"People have thrown dirt on my name, and others have thrown flowers. It’s all a garden to me." This metaphor perfectly captures my journey to becoming a teacher, a path marked by doubt, discovery, and ultimately, deep conviction. I haven't always wanted to be a teacher; in fact, when I first began university, a teaching career was not even something I had seriously considered as a possibility for me. My parents always advised me against it, clamoring on and on about the overworked and underpaid teachers they knew, telling me not to waste my intelligence on a career that leads to burnout and frustration. I listened to them, sure that if I were to pursue a teaching career, it would only end in failure and disappointment. So, when I declared my major in my freshman year, I opted for Social Work, a noble career where I could still work with children, yet gain more respect and a higher salary. I quickly realized that was not the career for me. I took a handful of social work classes my freshman year and immediately knew it was not my calling. I started exploring other majors my school had to offer, and found myself coming back to the same one every time: Elementary Education. As much as I tried to fight it, teaching has always been my calling. I plan on dedicating my time to becoming a fantastic educator, and cultivating my students' curious minds into the geniuses of the future is the most fulfilling thing I can imagine. I will build a classroom environment where each one of my students feels as though they belong. Each one is an important member of our community. I will empower each student to use their voices, stand up for what they believe in, and instill in them lessons of kindness and courage. I will use a carefully crafted curriculum that incorporates real-world stories, discussion, collaboration, and hands-on projects to explore diversity and various perspectives. and promote connection with peers whom they may not interact with otherwise. I also plan on integrating culturally responsive teaching to help students respectfully engage across different cultures, languages, and ethnicities. My goal as a teacher entering the workforce is to teach to build a new generation of kind-hearted and compassionate students who can stand up to the oppression and hate surfacing in our society. It’s our job as teachers to provide students with the tools to be activists in this world who fight for active change, instead of passively defending against negative rhetoric. We must arm our children with kindness and humanity, a holistic education, for them to blossom. I am aware there will be critics—parents, politicians, and others—who may try to confine my teaching or silence my voice. Yet, I welcome both the dirt and the flowers, for they nourish the garden I am determined to grow. With passion as my fertilizer, I will cultivate a flourishing classroom where both students and ideas blossom.

My name is Eryn Smidutz Ross, and I am a 19-year-old first-generation college student attending the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut. I am pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology, driven by a deep passion to become an elementary school teacher who inspires and supports young learners in meaningful and lasting ways. From a young age, I have been fascinated by how children learn and grow, and I want to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, understood, and motivated to reach their full potential. I grew up in a small log cabin nestled in the green mountains of southern Vermont. My childhood was simple but filled with love, nature, and strong family bonds. I was raised by two incredible women, my moms, whose unwavering encouragement and belief in me have been the foundation of my confidence and determination. Their example of compassion and resilience has deeply influenced my values and the way I approach challenges. My older brother, who chose a different path by pursuing a career in carpentry instead of attending college, has taught me that success is not one-size-fits-all. His dedication to his craft and work ethic have shown me the importance of following one’s own passions and working hard to achieve them, regardless of societal expectations. My family dynamic has also shaped my understanding of resilience in the face of adversity. In 2010, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, a chronic condition that requires constant monitoring and management. This diagnosis introduced new challenges not only to my health but also to my family’s financial stability. Initially, my mom provided our family with excellent health insurance that covered the cost of my medical supplies. However, after recently switching to state insurance, many of my vital supplies—such as insulin, infusion sites, test strips, glucose monitors, and my insulin pump—are no longer fully covered, creating a heavy financial burden. Despite these obstacles, I have remained focused on my academic and personal goals, determined not to let these challenges define me. At the University of Saint Joseph, I am actively involved in campus life. I am a proud member of the field hockey team and the Aspiring Educators Club. I also serve as a Morgan’s Message ambassador, raising awareness about diabetes, and I founded and lead Diabetes Link at USJ, a student organization dedicated to supporting those affected by diabetes. Additionally, I volunteer as a middle school basketball coach and a club field hockey coach, roles that allow me to mentor young athletes and foster teamwork and confidence. My hope is to continue coaching and eventually become a varsity head coach. Looking forward, I am committed to continuing my growth as a student, leader, and advocate. I aspire to give back to my community as a compassionate and dedicated elementary school teacher and as a head varsity coach who inspires young people to persevere and thrive. I am grateful for your consideration and hopeful for the opportunity to continue this journey.

I had a basketball in my hand before I could walk, at least, that’s what my mom likes to say. She has been coaching basketball since before I was born and always hoped to pass her passion for the sport on to me. Growing up, I spent countless hours on the court from school leagues and AAU to backyard pick-up games. I was always seeking to connect with my mom through basketball. As much as I loved the game, one thing stopped my dream of a WNBA career: I was never particularly good at basketball. I could hold my own but was never a top scorer. I thrived more on defense than offense and often struggled with timing, footing, and decision-making on the court. By middle school, I realized my basketball future was dimming, which may explain why I was drawn to field hockey. I started playing in third grade through a local youth program coached by the high school varsity team. It was love at first goal. Basketball was my first passion, but field hockey quickly captured my heart, always beckoning me to pick up a stick. I played both sports through high school, contributing to two undefeated field hockey seasons and a state championship, while earning league honors in both sports. Yet, when I look back, it’s not the accolades that stand out; it’s the youth field hockey league I coached that made my experience truly special. In my freshman year, I began volunteering as a coach in the same league where I started playing. Each practice became a new adventure. Coaching gave me a fresh perspective on a sport that I love. I had forgotten the pure joy of youth sports, sometimes getting caught up in the stress of higher levels. Watching my players reach milestones rekindled my own passion. I volunteered for four years, coaching kids from kindergarten to fourth grade until I graduated. Now, I play field hockey at the collegiate level. My love for coaching never faded. I’ve coached indoor field hockey for a local club team and am pursuing a degree in elementary education with dreams of becoming a varsity coach. Recently, an old basketball connection called. My former basketball coach needed help with her middle school team, 18 players, grades 5th through 8th. There was no budget for an additional coach, so I volunteered my winter break to assist. Despite never being a star player, my basketball knowledge was still there. Coaching reignited my love for the game, and together we led the team to the championship—their first title since 2008. This experience rekindled my passion for coaching and basketball, but more importantly, it reminded me of the power of community. Sports are more than just games; they are spaces where people come together to support, challenge, and uplift each other. Coaching these young players wasn’t just about skills or winning; it was about building relationships, fostering belonging, and creating shared memories that strengthen our community’s fabric. On both the basketball court and the field hockey pitch, I’ve witnessed how sports unite people across backgrounds and ages, bridging gaps and creating supportive networks. Sports are a universal language. Volunteering to coach allows me to give back to the community that shaped me, just as my mom did before me. It’s a cycle of connection and care that grows stronger with each season. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue nurturing this spirit of community through coaching and teaching, helping young athletes develop their talents and find their place in a team, a school, and a wider world that values integrity, respect, and compassion.

My name is Eryn Smidutz Ross, and I am a 19-year-old first-generation college student attending the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut. I am pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology, driven by a passion to become an elementary school teacher who can inspire and support young learners in meaningful ways. I grew up in a small log cabin nestled in the green mountains of southern Vermont. My childhood was simple and rich with love. I was raised by two incredible women, my moms, who have unwaveringly encouraged every step of my journey, and have been the foundation of my confidence and determination. My older brother’s ambition and strong work ethic have taught me the value of commitment and perseverance in the face of challenges. He opted to not go to college and rather pursue a career in carpentry, a decision that reminded me that not everyone's path to success looks the same. From a young age, I learned the importance of resilience. In 2010, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, a chronic condition that affects every aspect of my life and requires constant monitoring. This diagnosis brought new challenges not only to my health but also to my family’s financial stability. My mom provided our family with excellent health insurance that covered the cost of my supplies, however, after recently switching to state insurance, many of my vital medical supplies such as insulin, infusion sites, test strips, glucose monitors, and my insulin pump, are no longer fully covered, creating a heavy financial burden. Despite these obstacles, I have remained focused on my goals. I am proud to be the founder and president of Diabetes Link at USJ, a student organization dedicated to supporting those living with diabetes and raising awareness about the disease on campus. This role has allowed me to develop leadership skills, foster a supportive community, and advocate for health equity, while creating a community of other T1Ds right here on campus. Outside of academics and advocacy, I am a committed member of the University Field Hockey team and the Aspiring Educators Club. These experiences have taught me teamwork, discipline, and the importance of uplifting others, all qualities I hope to bring into my future classroom. I am proud to say I am a collegiate athlete despite the demands of my diabetes, I love being able to prove to myself and others in the community that diabetes does not limit me. If I were awarded this scholarship, it would relieve some of the financial strain on my family by helping cover the costs of books, class fees, and university tuition, allowing us to focus our budget on the essential medical expenses that keep me healthy and thriving. It would empower me to continue my education with less worry and more energy to dedicate to my studies, athletics, and community involvement. I am grateful for your consideration and hopeful for the opportunity to continue growing as a student, leader, and advocate, so I can one day give back as a compassionate and dedicated elementary school teacher.

Picking a favorite Taylor Swift song is an impossible task, especially from her best album. There are infinite reasons to love every song on “1989,” however, if I were had to chose, I would select “You Are In Love.” There is something so honest in this song. It almost feels like the listeners are sitting in on a private moment between the protagonist of this song and their partner. Yet, simultaneously, the song is somehow relatable and makes you remember all the times you yourself have fallen in love. The song feels like reading a romance novel. There is a constant build up during the first verse that simulates the thrill of new love and the rush you feel when you begin a new relationship. It shows the anticipation you feel on a first date, and how when it’s the right person, even the smallest interactions are seemingly colossal and every detail about them suddenly is the most fascinating thing you’ve ever known. The song encapsulates the pining and heart-beating out of your chest feeling you experience while allowing yourself to fall for someone, and praying they join you in the free fall. The first chorus provided a satisfying release of tension built up in the first verse. It eases into a plateau as the protagonist realizes that the person they are with reciprocates her feelings without them even expressing it. It takes the old mantra “you’ll just know” and explains it in an eloquent, clear, yet subtle. It depicts the way being in love sneaks up on you. You don't realize its there until you sit with it enough for it to be all you can think and all you can feel. In the second verse the rise returns yet less intensely. It demonstrates the comfortable atmosphere being created as the two people fall deeper in love with each other. It describes how the protagonist is able to “let go” of their “fears and ghosts” as they begin to share even their dark side with their partner. It continues to show you the small moments are the ones that mean the most, and how with the right person even bad times feel good, such as sharing burnt toast. This verse also very truthfully touches on how even people madly in love fight, and proves that the important part is being able to make up after an argument. This verse also confirms that the protagonists partner has strong feelings for them as well. However intriguingly, they never say the words “I love you,” rather they say the protagonist is their “best friend.” This proves that in order for love to be real, it doesn't need to be said out loud, rather be shown through actions, and felt rather than told. The protagonist knew without their partner even having to say the words. The bridge brings the listener deeper into the relationship. The couple has likely been together for a substantial amount of time now, and a truly and madly in love. This is also the first time that Taylor changes point of view from second person, which is used in the rest of the song, to first person. This captures how Taylor feels looking in on relationship that doesn't need to use words, to her, who's spent her whole life thing to find the right ones. There's a bitter sweetness in these lyrics as we feel Taylor longing for the relationship she created in this song. Overall, “You Are In Love” contains some of Taylor’s best lyricism and is truly a masterpiece among masterpieces on “1989.”

If someone were to ask me what my favorite time of year is, the answer is always the same; field hockey season. My town is a field hockey town, I even was a part of the 2020 D1 state champion team. However, the winning and the glamour isn't what makes field hockey season my favorite, its the youth program. I started playing field hockey when I was in 3rd grade. I had seen my friends with their colorful socks and beautiful sticks and had found myself begging to join the team. My first coach was a high school senior named Murphy. Murphy was a varsity player on the high school team who volunteered her time to give back to the community and coach the youth. Murphy made me fall in love with the sport. She was engaging, kind, funny, and treated the team like a family. It broke my heart when she graduated and left coaching. However I kept playing. The next time I saw Murphy, I was in 8th grade. The middle school field hockey team had come off of a winning season the previous year and were ready to continue the streak. Only we were missing an important piece of the team, a coach. I can remember walking into our first team meeting and being met by a familiar blonde pony-tail and cheerful smile. Murphy led my middle school team to an undefeated year. She even named me captain. I will never forget Murphy or the impact she made on my field hockey career and my life. She light a fire inside me that continues to burn for the sport. Eventually, I left middle school. I had outgrown my old cleats and it was time for something new. My freshman year I was met with a new challenge, high school field hockey. The team I was joining had played in the past 7 D1 state championships, and had won 6. Now, the team was out to reclaim their title as state champs and were looking for new members. I set out to use every drop of energy, drive and determination I had inherited from my former coach to help my team make it back to states. That year, I was one of three freshmen who had the honor of playing varsity and being a part of the state champion team. However that's not the thing I remember the most about that season. It was our last practice of preseason when my coach asked the team if anyone wanted to volunteer to coach the youth program. It was like the stars had aligned. I immediately accepted her offer and began to coach second to fourth grade. Coaching the youth not only was enjoyable for me, but ultimately so rewarding for everyone involved. The youth girls grow a love for the sport like Murphy had planted in me while simultaneously building a strong foundation to keep the legacy of field hockey champions alive. Me and the other high school girls who decide to coach not only get to give back to the community, but also get to better ourselves by applying things we learn to teach the young girls. The youth program has a very special place in my heart. I hope I get to say one day that I was someone's Murphy. I want to be a coach that my players remember as fondly as I remember Murphy. I hope I can teach the future generation the same love for the sport Murphy taught me all those years ago, and maybe one day, they'll become a Murphy too.

High education is important to me because I have loved to learn before I even knew that I was learning. Since the day I was born, my mind has been hungry for information. My parents will attest that as a young girl, I was constantly asking questions. "Mommy, why do you need to put gas in the car?" "Mommy, how does the sun go down at night?" "Mommy, why?" I was curious about everything and anything. As I grew up and began high school, I started to challenge myself in academically rigorous classes. I pushed myself in every class, maintaining high grades and a high GPA, as well as earning 5's on every AP test I took. Yet this wasn't enough. I spent my free time on TikTok, YouTube, or nose in a book, desperate to find out more. I found a passion for literature and began to analyze lyrics, poems, essays, and novels. I picked apart songs by Taylor Swift and Joni Mitchell, trying to understand why they used each and every word so meticulously. I was fascinated by classic novels, especially those that played a significant role in history and spent hours reading and interpreting every line, savoring every crumb of the work until I was hungry for more. I have always set high standards for myself, higher than anyone else ever did. My parents were supportive and wanted what was best for me, but never put overbearing amounts of pressure on me. I was the one who held myself accountable. I would stay in my room preparing for my upcoming test rather than be out with my friends. I was the one who would cancel plans to fit in an extra chapter from a textbook, or finish a few more math problems. My competitive spirit never allowed myself to be comfortable in second place, I made myself strive to be the best. I know how to push my limits, and hope to continue to challenge myself in a collegiate atmosphere. I am someone who loves to ask questions. I am an over achiever who pushes herself to her limit, then pushes some more. I am desperate to be the best I can be. I want to know the most, learn the most, and enjoy every piece of information the world has to offer. Higher education is an opportunity for me to find topics that spark my passion and allow me to deep-dive into each, truly spreading my wings as a learner. I hope higher education will give me all the tools required to become the most educated version of myself. Its important to me that the little girl who always asked "Why?" will get a few of her endless questions answered, and maybe come up with a few new ones while shes at it.

Infinity is a concept I have found myself enchanted by since I was 11. I read John Greens “The Fault in Our Stars” in which he discusses the concept that some infinite sets are greater than others. Of course, we know this is not true, but the logic displayed as he wrote this was sound enough for my 11 year old brain to think about it for months on end. He said that there is an infinite set of numbers between 0 and 1. There is also an infinite set of numbers between 1 and 2, or 0 and 2. The logic he used what that if there is an infinite set of numbers between 0 and 1, the set between 0 and 2 should be double that size. That seems legit right? However this isn’t true. That is one of the many things I find fascinating about math. How things that seem to work, don’t. Math is like a puzzle. There are many moving pieces that come together to create something beautiful. Math is the only thing in our universe that is perfect, yet it is also imperfect. There are countless concepts of math that we don’t fully know yet. There are formulas being taught in Algebra One classrooms that are not fully formatted and will fall apart after a certain point. I find this so incredibly fascinating. The possibilities that arise when a math problem that is incomplete is given are endless. The way I do 89 multiplied by 162 could be very different from the person reading this. Many people don’t like math because they think it doesn’t make sense, or that there are too many moving parts, but that’s what I find beautiful about it. Math is a mosaic of broken and incomplete but somehow comes together in a way no other concept can. I doubt we as a race will ever fully understand math and it’s many colorful subjects, but it’s a way for us humans to understand the world around us, and for that it’s beautiful. My life may not be infinite, but for a while when I was 11 I convinced myself it was made of smaller infinities. I love how I can find Fibonacci’s numbers in the flowers growing by my house, and how I can calculate the ratio of milk to cereal I ate for breakfast. There are certain things in life that are constantly, but math is one of the things that stays the same. We know a ski mountain will always have a negative slope because otherwise we wouldn’t get anywhere. We know the ratio of sugar to blood in our blood stream should remain somewhat constant or we will die. Math can be used in so many ways to help us shape our understanding of the world the possibilities are endless. From calculating how many seconds it’s been since he opened my text message, to determining how much sugar to add to the muffins Im baking, math has a place in every day of my life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.