I believe that the outdoors should be enjoyed by everyone and with current environmental issues it is up to everyone to work together to conserve them. I have loved the outdoors since I was little and have always been focused on doing what I can to educate myself and make a difference. I plan on majoring in environmental science or sustainability studies so I can take my passion for conservation to the next level. I would love to work in the park service and be at the forefront of taking care of America's environmental treasures and educating the public on how to preserve them. As I previously stated, diversity is important to me because I believe in order to truly make a change, everyone has to come together to find common ground and a common solution. Unfortunately in the environmental field and especially in our park service, there tends to be lack of representation of different cultures and genders. This could be dangerous because with a lack of representation, it can be more difficult to show people how truly important the environment is to everyone and how simple it can be for anyone to make a impact. Diversity is also necessary to invoke change and spark real conversation. People from different backgrounds and with different identities all have different views and experiences in life. It is important that all voices are accounted for to make the workplace more comfortable and welcoming to all people. A lot of the problems we see with lack of inclusion and comfortability simply come from lack of education. In a more diverse workplace, people can become more educated on the different problems people face and start to unlearn habits that are harmful. I like to believe that a lot of people do not try to discriminate, but they just do not realize that what they're doing can be insensitive and are unknowingly promoting things like sexism, racism and homophobia. In our world today, it is really easy to confine ourselves to our bubbles of comfortability and like minded people. Especially with political extremism, it is often scary to travel outside of the little areas and groups you feel unchallenged and supported in. I think a lot of people would be lying if they said they don't just stick with who and what they're accustomed to. However, it is terribly dangerous for people to remain inside their echo chambers. Diversity in the workplace is important so that people with different beliefs and ideas are exposed to each other and can bridge the gaps of inhumanity we see so often in today's media. Connecting this all back to my perusal of an environmental degree, I want to be able to promote diversity and the inclusions of all people and voices in the fight to help our planet. In order to effectively combat environmental issues, our country needs to implement policies that benefit people of all backgrounds. Once again, I believe that the benefits of protecting our environment will be felt by everyone despite gender, race, identity and beliefs. Therefore, by starting with promoting diversity in the workplace, a better future can be created for all of us.

I fell in love with lacrosse as soon as I began playing in 4th grade. Despite loving all of the sports I played growing up, I immediately knew there was something different about lacrosse and my passion began to grow. As I started middle school, I was determined to be the best player and teammate on the field. Since I started playing, I've been a versatile and eager player, gratefully playing any position as long as I got to be on the field. I've always believed I can help my team at any position and that playing selfless is the best way to play. In 8th grade, my commitment to the sport survived it's first test. I struggled with my team because as one of three captains, I was the only one that led stretches and practice for both the 7th and 8th grade teams while our coaches weren't there. Almost every Tuesday and Thursday, I was left unsatisfied with practice and I went home and played in my backyard until it was dark. Entering high school, I knew my work would pay off as I made the top club team in my area. I tried out as a midfielder, but they wanted me to just play defense so I took it anyway knowing I could still benefit the team and grow as a player. I've stuck with defense since, and truly grown into my role by becoming a leading communicator on our team. I've also supported my teammates by going through everything with them. For example, I love running, but I know how challenging it can be for some of my teammates. Since middle school, I've always finished my workout when everyone else does, which has often meant running extra miles and extra sprints with my teammates so they're not alone at the back of the pack. I've also grown into my role as a leader outside of lacrosse by being involved with activities throughout the school. I've served as Student Council president through high school and constantly challenged myself academically as well. However, I think the biggest way I testify to being committed and showing teamwork is my dedication to loving those around me. It is my number one priority to make sure everyone feels loved and accepted and I will do anything I can to ensure that, teammate or not. My High School team has been through a lot, with our coach passing last year and us getting two new coaches, we've all had to adapt to a new program. Through this process, I've tried to lead by still showing up every day to practice and always giving it my all, but also by giving support to my girls on and off the field. It is easy to give up during times of difficulty, but I know the potential all of my teammates have and I want to help them unlock it by fulfilling any of their needs. Whether that's being their #1 fan and hype man in everything they do or just taking the time to sit and listen to them. Loving lacrosse has been difficult and painful at times, but it's been infinitely worth it. I've dealt with inconsistent positioning, frustrating teams, a pandemic, the death of a coach, shifting programs and the usual ups and downs of high school sports. However, my love for the sport has never left and I try to do it justice by being there everyday for my teammates and for the little girl that fell in love with it in the first place.

Overlooking the importance of mental health is dangerous because it influences your every day life. In order to live well, you have to sustain good mental health so you have the energy to complete tasks and have fun. I have found that prioritizing your mental health is one of the best things you can do because during the times where I've felt at my lowest, I wasn't doing the little things that kept me balanced. In order to maintain my mental wellness, I take the time to engage in active activities as well as calmer activities. I believe taking care of mental wellness looks different for everyone so finding good mechanisms for dealing with mental health isn't one size fits all. For me, I'm more extroverted so taking care of myself means giving myself time to participate in sports, clubs and other social events. I like to go to hangouts and events like concerts and games where I can just free my mind from the stress of school and work. I also love the outdoors, so I especially like to plan time where I can be outside and take in nature. Being in the fresh air with the trees and life around me soothes my mind and soul and gives me a good space to think and reflect. After long and draining days, I often find myself coming to appreciate the life around me when I'm outside. In the winter, I find it especially challenging to maintain mental wellness because of the cold weather and longer darker days. During the long months, I have to take more time to do other activities to make up for the time lost outside. One activity I find especially fueling is knitting. I learned to knit my freshman year through a club called Crafting for Charity. Every week throughout the winter, I went, knitted and talked to my friend about everything I was going through which was mentally restoring. The club died because of Covid-19, but this year I'm working with my school to bring it back so I can recreate that space of peace for me and others. Another big thing for me has always been reading and writing. Since I was little, I've loved the outlet and escape that reading and writing are. Whether I'm journaling, writing down prayers or creating poems, writing grounds me and helps me process my emotions. Writing and reading are also things I do alone and since I spend a lot of time on the go and with others, they help me slow down and take things in. Lastly, my faith is really important to me and has been critical to my mental health journey. I began to first realize my worth when I started to see myself through the eyes of my creator. Therefore to maintain mental wellness, I spend a lot of time praying, reading and writing and worshipping. Through spending time getting to understand my faith, I've learned a lot about how to live a truly full life and rely on God when things get hard which has lifted a lot of burdens from my life. I have consistently found that I feel most at peace and nourished when I'm confident in my faith so taking care of my faith goes hand in hand with my mental health. All in all, I try to live every day doing the things that I truly love and am passionate about so I stay mentally focused and fueled. However, I also have a lot of different strategies to ground myself and ensure I'm prioritizing my mental wellness.