Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The waitlist to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life. I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.

It was a record breaking cold, Winter morning. I found myself in "The Quad," a place where you would find local students meeting up with friends for breaks and lunches; to me, it was a concrete walkway to places unknown. It was mid January, my 2nd semester of senior year in a completely new location. I kept finding myself searching for a familiar face that never came. I had to remind myself why I was here: I no longer found home at my "home school." I was involved in an uncomfortable situation, where student-teacher boundaries had been crossed, resulting in my move. To say the least, this wasn't my first choice, but I was optimistic. This reality convinced me to walk through those doors that day. I searched for the counseling office which in turn would make someone familiar with myself. I wanted someone to understand my situation, "the new kid." I introduced myself just to find out they had no expectation of my arrival. I wasn't offered a tour, nor welcomed; I was handed my schedule and sent off. While this pushed me out of my comfort zone beyond limits I didn't know I had, it taught me so much. I learned a new form of independence. I became an advocate for myself, and as time went on, others. If I had questions (where I would originally shy away,) I would ask however, my social circle didn't come as easily. My friends in years past had been the ones who I'd grown up with and had become my family. Now, I just felt like a 3rd wheel to the entire school. Everyone had their inside jokes within their cliques that appeared set in stone. I began to learn that it was now my responsibility to reach out and find my people. For a while, my efforts proved ineffective and it became very lonely. I ate alone in my car while studying. Sure, this situation increased productivity but it began to become the norm. I started isolating from others. I kept my head down and stopped trying. My grades were good, and my parents were pleased. It required someone reaching out to me to pull me out of this slump. I learned that what I really needed was balance. I needed a social life just as much as I needed an education. I met a girl who was willing to listen, and understand. She took me in and introduced me to her friends, providing me with some anchorage to this new environment. I met the people that I now want to carry with me to adulthood, but I am well aware I got lucky. My situation wasn't the norm but I strive to change this reality. My personal experiences have encouraged me to seek out a career in counseling to be the support I always wanted and needed. I want to be the guidance that so many seek and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I did. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! I know that getting to this point won't be easy and financials can get discouraging, but, I have real big plans and figuring this out is a hill I will voluntarily die on.

"I've been trying to get rid of you for years; I'm shocked you finally made it." I was warming up with my newly founded basketball team and 35 other girls on both the JV and varsity level when the head coach, ‘Jones,’ pulled me aside to make this brutal announcement. My stomach dropped and my face flushed. I found myself in this place again: all I had worked for, instantly undermined. I am Estella Brumpton. I am a sensitive and empathetic person. I am a hard working perfectionist and a real social butterfly. I’m not pleased unless it exceeds my standards.You can always find me with a to-do list in hand, listening to some self-help podcast, or taking a walk. I played competitive basketball for 8 years, but once I decided to graduate early, I put basketball on pause to focus on my academics and proceeded to cut high school short by a whole year to jumpstart my life. And, as you can assume, cutting 4 years worth of education into 3, has had its challenges. I keep busy to replace the absence of basketball in my life. I'm always down for a spontaneous hike or gym run. This is where I get my inspiration for the arts, my biggest passion. I'm a potter; I was hooked from the moment I touched clay. It changed my life, and I believe it can change others’. I'm planning on attending college to study psychology in hopes to become a private practice counselor, specifically, an art therapist. I want to be the guidance I wish I had while making it accessible, and affordable. For the time being, ceramics has become my therapy. You may wonder what about art therapy appeals to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been a healthy way to recenter and ground me, a much-needed brain break from everyday realities. I think guided therapy sessions, met with an introduction to the artistic process, will change lives. Additionally, I would like to work with children because I believe starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life so they can go on to change the world as they see fit. My dream in life would be to own a ceramics shop on the side of wherever my career takes me. I know the beauty of this art and I want to share that. I've had some experience teaching little ones this practice, but to make a career out of it would be the dream. "Dream big," that's what they always say, but I know the work it's going to take to make these realities and I have every intention of putting in the hours. The logistics now ask “how will you get there?” I have been the underdog countless times in my life. Financials can be discouraging to individuals like me. I want it, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Whether that be pouring my heart into a memorial scholarship essay for someone that lived the lifestyle that I so value, or working 35 hours a week at a Sonic Drive-In whilst being a full time student, or pulling all-nighters to keep my GPA up, I'm in it 100%. The ‘Jones’ of this world don’t want to see me make it, but those are the battles I like to fight, the hills I prefer to die on.

Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The wait list to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life... I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.

Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The waitlist to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life... I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.

Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The waitlist to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life... I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.

Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The waitlist to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life... I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.

Throughout my youth (and even currently,) I have struggled with anxiety. I was in and out of doctor's offices who only wanted to medicate me for my problems. I struggled with this idea of medication solely when I knew that first and foremost I needed guidance. I needed someone to listen, to understand, to relate, and guide me through the confusion and pain. After months of searching, my mom found me a therapist. Although it was not cheap, it was what she and I had agreed I needed. The waitlist to even get through the door with her was additional months of waiting. It was exhausting. The process is flawed, and this needs to be brought to light. I watch kids in my high school daily with crippling anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, etc (likely caused by bullying and harassment from peers to be specific,) being silenced or simply discouraged because of how hard it is to seek help. It SHOULD be you ask, and you receive. You SHOULD have people looking out for you and noticing the signs. Simply put, it's not this way, and it should be. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to change the narrative! This year, I have taken a stand. Seeing that I am not alone, I have been in and out of administrator's offices, educating them on what they refuse to see in their hallways every single day. I have petitioned alongside my peers to keep teachers who stand up for their students and are voices for those who are silenced. I have talked with all of the school counselors, numerous times, with concerns regarding the safety of other students, or even myself. This isn't enough to satisfy me and my ideals, but it's a start. With that being said, I intend to seek a career in art therapy and youth therapeutic sessions. I want to be the guidance that so many need and become accessible/ affordable to all. I want to be a safe space, and home for many who feel lost and hopeless like I and many others did/do. I am very passionate about my future career and know that I will be able to assist numerous individuals promptly so they can get back to pursuing their passions and changing the world as they see fit! You may wonder what about art therapy and child services appeal to me. A lot of it stems from personal experience. Artistic expression has always been an escape for me, a much-needed brain break from reality. I think guided sessions met with an introduction to the artistic process will change lives. Additionally, starting the mental health journey young sets individuals up for success in their later years and equips them with tools to process the realities of everyday life... I know that I will always battle anxiety and therefore will have to prioritize my mental health at the forefront as I navigate college and the stress that comes with earning this degree and the ability to represent what mental health services should be. Before I can advocate for others, I will advocate for myself and this will help me get a foot in the door, and enforce the change I one day want to kickstart on a large scale! I want to change lives and be what many before me did not have access to but much deserved.