Growing up in a small town, my community has had a significant impact on my life and shaped my goals for my life immensly. I have been able to form bonds and friendships with many people and grown better as a person. While I am not introverted, I do have a shy side of me in situations when I'm nervous and uncomfortable. My community has been able to help this however through involvment and support. I am a three sport athlethe in a town that is very passionate about its sports teams. Because of the people who attend, it drives me to work harder and be better. One of the biggest impacts my community has had is volunteering. While originally I would do volunteering stuff to make scholarship applications look good in the future, I grew to really enjoy it. My first true experience with volunteering was with elementary boys and girls and helping them with basketball as well as track. Immediately I felt something click and I really had a lot of fun with it. Watching the young kids laugh and have fun, while also working hard to try and get better really hit me. I begna to give more and more time to it because I just enjoyed it so much. I got to know many of the kids and formed connections with several of them. I would help coach at games on weekends, and at the end of the season they all got me a special card to thank me, which I still keep on my awards shelf to this day. I continue to help with them and always make sure to say hi whenever I see any of them. Another way my community has shaped me is in my passion for what I want to do later in my life. As a senior in high school you always get asked the question "what do you want to do with your life? What do you want to do after high scchool? Where are you going to college?" I want to pursue a career in the field of zoology or forestry, and several people have given me pointers on how to pursue this better. I have had so many people be so helpful and I am so greatful for a well functioning, healthy community that is always encourgaing and supportive. I would not want to live anywhere else.