I was hooked when I first learned about Minecraft in a friend's living room in early 2013. I loved the idea of a game where you could do whatever you wanted! My favorite part of playing Minecraft is always expanding worlds to explore. Minecraft can play on an infinite world full of various biomes to explore, creatures to meet, monsters to fight, and blocks to mine. I love to craft a boat for myself and sail across the cubic ocean. In the ocean, you can discover sunken shipwrecks filled with treasure. These ships often contain treasure maps that allow for further exploration. There are also ocean monuments filled with fun blocks and monsters to fight. I also like to explore deep caves underground. Nothing is more thrilling than finding a diamond and crafting your first diamond sword. There are also beautiful lush caves full of underground flowers and silly creatures. Sometimes, I can find a saddle and place it on a digital horse. This gives me the ability to roam the biomes around me quickly. I love to explore jungle biomes and search for parrots and watermelons. One of my favorite things to do while I search is to collect different types of pixilated flowers and add them to flower pots in my little block house. Minecraft is a versatile game that can be played however you as a player wish. My favorite way to play is exploring, but for others, it might be building in creative mode, playing mini-games with friends, or even finding as many sheep as possible. Minecraft really is limitless!

I will admit my bookshelf has only grown larger since I was introduced to #BookTok about a year ago, and my bookshelf was pretty full before! The first books that would need to be on my shelf that I was influenced to read was The Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Mass. Before I was on #BookTok, I was not a big fan of fantasy, and I was hesitant at first to let these books onto my shelves, but I fell in love with the world-building and romance within the pages! I found a whole community of readers I could connect with as we discussed our favorite characters and their relationships. I also would have to add her other series, Assassins Blade and A Crescent City. Of course- I can't make a list of my favorite #BooksTok books without including Colleen Hoover! Colleen Hoover's books receive a lot of criticism, but there is no shame in reading a book that is entertaining to you; reading is reading! Her book Verity would have to be on my shelf! I can still remember the excitement when the bonus chapter was released! You may be surprised that my favorite book genres are thriller, mystery, and horror. I was so excited when I found that #BookTok was not just for fantasy or romance readers but also for readers like me who preferred the dark and scary side of books. My perspective on reading was changed when I started to read books I found on scary #BookTok. I would not have chosen many books for myself because they are translated titles that I assumed would be too confusing or boring for me. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica is a book I must have on my #BookTok shelf. Through #BookTok, I was able to connect with other readers of this book to help me understand the meanings behind this book that I would not have been able to understand alone. Of course, like any good horror reader, my shelf would have a dedicated section to Stephen King, starting with the classics: It, Misery, and Pet Semetary, and moving on to more modern works: The Institute and Fairytale. Now… drumroll, please, for my #1 books on my #BookTok shelf! The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Myer includes Midnight Sun, Life and Death, and the Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. Midnight Sun, a Twilight retelling from Edwards's perspective, is my all-time favorite! The world-building in these books was so beautiful, and the character development from Bella, a young teenage girl, to a powerful vampire is so amazing. There is a huge community around these books, and I am thrilled to be a part of them. I am team Edward, of course! #BookTok is unlike any other book club; it is a community of people who love to read and share their favorite books with the world! There are no rules about the types of books you read or how you read them. #BookTok is a community built around the enjoyment of reading. I can not wait to learn what book I will find next from #BookTok!

Everyone has their passions, fears, limits, and abilities. I could write an essay about how I am afraid of heights or that I love cats but what I am most passionate about is reading. I love it so much that I am studying elementary education with a double minor in literacy education and social emotional learning, with big dreams of becoming an elementary school librarian. As a future educator, I plan to use my love of reading to give back to my community as a teacher. I want to inspire the minds of young readers. Reading teaches empathy and compassion and allows students access to a depth of knowledge and stories they may have the chance to experience in their own lives. Literacy education is also important for its technical aspects as well. Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary can all be improved when students begin to read. Even communication skills can be vastly improved through reading. Teacher librarians are also tasked with teaching students about technology and its uses, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in our technologically advancing world. As a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa, I have found ways as a student to use my love of literacy to give back to the surrounding community. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I volunteer as a book club leader with a group of four fourth grade students. As a leader, I get to choose books and create lesson plans and activities. What I find the most rewarding about my book club is the passion that my students now have for reading. At first, my students were considered below their reading level, and expressed to me they had no interest in reading. I made it my goal that I would instill the idea that reading is fun into my students, and the higher reading levels would follow. I am so proud to say that my students now love book clubs, and express to me their excitement to read the next chapters of our books on their own or speed ahead during group reading. One of the hardest things about becoming a teacher is the negativity surrounding the career at the moment. When I tell people what I am studying, they don’t ask me about my book club or my big future plans, they want to know how I feel about my expected pay, or if I agree that teachers should teach this or shouldn't teach that. There is a lot of negativity particularly about the books teachers are allowed to use in classrooms and schools. As a literacy education minor, it is hard for me to remain neutral in these situations. I know that it will take future educators like me to change the perception of teaching, and I am so excited to be a future educator and share my love of reading.

In the news today, there is much talk about teachers forcing students to read banned books or learn about “inappropriate” subjects. I am Jillian Dircks, and I would like to change this mindset and teach a love of literacy to future generations. I am a summer student at Scott Community College and a full-time student at the University of Northern Iowa. My ultimate passion is reading and literacy. I am on track to receive my bachelor's in elementary education with double minors in literacy education and social-emotional learning. With this degree, I can become a teacher, reading specialist, or with a little extra hard work and a master’s degree, I can become a school librarian, which is my ultimate goal. I want to be an elementary librarian and introduce young minds to books of all kinds. I want to support students as they learn to read, then read to learn. I want to offer students a safe place to learn about topics deemed “inappropriate.” I also would offer students a love of learning, particularly through reading. Even if a student dislikes reading, there are other learning methods that I would love to share. It is my belief that Literacy education teaches compassion, critical thinking, imagination, and creativity, increases vocabulary, and improves grammar and writing skills. To achieve my goals and share my love of teaching and literacy, I will need to complete six years of further education. Without any financial aid, this path is very expensive. I have done what I can to lessen the cost of higher education. I have had a few setbacks along the way, but also a few successes. In February 2021, my Dad passed away. Although we are approaching two years without him, his loss is still difficult. This has created many strains on my educational goals, including financial difficulty. My mom cares for two young adult girls on a teacher's salary as a single mom. She has encouraged us to practice budgeting as she does herself. She also pushed us to get jobs. As a full-time student, I also work part-time on campus. I have been saving for college since I was 16 and started my first job. I also took many community college classes during high school, allowing me to add two minors to my degree without adding extra time. I also have begun taking summer classes at Scott Community College, hoping to graduate early. With the help of generous scholarships such as these, I can succeed. I can not wait to share the importance of reading with younger generations and show them that literacy opens the door to many skills; I can not wait to be a future educator!

In the news today, there is much talk about teachers forcing students to read banned books or learn about “inappropriate” subjects. I am Jillian Dircks, and I would like to change this mindset and teach a love of literacy to future generations. I am a summer student at Scott Community College and a full-time student at the University of Northern Iowa. My ultimate passion is reading and literacy. I am on track to receive my bachelor's in elementary education with double minors in literacy education and social-emotional learning. With this degree, I can become a teacher, reading specialist, or with a little extra hard work and a master’s degree, I can become a school librarian, which is my ultimate goal. I want to be an elementary librarian and introduce young minds to books of all kinds. I want to support students as they learn to read, then read to learn. I want to offer students a safe place to learn about topics deemed “inappropriate.” I also would offer students a love of learning, particularly through reading. Even if a student dislikes reading, there are other learning methods that I would love to share. It is my belief that Literacy education teaches compassion, critical thinking, imagination, and creativity, increases vocabulary, and improves grammar and writing skills. To achieve my goals and share my love of teaching and literacy, I will need to complete six years of further education. Without any financial aid, this path is very expensive. I have done what I can to lessen the cost of higher education. I have had a few setbacks along the way, but also a few successes. In February 2021, my Dad passed away. Although we are approaching two years without him, his loss is still difficult. This has created many strains on my educational goals, including financial difficulty. My mom cares for two young adult girls on a teacher's salary as a single mom. She has encouraged us to practice budgeting as she does herself. She also pushed us to get jobs. As a full-time student, I also work part-time on campus. I have been saving for college since I was 16 and started my first job. I also took many community college classes during high school, allowing me to add two minors to my degree without adding extra time. I also have begun taking summer classes at Scott Community College, hoping to graduate early. With the help of generous scholarships such as these, I can succeed. I can not wait to share the importance of reading with younger generations and show them that literacy opens the door to many skills; I can not wait to be a future educator!

“Has your Dad called you this week?” That was the first text from my mom. “No” was the answer from my sister and me. I was in the middle of a school musical rehearsal on a cold Thursday night. “He won’t answer my calls, and it seems like his inbox is full. Did he get a new phone?” I took matters into my own hands and excused myself to the bathroom, making sure to take my phone with me. I pressed the call button and anxiously listened to each ring. Finally, the ringing stopped, “you have reached the voicemail box of Stacey Dircks. Please leave a message at the tone.” “He's not answering me either” I typed in reply. The relationship between my dad and I was a difficult one. From the surface, we appeared to be a happy father-daughter duo; however, our relationship was much different than it seemed. My dad was quick to anger and impulsive. He was also a happy, go-lucky guy. He liked vacations, beer, and, most importantly--his two daughters. He showed his love with extravagant trips and gifts, spending money he didn't have. He suffered from various medical conditions that made him tired and weak. He was always too proud to follow through with his medications and appointments. Being around him was like walking on eggshells--never knowing what personality you might get. My mom decided to call the Eldridge police department for a wellness check on the car ride home from her work. When she pulled into the garage, they told her what they had found inside my dad's one-room apartment: the TV playing the local news, the heater running, an open beer on the side table, and my Dad's body in his recliner. They estimated he had been dead since February 16. Nine days. "Girls, please come to the living room," my mom said as she walked into the house. Deep in my gut, I knew what was coming. "They found your dad…" was all she could say, tears rolling down her face. I fell to the floor. I couldn't breathe. I was screaming, over and over and over. “You can not tell anyone about this until the morning, your grandma can't know yet,” was what my mom told my sister and I. he last thing I remember that night was taking a pile of sleeping pills and sleeping a dark, dreamless sleep. I woke up to hundreds of texts from family and friends. I'm sorry for your loss. Can I bring you anything? How are you feeling? Did he look sick? When was the last time you saw him? At least you have good memories, right? Your dad was a great guy, I see him in you. When is the funeral? So sad he won't be there for your graduation. I was overwhelmed with my own mental health struggles. Learning about psychology through community college classes provided by my high school has really helped me to overcome my own barriers created by mental health. I also attended lots of counseling where it really clicked for me that it was a path I wanted to take. I feel like I can finally understand my own mind and feel in-control of my emotions. I want to provide the same opportunities to others, especially young children who might not understand mental health or trauma. Losing anyone, especially a parent, proves just how meaningful your relationships with other people are. Without the support of my family or my friends, I would not have been able to begin to heal. For months after his death, it felt like I was squeezed into a dark tube where the air is thick and it's hard to breathe. I yell for help and no one hears me. Finally, I am surrounded by people who shine a light and say “get out of there!” And I do because they all reach down and pull me out. I will never "get over” the loss of my dad, but what I can get over is the hurt. I can choose every day to think about how he loved me and keep moving forward.

Our world lacks inclusion, but I am proud to say that the characteristic I value most in myself is inclusivity. I am a part of many diverse organizations that have introduced me to many different types of people. Still, it is clear to me that not everyone has the chance to meet so many beautiful people because of the divides we have created. Some of my peers chose to exclude people from their social circles they find against their morals or wrong or even gross. By doing this, they remove themselves from the chance to make new friends, learn new stories, and become more welcoming. As I start my journey to becoming a psychologist or a teacher I know that being inclusive and welcoming is one of the most important characteristics to have. I want to be a friend to all, and not confine myself to a small circle of the world only because someone else says it's right. I try to educate everyone I meet about the importance of inclusivity. I want to share my love of loving others with the world! Embracing inclusivity teaches empathy, allows new friendships to form, and allows me to learn about new cultures and ideas. Inclusivity allows us to be passionate about problems we might have never had the courage to face before, it allows to bring our world together. To welcome those different than us with open hearts and hands. I believe that we could face our obstacles if we all work together to create positive education and spaces to communicate respectfully. Instead, we are all so focused on being "right" that we don't take the time to consider others’ feelings or opinions. I don’t think we all need to have the same ideas all the time -- we just need to accept others' ideas and live life with an open mind. We need to have compassion for others' situations, even if we can’t fully understand them. We must be welcoming, open-hearted, and kind. Most of all, we must be passionate about caring for others. I think my generation, me included, is one of the most aware generations. We are taking the resources given to us, like education and social media, to lessen the divides between us. We are fighting to make the world more inclusive, starting today. I am so excited to share my greatest quality with my peers and teachers at the University of Northern Iowa and beyond.

I volunteered at the women's choice center. The Women's choice center provides maternity clothes, baby clothes, and baby supplies, free and low cost medical care such as ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, and counseling. They do this to help families who are not financially stable and are not sure what they want to do with the child. Most of the people there are volunteers, giving their time to help people who needed it. They are almost always busy taking calls for supplies and doing appointments. While I was there I orgizined papers and sealed letters, although it wasn't a big job it seemed like they appreciated the help. I did the work with my Grandma who volunteers there weekly While I was there a woman came in to pick out clothes, you could see how happy it made her to choose new clothes for her child and a few things for herself. She got to go through a rack of cute little christmas costumes for her baby and it made her face light up. A big reason why I volunteered was to be able to help people give their children good lives and being able to help pick someone back off the ground. Although I don’t agree with all of the Women's Choice Centers views and beliefs, I think they are doing a good thing. The most important thing I learned is to never judge someone's life or situation. While I was there it was a good time to think about how even if you get yourself into a bad situation there are people to help, and if people were always judging then there would be no one to help. You never know what happened to that person to get them into that situation, and it would be unfair if everyone were to always assume someone's life and choices. Before I went there, I always assumed that the people who went there were just trying to get free stuff, but it was easy to tell that most of the people that came in were people that were really trying to do their best for themselves and their kids. You could also tell that the people who work there are really passionate about helping others, that was something else I took away. You can be passionate about helping others, and sometimes it's hard to think about helping others as something that can be easily enjoyed

I volunteered at the women's choice center. The Women's choice center provides maternity clothes, baby clothes, and baby supplies, free and low cost medical care such as ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, and counseling. While I was there I orgizined papers and sealed letters, although it wasn't a big job it seemed like they appreciated the help. I did the work with my Grandma who volunteers there weekly While I was there a woman came in to pick out clothes, you could see how happy it made her to choose new clothes for her child and a few things for herself. The most important thing I learned is to never judge someone's life or situation. While I was there it was a good time to think about how even if you get yourself into a bad situation there are people to help, and if people were always judging then there would be no one to help. You never know what happened to that person to get them into that situation, and it would be unfair if everyone were to always assume someone's life and choices. Before I went there, I always assumed that the people who went there were just trying to get free stuff, but it was easy to tell that most of the people that came in were people that were really trying to do their best for themselves and their kids. You could also tell that the people who work there are really passionate about helping others, that was something else I took away. You can be passionate about helping others, and sometimes it's hard to think about helping others as something that can be easily enjoyed

This is my cat, Charlie, doing what he loves most-being silly!

“Has your Dad called you this week?” That was the first text from my mom. “No” was the answer from my sister and me. I was in the middle of a school musical rehearsal on a cold Thursday night. “He won’t answer my calls, and it seems like his inbox is full. Did he get a new phone?” I took matters into my own hands and excused myself to the bathroom, making sure to take my phone with me. I pressed the call button and anxiously listened to each ring. Finally, the ringing stopped, “you have reached the voicemail box of Stacey Dircks. Please leave a message at the tone.” “He's not answering me either” I typed in reply. The relationship between my dad and I was a difficult one. From the surface, we appeared to be a happy father-daughter duo; however, our relationship was much different than it seemed. My dad was quick to anger and impulsive. He was also a happy, go-lucky guy. He liked vacations, beer, and, most importantly--his two daughters. He showed his love with extravagant trips and gifts, spending money he didn't have. He suffered from various medical conditions that made him tired and weak. He was always too proud to follow through with his medications and appointments. Being around him was like walking on eggshells--never knowing what personality you might get. My mom decided to call the Eldridge police department for a wellness check on the car ride home from her work. When she pulled into the garage, they told her what they had found inside my dad's one-room apartment: the TV playing the local news, the heater running, an open beer on the side table, and my Dad's body in his recliner. They estimated he had been dead since February 16. Nine days. "Girls, please come to the living room," my mom said as she walked into the house. Deep in my gut, I knew what was coming. "They found your dad…" was all she could say, tears rolling down her face. I fell to the floor. I couldn't breathe. I was screaming, over and over and over. “You can not tell anyone about this until the morning, your grandma can't know yet,” was what my mom told my sister and I. he last thing I remember that night was taking a pile of sleeping pills and sleeping a dark, dreamless sleep. I woke up to hundreds of texts from family and friends. I'm sorry for your loss. Can I bring you anything? How are you feeling? Did he look sick? When was the last time you saw him? At least you have good memories, right? Your dad was a great guy, I see him in you. When is the funeral? So sad he won't be there for your graduation. Losing anyone, especially a parent, proves just how meaningful your relationships with other people are. Without the support of my family or my friends, I would not have been able to begin to heal. For months after his death, it felt like I was squeezed into a dark tube where the air is thick and it's hard to breathe. I yell for help and no one hears me. Finally, I am surrounded by people who shine a light and say “get out of there!” And I do because they all reach down and pull me out. I will never "get over” the loss of my dad, but what I can get over is the hurt. I can choose every day to think about how he loved me and keep moving forward.

Cats, sunshine, reading, a Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich, theater, the list of things that make me happy could go on forever, but there is only one thing at the top of my list--my friends. Without them, I would have no one to lean on. I would have no one to tell when something sad or funny or crazy happens. I would have no one to go to when my heart breaks, or I get my first car, have my first kiss, get my first raise. They encourage me to try my best, even if I fail. My friends encourage me to take risks. Most importantly, they encourage me to be me, and I do the same. When my dad passed away a year ago, they were the first people I called. They knew how to make me feel better, and supported me through my pain. No matter what happens, I know they will always be there for me. I know my friends care, and that is what makes me truly happy.

Cats, sunshine, reading, a Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich, theater, the list of things that make me happy could go on forever, but there is only one thing at the top of my list--my friends. Without them, I would have no one to lean on. I would have no one to tell when something sad or funny or crazy happens. I would have no one to go to when my heart breaks, or I get my first car, have my first kiss, get my first raise. They encourage me to try my best, even if I fail. My friends encourage me to take risks. Most importantly, they encourage me to be me, and I do the same. When my dad passed away a year ago, they were the first people I called. They knew how to make me feel better, and supported me through my pain. No matter what happens, I know they will always be there for me. I know my friends care, and that is what makes me truly happy.

It's February of 2021. I have just received the news that my dad has passed away. I am grief-stricken, I don’t know what to do. I pick up my phone and call the one person I know that can make me feel better in any situation, my best friend. He answers right away and immediately a wave of calm washes over me. No matter what happens, I know he will always be there for me. I know he cares. It was at this moment that I realized just what friendship meant to me. Without him, I would have no one to lean on. I would have no one to tell when something sad or funny or crazy happens. I would have no one to go to when my heart breaks, or I get my first car, have my first kiss, get my first raise. He encourages me to try my best, even if I fail. He encourages me to take risks. Most importantly, he encourages me to be me, and I do the same for him.

It's a stressful day and I need to relax. I know just what to do. I step into my bathroom and turn on my heater. I start my bathtub filling with warm water. The perfect place to relax! While the tub fills I head to the kitchen and put a kettle on the stove. I know a nice cup of chamomile tea and honey will soothe any nerves I may have. I grab my favorite book and settle in. Instead of focussing on my stresses (work, school, family), I chose to focus on how peaceful I feel in this moment. I take deep breaths and close my eyes. An hour goes by and finally I step out of the tub. I put on my softest pajamas and head to the couch. I turn on my comfort movie, The Devil Wears Parad, and grab my blankets. I feel calm and collected, I know that tomorrow I will be ready to tackle whatever comes my way.

The biggest problem that the world is facing right now is all the division. There is a division between genders, wealth classes, sexualities, and political parties. All this division makes it so everyone in the world is facing some kind of oppression and struggles. One way to work on this problem is education. If we all work together to create positive education and spaces where we can communicate our problems respectfully and be understood we could face our obstacles together. Instead, we are all so focused on being "right" that we don't take the time to consider others' feelings or opinions. I don’t think we all need to have the same ideas all the time, we just need to be accepting of others' ideas and live life with an open mind. We need to have compassion for others' situations, even if we can’t fully understand them. Another recourse we have to work on this problem is social media. We have created a way to connect and community around the world, and instead of using it positively, we use it to spread hate. We can use social media positively by communicating what divides us and how we can fix those divides. We can use social media to inform others about situations they were not previously aware of. I am proud to say that I think my generation, me included, is one of the most aware generations. I think that we are taking the resources given to us, like education and social media, to lessen the divides between us.

My dream life takes place in a farmhouse. I can picture chickens playing in the yard and goats running around. I imagine waking up early in the morning to get ready for my job as a kindergarten teacher, excited to see my students learn and grow. I roll out of bed to make myself breakfast with fresh garden fruits and vegetables, homegrown. My pet cats meow at me, excited for breakfast. I give them all a pat on the head and look towards my master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I feel accomplished. I go into the garage and find my Tesla fully charged and ready to go. When the school day is over, my students have all left; I pack up my things. It's a Friday, and I'm meeting all my friends at our favorite restaurant. I look forward to Saturday because I know it will be much like today.

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received is never buy anything if you couldn't buy it twice. For example, if you wanted to buy a new coat for $100, have $200 saved. This is helpful because it ensures that even if you spend money on things you don't need, you still have money left for necessities and emergency expenses. I learned this trick from my Mom, who is a big financial guru because she takes care of two teenagers on a single teacher's salary. I suppose she might have learned it from her idle, Dave Ramsey. This trick was especially handy when I was saving up for a new pet lizard. I had calculated the costs to be equal to around $300. I decided to save $600, or the cost of the lizard multiplied by two. When I had saved about $500, enough to buy the lizard and have $200 leftover, I popped my car tire. The new tire and rim repair cost me about 400$! luckily I had enough saved by saving double what I needed for the lizard. If I had just bought the lizard when I saved $300, I would not have had any money left for an emergency like a popped car tire. Now as I save up for other things I want such as new electronics or clothes, I always make sure to save double. You never know when you might need some extra cash for an emergency situation!

The most inspiring book I read was "My Land and My People" by the 14th Dalai Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama is the head of the country of Tibet and is a political and religious leader. This book was inspiring because the Dalai Lama was born to a middle/lower class family and became a world leader. He is very kind and works to make the world better. The Buddhist religion isn't focused on going to a better place after life, it is focused on how you can make your life on earth better and how you can influence others positively.

If you asked me six years ago what I wanted to go to college for, I would have told you a lawyer. Now that I have had more time looking at my future options, I learned why the idea of being a lawyer was so appealing to me, it’s because I love to understand the why. To understand our world is to understand the people in it, and psychology gives me the opportunity to do just that. I like to know that I could have a job to help people understand the way they feel and help them feel better. I have been fortunate enough to have a family that is accepting and supportive of mental health. Unfortunately, we live in a world where mental health is a taboo topic. It is my passion to make mental health resources more accessible to all and to rid the stigmas of mental health help like therapy. I want to give everyone the resources to understand their whys. My goal in studying psychology is to become a therapist for those who may not have resources available to them. I even have an interest in working in a jail or rehabilitation facility. I also have a dream to become an early elementary teacher, and use skills I have learned as a psychology student to positively influence the lives of young children.