I wish to further my career by living in service to others.

For most of my life, I've suffered from anxiety and depression. More recently, I learned I also had ADHD. These conditions have shaped the way I live, love, and function in my normal life, both in the classroom and outside. When I was in grade school, I got horrible migraines every day, often causing me to leave early. The migraines were so intense that I'd often throw up or sleep all day long. These migraines stemmed from my incessant worrying in my younger life. These emotions I felt I never realized were anxiety. In retrospect anxiety has always been a part of my life, telling me what I could and couldn't do, forcing me to stay in bed all day because going out and facing the world seemed almost impossible. Anxiety forced me to live in the future, to fear events that would never happen, and to fill my schedule with worrisome outcomes to problems that weren't that bad. Fast forward to 2020. My anxiety hadn't been that big part of my life anymore until Covid-19 forced us inside. Being stuck inside really allowed me to reflect on who I was, which was very positive, but also made me extremely anxious and depressed. These mental illnesses defined my life. They forced me to stay inside all day and forget that I was loved. They made me feel alone when I had people who loved me. It wasn't until two years later in 2022 that I finally reached out for help. I got a therapist who recommended I start Zoloft. Starting Zoloft changed my life for the better. Finally, I was able to take my life back from these treacherous and irrational thoughts. I no longer listened to the voices that made me believe I was alone. It was also during this time that I had to start considering what I wanted to do with my life. My experiences with these mental health conditions inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. I want to help people in my life, and providing students a safe place to become who they are is how I can do that. Most of my personal growth developed during my high school career, which showed me the importance of having supportive teachers. I wish to be that teacher who listens to their students and provides them a space to become who they wish to be. Mental illness has also affected my relationship. My boyfriend and I are in a loving relationship, but it's not always easy. Sometimes I get anxious if he doesn't respond to my texts or I worry very much when I haven't heard from him in a while. My boyfriend also deals with depression and anxiety, but despite facing these conditions in our relationships and daily lives, we still find the strength to love. Dealing with these challenges has inspired me to want to help others. I want to work in a career that allows me to give others support and show them that they aren't alone. None of us are alone in our journies. Dealing with these conditions also inspired me to publish a book called A Journey Within Us. It's a collection of poems exploring my experiences with these mental illnesses. The biggest thing I've learned on my road to recovery is that none of us are alone. We all have someone who cares for us. I've also learned that love is the best medicine against these conditions. Love is unconditional, and lets us know that no matter what we feel we are okay. I hope that my experiences with these conditions allow me to support others on their journeys, and help others learn hat they are supported and loved regardless of what they feel.

By 2050, oceans are predicted to rise by 12 inches. Coastal cities may not exist in the future if we continue to disregard our planet's health and safety. In my daily life, I take multiple steps to try to live more sustainably and reduce my carbon footprint. Just this month (June) I'm going on a trip to New York and plan to take a train instead of a car. It's shown that trains are more environmentally friendly than cars. In my life, I also ensure to recycle all plastic and paper and use a reusable water bottle whenever possible. It's also my goal in life to take part in cleaning up trash from my community. I also love to garden, which has only grown (pun intended) my understanding of nature and the world we live in. Plants are such amazing creatures, and learning to grow them has really expanded my view on life. It takes time and effort to grow plants and to keep them happy. Reducing our carbon footprint is essential because it ensures the safety and sanctity of our planet. It's essential that we all collectively take steps to reduce the amount of waste we consume because water levels are rising. If we don't combat these catastrophic changes to our environment, thousands will perish. I like to take steps in my life to reduce my carbon footprint because if everyone just did a little bit it would add up to a lot, which could have a major impact. I believe that change starts with one person, and if I can do it, then anyone can. I want to live in a world with clean air and water for my children, and their children. I want to be able to take my kids to the beach one day and show them the beauty of nature. I also ensure that I don't use pesticides when I garden and have taken time to learn about how to reduce chemicals in wastewater. It's essential that we all start playing our part in the reduction of pollution. When we all do a little bit, it adds up to a lot. I think it's important that we keep our planet safe and healthy, which is also why I'm an advocate for hybrid and electric vehicles. One day I'd like to own an electric car because I think they're so cool! Reducing my carbon footprint today is about protecting our future tomorrow. I want to ensure that I leave the world a cleaner place than when I entered it.

Why can't I sleep? Why does my chest feel so tight? Why does the music I like sound so bad all of a sudden? I'm exhausted all day every day. These symptoms are depression and anxiety, two conditions that have impacted my life greatly. During 2020, I was forced to stay inside all day, just watching headlines, and reading words like "pandemic," "death toll," "isolation," and "quarantine." Those phrases and words are only ever realized in tv shows or movies, never in the daily news. But there they were, right in front of me. I started being unable to sleep well, and my mornings were fraught with a constant buzz of anxiety. At the beginning of this journey, I remember sitting on my floor, crying, struggling to decide whether I wanted to reach out to a therapist or not. Little did I know that finding a therapist would be the beginning of my recovery. My sister and parents were very open and supportive of my getting therapy, which then allowed me to access medication to help me better manage my symptoms. The unknown in my life still? My sexual orientation. I had also figured out that I was gay, which made me more anxious because I didn't know how my parents and friends would respond. I came out to them, and to my surprise they supported me. Maybe not as perfect as I would've wanted it to be in the beginning, but time heals all. More recently I was diagnosed with ADHD, and have begun treating that with medication and therapy. These mental health conditions have changed the way I view life, encouraging me to pick a career in which I can give back and help others. I chose to go into teaching, considering I had all these personal challenges and growth during my high school career. I wanted to do something where I could give back and help others on their journeys in life. I want to be the teacher that pays more attention, listens, and truly creates an environment for their students that allows them to grow into who they truly are safe. I want to give back to the community by giving students the space and time to become themselves with the support of a teacher who truly cares. I also wish to create a classroom environment free from discrimination in all forms, including homophobia. Students from all walks of life cannot learn, or be themselves when they feel that their personal identities are threatened. Suffering from depression, anxiety, and ADHD hasn't been easy. Being gay changed how others viewed me. But these challenges have not stopped me. Instead, they've encouraged me to help others who suffer similar challenges. No one deserves to suffer in silence. No one is alone. These conditions have impacted me, but they haven't stopped me. I hope that my experience with these conditions can help aid others in their advancement through life.

"The murder of George Floyd has caused worldwide protests against racial injustices," I remember that headline vividly. I remember sitting in bed watching the rolling news headlines reporting the thousands of individuals marching against racial injustices. I couldn't help but connect these marches to those who marched alongside the activists of our past that paved a new way forward. It was at that exact moment, three years ago, that solidified the idea of who I wished to become: Someone who gives himself in service to others. Learning about who I am through the experiences of others has inspired me to take action in my community. Shortly after these events in 2020, I decided to volunteer with the local police department. Since 2022, I've worked alongside members of my community to help forge positive community relations. Being someone who's experienced discrimination based on my sexuality, I knew that I wanted to take action to prevent others from experiencing that same discrimination. I've gone about achieving this goal by taking part in multiple community events aimed at building a more robust, tolerant, and accepting society. I've spoken twice at my school's 9/11 ceremony, sharing ideals of solidarity in the face of adversity and encouraging all to take actions of love and peace in their lives. I was also chosen to speak to incoming freshmen about my high school experience, sharing a message of perseverance in the face of challenge. It's because of these collective experiences that I decided to go into teaching at the high school level. I chose the profession because I realized that it's a way for me to give back to the community. I wanted to go into a career where I could help others, and where I could share the ideals of tolerance. I wish to become a teacher because I want to afford students an environment where they can develop and be themselves free from discrimination. I wish to help students become who they truly are by showing them the importance of learning life through the lenses of others. Education has opened many doors for me, which has inspired me to pay that forward in my career. I want to allow students to learn about themselves and the world around them in an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination. It's through this goal that I wish to bring a positive impact to my community and the future. I've already worked to bring positive change to my community through service to others, and I wish to exemplify that through my pursuit of higher education and my career becoming a teacher.

2020 gave me a long time to sit and reflect on who I'd wish to become. Since freshman year I was unaware of who I was or what I wanted to achieve. Little did I know that coming to terms with my sexuality would be a significant piece in allowing me to become who I truly am. During the 2020 protests, I began learning a lot about the political process and how the government worked. Furthermore, I began learning a lot about the shortcomings of the laws that govern our nation. I dedicated myself to learning about LGBTQ+ history and understanding my place in our nation. I came out a little less than a year later, to my parents, then to my friends. They were all supportive of me and helped me come to terms with who I truly was. Learning about the LGBTQ+ community and further understanding my place in that community has shaped me into who I am by allowing me to be more myself. I felt less alone because I knew there were thousands of others like me. As I began living my life as who I truly was, I faced many new challenges, most glaringly, microaggressions. I struggled a lot with being subtly discriminated against because of my sexuality, but as I grew more into who I was, I learned how to combat those microaggressions. Learning has been an integral part of shaping who I am today. I am who I am today because of learning, so I want to dedicate myself to education and teaching others the importance of knowledge. It's because of my unsavory experiences in High School that I want to become a teacher. I want to go into a field where I can help others. I want to become a teacher because I want to show others the importance of learning while also giving them a place to grow into who they truly are, safely. I knew early on that I wanted to go into a field where I could be of service to others. Learning has been such an important factor in becoming who I truly am that I want to share that experience with others. I chose teaching because of who I've become, and because of what doors education has opened for me. I hope that I can provide others with the fruits of knowledge while also providing them with a place where they can truly be themselves. Providing others with an environment free from discrimination while also teaching them the importance of learning is how I want to give back to my community. I know that my actions could shape the future of our nation, hopefully for the better. I hope that one day I can connect with students and show them that, no matter who they are, they can grow into who they truly are.

During 2020, I witnessed protests comparable to protests I'd only ever seen in the black-and-white photos of history books. Witnessing these protests for racial injustice encouraged me to pursue learning about our government and experiences different from my own. A good way I thought to do this was by volunteering for the local Police Department and assisting with community relations. I realized that volunteering would be a great way to not only give back to the community, but it would also serve as a good experience for college and other opportunities in my life. It's through learning about the police department that it helped solidify what I wanted to do in college. Any little bit counts and this scholarship could help me pay to pursue a career in elementary and secondary education. Learning about the experiences of others expanded my viewpoints on life and helped me understand the importance of education. Volunteering helped show me that giving back and helping others is not just something I like, but something that is part of who I am. Being a teacher is a way for me to give back to the community in a way that could influence the future. I want to help others experience the enlightenment that education brings to one's life. I want to give others what I never had in high school. I also played numerous sports, which was a unique challenge. I had come out as gay, which changed how others looked at me, especially in sports. This experience showed me that everyone deserves a safe place to be who they are, another reason I wish to become a high school teacher. Giving back to the community and giving others what I never had is more than a career choice for me, It's part of who I am. This scholarship could help me advance my career in education and help me share the power of questioning what is unknown rather than being afraid. Instilling in others the ideals of always learning, being one's authentic self, and questioning the world, is what this scholarship could do for me. Education should be a right of all people because knowledge is priceless. Seeing those around you and understanding their unique experiences expands our views on life and shows us parts of ourselves we'd never seen before. This scholarship is not just money, it's an opportunity for someone to be the light in others' lives, a light that illuminates the future with the power of knowledge and understanding.

Math has always been my downfall in my school career. It always held me back and I always needed extra help, which included extra time on assignments. During my elementary school career, it was extremely difficult, but high school was much different. In my freshman year at Timber Creek High Schoo, I took Algebra 1 with a teacher named Ms. Vittese. She was kind and cared deeply for her students. She would stop and help anyone at any time and help by explaining things differently if I didn't understand them. Eventually, I began staying in her class during lunch for extra help. I wouldn't take Algebra II Accelerated again until Junior year. Junior year was very difficult, but I passed because Ms. Vittese never gave up on me. Junior year was very hard for me. I still struggled with basic math and building on those concepts was hard. Ms. Vittese was there with me every step of the way. She would sit down with me and explain things differently if I didn't understand them. She knew I was dealing with some mental health challenges, and also supported me through those times. Whenever I wanted to give up on myself she never gave up on me. Because of her, I never gave up and passed the class. I knew that because she believed I could make it, and that I could apply that way of thinking to other parts of my life. She changed how I saw challenges and encouraged me to always try my best even if my best falls short. I've learned that no matter if you make it or fall short, so as long as you try your best, that's all anyone can ask. She influenced how I face challenges, and because of her I not only passed Algebra II, but I'll be able to muster enough courage and will to pass my college-level courses. I know all I need to do is try my best and that's all anyone can ask of me. She deeply influenced my life by always being there for me when I needed her and allowed me to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. Ms. Vittese helped me in ways I would never imagine. She stood by me even when I didn't want to go anymore. She told me the truth even when it was difficult to do so, and she helped me through a hard period in my life. Because of her, I passed math, and not only learned math to further my education but also learned that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if it feels impossible. Because of her, I try a little harder every day of my life. T

During the 2020 calls for racial justice, I was pushed into the volatile world of politics. It was during this time that I began finding out who I was as a person. During the warm summer months, I spent much time researching the American political system and how it affects us all today. Furthermore, I dedicated myself to learning the differences between us all, and how I can learn about myself through others. It was at this time that I began considering a career in education. Understanding how I've grown because of learning, and wanting to give back to others, education seemed like a perfect opportunity for me. I knew I wanted to go into a career field where I could help others, and because I love learning, I decided that education would be perfect for me, specifically, teaching history to fellow high school students. High school is a volatile time for many of us. It's a time when many of us are beginning to understand who we are as a person. Learning about my sexuality also played a huge part in my considering entering the field of education. Seeing how others treat LGBTQ+ students, and being a recipient of many micro-aggressions during my high school career, I wanted to become a teacher to create an environment free from all forms of discrimination that allow all students to flourish and become who they truly wish to be. History and the U.S. government are extremely important, especially during high school years. It's through history that we often learn more about ourselves. When we learn about history, we learn about perspectives that are different from our own, which expands our views of life, and encourages us to be more tolerant of each other's differences. Becoming a teacher and instilling in students the importance of learning from perspectives different from their own is important to me. Teaching others the importance of considering perspectives different from their own is also a way for me to give back to the community in a way that is long-lasting and effective. Being a high school student who made it through the Covid-19 pandemic, came out as gay publically, and battled with anxiety and depression, teaching is a way for me to give others what I lacked. Giving others an environment free from discrimination, giving others a space to become who they are, and giving others the power of knowledge and education, are all critical reasons why I want to teach. These are the reasons why I wish to teach, give back, and help forge a future where we value the power, perspective, and knowledge of not only history but others who are different than ourselves.

"Mom, Dad, I'm gay," are four words that would change the trajectory of my life. Not only would this launch me on a journey of self-discovery, but also into a journey of discovering the world around me. During the 2020 protests for Racial Justice, I dedicated my summer to understanding the shortcomings of our nation. It's through this that I've learned a lot about myself, and how I want to impact the world. During the Covid-19 pandemic, and my journey of learning, I've come to realize that I value listening and understanding and that a key component to living my best truth is helping others. This is why I wish to go into teaching history to our teenagers and young adults. I've learned so much through history and government that have expanded my understanding of those who are different than me. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through the education of others in areas of history that mean the most. Some aspects of our history may make us uncomfortable, but it's those parts that we should dedicate ourselves to learning the most. When we learn history through the diverse lenses that make history up, we learn about ourselves and our humanity. When we learn about history, we not only learn about the past but the present and future. The best way to influence others is through quality education. I wish to help people for a living, which is also why I volunteer for my local police department. As a major advocate against police brutality, learning about the police department has helped me understand where police departments across the nation fall short. Volunteering has also helped me support my community as who I am. Giving back to the people I love has made my life fulfilling and satisfying. I wish to give back to my community through education and volunteer work. These activities have helped me understand who I am as a person and have helped me expand the lenses through which I view life. What started as four words have shaped me into who I am today: A person dedicated to giving back, a person who cares for those who are different, and a person who wishes to learn and understands the importance of education. Most importantly, I want to become an educator to give back to my community in a way that hopefully creates long-lasting influence for generations to come.