As a student at St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I was blessed with service being integrated into my education. Service hours are not just a means to a grade on one's report card at this school, but a highly encouraged endeavor essential to growing as kind and empathetic young people. My time there has given me numerous service opportunities within my community such as working with the local food pantry, organizing community events, and working with young children as a teacher and a mentor. Additionally, my mother working in our local school district has provided me with plenty of opportunities as well, allowing me to give back to teachers and school staff who do so much for our community. All in all, my upbringing has instilled in me a passion for service, something I will strive to continue in college. Perhaps the longest-standing volunteer work I have done is with Crossway Baptist Church. In tenth grade, my mother and stepdad encouraged me to volunteer as a Life Leader every Sunday. As a Life Leader, I not only assisted in fostering a foundational faith education in young children, but I was able to serve as a mentor and a guide for them as well. I began working with one group of three-year-olds in August of 2021, and I have been able to watch them grow into intelligent kindergarteners. Another opportunity I was given was to work with students from our sister school, St. Francis Xavier. The program is called "Senior Buddies" and at least three times a month, the senior class meets with the pre-kindergarten and Montessori classes to do crafts, play games, read, and learn about our Christian faith. I was assigned two intelligent girls, one already reading at a second-grade level. Watching their faces light up when I see them has become one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever felt. My experiences with service in high school have inspired me to pursue further service in during college. I plan to do this through the Luckyday Scholars Program at the University of Southern Mississippi. One of this organization's tenets is service, meaning that as a Luckyday Scholar, service will continue to be an integral part of my education, just as it was in high school. My biggest passion is assisting in the growth and development of children, especially those who are underprivileged. In Hattiesburg, there is a child advocacy center that I could volunteer with. This would mean I am pursuing one of my greatest passions through service, helping kids get another chance at life. My service-based education has prepared me for a life of service. Through giving back to my community, I have found a passion for service that I cannot wait to express during my time at college. I plan to give back to my community by building up the children in it.

I think that the best way to live a long, healthy life is not just practicing physical healthy habits, but also building a happy life. According to a study published in *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, it is scientifically proven that people who have a more positive view of life live longer. A truly happy life is built on human connection. Connection with others is what makes us human. Humans are naturally social creatures, and without this connection, there is little chance of a happy life. In an article published by the *Canadian Mental Health Association*, it is said that human connection "can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems." Human connection is integral to our mental, emotional, and physical health. It is essential to living a long, healthy life. Sources: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/if-you-are-happy-and-you-know-it-you-may-live-longer-2019101618020 https://cmha.ca/the-importance-of-human-connection/

One of my main priorities is making those I love feel loved. Showing love and appreciation for my loved ones is how I foster strong connections and healthy relationships. Listening, being vulnerable, and being kind are all ways in which I make them feel my love for them. Listening is one of the main ways in which I express love. Truly listening to my loved ones creates an open dialogue about their thoughts and feelings. I want to let them know that I care about how they feel, and I never want to make them feel like they can't come to me. Being vulnerable is what truly connects us to others. I show my trust and love for someone by sharing the deepest parts of myself with them, something I wouldn't show otherwise. Sharing this allows me to build a strong bond with them, and gives love more room to grow. Being kind is a fundamental part of expressing love. Little things like a small gift for a friend or doing the dishes for my mother show how I feel for them. Doing acts of kindness, big or small, show the people around me that I am willing to go out of my way to make their day better. Listening and vulnerability connect those I love to me and shows them I am always here for them. Acts of kindness are how I show that I think of them and that I want to make their day better.