My life, my future, all altered in the course of a single day. I can still remember it, the minute I made up my mind, starting a new life and saying goodbye to them…my life with my family in Mexico. I made an important decision while I was in Texas visiting my older sister. I remember when we made the call, everything was arranged for me to live with her. All I needed was their consent. My mother was utterly devastated, she couldn’t imagine letting her baby girl go at the age of 13. My father, sitting in silence, tears filling up around his eyes, looked at me with a sense of accomplishment… or pride? It gave me chills, I’d never seen my father shed a tear in my life, it felt as if he were there in the flesh. He knew his 13 year old daughter was making a huge decision, the passion she had to follow this bright light of opportunity, leaning towards it, reaching. At that moment I wasn’t a 13 year old child, he understood I transitioned into a young adult and decided to treat me as such. He made me understand the sacrifices that would be made for my sake and the consequences that would follow, comprehending the immensity of the step I was determined to take. Immediately I agreed to all the consequences and responsibility coming my way. After a small moment I heard a gentle laugh from my father, tears running down his face, which followed with a gentle “yes”. After that “yes”, I knew it was up to me whether I made it worth something, something both my parents could be proud of. I asked my father what made him decide to let me stay, after a long pause he said “You have the same determination I had way back when I was your age, the same determination that could've gotten me somewhere if it wasn’t for my parents who were unsupportive, thought of my dreams as a joke, and didn’t have the financial help I needed. I too don’t have the financial help you now need, but my support… that’s something you will never lack”. My father helped me discover the one trait I’m most proud of having… determination. My whole life has been driven by it, I’d say it did all of the work that’s led me to where I’m standing now. That determination allowed me to find a way to live and study in the country I was born in, the country that’s allowing me to have the education I’ve always wanted. One more year, my last year, and then it will be up to me whether I’ll have the chance, a chance to go to college… Most importantly, afford it. My life journey has been a rocky road for almost 4 years. The one rock blocking my way now is my financial distress, the same rock my father had when he was my age and is to this day struggling to get rid of. Now it seems to be tied around me, this very moment I am still determined to get this rock off me and pursue a career in Civil Engineering where I’ll have a chance to give back to the world, create a prosperous future for Earth. I’m determined to find a solution, determined to release myself of this financial weight that won't let me run… or give me the chance to fly. Spread my wings and fly into what I know is a future both my parents and I can and will be proud of.

As I begin my senior year of high school my mind starts to be filled with college and what I will do with my future. The thing that has a stronger hold in my thoughts is my financial situation. College has always been my number one priority in life, and being able to afford it is what keeps me up at night. I have taken matters into my own hands since no one in my family can pay for my education, I do not have the same privilege of some other kids my age who don't have to worry about funding their own education. I’ve been searching and applying for scholarships (haven't been as lucky), and recently was given a job at my high school which I hope will help me out with my future expenses towards my career in college. But knowing how expensive college can be, I know that won’t be enough. As soon as I get into college I will know what it truly means to manage finances by myself and will have no one to blame if I drown in student debt, which is my worst nightmare. My parents have had their ups and downs when it comes to their financial stability, unfortunately I would say they have had more downs than ups. My father has had many different jobs, but ones that don’t last or aren't even enough to cover the bills. Because of this my family has always been under financial stress, my parents made it nonexistent when we were little, to me we had everything. As I got older it was inevitable for me to notice how much stress my father was in every day. He made it clear to my sisters and I that his one wish was to see us all achieve greater things in life, at least not see us struggle financially as he has his entire life, and for all five of us to attend college and pursue a degree that would make it possible to do whatever makes us happy in life. Our only problem has always been our financial position. My financial education has been learning from my parents' mistakes and creating a version of my own future financial management in which I can successfully prepare myself for making smart financial decisions. 10 years from now I want to be able to look at my life and be proud of what I have achieved and be happy with what I do for a living, not have any student debt making me worry about my financial standing. In order to create the future I envision for myself, I will put in the hard work now in order to not have any regrets later. The main thing I have learned, which was one of my parents' past mistakes, is not admitting a need for financial help or “not accepting any charity” as they called it. I am pursuing a higher education, and in order to do that I have to admit that I am a low income student, I do need to ask for help, I do need to apply for scholarships, I do need to work to get where I want to be in life. I will accept any financial help that is given to me in order to pursue my dream, in order to make my parents proud, and surpass the vision my father has for my near future.

Rachel Carson is one my favorite role models, many people tell me that a major in environmental science won't take me anywhere. Her passion towards the environment inspires me everyday to follow my heart and do what I feel passionate about, conserve our environment. On April 3, 1963, C.B.S. Reports presented the program "The Silent Spring of Rachel Carson". One of the quotes she said was this one, which I find so true and eye opening: "But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself". Rachel Carson always reminds me to never give up on my future with our environment which is only getting worse by the day. I want to be part of its journey towards a healthier future. We humans have a mutual dependency with our planet. If we take care if it, it will care for us too.

We are dying, the existence of humanity is at its tipping point. Earth should be our number one priority, we have not been taking care or Earth as we should be, what's the reason of making and evolving with this new technology if we can't put it to use for an actual problem that needs to be solved. Everyone's thing on their mind is not knowing when the new iphone is coming out, or when companies are deciding to make better iPods. Those are material things that if you think about, just add up to more e-waste throughout the world. I want to be different, I don't want a job that makes the most money, I want a job that makes the most change. Change in our environment that is crucial to be acted upon. Everyone needs to put in effort towards the same goal in order to make something happen, something change, something improve, be better than before. I never really knew want I wanted to study in college, in my freshman year of highschool I came to a realization that it didn't really matter how much money I made in a year. I saw how much Earth is screaming for our help and I want to do something about it, I want to be part of this positive change that can and will be made to help Earth survive. Now I am certain about what I want to do with my future, involve myself in saving the Earth from human harm. Improve our way of living in order to coexist with Earth and the organisms that complete its natural cycle. My dream is to go to college and finish a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Being certain of what I want has made me so excited for college.

Earth, it has thrived on it own for hundreds of years with no help, the cycle of life went on with no interruption. Well that was until humans came into the picture. Ever since we came to exist all we have done is damage our environment. As the years went on people found "efficient" or more easier ways to travel, build, communicate, make food, etc. These inventions have come at a great price. In order to make most of these things work, people had to take lots and lots of irreplaceable natural resources like oil, in great amounts without thinking about the consequences, the first thing in people's minds is money. Selfishness, it was and still is a major problem, selfishness towards future generations, selfishness towards the well being of our irreplaceable planet, selfishness towards the animals that have co-existed with earth and are now paying the consequence for us not doing the same. Climate change, many animals are suffering from this real problem, from the mighty polar bear to the gentle monarch butterfly. Everyone else is paying for our own mistakes that we see and not do anything about. Everyone is just waiting until we humans are at our last resource and not have anything left, everyone is waiting until all the trees are gone, until the ocean is full of trash, until our unique one of a kind planet becomes inhabitable. I say we do something now, now is the time to change our old ways of living. One way to change is powering all we can with renewable energy, its free! Plant trees, reduce waste, take care of the ocean, plants in the ocean actually produce 50-80% of the oxygen we breathe. Every action we take predicts the survival of us and planet earth.

Last winter is around the time my life changed forever. Last winter my sister and I decided to watch "Game of Thrones", a really popular fantasy tv series, in just a month, since covid-19 was still around and I was doing school online. It was the perfect time, no interruptions, and so we began. It was the best series I had ever watched in my life. I was amazed by how different and beautiful and emotional it was. Sadly the series weren't enough for me, I needed more of this amazing story. That's when I admitted to myself that I was going to do it, I needed it, the book. To my surprise there was more than one, actually there were 5 huge books and two more on the making. Right that second I ordered the first book. Once the book got to my house, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I grabbed it, locked myself in my room, and began. I had that book with me all the time. Since I read the first chapter the only thing I wanted to do was read the next. This wasn't the series I watched, it felt as if the story and I were one and the same. The words used to describe the feelings the characters felt were so complex. I could feel what they were feeling, heart wrenching pain, loss, love, hate, snow falling in my face, the heat of the sun, the castle walls surrounding me. I cried tears of joy, loss, and hate. Some characters felt like they were my own flesh and blood. This book has it all, from the iron throne, to wars, kings, queens, dragons, and amazing destinies to unravel. This is the first book, "A Game of Thrones", and it sure isn't the last.

My mom has always been an awesome cook, my four sisters and I loved her food because she put so much effort and love into each meal. She even had her own little garden in order to have some of her favorite ingredients at hand. Fresh and organic food has always been very important and vital for my family, in order to consume food that was organic and fresh, my dad had to give up a bit more money in order to pay for it. After my dad lost his job, everything changed, now we were lucky enough to even be able to buy the non organic fruits and vegetables. We all could taste the difference in the food we now ate, but didn't complain since my dad was breaking his back every day at work in order to pay for rent, gas, electricity, water, etc. My family's situation with not having access to good and organic food made me upset, it also made me realize that we weren't the only family that had been through this situation. Millions of families can't access natural foods that benefit their body's well being. The lack of accessibility in natural food, prices, and locations are only a few of all the environmental problems that humans can actually help and even fix forever. The environment, helping preserve it and be able to live without damaging it is my long life passion. People always try the easy, fast, and effective way to fix a problem or situation. Unfortunately almost all of these "solutions" end up damaging the planet in a really fast pace. There are always people who care about what's happening to our Earth and warn everyone to make changes now, do something now, care for our planet now, but it is very easy to ignore these warnings and continue living the way we always have. Once the consequences of our actions start happening and everyone starts trying to fix our ways in that moment, by then it will be too late. I want to help, I want to contribute, I want to make a difference, for all of the environment that is screaming for our help. I desperately want to help it to the best of my ability, my dream is to be able to go to college and earn a degree in Environmental Science. Pursuing this degree would help me be able to learn and help better our planet from harm. I want to learn more about our complex and wonderful earth that gives us the air we breathe and the food we eat. We can influence the outcome of its future, l want to take the right step and professionally make a true impact to contribute on the Earth's well being.

Hello, my name is Janeth Gaona and I was born in brownsville, tx. Both my mom and dad were born in Morelia, Michoacán. My dad's goal in life was that my sisters and I were able to get a good and fulfilling education in order to succeed and not have to struggle in the future just like the struggle he bears to this day. My mom wasn't allowed to continue school after middle school because she had lots of brothers and sisters to take care of, plus they couldn't afford any more school for her and still had little brothers and sisters that were looking forward to start kindergarten. My dad went as far as high school, his parents didn't have the money to support college, and couldn't bear asking for a loan since they had already got one just in order to feed the family. Both my parents had dreams, dreams they weren't able to achieve because of financial necessity. My mother dreamed of becoming a doctor, she loved helping others who were sick, we were the closest she would get to treating a "patient". My father dreamed of becoming an engineer, he's really good at math and history. He was always the one helping me and all my sisters with our homework since my mom couldn't comprehend our school work. Both my parents didn't have much, they worked and worked in order to maintain all five of their children. My dad wanted us to have everything and was barely able to give us the essentials with the money he earned. Just enough to buy clothes and have food on our table. It was rare if he had enough to take us to the movies or to give my older sisters money for the mall. We all knew how hard he worked for us and never asked for more. My father believed that the U.S was a place full if opportunities for my sisters and I. My three older sisters were born in Mexico but were raised in the U.S, my little sister and I were born in the U.S. All my sisters and I are bilingual thanks to my dad's hard work and sacrifices he's made through out his life. Both my parents made us move back and forth from Mexico to the U.S, today both of them live in Mexico with three of my sisters, I decided to stay in the U.S with my older sister to live with her. Its been almost three years since I've last seen them and I plan to stay in the U.S to go to college and earn a degree in Environmental Science in order to help the environment which is suffering from human harm, and will only suffer even more if no one steps up and does something about the permanent harm our planet is going through right under our noses. I want to make my parents proud and show them that their hard work and sacrifices have paid off.

When I was probably 5 or 6 years old I went to the supermarket with my mother and since it was thanksgiving season the place was crowded and really loud. This made my mom really stressed and she just wanted to get what she needed and get out of there. I was following behind and was amazed of how many people could fit in this big store. Then out of nowhere a bird flew into the store and I stopped for a second to stare at it, once I looked down again panic flowed throughout my whole body. My mother was gone, just like that I was lost in this herd of people. I tried walking and looked for her but it was useless. The only thing I was capable of doing was cry, I curled up in a ball on the floor and started to cry. I could feel people walking past me and since everyone was so occupied no one cared that a small girl was on the floor crying. They probably thought that I was just an inpatient girl making a tantrum in the middle of the store. I just felt lost and empty, I thought I was lost forever and I would never see my mother again. Out of nowhere I felt a light touch in my shoulder, I trembled, and when I looked up it was an old lady, now I would say probably in her late 70s. She helped me up and held my hand, I felt so helpless that the first thing I did was hug her, I hugged her with all my heart, she was my anchor in my time of need. The old lady then chuckled and stared at me with worry, those deep blue eyes stared down to my soul, not in fear, her eyes were like the big blue sky lifting me up. She asked me what was wrong, and so I poured my soul out and explained what happened without trying to start sobbing again. She told me that everything would be ok, and oddly enough I believed her. She took me to the bakery of the store and bought me a chocolate donut with some hot coco, since it was november and freezing. She held my arm tight and never let go of me. I didn't know where we were going but I just trusted her and concentrated on eating my donut. Then out of nowhere we were at the front of the store and police men where talking to the old lady. I buried myself into her arm and felt as if we were one. I was shaking, of both fear and cold, when out of nowhere I see my mother come out from an office, her face was pale white and she dropped all that she was holding. My mother ran towards me and the lady, I found myself instantly in her embrace. I didn't feel scared or cold anymore. I was safe, safe again with my mother, but oddly enough I also wanted to hug the old lady that took care of me while all hope was lost. So when I looked back, I saw nothing but all kinds of people busy with their groceries, she was nowhere to be seen. I was looking but the image was just like the one I saw when I couldn't find my mother. She was gone, and I was sad, but eternally grateful for what she had done.

Anyone that knows me can easily tell you that one of my "gifts" is being able to stay a whole day in a bed and watch the Harry Potter series non stop. Honestly, I enjoy rewatching movies that I like to an unhealthy level, but rewatching the Harry Potter series brings me the joy and comfort I need once in a while. These series have everything from action, to thriller, to science fiction, to romance; but most importantly they have magic. Joy and comfort, those two words are perfect for describing what I feel inside and deep in my heart whenever I watch these series. It travels me to another world where everything is possible, there are no boundaries to the imagination. Even though its still about magic and science fiction it still shows the simple things in life that are important and problems that everyone faces, it shows that everyone is human and life isn't always fair or perfect. It brings that sense of reality that helps you connect with the characters. Another aspect that is responsible for the deep love I hold for these movies would be that every single movie is different but has the same nuclear power that keeps you wanting more. The movies have a little bit of every genre and I feel like that is why they keep someone engaged so much, you get a bit of everything in each movie. Almost everyone knows that the Harry Potter series are based of magic and spells. I find that they hold a different type of magic, not the one that defeats evil beasts or makes objects fly. This other type of magic is the one that gives you the power to wonder, and believe in everything you do; you even find magic grow in yourself.

A community is made up of different people who coaporate to its development and well being each day. People who are a part of any kind of community need to get involved and help make positive impacts. I am 15 years old and I have big dreams, I do what is in my reach to better my community to the best of my ability. The future that I have always seen myself in is me helping our planet survive and there for humans survive; find ways to live with earth rather than try and shape it as we want it to be and not let the outcome benefit only us. The idea of one person can make a big impact, good or bad, in any community. That idea can influence others, and by working together that idea can become reality. Getting involved is a wonderful way to contribute and make a positive impact towards the community. There are many categories of many things people can do to better the community. There aren't any restrictions towards age, anyone can make a difference, anyone can contribute, anyone can make a positive impact. My family tends to move a lot so I don't really get the chance to get attached to a single place. Even though I don't have that opportunity, I tend to do something, even small things make a difference. Maybe not to every single person in that community, but at least a few will be able to see or hear that difference or impact made. I used to live in brownsville, tx. I lived 15 minutes away from a beach that was known for people parking their cars inside the beach and did reunions or cookouts. That tended to cause a lot of contamination behind, people tended not to clean after themselves. My sister and I loved the beach and enjoyed keeping it as healthy as we could. By keeping our beach clean, other kids would be able to safely come to the beach with their families and enjoy their time together. I have always had a special place in my heart for nature and our extraordinary earth. My goal in life is to make it better and find ways to live that can actually help it instead of deteriorate it until it can no longer serve its purpose. The good for our community and the good for our earth are one and the same. My dream is to be able to go to college and learn how I can actually help protect the earth that gives us the life and wonders it has to offer. One person can make a small difference, two people can make it grow, and a whole community can make it flourish in unimaginable ways. A community is a team, everyone provides something different from the other that is essential to keep the community going. Get involved, and in time you will see that all of your hard work will prosper.