Mental health disorders have been an obstacle present in my life since the seventh grade. The pains of depression and anxiety cut so deep that I would do just about anything for a release. The coping mechanisms that I relied on never helped healed my pain- they only helped me avoid facing it. Self-harm, substance abuse, and isolation are ways that I have attempted to escape the depths of my despair. It only took drinking alcohol or smoking one time in order to crave it every day that followed. Every time I fell into one of my episodes, the easy way out was the only thing that appealed to me- and when I drank, it was never lightly. My past memories and feelings of hopelessness flooded my head, making me crawl deeper and deeper into the bottle. I could not monitor, limit, or set boundaries. I had one goal and one goal only- escape my pain. This was all until the one event that will forever stick with me. Again, I was heartbroken and hopeless. One of the people I had loved the most had recently utterly betrayed me, I had watched my childhood dog pass away in my arms a few days previous, my family had just lost the house that we made a home due to money problems, and I was also in a traumatic car accident just a month before. Once I got my hands on the bottle, I drank and drank until I was completely out of control of myself- barely conscious. In this vulnerable state, I was tragically taken advantage of by a peer. The next day, although I could not recall what had happened, I knew something was wrong. My misuse of substances that night has cost me countless sleepless nights, tears, and feelings of worthlessness. In an attempt to close my wounds, I cut even deeper into them. Though devastating, and one of the most challenging events of my life, it was the thing that finally opened my eyes. I knew that I could not go on like this. I could not keep disrespecting myself. I learned the result of taking this path, and I finally wanted to take a new one. Since that night, I have not once abused substances. Life is still challenging, but instead, I choose to exercise, to take a walk on the beach, draw, listen to my favorite song, and reach out to the people who want more for me. I am graduating high school early to take the next steps in my life, and I'm doing it for me. I can finally rely on myself to show up when times are tough, rather than withdraw. Not only am I grateful for this growth in my life so that I can better myself, but to better those around me. Due to the mistakes I have made, I can come from a place of understanding over judgment- being a light and a support for those in need. I plan to manage recovery by continuing to choose myself, surround myself by people who genuinely care for me, and exercise coping mechanisms that uplift me. As I will become an esthetician through Aveda Institute's program, I plan to take these lessons into my work. Not only do I have a passion for beauty, I have a passion for people. Mental health disorders are real, and they deserve an immense amount of attention and empathy. I plan to try to connect and build trust with each of my clients, in order to make a positive impact in their lives. I will make this my life's mission: to be a place of love and safety for those who feel as if there is no way out of the darkness. I want to be the person who gently and lovingly teaches them that taking part in actions that bring them further down will not heal their pain- though I understand it can sometimes feel that way. As the great Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

There have been countless events in my life that have challenged me, and shaped who I am- but there is one overall experience that stands out as the most transformative. Unlike most students, my high school experience has been anything but traditional. I moved every single year of high school, each year being vastly different from the year before it. My freshman year began in Colorado, where I faced a particularly challenging period as I battled severe depression. Then, during my sophomore year, my parents and I moved to Florida in order to support my older brother, who needed us. Starting over in a completely different environment was overwhelming, and I entered that year feeling completely isolated and alone. My new school was very different from what I was used to. It struggled with safety issues and limited resources, making me feel constantly uncomfortable and out of place. Although I attempted to build connections, the few friends I made eventually ended up turning their backs on me, making me feel alone once again. My parents and I knew that I could not go on living in this environment- which is what influenced an incredibly difficult decision. My mom and I decided to move back to Colorado so that I could return to a safe, familiar place where we believed I could finally thrive. My dad, who has faced unemployment due to his own struggles with depression, had to stay living in Florida to continue supporting my brother. This separation was incredibly difficult for all of us, but we knew it was necessary. Looking back, the move back to Colorado for my junior year became the turning point that forever changed me. What I hoped would be a year filled with opportunity, happiness, and growth quickly became a year defined by loss, heartache, and grief I had never felt so intensely. At first, everything seemed promising, but it didn't take long to realize the friends that I trusted weren't genuine. When they drifted away, I was left feeling alone and unwanted all over again. At home, my mom and I clashed constantly as we both carried the weight of everything happening. I fell into a relationship that chipped away at my self-worth and made me feel small. I tried to numb the hurt any way I could, making choices that only dragged me further down, all because I was desperate to feel loved. I carried the shame of tragic events that I wasn't ready to address and the weight of trauma that changed the way I saw myself. Despite my efforts to connect with people, I faced rejection over and over again. Each day, I carried a kind of pain so heavy it felt physical- so overwhelming it made my body too tired to move. There were nights that I struggled to find the value in fighting another day. I relied so heavily on others to feel valued and understood that I failed to realize something so important: no one can change my life for me. Strength does not come from those who are beside you- because the truth is, people will come and go. Strength comes from the realization that you need to pick yourself up and decide that you are in control of your life. Real change began when I realized that I could not continue to live my life in survival mode. Little by little, I finally started to choose myself. I received a 4.3 GPA, was a singles player in varsity tennis, and prioritized my goals. I cut ties on the relationships that dragged me down, and rebuilt the relationships that mattered most. Looking back, I wouldn't change a single experience from that year. The pain I went through reshaped me to be softer, more empathetic, and more understanding of those who are struggling. I am quicker to help and slower to judge, because I know how much a small act of understanding can mean. Since that year, life has not become easier- in many ways, it's gotten harder. The difference is now within me. I have learned to trust myself, to stay present when things get overwhelming, and face what comes without being consumed by it. For my senior year, I am once again living in Florida, completing online school, and graduating a semester early- another very non-traditional path in a high school experience that has been anything but typical. Instead of fearing change, I am now ready to embrace it. I'm prepared to move to Utah to attend the Aveda Institute's master esthiology program, and move into the next chapter of my life sooner than most. The lessons I've learned- resilience, empathy, courage- will guide me every time life doesn't go according to plan, because it rarely does. I am ready to keep growing, learning, and showing up for myself. I am ready to love, to hurt, to heal, and to turn every upcoming experience into something that pushes me forward.

I plan on pursuing my education through a trade school because it offers the most meaningful and direct path to the career I am passionate about. For me, esthetics is more than a profession- it is a way to help others express themselves, gain confidence, feel cared for, and be comfortable in their own skin. A trade school appeals to me because it allows me to focus entirely on the skills that I need to develop for my desired profession, rather than going through dozens of courses in subjects that do not align with my career. The specialized training, connections, atmosphere, and real-world experience that Aveda offers matches the way I learn best and will start me on my journey to making an impact. Throughout high school, I have learned that success comes from showing up everyday, staying committed, and finding motivation when life becomes unpredictable. Maintaining above a 4.0 GPA while playing singles varsity tennis taught me skills of working under pressure, and the importance of devotion to goals. But it was moving twice in high school due to family struggles that taught me the most valuable and impactful lessons. Each move meant starting over- new teachers, new classmates, new friends, new habits, and the constant need to take steps out of my comfort zone. My ability to connect with new, unknown people, and make new friends also grew throughout this experience. I plan on bringing this skill into my job in order to connect with each and every one of my clients. Instead of letting these challenges discourage me, I let them shape me. They strengthened my resilience, my independence, and my empathy for those going through transitions in their own lives. These experiences taught me how crucial it is to practice confidence, stability, and self-care. I want to become an esthetician because I know first-hand how impactful it can be when someone takes the time to make you feel supported and valued. Though on the surface beauty and skincare may seem simple, the impact can go much deeper. Helping someone feel confident has the power to improve their relationship with themselves, with others, and with their outlook on life in general. Skilled work is essential in helping bring my client's visions to life. Receiving this scholarship would make a meaningful impact on my ability to pursue my goals in esthetics. As someone who has continued to work hard to stay focused despite major moves and family challenges, financial support would ease a large burden on my family, and allow me to fully invest my energy in my practices. It would give me the stability to focus on hands-on training, gain confidence with my clients, and build the proper foundation in becoming an esthetician. Not only would this scholarship help me achieve my career goals sooner, it would support my mission in helping others feel confident and cared for.

I plan on pursuing my education through a trade school because it offers the most meaningful and direct path to the career I am passionate about. For me, esthetics is more than a profession- it is a way to help others express themselves, gain confidence, feel cared for, and be comfortable in their own skin. A trade school appeals to me because it allows me to focus entirely on the skills that I need to develop for my desired profession, rather than going through dozens of courses in subjects that do not align with my career. The specialized training, connections, atmosphere, and real-world experience that Aveda offers matches the way I learn best and will start me on my journey to making an impact. Throughout high school, I have learned that success comes from showing up everyday, staying committed, and finding motivation when life becomes unpredictable. Maintaining above a 4.0 GPA while playing singles varsity tennis taught me skills of working under pressure, and the importance of devotion to goals. But it was moving twice in high school due to family struggles that taught me the most valuable and impactful lessons. Each move meant starting over- new teachers, new classmates, new friends, new habits, and the constant need to take steps out of my comfort zone. My ability to connect with new, unknown people, and make new friends also grew throughout this experience. I plan on bringing this skill into my job in order to connect with each and every one of my clients. Instead of letting these challenges discourage me, I let them shape me. They strengthened my resilience, my independence, and my empathy for those going through transitions in their own lives. These experiences taught me how crucial it is to practice confidence, stability, and self-care. I want to become an esthetician because I know first-hand how impactful it can be when someone takes the time to make you feel supported and valued. Though on the surface beauty and skincare may seem simple, the impact can go much deeper. Helping someone feel confident has the power to improve their relationship with themselves, with others, and with their outlook on life in general. Trade school provides the quickest and most focused path in entering a field where I can create a positive influence. Choosing Aveda specifically is important to me because of its professionalism, wellness, and service. I want to be in a place that not only values the technical skills, but also the well being of the people that we serve. Aveda's hands-on approach and supportive community allows me to build confidence in my new learning while also beginning to connect with clients and build connections- which is exactly where I thrive. Ultimately, trade school is the right choice for me because it aligns with my learning style, goals, and interests. It gives me the opportunity to get started on my career sooner, with skills that are immediately applicable. My experiences have taught that my desires come through hard work, and pursuing my education through a trade school is the first step to building a stable, fulfilling future in a field that will continue to inspire me every day.