plans with trusted clients. Additionally, I believe in providing ample education on medical credit cards as well as pet insurance. Pet insurance is an underused resource that many pet owners and patients would greatly benefit from using. Finally, I plan for my veterinary practice to have additional income aside from client revenue. Since being at the University of Georgia, I have worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Development and Alumni Relations Office. This position has opened my eyes to the thought of people sitting comfortably enough financially to donate money to worthy causes. I predict advertising the idea of client donations towards a Patient Care Fund would encourage clients to respond to a call to action. While it is unrealistic to assume this fund would help in all financially-burdened cases, its existence would ease the stress of payment in critical cases. Another opportunity for alternative income I plan to exercise is grant funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, however employing two practice managers would help to ease this task along with many other duties this role assumes. My experience in veterinary medicine—especially over the past three years as an emergency veterinary assistant—has shown me how financial stress can lead to frustration and conflict. As every member of the veterinary community knows, harsh feelings from clients are often reflected on the care team. This can ultimately lead to undesirable working conditions. Achieving this dream starts now, in my undergraduate career. Financial aid via scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the fear of financial strain. It would be an investment not just in my education, but in the future of compassionate, accessible veterinary care.

My affection for veterinary medicine was a passion I stumbled upon almost accidentally. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not have an affliction for human healthcare. In sixth grade, I was assigned a career project. After very little research I chose to study veterinarians. My research for this project intrigued me greatly. A few years later, a couple, both veterinarians, moved into a house on my street. While building a new hospital, they conducted mobile veterinary wellness visits to people's homes. After accompanying on only a few visits, I realized I found my calling. This past year, I began at the University of Georgia as a freshman majoring in Animal Biosciences at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. To say this opportunity is a blessing is an understatement. I could have never imagined that all my hard work would help me attend my dream university to pursue my dream career in veterinary medicine. This introduction to animal science academics has incited much more excitement in me than I knew possible. My vision for animal science and veterinary medicine is to bring cost-effective, thorough care to all of God's creatures unable to speak for themselves to the best capability. Working in an emergency animal hospital for the past four years has shown me what kind of sacrifices in care have to be made due to financial stress. I am the first person to defend a veterinarian charging for services and collecting payment as I know how costly it is to operate a practice. However, I plan to be a veterinarian who offers a multitude of acceptable payment options ranging from any type of medical credit card to payment plans with trusted clients. Additionally, I believe in providing ample education on medical credit cards as well as pet insurance. Pet insurance is an underused resource that many pet owners and patients would greatly benefit from using. Finally, I plan for my veterinary practice to have additional income aside from client revenue. Since being at the University of Georgia, I have worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Development and Alumni Relations Office. This position has opened my eyes to the thought of people sitting comfortably enough financially to donate money to worthy causes. I predict advertising the idea of client donations towards a Patient Care Fund would encourage clients to respond to a call to action. While it is unrealistic to assume this fund would help in all financially-burdened cases, its existence would ease the stress of payment in critical cases. Another opportunity for alternative income I plan to exercise is grant funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, however employing two practice managers would help to ease this task along with many other duties this role assumes. My experience in veterinary medicine—especially over the past three years as an emergency veterinary assistant—has shown me how financial stress can lead to frustration and conflict. As every member of the veterinary community knows, harsh feelings from clients are often reflected on the care team. This can ultimately lead to undesirable working conditions. Achieving this dream starts now, in my undergraduate career. Financial aid via scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the fear of financial strain. It would be an investment not just in my education, but in the future of compassionate, accessible veterinary care.

I admire the Olympics and idolize the athletes, probably to a fault. My interest was sparked in 2016 during the Rio Olympics. I watched in awe of the gymnasts, but I was obviously speechless seeing Simone Biles compete her floor routine. I cheered so loudly while watching Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps glide across the water. Even Usain Bolt's debut for Jamaica was awe-inspiring. Watching the 2016 games ignited my interest in all of the Olympic games to come. In the most recent Olympic games of 2024, the media brought several athletes to light. My favorite Olympians of this year were Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik. To see these athletes bring medals to Team USA was incredible. The female rugby team was not known for their victory. However, Ilona Maher brought the team a bronze medal, nearly single-handedly. Since then, she has made a mission to demonstrate that women can be strong and athletic while also displaying femininity and beauty. Additionally, Stephen Nedoroscik brought the first medal to the men's gymnastics team in sixteen years! His competitive performance on the pommel horse was unlike anything I had ever seen. Both athletes competed on Dancing with the Stars and were in the finale! In 2020, softball was brought back into the Games. Because I have played softball my whole life, this was incredibly exciting for me. I saw such wonderful role models of mine on the field. Seeing Cat Osterman, Rachel Garcia, and Michelle Moultrie was such a treat. The most exciting part of all was seeing my all-time favorite athlete, Monica Abbott, pitch for Team USA. I have looked up to Monica Abbott and her MA14 brand my entire athletic career. She has broken so many records, produced so many pitching practice tools, and helped in bringing a silver medal to the US Olympic team. Abbott was a pitcher in the National Professional Fastpitch League and the first within the league to ever sign a one million dollar contract. She holds many records in NCAA softball despite her graduating nearly two decades ago. She is everything a young athlete dreams to be and to see her in the Olympics was invigorating. To watch your childhood role model became a two-time Olympic silver medalist is to watch your big sister accomplish all of her dreams. I have never met Monica Abbott. I have only watched her play via television. Nonetheless, watching Monica Abbott play in the Olympics was a fulfilled dream in itself.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen and live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and the animals that come through our doors always touch my heart. Since I was twelve, veterinary medicine has been my only career option. No job has so quickly touched my heart this deeply. I feel as though I have found my true calling in veterinary medicine. I have developed a love for weak and sick patients. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These pets are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. Working in emergency medicine has shown me the exact costs and behind-the-scenes care that creates the final bill. When paying the bill, owners are often angry or frustrated when the cost of care is high. I find this frustration rational, but this irritation can turn into verbal abuse and harassment because people aren't in their right state of mind. My goals in veterinary medicine are to provide affordable care to animals in need and offer only the best and most necessary care options. It is apparent in this line of work that most owners would do all they could to protect their pets, but financial stress is often a huge barrier. In human healthcare, people have insurance options and payment plan availability that is not typically an option in veterinary medicine. I desire to create an animal hospital that provides the maximum amount of client education concerning patient care, financial aid, and pet insurance. I hope to make veterinary care widely available to provide the best patient care. Thus, I can ensure clients that they are receiving the best quality care for their furry family members. If I won this scholarship, I would be able to further my collegiate education and pursue a life that would help me achieve my goals.

I have played softball for a decade of my life. Thus, over half of my life has been dedicated to one sport. Softball taught me so much, from backhanding a grounder to pitching the perfect screwball. Above everything, the game has taught me about love: loving something so much that you stick with it when times are tough because it is your passion. My overall experience with softball was never perfect, but I love the clay. My favorite seasons to play were travel ball seasons because high school season was the equivalent of a dreaded job. Every player felt underappreciated yet still over-critiqued. Our coaching staff believed in criticism alone, but this had always been normal for the program. Like the girls before us, we stayed. Though our confidence was never firm, we loved the game, and we stayed. On more than one occasion, I had been left deflated by empty promises from our head coach. “Register, warm up. You’re pitching next.” The inning started. A different pitcher would go to the mound. Of course, I’d ask if I was throwing the next inning and the answer was always a firm, but meaningless, “Yes.” Our region rival game was the most important game of the season. We lost the first game of the doubleheader. In the second game, my coach quickly placed the pressure of the game on my shoulders with bases loaded in the final inning, and we were only winning by one point. I struck three batters out back to back. I had finally felt like I stayed long enough to be recognized, but of course, this was short-lived. I didn’t even care, though. I stayed as long as I could just to have that opportunity again. I loved every moment on the field, and I would endure the mental strain and heartache any day just to step on the mound again because I love the game. My senior season was more than interrupted. An assistant coach of our school team had been having personal relations with our ace pitcher after years worth of grooming her. Our coach was forced to resign the day of our first region game of the season, and we found out a couple of hours before stepping onto the field. Half of our team hated the pitcher. All of our team hated our, now-former coach. We had been betrayed and hurt. Drama stirred relentlessly. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. None of it mattered on the dirt. For the first time in five years, our pitcher carried us to the State tournament. She threw the most strikeouts in the history of our conference. She showed up for her teammates, and my only regret is not accolading her enough for playing for us through her struggles. She didn’t know how to apologize to the girls who were angry or how to thank the girls who stayed by her. She didn’t know what to do with her feelings, but she showed up for us because we were a family. Although the lessons I learned were not always positive, they were productive. I am most passionate about veterinary medicine and hope to become a veterinarian. I know that veterinary medicine has the second-highest suicide rate as a career. I can now recognize that the hard lessons were God preparing me for my calling. In my career, I will have to fight mental battles and show up for people and animals who count on me. Softball has taught me how to fight for what I love and am passionate about.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen and live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and the animals that come through our doors always touch my heart. Since I was twelve, veterinary medicine has been my only career option. No job has so quickly touched my heart this deeply. I feel as though I have found my true calling in veterinary medicine. I have developed a love for weak and sick patients. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These pets are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. Working in emergency medicine has shown me the exact costs and behind-the-scenes care that creates the final bill. When paying the bill, owners are often angry or frustrated when the cost of care is high. I find this frustration rational, but this irritation can turn into verbal abuse and harassment because people aren't in their right state of mind. My goals in veterinary medicine are to provide affordable care to animals in need and offer only the best and most necessary care options. It is apparent in this line of work that most owners would do all they could to protect their pets, but financial stress is often a huge barrier. In human healthcare, people have insurance options and payment plan availability that is not typically an option in veterinary medicine. I desire to create an animal hospital that provides the maximum amount of client education concerning patient care, financial aid, and pet insurance. I hope to make veterinary care widely available to provide the best patient care. Thus, I can ensure clients that they are receiving the best quality care for their furry family members. If I won this scholarship, I would be able to further my collegiate education and pursue a life that would help me achieve my goals.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen and live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and the animals that come through our doors always touch my heart. Since I was twelve, veterinary medicine has been my only career option. No job has so quickly touched my heart this deeply. I feel as though I have found my true calling in veterinary medicine. I have developed a love for weak and sick patients. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These pets are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. Working in emergency medicine has shown me the exact costs and behind-the-scenes care that creates the final bill. When paying the bill, owners are often angry or frustrated when the cost of care is high. I find this frustration rational, but this irritation can turn into verbal abuse and harassment because people aren't in their right state of mind. My goals in veterinary medicine are to provide affordable care to animals in need and offer only the best and most necessary care options. It is apparent in this line of work that most owners would do all they could to protect their pets, but financial stress is often a huge barrier. In human healthcare, people have insurance options and payment plan availability that is not typically an option in veterinary medicine. I desire to create an animal hospital that provides the maximum amount of client education concerning patient care, financial aid, and pet insurance. I hope to make veterinary care widely available to provide the best patient care. Thus, I can ensure clients that they are receiving the best quality care for their furry family members. If I won this scholarship, I would be able to further my collegiate education and pursue a life that would help me achieve my goals. The only way to become a veterinarian is to believe in and admire STEAM. Coordinating science, technology, engineering, art, and math altogether makes perfect sense; they are one and the same. The previous reference that blended these subjects together was STEM. I believe art was added to this collection because STEM subjects are an art. When I begin college, I will be majoring in a science: Biomedical Physiology. I hope that by beginning my education and career as a STEAM major, I can truly use this kind of background to make a true difference in the world of pet-healthcare.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen and live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and the animals that come through our doors always touch my heart. Since I was twelve, veterinary medicine has been my only career option. No job has so quickly touched my heart this deeply. I feel as though I have found my true calling in veterinary medicine. I have developed a love for weak and sick patients. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These pets are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. Working in emergency medicine has shown me the exact costs and behind-the-scenes care that creates the final bill. When paying the bill, owners are often angry or frustrated when the cost of care is high. I find this frustration rational, but this irritation can turn into verbal abuse and harassment because people aren't in their right state of mind. My goals in veterinary medicine are to provide affordable care to animals in need and offer only the best and most necessary care options. It is apparent in this line of work that most owners would do all they could to protect their pets, but financial stress is often a huge barrier. In human healthcare, people have insurance options and payment plan availability that is not typically an option in veterinary medicine. I desire to create an animal hospital that provides the maximum amount of client education concerning patient care, financial aid, and pet insurance. I hope to make veterinary care widely available to provide the best patient care. Thus, I can ensure clients that they are receiving the best quality care for their furry family members. If I won this scholarship, I would be able to further my collegiate education and pursue a life that would help me achieve my goals.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen and live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and the animals that come through our doors always touch my heart. Since I was twelve, veterinary medicine has been my only career option. No job has so quickly touched my heart this deeply. I feel as though I have found my true calling in veterinary medicine. I have developed a love for weak and sick patients. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These pets are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. Working in emergency medicine has shown me the exact costs and behind-the-scenes care that creates the final bill. When paying the bill, owners are often angry or frustrated when the cost of care is high. I find this frustration rational, but this irritation can turn into verbal abuse and harassment because people aren't in their right state of mind. My goals in veterinary medicine are to provide affordable care to animals in need and offer only the best and most necessary care options. It is apparent in this line of work that most owners would do all they could to protect their pets, but financial stress is often a huge barrier. In human healthcare, people have insurance options and payment plan availability that is not typically an option in veterinary medicine. I desire to create an animal hospital that provides the maximum amount of client education concerning patient care, financial aid, and pet insurance. I hope to make veterinary care widely available to provide the best patient care. Thus, I can ensure clients that they are receiving the best quality care for their furry family members.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen years old, and I live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and my heart is the biggest for dogs of all breeds, colors, behaviors, and sizes. My family has always owned pets, primarily dogs, and all dogs have always left paw prints on my heart. Aside from personal pets, I've met thousands of dogs from friends and family, in public, and at work. Nothing beats the joy of seeing a golden retriever's head sticking out of a car window at a red light or a dog running up to you in a park. There is something so special and endearing within the personality of every Great Dane and every Dachshund. Dogs are often extremely motivated by praise and affection and just want to make a person happy. Training young puppies is a crazy roller coaster, but it is also an extremely fulfilling task that solidifies a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Additionally, the newly trained dog is proud of themselves for accomplishing a task that made their handler proud. When I was twelve or thirteen years old, I took our family dog into my room to teach her to "shake." After fifteen minutes and blueberry rewards, my dog learned a trick I taught her! The joy and pride I experienced that day opened a doorway for my love of veterinary medicine. In addition to my love for my pets, I have developed a love for weak and sick dogs I meet at work. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These dogs are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. There are countless stories on the news, social media, and circulating towns of amazing dogs and their superhero-like actions. Many people have confirmed that we as people do not deserve the unconditional, pure love that dogs provide us. These statements are not false at all. Dogs are animals that will have an overflowing love to share. I want to continue reciprocating this love in my career one day.

Throughout my entire life, my family, like many Georgia households, has always been huge fans of the University of Georgia. Although we were never able to be at Sanford Stadium for a game, the atmosphere we created at home was precisely what I imagined tailgating before a football game to feel like. Bulldog football games crammed so many people from my neighborhood into our home and created the most light-hearted, fun-spirited environment I have ever been able to experience. The love and laughter that filled our crowded living room is a core memory of mine. These Saturday gatherings ignited the spark in my heart for the University of Georgia. When I was in fifth grade, my cousin graduated from the University of Georgia. My cousin Dillion Paulo was someone who I looked up to my entire life. When he received an education at UGA, I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. His acceptance to the school meant this was a place for the intelligent, goal-oriented, motivated student I have always strived to be. It wasn’t until I attended his graduation that I knew how much it truly meant to be educated by this institution. That weekend, I heard the valedictorian speak about how much UGA had positively impacted her, and I could only imagine how the University of Georgia made the other graduates feel. Since then, I have had an undeniable urge to attend a university that challenges me academically and encourages positive friendships and experiences. UGA is the only school that has checked all of my boxes. Walking around the campus in May of 2018 made me feel at home. Springtime brought forth beautiful flowers on every bush and tree and urged people to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air. After my college visit in 2023, those feelings did not leave me. I plan to attend the University of Georgia to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in animal science. Afterwards, I desire to attend the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine to pursue companion and exotic animal general practice/emergency medicine and begin my own practice. My goal to pursue veterinary medicine is not one I take lightly. I consider this career an entire path I was called to complete. I have developed a love for weak and sick animals I meet at work. Seeing dogs and cats in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These patients are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy pets have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a pet owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save an animal's life. There are countless stories on the news, social media, and circulating towns of amazing pets and their superhero-like actions. Many people have confirmed that we as people do not deserve the unconditional, pure love that they provide us. These statements are not false at all. Domestic pets are animals that will have an overflowing love to share. I want to continue reciprocating this love in my career one day.

My name is Emma Register. I am eighteen years old, and I live in a small town in southern Georgia. In the area, there are between twenty and thirty general practice veterinarians, and I am fortunate enough to work at the only 24/7 emergency companion animal hospital within a 70-mile radius. I work solely with canine and feline patients, and my heart is the biggest for dogs of all breeds, colors, behaviors, and sizes. My family has always owned pets, primarily dogs, and all dogs have always left paw prints on my heart. Aside from personal pets, I've met thousands of dogs from friends and family, in public, and at work. Nothing beats the joy of seeing a golden retriever's head sticking out of a car window at a red light or a dog running up to you in a park. There is something so special and endearing within the personality of every Great Dane and every Dachshund. Dogs are often extremely motivated by praise and affection and just want to make a person happy. Training young puppies is a crazy roller coaster, but it is also an extremely fulfilling task that solidifies a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Additionally, the newly trained dog is proud of themselves for accomplishing a task that made their handler proud. When I was twelve or thirteen years old, I took our family dog into my room to teach her to "shake." After fifteen minutes and blueberry rewards, my dog learned a trick I taught her! The joy and pride I experienced that day opened a doorway for my love of veterinary medicine. In addition to my love for my pets, I have developed a love for weak and sick dogs I meet at work. Seeing dogs in their most vulnerable state provides insight into their personalities that might have been coveted in fear if they were at the vet for a wellness check-up. These dogs are often extremely sick, and they cannot advocate for their medical care. The lack of autonomy dogs have over themselves is the peak of my interest in veterinary medicine. Even though every owner loves their furry, four-legged friends and family members, the best care is not always clear to a dog owner. The medical opinion of a veterinarian is needed to provide that clarity. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to unveil diagnoses and care options to save a dog's life. There are countless stories on the news, social media, and circulating towns of amazing dogs and their superhero-like actions. Many people have confirmed that we as people do not deserve the unconditional, pure love that dogs provide us. These statements are not false at all. Dogs are animals that will have an overflowing love to share. I want to continue reciprocating this love in my career one day.

Generalized anxiety disorder affects an additional three percent of adults every year in America. Women are twice as likely to be affected by anxiety than men. Anxiety is often accompanied by major depression. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the most widespread forms of mental illness in the world. An estimated four percent of the global population suffers from anxiety, and it is safe to say that I suffer from anxiety as well. What started as PTSD and manifested into stress has officially blossomed into a fear of simply being alive. My arms, hands, scalp, and back have suffered the most; scratching my skin has yet to satisfy the itch of not feeling safe or sufficient. I have no control over my fingernails during a stressful event. It wasn't until I sat down with someone who told me my inner monologue, "I will never get into college or achieve my career goals, and thus I won't be able to live a happy life," was not as common as I had led myself to believe. The lurking fear that generalized anxiety has brought into my life is not something I can ignore. I can't help but imagine every car crash I could confront before driving to school in the morning. I can't ignore the rising fear that spreads to panic when my space feels invaded. But I'm learning to fight against it. Since I've learned strategies and tricks to manage my fear and stress, I have recognized that I am fond of letting my worries fill my brain. I have realized that my fears are brought to me by my subconscious. I'm learning that I have the ability to take back my thoughts before I can't breathe. I consider myself more self-aware than I have ever been because I now know when I am giganticizing an experience. Though I will never be able to fully escape this mental illness, I am so grateful I have reached a point in my life where I can recognize that the scariest things in life are not as horrifying as they may seem. The scars on my body from scratching away my skin are irreversible, but I don't worry as much about new scars anymore. I'm can crank up my car without a brain full of thoughts and fears. I know that there is an inevitable panic attack somewhere down the road for me, but I know I'll recover. I know how much stronger I am, and how much better I'm getting at managing the anxiety and keeping it at bay.

Since starting high school, I have faced many ups and downs, like any other senior. The most clarifying moment I reached throughout the past four years wasn't a typical teenage battle with mental health, strict parents, or exhausting classes. The experience that has most impacted me was beginning a long-distance relationship, but the romance, or high school love, was not the scariest uncertainty for me. Being in a long-distance relationship is not for the weak, but overall, this journey has unlocked my independence and self-confidence. In addition to these personal skills, I've learned the best ways to be a communicator and efficiently manage my time. Even though the emotional part of long-distance dating is challenging and discouraging, I have learned to work hard for what is important to me, and I know I'm better for it. Though a relationship may sound contradictory to autonomy, mine has introduced me to independence and individualism. Because my boyfriend and I live far away, I haven't relied on co-dependency as the foundation of our relationship. We exist separately in our lives and enjoy quality time together at the end of the day. Thus, I've learned how important it is for me to live, not only independently from my parents one day, but also from my significant other in a manner that I can carry into my adult years. The pressure of having an Instagram-worthy relationship is not near as important to me now as is getting into my dream school and working hard to make my own money. A commonality between most high schoolers is the pressure of finding a significant other in high school. It's not everyone's priority, but undoubtedly the thought of many. I'm sure this is a leading cause of self-deprecation for teenagers, even after achieving "#relationshipgoals." However, I firmly believe that having a significant other who lives so far from me has established a new confidence in myself. Because I am not constantly putting the pressure of high school dating on myself, I can focus on activities that make me happy and my achievements and that make me proud of myself. As you can probably imagine, long distance requires a great deal of screen time and phone calls. Due to the lack of in-person interactions, I've developed communication skills that have helped me mature. Because I have made a beneficial habit of discussing delicate topics and conversations, I think I will be a more effective co-worker, employee, and human being in adulthood. It was extremely difficult at the beginning of this challenge to not constantly be on FaceTime with my boyfriend or texting him every second of every day. However, he and I have developed boundaries in our conversation time that have made both of our lives easier. We're able to limit the time we talk to each other during the day so that we can experience more meaningful time together in the evening. I know that my long-distance relationship is one of the lesser challenges I, or anyone else, has ever faced. However, my situation has taught me how important it is to push through and work out challenges that arise for something I believe in. I'm becoming more perseverant than I could've ever imagined or expected from myself. In the grand scheme of things, this trial may amount to nothing, but the beauty of it is that I'm becoming a better person through it. I'm becoming the adult I want to be.

In the sixth grade, a teacher asked me to speak at the Honors Day event. The idea seemed impossible and slightly terrifying, but I took a deep breath and agreed before I had enough time to ponder what could go wrong. I live most of my life tending to a rule I call “the twenty-second rule.” An immediate decision follows a deep breath. In seemingly scary situations with gray areas and room for failure, I give myself twenty seconds of pure, unfiltered courage to do whatever I desire when fear is holding me back. These twenty seconds of bravery have given me so many opportunities that doubt tried to chase away from me. Visiting my grandmother in her most vulnerable state of hospice care gave me one of our best memories before her passing, despite my denial at that moment. These twenty seconds gave me a loving relationship with my best friend. Over multiple weeks, the both of us had no idea how the other was feeling, but I put aside my fears of rejection and confessed to him my feelings. Since then, we have been making memories together on dates and through inside jokes for over nine months. Every time I decide to use twenty seconds, I gain a little more permanent courage. The more I use this method, the more confident I become. Ignoring the fear of rejection, failure, or the simple fear of the unknown has led me to a world of new experiences and memories.

Nearly everybody has experienced the difficult loss of a beloved grandparent, if not another friend or family member. On March 12, 2021, I lost my grandmother to a lengthy battle with bladder cancer and its complications. After being diagnosed with her cancer in the Fall of 2019, my grandmother underwent aggressive treatment and fought against it relentlessly; she prevailed! She had officially overcome cancer that tried to consume her body, but her chemotherapy left her legs with a rare, severe neuropathy that made it difficult to use her legs, alongside other symptoms. Throughout my grandmother’s life, she only made positive impacts. She could always share a smile. No matter the circumstances, my grandma had a way of focusing on the positive outcomes. In her sickest form, she made jokes, made others laugh, and continued to spread her light from the bed of a hospital. From simply knowing my grandmother to watching her demeanor during her toughest battle, I learned composure. I learned grace. I learned positivity. I learned from my grandmother that the best way to stay optimistic is to stay grateful. Even if I am in the seemingly worst position, I still have reasons to be grateful. My misfortune does not have to define that moment of my life, and most issues won’t matter in the bigger picture of my life. In the words of pop artist, P!nk, in her song Cover Me in Sunshine, “From a distance, all these mountains are just some tiny hills.”

At age ten, my mother gifted me a book titled “Three Cups.” The book follows the story of a boy who grows from his fifth birthday into adulthood. On his fifth birthday, he was given three seemingly ordinary cups. One cup was labeled “give,” one labeled “save,” and the last labeled “spend.” His father instructed him that the money he earned should be separated evenly between these three cups. He continues to fill these cups until he eventually has enough money to begin a savings account and/or accomplish his other goals with the cups. The giving cup instilled in me a desire to be charitable and help those in need. Money is a luxury not everyone can obtain. I believe that people who have some money to spare can and should share their wealth. The saving cup taught me the value of saving money and building my wealth. The ability to save money could one day be a major advantage to me. In the event of any unforeseen, forbidden accident, having money stored could aid me in struggling financial times. Lastly, the spending cup informed me that it is okay to spend money responsibly. Spending money is best done when you put your mind to something you strongly desire or need and set a monetary goal to purchase that item. At a young age, this book taught me the importance of helping others, building wealth, and responsible saving. With this knowledge, I am confident I will be a financially responsible adult in my future years.

Generosity is probably the first word to come to mind when you give money to a homeless person or donate food to the local soup kitchen. However, it’s unlikely “generosity” is your first thought when you’re offered a shoulder to cry on. I think generosity is best defined by giving up your resources to someone in need, no matter the size of the situation. My friend, Gracee, can make you laugh in the most serious of situations. Whenever you’re at your lowest, she can completely alter your mood. I find her ability to sponsor a giggle one of the purest forms of generosity. Gracee disregards her struggles to share a laugh to make you feel better, and in my opinion, her selflessness in her actions is beyond generous. My former English teacher, Mrs. Bortle, generously offered a listening ear to anyone at all. In any mental break down a high school student could have, Mrs. Bortle had the right kind of comforting embrace and calming advice. Sharing advice and lending an ear is always considered kind, but not typically known as generosity. I believe this type of interaction is incredibly generous. Generosity is most often based on actions resulting in tangible gain; rarely are seemingly small, selfless acts of kindness considered equal. I think that generosity means to be truly open to sharing yourself, as well as your resources, with the people around you who need it most.

I truly believe that the most radical forms of feminism appear through accomplishments. I find the most admirable face in history to be that of Marie Curie. As a woman of science, she was incredibly capable of her scientific and medical achievements, however, she was repeatedly faced with the adversity of being a woman. Marie Curie was a feminist icon who created magnificent medical and scientific breakthroughs, even though her research was often undermined as a female. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the era of Marie Curie, women were not trusted in the laboratory. A woman’s role in Europe during this period was extremely minimal; women were not meant to be brilliant minds. Curie defied these stereotypes through all of her research and developments. Through her discovery of Radium and Polonium, as well as the development of x-rays, Madame Curie solidified her authority and ability. I admire Marie Curie and her efforts greatly; she was a persistent woman who found joy in her work and did not let gender roles change her course. She worked diligently and eventually gained respect and authority throughout the scientific and medical community. Most importantly, Madame Curie hardly, if ever, expressed the struggle she faced as a woman; Curie reported her trial and error with her research and work as opposed to expressing the adversity she faced. Marie Curie faced major discrimination in a job field predominately ruled by men. She didn’t allow trials and tribulations to inhibit her work, and she ultimately led amazing research to prove her intelligence and knowledge of her career.

1. I am a lazy individual who likes Brussels sprouts. 2. I want to be an astronaut who discovers the moon. 3. When the time for volleyball tryouts came around, I was excited, but immediately let down. I did not make the team. I was extremely upset. From this, I was able to focus on my schoolwork more closely than I would’ve been able to during volleyball season.