Veterinary medicine is my passion and something that motivates me throughout each semester is that after the spring semester ends, every summer I go back to my hometown, Herriman, Utah, and work at a local veterinary clinic. I have worked at the clinic since October 2020 and have loved it since. I have known that veterinary medicine is for me since my junior year of high school when I took a veterinary science course. I have been driven to become a veterinarian since.             This last semester was one of my toughest yet. Organic chemistry, physics, small business management, and animal nutrition are not a light courseload. There have been nights where I have struggled to find motivation to study. On those nights, however, I think of one experience I had over the summer.             It was a hot summer day like any other. I grabbed the paperwork for my next patient. It was an elder Dachshund presenting for back pain. The front staff notified me that the clients were waiting outside in the car. When I got to their car an elderly couple explained to me that they had been to a previous clinic that ran extensive diagnostics and they were waiting for results. I admit, I was a little confused as to why they came to us but I was willing to help. They told me that the medicine at the previous clinic was not helping and they needed more help. I opened the back door of the car to pick up the old dog but he yelped in anticipatory pain. With a blanket, I carefully lifted him and began the slow journey to the front doors.             After a long and cautious expedition to the exam room, I handed the dog back to the client. After talking with the client and a phone call to the previous clinic I was able to elucidate that the dog had experienced acute back pain likely due to a condition called intervertebral disc disease, a condition common in that breed of dog.             After explaining the situation to the attending veterinarian, she did a brief exam and told the owners that they needed to give the dog strict cage rest and prescribed the patient some muscle relaxants. The owners were very grateful for all the help but I could tell that they were a little overwhelmed with all of the medications they needed to give their dog. I explained that if they needed any help at all they should not hesitate to call. On their way out, they told me they were very grateful for my help with their dog and gave me a twenty-dollar tip. After helping them into their car, I gave the tip to the front desk to put on their account so that they would get a discount the next time they came. I was quite astounded. I didn’t think I did anything out of the ordinary.             The next day, I was on a different team and would not see very many appointments. I checked the schedule and saw that the poor dog I saw yesterday was coming in to be euthanized. I was sad to hear but I understood and did not blame them for one moment. I ended up helping with the euthanasia and the clients hugged me before they left. I think about this often.  I can’t explain how grateful I am to have been able to provide a good experience for this couple. Veterinarians have a huge impact on not only the animals but also the people and that's why I love it so much.

Veterinary medicine is my passion and something that motivates me throughout each semester is that after the spring semester ends, every summer I go back to my hometown, Herriman, Utah, and work at a local veterinary clinic. I have worked at the clinic since October 2020 and have loved it since. I have known that veterinary medicine is for me since my junior year of high school when I took a veterinary science course. I have been driven to become a veterinarian since.             This last semester was one of my toughest yet. Organic chemistry, physics, small business management, and animal nutrition are not a light courseload. There have been nights where I have struggled to find motivation to study. On those nights, however, I think of one experience I had over the summer.             It was a hot summer day like any other. I grabbed the paperwork for my next patient. It was an elder Dachshund presenting for back pain. The front staff notified me that the clients were waiting outside in the car. When I got to their car an elderly couple explained to me that they had been to a previous clinic that ran extensive diagnostics and they were waiting for results. I admit, I was a little confused as to why they came to us but I was willing to help. They told me that the medicine at the previous clinic was not helping and they needed more help. I opened the back door of the car to pick up the old dog but he yelped in anticipatory pain. With a blanket, I carefully lifted him and began the slow journey to the front doors.             After a long and cautious expedition to the exam room, I handed the dog back to the client. After talking with the client and a phone call to the previous clinic I was able to elucidate that the dog had experienced acute back pain likely due to a condition called intervertebral disc disease, a condition common in that breed of dog.             After explaining the situation to the attending veterinarian, she did a brief exam and told the owners that they needed to give the dog strict cage rest and prescribed the patient some muscle relaxants. The owners were very grateful for all the help but I could tell that they were a little overwhelmed with all of the medications they needed to give their dog. I explained that if they needed any help at all they should not hesitate to call. On their way out, they told me they were very grateful for my help with their dog and gave me a twenty-dollar tip. After helping them into their car, I gave the tip to the front desk to put on their account so that they would get a discount the next time they came. I was quite astounded. I didn’t think I did anything out of the ordinary.             The next day, I was on a different team and would not see very many appointments. I checked the schedule and saw that the poor dog I saw yesterday was coming in to be euthanized. I was sad to hear but I understood and did not blame them for one moment. I ended up helping with the euthanasia and the clients hugged me before they left. I think about this often.  I can’t explain how grateful I am to have been able to provide a good experience for this couple. Veterinarians have a huge impact on not only the animals but also the people and that's why I love it so much.

Veterinary medicine is my passion and something that motivates me throughout each semester is that after the spring semester ends, every summer I go back to my hometown, Herriman, Utah, and work at a local veterinary clinic. I have worked at the clinic since October 2020 and have loved it since. I have known that veterinary medicine is for me since my junior year of high school when I took a veterinary science course. I have been driven to become a veterinarian since.             This last semester was one of my toughest yet. Organic chemistry, physics, small business management, and animal nutrition are not a light courseload. There have been nights where I have struggled to find motivation to study. On those nights, however, I think of one experience I had over the summer.             It was a hot summer day like any other. I grabbed the paperwork for my next patient. It was an elder Dachshund presenting for back pain. The front staff notified me that the clients were waiting outside in the car. When I got to their car an elderly couple explained to me that they had been to a previous clinic that ran extensive diagnostics and they were waiting for results. I admit, I was a little confused as to why they came to us but I was willing to help. They told me that the medicine at the previous clinic was not helping and they needed more help. I opened the back door of the car to pick up the old dog but he yelped in anticipatory pain. With a blanket, I carefully lifted him and began the slow journey to the front doors.             After a long and cautious expedition to the exam room, I handed the dog back to the client. After talking with the client and a phone call to the previous clinic I was able to elucidate that the dog had experienced acute back pain likely due to a condition called intervertebral disc disease, a condition common in that breed of dog.             After explaining the situation to the attending veterinarian, she did a brief exam and told the owners that they needed to give the dog strict cage rest and prescribed the patient some muscle relaxants. The owners were very grateful for all the help but I could tell that they were a little overwhelmed with all of the medications they needed to give their dog. I explained that if they needed any help at all they should not hesitate to call. On their way out, they told me they were very grateful for my help with their dog and gave me a twenty-dollar tip. After helping them into their car, I gave the tip to the front desk to put on their account so that they would get a discount the next time they came. I was quite astounded. I didn’t think I did anything out of the ordinary.             The next day, I was on a different team and would not see very many appointments. I checked the schedule and saw that the poor dog I saw yesterday was coming in to be euthanized. I was sad to hear but I understood and did not blame them for one moment. I ended up helping with the euthanasia and the clients hugged me before they left. I think about this often.  I can’t explain how grateful I am to have been able to provide a good experience for this couple. Veterinarians have a huge impact on not only the animals but also the people and that's why I love it so much.

Veterinary medicine is my passion and something that motivates me throughout each semester is that after the spring semester ends, every summer I go back to my hometown, Herriman, Utah, and work at a local veterinary clinic. I have worked at the clinic since October 2020 and have loved it since. I have known that veterinary medicine is for me since my junior year of high school when I took a veterinary science course. I have been driven to become a veterinarian since.             This last semester was one of my toughest yet. Organic chemistry, physics, small business management, and animal nutrition are not a light courseload. There have been nights where I have struggled to find motivation to study. On those nights, however, I think of one experience I had over the summer.             It was a hot summer day like any other. I grabbed the paperwork for my next patient. It was an elder Dachshund presenting for back pain. The front staff notified me that the clients were waiting outside in the car. When I got to their car an elderly couple explained to me that they had been to a previous clinic that ran extensive diagnostics and they were waiting for results. I admit, I was a little confused as to why they came to us but I was willing to help. They told me that the medicine at the previous clinic was not helping and they needed more help. I opened the back door of the car to pick up the old dog but he yelped in anticipatory pain. With a blanket, I carefully lifted him and began the slow journey to the front doors.             After a long and cautious expedition to the exam room, I handed the dog back to the client. After talking with the client and a phone call to the previous clinic I was able to elucidate that the dog had experienced acute back pain likely due to a condition called intervertebral disc disease, a condition common in that breed of dog.             After explaining the situation to the attending veterinarian, she did a brief exam and told the owners that they needed to give the dog strict cage rest and prescribed the patient some muscle relaxants. The owners were very grateful for all the help but I could tell that they were a little overwhelmed with all of the medications they needed to give their dog. I explained that if they needed any help at all they should not hesitate to call. On their way out, they told me they were very grateful for my help with their dog and gave me a twenty-dollar tip. After helping them into their car, I gave the tip to the front desk to put on their account so that they would get a discount the next time they came. I was quite astounded. I didn’t think I did anything out of the ordinary.             The next day, I was on a different team and would not see very many appointments. I checked the schedule and saw that the poor dog I saw yesterday was coming in to be euthanized. I was sad to hear but I understood and did not blame them for one moment. I ended up helping with the euthanasia and the clients hugged me before they left. I think about this often.  I can’t explain how grateful I am to have been able to provide a good experience for this couple. Veterinarians have a huge impact on not only the animals but also the people and that's why I love it so much.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we will provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

Out of all of the books that I have ever read, the one that I cannot stop thinking about is the book "Educated" by Tara Westover. I read this book late last year and still, since then it has had an impact on my everyday life. The book is an autobiography about Tara Westover, a woman who grew up in Idaho with no education and was completely isolated from the world outside of her hometown. Her family was extremely dysfunctional and discouraged Tara from going to school. they thought that public school was just a ploy to turn children against god. At around 18, Tara studied for the ACT and got a great score. To her father's demise, she applied for and went to BYU. Realizing the world that she was missing, she stayed there. Her father was very upset. Tara moved on to go and get a doctorate at Cambridge. Her family disowned her and cut off all communication. She chose the truth over fear. This book put into perspective how lucky I am to have the privilege to go to school every day. There were other books with common themes that I find important and inspiring like the book "I am Malala" but those are based in other countries. They didn't quite have such an impact on me as did the book "Educated". It surprised me that even in America where education was widely available, it was still not sought out. It taught me that I should be grateful that I even have the ability to have an education. It taught me what happens when you don't pursue education or any sort of truth. This book is what inspires me to work hard in school. This book is what inspired me to even apply for this scholarship

Growing up in Herriman, I always had at least 2 dogs and 2 cats in the house. Probably like most people, animals left a profound impact on my life. There is no doubt that if I had not grown up with animals, I would be a much different person than I am now. In my junior year of high school, I decided to explore a career where I could work with animals. I joined the Jordan Academy of Careers and Technology Veterinary Assistant Program. The instructor of the course offered an optional in-summer program where the local animal control would bring in stray animals for us to help the instructor vaccinate and spay or neuter. On my first day during the summer program, the instructor had me scrub in to assist in spaying a cat. That moment was when I found my passion for veterinary medicine. Since that hot summer day, I have done everything that I can to ensure that I can go to veterinary school. That fall, I began volunteering as a part-time veterinary assistant at a local veterinary clinic. A few months later, they hired me. I continue to work there during the summers and winter break where they have helped mentor me to progress my veterinary career. Working in the veterinary field is not easy. It has long hours and is very emotionally and physically draining, but my passion for the field is what motivates me to continue to work hard. After graduating High School, I began attending Utah State University. Because veterinary school is very competitive, I have done everything in my power to stay engaged in the community and college while also maintaining good grades. While keeping a 4.0 GPA as a full-time student, I have joined the USU Honors Program, joined the Honors Leadership Academy, became an Honors Ambassador, finished and presented a research project, and volunteered at a local nature center. Most of these I am still doing today. Because of my academic achievement, I was recently awarded the USU A-pin award. This award requires you to maintain a 4.0 GPA while taking at least 15 credits. I am on track to achieve this award again in the fall. I am currently finishing up my second year here at Utah State University and I hope to continue to stay engaged in the college and community not only to help me get into veterinary school but to help shape me into a better version of myself.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab laying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needs to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I can play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All my time there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

Dogs are my favorite animal, therefore I want to be a veterinarian. The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we will provide everything she needed to comfort the dog. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provide for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision everyone must make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provides for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision everyone must make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provides for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision everyone must make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provides for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab lying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needed to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision everyone must make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

The veterinary field plays a vital role in our community. The veterinary field provides local support for not just the animals but the people of any given community. I am grateful that I am able to play a part in this relationship. At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at the local veterinary clinic, Copper View Animal Hospital. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provides for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab laying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we will provide everything that she needs to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog out of the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others.

At the beginning of October 2020, I decided to volunteer at a local veterinary clinic. I volunteered twice a week after school for several months until I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. All the time I spent there taught me a lot about the role that veterinary staff plays in their community. Veterinary staff not only provides for animals but their owners too, people. One memorable example of this was a couple of months ago when a woman came to us with concerns about her old, mixed lab. She was running late to her appointment but we still took her appointment with an understanding mindset. When she arrived, she called the receptionist from the parking lot and asked if someone could come outside to the car and help her get her dog out. At the time, I was the only available staff, so I went out to greet her and take her into the building. I introduced myself and I could feel a sense of anxiety from her. She opened the trunk and I found her sweet lab laying on a pile of blankets, providing a soft cushion of comfort for the older dog. Before we lifted the dog into the building, I asked her why she brought her dog in today. Immediately she broke out into tears. She explained that this dog had always been there for her. That her dog had gotten her through hard times and that while she did rescue the dog from a shelter, in a different sense, the dog rescued her. She really loved this dog, but she knew that the dog was getting older and was ill. Trying to console her, I explained that we would provide everything that she needs to give the dog the most comfort. Together, we lifted the dog from the trunk and brought her inside. I led them both into an exam room and began asking more specific questions regarding what symptoms the dog was experiencing. She elucidated that the poor dog had been experiencing these symptoms for a long time and had previous treatments. She was concerned that the dog was no longer living a comfortable life. I fully understood why she was there at that moment. She then asked me when it was time to euthanize. I told her that is the most difficult decision that everyone has to make for their dog. I then brought in the veterinarian to help her analyze the decision. Later, she decided to call her family and tell them about her decision to euthanize. That was the first euthanasia that I had fully assisted. That experience made me realize just how important veterinary care is to the community. We provide help to the animals that then give love to the owners, the people. We also provide people with a comforting environment in times of solace. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help that woman and her family and to provide them with a caring place. Overall, volunteering at that clinic provided me with a sense of passion and understanding for the community. I realized that working in the veterinary field is what I want to do with my career. I want to be a veterinarian and continue providing for my community. In my eyes, nothing is more gratifying than a career helping others

I am currently studying as a pre-veterinary school major. I plan to go to veterinary school and become a veterinarian. One great thing about this specific career path is that there are plenty of opportunities to help in the community. I found my passion for veterinary medicine two years ago. I was in a veterinary assisting program and the instructor advised me to volunteer at a local clinic. I took his advice and volunteered at the local clinic in my hometown, Herriman Utah. Immediately after volunteering there as a veterinary assistant, I fell in love with it. I continued volunteering there for around 6 months before being hired as a part-time assistant. I have persisted in working for the last two years. On my path to becoming a veterinarian, I hope to work at several other veterinary clinics and animal shelters. A lot of help is needed in this field and I am very happy to provide all of the help I can. My volunteering path won't stop after I become a veterinarian. After finishing veterinary school, I hope to continue to volunteer at several animal shelters while working at a clinic. However, I feel like volunteering is not the only way my career path will make a positive impact on the world. A veterinarian is someone who helps the communities animals and heals the companions that we bond with. A veterinarian is someone in a community that you build a relationship with. Everyone has their doctor, dentist, and maybe a veterinarian. Although the impact may not be global, it definitely has a local impact and that is what I hope to achieve. I hope to someday play the role that a veterinarian plays. That is what is special about being a veterinarian. You get to help both animals and humans. You help animals directly with medicine and preventative care while helping humans indirectly by providing a safe place for their animals and a trustworthy relationship. When I first got into the field, I had no idea how much of an impact interacting with people made. I originally had wanted to go into the field for the animals but the interactions with the people have been just as meaningful and impactful as working with the animals. I am working hard today to ensure that I will be able to be that kind of person and provide those resources for my community.

Working at a veterinary clinic is not easy. I have worked at Copper View Animal Hospital for nearly two years, and I have loved every day there. I originally started as an intern and then got hired as an assistant. I am now training as a technician. There are hard days but the good days make up for them. One thing that helps me get through the hard days is the people there. All of my coworkers are very supportive and fun to work alongside. I could not ask for a better job. For me to become a technician, they had to hire more assistants. Part of my job is training all five of the assistants. This may not sound as hard as it is. What makes it so hard is there is so much to teach, but everyone is at different skill levels. It is very stressful to try and make sure that everyone is on the same page. I have been thinking of the struggle of training them correctly for a while now. I have realized that the best thing I could do was to be a positive role model while training them. I wanted them to work in a positive environment. At work, I try to be as friendly as I can while positively correcting mistakes. I hope that this makes everyone's day just a little bit better. In a job with one of the highest suicide rates, we need more positivity. While doing this, I stumbled upon a very important lesson that will prove to help me throughout my entire life. Being my best self to others was not only good for them, but it made me feel good too. I learned that being optimistic is the best thing that I can be.

Within the last few years, the biggest problem right now is division. Some may argue that world hunger, war, and climate change are much more important problems. I agree, however, before we can start working on the worst problems, we must find a way for us all to work together in a more productive way than now. We all can agree that 2020 was a tough year. At the beginning of the year, a virus started an epidemic that turned pandemic. This forced us to seek refuge in our homes for months. Most of us, with nothing better to do, began surfing social media. Social media can be a great but also terrible place. It's harder to be "socially awkward" on social media. There are no walls. It is easy to fight with someone online rather than in person. This has created a very hostile and unsafe environment. Neighbors are fighting over the reliability of the COVID vaccine. Life-long friends arguing whether or not Joe Biden or Donald Trump would be the next ideal president. There are always two sides to a problem. Even problems like world hunger turn two-sided when trying to decide on the correct response. All of this division has put the world at a standstill. Neither side wants to compromise or lose. Each side insists that their way is the right way. So, to truly solve any world problems, we must work together. No matter how cliche that sounds, that is the truth. You have to listen. You have to truly listen to the other side no matter which side you are on. Understand where they are coming from. Stand in their shoes. And only after you listen, you will understand and a real solution can be made. Let's stop playing cat and mouse.

Working at a veterinary clinic is not easy. I have worked at Copper View Animal Hospital for nearly two years, and I have loved every day there. I originally started as an intern and then got hired as an assistant. I am now training as a technician. There are hard days but the good days make up for them. One thing that really helps me get through the hard days is the people there. All of my coworkers are very supportive and fun to work alongside. I could not ask for a better job. In order for me to become a technician, they had to hire more assistants. Part of my job is training all five of the assistants. This may not sound as hard as it is. What makes it so hard is there is so much to teach, but everyone is at different skill levels. It is very stressful to try and make sure that everyone is on the same page. I have been thinking of the struggle of training them correctly for a while now. I have realized that the best thing I could do was to be a positive role model while training them. I wanted them to work in a positive environment. At work, I try to be as friendly as I can while positively correcting mistakes. I hope that this makes everyone's day just a little bit better. In a job with one of the highest suicide rates, we need more positivity. I am trying to make that change one day at a time.

Out of all of the books that I have ever read, the one that I cannot stop thinking about is the book "Educated" by Tara Westover. I read this book late last year and still, since then it creates an impact on my everyday life. The book is an autobiography about this woman who grew up in Idaho with no education and was completely isolated from the world outside of her hometown. Her family was extremely dysfunctional and discouraged Tara from going to school. they thought that public school was just a ploy to turn children against god. At around 18, Tara studied for the ACT and got a great score. To her father's demise, she applied for and went to BYU. Realizing the world that she was missing, she stayed there. Her father was very upset. Tara moved on to go and get a doctorate's degree at Cambridge. Her family disowned her and cut off all communication. She chose the truth over fear. This book put into perspective how lucky I am to have the privilege to go to school every day. There were other books with common themes that I find important and inspiring like the book "I am Malala" but those are based in other countries. They didn't quite have such an impact on me as did the book "Educated". It surprised me that even in America where education was widely available, it was still not sought out. It taught me that I should be grateful that I even have that ability to have an education. It taught me what happens when you don't pursue education or any sort of truth. This book is what inspires me to work hard in school. This book is what inspired me to even apply for this scholarship

Although there is always so much more that I can and plan to do, I try my best to live a sustainable life. The first thing that I did and that everyone should do before taking action is I did my research. Before acting on the problem, I wanted to be as educated on climate change as possible. I took several high school courses that discussed climate change, followed several climate activists on social media, and did research outside of class too. The biggest thing that I did to help the environment is I changed my diet. I used to eat a lot of meat. After doing research, I realized how unsustainable eating meat is. I never realized how much methane beef farms produce. I now and have been a vegetarian for four years. I am not vegan, but I buy my dairy products from sustainable farms. The next biggest thing that I do to help fight climate change is recycling. I try to recycle nearly everything that I use. We live in a society that produces far too much trash. So, I make sure that everything that I use that is recyclable is recycled. I often also will reuse plastic material too. Though I have done more, the last thing I want to add is my participation in the Green Earth Club. Though I wish this club was a little more active, I still think we made an impact. One thing we did in the club was we made posters all over the school. If you want to make an impact you have to educate more people. The greater amount of people educated on the issue, the greater amount of change.

I began my veterinary assisting career in 2020 when I decided to join a veterinary assistant program through JATC, a tech and career school. They had an optional summer program that would help you gain the skills necessary for the program during the fall. Without hesitation, I emailed the instructor and came in mid-July. The program was created because there were too many feral cats in the community. They decided that the best way to control the situation was to do a catch-and-release program. The JATC veterinary instructor partnered with the West Jordan city animal control. Animal control would capture the feral cats and bring them to JATC, where the veterinarian would give them their vaccines and spay and neuter them. As one of the only volunteers willing to help, I could assist anywhere in the process. My favorite thing to help with was surgery. The veterinarian, Dr. Frampton, would let me scrub in for surgery and assist him. That was when I realized that this was what I wanted to do. When I first scrubbed into surgery, I was overwhelmed by this indescribable feeling that could only be described as passion. I knew then that I wanted a career in veterinary medicine and I was willing to work hard to get it. I continued working with West Jordan and the community with the catch-and-release initiative throughout the entire year. In late August, I emailed the manager of Copper View Animal Hospital. I asked if a volunteering veterinary assisting position was available. I began volunteering that Thursday. I learned so much by volunteering there. I learned how to wrap surgical packs, clean surgical tools, restrain animals properly, and so much more! I continued volunteering for roughly six months before I was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant. When I was hired, I couldn't be more thrilled. I never imagined that I would be working at a veterinary clinic before I even graduated High School. Despite the job being hard sometimes, I love working as an assistant. One reason why I love my job is that no matter how long you work there, you learn new things every day. I have worked there for nearly two years now and I am still learning new things. This keeps my job fresh and exciting. Nearly every day, I get to try something new. Whether it be working in surgery or simply working on an interesting case, there is always something to be learned, and I love that. Another reason why I love working as a veterinary assistant is you get to work closely with other people who love animals. One day, I hope to become a veterinarian myself. So, it is really nice to be able to work closely with veterinarians. They help me understand the everyday challenges of the job and they help me take the right steps to become a veterinarian. It is also great working with all of the different assistants and technicians. They all love their job and the animals they get to work with. That makes them so much fun to work with. We are all there for the same reason. The final reason why I love the job is of course how close I get to work with the animals. Working as an assistant makes me feel like I am making a difference. It makes you feel like you are really helping the animals. Especially considering that there is such a high demand for assistants. I couldn't be more grateful for my time as a veterinary assistant.

Glued to my phone, I was plagued by social media with the idea that I was lazy. I thought that I was just another person who got average grades and didn't do anything extraordinary. I even accepted that and was falling into that category. I had thought that you were either born a hard worker or you weren't. I thought that you couldn't learn to be one. Within the last few years or so, my mindset has changed. I have realized that I am a hard worker. This trait that I have fully realized in myself has really helped me do hard things. It has helped me get good grades, work hard at my work, and even just be a good person in general because that is what hard workers are. Sometimes when I am in doubt with myself, I have to remind myself that I can work hard. And that, itself, motivates me to work harder. I have fully learned that I am capable of accomplishing great things.

Although I am only a senior in high school, I know exactly what I want to do in my life. I want to be a veterinarian. Getting a degree in veterinary medicine is harder than most people think. After getting really good grades in high school, you must go get an undergraduate degree for four years that covers the prerequisites for veterinary school. After that, you must get into vet school which is another four years. It's not as easy as that, either. Vet school is extremely exclusive and hard to get into. To increase your likelihood of getting accepted into vet school, you must be very involved with your school. You must join and participate in clubs like the Pre-vet club all while getting great grades. The thing that they look for the most, however, is experience. They want you to get experience in the field. Despite all of the hardships that you must go through to become a veterinarian, I know for a fact that this is what I want to do. I began my path in my veterinary career in my junior year when I was enrolled in a veterinary assisting program. That is where I found my passion. While in the program, I volunteered at a local animal hospital. After a few months of volunteering there, they hired me as an assistant. I have worked there for more than a year now and I love it. They are currently training me to become a technician. I am already off to a great start to the career of my dreams and I am not relenting. After this final year in high school, I am already enrolled to go into Utah State's Pre-Vet BioVeterinary program this fall (2022). I am excited and ready to go.

If I didn't love dogs, why would I dedicate my life to helping them? I have been working as a veterinary assistant for around one-and-a-half years now and I am currently being trained to become a technician. As soon as a finish high school, I am enrolled to go to Utah State University's Bio-veterinary Pre-Vet program where I will spend around four years completing all of the pre-requisites required for vet school. I will then go on to vet school for another four years. After graduating, I will hopefully go back to the animal hospital that I am working at now. But why? Why do I love dogs so much? Dogs do so much for us daily. Dogs will be and always will be there for us when we need them even if we didn't give them a treat in the morning. And while I do love all animals, I have my own dog that will always hold a special place in my heart. I got my own dog when I was in 7th grade. She was a sweet little Siberian Husky so we decided to give her the Siberian name, Nadia. During 7th grade, I was going through a really rough patch in my life. The weights of going to middle school were too much to bear. Despite all of the hardship it seemed, I was going through, Nadia was always there when I got home and she still is today. She has truly gotten me through some tough times and she will continue to do so. That is why I love dogs. They can be the most selfless beings you will ever meet. They will do anything for you. I have encountered hundreds of dogs in my life, working at a vet clinic. I have not met one dog that I have disliked. There have been several dogs that have tried to bite me but that doesn't stop me from admiring them. Who could blame them? I was a stranger giving them shots. Some dogs, in particular, come into the clinic that surprises me too. They come in and have to have some of the most stressful procedures and despite all of the nails we have to trim or all of the shots we have to give, they still love us. That is what is best about dogs. Dogs always have this unrelenting love for you. I think that is something that can be taught to a lot of humans today.

The meaning of life is not well defined and it can very well vary from person to person. My interpretation is only one of 7.753 billion. To me, the meaning of life lives deep within me. I think that the meaning of life is fully reached when you finally achieve full self-satisfaction. This means that you are happy with yourself. You have no doubts about yourself. You love yourself. I think that everyone's own definition is related to this somehow. Maybe for some the meaning of is to make as many friends as possible. To them, they will be satisfied when they make all the friends they can. They will be happy with themselves. Though my definition may seem kind of cliche and vague, I truly think that the idea of self-satisfaction is rooted in everyone's meaning. Unfortunately, I don't think everyone fully understands this in their lifetime. I think that the only way to be happy is to be happy with yourself. And being happy with yourself comes with acceptance and understanding. You must accept and understand that you are a human being. You make mistakes. You have problems. By recognizing that, you are on a path to true self-love.

Sometimes, I think that it can be very hard to stay true to yourself, especially when you are trying to please others. Sometimes, your personality just doesn't work well with others and that's okay. That is part of what makes you who you are. I had trouble understanding this when I was dealing with a difficult coworker. No matter how I acted, my coworker would make rude and passive-aggressive comments to me. After nearly a year, I realized what was the point of pretending to be someone else. Why couldn't I just be me? While still trying to be nice to my coworker, I decided to act like myself and not as someone who he wanted me to be. I still try to act as myself as much as I can. To do that, I have to not care what people think (within limits, of course). Every day I stand by my choices and do what I love. I post frequent videos of me playing the piano and guitar on Instagram. Whether it just be a simple tune or a complete song I would share it with my friends. I would typically find that embarrassing but I have finally realized, that is just who I am!

Every day I struggle with confidence. Whether it is playing the piano in front of my family or training some of the new employees at work, I can't help but be nervous. I understand that being nervous is normal, but this is different. The overwhelming worry that I will trip over my words or press the wrong key is to a point so extreme that that is exactly what happens. While simply talking to a coworker, I start stuttering, slurring and even using incorrect vocabulary. While playing on the piano in front of my parents, I find myself accidentally hitting a sharp instead of a flat. My fear/confidence was so bad that I simply didn't speak much to my coworkers nor played the piano in front of anyone. I finally came to terms that the only way to avoid the social embarrassment of stuttering or striking the wrong key is to keep my chin up. I realized that I have been working with the same people for over a year. They weren't going to judge me. They were nice people. I rationalized that I had been playing the piano for nearly nine years. I was good at the piano! Why should I be afraid to play? Because of my journey with my confidence struggles, confidence has some great meaning in it. I have come a long way. I am proud of that. And while I still do struggle with confidence, I keep trying, Every day. Whether it be stumbling over my words or pressing the F instead of E, I keep going. I continue talking. I keep playing.

Out of all of the books that I have ever read, the one that I cannot stop thinking about is the book "Educated" by Tara Westover. I read this book late last year and still, since then it creates an impact on my everyday life. The book is an autobiography about this woman who grew up in Idaho with no education and was completely isolated from the world outside of her hometown. Her family was extremely dysfunctional and discouraged Tara from going to school. they thought that public school was just a ploy to turn children against god. At around 18, Tara studied for the ACT and got a great score. To her father's demise, she applied for and went to BYU. Realizing the world that she was missing, she stayed there. Her father was very upset. Tara moved on to go and get a doctorate's degree at Cambridge. Her family disowned her and cut off all communication. She chose the truth over fear. This book put into perspective how lucky I am to have the privilege to go to school every day. There were other books with common themes that I find important and inspiring like the book "I am Malala" but those are based in other countries. They didn't quite have such an impact on me as did the book "Educated". It surprised me that even in America where education was widely available, it was still not sought out. It taught me that I should be grateful that I even have that ability to have an education. It taught me what happens when you don't pursue education or any sort of truth. This book is what inspires me to work hard in school. This book is what inspired me to even apply for this scholarship

Listening, to me, is an opportunity. It is a way to give the other perspective a chance. It is a chance to better understand someone. Listening is everything. If more people listened, we would collectively be able to solve more problems as a nation. Listening is the only way for our polarized country to work together. Listening is the only way to get stuff done. I listen by analyzing everything that someone says. I believe that everything someone says has some level of meaning behind it. That is why it is so important to listen. To truly listen, you must actively be part of the conversation. You must make comments, rebuttals, questions. You can't just hear what they are saying, you must listen to what they are saying. There is a difference. You must consider what they are saying instead of immediately dismissing it. While actively doing all that can be exhausting, it is the only way to truly, actively listen.

Whether it be sipping a soda while playing video games with my friends on a Friday night, or reading a good book early into Sunday night, I have several simple pleasures. One pleasure that I have that I, unfortunately, can't control trumps them all. Rainy days are my favorite kind of day. When I hear the roar of thunder, or see the crack of lightning, it is even better. Something about driving in rain has its way of calming me. Maybe it's because there are very few other people on the road. Or, maybe it's because of the rhythmic pattering of the rain on the steel roof. The rain drowns everything out. It helps me focus. A lot of people prefer a sunny day, but I find that the rainy days are the days that I am a little bit happier. Though it's so simple and it's nothing that I can control, it still makes my day a little bit better.

I have two main hobbies that I focus on and are my favorite. I love playing the piano and the guitar. I have been playing the piano for around nine years. I have been playing the guitar for nearly four years. I think that my favorite instrument to play is the piano. I can play much more creatively on my piano than on my guitar. On my piano, I can see my options more clearly. Right now, I am working on one of my favorite pieces yet. I am working on a piano arrangement from the movie Interstellar. It's one of the hardest pieces that I have worked on, but it's one of the most beautiful. On the other hand, I love playing guitar too. There are some things that you can do on the guitar that you can't do on the piano. On the guitar, you can do some swings and bends that add more life to the music. I like that about the guitar. On the guitar, I am working on a song by Coldplay. It's called Warning Sign. It's one of my favorite songs by them. It has some nice guitar work. Overall, I love both these instruments and I am going to keep pursuing them. They help calm me down in times of stress.

Patience is very important to me because it is what has given me my job. Around two years ago, I realized that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I wanted to work at a veterinary clinic as soon as I possibly could. I planned on going to a career center then next year to learn how to be a veterinary assistant. That summer, I went into a summer program where I assisted in surgeries and vaccinated strays. After a few weeks of the summer program, a began volunteering at an animal hospital. I was thrilled. I worked there as a volunteer for a few months. Another volunteer got hired as a part-time assistant. I was hoping to become hired as an assistant next. I was expecting a job offer but never got one. I asked the manager if there were any positions open but she told me no. I was unmotivated but I kept going anyway. After another month of working there, they offered me a job as a part-time assistant. I was so grateful for the job. I couldn't believe that after all of that time, I got hired. I realize, now, that if I wasn't patient, I wouldn't still be working there today, being trained as a technician. That is why patience is important to me.

My current best skill is playing the piano. I have been playing the piano for nearly ten years. I started in 3rd grade after my grandfather gave me a keyboard for Christmas. A few years after taking lessons, he gave me his piano. Around 8th grade, I stopped learning, piano and decided to start playing guitar. I played in a program where I and other students performed live. We played at restaurants, parks, and even theatres. I played guitar most of the time, but I found myself wanting to play the piano in a lot of the songs. Around 11th grade, I found myself learning piano again. I have continued lessons ever since. Even though I may be discontinuing lessons soon, that will not stop me from advancing this skill. I have already bought some sheet music for the main theme of Interstellar. I will not give up this skill. While I do think that going to school and getting a career is important, I think that having a skill like the piano is important too. I think that it is a good way to decompress. That is why I will continue improving my skill on the piano.

My motivation is the most valuable characteristic that I have. For a long time, I had no motivation. Once I got it, It drove me to try my best in everything. It is what inspires me to do well in school and work. It is what inspires me to write this essay right now. Without this motivation, I would not be where I am at today. I look at my friends, and I see unmotivated teenagers barely able to complete a single assignment. I wish more people could see the importance of trying your best. My friends work hard, but they don't have the correct mindset to push themselves further. That is why I think that my motivation is extremely important. It is what keeps me going. There are times when I am not motivated, but most of the time, I feel significantly inclined to try my best. It is a notable difference and if I keep this motivation, it will help me in my journey through life. It will help me through the whole eight years of college that I am planning on attending. As soon as I started my freshman year, I realized that what is the point of going to school without trying my best? I finally understood that if I work hard, I will get farther in life. I got good grades throughout my freshman year. In the following years, I decided to challenge myself even more. I decided to take as many AP and concurrent classes as I could handle. In my junior year, I went to a career center and got trained to become a veterinary assistant. While in that class, I also volunteered at a local animal hospital. This is how I found my passion. I realized that I wanted to become a veterinarian. After volunteering there for several months, I got hired as a veterinary assistant. I have been working there since. Since then, they have decided to train me to become a veterinary technician until I move to Utah State University’s campus 2 hours away. I would not have been able to get where I am at today without the motivation and drive that I have. I do have times that I am unmotivated and lazy but I think that those times are healthy too. I am just grateful to be able to have the passion, drive, and motivation that propels me forward.

Dealing with school and work is stressful. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, and I feel like I need to get out of it. I feel unmotivated. Small things that give me joy give me more motivation to keep pushing through. It is what keeps me from giving up. Small things that give me joy give me a break from stress. Even though it's just small things throughout the day, they leave a big impact. Whether I am stressed from doing homework all day, studying for a test, or working all day, these small things de-escalate the stress and motivate me. I do several small things throughout the week that give me joy. On the weekends, I spend time playing video games online with one of my friends that moved away. During the whole week, I find myself using music to bring me joy. I listen to a lot of music, play guitar, and play the piano. These all really help me. As simple as it is, just watching TV with my family during the week gives me a lot of joy and is one of my favorite things to do. While this list is just a few of the things that I do that give me joy, they are still important to me and I hope to continue to do them.

I want to become a veterinarian. I have found that that is my passion and drive. I am doing everything I can to get to that dream. I found that this was my calling last year. For the school year, I enrolled in a veterinary assisting program. The instructor held a program during the summer to get experience before the course. I went in and assisted in surgeries. That moment when I scrubbed in for the first time was when I realized that this is what I was made to do. I am doing everything I can to become a veterinarian. Last year, I tried as hard as I could in the veterinary assisting program That program ultimately led me to a job at a local animal hospital where I work now. Next year, I am enrolled in Utah State University's Pre-Vet program. After four years of getting my undergraduate degree, I plan to apply to vet school for another 2 years in Utah and then another 2 years at Washington State University. To ensure that I get into vet school, I am applying to Utah State University's honors program.

For the past year and a half, I have been exploring a career in Veterinary Medicine. I did a Veterinary Assisting program that ultimately led me to work in a local animal hospital. From this experience, I have learned that Veterinary Medicine is my passion. I have learned that helping animals is my drive. I want to become a general veterinarian. The only Veterinary program in Utah is through a joint program with Utah State University and Washington State University. I am planning to go to Utah State University for my undergraduate degree. After that, I will attempt to get into Utah State's exclusive veterinary program. If all goes as planned, then I will move to Washington to finish my degree. Once I am a certified veterinarian, I want to move back to Utah and work at the same hospital I work at now. To achieve this, I am planning to get into USU's honor program and I will keep working at an animal hospital to make it more likely for me to get accepted into the vet program. I am already enrolled go to into USU for my undergraduate next year. Overall, this whole process will likely take me 8 years. I already know that it will all be worth it.

For a long time, I didn't realize how lucky I am. I mean, I would still say thank you for the stuff, but I wouldn't appreciate the stuff I already had. That was until I read the book The Hiding Place. After I read that book, everything changed. The book is about this woman and her family who hide Jews inside their home during the Holocaust. Aftersaving several Jews, eventually, the Nazis find out. They took her and her family to a concentration camp. In the book, she then discusses the horrors of the camp. When I found out about the kind of beds the were sleeping in, I realized how privileged I am. I understood that even though I have been through hardship, I'm lucky. I'm lucky to be where I am at today. I am lucky to sleep in my bed. I am lucky to have an education. I am lucky to have my family and friends. I am lucky to have everything that I have.

If I had to go with one song, I think that it would be Plug in Baby by the band Muse. The unique baseline is very energetic. This song gives me energy. It gives me the motivation to do things I wouldn't normally have the energy to do. I think that the band Muse is underrated in general. A lot of their songs are energetic like this one and I think that a lot of people need that kind of motivation. As much as I love the intro to the song, I think that I love the chorus even more! Just thinking about the chorus gets it stuck in your head. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I remember a shift at the local animal hospital and rehearsing the chorus over and over in my head. It helped me get through the rest of the day. When listening to this song, I can't help but turn it up louder and sing along.

One book that I will never forget is the book educated. It did not take me very long to finish the 350-word book. I read this book about a month ago, and I cannot stop thinking about the book since. The book is about a woman who grew up in a small town in Idaho. Her father, believing in conspiracies, didn't let her go to school. As soon as she could, she moved out and went to Brigham Young University despite her father's protest. As soon as she got there, she was in a complete cultural shock. She was surprised about the world that she was missing. She was afraid. The rest of the book is about her moving on to Cambridge University as well as fighting with her family. I love this book so much because it proves how important education is. It shows that once you are educated, you are a whole new person. You suddenly obtain this label of being "educated, and it opens a door of opportunities. That is just one reason why I love this book. Another reason is that it is surprisingly exciting and unpredictable. I did not expect a girl who grew up in an isolated part of Idaho with no high school education to get a Ph.D. Nor did I expect the book to include actions scenes, but it did. One last reason I loved this book was its ability to make you feel such great gratitude. I have never felt more grateful about my education. It made me so grateful that I can take so many interesting classes. It makes me grateful that I have access to education. I haven't read a book this powerful for a while. I strongly recommend this book.

Last August, I decided to volunteer at a local animal hospital. I volunteered there twice a week as a veterinary assistant. I would do things like hold animals for treatment, clean cages, prepare surgical laundry and instruments, and so much more. I volunteered there for around 6 months before they decided to start paying. They also began training to become a veterinary technician. That was something that I did last year. This year, I joined a club in high school called the Green Earth Club. So far, we have only met once where we made posters. We made posters that attempted to persuade people to be earth-friendly. I specifically made a poster that said, "Turn your key and be idle free!". Throughout the year, we plan to do so much more. We are planning to go on hiking routes and pick up trash, go thrift shopping, and so much more!

I want to help animals. I want to help all the animals I can. I am pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine. Hopefully, after 8 years of grueling studying to become a Veterinarian, I will work as a Veterinary doctor and help as many animals as I can. Whether that be by helping them in a time of an emergency like an allergic reaction, or a planned surgery. I will help as many as I can because this is my passion. Animals deserve so much more attention than they get. As we speak animals are suffering from issues that we humans have caused. I am already working as a veterinary assistant and I love it. I have worked at the animals hospital for over a year and I know for a fact that it is what I want to do. I am even already enrolled in Utah State University's Bio-veterinary pre-vet program for next year, and I can't way.

In the world, there is constant fighting and debate. While debate in the world is a great way to make progress on controversial subjects, it doesn't help when the debate and fighting go back in forth to the point where no progress is made. The biggest problem in the world is divided. We are too divided. Of course, other problems are going around the world right now like climate change and civil rights problems but we are unable to solve any of these unless we come together as a community and not as separate parties. For example, if we were truly interested in solving climate change then everyone would need to be educated and see the perspective of the environmentalists and the people who are against some of the climate change initiatives. We need to understand each other to make progress and meet each other's needs. If we remain divided we will make very little progress or no progress at all towards global issues because we are too busy taking stabs at each other. People have reasons for having different beliefs and we need to understand that and learn more about them. We see this divide now more than before because of the anonymity of social media that allows us to hurt each other with few consequences. Despite social media code of conduct stating we can't insult each other, because the internet is so vast, that it cannot always enforce those rules. The only way to get past this divide and move on to bigger problems in the world, we are going to need to get to know each other. We are going to need to understand each other before we understand the problems we are facing.

30 years from now, I hope to be living in Utah, where I grew up. I want to be graduated with 8 years of school from Utah State University. 4 years in a pre-vet Bio-veterinary program and 4 years in a veterinary medicine program itself that goes through Utah State for 2 years and then Washington State University for another 2 years. I hope to have worked at the animal hospital that I currently work now. However, if this were truly my dream life, I would own my own veterinary hospital with a large amount of staff, a lot like the hospital I used to work at. It would be an animal hospital that was known in the community and was running pretty well. In my free time, I would love to be able to go on hikes, bike rides, and even volunteer as a veterinarian at shelters. Career aside, I don't need to have a fancy car nor a mansion. I just want to have a spouse and maybe two children. Of course, I would also need to have two cats and two dogs. All in all, I just want to live a simple life as a local veterinarian that owns a decent animal hospital and has a family in Utah.

Listening to the Pyramid Song now, I know that this is most definitely my favorite piece of art. No, it's not tangible. It's not a painting, a photograph, nor is it a drawing. It's a song made by Radiohead in their album labeled Amnesiac The combination of the abstract lyrics, the melody, the instruments, and even just the rhythm itself, makes it a really artistic and beautiful song. While it does have quite an eerie sound and melody that really compliments the slightly disturbing lyrics, it is displaying an interesting subject: Death. The theme of the song is that you shouldn't be afraid of death itself. It discusses that there is "Nothing to fear" and "Nothing to doubt" about going to heaven. The only instruments in the song are piano, strings, drums, and singing, of course. This may make the song seem quite simple but really, it's far from simple. Despite it having a 4/4 rhythm, it's quite infamous for having the piano start a bit off-beat making the whole song sound kind of like it's stumbling around. This creates a very distressing effect but at the same time, the eerie melody and few instruments keep it quite calm throughout most of the song. I think that is quite an interesting and unique technique It really is quite a weird theme, again, especially with the uncanny melody. However, isn't art supposed to evoke odd and unusual feelings? Isn't art supposed to publicize a theme that is seldom talked about? That's what I love most about this song. It does acknowledge that the passage to heaven can be frightening but there is nothing to doubt and there really is nothing to fear.