Currently, I am a science major in a small town in central Montana as well as being a single mom to my one-year-old daughter. I plan to transfer to a four-year college to obtain my bachelor's degree in environmental science. One of the classes I have taken that really spoke to me was nutrition. This course opened my eyes up to the importance of natural foods and how they affect our bodies. From preventing illnesses to giving us the energy to type essays, foods give our body this ability. Recently, I became very aware, and a little uneasy, over the idea that so much of our food is processed and so many nutrients, are lost. Some Americans processed "junk food", which is actually illegal in other countries. Our culture seems to not be concerned about what we put in our bodies and the effects that it has on our health. This is reflected in our widely known and stigmatized that, "Americans are all fat". Although this statement is greatly exaggerated, there is truth in it since one of the top causes of death in the U.S is obesity. Proving that our knowledge of healthy food choices is very poor. Being a developed country without widely spread information on nutrition is part of the problem. It wasn't until college that I learned that you were not supposed to cook vegetables for a long time, and need to keep them in a dark container or they will lose vitamins. Obtaining this knowledge and much more will set our society up for good health. Another problem is that we have this culture of allowing consumers to purchase extremely unhealthy items. Having stricter FDA regulations on processed foods will force people to look for healthier options, in return providing good nutrients and health to our country. Looking to become an environmental scientist, I have to be conscientious of our countries agricultural life and ecosystems. Harmful pesticides or a contaminated water supply will have grave effects on our communities. Being passionate about health goes hand in hand with being an environmental scientist. This will always be something I look forward to in my future years within my career.

I live in a tiny Montana city outside of the Rocky Mountains. Currently, I am a science major at my two-year college, but planning to move to Hawaii where I plan to study Global earth science with a focus on conservation. The extinction of animals and plants has a detrimental effect on our ecological systems, and much more serious than we paint it out to be. Every plant and animal has a direct effect on each other or the world itself. We think about the "Circle of Life", and how one species going extinct affects another, but it's much deeper than that. Just without trees, we not only wouldn't have the filtration system of carbon dioxide, the ability to build our homes, or could maintain currency in our paper dollar. A small bee has a huge effect on our agriculture system. What we fail to acknowledge is that humanity is a part of this "Circle of Life" Although there needs to be recognization of this issue, some strategies have been useful. Stricter hunting and poaching laws have been enforced. Countries have harsher punishments for littering that causes pollution. More parts of the world are being pushed to go "green" in terms of energy use, lessening the burning of fossil fuels. All this is not enough alone. A change needs to happen globally, meaning our society's morality and culture toward our planet needs to shift. From an individual to a country, to a global movement, there needs to be a decrease in our carbon footprint. Poaching culture and hunting endangered species needs to be unacceptable and harshly punished. This all starts with education and informing the population of the causes and solutions toward this grave problem.

I moved out when I was seventeen and was almost homeless. When I say that out loud it makes my stomach tighten. In my junior year of high school, my home life was anything but normal. One day I came home and all of my mom's things were gone and she had left. I lived with my dad who I was not very close with, and I eventually ended up leaving home. That same year I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I had no idea what was going to happen. I was so scared and never would have thought I would come as far as I have. Previously, I did well in school but had close to no motivation due to my ever so changing family dynamics. When I was hit with the realization that I would become a mom to a little girl while I was a junior in high school, I decided it was time to pick myself up and do whatever I had to for my daughter. She became my greatest inspiration and what constantly pushes me to keep going. I graduated high school a year early with a 3.7 GPA. I became a CNA and the following year started college, all while being a mom to a one-year-old. She truly made me the happiest and most motivated version of myself. Currently, I am working to become a woman in the STEM field. I plan to transfer out of my two-year college to a university where I can receive my bachelor's degree. In doing so financial costs will rise. Everything I do is to continue to provide a better life for my daughter and me. Being a single mom, while trying to get an education at nineteen is anything but easy, but with my daughter, I have the willpower to do it all. Thinking back on when I was seventeen and struggling makes me feel uneasy, but also proud of where I have come and excited to see where I can go in my life.

Growing up, I was raised in a religious household with conservative parents. The idea of being "gay" was not something that was comfortable in my household. Being a woman I always had boyfriends and that was just fine. It wasn't until later in my teen years that I really began the self-realization process of trying to accept that I like women too. Always trying to push that feeling away or doubting myself, because I only dated men was something that really affected my mental health. As I got older my friends really became my support system. I came out to my closes girlfriends, scared that they would be uncomfortable around me, I really struggled to do this. However, I was meet with tons of support and understanding. TAlking out loud about my sexuality was the first step in self-love for me. My self-talk was more positive and encouraging, I improved in school, and I became someone I was proud of. Being educated on what different sexualities are really made a huge difference. The awareness and education my friends had made the support so much stronger for me. Even they are not part of the LGBTQ+ community they were educated and in turn, could provide support to me and others. I want to continue to educate others on LGBTQ+ means, as well as myself. Providing, love, support, and acceptance to everyone will always be my goal in life.

When I was in high school I faced a very difficult home life, my family was very broken and we weren't religious. At seventeen I left home and got pregnant. I was alone and scared and didn't know where to go. One night at work, a group of young adults invited me to go to their church for Easter with them. I was hesitant, scared that I might be looked down upon for being pregnant and so young. Finally, I agreed to go. I was meet with loving arms and endless support. Jesus was brought into my life and I asked him to save me. A few months later I was baptized. Today I don't know where I would be without the support of God and my church. I am blessed enough to go back to college and continue my education to support my daughter and I. Everyday I am so thankful to my friends for showing me Jesus and the endless support.

I grew up a very academically gifted child. As I got older I had a very difficult home life and when I was seventeen I got pregnant with my lovely daughter Quinn. I switched to online school and graduated a year early from high school. Now I am nineteen and wanted to further my education. I am a science major and woman in the STEM field. My goal is to focus on conservation within the environment and do my part to improve the ecosystems of our world. This scholarship would help me go back to school, provide a better life for my daughter and me, and help achieve my goals of restoring and maintaining our beautiful world.