Participating in service events has been something that I’ve been involved in since I was a little girl. One specific service opportunity that I have been involved in for quite some time is Operation Christmas Child. This service opportunity was one of the first things I became involved in and it means the most to me. I’m so passionate about this event because of its purpose, which is to prepare shoe box Christmas gifts for children in poverty-stricken countries. I was introduced to this event by my Aunt Theresa. She is the most selfless person I have ever met and she continued to give entirely of herself each year at this event, even up until her passing. She participated in much more than just volunteering at this event. In preparation for each year’s event, she would hand-sew stuffed animal kittens for the children receiving the gifts. What made this service experience so special for me was when I saw a photo of a child in Colombia holding one of her handmade stuffed animals. It was at this moment that I realized that service means much more than just numbers. Every year, I believe that this experience allows me to discover my sense of purpose, which ultimately gives my life a new meaning. I learned the importance of giving back to others and was able to see the much broader impact that I was able to make on the lives of these children. I hope to carry the impact of this experience with me throughout the next four years of my life, further allowing me to continue to serve others and make a difference in the world. I’ve also participated in many extra curricular activities throughout my time in high school. While balancing sports with my academics, I have excelled in school. Some of the activities I’m involved in include being a member of the Erie High Girls Tennis team, National Honors Society, Student Government, and more recently being named President of Medical Club and Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook. As Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook, I lead the production of our Yearbook, assigning and editing pages, attending school events to take pictures, while also working to advertise and help meet our monthly sales goals. I’ve organized two fundraisers for our Yearbook this year, in which we raised over $100 from each event. Being President of the Medical Club, I organize monthly meetings in which medical professionals speak to us about their career field. My experience with these positions has not only allowed me to connect with my fellow peers, but has also taught me important leadership skills. To summarize my dreams and goals for my future, it would be to help others. My experience with service and the numerous leadership positions I’ve held has sparked my interest to make a difference in the world. Pursuing a career in the medical field will allow me to do exactly this. Through participating in service opportunities, I’ve learned the importance of giving back to others. I hope to carry the impact of this experience with me throughout the next four years of my life, further allowing me to continue to serve others and make a difference in the world. In order to realize my lifelong dream, I understand that my education will not end with my undergraduate degree. As my end goal is to become a Dentist, I plan on attending Dental school after graduating college. This scholarship would help to allow me to pursue my dreams with a more manageable financial burden.

My name is Jaclynn Donovan, an 18-year old from Erie, Pennsylvania. I am a senior at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy and I have a fascination for all things science related and a strong desire to pursue a career in the dental field. From a young age I have always dreamt of becoming a dentist. While some people may be scared of the dentist, I have always been excited and curious; my doctor would come into the room with his blue gloves, sit down in the chair, and his kind and caring personality would immediately put me at ease. I’ve grown up to value the importance of oral hygiene’s part in overall wellness, and have ultimately been inspired to follow this career path because of my passion for helping people. I want to provide my patients with the same exceptional care that I have received, and to help them to feel as comfortable as I have during every visit. In the fall of 2023, I plan to attend Allegheny College where I will major in Biology on a Pre-Dental track. I’ve participated in many extra curricular activities throughout my time in high school. While balancing sports with my academics, I have excelled in school. Some of the activities I’m involved in include being a member of the National Honors Society, Student Government, and more recently being named President of Medical Club and Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook. As Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook, I lead the production of our Yearbook, assigning and editing pages, attending school events to take pictures, while also working to advertise and help meet our monthly sales goals. I’ve organized two fundraisers for our Yearbook this year, in which we raised over $100 from each event. Being President of the Medical Club, I organize monthly meetings in which medical professionals speak to us about their career field. My experience with these positions has not only allowed me to connect with my fellow peers, but has also taught me important leadership skills and allowed me to put others' needs before my own. To summarize my dreams and goals for my future, it would be to help others. My experience with service and the numerous leadership positions I’ve held has sparked my interest to make a difference in the world. Pursuing a career in the medical field will allow me to do exactly this. Through participating in service opportunities, I’ve learned the importance of giving back to others. I hope to carry the impact of this experience with me throughout the next four years of my life, further allowing me to continue to serve others and make a difference in the world. I am applying to this scholarship because as the cost of a college education has skyrocketed, I am left with an out-of-pocket expense that is well beyond what I am able to afford. I’ve grown up in a lower middle class family and have held a job since I was 16. Although I’ve been able to save up some money from my own paychecks to help pay for college, I know that it won't be nearly enough. In order to realize my lifelong dream, I understand that my education will not end with my undergraduate degree. As my end goal is to become a Dentist, I plan on attending Dental school after graduating college. Anything I can do now to help decrease my overall financial burden would greatly help me in the long run. This scholarship would help to allow me to pursue my dreams with a more manageable financial burden.

The song that has the most important message to me is "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. This song is so special to me because as a kid, I grew up watching The Bee Movie with my father almost every week. It was our tradition; we would watch The Bee Movie and eat Totino's pizza rolls. Not only do I cherish this song because it reminds me of a fond memory with my father, but I also really like the message of the song itself. This song's main line, "Here comes the sun" holds a special meaning that I take to heart.. It implies that through difficult times, is it important to have hope as everything will be okay in the end. I've gone through difficulties in my life, whether that be conquering anxiety or struggling to make true friends throughout elementary/middle school, but throughout it all, I have kept going. It hasn't been easy, but I can now say that there was a sun at the end to make it all work out.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence and social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” I constantly felt like I didn’t fit in with the other girls in my grade. A core memory I have of this would be from my sixth-grade year. I began to drift away from a friend group after becoming excluded. I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me and trying to fit in seemed almost impossible until I finally made friends in seventh grade. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although only two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school and moving on to high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. One specific memory that I have is from 2018, during my summer before eighth grade. A girl from my ex-friend group apologized for being a bystander when I was excluded. This was the day that I realized the importance of forgiveness. During my 10th grade year, I joined the girl’s tennis team. Even though I had no tennis experience, it’s been a worthwhile experience. Being on the tennis team has allowed me to make so many friends and I was able to come out of my shell. While balancing sports with my academics, I have excelled in school. I have joined many clubs and made the best of friends. I’m proud to have been named Editor-In-Chief of my school’s Yearbook as well as the president of the Medical Club. All of these little accomplishments have shaped the person I am today. My shy behavior has mostly turned into confidence, and I feel like a new person. During one of my tennis practices in 10th grade, my coach asked every player to say their favorite part of the season. I responded, “My favorite part of this year’s season was being able to come out of my shell.” Teary-eyed, my coach hugged me in agreement. This moment reassured me of the progress I’ve made as an individual; I was able to grow from the conflicts I faced during middle school while developing confidence in myself. I’ve also become comfortable enough to talk to new people and form new friendships. Joining the tennis team has not only allowed me to make new friends, it’s also reduced my anxiety and allowed me to develop self-confidence. Being on the tennis team has surrounded me with the greatest friends who have played a role in my personal growth. It’s made me the person I am today, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I’ve ever been before. While overcoming my anxiety, I’ve gained the confidence to talk to new people. I’m proud of my diligence in school and I cannot wait to enter this new chapter of my life once I begin college. My confidence has grown tremendously, and I feel like a new person. My parents encourage me to be the best version of myself, as they support my accomplishments. Recognizing my self-worth has allowed me to bounce back from all obstacles. When I picture myself in the next few years of my life, I see myself continuing to conquer all hardships and obstacles. I see myself on a successful career path because of my hard work and perseverance. I also see myself conquering my fears and working to improve the lives of others around me.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence as well as social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” For a long time, I felt as if I did not fit in with many of the other girls in my grade. I became shy and reserved as I tried to navigate through finding a group of friends. My anxiety began to worsen as I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me. Trying to fit in seemed almost impossible and it was not until seventh grade that I finally found my true group of friends. These people did not ignore me, turn me away, or make me feel like an outsider. Instead, they made me feel included and worthy of having good friendships. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although only two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school (Pre-8th grade) and moving onto high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My anxiety continued to prevail, and it made me fear this new chapter of my life. During my freshman year, I had trouble adjusting to being around unfamiliar people. What I did not know was how much I would change as a person because of my entrance to high school. I decided to join my school’s tennis team, as my friends had been on it, which was a wonderful experience for me. Tennis has reduced my anxiety and allowed me to make wonderful friendships. My shy and reserved nature was able to be somewhat-broken, and I was able to develop self-confidence. I continued to thrive in school and through becoming confident in myself, I stopped comparing myself to other people. I became proud of my accomplishments and I gained the confidence to branch out and talk to new people. I no longer fear the idea of starting over and finding new friends. My self confidence has assured me of my career aspirations. Once I graduate high school, I plan on attending a 4-year university where I can major in Biology on a Pre-Dental track. I love helping people and I genuinely feel a calling to carry this into my future career. I’ve always believed in the saying, “Go big or go home” which is part of the reason I want to become a Dentist. Through excelling in school, I feel confident in my ability to do well in college, which will allow me to attend dental school afterwards. I’ve joined many clubs and organizations while in high school, allowing me to become Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook as well as President of the Medical Club. Through conquering my difficulties with anxiety, I was able to become an entirely different individual, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I have ever been before. I am sure that I will succeed in the future, and I cannot wait to start my journey.

Throughout my life, I have always been a go-getter. I have always had the intuition to succeed, whether that be in the classroom or outside the classroom. Out of all my characteristics, I value my motivation the most. My motivation has allowed me to excel in my studies, and without it, I would not have been able to succeed in my education. School has always been something that I’ve taken incredibly seriously. I have maintained excellent grades, made countless friends, and become actively involved in many extracurricular activities which include playing for my school’s tennis team. My parents have always pushed me to do the best in everything I can, and they continue to show support for all of my accomplishments. I am thankful for my parents’ push for success, but I owe my success to myself. I have pushed myself to do great things and my motivation has allowed me to do this. Aside from my motivation, I have joined many clubs at my school including National Honors Society. This club is important because it has allowed me to become recognized for serving my community through service. I have participated in many volunteer activities, but the one that I value the most is the event called Operation Christmas Child. This volunteer event is held at a local church in my area and consists of people packing shoe box gifts for children in need around the world. The boxes are filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. These shoe boxes are delivered in time for Christmas and make an incredible difference to those receiving it. Some of the countries receiving these packages include Albania, Uruguay, and Thailand. What makes this service opportunity so important is the fact that the children receiving these gifts probably don't have access to the materials included in the boxes. These boxes are delivered to areas of extreme poverty and the children receiving these boxes are excited and thankful to receive them. As I participate in this volunteer opportunity every year, it allows me to be thankful for everything I have. There is always someone in the world struggling more than I am, which makes the mission of Operation Christmas Child so important. Participating in service opportunities has allowed me to gain volunteer experience that has allowed me to become involved in my community. I have developed an appreciation for helping others, influencing my desire to want to pursue a career in the medical field.

Throughout my life, I have always been a go-getter. I have always had the intuition to succeed, whether that be in the classroom or outside the classroom. Out of all my characteristics, I value my motivation the most. My motivation has allowed me to excel in my studies, and without it, I would not have been able to succeed in my education. School has always been something that I’ve taken incredibly seriously. I have maintained excellent grades, made countless friends, and become actively involved in many extracurricular activities which include playing for my school’s tennis team. My parents have always pushed me to do the best in everything I can, and they continue to show support for all of my accomplishments. I am thankful for my parents’ push for success, but I owe my success to myself. I have pushed myself to do great things and my motivation has allowed me to do this. Aside from my motivation, I also highly value my kindness. My gentleness allows me to easily make friends by being able to connect with almost anyone. Throughout my life, I have embodied the motto “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” This motto is something that is of high importance to me as it embodies the way I live my life. While growing up, I struggled with my confidence and social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” I constantly felt like I didn’t fit in with the other girls in my grade. Leaving my childhood elementary school and moving on to high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Once I got to high school, everything changed as I experienced a period of personal growth. I’ve become comfortable enough to talk to new people and form new friendships, while also developing self-confidence. Surrounding myself with the greatest of friends has influenced my success inside the classroom and ultimately motivated me to keep going. I excel in math and science courses, which has influenced my decision to pursue a major in Biology. In the future, I can see myself pursuing my dream career goal because of my motivation and hard work. As a Dentist, I want to be able to use my knowledge to improve the lives of others. Being able to improve the lives of others would give my life purpose, and ultimately, I can see myself being able to achieve my dreams in my future because of my motivation.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence and social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” I constantly felt like I didn’t fit in with the other girls in my grade. During my sixth-grade year, I began to drift away from a friend group after becoming excluded. I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me and trying to fit in seemed almost impossible until I finally made friends in seventh grade. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school and moving on to high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. In 2018, during the summer before eighth grade, a girl from my ex-friend group apologized for being a bystander when I was excluded. This was the day that I realized the importance of forgiveness. Being a senior, I have the opportunity to look back on the past four years of my life and realize the amount of personal growth I’ve experienced. During my 10th grade year, I joined the girl’s tennis team. Even though I had no tennis experience, it’s been a worthwhile experience. Being on the tennis team has allowed me to make so many friends and I was able to come out of my shell. While balancing sports with my academics, I have excelled in school. I have joined many clubs and made the best of friends. I’m proud to have been named Editor-In-Chief of my school’s Yearbook as well as the president of the Medical Club. All of these little accomplishments have shaped the person I am today and my shy behavior has mostly turned into confidence. During one of my tennis practices in 10th grade, my coach asked every player to say their favorite part of the season. I responded, “My favorite part of this year’s season was being able to come out of my shell.” Teary-eyed, my coach hugged me in agreement. This moment reassured me of the progress I’ve made as an individual; I was able to grow from the conflicts I faced during middle school while developing confidence in myself. Even though these conflicts lowered my self-esteem and increased my anxiety, they allowed me to learn my self-worth. I’ve also become comfortable enough to talk to new people and form new friendships. Joining the tennis team has not only allowed me to make new friends, it’s also reduced my anxiety and allowed me to develop self-confidence. Being on the tennis team has surrounded me with the greatest friends who have played a role in my personal growth. It’s made me the person I am today, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I’ve ever been before. While overcoming my anxiety, I’ve gained the confidence to talk to new people. I’m proud of my diligence in school and I cannot wait to enter this new chapter of my life once I begin college. My confidence has grown tremendously, and I feel like a new person. My parents encourage me to be the best version of myself, as they support my accomplishments. When I picture myself in the next few years of my life, I see myself continuing to conquer all hardships and obstacles. I see myself on a successful career path because of my hard work and perseverance. I also see myself conquering my fears and working to improve the lives of others around me.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence as well as social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” For a long time, I felt as if I did not fit in with many of the other girls in my grade. I became shy and reserved as I tried to navigate through finding a group of friends. My anxiety began to worsen as I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me. Trying to fit in seemed almost impossible and it was not until seventh grade that I finally found my true group of friends. These people did not ignore me, turn me away, or make me feel like an outsider. Instead, they made me feel included and worthy of having good friendships. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although only two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school (Pre-8th grade) and moving onto high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My anxiety continued to prevail, and it made me fear this new chapter of my life. During my freshman year, I had trouble adjusting to being around unfamiliar people. What I did not know was how much I would change as a person because of my entrance to high school. I decided to join my school’s tennis team, as my friends had been on it, which was a wonderful experience for me. Tennis has reduced my anxiety and allowed me to make wonderful friendships. My shy and reserved nature was able to be somewhat-broken, and I was able to develop self-confidence. I continued to thrive in school and through becoming confident in myself, I stopped comparing myself to other people. I became proud of my accomplishments and I gained the confidence to branch out and talk to new people. I no longer fear the idea of starting over and finding new friends. I plan to implement change for those affected by mental illness by promoting speaking about mental health. Many people fear speaking about mental health, as they may feel ashamed for it. Promoting the conversation of mental health can help individuals to feel comfortable enough to talk about it. Receiving help for mental illnesses should never be something to be embarrassed about, as it is extremely common in today's society. My self confidence has assured me of my career aspirations. Once I graduate high school, I plan on attending a 4-year university where I can major in Biology on a Pre-Dental track. I love helping people and I genuinely feel a calling to carry this into my future career. I’ve always believed in the saying, “Go big or go home” which is part of the reason I want to become a Dentist. Through excelling in school, I feel confident in my ability to do well in college, which will allow me to attend dental school afterwards. I’ve joined many clubs and organizations while in high school, allowing me to become Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook as well as President of the Medical Club. Through conquering my difficulties with anxiety, I was able to become an entirely different individual, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I have ever been before. I am sure that I will succeed in the future, and I cannot wait to start my journey.

Math, an abstract form of numbers and even sometimes letters. Forming a foundation of math from a young age is extremely important, as it teaches us real-world concepts that are necessary for everyday life. What makes math so intriguing is the analytical thinking that it creates. It promotes higher level thinking, which makes math one of the most important subjects to learn. In school, I enjoy being challenged inside the classroom. When things come easy to me, I fail to use higher level thinking skills. Despite being strong in the subject of math, it became more difficult as I grew older. AP Calculus currently challenges me more than any other math class I have taken before, but I love it. One of the most important aspects of math is making mistakes because it creates incredible learning growth. I have made many mistakes in calculus, but through every mistake, I begin to understand the material more. Math inspires me and allows me to succeed in many of my other classes, including AP Chemistry. As AP Chemistry consists of many long mathematical calculations, having a strong foundation of math greatly helps students in the class. As math continues to be a highly important aspect of life, it has become one of my favorite subjects in school. I excel in school, achieving wonderful grades and becoming involved in many school activities and clubs. My math skills have helped me to achieve my future goals.

I excel in math and science courses, which has influenced my decision to pursue a major in Biology. The reason I want to pursue Biology is so that I can become a Dentist. As a Dentist, I want to be able to use my knowledge to improve the lives of others. Being able to improve the lives of others would give my life purpose. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated by the Dentist. The doctor would come into the room with his blue gloves, sit down in the chair, and immediately put me at ease. It was his caring and kind personality that allowed me to feel comfortable while at the Dentist. While most people tend to be afraid of going to the dentist, there was never a time where I was. I’ve grown up to value the importance of oral hygiene, and I love being able to leave the dentist feeling like my teeth are squeaky clean. Growing up, my teeth were extremely crooked and out of place. I struggled to feel confident in my own smile until I was able to get braces. Walking into my Orthodontist’s office, I always felt welcomed and comfortable. The Orthodontic assistants were always extremely professional and kind, making me feel comfortable throughout every appointment. What I loved most about this office was how personable my Orthodontist was. She was also extremely kind and made me feel comfortable at every visit. Once I got my braces off, I felt a new sort of confidence come over me. I was finally able to become confident in my own beautiful smile, which is the main reason why I want to pursue a career in Dentistry. Being able to provide individuals with the same comfortable and welcoming experience is what I strive to obtain. I want to provide children with the most beautiful, life changing smile, just as I had also gotten. I would really like to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry, allowing myself to create the best possible experience for little kids. I have always been really good with kids, and working with them would make me extremely happy. While excelling in science courses, it has become my favorite subject. Everything about science fascinates me, from how something originated, to the processes that our cells go through and how they communicate with each other. It all fascinates me. Pursing a degree in Biology on a Pre-Dental track would allow me to further my fascination with science while setting myself up on a path to success for Dental School.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated by the Dentist. The doctor would come into the room with his blue gloves, sit down in the chair, and immediately put me at ease. It was his caring and kind personality that allowed me to feel comfortable while at the Dentist. While most people tend to be afraid of going to the dentist, there was never a time where I was. I’ve grown up to value the importance of oral hygiene, and I love being able to leave the dentist feeling like my teeth are squeaky clean. Growing up, my teeth were extremely crooked and out of place. I struggled to feel confident in my own smile until I was able to get braces. Walking into my Orthodontist’s office, I always felt welcomed and comfortable. The Orthodontic assistants were always extremely professional and kind, making me feel comfortable throughout every appointment. What I loved most about this office was how personable my Orthodontist was. She was also extremely kind and made me feel comfortable at every visit. Once I got my braces off, I felt a new sort of confidence come over me. I was finally able to become confident in my own beautiful smile, which is the main reason why I want to pursue a career in Dentistry. Being able to provide individuals with the same comfortable and welcoming experience is what I strive to obtain. I want to provide children with the most beautiful, life changing smile, just as I had also gotten. I would really like to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry, allowing myself to create the best possible experience for little kids. I have always been really good with kids, and working with them would make me extremely happy. School has always been something that I’ve taken incredibly seriously. I have maintained excellent grades, made countless friends, and become actively involved in many extracurricular activities which include my school’s tennis team. My parents have always pushed me to do the best in everything I can, and they continue to show support for all of my accomplishments. I excel in math and science courses, which has influenced my decision to pursue a major in Biology. In the future, I can see myself pursuing my dream career goal because of my motivation and hard work. As a Dentist, I want to be able to use my knowledge to improve the lives of others. Being able to improve the lives of others would give my life purpose, and ultimately, I can see myself being able to achieve my dreams in the future.

“The Big Apple” Class Trip She sat with her head thrown back Upon the cushion of the bus seat. She was already exhausted Even though she just got onto the bus. 7 more hours remained Until they would arrive in New York City. Thunder echoed and lightning struck. Continuations of rain hit the bus windows As motionless as the sleepy teenagers. With heavy eyes, she couldn’t sleep. The movie screens’ vibrant colors flashed before them. It was around 11:00 and the groggy teenagers whined “Are we there yet?” one yelled. Hours later, they arrived in Times Square, NYC. The city’s vivid lights shined so bright. Many fun adventures made this day the grandest. Time flew by and it was soon time to get back onto the bus. The drained teenagers quickly fell asleep. 7 hours later, the groggy teenagers were awoken by bright lights. They were relieved to have finally arrived back home. Home at last, unto their comfy beds.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence as well as social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” For a long time, I felt as if I did not fit in with many of the other girls in my grade. I became shy and reserved as I tried to navigate through finding a group of friends. My anxiety began to worsen as I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me. Trying to fit in seemed almost impossible and it was not until seventh grade that I finally found my true group of friends. These people did not ignore me, turn me away, or make me feel like an outsider. Instead, they made me feel included and worthy of having good friendships. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although only two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school (Pre-8th grade) and moving onto high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My anxiety continued to prevail, and it made me fear this new chapter of my life. During my freshman year, I had trouble adjusting to being around unfamiliar people. What I did not know was how much I would change as a person because of my entrance to high school. I decided to join my school’s tennis team, as my friends had been on it, which was a wonderful experience for me. Tennis has reduced my anxiety and allowed me to make wonderful friendships. My shy and reserved nature was able to be somewhat-broken, and I was able to develop self-confidence. I continued to thrive in school and through becoming confident in myself, I stopped comparing myself to other people. I became proud of my accomplishments and I gained the confidence to branch out and talk to new people. I no longer fear the idea of starting over and finding new friends. My self confidence has assured me of my career aspirations. Once I graduate high school, I plan on attending a 4-year university where I can major in Biology on a Pre-Dental track. I love helping people and I genuinely feel a calling to carry this into my future career. I’ve always believed in the saying, “Go big or go home” which is part of the reason I want to become a Dentist. Through excelling in school, I feel confident in my ability to do well in college, which will allow me to attend dental school afterwards. I’ve joined many clubs and organizations while in high school, allowing me to become Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook as well as President of the Medical Club. Through conquering my difficulties with anxiety, I was able to become an entirely different individual, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I have ever been before. I am sure that I will succeed in the future, and I cannot wait to start my journey.

Growing up, I struggled with my confidence as well as social anxiety. I had trouble making friends for quite some time, and I viewed myself as an “outsider.” For a long time, I felt as if I did not fit in with many of the other girls in my grade. I became shy and reserved as I tried to navigate through finding a group of friends. My anxiety began to worsen as I struggled to ignore the opinions of the girls around me. Trying to fit in seemed almost impossible and it was not until seventh grade that I finally found my true group of friends. These people did not ignore me, turn me away, or make me feel like an outsider. Instead, they made me feel included and worthy of having good friendships. I was able to move onto high school with all of these friends by my side, although only two of them moved onto the same high school as me. Leaving my childhood elementary school (Pre-8th grade) and moving onto high school felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My anxiety continued to prevail, and it made me fear this new chapter of my life. During my freshman year, I had trouble adjusting to being around unfamiliar people. What I did not know was how much I would change as a person because of my entrance to high school. I decided to join my school’s tennis team, as my friends had been on it, which was a wonderful experience for me. Tennis has reduced my anxiety and allowed me to make wonderful friendships. My shy and reserved nature was able to be somewhat-broken, and I was able to develop self-confidence. I continued to thrive in school and through becoming confident in myself, I stopped comparing myself to other people. I became proud of my accomplishments and I gained the confidence to branch out and talk to new people. I no longer fear the idea of starting over and finding new friends. My self confidence has assured me of my career aspirations. Once I graduate high school, I plan on attending a 4-year university where I can major in Biology on a Pre-Dental track. I love helping people and I genuinely feel a calling to carry this into my future career. I’ve always believed in the saying, “Go big or go home” which is part of the reason I want to become a Dentist. Through excelling in school, I feel confident in my ability to do well in college, which will allow me to attend dental school afterwards. I’ve joined many clubs and organizations while in high school, allowing me to become Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook as well as President of the Medical Club. Through conquering my difficulties with anxiety, I was able to become an entirely different individual, in the sense that I am stronger and more confident in myself than I have ever been before. I am sure that I will succeed in the future, and I cannot wait to start my journey.

I am pursing a college degree to achieve my dream career goal, which is to be a dentist. Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the dentist. I have a love for math and science, and I hope to carry this into college. I really enjoy the medical field and I'm able to learn more about it through being involved in medical club at my school. I push myself in school and by doing so, I have greatly succeeded. I'm always willing to help out my classmates in school, and I'm never afraid to ask for help. Pursing a college degree will allow me to continue to push myself in school. I am extremely proud of the hard work I put into school and I want to carry this into college.