We are all part of a large community and should strive to give back through service or funds to improve the lives of those around us. Years ago I struggled to feed myself, even though I was employed. I relied on the kindness of others to stock my fridge and pantry. At times I would skip breakfast and lunch. Meat was a luxury and I primarily lived off bags of potatoes and cans of of corn for weeks. When I was older and better off financially, I began giving back to my local food pantry financially and through volunteer service. I knew the pain and shame of hunger, and I had a strong desire to help others suffering from food insecurity. My volunteer service and strong advocation for others to donate funds, food, and time to our local food pantry led to an invitation to join the Board of Directors. I served for five years, helped open a new facility, and served as Board Secretary. Serving others continues to mean a great deal to me. I had to stop volunteering at the food pantry due to health reasons, but I have found a new way to give back using a skill I picked up during the pandemic. I now crochet blankets, scarves and shawls for Warm Up America and donate them locally or mail them to Warm Up America. In 2021 I completed one hundred thirty volunteer hours and I have completed over one hundred hours in 2022.

The smell of a book, a hot cup of coffee with rich cream, soft squishy yarn or a hot bath. These are the simple pleasures that make me happy and rejuvenate my mind and soul. Books have the power to transport us to new times, places or lives. They invite us to sit and explore other possibilities. Just the smell of the pages of a book brings alive memories of other lives I have lived in the pages of a book. Pair a book with a creamy cup of coffee and I am in heaven. Soft squishy yarn allows me the opportunity to create something new that might bring another person joy. The act of crochet is a meditative process which allows me to fall into the rhythm of stitches as the pattern takes shape and the colors of the yarn come alive. A hot bath allows me to rest my body and release the tension it has been carrying. Soaking for in peace lets my mind wander to quieter places as I prepare for bed. Life's simple pleasures maybe small but they bring so much happiness.

We are all part of a large community and should strive to give back through service or funds to improve the lives of those around us. Years ago I struggled to feed myself, even though I was employed. I relied on the kindness of others to stock my fridge and pantry. At times I would skip breakfast and lunch. Meat was a luxury and I primarily lived off bags of potatoes and cans of of corn for weeks. When I was older and better off financially, I began giving back to my local food pantry financially and through volunteer service. I knew the pain and shame of hunger, and I had a strong desire to help others suffering from food insecurity. My volunteer service and strong advocation for others to donate funds, food, and time to our local food pantry led to an invitation to join the Board of Directors. I served for five years, helped open a new facility, and served as Board Secretary. Serving others continues to mean a great deal to me. I had to stop volunteering at the food pantry due to health reasons, but I have found a new way to give back using a skill I picked up during the pandemic. I now crochet blankets, scarves and shawls for Warm Up America and donate them locally or mail them to Warm Up America. In 2021 I completed one hundred thirty volunteer hours and I have completed over one hundred hours in 2022.

I decided to return to school after a fifteen year gap to ensure I was ready for my next career move. I am the parent of a high school graduate and we were attending the same community college together, though I was an online student. Being a parent has given me the opportunity to show my kids that it is never too late to start again and to keep going, even when things are hard. My children watched me struggle to remember how to do basic algebra and fight to understand calculus. They saw me bang my head on my desk in frustration when I was unable to understand my online lesson, and after my little pity party, they saw me pick up my pencil and start over. My children cheered me on with shouts of "You can do hard things" and my oldest used her amazing math skills to tutor me. Their encouragement has helped me continue forward to complete my Associate's degree this spring and transfer to a university to complete my Bachelor's degree. My Bachelor's degree in Applied Arts and Sciences with a focus on Data Analytics will better position me for future roles with my current employer and allow me to continue to grow to meet new technological challenges and opportunities.

Technology continues to help people regardless of age or socioeconomic background improve their lives. I grew up with a phone connected to a wall and VHS tapes. I remember when the microwave, home computer, and the dot-matrix printer were first financially affordable for my family and the wonder at our fingertips. Those inventions improved our lives tremendously. The microwave cut down the amount of time it took to prepare food. A home computer and printer allowed me to type and print my homework. I learned how to type, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and paper jams. As technology advanced, I continued to build new skills by trying new things and sometimes failing, but still learning. When the pandemic hit businesses, governments and schools scrambled to find ways for society to continue to thrive and move forward, while staying safe at home. The digital revolution brought on by the internet, mobile phones and smart devices has allowed me to work and my children to study from home in the midst of a global pandemic. Video conferencing has allowed people to continue to connect with family members or medical professionals even while isolating at home. Mobile apps enabled society to function through the chaos of global pandemic. We were able to order groceries online, complete an online doctor's appointment, track our COVID test results, and provide a digital vaccination card. The way we keep moving forward with new ways to improve daily life with different technological advancements is amazing.