Living in a small town, it can be difficult for many to find others who share several of their interests and experiences. Growing up in a small town as a transgender, nonbinary, aromantic, asexual teen, I have found my small friend group and supportive teachers, but there are still times that I feel lonely because of these differences. While some did not immediately show respect for my gender, I stay close to those who do and hold onto the experiences and joy I have found in the queer community. I was using all pronouns when I joined the spring play my freshman year. After our final performance, I saw that the pronouns in my bio were changed from they/them to she/her- the set I was beginning to dread. Even though I technically used those pronouns, the director changed what I wrote as my preference. He said he did not realize he had changed it and he was sorry. However, it did not feel as unintentional as he claimed. Since then, I have directly stated that I was purposeful in writing my name and pronouns the way they appear, and I have not had any related situations. While some people do not respect my pronouns, my friends and family have always worked to be affirming. They see me fully for who I am. When my friends need to share a document with me through our school emails, they are confused when “Onyx” does not give them any results; it is just as odd for them as it is for me to see and hear that my legal name is “Annika.” One time at my local theater, people who knew my affirmed name still used she/her to refer to me. It seemed to pass without a thought that those words may be uncomfortable for me. In contrast, I felt seen when the director for my current show asked which gender I preferred playing and had everyone introduce themselves with their pronouns at the first practice. Having supportive people in many areas of my life helps me feel more comfortable in a rural area that is not generally affirming. However, I feel the most safe when I share space with many others who are also LGBTQ+ and can freely discuss my experiences. My local LGBTQ Network provides monthly hangouts for various age groups. I have connected with others who share similar experiences and views. All of us are there to be part of something different than our conservative towns. Six months after my first hangout, I seized the opportunity to join the Network board as the adolescent representative. Along with finding friends of different ages, the other board members have become my mentors. I have learned how to run a nonprofit and seen the importance of speaking up when I have an idea or different perspective on a topic. Even when only a few people share my identity, the openness and sense of community reassure me that I am safe and not alone in my experiences. By speaking up for myself and seeing others do the same, I have gained confidence and learned about bravery. I will not forget the joy of finding my community and connecting with people going through similar experiences. My passion for activism and creating community have inspired me to be involved in my college’s LGBTQ club and continue contributing my skills to local nonprofits, helping others enjoy the same connection I was fortunate to find early on in my journey.

I have been involved in various activities throughout high school and have volunteered with different organizations. I started acting at Country Theater Workshop ten years ago. I often helped clean the theater with my family and other volunteers between seasons. Since then, I have volunteered to organize the props and costumes. I have also worked as a stage and prop manager for a couple of shows- one time while I was in the ensemble. I have enjoyed all these experiences and want to continue my involvement with similar organizations. However, my career will take a different path involving my favorite subjects: math and science. Being in calculus has challenged me to study familiar concepts more in-depth and discover ones I never considered. I have always loved math, but this experience cemented my interest in pursuing a career in mathematics. My appreciation for science grew while participating in my middle school’s Science Olympiad team, where I competed in multiple events within different disciplines. I also greatly enjoy listening to science education podcasts to learn about a wide variety of topics, from diseases to famous studies. Combining the two topics in research statistics sounds like the perfect combination for me. I plan to become a statistician and researcher after attending a STEM school. I will ensure results are presented accurately in a variety of scientific papers. The way professionals and the general public perceive scientific findings can have massive impacts on how people view the world. As someone interested in many fields of study, my personal research will also be conducted in various disciplines to contribute to scientists’ understanding of the world. I will also be conscious of including others in discussions because I know how it feels to be left out. My sophomore year felt lonely. There was no time for me to talk at lunch, and my friends did not even try to invite me to homecoming. I was the only single friend, but I did not care to try to find a date to fit in with everyone else. Deep down, I knew it was also partially on me because I started to shut myself out. A few weeks after homecoming, I told my friends how I felt. It was a difficult conversation to initiate, but I knew nothing would change if I did not say anything. My communication resulted in conscious adjustments to ensure I felt more included. This experience taught me that I can change how things are using my voice- without compromising who I am. In my personal and professional life, I will remember my bravery from sophomore year to speak up for myself and others to ensure everyone’s ideas are heard. Speaking up when I have an idea and giving space to others will contribute to the discoveries we will make. This will open the door for more collaboration when creating studies and additional perspectives for interpreting the results.

“Get out of your comfort zone,” Mr. Cluver said at my first Grit Group meeting. This would be a phrase I got used to hearing in meetings and math class. I first met Mr. Cluver as the high school boy's basketball coach at a kids' camp. Since I did not play basketball throughout high school, I did not expect him to play such a pivotal role in my life. Our first interactions during my high school career were in Grit Group, a club where students are given tools to grow in their personal lives and as leaders. Since discussing what it means to have a growth mindset, I have re-evaluated my thinking. When I feel like I cannot improve, I take a moment to re-frame my thoughts. In my senior year, I was disappointed not to be chosen as one of the team captains. I assumed that because my teammates did not view me as a leader, I would never be one. The year before, Mr. Cluver asked us to reflect on why we saw others as leaders. I realized I could find how I was different from other leaders and use my growth mindset to improve. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to cheer on my teammates and assign small tasks to others as our team captains had done, contributing to my teammates' voting me MVP that year. Another thing Mr. Cluver taught me in Grit Group was to be a thermostat, to set the temperature in a group rather than reflect what was set by others. There were many long days during band camp, and everyone was tired. Early in the morning or at the end of a long day, there were times we should have been counting, but not everyone was. Even when I could not hear anyone else, I kept counting out loud to lead and encourage others. When other students say discriminatory things, I push myself to speak up. The confrontation is uncomfortable, but I want the environment around me to be more positive. This means I have to set the tone. Mr. Cluver’s words give me the confidence to continue using my voice. Over my four years of attending Grit Group meetings, I have done a lot of self-reflection and have become more confident. I have grown out of my comfort zone because he taught me to believe I can improve and to do the right thing even when it is uncomfortable.

Shortly after I came out as nonbinary, Mom introduced me to the local LGBTQ Network- an organization about an hour from our rural town. I started attending monthly meetups with the teen group and all ages, quickly finding amazing people who have continued to support me. The first person I met was one of the founders. He and his husband were my constant connections at coffee meetups, as it was often just the three of us and their son. I quickly became comfortable talking with him as I joined more programs and events within the organization. Six months after I attended my first meet-up, the organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and needed to start a board. I decided to apply with a little encouragement from the founder, who was soon to be the board president. He said my experiences as a young person from a nearby small county would positively impact the Network and I would be a great addition to the board. Since joining, I have been actively seeking opportunities to grow my knowledge and to help others enjoy a collaborative community. Around this time, I started making educational Instagram reels for my private account mostly centering on LGBTQ+ people and history. I have sent the transcripts for a couple of these videos to be published in the Network’s newsletter as additional content and I have been encouraged by the board’s president to post these videos publicly to share the information with a wider audience. When it came time to join committees, I debated between two options. The board president noted that my educational videos on social media appeared thoughtful and that I showed my passion for the topics, so he suggested that I join the Resources, Public Relations, and Marketing Committee. The board’s support has encouraged me to keep posting educational content and to make the posts public. I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of publishing the Network’s educational content for the next six months I will be serving on the board. Thanks to the encouragement of one person, I took a chance and learned how to create an inclusive space that runs effectively. My continued involvement has also shown me how powerful an organization that brings people together can be. Now, we need more than one table at coffee meetups and there are new programs for people to engage in. With the support of many people on the Network board, including the president, I plan to continue my activism by being involved in my local LGBTQ+ organization, organizing to create change, and posting videos to educate the public on LGBTQ+ history and experiences. I will carry this knowledge with me as I join new communities that further social justice.