Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me who I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Who anticipates a conversation about feminism in the “Barbie” movie with their uncle on a random Tuesday? As my aunt and I discussed the movie monologue depicting the challenges of being a woman, my uncle interrupted us, “What do you mean the challenges of being a woman?” I turned to him. I have always thought of my uncle as a kind and fair man so his comment caught me off guard. I immediately asked “You don’t think women go through more challenges than men?” He paused, contemplated and responded “I don’t really know.” While this response was honest, it wasn’t one I expected or was happy to accept without debate. I have never been one to back down from a challenge, so I dove right in. I patiently explained the violence women suffer at the hands of men, from our fear of walking alone at night, our lack of bodily autonomy and the destructiveness of the patriarchy on our lives and society. While my uncle leaned back as he digested my words, I continued, “I recognize that men have their struggles as well, but the number of women who are discriminated against is much greater. Our world is set up for men to succeed and force women to come up short.” I could tell my uncle was truly taking in my perspective as the conversation wrapped up, so I thanked him for being open to having this discussion with me and invited him to watch the movie with me over Thanksgiving. I continued to process our conversation as I replayed it with my mom who shared my uncle’s struggles with me for the first time. The son of an alcoholic father and an abusive mother, he became an alcoholic himself. He immigrated from Ireland to America where people continue to blame him for taking ‘their jobs.’ Suddenly, I understood why my uncle found it difficult to imagine someone else systemically struggling with issues he never faced. I now believe that our conversation challenged both his perspective and, after learning about his background, challenged mine. Once I gained a greater understanding of the adversity my uncle has overcome, I decided to apply this new outlook to conversations in my everyday life. This experience has served as a reminder to me that there is so much more to people than we can ever anticipate, even the people we think we know well.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of women who have taught me and made me into the person I am today. Therefore, I aspire to be just like them and pave the road to success for other women.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness. As I excel in this field I hope to inspire other young women to join me in my pursuit to help others and prove that STEM should not be a male dominated field.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for those who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for people who struggle with mental illness.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school community, society, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day increasingly difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society itself, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. I have been surrounded by multiple people strongly affected by mental health issues, including my uncles, grandpa, and grandma, for my entire life. I have witnessed first hand their ups and downs: losing their children, fighting in a war, alcoholism and addiction, and bipolar disorder and depression. As a close family member I am deeply impacted by their struggles and the impact it has on my own family, as I love these people dearly. They have greatly influenced my life in many ways, causing me to want to learn more about mental illnesses and form goals to treat and combat them. In many ways they have made me the person I am today; a driven and hardworking person who advocates for myself and others within my community. Someone who puts one hundred percent into pursuing my quest for truth, justice, and change in the classroom and beyond. Having a positive impact on the world around me, both inside and outside of school is incredibly important to me. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor. We educate our classmates and community on mental health, sexual health and substance use so they may make more informed decisions now and in the future. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates the profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide resources, and house people with mental illness and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments for mental health. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. There are many ways this can be attained, for me, improving mental health enables me to make the greatest impact. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to use my education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. My pursuit of the importance of personal connection, something that is much too frequently lost among those with mental health issues, motivates me. Learning and research for the purpose of creating change in our current community systems intrigues and excites me. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue fighting the unending battle for those who struggle with mental illness.

I have continued to challenge myself academically through class electives taking 3 APs junior year and 4 APs senior. At my high school APs are not offered until junior year, but this did not stop me from pursuing a more difficult course load. I was enrolled in an accelerated Spanish class starting freshmen year, took an honors Spanish sophomore year and finished with AP Spanish junior year. I have been in accelerated math classes since freshmen year, taking two honors, and then AP. Beyond the classroom, I’ve created my own organizational company, Pantries for Purpose, that donates 100% of its profits to mental health organizations that help treat, provide services, and house people with mental illness, and to research foundations that work toward finding effective treatments and resources. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, a local prison, I work to denounce stereotypes in my community and humanize incarcerated people while also supporting their mental wellbeing. As a Peer Resource Counselor I strive to help others through the education of our classmates and community on topics often seen as taboo, such as mental health, sexual health and substance use and misuse. This allows for them to be able to make more informed decisions in their lives, both now and in the future. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote inclusivity within my high school community and I hope to continue along this path in college and throughout my future career.

Everyday I am reminded of the mental health struggles throughout my school, community, and worldwide. They can take many forms including substance misuse, anxiety and panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts and actions. At a minimum, mental illness can isolate us from our close friends and family, making each day difficult. However, these challenges often result in even bigger issues within society, for example, substance abuse, homelessness, unjust incarceration, and accidental death or suicide. Nevertheless, I believe the smallest thing can make the biggest difference and even a little kindness can change someone's day. My work with incarcerated people has taught me that the first step toward changing the world is helping people as individuals. As an intern at Humans of San Quentin, a local prison, I work to humanize incarcerated people and denounce stereotypes. I am committed to solving these issues as I advocate for others’ mental health and promote wellness. My goal as a high school student, future college student, and developing adult is to help treat and combat mental illness. I dedicate myself to developing a true understanding of the world through peer counseling, magnifying incarcerated people’s voices, and putting my skills as an organizer to use by donating the profits to support those who struggle with mental health. Advocating for my peers, as well as people in San Quentin State Prison, means a lot to me. I aspire to be a person who is committed to encouraging the people around me to become the best versions of themselves, as I strive to do the same, aspiring to make the world a better place. I hope to use my college education in Neuroscience and Psychology to address the mental health crisis. Beyond the classroom, I’m eager to continue my work as an advocate for mental health. Currently, I strive to help others as a Peer Resource Counselor who works to educate my community on topics that are often considered taboo, such as sexual health, mental health and substance use/misuse. I’ve also created my own organizational company, donating 100 percent of the profits to mental health organizations and research foundations who can have an even greater influence on those in need. As a compassionate human and college graduate, I will continue pursuing the unending fight for those who struggle with mental illness. By offering support and researching the impact of bullying on children's mental health I hope to help at least one person. Even if we can't make it perfect we can make it better.