When I graduate high school, I will also be going into my sophomore year of college. After I complete two years at my current college, Skagit Valley College, I plan to transfer to Western Washington University to pursue a Bachelors degree in Biology/Anthropology (BS). Then, transfer to Bastyr University to complete a 4-year program for Naturopathic medicine, hopefully earning a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. I want to purse a career in Alternative Medicine because of the primary motivations to pursue naturopathic medicine is the growing demand for integrative and preventive health care. Many people today seek alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals, looking instead for natural options that can prevent illness and support long-term wellness. Naturopathic medicine aligns well with this trend, offering an approach that empowers patients with preventive strategies and health education. As more people prioritize wellness over simple disease management, NDs find themselves on the leading edge of a movement that resonates with people’s desire for sustainable health practices. Moreover, a career in naturopathic medicine provides flexibility in both specialization and setting. NDs can work in private practice, join integrative health clinics, or collaborate with other healthcare providers in a variety of environments. Some practitioners focus on chronic illness, while others may specialize in nutrition, pediatrics, or mental health. This flexibility allows NDs to find a niche that aligns with their interests and strengths, providing a sense of personal fulfillment and professional satisfaction. Naturopathic medicine also appeals to those who are passionate about building strong patient relationships. Since NDs often spend more time with each patient, they are able to foster trust and open communication. This relationship-building aspect is rewarding, as practitioners witness the positive transformations in patients’ lives. For individuals lime me who are drawn to a career that combines scientific rigor with compassionate care and personal fulfillment, naturopathic medicine offers a unique, rewarding pathway.

I am a high school athlete, as well as an upperclassman. More often than not, fellow athletes -at any point in their high school athletic career- have doubted themselves. They believe the lies of not being good enough to compete, comparison to other athletes, and inevitably drown in the anxiety of failure or challenge. As a track and field team captain and previously being involved in Cross Country and Volleyball, I hold myself to a standard. I strive to guide those who are struggling to the path of knowing their worth and remembering that sports are meant to be fun and empowering. I’ve been competing in sport of Track and Field since I was in elementary school, going to local all-comers meets at the high school. I had no care in the world, running was fun to me. Middle school for more competitive of course, I was finally competing. In the beginning, getting beat was upsetting as it is for anyone but it was something that I was able to brush off in an hour or so. High school came and I was surrounded by dozens of incredibly athletic women on my teams, in my county/ district and at the state championships. Every teammate were each other cheerleaders and even recognized friendly competition as something that makes all of us better. Athletically gifted or not every one of us cheered and competed with each other, no matter what. But at what point does the self-criticism and disappointment come to the surface? When does an athlete open up about what is really going on inside their head? For me, the answer to that wasn’t until my junior year. I finally opened up to my coaches about what was really going on because it was impairing performance, and I stopped cheering on fellow athletes because of what I was struggling with. I was not being a good teammate. Not until last year (junior year) did I truly put in effort to look past myself and start cheering my girls on again. Blooming into the supportive and relatable character I am now really started my sophomore year. Being a freshmen I had friendly banter with others, listened when they spoke about their struggles and cheered on my friends of course. Because I was a freshmen I was relatively shy and intimidated by the older seniors so for the most part, I stuck to circle. Sophomore year is really when I decided to reach out to girls I have never spoken to, learn everyone’s name, and encourage everyone running on that track. I tried my best to encourage the timid freshmen who doubted themselves or were unsure of instruction or technique since I knew exactly how they felt. As time went on and I was more aware of the competition around me, I started feeling that anxiety of unworthiness and doubt. Those emotions came in waves so while my mental health was improving, I reached out to people close to me like coaches to help me through it, and athletes who I was friends with so I could help them through what I had experienced and support them the way they needed. I feel like the most impactful advice I’ve received and given in return is through conversations with other athletes who have felt the same way. So far, the most challenging year has been my junior year as I was so in my head about performance and results. I was reminded to “surrender the outcome” and “flush it” for the next race because if you dwell on the past, how can you possibly be in the present? Those pieces of advice have stuck in my head since I heard them and I’m still working on accepting the results and controlling the controllable. Because of the impact that advice has had on me, I give it to all other athletes struggling with what I have whether they participate in track and field or not, athletics is so laser-focused on results while the mental health of the athlete is hardly ever prioritized over a win. I spread this word though leadership in a group called FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) where I meet and collaborate with athletes of all sports to remind them other their worth and get though these mental blocks together. I have had so many friends express gratitude for not letting them quit and supporting them through any decision they’ve made, which I feel is the most significant award of all. I know what they’re going through and I feel like the best advice comes from someone with experience of the situation. Reminding someone who is struggling that they are strong and bold for simply trying out something new can go so far, I help athletes because I know what I needed and I’m confident that what I have learned over these few years will inspire others.