In 2017 my sister attempted suicide, although she did not actually physically die that day, I ended up losing my sister. Because of her attempt, she no longer was the sister that I knew, and she no longer cared about me. This all happened when I was 10 so I was too young to understand the implications of that day fully. Soon after she attempted, she went to college. After she went to college she got married to someone abusive, leading her never to visit or communicate with us. So although she did not die, part of her did, and my relationship with her did. This attempt has helped me focus on what's most important in life, family. My other familial relationships have been fostered over the years to be so strong. My mom and I have an amazing relationship, where she helps me through everything. My other sister and I are incredibly close, she is about to have a baby and I cannot wait to be an auntie to my little niece or nephew! The loss of my sister has helped me focus on fighting to achieve more awareness of mental health, especially in chronically ill kids. I am going to college for a psychology degree, to become a child life specialist later. I am going to fight for other families so that they do not have to go through what my family had to go through. Although losing my sister has been very difficult, it has helped shape who I am and has helped me have so much motivation to fight suicide in my community and the world.

I have struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would always be terrified to go to new places because I was so anxious. I also would go through bouts of depression since I was very little. These times of depression made it so I would lose friends because they were too young to understand what was going on. I also had fits of anger which were larger than what was normal for my age. when I was this little I had no coping skills except to close myself in my room. One of the biggest things that had an impact on my mental health was when my sister attempted to take her own life. This event happened in 2016 but is something I still struggle with. around the same time this happened, I started to have a lot of health issues. These two things combined made me fall into a very dark time of depression. I felt completely isolated and like my sister because I was not a good enough sister. This was a very difficult time. I was suicidal and was pretty much unable to do anything because I was so depressed. I was also so anxious I would have anxiety attacks multiple times a day, these were normally caused by flashbacks to the day of my sister's attempt or to invasive medical tests and procedures I had done. This battle of depression and anxiety lasted until the middle of 2023. In 2021 I started a romantic relationship with someone I barely knew. This relationship caused all my mental health problems to get a lot worse. I also developed severe anorexia nervosia because of this relationship. I was constantly told I was not enough and that I should lose weight and just get over my depression. this caused things to get a lot worse. I started to pretty much not eat. It got really bad and my mom finally noticed that I was losing weight so I was able to get into an eating disorder clinic. I now am weight restored and in remission. I finally got in to see a therapist that would help me work through my trauma. This has helped my mental health so much. I now have many coping skills. The main coping skills that I use are a handout that my therapist gave me that is a triangle that helps me work through my thoughts, find toys, and have exciting things to look forward to every week. whether that exciting thing is going to get a soda or going to a concert. My main goal for the future revolves around my career. I am going to college to pursue a degree in psychology to pursue becoming a child life specialist. I want to become a child life specialist to help kids through medical procedures that can be difficult. I never had the blessing of having a child life specialist when I was in eh hospital, so I want to make sure that any kid who needs to go through so many medical tests is supported and does not feel as scared. Another goal I have for the future is to get married and have kids. Although this is a basic goal I am very passionate about it. Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a mom. Even though I have had many mental health challenges, I am in a spot now where I am able to look forward to the future ahead of me.

Reading is something that takes me into a whole new universe. As someone who has limited mobility reading helps me go on adventures I know I'll never be able to take. The book that I would have everyone in the world read would be Divergent by Veronica Roth. This book is amazingly creative and keeps my full attention on the book. This book is filled with amazing and daring adventures. Divergent has taught me many things. Although it seems like just another young adult fiction book, this book has a lot of hidden lessons that it teaches. One of the biggest lessons it taught me is how to venture from your comfort zone even when it goes against your family's wishes. As someone who has grown up in a Baptist home my life can feel very abnegation at times. The way that Tris decides to go to the faction Dauntless, shows me that I can venture from my sort of abnegation life, and follow my hopes and dreams Another thing that this book taught me is that just because you are different does not mean you are necessarily bad. As someone who has over ten disabilities, it can help to see that although Tris is different then most people in the city, she can use this to save other people. This is very helpful for me. I can see that even though I might be different, I have the power to make changes to my community. These values that I have listed have made a personal impact in my life, but I believe this book could also make this sort of impact in others' lives. Even if one cannot see the values that the book has in it, it is a very fun and interesting book to read. Reading opens doors widens horizons and makes an impact on our lives, because of this if I could have anyone in the world read Divergent I absolutely would.

Being a part of the disabled community has impacted almost all of my views of the world. I have over 10 disabilities. My main disability is a rare disease called classic Ehler danlos syndrome. This disability is genetic, so I have always had it. My symptoms did not start until I was about ten though. When I first got diagnosed I struggled to accept the fact that it was a disability. When I finally accepted it, I was able to realize that although I am not completely perfect because of my disabilities I am completely worthy of being a person and taking up room in the world. The disabled community has made it so I no longer see myself as the teen who has some sort of plague and is different. I can be seen as me despite of my disabilities. Another thing that being part of the disabled community has made a difference in my worldview is how I see others. Before I was a part of the community, I tended to judge people based on how they physically looked. Now I don't mean discriminating against people in wheelchairs, but because I was young I did not understand that not all disabilities are visible. This is something that is a common phrase but I had not heard it at that age. Being a part of the disabled community, and having an invisible disability, has enlightened me so much. I realized that just because someone looks like they are not disabled, does not mean that they are not actable. I want to use this experience to impact my future by providing awareness for disabilities. My goal is to work in the church with children and youth, who are often discriminated against if they are disabled. I want to put a stop to this help them through their disabilities and teach them how to love themselves despite their disability. I also want to provide awareness for service dogs. As a service dog handler who encounters people who do not understand what that is, I want to use my experience being a part of the disabled community and the service dog community to help people who are able-bodied learn how to treat people who are disabled. Although my journey with entering into the disabled community was hard, because I had to accept that I was disabled, I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this amazing community.

I have filled out dozens of different scholarship applications, but not on one of them did I feel comfortable sharing my passion for my faith. I am not ashamed of my faith, not in the least bit, but I do know that if I talk about my faith I will be disqualified from a lot of scholarships am grateful that there is an opportunity like this so that other students and I can share about their faith and not be ashamed of it. Although my life has been beautiful with God surrounding every chapter, I have had a few challenges throughout it. I have over ten different disabilities which can complicate a lot of things in my life. When I was first diagnosed with a few of my health conditions I questioned and doubted God because I wondered how a good God could let this happen to me. It is so hard when you think you have this perfect future that looks beautiful, but it gets warped. I did not understand at the time why God would let me get so sick. I would say I do not quite fully understand but, by my faith, I have been able to grow so much closer to God. I have been able to use the disabilities I have to help some of the students in my church. I have been able to help them keep their faith on their health journeys. My faith has made my disabilities not completely rule me. Yes, I still am sick, but I have God on my side, and he has made my life beautiful despite the challenges. Another challenge I faced in my life where unwavering faith has helped me is when my sister attempted to take her own life. I was only ten at the time, but this was a very traumatic thing that I did not quite understand. Because of this event, I have diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite the struggle this still causes me, I have already seen the good that has come of it. I learned very quickly that life is something to be treasured, and you never know what someone is going through. I have been able to help some middle scholars in my church through their battles with their siblings attempting and their own mental health battles. My faith is the leading incentive in my future. I am going to a Christian college for a triple major in children’s, youth, and music ministry I have a passion for ministry that is my calling. God has given me the ability to sing and work with young children and students. I already have a lot of experience in all of these fields, but I am excited to see what God does in the coming years of my life. I know that everything that I turn to God he will bless. Jeremiah 17:7 is the verse that I use as my reminder to trust God with everything in my future. It says, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." This reminds me that when I trust in God he will bless my life. I am so excited to see how God uses my life for his holy will.

As someone who has been told that they are disabled because they have a lack of faith, I hope to be able to show that is not true. I am going into ministry in hopes of working in a small church, while working in this career field I hope to be able to provide awareness, especially to kids and youth about disabilities in the church. In a rural community like mine having a wheelchair but still being able to walk sometimes is not understood. My need for a service dog is also not understood, I mean I look completely healthy so I do not need a mobility aid or a service dog, right? I have gotten these statements all of the time. I am hoping to create a safe space in my community for those who are disabled, especially in the church. I hope to be able to help young disabled people realize that they are not disabled because they did something wrong, or they do not have enough faith. I want to bridge the gap between the culture of the church and the culture of having a disability.

Spiderman has been played by so many actors both in live-action movies and in animated television series. Personally, Tom Holland is my favorite Spider-Man actor. Although that sounds so typical of someone of my generation, it is not simply because he is good-looking. Tom Holland I think brings the person side of a superhero to Spider-Man's story. The way that Tom Holland is able to portray Spider-Man shows that Spider-Man is just a high school student who is trying to do something to help his community. He also is a great actor who makes it seem like he really is a Spider-Man. When I was younger and reading my dad's old comic books I never understood why in the movies Spdier Man looked so grown up. To me he was supposed to look like a teenager and the actors before Tom Holland definitely did not look like the high schoolers I knew! Also, because Tom Holland had a background involving dance, he can move like what Spider-Man would. There has not been any actor that has played Spider-Man that I have disliked but for the reasons mentioned above, TOm Holland is by far my favorite actor that has played Spider-Man.

Zendaya has played a large role in my life, ever since I was a little girl. Her passion and love for singing has caused me to pursue a music career. Her ability to do many things has always been incredibly inspiring, especially her singing career. I admire that she is able to work on her range, the quality of her voice, and the breathwork that is evident in her songs. Even though she has so many other things happening, she always puts out good quality music. Even when she was on Disney Channel she never released a song unless it was a good song that could be enjoyed. I also admire her activism especially surrounding her anxiety. Zendaya shares that she has anxiety which defeats the power that the loneliness that having anxiety can hold. As someone with disabling anxiety her ability and want to share her story inspires me to be able to do the same. Her ability to tactfully describe how her anxiety has affected her since she was a little kid is definitely something to admire. Zendaya is a very inspiring person who is involved in so many things that almost everyone could find something about her to admire.

Taylor Swift has impacted my year a lot. I have gone through my first messy breakup and had a lot of hate from people around me because of that so I have been able to resonate with a lot of Taylors songs about her breakups. If my year had a soundtrack the songs from 1989 (Taylor's Version) Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version), Bad Blood (Taylor's Version), and Shake It Off (Taylor's Version). Although these are some of Taylor's most popular songs these songs have been on constant repeat for me all year and have helped me through some tough things. Is it Over Now would be on my playlist because my now ex I believe had started to cheat on me while we were together. He also got with one of my best friends one week after we broke up. The line "You search in every maiden's bed for something greater" is a line that is one I always shout in my car. This song has comforted me that I am not the only one who has gone through a boy leaving because they believe you are not good enough. I also love the sound of this song because it is a mix of calm and strong emotions. Bad Blood would be on this year’s playlist for the same reasons as Is It Over Now? This song perfectly encapsulates how I felt when I first went through my breakup The specific lyrics that mean a lot to me are "Now we got problems, And I don't think we can solve them." This lyric specifically is meaningful to me because my ex wanted to get back together with me even after I found out he was unfaithful to me. I knew we had a ton of problems, and I also knew there would be no solving those. Another lyric from Bad Blood that I love is "Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times, you and I." I was dating my now ex for almost three years, so it is now very hard to think about the good times when he was loyal, and we were happy. Shake it off is the other song that I would have on my 2024 playlist. This song shows that even though people think they know all the juicy details about my life they do not, and their opinions do not matter at all. It helps to remind me that people are going to do what they are going to do, and I cannot change that, but I can shake it off and move on. It also reminds me that instead of putting my attention into awful people, I could be carefree and dancing and singing along to “this sick beat” Taylor swifts 1989 (Taylor's Version) has made a big impact in my 2024 especially

When you are a young woman with a lot of medical conditions life looks a little different for you. As someone who has over ten different chronic diseases, my life is affected in every single way possible. As a young child, I had multiple gastrointestinal issues and a learning disability that caused me always to be considered different and weird by my peers. This still affects me as I am always concerned with being seen as weak because I cannot do the things my peers can do. I have classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. These disabilities affect me all day every day. Not being able to run or even walk sometimes, having to take a lot of meds, wearing braces, using mobility aids, and having a service dog are all part of the way my medical conditions affect my life. Another disease that I have is asthma. I have been diagnosed with asthma since I was about three years old. Ensuring I always have a rescue inhaler on me is an absolute must. Also being intentional about going outside in the cold or exercising too vigorously is a constant thought process in my mind. All of the medical conditions listed above plus others that I constantly battle on a day-to-day basis can affect my relationships too. One thing nobody tells you when you get diagnosed with something is that you will now be seen as the so-called "odd duck." Friends will decide that you are too weak or fragile to be their friend. Or partners will say that you are too dramatic or that you need to try harder even though you cannot even get out of bed some days. Also, familial relationships are affected. for me at least as my medical conditions are progressing I have had to rely on my family for a lot. Which is hard to do when you are a seventeen-year-old who is ready to go to college. all in all, my medical conditions have affected my relationships, how I see the world, and how I operate as a person. My goals for the future are to be able to graduate from university with a triple major and move into a music ministry job. I am hoping to move to Atlanta Georgia to work for a large church there. After living in the city for a few years I am hoping to settle down and get married and have children. Throughout college, my future jobs, and motherhood I hope to advocate for young people with chronic health issues and young people with service dogs. Young people who have these issues do not get the representation that is needed to have them not be set apart from others just because they are a little different.

Disney Channel was such an influential part of my childhood. If there was a crossover between my favorite Disney Channel shows it would be a crossover with Girl Meets World and Good Luck Charlie. Both of these shows were constantly on in my house. I cannot even count how many times I have watched both of these shows all the way through. the episode title would be Teddy Meets World. The exciting storyline that would bring these two shows together would be that Teddy wanted to go to New York City for a summer vacation with her friends. Teddy and her friends decided to split up because they had gotten into a fight about what was the most important place to go to and what to see. Teddy ends up by herself in the big city and gets lost on the subway. This is where she meets Maya and Riley who happen to be going to the same spot. They would all be going to the New York Aquarium. Teddy starts talking to Riley about their little siblings. They both discover that both Charlie and Auggie are very similar because they are the youngest in their family. As they are switching subways their subway gets delayed. Maya tells Teddy that they could just walk to the aquarium, but Teddy asks if they can wait for a while for the subway because one of her friends, Ivy, is supposed to be on the subway that they need to get. As they wait for the subway to come to take them to the aquarium they start talking about school. This is where Riley explains to Teddy that her dad is their history teacher who makes things applicable to exactly what they are going through. Riley and Maya also tell Teddy about their love triangle with Lucas. Both Riley and Maya are still confused as to who Lucas likes and if they both like Lucas. As Teddy tries to give them some advice it helps both Riley and Maya to have some peace of mind about their situation. It reminds them that they need to put their friendship in front of a relationship with a boy. Finally, the subway came an hour later than what was expected. As all the girls get on the subway Teddy gets a text from Ivy that she is on the far left of the subway. Because the subway got to the station so late Teddy and Ivy decided to forgo the aquarium and just got to their hotel which is close to the aquarium. Teddy says goodbye to Riley and Maya and wishes them luck in their love triangle and tells them to just listen to their hearts.

Reading, writing, and spelling are difficult subjects for any elementary student, especially a student who has dyslexia but does not know it. Growing up I have been homeschooled since kindergarten, but I have always had a lot of trouble in school. I would get in trouble for trying to cheat on spelling and grammar tests, having horrible handwriting, and being unable to answer any reading questions about what I had just read. It was not until late into fifth grade that I finally got tested for dyslexia. When I got diagnosed with dyslexia it changed everything. I was able to have as much time as I needed on tests and have an app read my books so that I would be able to comprehend what was in them. Also, I stopped getting in trouble for cheating and instead, I got rewarded because I became an A and B student. For the last couple of years, I have taken dual enrollment classes, since these are college-level classes they have been much harder for me than the average student. Through long hours of studying, having my textbooks in audiobook format, and persevering through the hard days with dyslexia, I have been able to be an A+ student in all of my courses including two English courses. Although I have been able to do so much better in school and find what works for me with learning, I have been made fun of and bullied because I have a learning disability. I have had multiple people tell me that I cannot have a learning disability because I can read and write. Especially in middle school I was bullied and called stupid because of the learning disability I have. My motivation for pursuing a bachelor's degree is that I want to make a difference in the world and also prove to everyone who thought that because I have a learning disability I am somehow not as smart as the average person. I also am excited to learn about all sorts of different topics and gain so much more insight into subjects of all kinds. I also have a passion for music and children and hope to use my faith background and the education that I am pursuing to make some sort of difference in the world, even if I can make a difference in one person's life it will be completely worth it. I believe that I am a good candidate for this scholarship because I am a good student who has learned how to adapt to the differences that I have in my life. I also want to be an advocate for other students who have a learning disability. I want to show others, especially in elementary and middle school that just because someone has a learning disability does not make them any less of a person because of it.