One of the biggest problems in our society is that not all students get the same quality of education. Where a student lives, how much money their family has, or their background often decides how good their education will be. That’s not fair, and it’s something I want to help change. I believe every child deserves a good education, no matter their situation. That’s why I’ve focused my time and energy on fighting educational inequality in my community. My work started by volunteering as a tutor at a public school in a neighborhood that doesn’t get enough support. At first, I was just helping with homework once a week. But it quickly became more than that. I got to know the students and saw how much they were struggling not because they weren’t smart, but because they didn’t have the tools or resources they needed. Many didn’t have computers or internet access at home. Some didn’t have a quiet place to study. Others were missing basic support like counseling or after school help. This experience pushed me to do more. I teamed up with a local nonprofit to create a weekend learning program for middle school students. We focus on science, technology, engineering, and math subjects that often don’t get enough attention in underfunded schools. But our workshops aren’t just about teaching facts. We try to make learning exciting and give students confidence in their abilities. We also teach them how to think critically, solve problems, and work together skills they can use throughout their lives. One thing that makes our program special is that it’s run by older students. High schoolers volunteer to teach and guide the younger kids. This helps both groups. The younger students get role models who are close to their age, and the older students grow as leaders. It also helps create a strong sense of community. Many of the younger students are more comfortable asking questions and participating when they see someone who looks like them and understands their experiences. Outside of tutoring and workshops, I also try to make a difference by speaking up at school board meetings and working with teachers and parents. I push for fairer funding for schools and better access to support services like counselors and special education programs. I believe that while helping students directly is important, we also need to change the systems that hold them back. Real change happens when both the community and decision-makers work together. Doing this work has taught me a lot. It’s not always easy, and change doesn’t happen overnight. But even small wins like a student saying they finally understand a topic, or a teen mentor deciding to become a teacher make it all worth it. I’ve learned that solving big problems starts with showing up, listening, and doing the work alongside others. In the future, I hope to grow our weekend program and bring it to more neighborhoods. I also want to keep pushing for better education policies that treat all students fairly. For now, I’m focused on making a difference right here, where I live. I believe that if we want a fairer and stronger society, we need to start by giving every child the chance to succeed—not by luck, but because we made sure the system works for everyone.

“Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, seashores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than into his own soul, particularly when he has within him such thoughts that by looking into them he is immediately in perfect tranquility; and I affirm that tranquility is nothing else than the good ordering of the mind.” In this paragraph from Meditations, Marcus Aurelius directly challenges a deeply ingrained human habit: the belief that peace must be found outside of oneself. He observes that people often seek tranquility by escaping their daily lives whether that means fleeing to a quiet villa in the countryside, resting by the seashore, or climbing into the stillness of the mountains. These desires reflect the hope that a change of scenery can cure the unrest that afflicts the mind. However, Marcus argues that this tendency is not a mark of wisdom but rather a sign of the "most common sort of men." This phrase is not just a social judgment but a philosophical critique. It reflects a misunderstanding of where peace truly originates. For Marcus, the search for external escape misses the point entirely true serenity is not something found in the world around us, but something cultivated within the mind. This idea flips the normal way people think about rest and renewal. While most believe that peace requires removing oneself from chaos, Marcus asserts that the real retreat the only one that truly works is inward. The wise do not rely on outside conditions to feel calm; instead, they develop an internal world that is stable, rational, and self sufficient. In doing so, Marcus speaks directly to the Stoic tradition, which emphasizes self mastery and reason as the foundation of a good life. According to this philosophy, external events are beyond our control and therefore not proper grounds for happiness or suffering. What matters is how we respond, and that response begins in the mind. The heart of Marcus’s argument is found in his claim “it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself.” This statement puts full responsibility for peace onto the individual. Unlike physical retreats, which depend on money, time, and opportunity, the inward retreat is available at any moment and to every person. It requires no travel, no special resources only the choice to focus inward, to pause and examine one’s thoughts with clarity and care. This is where the Stoic emphasis on autonomy becomes clear. We may not control the world, but we always control how we relate to it through our thoughts, values, and inner reasoning. Marcus then makes one of his most powerful claims “tranquility is nothing else than the good ordering of the mind.” Here, he redefines peace in a way that runs counter to popular ideas. Peace is not the absence of noise, stress, or responsibility; it is not emotional dullness or a forced calm. Rather, peace is the result of training the mind to stay ordered, rational, and aligned with nature. A well ordered mind is one in which thoughts are governed by reason, not by impulse, fear, or desire. Such a person can face the world with equanimity because they do not depend on external events to determine their inner state. Ultimately, this passage is not a soft meditation on how to feel relaxed it is a call to inner discipline. Marcus is making a demanding claim: peace is something we must actively practice, not something we can passively find. He writes this not as an abstract philosopher, but as a Roman emperor burdened with power, conflict, and endless responsibility. Yet even at the top of the social and political world, Marcus insists that the real challenge is not ruling an empire, but ruling oneself. This is the core paradox of Stoicism: the highest freedom is not power over others, but mastery over one's own mind. In this sense, the only empire that truly matters is the one we build within.

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.