Jess, I’m so sorry. I wrote this in a way that feels more personal and grounded in the reality of losing a brother to addiction. You can adjust any details to better match your experience. Losing my older brother to drug addiction changed my life in ways I am still learning to understand. He wasn’t just my sibling—he was someone I looked up to, someone who teased me, protected me, and made me laugh. Watching addiction slowly take hold of him was heartbreaking. It felt like grieving someone who was still alive, long before he actually passed. When he died, the grief was layered with shock, anger, guilt, and so many unanswered questions. I struggled with “what ifs.” What if I had said more? What if I had done more? What if addiction hadn’t found him in the first place? There were moments of deep sadness, but also frustration at a disease that stole someone I loved. I had to learn that addiction is powerful and complex, and that love alone cannot always save someone. Accepting that truth was one of the hardest emotional battles I have ever faced. Through this loss, I discovered strength I didn’t know I had. I learned that grief is not weakness—it is evidence of love. I became more compassionate toward others who are silently struggling. I also became more aware of how fragile life is. Losing my brother forced me to reflect on my own choices, my priorities, and the kind of example I want to set for my child and the people around me. Journaling became an outlet when my emotions felt overwhelming. I often wrote letters to my brother, telling him about my life, my son, and the milestones he will never physically see. Writing helped me release feelings I couldn’t always say out loud. I have also practiced meditation, especially during moments when grief felt suffocating. Focusing on my breathing helped calm my anxiety and gave me space to respond to my emotions instead of being consumed by them. These practices didn’t erase the pain, but they helped me carry it. My brother’s passing has deeply influenced my decision to continue my education. It reminded me that time is not guaranteed. I want to build a life of stability, purpose, and service. Pursuing my education is not only about career goals—it is about honoring resilience. It is about creating a future that reflects growth instead of being defined by tragedy. The biggest influences in my life are my family and my son. Becoming a mother changed my perspective entirely. I want to model perseverance and emotional strength for him. I am also inspired by advocates who speak openly about addiction and mental health. Their courage helps break the stigma surrounding substance abuse. My brother’s story did not end the way any of us hoped, but his life still matters. His struggle has shaped me into someone more empathetic, more driven, and more intentional about the life I am building. Though I carry grief, I also carry love—and that love continues to guide me forward.

Recovery, to me, means rebuilding your life one intentional choice at a time. It is not just about stopping a behavior or breaking free from addiction—it is about rediscovering who you are without the weight of what was holding you back. Recovery is growth, accountability, and learning to sit with discomfort instead of escaping it. It requires honesty with yourself and the courage to confront difficult emotions, past mistakes, and deep-rooted habits. I believe recovery is also about grace. It is understanding that setbacks do not erase progress and that healing is rarely a straight line. Recovery teaches resilience, patience, and self-compassion. It means replacing destructive patterns with healthier ones and choosing long-term peace over short-term relief. Most importantly, recovery represents hope. It proves that change is possible, no matter how far someone feels they have fallen. It is a daily commitment to becoming stronger, healthier, and more aligned with the life you truly want to live.

Losing my older brother was one of the most painful and defining experiences of my life. His death did not happen in isolation; it occurred during a time when my life itself was changing in profound ways. I was three months pregnant when I lost him, carrying new life while grieving the loss of someone who had been part of my world for as long as I could remember. The contrast between joy and devastation made the experience especially overwhelming and deeply transformative. My brother was more than just a sibling; he was someone I looked up to, someone whose presence felt permanent in the way family often does. When he passed away from an overdose, the shock was immediate and lasting. Addiction is a complex and unforgiving disease, and losing him to it left behind not only grief, but unanswered questions, guilt, and a deep sense of helplessness. There was no chance to say goodbye, no sense of closure—only the painful realization that life can change irrevocably in a single moment. Grieving while pregnant forced me to confront loss in a way I never had before. I was navigating intense sadness while also trying to protect the life growing inside me. Some days felt impossible. I mourned the fact that my child would never meet their uncle, never experience his laugh or hear his voice. At the same time, my pregnancy became an anchor. It gave me a reason to keep going when grief felt unbearable. I knew that I had to find strength not just for myself, but for my child. This loss reshaped my understanding of responsibility, healing, and resilience. It deepened my awareness of how fragile life truly is and how critical compassion and understanding are, especially when it comes to addiction and mental health. My brother’s death reinforced my commitment to living honestly and intentionally. I became more mindful of the choices I make and the example I set, knowing that my life now influences someone else’s future. Losing my brother also taught me the importance of presence—of showing up for the people you love while you can. It changed how I communicate, how I listen, and how I prioritize relationships. I no longer take time for granted. I understand now that love must be expressed, not assumed, and that healing is not linear but possible with effort and support. While the pain of losing my brother will never fully disappear, it has shaped me into a more empathetic, grounded, and determined person. His absence is something I carry with me, but so is the strength I gained through loss. Becoming a mother shortly after experiencing such grief has taught me that even in the darkest moments, life continues—and with it, the opportunity to grow, to heal, and to honor those we have lost by living fully and purposefully.

Sustainability should be a priority in the field of business because financial decisions shape nearly every aspect of environmental impact. From supply chain management and resource allocation to reporting standards and long-term strategy, businesses have the power either to accelerate environmental damage or to help mitigate it. As environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and waste management intensify, sustainability is no longer a social responsibility alone—it is a financial and strategic necessity. In business and accounting, sustainability directly affects risk management, operational efficiency, and long-term profitability. Companies that fail to consider environmental impact face regulatory penalties, supply chain disruptions, reputational damage, and rising costs. Conversely, organizations that integrate sustainable practices often experience improved efficiency, reduced waste, and stronger stakeholder trust. Sustainable business practices are not only ethically responsible but financially sound, aligning long-term environmental health with economic stability. As an aspiring MBA graduate with a foundation in business administration and a strong interest in accounting and finance, I see sustainability as a critical component of strategic decision-making. Accountants and business leaders play a vital role in measuring, reporting, and guiding sustainable practices. Financial professionals influence budgets, investment decisions, and performance metrics—areas where sustainability initiatives can be evaluated not as expenses, but as long-term investments. Accurate reporting on environmental costs, energy usage, and waste reduction allows organizations to make informed decisions that balance profitability with responsibility. In my future career, I intend to help reduce environmental impact by supporting organizations in integrating sustainability into their financial and operational frameworks. This includes encouraging transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, helping companies track their environmental footprints, and identifying cost-saving opportunities through energy efficiency and waste reduction. By analyzing data and presenting clear financial implications, I can help leadership teams understand that sustainable practices often lead to stronger financial outcomes over time. Additionally, I see myself contributing to sustainability by supporting ethical decision-making within organizations. Business professionals have a responsibility to consider long-term consequences rather than short-term gains. Through budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning, I hope to advocate for decisions that prioritize durability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Whether through advising leadership, supporting sustainability audits, or contributing to corporate strategy, I want my work to help organizations grow responsibly. Sustainability in business is not a trend; it is a necessary evolution of how organizations operate in a changing world. As someone committed to growth, accountability, and long-term impact, I believe my education and future profession will allow me to contribute meaningfully to environmental stewardship. By aligning financial strategy with sustainable practices, I hope to be part of the solution—helping businesses succeed while protecting the resources future generations depend on.

My journey with self-love and acceptance has been a treacherous path. As a child and young teen, I never felt like I belonged or fit in anywhere. My real father left at a very young age, my older brother was addicted to drugs, and my Mom worked 3 jobs to keep food on the table and with that, she wasn't around much. I was typically by myself always and had to find ways to entertain myself. I constantly was picked on throughout schooling. Between being bullied in school and being alone most of the time, I began to think it was my fault and that I couldn't be loved and that there was something wrong with me. By the time I entered high school, I had begun to fiddle with drugs, I experimented with self-harm and even had attempted suicide multiple times. Shortly after graduating high school, I fell into a crowd that suffered from the same ideas and believes of themselves that I did. I began to use drugs heavily to numb myself to the constant thought of how terrible I was as a person. I held crappy relationships with terrible men who abused me, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and I continued to let it happen because I truly believed that was what I deserved. Today I have just over 2 years clean for all mind and mood-altering substances. I found my way to a 12-step program that helped me get to where I am today. Through working the steps and actually applying them to my life, not just for drugs, but for everything, I have started to love myself. I never thought that would be a possibility with how strong my self-hate was in the past. I can't say I one- hundred percent love myself but I can say I finally do have self-love for once in life and I continue to work on it every single day. I only surround myself with people who have the right intentions in mind, towards me, and towards themselves. And well, I believe with the gaining of self-love I have begun to accept myself for what I have done, who I am, and where I want to go in life. Three years ago, if you told me that I would of completed probation early, moved to another state, got clean and stayed clean from drugs, I would have never believed you. Also, if you told me that one day I would go back to college and be successful, I would have laughed at you and told you that you were crazy. But here I am doing the dang thing!

My journey with self-love and acceptance has been a treacherous path. As a child and young teen, I never felt like I belonged or fit in anywhere. My real father left at a very young age, my older brother was addicted to drugs, and my Mom worked 3 jobs to keep food on the table and with that, she wasn't around much. I was typically by myself always and had to find ways to entertain myself. I constantly was picked on throughout schooling. Between being bullied in school and being alone most of the time, I began to think it was my fault and that I couldn't be loved and that there was something wrong with me. By the time I entered high school, I had begun to fiddle with drugs, I experimented with self-harm and even had attempted suicide multiple times. Shortly after graduating high school, I fell into a crowd that suffered from the same ideas and believes of themselves that I did. I began to use drugs heavily to numb myself to the constant thought of how terrible I was as a person. I held crappy relationships with terrible men who abused me, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and I continued to let it happen because I truly believed that was what I deserved. Today I have just over 2 years clean for all mind and mood-altering substances. I found my way to a 12-step program that helped me get to where I am today. Through working the steps and actually applying them to my life, not just for drugs, but for everything, I have started to love myself. I never thought that would be a possibility with how strong my self-hate was in the past. I can't say I one- hundred percent love myself but I can say I finally do have self-love for once in life and I continue to work on it every single day. I only surround myself with people who have the right intentions in mind, towards me, and towards themselves. And well, I believe with the gaining of self-love I have begun to accept myself for what I have done, who I am, and where I want to go in life. Three years ago, if you told me that I would of completed probation early, moved to another state, got clean and stayed clean from drugs, I would have never believed you. Also, if you told me that one day I would go back to college and be successful, I would have laughed at you and told you that you were crazy. But here I am doing the dang thing!

My greatest inspiration in life would be my Dad. He has gone through so much and has never let anything bring him down or stop him from obtaining his goals. My Dad, well he is my step-dad, has incurable cancer that he was diagnosed with when he was in his 20s. Even though they gave him a death sentence of not living past 2004, he is still alive and healthy to the best of his ability. He continues to push through this cancer and made the most he can of his life. My Dad continues to work out every day for at least 2 hours even though his body is falling him. He continues to push on with his life. My Dad's drive and willingness have been my main motivator in life. If he can push out and live past his death sentence then no matter what I go through, I can and I will get through. A few years ago I fell into a bad lifestyle and thought that my life was worth ending. I truly believed I had no purpose on this Earth and that everyone would be better off without me. Then my Dad wrote me this poem not knowing that this is how I felt at the current time. The poem was about how I was always daddy's little girl no matter what I do in life. That poem shook me out of the way I was living. I have over 2 years clean from all drugs and mind/mood-altering substances. If it wasn't for my Dad's constant will to push through life I don't know where I would be. His story has truly been what drives me to strive for everything I want in my life and to believe in myself.