There is a quote hanging in the office of a very popular film that reads:" All you can take with you is that which you've given away." These words have stayed with me since I watched this film during Christmas as a child. It helped me understand why my parents integrated service and 'Giving' into our lives, even when life had offered us less than others. Although this was true, somehow we had more of other things. Things that were important and kept us happy. My parents are both teachers. They came home with great stories about the connections they made with their students. I observed how much time and effort both my parents put into different strategies for motivating their students. I was inspired by their ability to give so much, knowing that they did not make as much as any of my family's or friends' parents. As a sophomore, I was a volunteer for the Special Olympics. I was nervous at first, but by the end of the day, I came away fulfilled. We spent our entire Sunday helping teens and adults who were excited about competing in track and field events. I initially assumed my parents had volunteered us in order to help the athletes, but, though that was true, I also realized that we were helping ourselves in so many ways. My siblings and I walked away with lessons that have shaped our compassion and ability for empathy. Every experience has led me to my goal of helping others with my life. I chose to be a Veterinarian, because I want to help animals, which directly brings joy to people. I want to make service an integral part of my life. No matter what my educational goals are, as long as I take time within my daily routine, to help others, then I am succeeding in being a person that gives back. I know that giving back will bring me happiness and fulfillment. In the same way that my parents found their profession to be a vocation; I want to become a person that makes choices not based solely on money or self interest. I want to make decisions based on personal growth and building community. If I have this as a guiding principal, I have no doubt that I will be happy, because in the end, "All that I will take with me is that which I gave away."