My name is Jael, and my parents chose my name for the translation, "servant of God." Since I was young, I delighted in noticing people and meeting them where they are. This has continued to be a driving motivation in many aspects of life. This motivation sprouted in me first through my family's story. I was a homeschool student and extremely close with my four siblings and parents. When my family began facing various challenges, I stepped up to do what I could for my loved ones, including taking on extra responsibilities, caring for family members with mental health disorders, and offering daily words of encouragement. Sometimes it looks like bringing beauty into our home through my gardening and floral design or creating spaces where my younger siblings could just be kids. Other months it looks like coming home at 9pm after a full day of commuting, classes, work, and leadership meetings to sit up for hours with a sibling who is struggling through a mental health episode. It has not been easy, but at the end of the day, I will fight for my family. Another group of people I love to devote time to is the children at my church. I have been a preschool Sunday School TA for over a year now. Prior to that, I worked with the infants and toddling babies for four years. Each of the children that sat at the preschool table this year, I helped them learn how to walk and talk. I love helping them understand the world, how to interact with each other, and how to deal with their emotions in healthy ways. People may be one of my greatest passions, but I have another equally great passion: Plants! When I started college, I found out I could combine both passions through a field called horticulture therapy. I added a HT certification to my horticulture B.S., and I will be officially certified in March. The goal of horticulture therapy? Provide a kind, low-stress environment for people to connect, grow, and phsyically and mentally heal. HT programs are increasingly popular at schools, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, and mental health rehab centers. These gardens and greenhouses give people a place to breathe again, which is exactly what I hope to do. This summer I had the privilege of being a design intern at Terrain through URBN. Not only was I professionally trained in botanical and floral design, but I was given an opportunity to develop and present a project of choice. I noticed how often the beautiful flowers were left behind after our weddings and immediately set out to repurpose them. During my ten week internship, I did three bouquet deliveries and two workshops at local health facilities. My favorite part was teaching the ladies at the nursing home how to make arrangements for their rooms. The atmosphere in the room completely shifted! They were laughing, remembering, and creating. The second time I showed up, they were waiting for me with big, eager smiles. This community project solidified that my biggest goal is to bring beauty and hope into forgotten places. I want to bring flowers into cancer treatment centers and make flower crowns for girls. I want to teach gardening workshops to nursing home residents who don't get visitors. I want to walk into gray, bleak spaces and walk out leaving them more beautiful and alive. This scholarship will help me continue the long process to HT registration that will enable me to share the healing I found in the garden.

“Okay, God, I know a lot about you, but I want to actually know you. I don’t want to be grass with shallow roots that shrivel in the sun, I want to be an oak that remains steadfast. Take me deeper.” I remember praying shortly after I was baptized at twelve. I gave my life to Jesus at about six years old. After this prayer, the journey got real. Three months later, we were locked in due to Coronavirus, and deeper issues began surfacing under the pressure. Strife, fear, and hidden mental health struggles reared their ugly heads, creating an unpredictable home. I became a caretaker, teacher, housekeeper, and emotional support system for my family. It was way too much for a teen, but I thought that being “strong and courageous” meant carrying everything myself. But pretending to be okay is not what following Jesus is about—Jesus cares about the messy parts. Unknowingly, I projected the broken love I received from my family on God. Nobody saw me, so I concluded that God didn’t either. I slowly stopped reading my Bible, avoided church livestreams, and sunk into habitual sin that left me feeling disgusting. I was isolated for about fifteen months; my life consisted of fixing problems, numbing my pain, and throwing any leftover energy into academic success. There were only two things that made me feel better: my garden and music. Among the flowers, I could feel God’s loving presence. Through the peace of the garden and the words of Christian music, God held onto me even when I was trying to push him away. I was like Peter. I asked God to call me upon the waves, and instead of trusting, I tried to be self-sufficient. Then fear overcame, and I started sinking. We slowly began attending another church, but I still felt alone. I did not understand that Jesus loves ME personally. Jesus died to hold MY heart. Still, I went to youth group, starving for social interactions. I pasted on a smile, impressed everyone with my theology, and ignored the stuff happening at home. Senior year of high school, I physically and mentally collapsed. I threw up and had panic attacks all the time. With no one to talk to, my mental health declined rapidly, and I began struggling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Completely helpless, I cried out to God. I ended up sharing with a couple mentors and finally bringing everything to light. I began college a couple months later, super sick and anxious. But God went before me. I made amazing friends who changed my life. Like the friends in Mark 2 who lowered their sick friend to Jesus, my friends laid me before the Lord. It was a grueling first year, but God was so good. Slowly, in his time, he healed me from depression and returned the ability to experience joy in his presence. I was set free from my addiction. In the spring, God restored physical health! I just completed a intense summer internship I shouldn’t have been able to do according to my doctor. I am studying horticulture therapy so other people can experience God’s healing in the garden as I did. Through my career, my prayer is to bring beauty and hope to those who are hurting or isolated. My circumstances aren’t easier, but I have seen God’s faithfulness. I anticipate his goodness as I continue school and lead in campus ministry this fall! When I have nothing, am nothing, and can do nothing, God can give all, be all, and do all.

Growing up, my parents encouraged me to develop a servant’s heart. Through watching kids for missionaries with speaking engagements, quietly assisting friends struggling financially, and picking up branches for elderly neighbors, my parents actively demonstrated selflessness. At a young age, my four siblings and I began serving alongside our parents, becoming a testimony to God’s faithfulness in our family. Selflessness begins with serving your own family. One way I serve my family is functioning as my mom’s right hand. I help her balance schedules, prepare for activities, solve problems, and much more. My mom has struggled to keep up with everything as she ages; I am happy to relieve her of some responsibilities and offer emotional support, especially during challenging seasons. My family has walked through the illness (cancer and immune system disease) and death of close relatives, as well as a mental health scenario with a family member struggling with insomnia and depression. It was during these hard times that I shouldered extra responsibilities, such as assisting siblings with schoolwork, closely caring for the mentally ill family member, addressing housekeeping needs, generally gathering any loose ends, and simply being a shoulder to cry on. This summer, a couple siblings and I regularly helped a family with three young children. The mom and children were dealing with numerous health scares. We went once a week to entertain the children, help with their schoolwork, assist their three-year-old who had skull surgery, and do odd chores. There is no joy like the joy that comes from serving, nor is there a better feeling than when children give you bear hugs and beg you not to leave! Occasionally, I still help these friends when school allows. I have been able to serve my church in a similar way. After the service, I watch and play with toddlers and infants so the parents can sit down, take a breather, and enjoy time with their friends after a long week. Earlier this month, I helped provide childcare for an organized parents’ date night. Parenting is a demanding job, and my goal is to let parents know that they are not alone. They don’t have to do it all; rather, there are people willing to come alongside them and pour into their children’s lives. There are many other ways I love to serve people. Another area I serve in the church is by helping with setup and breakdown for events such as churchwide lunches and smaller celebrations, creating beautiful floral arrangements for events, and interacting with local children during the summer outreach that provides backpacks for needy families in the community. Outside church, I volunteer as a peer advisor, providing support for students who have questions about everything, including choosing a college, finding a career, proofreading essays, and filling out the college application. I have been blessed with so many resources during high school, and I am glad to assist peers who do not have the same support. I believe that selflessness is love on display. I will continue to live this out actively during my college education and through my future business and ministry. My dream is to serve broken and lonely hearts around me through my unique gifts of floral design and compassion. My floral arrangements have blessed lonely neighbors, sick friends, and grieving families. I desire to spread this hope through partnerships with various organizations, including hospitals, nursing homes, and foster care systems, reaching out to hurting people. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, always ready to love and help. Thank you for considering my application!

Books have always been my best friends. My mom read several books to me and my four siblings daily, instilling a love of reading in me from a young age. I loved reading so much I considered it play and not another school subject. Book studies were my delight, and my mom often had to beg me to wait to read the next section of chapters until we finished discussing the first section. We borrowed books from four different libraries at once. I spent most Friday afternoons after ballet classes in a library, scooping up old favorites and new reads. I was always disappointed that I could not borrow every book I gathered because my siblings each had a pile, too. When I was ten years old, I started having anxiety attacks at night. Anytime I was awake past ten o’clock at night, I felt terrible. My body would shake uncontrollably, my stomach would ache, and I often threw up. It was quite traumatizing. I spent many holiday nights on the bathroom floor, wishing that I could enjoy the treat of staying up late like normal kids without paying the price of feeling awful. However, there was one thing that calmed my body down, and that was BOOKS. During this season, I devoured stacks and stacks of chapter books, and often spent the entire night reading by flashlight to distract myself from the discomfort I was experiencing. My books transported me to another world, offering a much-needed break from the invading anxieties. I met courageous historical figures like Sojourner Truth, resilient American girl characters, spunky Anne of Green Gables, and other women who fought against the odds to fulfill their unique callings and make the world a more beautiful place. At a young age, I was inspired and resolved to do the same. I am thankful that my parents chose to give me wholesome books from which I gleaned much wisdom and developed a taste and great appreciation for rich, meaty literature. One of my favorites is Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott, about an orphan girl who is guided lovingly by her uncle. At one point, Rose’s uncle finds her reading a French novel that was quite famous and fashionable to read at the time. Rose admitted, “Something must be wrong because I blushed and started when you came in.” Her uncle responds wisely, “Finish it if you choose, only remember, my girl, that one may read at forty what is unsafe to read at twenty and we can never be too careful what food we give that precious and perilous thing we call imagination.” Similar convictions have shaped my choices; I wouldn’t put trash in my mouth, so I shouldn’t put trash in my heart. Within time, my stomach issues improved, and I overcame the anxiety attacks! The books left a permanent mark on my life. Not only could I read faster than anyone in my family, but I had new determination to use my gifts to change lives. After years of consideration, I decided to go to college for a degree in horticulture. I have been blessed with gifts of floral design and compassion. My dream is to combine these gifts and start a ministry that brings beauty into lonely places, such as hospitals and nursing homes, through flowers. Books have shaped me to be an ambitious, courageous young woman who loves learning and loves walking alongside people. My hope is that I will be able to bless other anxious hearts through my career and college education journey. Thank you for considering my application!

I have never been an overly sporty person. I loved games and put my all into them, but I was not super great at any particular sport. I did a little of everything. Normally, I could hold my own well enough to play with the boys, but for certain sports, strength was not enough. I was like a tiny spitfire, and sometimes my height affected my sport abilities, especially baseball. Unfortunately, it is often at the danger of an unsuspecting person. I was about three or four years old. We were visiting my dad’s family—Pop Pop, Mom Mom, and my two aunts. It was a warm, sunny day, and I was happy to visit my grandparents. We did everything: romped with the collies, rolled down the hill, threw frisbees, you name it. Finally, we looked for a new entertainment. It started when my dad discovered his old baseball bat. Dad decided I was old enough to learn the basics of baseball, so we all went to the backyard. He showed me how to place my tiny fingers, swing the bat, and position my little feet. Once I was ready, he backed up to pitch. Swing. Strike. “Try again,” Dad encouraged. Swing. WHAM! And I hit the ball right into my dad’s stomach. Pop Pop snickered. Dad kept trying. Every single pitch was slammed soundly into his stomach. “You’re not doing it right, Jason,” Pop Pop chortled. “You’re not teaching her right!” Soon, Dad was in too much pain to play, and Pop Pop smugly took his place. “I'll show you how it’s done, Son.” Pop Pop repositioned my feet and adjusted my hands. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded excitedly. He threw the ball. I swung with all my might. WHAM! Unfortunately, Pop Pop was four inches taller than my dad, so the ball hit him…uh, a few inches below his stomach…yeah, you can guess how much pain he was in! Needless to say, Pop Pop didn’t pitch for long. I could not figure out why no one wanted to play baseball with me. Pop Pop has since passed on. This is now one of my favorite and funniest memories with him. I still remember my dad doubling over with an equal mixture of pain and laughter as poor Pop Pop tossed the ball to me again and again until he could stand no more. To this day, I still occasionally hit the pitcher, so I do not dare to play baseball very often. When I do, though, the pitcher often chooses to 1) wear a helmet, 2) use only plastic balls, and 3) sign an injury liability form.

The best concert I have ever attended was the Rend Collective Campfire 10th Anniversary concert! Rend Collective has been one of my top favorite groups since jumping and swaying to “My Lighthouse” as a kid in VBS. The rich, poetical Irish lyrics combined with foot-stomping beats and cheerful fiddle never cease to make me dance. Me, my four siblings, and parents would sing out our hearts in the car and clap to the Christmas music as we baked cookies. Sometimes we got too loud, and the driver (my dad) would have to quiet us down. Sometimes we clapped powdered sugar and flour all over the counters and ourselves. So, this concert was extremely special to my family. In the middle of the busyness, we were able to enjoy this concert as a whole family. It was a wonderful evening! We danced and stomped to the music with the audience and cried with the vulnerable lyrics. Our family ties were tightened as we let go. Even my mom in her late forties who never runs or jumps around could not help joining the fun and jumping with us! The concert was in honor of the 10th anniversary of the group’s two Campfire CDs. These albums were recorded live around a crackling campfire with an amazing collection of instruments and people. In honor of these albums, they “recreated” the Rend Collective Campfire atmosphere on stage, giving the audience a chance to experience the same freedom through vulnerability. At the time, I was stressing about life a lot. I was taking dual enrollment college classes and dealing with the stress of junior year of high school. Big decisions had to be made, and I was feeling rather tense. During the pandemic, my sisters and I choreographed several Rend Collective songs. We were able to refocus and refresh ourselves by expressing our emotions through ballet. When the band walked onto the stage, the roaring applause stopped, and the drumbeat began. Within minutes, my body relaxed; I had to move! I have never felt so free in my life. Ironically, my first concert memory was also performed by an Irish artist. I have heard Robin Mark’s music from the womb. As a toddler, I bounced and danced with my two older sisters to his music. Robin Mark’s music was what I drifted off to sleep on during road trips, the flutes and fiddles making me dream of misty green lands and all things that pleasant. His music filled our home with joy. Every year, he performed at a little church nearby. I remember being awestruck by his deep voice filling the sanctuary, echoing grandly off the domed roof that looked like Noah’s ark flipped upside down. Even though I was no older than six or seven years old, I remember feeling like every noise in my heart was hushed as I sat and listened to the soulful music. It was so peaceful. At both concert experiences, I was both soothed and strengthened by the Irish music. There is something so honest and pure about the Irish music. Some songs made me whoop and holler feeling like an undefeatable warrior, and others made my eyes close and my heart get off life’s treadmill.

“Jael” ironically means “mountain goat”—or more modernly translated as “mountain climber”—historically standing for unwavering strength and resilience. I am constantly taking on new challenges, daring to do what people call impossible. Science has always fascinated me. As a little girl, being homeschooled was delightful because I got the opportunity to study so many marvelous things in nature. When I was twelve, I got interested in horticulture and agriculture. Food prices were high, so I began growing organic produce for my family. I started all the vegetable plants from seed inside my home. In the following years, I gradually expanded. This year, I grew six hundred plants from seed. I now have a large vegetable garden and a larger cut flower garden that I care for daily. My dream is to get a Bachelor of Science in horticulture. I will blend my two passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows organic flowers for garden-style floral design. Most florists ship in flowers, but scientists are recently discovering that these flowers are heavily treated with toxic chemicals that initiate serious health issues. I want my bouquets to bring joy, not pain, into people’s lives. Additionally, I am working towards beginning a ministry that will reach forgotten people through flowers. Sharing flower bouquets with my friends, relatives, and elderly neighbors has been a joy! Flowers have the power to inspire people to smile again, and I desire to share this hope with the brokenhearted. My ministry will involve regularly visiting nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bonding with the residents through fun floral design classes. Furthermore, I hope to partner with hospitals, foster care and adoptive systems, refugee organizations, women crisis clinics, and more. However, this is not an easy career. I spend hours planting seeds in a cold basement, rise early to beat the summer heat, use free time for garden maintenance, and fill chilly fall weekends with seed harvesting. No matter how much my arms ache or how tired I am, I must fight on. Invasive weeds, destructive critters, damaging diseases, flattening thunderstorms—I have had to keep scaling the mountain despite the cliffs and sharp rocks. Each obstacle leads to progress and the discovery of better growing methods. Last summer, all my research began to pay off. My plants have doubled in size due to the compost I began applying, and the plants produced more abundantly because the companion plants deterring bad bugs also attracted pollinators. Without having the problems, I never would have found answers. Every year, I try new seed varieties. The first year is always a rocky climb. Each seed needs different treatment: some need darkness then light, and some need cold then warmth. You can’t just throw the seeds on some dirt and expect a beautiful plant. Gardening is an art but also a science. I enjoy choosing color palettes and designing flower beds, but each design must factor in the unique preferences and needs of each type of cut flower or each plant. I must think creatively and use the resources I have. Each season, I work out the kinks and celebrate conquering another variety. Sometimes it takes a month. Other times, it takes years, but the excitement never gets old. Yes, I am a mountain climber, and I will keep climbing until I have conquered every mountain in my path. My career requires grit, but there is nothing like savoring the fruit of your labor, smelling the sweet fragrance of beauty, and witnessing joy blossom in people's faces when you hand them a bouquet made with love.

I have been fascinated by plants, specifically flowers, since I was a toddler. My parents had to keep close tabs on me to prevent me from turning park gardens into personal bouquets. When I was twelve, I got permission from my parents to begin a large vegetable garden. Prices were insanely high due to COVID-19, and my large family needed the produce. Happily, I started the vegetable plants from seed on a makeshift greenhouse created by a step ladder by our sunny glass door. A couple of weeks later, my dad surprised me with some gladiolus, dahlia, and lily bulbs! I was so excited; I could spend hours practically drooling over the flower encyclopedia. That summer, my garden overflowed with flowers and produce. I grew everything organically, which was quite a challenge. I studied companion planting and natural pest deterring, added herbs and strongly scented flowers to deter bugs, set up metallic pinwheels to keep birds from devouring my seeds, substituted the recommended chemical fertilizers with nutrient-rich compost, and reduced plant spacing to control weeds. No matter how much my arms ached, I fought on. Each obstacle led to progress and the discovery of better strategies. Over the past four years, I have gradually upgraded from a step ladder to three greenhouse shelves complete with grow lights and several heat mats. I expanded the vegetable garden, and last fall I broke ground for a cut flower garden which is currently blooming with color. This year, I successfully grew six hundred organic plants, and I gave one hundred away in return for honest feedback. I have made much progress, but the race is not over. My dream is to begin a business that incorporates organic flower farming, floral design, and seedling cultivation. Alongside that, I will start a ministry that partners with nursing homes, foster care systems, hospitals, refugee organizations, and other organizations to bring hope to the hopeless through flower arrangements. I enjoy volunteering my floral arranging skills for baby showers, farewell parties, and other occasions. My flowers have made their way into hospitals, churches, and homes, worn by the young and held by the shaking hands of the elderly. Through seasons of isolation, grief, and despair, flowers have given me hope for a brighter tomorrow and joy amid the pain. My life is a story of beauty from ashes, for my flowers are now meeting other people in their brokenness: ailing elderly neighbors, grieving friends, lonely widows, expectant mothers, and the list goes on. After high school, I plan to earn a bachelor's degree in horticulture to prepare for running my horticulture and floral design business. I will get practical experience in floral design, greenhouses, and plant nurseries. I have learned much independently, but I have only gotten a drop, and I want more! Paying for this degree is completely up to me. I am the third of five children, and my parents will not be able to offer me financial assistance. I am saving some money through dual enrollment classes, but this will not be enough. I have been unable to work due to complicated family situations, and many scholarship committees are turning me down simply because I am a homeschool student, and my resume and courseload look different from the average student. It has been quite discouraging because debt could be detrimental to the overall success of my business and ministry. This scholarship will enable me to pursue my dream of inspiring other people to hold onto hope and to keep believing that beauty can come from ashes.

"Are all five kids yours?" "Do you really homeschool all of them?" "Are you crazy?" My mom has been asked these questions constantly over the years, yet they never faze her. My mom is Wonder Woman. She has taught my siblings and me to live selflessly while encouraging a lifelong love of learning. However, Mom is getting older and starting to feel it; even Wonder Woman gets tired and discouraged. The last few years have been especially exhausting for my mom. Extracurricular activities, family events, and doctor appointments constantly overwhelm her. With three teenagers and two young adult daughters, having a blank square on the calendar is a rarity. Furthermore, her health and memory have been declining. Wonder Woman is often very weary. Wonder Woman needed a sidekick who would have her back. Enter Mighty Mouse! My dad nicknamed me Mighty Mouse when I was a little girl—small but incredibly strong physically and personally. I was always shouldering the heaviest bags, supporting sleepy siblings, and slaying giant weeds. A nickname intended as a joke stuck and became central to my resilient personality. Mighty Mouse quickly became Wonder Woman’s personal assistant (PA), ready the moment she is called to action. Her PA duties include daily planning, scheduling, email administration, activity management, responsibility oversight, conflict resolution, and emotional support. Wonder Woman’s wish is my command. When she cannot complete a task, assist a sibling, or answer the phone, I step in. Every day, there is a consultation where daily battle plans are thoroughly discussed, detailed, and written out. Then, Mighty Mouse relays all necessary information to the rest of the troops—er, siblings—while Wonder Woman recharges. A typical day in the life of Mighty Mouse involves staying alert throughout her personal routine, troubleshooting any technical issues, and executing the battle plan enthusiastically. Some battles are especially difficult and require meticulous strategizing, but together we have overcome health complications, depression, relationship conflicts, and grief. Being Wonder Woman’s PA is a challenging role, but I can never repay her for all her care and love through the years; certainly, I would not be the warrior I am today if she had not dedicated herself to training happy, healthy, and confident soldiers. As I finish high school and attend college, my PA role may look different, but I will stay close. I will commute to a local college and continue living at home to assist my aging hero. Someday, I will have my own home and family, but Mighty Mouse will always be a call away, ready to support and encourage 24/7, 365 days. Wonder Woman has inspired me to put others first. This is a love I will carry into my career as I begin a business and ministry that aims to love the forgotten and offer hope to hurting people. I am honored to pass on her selfless care and service to others through my career, family life, and friendships. Thank you, Wonder Woman, for teaching me to love unreservedly.

“Do you think Mom will let me get this? It has so many cool experiments!” I asked my oldest sister wistfully. I was about nine years old. “Sweetie, that’s a high school chemistry book,” the seller explained, smiling at my disappointment. Science has always fascinated me. I relished science so much that I voluntarily completed a year’s worth of science curriculum in a single month… and not any month, but the first month of summer vacation after first grade! My mom begged me to wait until fall to take third-grade science. I scooped up every science book and DVD at the libraries and eagerly investigated every box for science books at homeschool curriculum sales. When I was twelve, I dove into horticulture and agriculture. Food prices rose, so I grew organic produce for my family and started the plants from seed. Through the years, I gradually expanded. This spring, I grew six hundred organic plants from seed on greenhouse shelves for my vegetable and cut-flower gardens. However, science isn’t my only passion; I am also artistic. For years, art projects were my worst nightmare. My artist mom tried coaxing me to pick up the paintbrush. “I am NOT an artist. I can’t draw or paint anything!” I protested. Mom insisted firmly, “You ARE an artist.” Of course, she was right. I was an artist; I simply misdefined art. Art is when talent meets fun and creates beauty. Once I realized this, I cultivated my love for floral design through certificate-level floral design classes. Color palettes, gentle transitions, monochromatic arrangements...I am amazed by the hidden artist that has blossomed through floral design. My goal is to blend my two STEAM passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows organic flowers for garden-style floral design. Most cut flowers are drenched with toxic chemicals that can initiate serious health issues. My arrangements must spread joy, not pain, which is why my business will stay organic. Difficult, but entirely possible. Sharing hope through flowers for my friends, relatives, and elderly neighbors has been life changing. Flowers bless people in a way deeper than words can. I have enjoyed volunteering my skills for baby showers, farewell parties, and other occasions, but the sweetest moments are when I carry bouquets to my elderly widowed neighbors, who hug and kiss me like their own granddaughter. Their joy tears me up. My business will enlarge this mission by partnering with various organizations: nursing homes and senior citizen homes, to regularly visit with beautiful centerpieces and organize fun floral design events for their senior residents; foster care systems, to come and make flower crowns with little girls; hospitals, to brighten painful days and shadowy rooms; refugee organizations, to bless and celebrate impoverished brides of first-generation families in the USA; women’s clinics, to encourage teen mothers; and many more. Flowers have inspired me to hold onto hope through hardships, and I desire to share this healing with the lonely and brokenhearted. However, this is not an easy endeavor. I spend hours planting in a cold basement, rise early to beat the summer heat, use free time for weeding, and fill chilly fall weekends with seed harvesting. No matter how much my body aches, I must fight on. STEAM careers are hard. They require individuals who will fight to make a difference. Invasive weeds, damaging diseases, flattening thunderstorms—I keep pushing forward despite the obstacles. Yes, it is hard, but I pour myself out for this career for two reasons. First, I love it. Secondly, it is changing lives. With love and impact, STEAM is worth it, aches, scrapes, weariness, and all.

“Jael” ironically means “mountain goat”—or more modernly translated as “mountain climber”—historically standing for unwavering strength and resilience. I am constantly taking on new challenges, daring to do what people call impossible. Science has always fascinated me. As a little girl, being homeschooled was delightful because I got the opportunity to study so many marvelous things in nature, including chemistry, ornithology, zoology, and botany. When I was twelve, I began pursuing horticulture and agriculture. Food prices were high, so I began growing organic produce for my family. I started the vegetable plants from seed during the winter inside my home. In the following years, I gradually expanded. This year, I grew six hundred plants from seed! I now have a large vegetable garden and a larger cut flower garden that I care for each day. My dream is to get a Bachelor of Science in horticulture. I will blend my two passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows organic flowers for garden-style floral design. Most florists order flowers, but scientists are recently discovering that these flowers are heavily treated with toxic chemicals that initiate serious reproductive issues. I want my arrangements to bring joy, not pain, into people’s lives. Also, I am working towards beginning a ministry that will bring hope to forgotten people through flowers. Sharing hope through flower bouquets for my friends, relatives, and elderly neighbors has been a joy! My ministry will involve regularly visiting nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bonding with the residents through fun floral design classes. Furthermore, I hope to partner with foster systems and hospitals to make flower crowns with little girls, refugee organizations to bless impoverished brides, women’s clinics to encourage teen mothers upon their babies’ births, and more. I have seen the power of flowers to inspire individuals to smile again, and I desire to share this hope with many more. However, this is not an easy endeavor. I spend hours planting seeds in a cold basement, rise early to beat the summer heat, use free time for garden maintenance, and fill chilly fall weekends with seed harvesting. No matter how much my arms ache or how sick I am of smelling like plants, I must fight on. Invasive weeds, destructive critters, damaging diseases, flattening thunderstorms—I have had to keep scaling the mountain despite the cliffs and sharp rocks. A degree in horticulture will prepare me for my career goals, but it comes at a cost. I am the third of five children in my family, and my parents will not be able to aid me financially. It is up to me to earn my way and pay for this degree. I am saving what I can by dual enrolling during my last year of high school, so I can take my required general education classes at a cheaper price with a community college. Obviously, though, this will not be enough. Another obstacle has been my inability to get a job; my parents have not been able to teach me to drive for various reasons, so I am unable to save for my college education. Student loans are also concerning. To begin a business with debt could be detrimental to the overall success of my business and ministry. This scholarship will enable me to pursue my dream of inspiring other people to keep climbing their mountains and hold onto hope.

Hope. The first word I remember when the name Jesus is spoken. Throughout my journey of faith, Jesus has been the hope I cling to. Having a personal relationship with Jesus means that each morning I awake with fresh hope. No matter what the day brings, what I do, or what I think, Jesus will never let go of me. This is amazing; despite times of doubt, anger, and bitterness, Jesus still loves me. When I was thirteen, I struggled to trust God’s purpose. The pandemic was raging, and due to having an immunocompromised family member, my family was isolated for years. I felt forgotten and unloved. Our friends did not understand the reason why we did not participate in certain things. Many hurtful words were spoken, and relationships broken. Furthermore, one of my siblings began serious mental health struggles; every day was a battle of depression, and it affected our entire family. Though I tried to walk away, Jesus would not let me. Slowly, he began to heal my heart…but in an unusual way. Jesus healed me in the garden. I have always loved plants but that summer I dove into the garden. I grew vegetables for my large family, but best of all, I cultivated beautiful flowers. I would gather lilies, gladiolus, and dahlias into sweet bouquets. Peace, refreshment, calmness, comfort, delight, rest, welcome…my mind decelerated and unloaded all the frustrations mounting inside. In those moments, Jesus was speaking: “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Luke 12:27) Yes, I was hurting, but I saw the flowers and I couldn’t help seeing God in them. But God wasn’t done there. My garden overflowed with flowers, and I shyly offered bouquets to several neighbors. Little did I know how much my offer meant. COVID-19 left my elderly neighbors housebound, alone and forgotten, just like myself. When I came to their porch with a simple handful of blossoms, their smiles radiated with fresh hope…the same hope I had experienced. Jesus was using my broken offerings to bring hope to my neighbors! The hope that he has given me is now reaching more people. I have had the privilege to encourage widows, expectant mothers, high school graduates, friends, and family members through the gifts of floral design and gardening that God has blessed me with. Thrillingly, I am just beginning. I cannot wait to see the places Jesus will lead and the hundreds of smiles my floral designs will inspire. Since that summer, Jesus is taking me on an adventure like no other. He has called me to begin a business and ministry that shares hope through flowers to elderly people, hospitalized children, teen mothers, and many others. To prepare for this, I will go to college for a bachelor’s degree in horticulture upon graduating high school. Not only will I learn the skills for cultivating beautiful flowers and managing a business, but college will be a ministry opportunity. Through interactions with students and professors, I can share the unfading hope Jesus has given me. Additionally, there will be volunteer opportunities at the local hospitals, senior homes, and other non-profit organizations where I can bring lovely bouquets to hopeless and overlooked people. My ultimate desire is that my business and ministry will spread the hope and joy of Jesus through sweet flowers. It is my prayer that through college, business, ministry, and beyond, my faith will inspire others to run to Jesus, our unshakeable hope.

My eyes grew big as the balloon inflated before me. Though there were many fascinating experiments to perform with my chemistry-in-the-kitchen kit, I revisited the baking soda and vinegar experiment again and again. I could not fathom how two simple ingredients had power enough to expand a rubber balloon. Unless the pressure was released, the balloon would explode. Mental health starts with honesty. I too, much like the balloon, am constantly being filled with pressure, and unless it is released somehow, I will capitulate. But choosing a wise route to release pressure is challenging when our world is forcing us to take more and more in. Think about it—when you are stressed or depressed, what do you do? Watch an entertaining movie? Play your favorite video game? Scroll through social media? Instead of feeling better, you end up comparing yourself to dramatic characters, flawless faces, and superior gamers. Taking in the images our culture offers does not help us take care of ourselves. Rather, we need to find people we can be vulnerable with, those who will support us in our shadows. Being homeschooled, I have the privilege of always being surrounded by people who truly care for my well-being: my family. Now, this does not mean I am perfect at exposing my emotions. Far from it! By personality, I don’t like talking about how I feel. I don’t want to negatively affect anyone, so I keep everything to myself; consequently, I unintentionally become a corked bottle of ugly emotions. However, family members have recently shown this habit to me out of concern. My oldest sister particularly put forth extra effort to have honest heart-to-heart conversations with me. Yes, sometimes they are messy, weepy, and grueling—it takes a lot of work, and sometimes tears, to unearth all the feelings within—but I am slowly learning that sharing my heart is necessary to balancing mental health. As sisters, we are learning it’s okay to confess we’re not okay and that we all need someone to walk through life’s rough spots with. Now, I have the ability to return that support. During the same sister's sophomore year of college, she struggled to balance studying, commuting, and resting, which led to numerous emotions. I have continued to be a friend she can be raw with, someone who can hold her when she hurts or listen calmly when she has had a bad day. Another family member has gone through some serious mental health struggles; during these seasons, I was a hand to hold, a whisper of affirming love, and a gentle rub on the back. When this loved one could not take care of themselves, I was watching and protecting. Mental health is not easy to balance. If we're honest with ourselves, it's scary. We don't want to experience someone we love struggling with their thoughts and emotions. Instead of pulling away, we must draw closer. Instead of watching from a distance, we must have our arm around that person. Instead of being ashamed, we must realize that mental health can be a life or death battle, and we have the opportunity to protect life. If they cannot take care of themselves, we can step up to the plate and fight for this precious life when they are simply too weak. Having a family member who has had ups and downs in mental health has changed the way I respond when someone shares they are struggling. Instead of brushing it aside and trying to cheer them up as I used to, I stop and listen, then encourage. I tell them that I will not walk away. Rather, I will walk down the dark path with them, pulling them out of the smoke like a firefighter. Besides an honest, caring friend, people dealing with depression need to be reminded that there is hope. I have been able to do this in an unusual way. The summer I was thirteen, my garden overflowed with flowers, and I shyly offered bouquets to several neighbors. Little did I know how much my offer meant. COVID-19 left my elderly neighbors housebound, alone and forgotten. When I came to their porch with a simple handful of blossoms, their smiles radiated with fresh hope. Just a few flowers replaced despair with joy! Later, when both neighbors lost their husbands, I continued to bring flowers to them, letting both women know that they were loved and seen. My flowers ministered to lonely, anxious hearts. Now, I am preparing to begin a business and ministry that offers hope to people through flowers. I plan to regularly visit nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bond with the residents through fun floral design classes, simply expressing that they are loved, remembered, and worth my time. Furthermore, I hope to partner with foster systems and hospitals to come and make princess flower crowns with little girls, refugee organizations to bless impoverished brides with wedding bouquets, women’s clinics to encourage teen mothers with lovely flowers upon the babies’ births, and more. These are girls and women who need to be cheered on and inspired to keep fighting. Little girls who have lost their hair from cancer treatment and little girls who have been transferred from one foster home to the next need to be reminded and shown that they are still beautiful princesses. Young women who are the first-generation in the United States cannot afford the luxurious weddings they encounter; I want to bless every bride, poor or rich, with the most beautiful day of her life. Single mothers need encouragement because the battle of depression and fear is real; by showing up and celebrating their little miracles, I desire to remind single moms that they are not alone. There is hope, even amidst storms, but people struggling with life or death questions need to be reminded that someone cares. My goal is to encourage people in my community to look beyond the cloudy horizon to the coming sunset, the hope of a bright future ahead.

I will blend my two passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows chemical-free flowers for garden-style floral design. Most florists order flowers, but scientists are discovering that these flowers are heavily treated with toxic chemicals that can initiate health (specifically, reproductive) issues. My floral designs will inspire hope, joy, and peace through their beauty and chemical-free qualities, not fear, illness, and pain. Flowers can be successfully grown without chemicals; my goal is to help promote chemical reduction. I particularly love garden-style floral arrangements because they are natural and authentic. Internationally shipped hothouse flowers make flower arrangements less meaningful and relevant. As a florist, I will aim to create a story that connects with the hearts of my clients. My business will share a bigger story than a box of flowers on the doorstep, but the story straight from the organic beginning—a tiny seed. Fear, weariness, anxiety, grief, pain, loneliness…I know all these emotions, and I must do more than make a few individuals happy. I began gardening in the most challenging time in history–the COVID-19 pandemic. I walked into it thinking, “Great! I have something new to do.” But summer came and I found myself fleeing to the garden in my desperate moments. I rose early each morning just to slip out and be there. Just to be there. Peace, refreshment, calmness, comfort, delight, rest, welcome…my mind decelerated and unloaded all the frustrations mounting inside. I wasn’t alone anymore. The squirrels chattered at me, the butterflies invited me to dance with them, and the birds swooped by my head, calling for me to sing along. Moreover, I felt a greater presence, and it transformed my life. Sharing hope through flower bouquets for my friends, relatives, and especially my widowed neighbors has been a joy! Elderly people are often forgotten. I desire to regularly visit nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bond with the residents through fun floral design classes, simply expressing that they are loved, remembered, and worth my time. Furthermore, I hope to partner with foster systems and hospitals to come and make princess flower crowns with little girls, refugee organizations to bless impoverished brides with wedding bouquets, women’s clinics to encourage teen mothers with lovely flowers upon the babies’ births, and more. These are girls and women who need to be cheered on and inspired to keep fighting. Little girls who have lost their hair from cancer treatment and little girls who have been transferred from one foster home to the next need to be reminded and shown that they are still beautiful princesses. Young women who are the first-generation in the United States cannot afford the luxurious weddings they encounter; I want to bless every bride, poor or rich, with the most beautiful day of her life. Single mothers need encouragement because the battle of depression and fear is real; by showing up and celebrating their little miracles, I desire to remind single moms that they are not alone. There is hope, even amidst storms, but sometimes we need to be reminded that someone cares and is willing to walk alongside us. My goal is to encourage other women and girls through my personal floral designs to look beyond the cloudy horizon to the coming sunset, the hope of a bright future ahead.

Detailed, driven, and compassionate, I use my green thumb to create floral designs that bless others. I will blend my two passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows chemical-free flowers for garden-style floral design. Most florists order flowers, but scientists are discovering that these flowers are heavily treated with toxic chemicals that can initiate health (specifically, reproductive) issues. My floral designs will inspire hope, joy, and peace through their beauty and chemical-free qualities, not fear, illness, and pain. Flowers can be successfully grown without chemicals; my goal is to help promote chemical reduction. I particularly love garden-style floral arrangements because they are natural and authentic. Internationally shipped hothouse flowers make flower arrangements less meaningful and relevant. As a florist, I will aim to create a story that connects with the hearts of my clients. My business will share a bigger story than a box of flowers on the doorstep, but the story straight from the organic beginning—a tiny seed. The summer I was thirteen, my garden overflowed with flowers, and I shyly offered bouquets to several neighbors. Little did I know how much my offer meant. COVID-19 left my elderly neighbors housebound, alone and forgotten. When I came to their porch with a simple handful of blossoms, their smiles radiated with fresh hope. Just a few flowers replaced despair with joy! Later, when both neighbors lost their husbands, I continued to bring flowers to them, letting both women know that they were loved and seen. Flowers are not simply beautiful, but they minister to lonely, anxious hearts. When I mention my love for floral design, faces light up. I am young, but age doesn’t stop me from using my gift to bless others. My passion itself encourages people. They see my garden, and then they see my smile and cannot help smiling, too. The vibrant hope of a young person touches people, and the pure joy I have is refreshing and contagious. Thrillingly, I am just beginning. I cannot wait to see the places I will go and the hundreds of smiles my floral designs will inspire. My most significant impact has been little things, but these little things have the power to change my community and make it more beautiful. Good things truly come in small packages! My ultimate desire is that my business will spread hope and joy through small, sweet flowers. The motto informing my designs and propelling my future business: Happy, Healthy, and Hopeful. Happiness. There is so much bad news that we conclude all is bad. However, I discovered hidden goodness and joy in flowers; flowers urge me to never give up. When I see suffering people—lonely grandparents, friendless children, and grieving widows—I long to sprinkle joy in their lives with cheery blossoms. I don’t want just a business but a ministry that spreads smiles, uplifts hearts, and scatters laughter. Health. When I arrange bouquets for friends, I shouldn’t worry about touching the flowers. Unfortunately, cut flower producers apply many harmful chemicals before the flowers arrive at the florist’s doorstep. I have always been conscious of avoiding chemicals to protect my and my family’s health, but my concern has grown. Recently, research revealed that a chemical used in the growing process to produce stronger flower stems can seriously hinder reproduction and growth. As I processed this startling discovery, I realized that floral design events—including weddings, baby showers, birthday parties—involve people who desire healthy, happy families. The health of my clients is something I value and will not compromise. Family is priceless; my business must uphold that. However, growers obviously use chemicals for reasons: better plants equal more flowers, which equal more sales. Finding organic alternatives takes testing and money. Steady funds would enable my business to pinpoint and promote healthier ways. Hope. Fear, weariness, anxiety, grief, pain, loneliness…I know all these emotions, and I must do more than make a few individuals happy. I began gardening in the most challenging time in history–the COVID-19 pandemic. I walked into it thinking, “Great! I have something new to do.” But summer came and I found myself fleeing to the garden in my desperate moments. I rose early each morning just to slip out and be there. Just to be there. Peace, refreshment, calmness, comfort, delight, rest, welcome…my mind decelerated and unloaded all the frustrations mounting inside. I wasn’t alone anymore. The squirrels chattered at me, the butterflies invited me to dance with them, and the birds swooped by my head, calling for me to sing along. Moreover, I felt a greater presence, and it transformed my life. My life and business goal is to continue to bring hope to people. Sharing hope through flower bouquets for my friends, relatives, and especially my elderly neighbors has been a joy! Elderly people are often forgotten. I desire to regularly visit nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bond with the residents through fun floral design classes, simply expressing that they are loved, remembered, and worth my time. Furthermore, I hope to partner with foster systems and hospitals to come and make princess flower crowns with little girls, refugee organizations to bless impoverished brides with wedding bouquets, women’s clinics to encourage teen mothers with lovely flowers upon the babies’ births, and more. These are girls and women who need to be cheered on and inspired to keep fighting. Little girls who have lost their hair from cancer treatment and little girls who have been transferred from one foster home to the next need to be reminded and shown that they are still beautiful princesses. Young women who are the first-generation in the United States cannot afford the luxurious weddings they encounter; I want to bless every bride, poor or rich, with the most beautiful day of her life. Single mothers need encouragement because the battle of depression and fear is real; by showing up and celebrating their little miracles, I desire to remind single moms that they are not alone. There is hope, even amidst storms, but sometimes we need to be reminded that someone cares and is willing to walk alongside us. My goal is to encourage people in my community to look beyond the cloudy horizon to the coming sunset, the hope of a bright future ahead.

I will blend my two passions—horticulture and floral design—into a business that grows chemical-free flowers for garden-style floral design. Most florists order flowers, but scientists are discovering that these flowers are heavily treated with toxic chemicals that can initiate health (specifically, reproductive) issues. My floral designs will inspire hope, joy, and peace through their beauty and chemical-free qualities, not fear, illness, and pain. Flowers can be successfully grown without chemicals; my goal is to help promote chemical reduction. I particularly love garden-style floral arrangements because they are natural and authentic. Internationally shipped hothouse flowers make flower arrangements less meaningful and relevant. As a florist, I will aim to create a story that connects with the hearts of my clients. My business will share a bigger story than a box of flowers on the doorstep, but the story straight from the organic beginning—a tiny seed. Fear, weariness, anxiety, grief, pain, loneliness…I know all these emotions, and I must do more than make a few individuals happy. I began gardening in the most challenging time in history–the COVID-19 pandemic. I walked into it thinking, “Great! I have something new to do.” But summer came and I found myself fleeing to the garden in my desperate moments. I rose early each morning just to slip out and be there. Just to be there. Peace, refreshment, calmness, comfort, delight, rest, welcome…my mind decelerated and unloaded all the frustrations mounting inside. I wasn’t alone anymore. The squirrels chattered at me, the butterflies invited me to dance with them, and the birds swooped by my head, calling for me to sing along. Moreover, I felt a greater presence, and it transformed my life. Sharing hope through flower bouquets for my friends, relatives, and especially my widowed neighbors has been a joy! Elderly people are often forgotten. I desire to regularly visit nursing homes with beautiful flowers and intentionally bond with the residents through fun floral design classes, simply expressing that they are loved, remembered, and worth my time. Furthermore, I hope to partner with foster systems and hospitals to come and make princess flower crowns with little girls, refugee organizations to bless impoverished brides with wedding bouquets, women’s clinics to encourage teen mothers with lovely flowers upon the babies’ births, and more. These are girls and women who need to be cheered on and inspired to keep fighting. Little girls who have lost their hair from cancer treatment and little girls who have been transferred from one foster home to the next need to be reminded and shown that they are still beautiful princesses. Young women who are the first-generation in the United States cannot afford the luxurious weddings they encounter; I want to bless every bride, poor or rich, with the most beautiful day of her life. Single mothers need encouragement because the battle of depression and fear is real; by showing up and celebrating their little miracles, I desire to remind single moms that they are not alone. There is hope, even amidst storms, but sometimes we need to be reminded that someone cares and is willing to walk alongside us. My goal is to empower other women and girls through my personal floral designs to look beyond the cloudy horizon to the coming sunset, the hope of a bright future ahead.

Anne of Green Gables has always connected with me on a special level. Anne's fiery personality and deep love of nature was relatable, as I am also known for a determined, competitive personality with great appreciation for beauty. Each book I read with hungry anticipation, drinking in the delightful imagery of birch tree circles and violet covered hills. I laughed all my worries away over Anne's scrapes, appreciating the humor amid difficult seasons in my life. The series is so beautiful and real in a refreshing way; I could easily close my eyes and imagine myself on Prince Edward Island with the salty breeze and Rachel Lynde’s nodding June lilies. There have been numerous film adaptations of the book series, but the best by far was a series directed by Kevin Sullivan, featuring Megan Follows. Unlike other book to film adaptations, the storyline stuck with the book for the most part. Anne’s spirit was kept alive and in flame; one of my absolute favorite scenes is when Anne’s boat springs a leak while she is pretending to be the Lily Maid. Of course, her rival Gilbert Blythe just happens to row under the bridge she is desperately clinging to. How hilariously proud and dignified Anne remains during the undesired and undignified rescue! The movie perfectly represented Anne’s spice. In fact, the personalities of all the characters were colorfully and accurately painted. I could feel Mrs. Lynde’s gossipy but good-hearted presence, Diana’s unwavering devotion, Gilbert’s friendly then stubborn rivalry, Josie Pye’s nosiness, Marilla’s practicality, and Matthew’s compassion. Anne’s friends were my friends, and Anne’s foes, my foes. The humorous scenes in the books were well portrayed. I always laugh until tears pour out of my eyes when Anne forgot to cover the plum pudding sauce and waited tremulously until the last moment to warn everyone that a mouse had drowned in the sauce! I appreciated that they didn’t downplay the humor to exaggerate the drama in the movie. Humor helps me relate to the characters, and without it, movie characters feel unrealistic. My siblings and I have replayed the funny portions of the movie over and over again; the comicality is the best part and I have giggled until my side aches! Additionally, the imagery I savored in the books was brought to life on the screen. Canadian shores, rolling farm hills, and even the White Way of Delight and Lake of Shining Waters were beautifully represented throughout the film. I no longer had to imagine what I was reading; I was in the blissful Prince Edward Island landscape. The sad truth is that most teenagers do not bother reading long, hearty books anymore. The film, however, successfully portrayed the Anne of Green Gables story in a way that entertains people of all ages. Now I enjoy reading the Anne of Green Gables books even more because I can envision and appreciate the fascinating characters, the humorous interactions, and the lovely scenery. I highly recommend Anne of Green Gables featuring Megan Follows to all of my friends because it is amusing, uplifting, and relatable, staying true to the artful story penned by L.M. Montgomery.