https://www.facebook.com/rena.martin.5/ Buy a planner with space to write on each day and have a good set of colored pens! At the beginning of each term, go through each class syllabus carefully and note important dates such as exams and assignment due dates. Using your pens to color code your different classes, transfer those dates into your planner so you can see the term broken out for you each day. This will help you stay organized and on top of those due dates!

My career in assisting survivors of child abuse began in 2014 when I took on a position as a Guardian ad Litem for children removed from their families by Child Protective Services in my county’s juvenile court. I was tasked with investigating each child’s specific case, their needs, and then report back to the presiding Judge as to what outcome would be in the child’s best interest. This arena is where I learned about the factors that led to child abuse (physical and sexual), and neglect, as well as the impacts for those who experience it. I am currently employed at a non-profit agency named Rural Resources Victim Services and Children’s Advocacy Center; locally referred to as RRVS for short. At RRVS we have two main goals described in our mission statement- to provide services to survivors of crime as well as to prevent future victimization. We serve survivors of partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and any other inter-personal crimes. My current role at RRVS is focused on immediate crisis intervention during non-business hours. I respond to requests for assistance from law enforcement, medical providers, and victims directly to meet needs for safety with emergency shelter, coordinating in-person support, crisis counseling, and referrals to other systems to meet additional client needs. In order to provide the most comprehensive and appropriate services to survivors of crime, I must be knowledgeable in what supports are available within our community, as well as understand how to navigate the often complex social service sector. Amidst the current global pandemic, many victim advocacy agencies are experiencing increased demand for services despite decreased funding from federal, state, and local sources. Program administrators and support staff play a vital role in maintaining an agency’s ability to remain operational. These individuals are responsible for identifying and securing funding via public grants, private donations, and other fundraising projects, as well as gaining support from the community and policy makers. Looking ahead, my macro-level goal as a professional would be to develop the skills and knowledge to become an effective program administrator at RRVS. Ultimately, I hope to fill a role in ensuring program sustainability and continued availability of services in my community. As a social-service professional, and also a mother of two young children, I am well aware that there is a gap is services to meet the needs of children in my rural town. In addition to advocating for individual children affected by violence, I also intend to use my education and career to advocate for systems change in my community. My goal is to support efforts to encourage the development of programs such as safe child care. The availability of child care options has several implications in protecting children from abuse. Families with safe care have greater opportunities to secure financial stability through employment. Additionally, having children in care provides an environment for social connections with other children as well as adults trained in signs of child abuse. Child abuse is not a one-dimensional issue with a single cause or solution. It is a complex pattern that requires a coordinated effort with many professionals to intervene and prevent future instances. My work at RRVS is aimed at being a catalyst in my community for protecting the most vulnerable members in society.

Just before starting my last semester of my bachelor’s degree, I impulsively found a puppy online and arranged to pick him up the following day. The picture I found was of an 11 week old basset hound with the saddest looking eyes, emphasized with his tilted-head gaze at the camera- it was instant love. I named my floppy lump of sagging skin Balou and he has been my shadow for the past 8 years. The following four months, however, were some of the most challenging of my life. In addition to taking on a full time course schedule, student teaching, and also working a full time job, I also had to make sure my puppy got the time and attention he deserved. The four hours of sleep I was getting at night was also frequently interrupted by trips outside for Balou. I often felt like I was drowning under all my responsibilities. Balou never judged me, and became my source of calm amidst the chaos. I can’t count the number of times I would be in the middle of a reading or assignment and my boy would crawl over into my lap and push my laptop closed with his stubby paws, involuntarily giving me a much needed mental break. He would very kindly keep me warm when I would fall asleep on the couch from exhaustion by lying on top of my- so very considerate! Even on the days where he would simply snooze on the couch next to me while I studied, he was my rock. Overall, Balou just made my life better. I have always had dogs growing up, but getting one as an independent adult was a new learning experience. As a child, I could walk and feed my dogs but the financial responsibilities were never a concern. With Balou, I had to take on a new outlook on taking care of someone other than myself. I could avoid making my own dentist appointment, but I never missed his vet checkups. I could study right through the night and forget to eat dinner, but his food and water bowls were always full and available. Having another creature relying totally on me for his health and well being allowed me to grow and develop as a person. Dogs are truly the most selfless beings, asking nothing more than to enjoy their lives with you. They have personalities and preferences just as unique as any human. They add love, humor and fullness to our lives. I know someday Balou and Doc (my second basset who joined our family a year later) will no longer be around to hog my bed, but until then I intend to enjoy every day with them.

Just before starting my last semester of my bachelor’s degree, I impulsively found a puppy online and arranged to pick him up the following day. The picture I found was of an 11 week old basset hound with the saddest looking eyes, emphasized with his tilted-head gaze at the camera- it was instant love. I named my floppy lump of sagging skin Balou and he has been my shadow for the past 8 years. The following four months, however, were some of the most challenging of my life. In addition to taking on a full time course schedule, student teaching, and also working a full time job, I also had to make sure my puppy got the time and attention he deserved. The four hours of sleep I was getting at night was also frequently interrupted by trips outside for Balou. I often felt like I was drowning under all my responsibilities. Balou never judged me, and became my source of calm amidst the chaos. I can’t count the number of times I would be in the middle of a reading or assignment and my boy would crawl over into my lap and push my laptop closed with his stubby paws, involuntarily giving me a much needed mental break. He would very kindly keep me warm when I would fall asleep on the couch from exhaustion by lying on top of my- so very considerate! Even on the days where he would simply snooze on the couch next to me while I studied, he was my rock. Overall, Balou just made my life better. I have always had dogs growing up, but getting one as an independent adult was a new learning experience. As a child, I could walk and feed my dogs but the financial responsibilities were never a concern. With Balou, I had to take on a new outlook on taking care of someone other than myself. I could avoid making my own dentist appointment, but I never missed his vet checkups. I could study right through the night and forget to eat dinner, but his food and water bowls were always full and available. Having another creature relying totally on me for his health and well being allowed me to grow and develop as a person. Dogs are truly the most selfless beings, asking nothing more than to enjoy their lives with you. They have personalities and preferences just as unique as any human. They add love, humor and fullness to our lives. I know someday Balou and Doc (my second basset who joined our family a year later) will no longer be around to hog my bed, but until then I intend to enjoy every day with them.

Music moves me. The rhythms and melodies inspire different reactions and feelings to physically express. The problem I face is my brain wants my limbs to move in ways that I have developed the technical ability or foundational knowledge for yet. Most people interested in dance start taking classes as young children and by the time they reach adulthood, they either become professionals or give it up entirely. My introduction to structured dancing didn’t come about until I was starting high school, but I am still involved and progressing as an adult. In order to build the skills I wish to be able to complete, I have re-enrolled in classes at a local dance studio. Twice per week I join a class with high schoolers to work over fundamentals and learn increasingly difficult skills. At home, I also continue to work on my strength and flexibility in micro-increments such as calf raises while cooking, or toe exercises while reading to my children. Over the past year I have seen substantial improvements in my abilities and have hope with another year or two, I will be able to progress to pointe work. It can be difficult to fit the necessary time for dedicated work into my overloaded schedule, it is well worth it to be able to finally learn when I have loved for so long.

My entire life has been spent either in the water, or biding my time until I can get back to it. I love swimming; it soothes me and provides and outlet for exercise and mental clarity. Many people in the triathlon community would argue that the swim portion of the race is their least favorite, while I am quite the opposite. The swim is the section where I am able to make the most impact on my position and time during an event. That being said, swimming is an incredibly technical sport. While it is not weight bearing like running, you are moving your body through a substance that is much denser than air. This means that simply swimming harder will not actually make you any faster. In order to improve my times, I have spent the last 5 years focusing on my technique in the water. To do so, I dedicate at least three sessions per week for swimming, and include technical drills in every set as well as focusing on form during longer sections. During the summer months, I also enjoy open water swimming in the various lakes near my home. My biggest challenge in improving my swimming has been my work schedule because I am on-call most nights and weekends. In order to be consistent with my sessions, I often have to fit in my trips to the pool late at night or early in the morning while everyone else is still in bed. While it can be difficult to pull myself out of bed before the sun rises, finishing my session first thing sets me up with energy and a great mood for the rest of the day.

In almost any iteration of Spiderman, one of Peter Parker’s loved ones tell him that “With great power comes great responsibility,” and this becomes the character’s guiding principle. I am aware that as white woman, I hold a lot of power in society. My inner Spidey works to support equality and diversity efforts by being active in local and political affairs. A few examples include the following. I live in a very rural and conservative area, where I stick out like a blue thumb. Locally, I voice support and vote for measures that benefit historically disenfranchised groups. For example, the school district was recently considering a policy change around bathroom access for Transgender students and the outcry was overwhelming. Despite my near-crippling fear of public speaking, I took the podium at the board meeting in support of the proposed changes. Furthermore, my community is located very near a large Native Reservation. In 2020, my agency received a grant to launch a groundbreaking, cultural revival program for members of the tribe. I have spent countless hours working to physically help built the facility that would house the program. Although I would never personally utilize these services, I feel it was my responsibility to contribute back to the people whose traditional land I reside on. My personal and professional lives focus on trying to give back to my community. Though I am only a single person, my hope is that my actions will impact this in my immediate circle and ripple out to larger societal changes.

The song "Get Up" by the band Shinedown is a heartfelt message about grief and the aftermath of loss. This song talks about the importance of finding inner strength and avoiding emotional shutdown that is detrimental to healing the hurt of trauma. By the age of 7 I had lost a large portion of the hair on my head, not from any illness or scissor accidents. My entire extended family was reeling from the recent death of my Grandmother. In addition, I was living in the chaotic mess of a immediate family riddled with substance use and partner abuse but as a young child did not knowledge of how to cope with the situation. In response to the stress, I slowly began pulling my own hair out. A few strands at a time began to accumulate and the box where I had the evidence hidden began to fill. It took years before I was able to reach out for help. As an adult, I still struggle with an immediate reaction of shutting down when faced with stressful situations to avoid the emotional overload. This particular song is a powerful reminder for me to keep present and deal with my life effectively.

**Trigger Warning- DV** Recently a former client wrote into my agency about their experiences receiving help, and they stated “I realized that the hero I had been waiting for was myself.” It is always moving to hear from people and to learn about the changes in their lives, but this particular message hit home the importance of empowerment in my work with survivors. A common misconception about violent crimes is that they are done with the goal of hurting someone else out of ill-will. The reality is that these events are about power at the very core. For example, domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviors with the goal of controlling an intimate partner. My goal is to help the targeted partner reclaim their autonomy and the cycle of abuse they are trapped in. This is where empowerment comes in. Survivors of crime have had their freedoms to make choices for themselves taken from others. The central guiding principle of my work is to do the opposite; in others words, I give someone all the options and support them in their choices. I teach clients how to find the different ways they can meet their own needs to develop independence and are therefore less likely to be dependent on abusive individuals. I have spent the past 8 years advocating for survivors of a variety of crimes. They have spanned across all ages, and demographics. The common thread between all of these individuals is the desire to reclaim control of their lives. The very best way I can help others is to teach them how to seek out resources so that they have the confidence to help themselves in the future.

Repeat after me: Not my circus, not my monkeys. I am a glutton for self-induced punishment. I am a perfectionist by nature and set impossibly high standards for myself in terms of both the quantity and quality of work I aim to complete. In some parts of my life this approach has been beneficial, such as coursework during my undergraduate studies. However there have also been drawbacks in my life such as becoming ill when I prioritize work over sleep. Most of my early adulthood has been a struggle of swinging from one extreme mental load to another and dealing with burnout in the aftermath. The key for me to developing balance is to focus on the aspects of my life that I can control, and learn to let go of those that I can’t. For example, I have someone close who frequently makes major life decisions without considering any long term consequences. For years I struggled with taking on the emotional burden of trying to persuade her out of these ill-advised plans but was unsuccessful; our relationship strained as a result. My turning point was when I realized that I can still love her and still let her make her choices without them being my responsibility. This insight has allowed me to begin differentiating between that I am responsible for, and what I am not. Since that time, I have been leading a happier and healthy life by keeping my little motto in the back of my head.

I am moved by the various works of Vincent van Gogh, but particularly so by Starry Night (1889). This painting holds a special place in my heart because it is not typical in its composition or technique. Starry Night is what is known as “Impressionist” style painting, which means it is made up of small, but visible brush strokes. This particular method creates the illusion of movement, which creates a sense of wonder in this piece. In the top half of the scene, the sky appears to be swirling around the gleaming stars and a cartoon-like crescent moon. The shades of blue and small collection of buildings surrounded by hills remind me of how my own town’s sky looks in the early morning just before sunrise. Van Gogh’s use of brush strokes to create movement in this piece gives it a quality of being alive and that I don’t feel in many other pieces. It is not static or still; the sky itself seems to be breathing. This piece of art reminds me to breathe and inspires me to look at things a little longer and deeper to appreciate complexity.

I am visually impaired and need my glasses from the time I wake up to until bed time, or I simply can’t see anything that isn’t within arm’s reach. Normally when I race in triathlons, I cannot use my glasses so instead I use contact lenses to see properly. The day I was racing my first Ironman, I put in my contacts like normally and set off to the location. Unfortunately my lenses were not cooperating with my eyes. My eyes were incredibly dry and I involuntarily blinked one out and also ripped the lens when I tried to put it back in. Because one was unusable, I was forced to take the other out also. Without a spare set, I prepared to race with extremely limited vision. The swim was my first challenge of the day. As I was unable to see the buoys to follow along the swim course on my own, I decided to trying follow other athletes would be my best option. My plan ended up working effectively and I was able to navigate this section of the race as well as possible. The bike section presented a new problem in that with my poor vision, I was unable to read road signs to directing the racers. The end of the first half of the bike ride also had a turn around a cone at the bottom of a steep hill where I crashed my bike. When I got to the run section, I was only able to see for the first half. After dark, I relied on the white ground stripe for something to follow. My race was difficult was with addition obstacles. Despite this, I was able to push through finding my own methods to successfully overcome my limitations.

I have two young daughters, and as children do, they learn a lot about life by imitating their parents. My legacy is what I aim to model for my children- kindness and consideration for others. My job involves working with survivors of violent crimes, and to help them rebuild their lives. Kindness in these interactions is key as most of my clients have experienced highly traumatic events. Additionally, I also model kindness in everyday interactions with others so my daughters will learn it as a norm and expectation. My older daughter has taken to picking up litter because she wants the environment to be clean for everyone. She is also quite adept at finding creative ways for us to reuse items at home because she values recycling. My younger child likes to organize products that are out of order on the shelves while we are grocery shopping. They are each developing their own paths of being kind to others as they grow. Humans are highly social creatures and we interface with others constantly- whether in person, over the phone, or online. The way we conduct ourselves has ripple effects to every person we interact with, which continues on in a chain effect. One small kind word or gesture has the possibility to positively impact an unlimited number of people. I hope that in time, my children will grow with core values of kindness and consideration; and in turn they will pass those on to others.

A woman my age can expect to live for approximately 85.5 years, or 31,207 days. Initially this seems a deceptively high number, and like I would have no shortage of time. It’s not. What makes me happy is experiences. Living each day to my fullest and being open to trying new things. Roller coasters scare me, but I never regret trying them (once the ride has finished of course). Doing things that seem impossible to others, just to proudly say I have, makes me happy. Or simply spending a rainy afternoon snuggled on the couch with my dogs. Being with my family makes me happy, especially my daughters. Though they are still young, they are growing quickly and having their own experiences discovering the world around them. The same applies at my job- helping other people to reclaim their own lives and heal from their trauma makes me happy. On day 31,206, I don’t want to look back on my life and wonder if I should have done more. I want to live a life that is looked back fondly upon and think “that was fun.” Not wasting a single day is what makes me happy.

7 years ago, I married the love of my life. At that time, we had recently both had to uproot our lives and buy a home in a new town for my husband's job, and I had to find a new job. In addition, we were also fresh out of college and paying our student debt down. We planned a very inexpensive wedding, but we simply decided to wait for a honeymoon when our finances were more stable. In the years since, we have both continued to work and try to save, but life circumstances took precedence over a trip for us as a couple. After the birth of our children, my employment was interrupted due to the lack of childcare in our town. While I was still working, my husband's salary became our primary funding source as my hours and income were drastically reduced. My husband works hard every day to financially support our family and be an active father to our daughters, as well as a supportive partner to me. He has an interest in motorcycles and has dreamed about us going on a long road trip together on his bike for years. With $1000, I would be able to finally plan and make his dream trip come true. My husband deserves to be able to take a break to do something he enjoys, and it would give us a chance to reconnect as partners on a very long overdue honeymoon.

Recently I read The Precipice by Toby Ord, a philosophy research fellow at Oxford University. In this book, Ord outlines some of the existential risks to the human species, particularly those created by people themselves. Catastrophes that have the potential to wipe out humanity such as nuclear warfare, widespread biological illness, artificial intelligence, climate change or even a meteorite impact are some of the defined threats. Ord also expands on the statistical likelihood of the identified anthropogenic and natural risks and how those might play out in our current or future geopolitical landscape. Although the potential destruction of the human race may seem a grim topic, this book actually maintains a positive outlook throughout. The title of the book describes our current time in that we collectively face choices today that will drastically impact the future of humanity. Ord optimistically predicts that “Our species could survive for billions of years- enough time to end disease, poverty, and injustice” if we are able to take appropriate steps to mitigate existential threats. This book came to me at a particularly difficult time in my life. We are now over 2 years into a global pandemic that began much like was described by Ord. In addition climate change and warfare between world powers continue to loom heavy. The optimistic outlook in what could be in the future for humanity has given me hope despite all that we currently face.

Less than one month after I graduated from my bachelor’s program, my partner proposed. The following two years however were a series of life altering events. The plan was always for me to return to school for an advanced degree after our wedding; this did not happen as intended. In the immediate weeks following, we received news that my fiancé’s job was going to move cities so we were forced to uproot our lives- find a new home, re-plan our wedding, and I had to find a new job in a new location. As our wedding approached, the topic of children was brought up frequently by well-wishers. It was only a few months after we resettled that I went to the doctors and learned my fertility was severely compromised. With the upheaval in our lives, and an infertility diagnosis, any talks of higher education were extinguished. With some intervention, our first daughter was born later the following year. At that point my husband and I were both working and caring for a new baby. School would have to continue to wait. Fast forward to early 2019, my family is finally in a solid rhythm with employment and childcare. Previously, my mother had been living with us to care for our daughter while my husband and I worked due to the only daycare in our town closing. However, we had been able to establish with another care provider and decided to have one more baby. Another round of medical assistance and I was pregnant! Our little family got to be excited for all of two weeks before the rug was pulled out from under us again- the daycare provider was longer going to be available effective immediately. Though we again tried to make care arrangements with family, I was forced to leave my full time position in the end in the middle of my pregnancy. Circumstances are beginning to change for my family once again, however this time for the better. Currently my elder child is in Kindergarten and my younger will be ready for preschool in the coming autumn. This means that I will be able to return to regular work and contribute financially to my family, as well as continue my education finally. I love both my children dearly and hold no regrets about my sacrifices for them. That being said, it is time that I put my goals in the forefront. Later this year, I intend to begin a master’s degree in human services. This program matches my interests as well as my career aspirations. This degree would help me to develop skills and knowledge to advance my career within my field. For the past several years my role within the family has been the unpaid duties. By continuing my education, I will be able to find gainful employment once again and ease the financial burden my husband has shouldered. Working as a team, we can provide our children opportunities that we ourselves did not have.

Currently I am employed at a non-profit agency providing services to survivors of crime. My primary role is to advocacy, community education, crisis intervention, and referrals for additional needs. In additional to my typical responsibilities, I also serve on the Celebrations committee, assess barriers to services for our clientele, and support our volunteer staff members. I am an alumnus of the Miss Spokane Scholarship Organization, and continue to support the program by participating in mock interview sessions for candidates. Additionally, I have served as a judge for the Purple Ribbon Pageant benefiting the Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network in Spokane. I volunteer as needed at my daughters’ ballet studio and gymnastics facility. This may include sewing costumes, assisting new families navigate the systems, or advocating for participating children in the programs. My elder daughter is in Kindergarten and I have been as involved as possible (within Covid safety restrictions) by locating and providing needed supplies as requested by her teacher.

I have spent my entire life in the water. From the time I was an infant in the bathtub, a toddler in the backyard pool, and every summer spent at the lake, to now as I swim laps several times per week in training for my second Ironman. The feeling of water on my body is refreshing and revitalizing for me. Starting when I was young, my family spent as much time as possible visiting my great-grandparents at their lake cabin. It was there that I learned to swim and spent the days splashing with my siblings and cousins. Swimming, especially in that lake, holds special meaning and memories of my family. As an adult, my time spent in the water over the entire year is mainly at my local lap pool. While these sessions are meant to be a workout to train for triathlons, they always feel more like a rehab and recovery session instead. Finally at the end of long days, a hot shower is my way of washing off all the burdens and relaxing before bed. Water is necessary for life, but for me, it is a source of simple happiness as well.

As a student, I was involved in the Miss Spokane Scholarship Organization twice. This is local program to find candidates for Miss America. My goal in participating was originally to earn scholarships for my education, but as I became more involved, I learned about the other benefits to the young women who join. This program has four pillars (referred to as Points of the Crown, however that has changed since my tenure) including Scholarship, Service, Style and Success. Young women who become candidates are expected to demonstrate public involvement in the project of their own choosing, perform well in their academics, and have poise and grace when attending events. In return, the program offers participants opportunities to network professionally, practice interviewing skills, add experience to their resumes, and build a platform for their service projects. The skills and confidence I gained from Miss Spokane have helped me to develop personally and professionally. The interviewing skills I learned from coaching sessions have taught me how to communicate effectively, and I have leveraged those skills for movement in the job market. Additionally, I have learned how to show vulnerability, allowing me to turn my own perceived “weakness” into a strength in my career. Some of the people that were in my cohorts were able to completely cover the costs of their degrees with their scholarships they received. This Miss Spokane program is immensely beneficial to young women in the region. When I got married, I was not longer eligible to participate. Instead, I continued to support the program mentoring other young women coming in. Since then, I have acted as a mock interviewer for candidates to practice skills prior to the actual competition. My goal is to help pass on the teachings that I was given to prepare these individuals for success.

My highest priority goal at this time is to complete a master’s degree in Human Services; I will begin my coursework later this year and anticipate graduating in early 2024. I knew I wanted to continue my education and earn a higher-level degree since my undergraduate years; I have taken my time to thoroughly research my options and find the best fit. As a young child, I lived in a nuclear family that was dysfunctional. Within my immediate circle, substance abuse, partner violence, and negligent parenting were present. I was very fortunate in that I had outside support with my extended family and friends, as well as the ability to participate in extracurriculars at school to keep me away from home. However, not everyone has the same opportunities to escape their own dangerous situations. Therefore, I have built a career in the field of victim advocacy. I can understand what other people have experienced and have a humanistic approach to supporting them through the aftermath. I have been working in victim advocacy for the past 8 years. I started out specifically with children placed in the foster care system but have since branched out to supporting victims of all crimes. My role is to provide empathy to survivors and help guide them through their options in rebuilding their lives. This may include seeking medical attention, civil or criminal court cases, locating additional community services, or simply a listening ear. Many days take an emotional toll, but I balance this with the intention of bettering my community. In mid-March, our agency underwent the latest cycle of accreditation inspections for our community sexual assault service provider status. Within our program, we have a subset of staff working on the neighboring Tribal reservation offering language revitalization and Indigenous approaches to healing. During this process, we received praise for these efforts such as “innovative” and “ground-breaking.” Our accreditor also encouraged us to document our process and program offers and they could be used as a roadmap for other programs in our state. This means that our work locally could have a much larger impact if other agencies begin to implement similar programs in their areas. My educational goal is also a key to my career trajectory. My employer is a non-profit organization and does not charge any participant for services, regardless of income status. As such, we rely on funding from other sources to cover operational costs such a public grants, private donations, and volunteer efforts. The program I have selected for my master's degree is specific to administration of non-profit programs and includes coursework in leadership, grant writing, board governance, cultural diversity, research and evaluation, and social change. In a broader sense, my educational goals include the development of skills and knowledge on how to make my agency more effective in our efforts. I could bring what I learn in my classes and apply them to our program to ensure its sustainability and continued growth to the benefit of the community.

The past several years, I have had a particular interest in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and it is my intention to leave the world a more inclusive place for those who have been disenfranchised because of their identity. My plan is to continue to support efforts for gender and sexual-orientation equality on the individual and systemic levels. I live in a small, rural community where there is a strong “traditional values” mentality among the population. In my role as a victim advocate, I have worked with several people, mostly teens and young adults, who have experience hate crimes because they identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. These individuals need support finding safety and acceptance that many don’t find within their families. Furthermore, I advocate for equal rights by being active in politics including voting for candidates that are pro-LGBTQ+ rights. Recently, I even went on record at my local school board’s meeting in support of safe and equal bathroom access for Trans students. Though these actions seem small, I hope they will have a rippling effect in my community and improve quality of life for many people.

All my life until I was 20, I swore that I was going to school to become a veterinarian. I have a love of animals and biological science and it drove me through high school and the first two years of undergraduate in college towards my lofty goal. However, as I progressed in my studies, the imposter syndrome set it and I began developing strong doubts about my ability to continue my career path. At my lowest point, I nearly dropped out in my third year of school; in a attempt to leave with any degree, I changed majors and moved off campus. Human Development was not a new topic for me, I had been working with young children for several years in preschool settings by that point, so it seemed the obvious choice. Suddenly I was thriving in my studies again, enjoying the work and looking forward to my classes. My GPA improved drastically, and my mental health improved. After graduation, I was able to use my degree to gain employment first in the government sector, then in a non-profit agency. I have been in the victim advocacy field for eight years and continue to thrive, with plans to further my education beginning this year with a master's degree. What started out as a desperate switch became a new course to a career that is meaningful to me, and I am happy, healthy, and have room for future growth.

Friendship is the family you chose to build. The relationships cultivated between friends are much different than ones from family members in that there are chosen. Families may be sources of positives interactions, but some may not. Friendships on the other hand are usually based on shared interests and can develop into deep supportive bonds. As a child, home was not always a safe place to be. However, I did know that I could always spend time with one of my friends at their homes. These are the people with who I felt refuge and relaxation. My friends also provided a sense of joy to my life in that we could have fun together, talk through the hard stuff, and feel supported as we grew. Now that we are adults, the relationships have grown and matured with us. Our focuses have changed as we have moved to new towns, married, and started families. Despite all this, my friends are still the people who would turn to each other at the drop of a hat in times of need. Friendships look very different across the spans of our lives but can also be defined by a shared bond of love and trust.

I am a perfectionist at my core and often struggle with my inability to live up to my own ridiculously high standards. In extreme cases I have made myself physically ill trying to keep up with all my demands. Over the past five years, I have gotten into distance running which has become my primary method of self-care. I run 4 to 5 days per week as part of my triathlon training and race several times throughout the year. These sessions vary is length and intensity depending on my needs. There are days when I need to burn on extra energy or anxiety and can run hard. Other days I just want to relax and spend time alone with my thoughts, so I take a slow steady pace. Time spent pounding the pavement (or treadmill) has become my therapy. Running has made me both physically and mentally stronger. In terms of nutrition, I have needed to learn how to eat properly to fuel my system for sessions and recovery after. Additionally, getting a consistent amount of exercise has significantly reduced my sleep insomnia. The training I complete over the week has improved my muscular and cardiovascular systems considerably since I started. My very first half marathon took 2 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Last year, I ran the same race in just under 2 hours and felt stronger than ever! From the time I jogged my first mile to where I am now, a three-time marathoner, I learned about the care I need for myself. Running has been an outlet and overall improved my quality of life.

“Growth mindset” is actually a new phrase to me, and it was my kindergarten aged daughter who taught me when she was lecturing her toddler sister about eating dinner. After doing a bit of research, I learned this concept can be described as an openness to learning and expanding your knowledge and skills. It turns out, this is something I was already practicing without realizing by remaining open to having new experiences. Throughout my teen and into early adult life, I have always enjoyed dance and taken classes when they were available. Ballet has been an interest for several years, but I have struggled finding a consistent studio to learn. About a year ago, I was able to enroll in an adult class and have progressed substantially. My instructor has placed me in a more advanced class since that time, and I admit it has been a struggle because I am trying to bridge the knowledge gap of what I have learned in my short time to catch up with the group. While I am currently behind my classmates, I know that if I continue working, I will see improvement. While this was a new term to learn, growth mindset is an approach I have held for quite some time, and it has allowed me to continue to grow as a person and have new experiences.

I take some issue with the phrase “good things come to those that wait” in that is implies no work is necessary to see results. That being said, patience is important to achieving goals in that it takes effort over prolonged periods of time to do so. When I first decided to attempt an Ironman, I knew I would have to commit to training and buildup for the event. This involved months of grueling sessions on a bike, running, and swimming everyday to prepare. What I did not expect, was that over-extended wait to be able to complete my goal in addition. My race opened for registration in late 2018 and was scheduled for almost two years later in August of 2020. Of course, we all know how that year went, and the race was postponed another year. And then the same thing happened in 2021. All the while, I continued to train which impacted my body and my availability for my other responsibilities. I was fortunate in that after the second cancellation, I found another race that was set for a similar time frame and was finally able to life my dream of completing an Ironman approximately 13 years after its inception. The feeling of finally crossing that finish line was indescribable triumph. Being patient is important because that is when you see the fruits of your labor grow and ripen. Much like an apple tree must first blossom in springtime, and then will spend months growing fruit which will be picked finally in the fall. While good things do come to those who wait, bigger and better things come to those who put in the work additionally.

As a highly influential figure, I would stand for kindness and understanding to children. The early years of our lives are critical and far-reaching as our brains are growing and learning at an incredible rate. This means we have great potential for growth, as well as susceptibility to trauma during childhood. Negative events and interactions during childhood (known as ACEs- Adverse Childhood Experiences) play a huge part in the development of humans as they grow. The impact of these incidents manifest within the person, as well as in the community as whole. Trauma during the formative years is linked to poorer physical and mental health, lower incomes, lower education levels, and increases risks of further victimization. In the societal view, childhood traumas are also linked with higher levels of criminal activity, homelessness, and poverty. By protecting children from these negatives, we impact the future stability of our communities. Children are not small adults; they are creatures who are constantly taking information in to learn about our world. Someday they too will the people making decisions and impacting our health as a society. It is vital that we give them the best tools to set them on a path to success, and to do so is in our collective best interest.

In my view, to be independent means having freedom to choose your actions. In my career, I work with victims of crime who have experienced having their power and control of their lives and bodies taken from them by another person. Many people who have been hurt, especially in romantic relationships, have been forced to become emotionally, physically, and financially dependent on their abuser. My role as a victim advocate is to provide options for my clients and then support them in whichever decision they make for their individual situations. For many people, having the choice to pick out their own clothes, decide to go to school or have a job, or even to seek professional help such as medical attention, are concepts that have been systemically stripped away from them. Independence in my own life comes from a place of experiencing an unsafe home as child like many of those I work with now. I know how it feels to not have a way out, so I have built my life in order to be able to support myself, and only cultivate relationships with people who are positive influences. I feel confident to make my own decisions carefully and live my life to its fullest, therefore I am independent.

I wear many hats in my daily life- employee, advocate, mom, homemaker, partner, and athlete. Each these roles have specific needs and responsibilities that take time and energy to complete. Often there is some overlap in the duties, but other times they conflict. That is why I love my ability to balance and be flexible in my life. Society expects women to work as if they do not have families, while also caring for their families as if they don’t work. It’s exhausting mentally and physically; it is also simply not realistic for the majority of people. Balance and flexibility are key to thrive in the impossible world I have found myself. Most days, I start with my to-do list of tasks to accomplish. As the time progresses, I usually end of having to prioritize what to finish, simply because there are not enough hours available. Given my perfectionist tendencies, it would be easy to mentally berate myself over what I haven’t finished. Instead, I have learned to complete what is reasonable depending on the day and to be okay with saving the remainder for the next. This has made my mental and physical health much better and improved the quality of my relationships with my spouse, and my children. I love that I have unlearned my rigidity and have developed into a person who can go with the flow to become a healthy and balanced person.

Active listening is a vital task in several of my roles in life; it is a skill that is necessary as an advocate, as a parent, and in relationships with my loved ones. The purpose of active listening is to truly engage in the conversation in order to understand what the person is saying, as well as what they are meaning. My children are both young and are therefore learning new words every day. Some they understand and some they may not and need assistance. In these instances, it is important for me to pay attention to what they are trying to communicate with me to develop some context. I can ask questions, have them repeat themselves, or offer examples of something they already know to make the connection. In addition, I set aside anything I am holding to demonstrate they have my focus. In my job as a victim advocate, I daily have conversations with clients that are private, complex, and often painful. Active listening at work means they have my full attention without distractions, that I am hearing what they are telling me to understand their needs and perspectives on their individual situations. In these interactions, I can also ask questions, repeat back in my own words what I heard, and utilize physical body language. These skills can apply to conversations with my friends, family, and even strangers. So much of our language and communication is not the words we use, but the way we express with our bodies and facial expressions, as well as the inflections we chose. Active listening means making the effort to take these factors into account to hear and understand what someone may be trying to tell us.

The best way to live a long and healthy life is to acknowledge and honor your inner child. Young children are full of wonder as they explore the world because every experience is new, and their brains are constantly taking in new information. When we become adults, we often get sucked into monotonous routines of jobs, financial responsibilities, and tasks at home. The drudgery of everyday life can be exhausting and does not leave much desire for adventure. It is important to develop and maintain a sense of fun in our lives, much like what we did when we were younger. This could look very different for each person- take up a new hobby, try something that seems a little scary, or go on a trip with friends. The point of embracing your inner child is not to accomplish something simply for the sake of being “productive.” This is not to say you should abandon your responsibilities, but an encouragement to find joy in your world. There is a key balance to be made between what we must do to survive, and what we choose to do in order to thrive.

Almost every little girl goes through a phase where they dream of growing up to be a ballerina- gliding across the stage in a tutu, twirling along with the music. I did not. For me, dance was not an interest at all until I was 7 years old and saw The Nutcracker for the first time. Even so, I was not able to start dancing until I reached High School age and joined my school’s performance group. Since that time, I have developed a true love of dancing and have explored several different types including jazz, hip-hop, Scottish Highland, and classic ballet. Scottish Highland is near and dear to my heart because of my heritage with Clan MacDonald. In my studies, I was able to learn the significance of the choreographies, costumes, and cultural importance of dance in the country’s history. I enjoyed traveling with my teammates and was able to compete events across the U.S. and Scotland. After moving away from home for college, I also took classes in ballet. Initially, there was a lot of cross over from steps in Highland and I began learning quickly. There are many differences in the tempo and the structure of the styles, so I have also enjoyed the ability to mix and match and be creative with my dancing. My studies in ballet continue to advance and I anticipate joining the coveted ranks of pointe dancers within the next year. My love of dancing is not limited to class, and I seize any opportunity to express myself with movement such as gliding and turning around the kitchen while making dinner. I intend to carry on with dancing as long as I am physically able to and look forward to passing on this passion to my own children and they grow.

At this point, I have 2 main goals for my near future- the first is to complete my second Ironman triathlon, and the next goal is to complete a master’s degree. I discovered triathlon in 2008 when volunteering on the bike course of a race with my dance team. For the following 13 years, I trained my ability to run, bike, and swim long distances in order to participate in a similar event. Last September, I was finally able to complete my first iron distance triathlon in just under 14 hours total. However, I am unsatisfied with my performance at the event due to a series of mishaps including ripping my (much needed) contact lenses, crashing on my bike, almost getting hit by a car, and being chased by a cow. I truly believe I can do better, so I am registered to compete in another race and am focusing my preparations to improve my time. Four weeks after my race, I am also starting a graduate program focusing on Human Services. Earning another degree is both a personal and professional goal. The skills and knowledge development during my coursework would allow me to further my career, as well as pursue my interests in my field. If I continue to manage my time and energy effectively, I anticipate being able to complete both goals within the next two years.

I have harnessed the power of the word “No.” Growing up and into my early adulthood, I was a complete people-pleasing danger to myself. I was constantly saying “yes” to far too many asks to the point it began to negatively impact my physical and mental health. During my undergraduate years, I was taking a full-time course load, working full time to support myself, and completing an additional internship which equated to a second part-time job. Between my requirements I was only averaging about 4 hours of sleep a night and struggling to function. One night some friends came over to visit and asked me to watch their young son. I desperately needed the time that evening to complete a project for a class, but instead took the child as requested which meant I had to pull a classic all-nighter to finish my work. The next week when the friends came back around and requested babysitting again was the first time had I ever told someone no. While my explanations of needing time to focus and sleep were very meek, it was a step in the healthy direction for me. In the years since, I have built up my confidence in being able to politely tell someone “No.” The people-pleasing voice in my head still exists and causes anxiety around these confrontations, even when the other person is understanding, however. Dealing with other who are not respectful of my personal boundaries has been my greatest hurdle. I will admit some of these situations are downright painful to deal with, but the reward is knowing I am able to give my best self to those that love me. This ability to pick and choose what actions I take have opened possibilities to live my fullest life on my terms.

I was the victim of a kidnapping the age of 4. I have vivid memories of being freezing cold in my nightgown in the back of my dad’s vehicle after he took me despite not having custody of me at the time. The next day my mom picked me up from preschool and my dad was in jail. My father has struggled with addiction since adolescence, and it has negatively impacted his relationships and ability to parent. I witnessed abuse of my mom, my siblings, animals, lived in fear for much of my childhood. As an adult, I have taken my experiences with growing up in a dysfunctional situation and built a career of helping others in similar environments. For the past 8 years, I have been working as a victim advocate, assisting survivors of partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and a multitude of other interpersonal crimes. I have a deep empathy and ability to connect with my clients because I have been where they are. This also gives me the unique position to guild them out of their situations to build better lives. When I became a parent, I made choices on how I wanted to interact with my own children to avoid continuing the pattern of abuse. There are times when it is a struggle to avoid learned behaviors, but I have a great support system in my extended family. My goal is to be the kind of person who would never put a child in a situation where they too are scared, cold, and confused like I was that fateful night.

I think we, as humans, can all agree the last couple of years have been rough! Between the uncertainty of a new contagion, major economic fluctuations, and political upheaval, our society has definitely been tested. Throughout these trying times, I found that looking for benefits and new opportunities within the circumstances is uplifting. For example, over the past two years I have seen people come together to boost their communities in substantial ways. New organizations were launched to support public needs, and it is clear these initiatives did somewhat soften the collective blow of the pandemic. In my community, a non-profit organization began a new program to deliver lunches to children when schools closed. These efforts resulted in tangible benefits to society as a direct result of the public need. In my personal life, I have tried to apply the same approach of meeting the needs as best I can. Food production and supply line interruptions have negatively impacted the typical stock at grocery stores. While this has been frustrating, it has also forced me to be creative with meal planning and preparation. I have been able to experiment with ingredients I wouldn’t typically buy, search out new novel recipes, and even create some of my own. A few of these attempts have flopped, but others were very successful. In this way, my optimism stems from an understanding that good things can come from bad situations.

My dream life involves traveling the globe and exploring the wonders of the wonders. On every continent, there are major landmarks, as well as man-made structures that all hold major significance in humanity’s shared history. In the summer after I graduated high school, I had the opportunity to spend ten days visiting Scotland. During this time, I was able to travel across the country visiting important sites and learning about the rich history of the Highlanders by touring castles, ruins, small villages, bustling cities, attending events, tasting the local fair, and listening to stories of residents. Despite having full days throughout my entire trip, I still only got to experience a minute of what Scotland had to offer. Humans have been shaping their environments for at least the past 10,000 years creating complex societies with unique and beautiful structures. Every country on the planet has signature architecture and natural features that impact their daily lives and cultural practices. If money and time where no objects, I would spend my life simply trekking around the globe and learn about human history. I imagine myself hiking up the mountain sides to Machu Pichu, visiting Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice, sketching Paleolithic cave drawings at Lascaux, or maybe browsing bookshelves in ancient libraries. The variety of options in sites to visit, and history to learn is literally unlimited.

My career is a path I have chosen in order to make a positive impact on the world by serving my community. For the past 8 years, I have been working as an advocate for survivors of violence such as sexual assault, domestic abuse, child abuse, as well as other nonviolent crimes. Individuals who have experienced victimization are often left with few resources or hope in the aftermath; my role is to help them pick up the pieces to rebuild their lives. My goal as an advocate is to provide all of the information and support someone needs to feel empowered moving on in their life. While this may seem like an insurmountable task some days, other days it is as simple as answering a crisis phone call with an empathetic listening ear. I can’t solve every problem in someone’s life, but I can help fill out a confusing document to access a needed service. Most days, it really comes down to the simple things that seem to make the biggest impact in my clients’ outlooks. Furthermore, many people who receive advocacy services refer their loved ones to my agency for assistance in turn. This domino effect allows us to reach a wide array of people within our community. Abuse negatively impacts individual and public health. It is my goal as a victim advocate to assist people in my community escape unhealthy situations, and create a ripple effect of improvement to safety for the world at large.

My favorite piece of art is a performative composition- George Balanchine’s ballet The Nutcracker. When I was seven years old, my aunt took me to my first ballet performance at the Fox Theater. I remember the beautiful velvet ropes and covered chairs, the buildup of music, and curtain rising to reveal the opening scene. Before leaving that evening, my aunt bought me my very own nutcracker that is still a key piece in holiday décor over 20 years later. This performance was my introduction to ballet and dance in general. It is a beautiful story of a little girl who shows kindness to a simple toy, and embarks on an adventure through a magical land of sweets on Christmas Eve. The choreography throughout the show involves solo performances, partner acts, and groups to draw the viewer in to the story and immerse you like a dream. The costumes are vibrant colors and patterns to represent the various treats and savory beverages and stand out on stage. I was inspired to begin taking class for dance a few years after, and have continued to the present. My love of dance in general began at this show and still influences me today. The Nutcracker also holds a special place in my heart because of its association with Christmas. Watching this show at least once a year makes the holidays feel complete to me. In turn, I hope to pass on this love of art to my own daughters. My oldest watched The Nutcracker with me for the first time this past year, and has told me that she wants to keep taking ballet classes also so she can be in the show when she is old enough. Balanchine’s creation is nearing its 70th anniversary, but is a timeless piece to me.

Joy is an act of pure rebellion against established systems; it is a choice to just be. Finding joy is not some epic quest, it is just to simply be in the moment and truly appreciate all of those little enjoyments in your life. To me, joy means you are allowing yourself to let go of any preconceived notions, restrictions, or reservations, and to simply feel happy. In my daily routine, there are many stressors including an emotionally draining job, trying to parent young children, make sure our house is clean, and al the bills get paid on time. The monotony of everyday life is the antithesis of joy. Therefore, I must make an active decision to enjoy the little things in my life, like when my daughters wake up extra early to come snuggle in bed with me or have a few minutes to quiet my brain while walking my dogs. I also seek out joy in knowing I have worked my hardest to accomplish a goal I set for myself- like spending 7 months training to complete an Ironman triathlon. Joy was the feeling of crossing the finish line after swimming, cycling, and running for almost 14 hours. Joy is the changing seasons, as the sun melts away the cold winter months and brings about fresh spring blossoms and warms the lake for summer swimming. Joy is a promise of what is possible when you allow life to happen.

There are many benefits to living in rural towns such as a variety of small businesses to shop, quiet streets where children are safe to ride their bikes and exchanging baked goods with your neighbors during the holiday season. The unfortunate flip side to this is that homophobia and transphobia tend to run rampant among the population of small towns Recently, our local school district had been discussing the need to update policies around bathroom usage for increased accessibility for Trans/Gender Nonconforming students, and the waves are rage throughout the community were shocking to say the least. The school board set a date to hear public opinion and vote on a policy update. For weeks leading up the hearing, the news and local social media pages were filled with vitriol aimed at children who had the audacity to exist and need to relieve themselves. At one point, I simply removed myself from the groups because I just couldn’t handle it. When the day of the meeting arrived, I attended my very first school board meeting along with my coworkers, all of us covered in various LGBTQ+ pride pins. I watched as a line of people from all over our county took turns on the podium, spewing the same hateful rhetoric I had been hearing for weeks. As angry as I was at the whole situation, I switch flipped somewhere deep inside when a faith leader took the stand and began to preach against the policy updates using the Bible as a backbone for his argument. It was at that point I stood up and got in line to speak also, with almost no thought in my brain of what I would say. Stepping to the podium, I made an impassioned plea to the school board to update the policy and make bathrooms accessible to actual children. I somehow found the strength to blatantly express my disgust with the Transphobia in the community and made direct eye contact with the religious man as I pointed out the Bible also instructs us to love one another without limitations. To this day, I don’t know how I made it through my talk without crying. Fortunately, two other people took turns at the podium to argue in favor of the proposed policy update and the board finally voted unanimously to enact the change. Prior to this event, I had always thought of myself as non-confrontational- I would often back down from conflict in order to “keep the peace.” Since then, I have grown in my ability to stand up for others and for myself. On social media, I had curated a non-political image by limiting what pages I followed and content I interacted with. Now I am share, comment, and like marginalized-focused materials without out abandon. I am also much bolder in talking to my family and friends about microaggressions and setting personal boundaries that I had previously let slide to my detriment. I may still live in a rural town and have to deal with some attitudes that seem backwards, but at least I can continue to make small changes in myself and influence those around me.

I work as a victim advocate and help survivors of crimes in the aftermath. To say I see the worst of what people are capable of doing to one another is an understatement; it is emotionally and physically draining. What keeps me going everyday are the little victories of my clients. In shows like “Law and Order,” victims are shown to often get swift justice by coordinated efforts between police and prosecution. Rarely does this look like reality. More frequently I have clients waiting for months, or years for resolutions in criminal cases. However, many more survivors are able to obtain other remedies on their own, and it is my job to help them navigate confusing and bureaucratic systems. Some of the biggest victories seem minuscule compared to tv, but they have real world impact in safety and success. Resources such as a safe shelter for the night, a hand to hold at the hospital, a judge granting a protection order, directions to the food bank, or even just validation of what someone has experienced can completely change a person’s outlook and life trajectory. Empowering my clients to take charge of and alter their own lives for the better is my daily motivation.

Of the various categories of love languages, the one I am most comfortable expressing myself in is giving gifts. I often find myself at a loss to put into words the way someone makes me feel. However, I am always able to find or create that special something to demonstrate what I can't say. I am quite artistic and enjoy the process of creating. This is especially true when events like Christmas are approaching. Every December, I spend multiple days baking countless cookies and other sweet treats for my neighbors and mail to my extended family. I also have a tradition of hand making personalized ornaments for my close friends and family. The time, thought, and energy put into these simple items gives them a deeper meaning. Birthdays, baby showers, weddings, and graduations are also opportunities to show my loved ones care and appreciation. In the past few years, I have lost track of the baby blankets sewed and personalized home decor I have painted. The effort of coming up with the right idea for the right person is completely worth it when I see the look on their faces. Although it has fallen out of popularity, I also always try to find a greeting card to match each person on their special day. Furthermore, I reject the idea of giving gifts to show love as materialistic. The entire goal is to show your support of that person by validating their likes, needs, interests, or hobbies. Giving gifts as a share of affection is a way I can show my understanding of my friends and family as unique individuals.

The trait I have discovered in myself that has been invaluable in perusing my goals is that I have persistence, bordering on stubbornness. I have had two major goals in my life, and it has taken every ounce of persistence in my being to be able to accomplish them. The first major academic goal was to complete my undergraduate degree in Human Development. While in school, I was enrolled in a full time course load while simultaneously employed 40 hours per week. Towards the end of my program, I was required to complete a 300 hour practicum on top of already over-extended schedule. Despite the sometimes overwhelming demands, I was able to push through, one day at a time, and successfully complete my Degree with honors. My major personal goal has been to complete an Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run in under 17 hours). I spent the entirety of 2021 training for upwards of 15 hours each week to prepare for a single day event. On race day, I swam, cycled, and ran through my literal blood, sweat, and tears for just under 14 hours before crossing the finish line. The elation was worth every bit of pain and sacrifice I had made over the previous year. Looking ahead, I am enrolled to begin a Master’s degree in the field of Human Services later this year. Between the needs of my family, my career and taking on new coursework, I know careful time-management and my persistent mindset will be necessary to be successful.

At the age of 16, I was just the stereotypical book-worm student you could expect to see in any teenage sitcom. Washington State has a program called Running Start in which high school students can enroll in college courses at no cost that also count towards their graduation requirements. I was a high achieving student, and at the time my plan was to complete a STEM undergraduate degree before applying to Veterinary School. Therefore it made sense for me to participate in Running Start at my community college, which I did and was able to complete my Associate of Arts degree at the same time as completing High School. These two years were incredibility enjoyable because I was able to feel challenged and had a much wider variety of subject matter to select from. My first year of undergraduate work was when my entire career path flipped on its head. I had been accepted into my dream school to study Animal Sciences and was counting the days until the beginning of the term. However, when classes did begin I quickly found myself struggling mentally and academically. I had been a top student growing up, and could not understand why I was not enjoying or absorbing the material like my peers were despite working as hard as I had in my entire life. I continued to push through the work for another year and a half despite having no clear career path anymore. Desperate for any light at the end of my tunnel, I went looking at other programs my school had to offer, including one a classmate had mentioned as his wife’s field of study. Looking through the material guides, I found myself drawn in and applied to change majors to Human Development in the following semester. Suddenly, I was flying through my studies and looking forward to the learning like I had previously. Over the next year and a half, I continued to improve my grades and overall health; I even graduated Magna Cum Laude! I had been working while in school, however I was faced with finding a new career after my husband’s job needed us to move to a new town; fortunately, I was able to use my newly minted degree to find secure a position quickly. While continuing my education remained in the back of my mind, our priorities shifted as we our family began to grow. Now that our children are old enough to be in school themselves, I feel that it is finally an opportune time to begin my graduate studies. Currently, I am employed as an Advocate for victims of crime at a non-profit agency. I have been in this field for the past 8 years and truly feel I have found my niche while also contributing to my community. Looking ahead, my macro-level goal as a professional would be to develop the skills and knowledge to become an effective program administrator at my agency. Ultimately, I hope to fill a role in ensuring program sustainability and continued availability of services in my community. In order to make my professional goal possible, I have decided to enroll in a Master’s degree in the field of Human Services which will begin in September of this year.

My main hobby is training for, and racing in triathlon. Although I do enjoy competing in shorter races, my main distance in known as “Ironman”. For those unfamiliar- iron distance triathlons are ultra-endurance events consisting of a 2.4 mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, and finished with a 26.2 mile run within a time limit of 17 hours. These races are designed to push athletes to their physical, and mental, limitations. Endurance sports were not something that came naturally to me; in fact I could barely run a single mile when I signed up for my first race. For the prior 10 years, my focus had actually been on various schools of dance- Scottish Highland, ballet, and aerial arts. However, after the birth of my first child, I had to find an activity that I could make fit my schedule versus working around set class times. Triathlon had caught my attention as a teen, but I had not attempted it before. Luckily, there is an annual Olympic distance triathlon held in my hometown and I was able to find a relatively generic training plan online and signed up on a whim. As a side note- I do actually still dance ballet twice a week. I have always enjoys the artistry and find that the control and flexibility learned in class have benefited my racing with strength and injury prevention. Racing triathlons is incredibility enjoyable because it is multi-faceted. Not only are you racing against the other participants, but you are also racing against yourself. Most athletes carefully track their own personal best times for each distance category, and every event is a chance to break that and set a new standard for yourself. Additionally, the race itself is a mental battle. Each segment of the race has its own challenges, and in truth, can be quite painful depending on how hard an athlete pushes their body. Every stroke of the arm, cycle of the bike pedal, and footstep, is another decision to continue on despite the body’s begging to cease. Being a working mother means I wear many proverbial hats- I care for my family, home, and provide individualized services to my clients. This cognitive juggling act can be taxing on my mental health. Training for my races gives me the breaks I need to reset my brain and boost my energy levels. Getting out of the house to run, swim at my local pool, or go for a bike ride down the county roads provides the opportunity to simply breathe and enjoy how my body feels. Additionally, the triathlon community has been incredibly welcoming and I have been able to build a network of supportive people by joining a racing team. Racing triathlons is a niche sport, but I have found it to be invaluable to maintaining my physical and mental health since becoming involved.

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received came from my Godparents. While it may seem small, this bit of wisdom has been useful in helping me to navigate several difficult situations throughout my life- always keep $20 in your wallet. When I was still an adolescent my Godparents made sure to always provide me with the money, and as an adult I continue to follow their advice as a fail safe. While it is extremely uncommon in today’s retail world, there are still examples of cash only businesses that exist. There have been a few instances where I have found myself needing to use my emergency stash- once was a very simple lunch while on the road for work and my teammate wanted to stop and eat at a roadside hamburger stand. The other incident however, was a potentially dangerous situation in which my husband and I were on a long road trip and needed fuel for our car in the middle of the night. However, the only gas station available was also a cash only business. Furthermore, this my Godparents have always encouraged the idea that as a young woman, I should be able to be self-sufficient so that I have the ability to leave any situation which may be unsafe. Their $20 tidbit applied to a situation when I was only 18 years old where a good friend set me up on a blind date for Valentines. Although he started out pleasant enough, this fellow began making comments that made me feel extremely uncomfortable and seemed potentially dangerous. Fortunately, I was able to slip my emergency fund to our server and slip out to safety. Advice such as this show how even relatively small amounts can have a large impact

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received came from my Godparents. While it may seem small, this bit of wisdom has been useful in helping me to navigate several difficult situations throughout my life- always keep $20 in your wallet. When I was still an adolescent my Godparents made sure to always provide me with the money, and as an adult I continue to follow their advice as a fail-safe. While it is extremely uncommon in today’s retail world, there are still examples of cash only businesses that exist. There have been a few instances where I have found myself needing to use my emergency stash- once was a very simple lunch while on the road for work and my teammate wanted to stop and eat at a roadside hamburger stand. The other incident however, was a potentially dangerous situation in which my husband and I were on a long road trip and needed fuel for our car in the middle of the night. However, the only gas station available was also a cash only business. Furthermore, this my Godparents have always encouraged the idea that as a young woman, I should be able to be self-sufficient so that I have the ability to leave any situation which may be unsafe. Their $20 tidbit applied to a situation when I was only 18 years old where a good friend set me up on a blind date for Valentines. Although he started out pleasant enough, this fellow began making comments that made me feel extremely uncomfortable and seemed potentially dangerous. Fortunately, I was able to slip my emergency fund to our server and slip out to safety. Advice such as this show how even relatively small amounts can have a large impact

The biggest issue facing our world today in childhood traumas, referred to as ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). The CDC describes ACEs as “potentially traumatic experiences, such as neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, and having a family member attempt or die by suicide, that occur in childhood.” While children of lower socioeconomic and other marginalized groups may be at greater risk, no child is completely immune from experiencing life-altering trauma. Long term effects of these incidents puts children at greater risk of developing mental illness, substance abuse, and further victimization. Additionally, childhood trauma has the potential to be carried on into adult life and repeated in mal-adaptive parenting styles. In terms of a societal view, these risk factors also contribute to increased criminal activity, increased risk of homelessness, poverty, and physical illness, when left unaddressed. Therefore, ACEs not only negatively impact the individuals, but communities as a whole. The most effective tool to combat the effects of ACEs is to support the wide-spread public availability of trauma-informed mental health services for all ages. The goal of this approach would be to address the long-term effects of trauma in adults, as well as to mitigate the trauma responses before they become chronic in children. Funding programs to provide this service would reduce public-spending needs in areas of criminal justice, poverty response, and health care. While we cannot completely eliminate the factors that lead to ACEs, we have an opportunity to alter the way we respond to benefit our society by caring for our most vulnerable members. Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Risk and Protective Factors |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 5 Jan. 2021, www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/riskprotectivefactors.html.

At this exact moment, I am assisting my 5 year old in creating her "soup" consisting of dried marshmallows, sprinkles, and crushed pretzels. Later this afternoon, I will mentally and emotionally prepare to potentially intervene in a life-altering crisis. My life is a constant balance of being at home to care for my two daughters and maintain our home, while also working from home most nights and weekends. I am employed at a non-profit called Rural Resources Victim services (commonly referred to as RRVS locally). Our aim as an agency is to provide victim advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and several other interpersonal crimes. I have been involved in assisting victims since 2014, originally as a court appointed advocate for children removed from their homes by CPS. Following the birth of my first child, I transitioned to a position at a community-based advocacy provider where I remain today. This field has been immensely influential in how I view the world in terms of human interactions, as well as the way we as people interact with systems. At RRVS, one of the most commonly provided services we can offer our clients is referrals to other agencies in order to create a wrap-around of support. Systems can often be difficult to navigate, especially when a person is in the midst of a crisis. This means that as an advocate, I must be well versed in what resources might be available in our community, how to access them, as well as how to eliminate any barriers a survivors might encounter. Part of my professional development included reading a book titled "Why Does He Do That?" by Lundy Bancroft. Bancroft, a pioneer in the field of perpetrator treatment, explains how connection to people and community supports can be a factor in decreasing incidents in partner violence. Information gleaned in this book is what has inspired me to continue my education. My goal as a professional include ensuring my community continues to receive much needed services including intervention and prevention of future violence. In order to support my goal- I have enrolled in a Masters of Human Services program, with a specific focus on the non-profit sector. I believe the skills and knowledge gained in my studies will be applicable to the sustainability of RRVS and therefore ensure continuation of invaluable services for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your consideration.