When I had the opportunity to volunteer helping people with disabilities be able to ride horses, I was ecstatic and terrified. I felt very comfortable with horses, but completely unqualified to be assisting people! Despite my hesitations, though, this turned out to be a very rewarding experience in my life, and has since continued to propel me towards acts of service. The people I met and had the privilege of assisting through the program mean so much to me still today. I especially formed a bond with some of the younger kids I worked with. The entire experience truly proved to me the healing power of animals. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to animals. Most kids grow out of wanting to pick up strays, but I still haven't! Horses especially proved to be such an amazing outlet for me. I hope that one day I can start my own 501(c)(3) to protect, rehabilitate, and utilize the healing power of these animals to continue helping others. Whether it be veterans suffering from P.T.S.D., at-risk youth, or people with disabilities; results have proven that animals have the ability to help people. And in return, I feel we have a responsibility to protect and treat these animals with respect. Sacrificing your own time, money, or other resources teaches selflessness. I believe one of the most important things to understand is that there is more to the world than what you individually see and experience. Understanding the needs of others, and that those needs are just as important as your own, is vital. Without the charity of those who are able and willing to give, so many people would not have a chance. At some point in their life, everyone must learn that the world doesn't revolve around them! What they choose to do with information is up to them, but I really believe that a life without generosity and consideration for others can only end up being a life of loneliness. Volunteering helped foster my sense of empathy, and I feel a true calling to help others, both human and animal. As my life goes on, and my financial security grows, I intend to make sure my time, money, and resources spent helping others grows with it. I want to make my time on this earth matter, and I feel the only way to truly do that is to make a positive difference in others' lives. The continuation and betterment of the human race depends on us having a sense of altruism and putting it to good use.

Bravery means something different to everybody. Some days, bravery for me is getting out of bed when I feel too anxious to face the world. Other days, I live boldly by reaching a mountain overlook after miles of hiking - despite my fear of heights! I have always felt most confident when outdoors, and this has continued to motivate me to push myself to do and see more of the world. Despite my sometimes paralyzing fear of heights, I absolutely love the views and adrenaline that can't be achieved any other way! Because of this, I will keep climbing, keep zip lining, maybe even go skydiving one day! My hope is that I can channel this passion into a career through my education. I am an environmentalist at heart, and I know that creating sustainable solutions is more important now than ever. The more trails I hike, and lakes I kayak, the more I remember why I am pushing myself to study and improve every day.

When I was 6 years old, my dad adopted a puppy for me. I named her Judy. This came right after my parents separated, which meant I was going through a lot of internal turmoil. I struggled with a lot of anxiety as a kid, and going back and forth between parents only exacerbated that issue. Having Judy helped me in ways I cannot even put into words. There were times when I felt she was my only friend, like when I switched schools in sixth grade and endured bullying throughout middle school. As I grew up, my anxiety and depression developed with me. But no matter how low I felt, I always knew I had something to live for, and that something was my best friend. She was the most loyal friend I have ever known, and she came literally everywhere with me. It seemed like everyone in my town knew my dog by name, and they all loved her. Sadly, in June of 2021 she was diagnosed with cancer at 13 years old. By November, I had to make the impossible decision to let her go. Over the next few months, I went through unimaginable grief. Surprisingly, what got me through it all was a stray dog I picked up off the side of the road and decided to foster. I found him a forever home a few months later, but the time he spent with me truly helped me to heal. I will never replace Judy, no other dog could ever come close, but my love of animals did not end with her. She showed me what true love, trust, and loyalty look like. It is because of her that I have become such an empathetic and caring person, and have such a sense of responsibility to help others, human and animal. Just writing this short essay brings an ache to my heart, because I will never forget what she meant to me. She never left my side, from the time I was 6 until I was 19. Navigating this world without her feels so scary sometimes, but I will never let her life or death be in vain. She not only changed my life, she saved it. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

I first came out to my mom at fourteen years old. There were lots of tears, but initially she was accepting. After all, I was just figuring things out. She spoke to my older sister about how long she thought this "phase" would last. As she began to realize I wasn't changing any time soon, our relationship began to suffer. I could no longer have sleepovers with my best friend. She encouraged me not to come out to others yet, then would out me at her convenience, only when it would benefit her socially. I periodically got kicked out according to her whims. This cycle continued throughout high school. When my dad eventually figured it out, he called me "gross" and "weird." Luckily, nowadays these relationships have seen some improvement. I still wish I could comfortably and openly talk about my relationship with either of my parents. It would be nice to have one of them invite my girlfriend and I over for family dinner. But I've learned to accept that my relationship will always be viewed differently from those of my straight siblings. I quietly came out to some of my extended family during my sister's wedding, when I brought my partner along as my plus one. My sister fully endorsed this, as she has always been my biggest supporter. However, it didn't sit well with my mother, who then took it out on her relationship with my sister. She felt undermined, and not in control. Ever since this incident a year and a half ago, all of our familial relationships have not been the same. I deeply miss the closeness we once all had, now we are rarely all in the same room together. I can't help but feel some responsibility for this. My family always had its issues, but it's especially hard now that everyone is so separated from each other, and I do wish I had more parental support from my mom as I navigate adulthood and higher education. My father never believed I could be successful in college, but my mom always encouraged me to strive to be better. I miss having her shoulder to cry on. Of course, my situation is by far much milder than what so many queer people, both youths and adults, go through every day. My heart truly aches for every person who has not found acceptance in their family, as they are the people who are supposed to always have your back no matter what. In cases like these, tolerance simply isn't enough. Everyone needs the unconditional love of family, especially youths, and especially those struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity. I am very lucky in that I still have contact with my family, and I have a sister who loves and supports me unconditionally. I have also found immense support in the families of close friends. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in environmental engineering, and then I will move onto pursuit of my Master's degree in public policy. I hope that with the completion of these degrees, I will have the stability to devote time, energy, and money to helping at-risk LGBTQ+ youth and spreading awareness for the cause. I also hope to be able to advocate for members of marginalized groups pursuing STEM degrees and careers, as this white cis/het male dominated field poses unique challenges for many individuals. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth are at a significantly higher risk for suicide than the general population. Acceptance isn't just nice, it's necessary. The lives of the next generation depend on it.