Achieving higher education has never been a straight path for me. It has been shaped by obstacles that required me to grow up early, adapt constantly, and learn how to keep moving forward even when circumstances felt overwhelming. One of the most defining challenges I’ve faced is living with a chronic illness from a young age. Managing pain, fatigue, medical appointments, and uncertainty while keeping up academically taught me how invisible struggle can be. There were days when simply showing up, to class, to exams, to responsibilities, required more energy than anyone could see. Alongside that, I navigated the financial pressures of being a low-income student, learning how to balance academic ambition with limited resources. Pursuing higher education meant becoming resilient, organized, and self-advocating long before those skills were expected of me. For a long time, I believed these challenges were personal shortcomings. But education helped me see them differently. I began to understand how often systems are designed around narrow standards, and how easily people who fall outside those standards are expected to endure instead of being supported. That shift in perspective didn’t just keep me in school, it gave my education direction. I plan to use my education to give back through my venture, If The Shoe Fits, a business rooted directly in my lived experience. As a woman with large, wide feet, I spent years being unable to find professional shoes that fit, often settling for pain because it was normalized. Studying business revealed the truth: footwear is built on outdated, rigid standards that exclude millions. The problem was never my body; it was the design. If The Shoe Fits exists to change that by using real foot data and inclusive design to create custom, made-to-order footwear that restores comfort, confidence, and dignity. Beyond the product, my goal is to build a business that creates access and opportunity. I want to offer internships, collaborate with students, and build systems that allow others, especially those who have been overlooked, to participate in innovation rather than be excluded from it. My education gives me the tools to build responsibly, ethically, and with long-term impact in mind. The obstacles I’ve faced in pursuing higher education didn’t push me away from my goals, they clarified my responsibility. I carry my education forward not just as a personal achievement, but as a commitment to serve my community by building solutions that make life easier, fairer, and more humane. That is how I plan to give back, and that is the future I am working toward.

My name is Jolie Wyatt, and service has never been something I added to my life, it’s something my life trained me for. Growing up with a chronic illness meant learning early how to advocate for myself in systems that didn’t always listen. It meant managing pain, appointments, and uncertainty while still showing up for school, family, and friends. Living that reality shaped how I see the world. I notice who is struggling quietly. I notice when systems fail people not because they don’t care, but because no one stopped long enough to listen. That awareness became my compass. I don’t lead to be visible; I lead because once you see a need clearly, it becomes impossible to ignore. That mindset is what drew me to Student Government Association at Babson College. I didn’t join because I had a grand vision for power or prestige, I joined because I wanted proximity to students’ real experiences. As a freshman, I spent hours listening: to students afraid to walk home at night, students choosing between rideshares they couldn’t afford or unsafe alternatives, students embarrassed to ask for basic health resources. Transportation and access to wellness weren’t abstract issues, they were daily stressors shaping students’ mental health and sense of safety. I had planned to wait until my senior year to run for president. But when the moment came and no one else stepped forward, I understood that service doesn’t wait for perfect timing. I stepped in because the community needed continuity and follow-through. As president, I led a team of 26 individuals through the unglamorous, often exhausting work of turning years of conversation into action. We pushed forward a four-year long-term vision and a two-year short-term plan for a campus shuttle—coordinating across departments, addressing concerns, and refusing to let the project stall again. Before the end of the year, the shuttle was running. Watching students board it for the first time, relieved, safer, less burdened, was a quiet moment of impact I’ll never forget. That same spirit guided our work to bring a health vending machine to campus. Students had shared how difficult it was to access basic wellness items discreetly and quickly. It wasn’t a flashy initiative, but it mattered. It preserved dignity. It reduced stress. It said, we see you. What that year taught me is that service isn’t heroic, it’s consistent. It’s choosing to carry responsibility when it’s heavy, staying committed when no one is watching, and measuring success by whether someone else’s day feels easier. I plan to build a career rooted in that same ethic of care. Because true service isn’t about recognition, it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and doing the work anyway.

By sixteen, I could manage medical appointments, pain, and expectations, but I still couldn’t find a pair of professional shoes that fit. My name is Jolie Wyatt. I am a senior at Babson College: student, entrepreneur, daughter, aunt, sister, friend, and chronic boss. Businesswoman by grit. Leader by action. Visionary creative by nature. I was diagnosed at nine years old with a rare chronic condition, an experience that quietly reshaped my childhood and taught me how invisible struggle can be. Being a “chronic boss” means learning how to build a life around constraints you didn’t choose, and showing up anyway. It means adapting constantly, managing energy and pain alongside ambition, and developing resilience long before it’s expected of you. In high school, that resilience showed up in small but defining moments. Every “business dress day” followed the same routine: hours walking through stores that didn’t carry my size (women’s 12, wide). When I finally found a pair, my toes burned and blisters formed, but I told myself discomfort was just the price of looking professional. Over time, that pain became normalized. I stopped expecting better and quietly assumed my body was the problem. Years later, I learned that footwear is built on rigid, outdated molds that haven’t meaningfully evolved in decades. The story shifted instantly. The problem was never my feet, it was the system they were being forced into. That realization shaped my values and my path forward: empathy for unseen struggles, responsibility for who is included or excluded by design, and the courage to question standards that ask people to shrink themselves to belong. Those values are what led me to build If The Shoe Fits. Over the past several months, I’ve moved the venture from frustration to action. While studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, I stopped waiting for perfect access and decided to begin. I partnered with a 3D printer to create a custom last based on my exact foot dimensions and spent eight hours in a private studio hand-making my first prototype. That moment defined what “Start Small, Dream Big” means to me: one foot, one shoe, one decision to try. Since then, I’ve built our website, grown an engaged community of thousands, competed in national student entrepreneur competitions, secured early grant support, and connected with manufacturers using medical-grade foot scanning technology. In the coming months, my focus is on turning momentum into infrastructure, piloting with a manufacturing partner, refining our scan-to-fit experience, creating paid student internships, and working with legal counsel to properly structure and protect the business. This scholarship would directly support that next phase, allowing me to prototype responsibly, invest in technology, and build without cutting corners due to financial constraint. I didn’t start with factories or funding, I started with a question and a prototype. I dream big because I’ve seen what happens when people are finally built for instead of worked around. My goal is to build a company that proves inclusive, human-centered design is not niche, but necessary, and to create a future where fewer people are taught to blame their bodies for systems that failed them.

I chose to pursue a degree in cybersecurity because of my interest in technology and my desire to make a positive impact on society by protecting people and organizations from cyber threats. I have always been fascinated by the power of technology to transform our lives and the world we live in, but I am also aware of the risks and challenges that come with it. Cybersecurity is an ever-growing field, and as technology continues to evolve and become more integrated into our lives, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is becoming increasingly important. I believe that pursuing a degree in cybersecurity will not only allow me to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to protect individuals and organizations from cyber threats but also provide me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment in my career. Post-graduation, I see myself taking my education in cybersecurity to the next level by pursuing advanced certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. These certifications would allow me to demonstrate my expertise in the field and increase my marketability as a cybersecurity professional. In terms of my career goals, I would like to work for a company that values cybersecurity and has a strong commitment to protecting its customers and data. I would like to work in a role where I can make a meaningful impact on the organization's cybersecurity posture and help ensure that it is compliant with industry standards and regulations. Another option I am considering is starting my own cybersecurity consulting firm, where I can provide cybersecurity services to small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to hire a full-time cybersecurity professional. I believe that this would not only allow me to use my skills to help protect organizations but also provide me with the opportunity to be my own boss and have more control over my work-life balance. In conclusion, I chose to pursue a degree in cybersecurity because of my passion for technology as well as my desire to make a positive impact on society by protecting individuals and organizations from cyber threats. Post-graduation, I see myself pursuing advanced certifications and working for a company that values cybersecurity or starting my own cybersecurity consulting firm. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the field of cybersecurity.

Marketing has always been a passion of mine, and I have chosen to pursue a career in this field because of the dynamic nature of the industry and the opportunity to work with creative individuals and innovative companies. I have always been fascinated by the power of marketing to influence consumer behavior and create a positive impact on society. One of the reasons why I am interested in marketing is because it allows me to combine my analytical skills with my creative abilities. I enjoy the process of analyzing data and using that information to develop marketing strategies that are both effective and impactful. Additionally, I appreciate the ever-changing nature of marketing, where new technologies and trends are constantly emerging, making it a dynamic and exciting industry to be a part of. My ideal future role in the marketing industry would be as a Marketing Manager in the technology industry. I am particularly interested in working for a company that is on the cutting edge of innovation and technology, as this would provide me with the opportunity to work on projects that are both challenging and impactful. I would like to work for a company that values creativity and encourages its employees to think outside of the box. In my ideal role, I would be responsible for leading a team of marketers and working closely with other departments within the organization, such as product development and sales. I would oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns and ensure that they align with the overall objectives of the company. I would also be responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of these campaigns and making necessary adjustments to ensure that they are delivering the desired results. The ideal company that I would like to work for would be one that values diversity and inclusivity. I believe that a diverse workforce not only leads to a more innovative and creative environment, but it also ensures that the needs and perspectives of all consumers are taken into consideration when developing marketing strategies. Additionally, I would like to work for a company that values sustainability and takes steps to reduce its environmental impact. In conclusion, I have chosen to pursue a career in marketing because of my passion for creativity, innovation, and making a positive impact on society. My ideal future role in the industry would be as a Marketing Manager in the technology industry, working for a company that values diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to working with like-minded individuals and innovative companies in the marketing industry.

As a young minority woman with a size 12 shoe size, I can imagine how frustrating it would be to struggle to find professional shoe wear that fits properly. I can only imagine how many people with larger and wider feet face the same problem, and I want to do something about it. That's why I have been thinking about opening a professional shoe-wear store, If The Shoe Fits, that would cater to people with larger and wider feet by providing fully customizable shoe options. The first step in making this dream a reality would be to conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for customizable professional shoe wear in my local community. I would want to make sure that my business idea is not just a personal struggle, but a problem that many people faced. I would conduct surveys and focus groups to gather data on the needs of my target audience, including foot size, shoe styles, and color preferences. After gathering the data, I would create a comprehensive business plan that would outline my goals and strategies. This plan would include budgeting, marketing, and operational plans that would ensure the success of If The Shoe Fits. I would identify potential investors and secure funding to help bring my business idea to life. Next, I would look for a physical location to set up my store. I would want a location that is easily accessible and in a busy area to attract more customers. I would also make sure to hire experienced retail staff who have knowledge of shoe fitting and could provide excellent customer service. Once the store is set up, I would work on the shoe customization process. I would partner with a shoe manufacturer that specializes in custom shoe-making, and we would work together to create a variety of styles and colors that would suit the needs of my target audience. The customization process would allow customers to select the shoe size, width, heel height, and color of their choice. This would ensure that each customer receives a shoe that not only fits perfectly but also complements their unique style. I would also make sure to provide educational resources on foot care and proper shoe fitting to customers. This would be an important aspect of my business, as I would want to ensure that my customers understand the importance of investing in well-fitted shoes. I would partner with a local podiatrist who could provide information on foot care and answer any questions that customers may have. If The Shoe Fits would quickly become a popular destination for people with larger and wider feet. Customers would appreciate the personalized service and the ability to customize their shoes to their liking. Word of mouth would spread, and soon the store would attract customers from different demographics. This would not only contribute to the success of my business but also create job opportunities for individuals with retail experience in my local community. Opening If The Shoe Fits would be a personal journey for me, and I would be proud to make a positive impact in the lives of many people who struggle with finding the perfect professional shoe wear. It would be emotionally fulfilling to see customers walk out of my store feeling confident and comfortable in their professional attire. My dream of making a difference in the retail industry by bringing quality and customization to the shoe industry scaled globally/locally would come true, and I would hope to continue making a positive impact on the local community for years to come.

As an undergraduate student, I have been through many life experiences that have shaped my future aspirations. One of the defining moments in my life was when I had a spinal injury that left me physically and emotionally weak. At that time, I felt like I had hit rock bottom and lost all control over my life. I was in excruciating pain and had to change my daily routine completely. The experience was overwhelming, and it took me a while to come to terms with my new reality. But as I look back now, I realize that the experience was a turning point in my life. It taught me the importance of perseverance, growth, and patience. I learned to push through the pain, take things one day at a time, and appreciate the small things in life. These values have become the foundation of my personal and professional goals. My aspiration is to become an entrepreneur in the field of retail. I have always been interested in design, but one thing that I noticed was the difficulty in finding casual or professional shoes for people with larger and wider feet. It might seem like a nonissue for some, but I believe that everyone should be able to feel good in the clothes that they wear. With this vision, I plan to work alongside experienced and motivated professors and students at Babson University to help me in my entrepreneurial studies. However, as a first-generation college student, the financial burden of attending college has been a significant concern for me and my family. This is where the Jorian Kuran Harris (Shugg) Helping Heart Foundation Scholarship would make a significant difference in my life and education. The scholarship would alleviate some of the financial stress and allow me to focus on achieving my academic and career goals. Looking back at my journey so far, I realize that everything happens for a reason. My spinal injury was a challenging experience, but it taught me some of the most valuable life lessons that I carry with me today. I learned that there is always a way to overcome challenges and that success is never an overnight process. It takes time, patience, and perseverance to achieve your goals, and I am ready to take on the challenge. In conclusion, receiving the Jorian Kuran Harris (Shugg) Helping Heart Foundation Scholarship will not only help me achieve my academic and career goals but also serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, growth, and patience. I am excited about the opportunity to pursue a career in business and fashion while making a difference in the world of retail.

In the early stages of the pandemic, my family and I faced many hardships. In June, I launched my small business JLWCosmetics. My utmost goal was to improve the economic standards of beauty financially. Nowadays, many people pay an outrageous price for makeup that does not contain much product and is packed with harsh chemicals, and I wanted to change that. My experience as the owner of JLWCosmetics has pushed me to study finance and entrepreneurship to the fullest capacity, to tackle more global issues. The main goal of this venture was to save money so that I could put it towards a college education. Over only a few short weeks, I was able to grow my audience and sell out my inventory. As I was preparing for a major restock my father was injured at work. He was left with a torn bicep which required a surgical repair and time away from work to recover. My father is our family's primary source of income so without him working it became hard for my parents to make ends meet. Although my parents would never ask me or any of my siblings for help, I felt faced with a decision to either continue saving for my education or, contribute to the household. I immediately started to put the money towards some of the household bills and, while it was difficult for me to see my savings dwindle, I couldn’t help but feel empowered by my choice. I continued to restock my inventory and grow my audience with a new goal in mind; concentrate on the solution, rather than the problem. This pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey allowed me to access issue that other individuals may be facing on a day-to-day basis, looking for a solution. What I didn’t realize was I didn’t need to look far. Throughout my entire professional career, finding office shoes- especially as a woman with a size 12 shoe size- has been a challenge. After learning that I am part of the 90% of woman in America that wear shoes that don’t fit properly, and as a result join the 1/3 of woman in America that damage feet due to ill-fitting shoes, I decided to utilize my entrepreneurial understanding to implement a business model that would dominate a market few realized needed fixing; retail. Cumulative months of research produced If The Shoe Fits, a company that allows you to create your own professional shoe by molding your feet. Through trial and tribulation, I learned that the risks and rewards that come with the journey of entrepreneurship is what excites me. My goal is to teach and inspire the younger generation, by teaching them the ways of entrepreneurship, while simultaneously helping them find their own route. The knowledge I gain will help me take effective action within personal, family, and global communities.

In the early stages of the pandemic, my family and I faced many hardships. In June, I launched my small business JLWCosmetics. The main goal of this venture was to save money so that I could put it towards a college education. Over only a few short weeks I was able to grow my audience and sell out my inventory. As I was preparing for a major restock my father was injured at work. He was left with a torn bicep which required a surgical repair and time away from work to recover. My father is our family’s primary source of income so without him working it became hard for my parents to make ends meet. Although my parents would never ask myself or any of my siblings for help, I felt faced with a decision to either continue saving for my education or, contribute to the household. I immediately started to put the money towards some of the household bills and, while it was difficult for me to see my savings dwindle, I couldn’t help but feel empowered by my choice. I continued to restock my inventory and grow my audience with a new goal in mind; helping my family as much as I could. Although I am a bit behind where I would like to be, I have never regretted that year. At the beginning of 2020, my utmost goal was to improve the economic standards of beauty financially. Nowadays, many people pay an outrageous price for makeup that does not contain much product and is packed with harsh chemicals, and I wanted to change that. I created a beauty platform that was set on creating beauty products at affordable prices, that were made from scratch with beneficial, safe, and animal cruelty-free ingredients. My experience as the owner of JLWCosmetics has pushed me to study finance and entrepreneurship to the fullest capacity, to tackle more global issues. During my time in college, I want to prioritize my education around my next business venture. Growing up as a minority woman in a professional setting, I believe that one of the most important skills to have is problem solving. As I have been developing and working on this skill I have noticed that I am better able to keep peace and give back to my community. Something that I notice often, especially aging up through my high school years, is that finding casual or professional shoes for people with larger and wider feet is difficult. While this may seem like a nonissue for some, I believe that everyone should be able to feel good in the clothes that they wear. In order to accommodate all shapes and sizes and make my dream a reality I plan to work alongside experienced and motivated professors and students at Babson University to help me in my entrepreneurial studies. After I earn my bachelors degree, and officially open my business, I plan to start a volunteer program for high school aged students. The program would help to strengthen skills such as self discipline and time management while also allowing them to have a closer look at what it takes to run a business. The biggest problem I see today for the youth is mental health. I would like to open a community mental health center would have trained professionals to provide 24/7 emergency services to children and young adults. The center would also serve as a community closet stocked with clothes for school, job interviews, religious services and, everyday clothes for those who are in need.

Almost paralyzed, I watched the surgical light swift slowly above my head, becoming slower with each sway. My hands were placed above my head. My legs were postured in a diamond position, and I tried my hardest to keep cool, as the Seton was inserted into my fistula tracts. With one swift movement from a sharp surgical blade, pressure was released from my body. In the minutes that I lied still on the surgical bed, I reflected upon the endless hours of sleep, night pacing, and emotional frustration my lupus had brought upon my teenage life and my future. Lupus changed my daily routine, and I was forced to change as well. What started as a minor inflammatory disease (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) ended up having a pivotal, yet emotional influence on my life. Pacing. Each night, I was given a limited amount of hours during which I was comfortable sleeping. I spent the majority of my nights circling through the dark hallways of my kitchen and living room with my arms around my head to relieve the pain. Although the 4-6 hours of pacing led to uneasy mornings, those few hours offered me time to think. Brain-stimulated and heart racing, I was able to allow myself relief from the millions of ideas that ran through my mind each day. Better ways to market my small business. How to drive traffic to my website. I was able to turn nights of misery into productive days. Emotion. Sleep deprivation, accompanied by chronic pain, caused me to deal with emotional frustration. I had trouble accepting help from those around me because I did not want to place a burden on them. At this time, I was having trouble with my self esteem, and constantly asking the rhetorical questions of “why me?”. For months, I mentally manipulated myself to think that I wasn’t beautiful, and that the scaring left behind would change the way I looked at myself. Even though to an extent, I truly believed this was true, I made the outcomes all but better keeping my emotions bottled inside, instead of telling someone how I was feeling. I learned that a person’s or one’s mental state is just as important as one’s physical abilities. Much like Noam Shpancer said, “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” Sleep. The essential factor for a productive morning. Before the tragedy that altered my life, I didn’t realize how important sleep was for my mental and physical health. My mother loved interior design and wanted to make some changes in the house. However, financially, we could not afford to complete the remodeling all at once. I explained to her that she was “moving too fast” and that “she needed to take it day by day.” What I soon realized is that I needed to take my advice. I learned that nothing is going to happen overnight. Allowing myself to organize and complete tasks one at a time allowed me to relieve my stress, and my need for a Starbucks coffee. Although my auto immune diseases tested countless emotional and physical limitations, I would not change the past if I could. Beyond the physical and emotional pain I suffered for months, I was able to understand true leadership. Perseverance….Growth….Patience…. were all qualities that I’ve gained from this experience. With my efforts to keep pushing through this life obstacle, I became an aspiration to my friends and my future. And to this day, I live by the mission statement “Come what may and love it.”

Almost paralyzed, I watched the surgical light swift slowly above my head, becoming slower with each sway. My hands were placed above my head. My legs were postured in a diamond position, and I tried my hardest to keep cool, as the Seton was inserted into my fistula tracts. With one swift movement from a sharp surgical blade, pressure was released from my body. In the minutes that I lied still on the surgical bed, I reflected upon the endless hours of sleep, night pacing, and emotional frustration my lupus had brought upon my teenage life and my future. Lupus changed my daily routine, and I was forced to change as well. What started as a minor inflammatory disease (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) ended up having a pivotal, yet emotional influence on my life. Pacing. Each night, I was given a limited amount of hours during which I was comfortable sleeping. I spent the majority of my nights circling through the dark hallways of my kitchen and living room with my arms around my head to relieve the pain. Although the 4-6 hours of pacing led to uneasy mornings, those few hours offered me time to think. Brain-stimulated and heart racing, I was able to allow myself relief from the millions of ideas that ran through my mind each day. Better ways to market my small business. How to drive traffic to my website. I was able to turn nights of misery into productive days. Emotion. Sleep deprivation, accompanied by chronic pain, caused me to deal with emotional frustration. I had trouble accepting help from those around me because I did not want to place a burden on them. At this time, I was having trouble with my self esteem, and constantly asking the rhetorical questions of “why me?”. For months, I mentally manipulated myself to think that I wasn’t beautiful, and that the scaring left behind would change the way I looked at myself. Even though to an extent, I truly believed this was true, I made the outcomes all but better keeping my emotions bottled inside, instead of telling someone how I was feeling. I learned that a person’s or one’s mental state is just as important as one’s physical abilities. Much like Noam Shpancer said, “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” Sleep. The essential factor for a productive morning. Before the tragedy that altered my life, I didn’t realize how important sleep was for my mental and physical health. My mother loved interior design and wanted to make some changes in the house. However, financially, we could not afford to complete the remodeling all at once. I explained to her that she was “moving too fast” and that “she needed to take it day by day.” What I soon realized is that I needed to take my advice. I learned that nothing is going to happen overnight. Allowing myself to organize and complete tasks one at a time allowed me to relieve my stress, and my need for a Starbucks coffee. Although my auto immune diseases tested countless emotional and physical limitations, I would not change the past if I could. Beyond the physical and emotional pain I suffered for months, I was able to understand true leadership. Perseverance….Growth….Patience…. were all qualities that I’ve gained from this experience. With my efforts to keep pushing through this life obstacle, I became an aspiration to my friends and my future. And to this day, I live by the mission statement “Come what may and love it.”

Throughout my vast experiences in leadership settings, I have been able to shy away from being introverted. I have learned to be more empathetic towards global issues, continuously searching for resolutions. At the beginning of 2021, my utmost goal was to improve the economic standards of beauty financially. Nowadays, many people pay an outrageous price for makeup that does not contain much product and is packed with harsh chemicals, and I wanted to change that. I created a beauty platform that was set on creating beauty products at affordable prices, that were made from scratch with beneficial, safe, and animal cruelty-free ingredients. My experience as the owner of JLWCosmetics has pushed me to study entrepreneurship to the fullest capacity, to tackle more global issues. During my time in college, I want to prioritize my education around my next business venture. As a young minority woman with a size 12 shoe size, it is extremely hard to find business and dressy shoe wear at retail stores, and I want to change the narrative. I want to open my shoe store (both online and in-person) to cater to women with larger shoe sizes. IfTheShoeFits will be my next accomplishment, and an education-based around entrepreneurship will help me get there. My goals and values correlate with those of the creative courage scholarship, as my utmost goal is to teach and inspire the younger generation, by teaching them the ways of entrepreneurship, while simultaneously helping them find their own route. The knowledge I gain will help me take effective action within personal, family, and global communities. 

Eight centimeters. The last bit of my faith was reliant on an eight-centimeter needle, accompanied by a conjunction of steroids to hinder my nerve endings. Almost paralyzed, I lie still as the eight-centimeter needle entered the lower lumbar of my spine. Pressure began to build up like an air balloon as the needle traveled deeper into my back. Eyes closed, fist tightened, I fought the urge to move as the nerves in my leg circulated a vicious cycle of aches, burns, and uncomfortable vibrations. Each night, I was given a limited amount of hours during which I was comfortable sleeping. I spent the majority of my nights circling through the dark hallways of my kitchen and living room to relieve the pain. Although the 4-6 hours of pacing led to uneasy mornings, those few hours offered me time to think. Brain-stimulated and heart racing, I was able to allow myself relief from the millions of ideas that ran through my mind each day. Sleep deprivation, accompanied by chronic pain, caused me to deal with emotional frustration. I had trouble accepting help from those around me because I did not want to place a burden on them. At the same time, I was having trouble trying to realize why this shot did not fully heal me. For months, I mentally manipulated myself into thinking that I could not drive and could not sit in a chair comfortably. Even though, to an extent, this was the case, I made the outcomes all but better, keeping myself from confronting my fears. The more I came to this realization, the more achievable my goals became. Eventually, those dreams became a reality. I learned that a person’s or one’s mental state is just as important as one’s physical abilities.

My name is Jolie Wyatt. I am a young female in the world of entrepreneurship, with a strong mindset and many life ambitions. In order to achieve these life ambitions, I must work hard, pay attention, and be open to working amongst a diverse student body to gain a meticulous understanding of different cultures and values. As a person who was once very introverted, it's important for me to continue to grow away from being shy. I will dedicate time to my studies, while still making use of my time at my desired institution. I have been involved with many school programs since my freshman year of high school. Treasure Coast High School offers many opportunities for students such as the Future Business Leaders of America. Through this program, I was able to obtain two internships with local businesses where I was able to learn valuable real-world skills pertaining to entrepreneurship. Through this, I have been able to form a bigger picture of my life five to ten years from now. I believe that knowledge is power, only when you use it. Therefore, I want to learn as much about entrepreneurship as I can. As a young, aspiring entrepreneur, as well as a full-time High School and Dual Enrolled student, I try to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible when it comes to my education. I am involved in my high school's student council advisory team, where I help to organize the financial aspects within the organization, such as fundraising, and outsourcing materials for events such as Spirit Week, Drive-in movie night, and even reaching out to local organizations that are willing to donate to the student council team, to help these events take place. Also, I am heavily involved in my school's business and entrepreneurship-related clubs and alliances, such as the Future Business Leaders of America. FBLA has contributed significantly to my abilities to collaborate with my peers, to find profitable and reasonable solutions for fundraisers and school-wide events, much like student council. Both of these educational opportunities have helped me to develop a passion for public speaking and gain networking skills, which has connected me to great internships in my local community. Blue Lime Events and Empire Basketball are both local businesses that I have had the pleasure of interning with, where I have learned valuable business and life skills. Not only was I able to gain insight into the marketing aspects within small businesses, but it helped me to market my own small business better as well, and this has helped to continue my passion-able pursuit as a female entrepreneur. All of these opportunities were and are character-building as well as eye-opening to what I can do in the future. I have developed a mindset within these educational opportunities that anything is possible, as long as you have the grit and determination to get through all of it. With my extreme passion for small business operations and Entrepreneurship, I plan to have my college degree centered around business and entrepreneurship. The knowledge I gained through community involvement will help me take effective action within personal, family, and global communities.

Almost paralyzed, I watched the surgical light swift slowly above my head, becoming slower with each sway. My hands were placed above my head. My legs were postured in a diamond position, and I tried my hardest to keep cool, as the Seton was inserted into my fistula tracts. With one swift movement from a sharp surgical blade, pressure was released from my body. In the minutes that I lied still on the surgical bed, I reflected upon the endless hours of sleep, night pacing, and emotional frustration my lupus had brought upon my teenage life and my future. Lupus changed my daily routine, and I was forced to change as well. What started as a minor inflammatory disease (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) ended up having a pivotal, yet emotional influence on my life. Pacing. Each night, I was given a limited amount of hours during which I was comfortable sleeping. I spent the majority of my nights circling through the dark hallways of my kitchen and living room with my arms around my head to relieve the pain. Although the 4-6 hours of pacing led to uneasy mornings, those few hours offered me time to think. Brain-stimulated and heart racing, I was able to allow myself relief from the millions of ideas that ran through my mind each day. Better ways to market my small business. How to drive traffic to my website. I was able to turn nights of misery into productive days. Emotion. Sleep deprivation, accompanied by chronic pain, caused me to deal with emotional frustration. I had trouble accepting help from those around me because I did not want to place a burden on them. At this time, I was having trouble with my self esteem, and constantly asking the rhetorical questions of “why me?”. For months, I mentally manipulated myself to think that I wasn’t beautiful, and that the scaring left behind would change the way I looked at myself. Even though to an extent, I truly believed this was true, I made the outcomes all but better keeping my emotions bottled inside, instead of telling someone how I was feeling. I learned that a person’s or one’s mental state is just as important as one’s physical abilities. Much like Noam Shpancer said, “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” Sleep. The essential factor for a productive morning. Before the tragedy that altered my life, I didn’t realize how important sleep was for my mental and physical health. My mother loved interior design and wanted to make some changes in the house. However, financially, we could not afford to complete the remodeling all at once. I explained to her that she was “moving too fast” and that “she needed to take it day by day.” What I soon realized is that I needed to take my advice. I learned that nothing is going to happen overnight. Allowing myself to organize and complete tasks one at a time allowed me to relieve my stress, and my need for a Starbucks coffee. Although my auto immune diseases tested countless emotional and physical limitations, I would not change the past if I could. Beyond the physical and emotional pain I suffered for months, I was able to understand true leadership. Perseverance….Growth….Patience…. were all qualities that I’ve gained from this experience. With my efforts to keep pushing through this life obstacle, I became an aspiration to my friends and my future. And to this day, I live by the mission statement “Come what may and love it.”

Throughout history, good and proud citizens have come together to overcome hardships their respective nations have faced. Individuals coming together have helped nations prosper via a strong sense of community, leadership, patriotism, dependability, and service which all go together in making a great citizen. In order for these great nations to prosper from these qualities, the individual citizens need to posses them as well. A strong sense of community amongst a nation is an important building block of patriotism which is one key to a secure country. Patriotism is important because it demonstrates that the people of a nation are aligned and in support of the leaderships values and actions. This is critical as it proves that individuals are proud of their home and passionate about upholding the nation’s integrity and core values. Patriotism is one of the more important pillars of a good citizen because there will be times that leadership and communities disagree on policies, bills, beliefs, morals, and more. The patriotism a good citizen has reminds them that while disagreements and debates happen, citizens within a nation are all trying their best to do what is right for their home. Leadership is so much more than just being in charge, making a final judgement call, or providing orders to be executed. It involves integrity, strength and, the logic to come to an informed and balanced agreement amidst chaos. Citizens with leadership skills can be a beautiful asset to any country or community because new ideas can be brought fourth and decisions can be made despite criticism or disagreement. Citizens with strong senses of leadership produce strong leaders. Strong. leaders put fourth a face of determination, compassion, and honesty which is what every great nation needs. Leadership and service should come as one in every good citizen. To lead without being able to contribute service to anyone else is fruitless. Nothing of greatness is accomplished without the dedication and service of countless individuals collectively. A good citizen should provide service not only to their nations leadership but to their own communities as well. Helping others who may be disadvantaged fanatically, physically or, otherwise in a community is worthy use of time and energy. Being able to serve and uplift those who are at their lowest point is just one marker of a strong nation. To quote Thomas Reid “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link, for if that fails the chain fails and the object that it has been holding up falls to the ground” which is why that service to those disadvantaged individuals is so important. Another marker of a strong nation is its’ citizens being able to depend on each other. Dependability is crucial between citizens to ensure that every individual knows that their community has their back. When communities can trust within eachother, they become stronger. Simply put, dependability is the most basic foundation of a community and everyone in that community should be considered dependable. All of these qualities are derived from good, loyal citizens of many great nations. No nation has ever been a perfect utopia for all citizens that reside within. However, if each citizen were to work towards improving themselves in terms of their dependability, service, leadership, service, and patriotism, their nation could be one step closer to that perfect place.

Eight centimeters. The last bit of my faith was reliant on an eight-centimeter needle, accompanied by a conjunction of steroids to hinder my nerve endings. Almost paralyzed, I lie still as the eight-centimeter needle entered the lower lumbar of my spine. Pressure began to build up like an air balloon as the needle traveled deeper into my back. Eyes closed, fist tightened, I fought the urge to move as the nerves in my leg circulated a vicious cycle of aches, burns, and uncomfortable vibrations. “All done! You can get up now‚” the doctor exclaimed. The only issue is that I could not. In the minutes that I lied still on the surgical bed, I reflected upon the endless hours of sleep, night pacing, and emotional frustration my spinal injury had brought upon my teenage life and my future. Sciatica changed my daily routine, and I was forced to change as well. What started as a minor fall down the stairs ended up having a pivotal, yet emotional influence on my life. Pacing. Each night, I was given a limited amount of hours during which I was comfortable sleeping. I spent the majority of my nights circling through the dark hallways of my kitchen and living room to relieve the pain. Although the 4-6 hours of pacing led to uneasy mornings, those few hours offered me time to think. Brain-stimulated and heart racing, I was able to allow myself relief from the millions of ideas that ran through my mind each day. Better ways to market my small business. How to drive traffic to my website. Whether I wanted to have oatmeal for breakfast or Starbucks coffee. I was able to turn nights of misery into productive days. Emotion. Sleep deprivation, accompanied by chronic pain, caused me to deal with emotional frustration. I had trouble accepting help from those around me because I did not want to place a burden on them. At the same time, I was having trouble trying to realize why this shot did not fully heal me. For months, I mentally manipulated myself into thinking that I could not drive and could not sit in a chair comfortably. Even though, to an extent, this was the case, I made the outcomes all but better, keeping myself from confronting my fears. The more I came to this realization, the more achievable my goals became. Eventually, those dreams became a reality. I learned that a person’s or one’s mental state is just as important as one’s physical abilities. Much like Noam Shpancer said, “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” Sleep. The essential factor for a productive morning. Before the tragedy that altered my life, I didn’t realize how important sleep was for my mental and physical health. I was so focused on making sure that I maintained good grades and picked up the slack on behalf of my parents that sleep was nowhere on my to-do list. My mother loved interior design and wanted to make some changes in the house. However, financially, we could not afford to complete the remodeling all at once. I explained to her that she was “moving too fast” and that “she needed to take it day by day.” What I soon realized is that I needed to take my advice. Going through this emotional rollercoaster, I learned that nothing is going to happen overnight. Allowing myself to organize and complete tasks one at a time allowed me to relieve some of my stress, and most of the time, my need for a Starbucks coffee. Looking back, although my accident has shaken up my world and put me through hell, I would not turn back time to change the past if I could. Beyond the physical and emotional pain I suffered for months, this situation has also helped me grasp a firmer perspective on people, and the reality of human suffering and pain, like a third eye, if I must say. Without this accident and everything that came with it, I probably would not have learned to cope with failure. Indeed, trying to overcome chronic pain, physical limitations, and frustration required countless trials and errors. Nonetheless, I took advantage of my numerous sleepless nights to reflect, ponder, and wonder how to advance my career. And that is something that now transpires into my entrepreneurial works, so much that I plan to study it.