The opportunity to be awarded a scholarship from such an honorable man's legacy of service and passion for empowering youth means so much to me because Jim sounds like someone I want to be associated with because of our common passions! I, like Jim, am passionate about empowering youth and have discovered an unwavering fire that is burning for the younger generations coming behind me. It started when I moved from my home state Utah to Washington to care for a special needs teenager for 3 years. He had severe self-injurious behaviors that needed 24-hour care. It was the most strenuous yet rewarding job I have ever had. I assisted him in his day-to-day life and we grew very fond of each other quickly. From day one we became the best of friends and were inseparable for 3 years. He was family and our relationship only grew stronger in time. After three years through a series of unfortunate events he passed away unexpectedly and it left me in total despair and heartbreak. Besides my Heavenly Father's love, I have never known a love and a bond like I did with him. I was alone without my family near to comfort me and I couldn’t even say goodbye or even have a proper funeral because of COVID. It felt like my world shattered and my heart was torn apart. I felt so alone because I knew no one would understand my loss. As time moved forward life moved on so I had to keep working. I started a job working with special needs students in schools for a couple of years. I then transitioned to where I am now where I work in a special school with at-risk youth. I work with troubled high school students who struggle with managing their own emotions and feelings and display extreme behaviors that have displaced them from their original school settings. I’ve seen and heard all kinds of horrible things that my students go through such as harmful foster care settings, neglectful home situations, abuse, sexual exploitation, prostitution, gang violence, drug use, crime, and so much more and I’ve never felt so much compassion for the youth as I do now that I’ve worked so closely with them. Working with youth I’ve been able to build and foster love, trust, and respect with them and this has helped in pushing them out of their comfort zone to achieve their goals and succeed. I do my very best to help them learn the skills they need to overcome the mountains in their life. Every day I go to work I empower these youth through Christ in me to reach their goals and I do my very best to love them through the eyes of the Lord. I challenge their understanding to encourage them to see the bigger picture in life and support them in their goals for success. I will utilize my faith trusting in his sovereignty over my life and continue to abide in the Lord through all things. I will intercede for those around me and share the gospel with many. I have testimonies of the power of prayer as God has saved my students' lives because of my intercession and I know God's plan for me is to impact lives on a much greater level and I believe by faith it will happen one way or another. He’s given me specific direction to get my degree and I know his plans are to prosper me I believe my life through Christ will be a blessing to many.

I am working to address an important social issue by pursuing higher education and earning my Human Services degree and currently partaking in advocacy work myself. In this paper we will explore how social justice and human services work together and the kind of work I currently do and plan to do after I study and get my degree. Social Justice and Human Services are closely intertwined. Social justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and rights within a society, focusing on addressing systemic inequalities and promoting equality for all individuals. Human services on the other hand encompass a range of professions and fields dedicated to helping individuals and communities meet their basic needs and improve their overall well-being. The degree that I am pursuing will allow me to work in positions that play a crucial role in addressing important issues related to social justice. I will work directly with communities facing all kinds of oppression, discrimination, separation, and disadvantages. By working to obtain this degree I am acquiring the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make a positive impact and difference to promote social justice. I currently partake in advocacy work at my job I do right now. Advocating for students with behavior disorders and the lack of empathy and resources they have in the school systems by speaking up and raising awareness. I also am a union representative for the entire building I work at where I ensure people know and understand their rights. I have engaged in peaceful protests for better wages and demonstrations to bring attention to the losses and lack in my specific work position and even spoken at rallies to pressure decision-makers to take action for the changes I am seeking. One major point I am ambitious about addressing as a social issue is advocacy work. By learning about the root cause of social injustices and understanding and empathizing with the experiences of marginalized groups I can advocate for change. I will use my knowledge to raise awareness, challenge discriminatory practices and advocate for policies and programs that promote equality. I will raise awareness and influence decision-makers and the community to bring about positive change. I believe that fostering dialogue and having empathy creates space around social justice issues. It also encourages open and respectful conversations with individuals who may hold different perspectives. I tend to seek common ground and work to recognize the impact of social injustice on marginalized communities and inspire others to take action. Raising awareness is crucial for advocacy work because it serves as a catalyst for change. I currently and will continue to use my voice and platforms to raise awareness about the social justice issues such as the lack of advocacy for marginalized people. I will share information, stories, and resources through social media, public speaking, and writing information articles to share with the community. I will encourage conversations and engage with others and challenge misconceptions and biases. Advocacy requires persistence, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. By advocating for social justice and the lack of advocacy I will contribute to positive change, challenge systems of oppression, and create a more equitable society

In this essay, I will tell you what makes you a leader and the qualities that show how leadership is a multifaceted notion that involves guiding others and inspiring them toward a common goal. How a leader demonstrates skills and qualities to inspire and mobilize individuals and communities toward positive change. We will explore how a leader is someone who demonstrates integrity, vision, adaptability, and resilience and empowers others. We will also explore how ambition, drive and impact contribute to leadership and shapes individuals to be influential proactive leaders. One of the most powerful ways to lead is with integrity. It is foundational for effective leadership. This shows consistency between one's words, actions, and values and encompasses honesty and a strong moral compass in one's conduct which fosters open communication. Embracing this quality will help build trust with those you lead and will provide long-term success, consistency, and sustainability. Leaders have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and the purpose that drives them. They have a concise focus that’s easy to understand. It surrounds a long-term perspective, outlining the desired future state over an extended period. They can speak and inspire others by convincing an aspirational future state. Vision provides purpose, direction, and a shared sense of meaning for the individuals they lead. It is the mental image or idea of what the leader envisions the organization, team, or project to become. Leadership often requires navigating through uncertainty and adversity where adaptability and resilience are needed to be leveraged to overcome challenges. This allows leaders the ability to come back from setbacks or disappointments in reaching their desired goals. They see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than obstacles to be avoided. It refers to the ability to adjust evolve and thrive in robust environments. Embracing change as an opportunity for growth and remaining steadfast in the face of setbacks. By demonstrating resilience, you inspire others to persevere. Finally a leader's true strength lies in their ability to empower others and fosters a culture of growth and high performance within a team or organization. They provide those around them opportunities to grow and excel by identifying their strengths and potential and then encouraging collaboration, delegating responsibilities, and fostering a healthy environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. In conclusion integrity and vision is a critical quality for leaders that shows a strong moral compass of honesty and consistency that fosters open communication and trust. Having a concise focus and vision for elevating the future and aligning with core values to provide a long-term perspective for strategic decision-making is vital as a leader. With adaptability and resilience leaders can effectively respond to challenges, drive growth and lead their teams to success and persevere. Empowering others is necessary for efficient and effective leadership and fosters a culture of growth.

My experience with cancer has directly affected my life in many ways. A big thing that cancer affected directly in my life was the family dynamics. The diagnosis of cancer in my aunt as I was a child disrupted my family dynamics and relationships. Roles and responsibilities within the family had shifted due to people needing to tend to her and also her not being able to care for me and my siblings. It shifted responsibilites as family members rally together to provide support and cared for her. This lead to changes in our routines, communication patterns, and decision-making processes. Conflicts and tensions arose as family members navigated the challenging time and the uncertainties associated with the her breast cancer, especially when making important medical or caregiving decisions. Experiencing the impact of cancer first hand has fuel a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others no matter the camacity. It motivates me to seek a career that focuses on improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families and other people who are just less fortunate. This can have many avenuse of opportunity if you think about it but might include roles in program development, research, policy advocacy, or community outreach within the field of Human Services. Experiencing the direct impact of cancer the way I did as a child relating to my aunt whom I love cultivated a deep personal connection to other people and family who may be dealing with the same or similar disease and treatment. This personal connetion has enhanced empathy and understanding in me, causing me more driven to pursue a career in Human Services to support and assist those affected by cancer. Indirectly, this experence has affected my beliefs majorly but I believe it has all been for my good. I may have experienced heightened fear as I was young and didn't fully understand my own health concerns or what my risk of developing cancer was but it came to mind. The presence of cancer in my family raised awareness of hereditary factors and the importance of health screenings and preventive measures in general. I remember my grandma telling me to get checked. I now more then ever fully support and believe in taking precautionary measures for my own health and encourging those around me to do so also. All together this is how cancer has directly and indirectly affected my life, beliefs, relationships and my future career aspirations!

As a Christian, the pursuit of learning and commitment to higher education holds tremendous significance because the quest for truth and the importance of wisdom is a must as a believer in Christ. I have read many revelatory books about the Bible and faith-related subjects. I will tell you what I have learned from these types of books and more about who I am and how I plan to impact the world and my community through my education positively. Revelatory books can provide fresh perspectives, insights, and interpretations of biblical texts. They may explore historical context, cultural nuances, and theological themes, shedding new light on familiar passages and helping me gain a deeper understanding and even a unique perspective on the bible. The faith-related books I read often aim to inspire spiritual growth and transformation. They Explore topics such as the kingdom of heaven, the currency of heaven, inheritance by lineage, kingship, and laboring for God. These books open your eyes to false teachings or misaligned understandings you might have and teach you the correct interpretation to develop a closer relationship with God. I am newer in my faith, and as I pursue him, he continually shows me more and more about who I am and the purpose he gave me. I have discovered this burning fire for helping and serving people and pursuing higher education. It’s this newfound passion that I can’t even put into words! In the past almost two years, my entire life has made a 360 turn around after deciding to pursue a personal relationship with God, and I am so Grateful! I love to learn new things and study and read, and I have identified a God-given passion for getting my degree in Human Services. These things align with my values and interests, and it has directed my educational pursuits toward serving those in need. With this, I want to address social justice, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, or any other area, for all people having a clear focus allows for concentrated efforts in making a positive impact. Through education, I acquire knowledge, develop skills, and gain perspectives that enable me to contribute to positive change. In pursuing my degree, my goal is to positively impact the world and my community by serving and empowering those in need. I aim to comprehensively understand the challenges and needs faced by individuals and communities. By studying social work, psychology, sociology, and public health, I will learn about the underlying causes of social issues, the impact of systemic inequalities, and effective intervention strategies. This will provide a solid foundation for to address these challenges head-on. I will engage in practical experiences within the Human Services field. These hands-on opportunities will allow me to apply the concepts I've learned. I can make a difference in their lives by working directly with individuals and communities. These experiences will help me develop the skills needed to bring positive change. I plan to advocate for policy changes and promote social justice within my community and beyond. Education equips me with the knowledge to identify systemic issues and work toward changes. I can contribute to shaping policies and practices that promote equality, and fairness, to those in need. In conclusion, my commitment to pursuing a degree in Human Services stems from my deep passion for positively impacting the world and my community. I can create a more just, compassionate society through knowledge, advocacy, and empowering others. By leveraging the power of education, I am confident in my ability to address social issues, uplift those in need, and work towards a better future for all.

If given the opportunity to have everyone in the world read just one book, I would choose the Bible. As a collection of sacred texts revered by billions of people across the globe, the Bible offers timeless wisdom, profound insights, and a powerful narrative that has shaped civilizations and influenced countless lives throughout history. In this essay, I will explain why the Bible is a book that holds immense value for individuals of diverse backgrounds, providing spiritual guidance, moral teachings, and a source of inspiration for personal growth and understanding. The Bible holds unparalleled cultural and historical significance. It is not merely a religious text but also a collection of stories, poetry, and philosophical reflections that have shaped literature, art, music, and societal values for centuries. Reading the Bible allows individuals to explore the roots of Western civilization and gain insights into the historical context in which major events unfolded, offering a deeper understanding of human history and cultural development. The Bible serves as a spiritual and moral compass, offering guidance and principles for ethical living. Its teachings encompass fundamental values such as compassion, justice, love, forgiveness, and humility, which transcend religious boundaries. By engaging with the stories, parables, and teachings found within its pages, individuals can find inspiration and practical wisdom to navigate the complexities of life, make informed decisions, and cultivate virtues that foster harmonious relationships and a sense of purpose. The Bible stands as a masterpiece, showcasing a diverse range of genres, including poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, and historical accounts. It's poetic imagery, and profound metaphors have influenced the works of countless writers throughout history. By reading the Bible, individuals can appreciate its literary excellence and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling as a means of conveying profound truths and complex human experiences. The Bible addresses universal themes and explores the depths of the human experience. Its narratives depict the triumphs and struggles of individuals, their encounters with faith, doubt, loss, redemption, and the search for meaning. Regardless of religious affiliation, the Bible offers insights into the human condition, and compassion, as human beings. In conclusion, if I had the opportunity to have everyone in the world read just one book, I would choose the Bible.The Bible offers a timeless source of wisdom and inspiration that can enrich lives, encourage personal growth, and foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

tell us what leadership means to you and why it’s important. Leadership means a lot to me and plays a crucial role in shaping individuals lives, organizations, and societies as a whole. It is a quality that inspires, motivates, and guides others towards a common goal. In this essay, I will dive into why leadership is important to me personally. Drawing from my own experiences and observations. I will discuss the impact of effective leadership, the qualities I admire in leaders, and how leadership can make a positive difference in various aspects of life. Personal Growth and Development: Effective leadership fosters personal growth and development. A competent leader provides guidance, support, and opportunities for individuals to enhance their skills and abilities. I personally have learned this as I have stepped into leadership opportunities myself in multiple types of settings. When I stepped into these opportunities I learned that I had to set the standards, encourage innovation, and promote a growth mindset. I experienced that leaders empower their team members to reach their full potential. Personally, I have been fortunate to have encountered such leaders who have believed in my own capabilities and encouraged me to take on challenges, which has contributed significantly to my growth as an individual. Leaders have the power to inspire and motivate those around them. Through their actions, words, and vision, leaders can ignite passion and enthusiasm in others. They possess the ability to paint a compelling picture of a better future, instilling a sense of purpose and commitment among their followers. Witnessing such leadership firsthand has taught me the importance of leading by example and the profound impact it can have on inspiring others to pursue excellence. Leadership serves as a catalyst for positive change. Whether it is within an organization, a community, or on a global scale, leaders have the ability to initiate and drive transformative initiatives. They identify areas for improvement, set goals, and mobilize others to work towards achieving them. Effective leaders embrace innovation, challenge the status quo, and strive to make a lasting impact. This aspect of leadership resonates deeply with me, as I am passionate about making a positive difference in the world. Conclusion: In conclusion, leadership holds great importance in my life for several reasons. It has facilitated my personal growth, taught me that this skill can be developed and learned and strengthened and that we can be positive world impactors by being leaders.

My name is Jessica and a fun fact about me is that I am a twin! A little about me is I love to do CrossFit and study the bible and read in my free time!! I live on my own and moved out of my home state right out of High School and my life has been a rollercoaster since but I've enjoyed the journey and I have officially decided to go back to school and get my degree!! Through trials and losses in life, I plan to use what I have been through in life to testify of how God makes all things work for our good! My brother passed away abruptly 2 years ago now during covid and it was extremely hard, especially during Covid but it's inspired me. My brother had severe disabilities and he has impacted my life so much that I want to be able to advocate for people like him or advocate for people who can't do it for themselves the way they need to be advocated for. I plan on getting a degree in human services and I have quite a bit of a career I will be able to pursue with this kind of degree but I am wanting to help bridge gaps between people receiving the proper help and advocating that they need. I plan to provide direct service to the less advocated for and the less fortunate in programs and systems like foster care. I am interested in being a Social worker where I can work with diverse yet also distinct groups of people. I would love to help children and their families in cases of child or domestic abuse, overcoming adversity and hardship. I'd love to be the support they need to give them guidance and assistance in their tough times and let them know that I am there for them every step of the way. I'd love to make a lasting impact that's more personal than not. So much so that these children and families will consider me family. That's how much I want to impact their lives and make a lasting difference. I love that the degree that I am gett in human services, is related to social work because social work, in general, has very broad job-specific duties and careers that give me options. This is because many different types of people require different types of aid and I want to make a positive life-changing difference by being a supportive helpful resourceful person in the process! If I worked with families and children they would need special attention compared to an adult- and would visit a professional who has trained directly with younger people. If I were to work with an alcoholic or addict or even someone who just got out of jail I would specifically need a professional rehabilitation counselor and other specific resources to help them but I am gifted at being resourceful in that way so I know I would make a lasting impact on peoples lives!

When someone I loved so dearly instantly became an unexpected memory, the memory became my treasure. Although it is difficult some days to see beyond my heartache, looking back on my memory will comfort me tomorrow and the days to come After I graduated High School I sought out a Nanny position precisely in the region of the United States where it rained a lot because I loved the rain. I googled random zip codes in the Pacific North West and started looking for jobs and one of the first positions I found was an In-Home Nanny for a special needs boy named Karl. I did 2 zoom calls with his parents and packed 2 bags and hopped on a plane to start this new journey I felt a deep passion in my heart to do. This was huge because I was sheltered from any kind of other culture being born and raised in Utah in a tiny town but I felt in my heart I had to go even when I had never even flown on a plane before. When I arrived, I finally met the boy I’d committed so much of my life and time to and his name was Karl. After the first day of hanging out with Karl, I felt this powerful connection between us. I can't put it in words but I felt like something I was destined to do was finally being fulfilled. Karl and I became the best of friends and I wasn't just a caregiver or a nanny but a sister to him. Karl was only a year younger than me but Karl had severe disabilities that caused cognitive and physical delays and suffered from very severe self-injurious behaviors that made life challenging for him and everyone involved. Even the simplest of tasks were very daunting to face. Despite all of the many challenges he had to face, I faced them with him through it all in my time with him and he always had me there to support him. I have called Karl my brother from day 1 since we instantly had a brother-sister bond that was so special and unique even after the hardest of days we would still cuddle in bed and be silly and love on each other and decompress. I was committed to loving him and supporting him as long as I could. I did it for three years and we became the closest of friends. I loved him so much. He was the closest I had ever been to any person in my entire life. And to think in 3 short years I could develop such a special bond is beyond me. We made the sweetest core memories in our routine of things and also in the day-to-day little moments of life. After 3 years I had to move out and a year later I got a gut-wrenching call that he had gotten sick instantly and later died the same evening. I didn’t get to say goodbye or kiss him one more time or tell him I love him just one last time. I never saw him again due to complications with covid going on. We couldn't even do a real funeral so mourning has been extremely hard. This loss caused me to focus on what matters most to me which is to find joy and be grateful for the simple things in every single day. There is always something to be grateful of and we take so much for advantage. We don't even recognize it until something is taken away or we don't have it to recognize how we took advantage of it. This has only encouraged me to keep fighting despite the heartache I have felt. I am grateful everyday I am breathing, walking, talking and able to drive my car and have the freedoms I do today. My circumstances do not define me and what I am capable of. I am continuing to fight to be a product of my choices and not a victim of my circumstances. I will fight to be the first in my family to get a degree. I will fight not to let the biggest loss of my life take my aspirations and motivations away from me. I will not be subject to the things around me but I will choose joy and gratitude every day as I triumph through this life. Thank you so much for this opportunity!!