My name is Isabella Kalminson, and I am a senior at Hot Springs High School. My family moved to this town 19 years ago, and growing up here has shaped who I am today. My parents have always been a great source of inspiration; my father earned a Bachelor’s in engineering, and my mother is currently pursuing a master's degree in speech pathology. For most of my life, I wasn’t sure what career path to take, but that changed when I interned at our local hospital. This opportunity sparked my interest in the medical field, and after researching radiology, I’m now excited and motivated to pursue a career as a radiologic technician. Throughout high school, I’ve been actively involved in sports and extracurricular activities. I’ve played varsity soccer and tennis since freshman year and plan to continue playing tennis in college, whether on a team or a club. Sports have not only taught me discipline and time management but also allowed me to develop skills I can apply in every part of my life. Tennis, in particular, is a sport I love, and I’m eager to keep growing in it while pursuing my academic and career goals. In addition to sports, my academic journey has been one of growth and discovery. I’ve taken various classes that have helped me improve as a learner. In English, I’ve used my imagination to interpret works like Shakespeare and poetry, considering multiple meanings and perspectives. In coding, I’ve learned problem-solving skills, especially when debugging code. These experiences have shown me the importance of participation and engagement in learning, as I believe even small contributions can enhance my understanding of the material. Having goals is a powerful motivator, and I am committed to working hard to achieve mine. I understand that challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but I approach failure with a positive mindset. When things don’t go as planned, I accept my mistakes, learn from them, and look for ways to improve, whether as an individual or as part of a team. I strive to maintain a positive attitude even when things don’t work out, and I’m always looking for ways to grow from these experiences. Trust and reliability are key values I hold in every aspect of my life. Whether at my job at a restaurant, where my coworkers depend on me to perform my duties efficiently, or as captain of the tennis team, where I show up early to practice and help my teammates improve, I take pride in being someone others can rely on. I believe being dependable and a positive influence is crucial in both work and leadership roles. Balancing school, extracurriculars, a job, and my internship has been challenging, but it has taught me valuable time management skills. As an officer in the SkillsUSA club, I have had to juggle my responsibilities, prioritize tasks, and manage my time effectively. Despite the challenges, I have earned recognition for my hard work, including medals in tennis tournaments, honor roll placements, and certificates in martial arts. With the opportunities I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned, I am excited for my future. I believe that with support, I can achieve great things as a radiologic technician and continue to make a positive impact in my community. This town has provided me with so many opportunities, and I am grateful for everything that has shaped my path. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship, and I look forward to the future ahead.

As a senior at Hot Springs High School, I have come to understand the importance of giving back to the community that has supported me throughout my life. Over the years, I’ve participated in various activities aimed at improving our town, whether through my involvement in clubs or personal initiatives. Giving back is not just about making a difference in the moment—it’s about creating lasting, positive change that benefits others. Through my work with SkillsUSA, helping maintain a clean environment, supporting local shelters, and organizing school resources, I’ve gained a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that I’m contributing to the betterment of my community. One of the most meaningful ways I’ve been able to give back is through my participation in SkillsUSA, a club that focuses on developing leadership skills, teamwork, and community service. As a member of this organization, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in multiple service projects that directly impact our community. Through SkillsUSA, I’ve worked alongside my peers to organize and participate in events that help clean up and improve the town. For example, we recently worked together to pick up trash around our school grounds. Not only did this improve the cleanliness of our campus, but it also created a sense of pride in our school environment. It’s amazing how a simple act of cleaning up can make such a difference in the way people feel about their surroundings and their community. Another way I’ve contributed is by helping to clean our local school closet. The closet is a valuable resource for students in need of supplies, such as clothing, hygiene products, and school materials. It was important to me to ensure that the space was organized and accessible to everyone who might need it. By volunteering my time and effort to clean and arrange the closet, I helped make sure that students could easily find what they needed. This experience reinforced the idea that small acts of service can create a supportive, caring environment for others. In addition to school-related initiatives, I’ve also been involved with our local animal shelter. I’ve helped collect donations of food, supplies, and other necessities to support the shelter’s mission. I’ve seen firsthand how important these contributions are, especially for shelters that rely heavily on the generosity of the community. Animals in need deserve care and attention, and by assisting the shelter, I’m able to contribute to their well-being. Helping those who cannot help themselves, whether it’s through a local animal shelter or another cause, has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has shown me how small efforts, like gathering donations or raising awareness, can have a significant impact on improving lives.

In work, school, sports and life, I find it important that others can trust me and can rely on me. While working at a restaurant, my coworkers depend on me to do my job so that their job is easier. I have been told many times by my coworkers that they are happy when I come into work, because I do my job quickly and well. As the captain of the HSHS tennis team, I have to be someone my team can rely on and look up to. I am early to practice, I show the team that I am there for them, and I am there to help them improve. Being involved in various organizations and teams is probably one of my favorite things about being in high school. Although being involved is amazing, there are struggles such as time management. Keeping up with school, being in a club (Skills USA) as an officer, on top of working at a restaurant, my internship at the hospital, and tennis practice. Managing all these things is hard, so I always think about what is something I should prioritize and what I don’t prioritize as much, and go from there. I have earned many awards from school and outside activities. I have received certificates in Martial Arts for earning belts yellow to brown. I have participated in lots of tennis tournaments, in each tournament I have won a medal. In school I have earned many Honor Rolls for my grades. Through my involvement in SkillsUSA, community service, and athletics, I have had the opportunity to grow both as an individual and as a contributing member of my community. Each of these experiences has shaped my understanding of leadership, teamwork, and the importance of service. They have instilled in me a sense of responsibility and a desire to continue helping others for years to come. My journey is far from over, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact, knowing that the true value of community involvement lies not in the recognition we receive, but in the lives we touch along the way. Sports have also given me the opportunity to serve as a leader. As a player on both teams, I understand the responsibility that comes with being a role model. I strive to lead by example, encouraging my teammates, supporting them through challenges, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment. These leadership experiences have helped me realize that being involved in the community is not just about taking part in activities, but about influencing others in a positive way and encouraging them to be their best selves.