My experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community has had a significant impact on my identity, emotional growth, and resilience. I identify as a lesbian, and while this is an important and authentic part of who I am, it is also something I have had to navigate in a quiet and careful way within my immediate family. Because my parents hold homophobic beliefs, I have not come out to them. This has created a complex emotional experience for me, where I feel pride and certainty in my identity internally, while also carrying the weight of not being able to fully express it in every part of my life. One of the most difficult parts of this experience has been the sense of living in two different emotional spaces. In my personal life, especially with trusted friends and my partner, I feel understood, supported, and free to be myself. However, at home, I often feel the need to be cautious with what I say and how I act. Even simple conversations can require thought and self-editing to avoid conflict or discomfort. This constant awareness of what is “safe” to share has sometimes made me feel like I am holding back an important part of myself, which can be emotionally draining and isolating. Despite these challenges, my experience has also helped me grow in meaningful ways. I have developed a strong sense of self-awareness and emotional strength. I have learned how to create safe spaces for myself outside of my home, where I can be honest about who I am without fear. My relationship has also been an important source of support and happiness in my life. Even though I cannot openly acknowledge it in every environment, it has helped me understand the importance of love, trust, and acceptance. Through these experiences, I have learned that my identity is not dependent on others’ approval, but on my own understanding and acceptance of myself. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has also shaped my empathy toward others. I am more aware that many people carry parts of themselves quietly, whether due to fear, cultural expectations, or lack of acceptance. This awareness has made me more compassionate and less judgmental, and it has strengthened my desire to create spaces where people feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are. I understand what it feels like to navigate life carefully, and that understanding has made me more thoughtful in how I interact with others. While this experience has brought emotional challenges, it has also helped me build resilience. I have learned how to stay grounded in my identity even when I cannot fully express it in every setting. I have learned that strength is not always loud or visible; sometimes it is found in quiet self-acceptance and persistence. Even in moments of difficulty, I have continued to grow into someone who is more confident in who I am and what I stand for. Overall, my LGBTQIA+ identity has shaped me by teaching me pride, resilience, and empathy. It has not only influenced how I see myself, but also how I understand others. As I continue forward, I carry this experience with me as a reminder that authenticity and self-respect are powerful, even when they are not always visible to everyone around me.

Growing up with a veteran father and an entrepreneurial mother has shaped not only my goals but the way I understand responsibility, resilience, and purpose. My mother is the owner of Paramount Counseling, a business dedicated to supporting individuals through mental health challenges, and my father is a U.S. Army veteran. Together, they represent two different forms of service, one through military duty and one through community care, and both have profoundly influenced the direction of my life. My mother’s entrepreneurial journey has been one of the most powerful examples in my life. I have watched her build Paramount Counseling from the ground up, navigating uncertainty, long hours, and emotional demands while remaining committed to helping others. Her work is not just about running a business; it is about holding space for people during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Seeing her do this has taught me that entrepreneurship is not defined by ease or independence alone, but by responsibility, compassion, and persistence. She showed me that success is often quiet and unseen, built through consistency and the willingness to keep going even when it is exhausting. Her example has taught me to value purpose over comfort and to understand that meaningful work often requires sacrifice. My father’s military service has shaped me in a different but equally lasting way. Growing up in an Army household meant living with structure, discipline, and high expectations. I learned early that responsibility is not optional, and that how you carry yourself matters even when no one is watching. My father also faced lasting challenges as a result of his service, and witnessing his strength through those experiences taught me what resilience truly looks like. It is not loud or dramatic, but steady. It is choosing to continue forward even when life does not feel fair or easy. That lesson has stayed with me and continues to guide how I approach my education and personal challenges. Together, my parents have given me a foundation rooted in both service and strength. My mother taught me what it means to build something meaningful for others, and my father taught me what it means to endure and remain disciplined through difficulty. These lessons have directly shaped my academic and professional goals. They are the reason I am pursuing a career in dental hygiene, a field where I can combine care, education, and trust to improve people’s lives tangibly. There are moments when I reflect on how different my life would be without their influence, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I have seen firsthand that success is not defined by title or income, but by impact, the ability to improve someone else’s life in a meaningful way. That belief comes directly from watching my parents live theirs. As I move forward, I carry their lessons with me. My goal is not only to build a successful career, but to honor the values they have instilled in me: discipline, compassion, resilience, and service. I hope to use those values to create a future where I can make a difference in the lives of others, just as they have done in their own ways for so many people.

Growing up with a parent who served in the Army has shaped not only who I am, but how I approach my future. In my family, military service is not just one person’s experience; it is a shared identity. Many of my relatives have served, and because of that, I was raised in a household where discipline, independence, and resilience were not just values we talked about, but expectations we lived by. Being surrounded by that environment has influenced my mindset, my work ethic, and ultimately my decision to pursue a career where I can reflect those same values. One of the most important lessons I learned growing up was the importance of discipline. From an early age, I was taught to stay focused, manage my time, and follow through on my responsibilities, even when I lacked motivation. In my household, effort and consistency were always valued more than excuses. That mindset has become one of my greatest strengths, especially as I pursue my education in dental hygiene. The program is demanding and requires a high level of commitment, but the discipline I developed growing up allows me to stay focused on my long-term goals. I have learned that success is not about short bursts of effort, but about showing up consistently, even when it is challenging. Alongside discipline, I was also taught the value of independence. My parents raised me to think for myself, take responsibility for my actions, and approach challenges with confidence. My father’s experience in the Army had a profound impact on this. Despite facing ongoing challenges related to his service, he has continued to move forward with strength and determination. Watching him navigate those obstacles showed me what true perseverance looks like. It taught me that independence is not just about doing things on your own, but about having the resilience to persevere, even when circumstances are challenging. Growing up in a military family also instilled in me a strong sense of service. I was raised to understand the importance of contributing to something greater than myself. As I began thinking about my future, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to make a meaningful impact on others. That is what drew me to dental hygiene. Beyond being a stable and practical career, it offers the opportunity to improve people’s health, confidence, and quality of life. I value the ability to work closely with patients, educate them, and build trust, all while making a direct difference in their well-being. Another key lesson I gained from my upbringing is adaptability. Military life often comes with unpredictability, and I learned early on how to adjust, remain grounded, and continue moving forward. This ability has helped me navigate both academic and personal challenges without losing sight of my goals. Growing up as the daughter of an Army veteran, in a family deeply rooted in military service, has given me a foundation built on discipline, independence, resilience, and service. These values continue to guide me as I pursue a career in dental hygiene. More importantly, they have shaped my desire to use my education and skills to make a meaningful difference in my community. I do not just want a career; I want to carry forward the values that have shaped me and use them to positively impact the lives of others.