Losing my dad was one of the hardest experiences of my life, and it brought a lot of changes, especially regarding finances. Ever since my Mom and Dad had children, my mom had been a stay-at-home mom while my father dealt with finances and overall was in charge of making money to keep us afloat. Before his passing, my family had always relied on him for financial advice. He was the one teaching us the basics of budgeting and saving while working full time, but I never fully understood the complexity and efforts put into managing finances and the struggles until I had to navigate it on my own. After he passed, it left me and my family in a tough position. My mom, who hadn't worked since her eldest was born which was 19 years at the time, and then me and my 2 siblings faced a rollercoaster of emotions and practicalities. I had to deal with not only the emotional impact of grief but also the administrative and financial chaos that accompanies loss. On top of watching my mother scramble trying to keep her composure while figuring out a financial plan to keep us all fed, it quickly became clear that I needed to educate myself about personal finance more seriously not just for me, but my family. As my family went through many changes I stuck by my mom as she allocated resources and savings. She showed me the value of budgeting as she reviewed all our expenses and incomes, seeing where we could cut cuts. This taught a lesson that had been abstract before but became real when my family overcame change and in my financial journey facing my financial responsibilities without my father's guidance. This led to me diving into my research regarding personal finance, investing, and overall planning for college. I learned the importance of emergency funds and how to build one, cutting unnecessary costs, use of scholarships and grants, and making sure I'm prepared for my unexpected expenses in the future. Many financial concepts including investments, compound interest, and the importance of starting savings as early as possible had become clearer, things I most likely would've postponed educating myself on if my dad were still around leaving us without financial burdens. In addition, I took the time to understand what it takes and the implications for my financial future. It's a tough process, but it taught me the significance of having a financial plan in place. After years of being involved in our family's struggles and building up my research, my senior year of high school I decided to take a personal finance class to further add on and hopefully apply my learnings to my future. We've discussed many topics I've already touched on and some new learnings including retirement funds, building credit, and the best approaches to minimizing direct and indirect college expenses. Throughout this journey, I've grown more resilient and financially literate. Losing my dad was one of the hardest moments to overcome, but it pushed me to become more self-sufficient and aware of financial responsibility. His passing became a catalyst for my financial education. I feel more equipped to handle finances and build up a proper plan to attack my educational expenses while still building up savings for the future to follow it. My rough high school journey has overall prepared me to improve my future finances & appropriately allocate my resources to achieve a better future while taking advantage of all the opportunities I have ahead of me.

October 13th, 2021: My dad couldn't breathe. His breaths were tender and coarse as if he hadn’t had water in days. We spent most of our days trying to tend to him, he felt that was unnecessary. It was like staring at the “Can't Help Myself” Robot continuously going, but no progress was made. Except it wasn’t encased in glass but within arms reach to support. He just couldn't help but refuse. We watched the push and pull continue. Then the push stopped. The refusal no longer came out in words. The refusal didn’t come out at all. He stayed in the hospital for 49 days. Dec 1st, 2021: My father died. Now it's just a flashbulb memory & a moment in time. This day doesn't haunt me, it doesn't make me ache or feel as though I had fallen, but it did. I remember waking up earlier that day for school, but it didn't feel like every other Wednesday. It felt weary like echoes in an abandoned building. My home felt empty and cold. The only warmth we felt that day was the arms of our mother with the cracked and shy whispers of “I love you”. I can’t recall much else, besides the change of my character. January 22nd, 2022: I just couldn't help but refuse support. It hadn’t been long since his passing, but I refused to admit it plagued every behavior and word that I displayed. I could barely go to school or have the strength to pull off the sheets to the sudden brightness of every morning. My friends at the time were encouraging this, I just assumed it was normal to be like this. I didn't need help because this was normal, but you could see my body language plead for it. I didn't want this to be normal. December 1st, 2022: I almost forgot what the date meant. By this time I had adapted. I was no longer suitable for my old environment. I yearned to step foot outside of my house and embrace the warmth of the rising sun, the warmth of my friendships, and the warmth of my life. I had priorities for the first time. I couldn't tell you I knew who I was a year ago. I hated her. I hated my dad. Dec 1st, 2023: I couldn't help but think my dad's death was a good thing. I had better connections, better drive, better spending habits, and a better life. I didn't have that when he was alive or when he had me mourning. I felt stupid for ever mourning. I knew the feeling was wrong, why did I gain more from his death than lose? Why can't I recognize the girl I was when he was alive or when he first died? My head was constantly racing asking why. I still struggle to know exactly what his death meant to who I am. I can't help but wonder, and it makes me realize there are some things you can't rewire. I don't exactly hate my dad, but I can't exactly be proud of who I was when I loved him. What I am proud of, is my accomplishments throughout this longing time. I had turned my school life around for the better. While my grades may seem small and mundane, it demonstrates the growth of what once was a small & hopeless girl. This not only contributed to academic success but social success & overall drive to expand. The hardship that haunted my high school years will forever contribute to my successful revival of me.

My name is Hayden Harris, and I am currently a high school senior with a deep interest in studying psychology. I have always been fascinated by the human mind and how it affects behavior and emotions. This curiosity has led me to pursue a degree in healthcare, specifically in psychology, because I believe it offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives. Growing up, I have seen how mental health issues can affect individuals and families. Whether it was friends struggling with anxiety or family members dealing with depression, I have witnessed firsthand how important it is to have access to proper mental health care. These experiences have inspired me to become part of the solution, helping others navigate their mental health challenges and find ways to improve their well-being. As a woman in the healthcare field, I hope to bring a compassionate and empathetic approach to my work. I believe that women have a unique perspective and can offer valuable insights into patient care. We often have strong communication skills and a natural ability to connect with others, which are crucial in healthcare settings. By pursuing a degree in psychology, I aim to use these strengths to create a supportive and understanding environment for my future patients. I am particularly interested in working with young people, as I believe early intervention can significantly impact their mental health outcomes. By helping them develop coping strategies and resilience, I hope to empower them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Additionally, I want to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, reducing the stigma that often surrounds them. Choosing to study psychology also allows me to explore various career paths within healthcare. Whether working as a clinical psychologist, counselor, or researcher, I am excited about the possibilities to contribute positively to the field. I am eager to continue learning and growing, both personally and professionally, so that I can provide the best care possible to those in need. Attending a college like Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, or Muskegon Community College will provide me with the education and training necessary to achieve my goals. These institutions offer excellent programs in psychology and have a strong commitment to supporting women in healthcare. By joining their community, I will have access to valuable resources and networks that can help me succeed. In conclusion, my decision to pursue a degree in healthcare is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly in the field of mental health. As a woman, I hope to bring empathy, understanding, and advocacy to my work, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for all. With the right education and dedication, I am confident that I can contribute meaningfully to the field of psychology and help improve the mental health and well-being of those I serve.