"There's always something in the mirror that I think looks wrong." Being a teenager is not easy, growing up I always told myself that I wouldn't let other people's perspective of me change how I saw myself. I was always charismatic and very optimistic about everything and towards everyone. People always used to tell me that my smile could "light up any room that I walked in" and for the longest time I believed them. However, as I started high school, things began to change. I gained some weight, I began to have bad acne, and I was too adamant on being such a people pleaser to stay out of high school drama. I wasn't bullied badly, but there had been comments that had sent me into a spiral of insecurity which ended up with me comparing myself to the other girls in the school. I had joined the varsity cheerleading squad, and surprisingly made the team, however, I knew I didn't feel like I belonged there. Everyone was much thinner, much prettier than me and no matter how hard I looked in the mirror, all I saw was ugly. The cheerleading top would be a hassle to put on due to my body fat and the skirt made me feel really insecure about my thighs. There had been other girls who were the same weight as me but it didn't easy the insecurities I saw basically screaming at me in the mirror. I started to pack a makeup kit for games and would apply the simplest amount just to cover up what I deemed ugly but it still didn't stop the girls on the opposing squad from saying that I was "trying too hard" to look like something I wasn't. So, the next game, I didn't wear any makeup and turns out I wasn't "trying enough" to look pretty. Because despite wearing makeup, my weight made it really hard to do all of the cheer routines. Some of the routines required getting on the ground and it was made for thinner girls and although the cheer team was meant to be a "family" I didn't feel like I belonged. I didn't feel like I was pretty enough to be a cheerleader. I didn't feel pretty enough to be a person in general. So I eventually developed an eating disorder, I packed my lunches and it was always filled with food that I loved. But I would eat one thing and then I either threw the rest of the food in my lunchbox away or gave it away to other students and I eventually lost a bunch of weight. But it didn't make me feel better, it made me feel a whole lot worse because although I had lost the weight, the reminder of how I lost it made me feel really bad about myself. I was back to square one. But with time and confiding in a friend, I began to realize that society's beauty standards are messed up. You can't be too fat but you can't be too skinny. You can't have flawless skin because people will start to resent you for being "too perfect" but god forbid you have acne. But I came to realize that pretty isn't ever going to be pretty. You're always going to have flaws in someone else's eyes. There is no "perfect beauty", there never was. Because everybody is beautiful in their own way and the fact that Olivia Rodrigo wrote a song explaining it was one of the many reasons I've always been a fan of her.

My father's incarceration has deeply impacted my life and my two brother's lives over the years. Just after I was born, my father was incarcerated and never got time to spend with me. He was always way from the house doing shady things and not being the husband and father he should be. Not long after he went to jail I was placed in foster care because my mom was a 'slow' person and she couldn't take care of us. She got another boyfriend right after and he hurt me and my brothers physically and sexually. We were put in foster care and taking to a new home. My father got out of jail and never tried to get us back. His new girlfriend didn't want us coming into her home. Our immediate family didn't want to adopt us because the stigma of having a dad that was in jail and a mother that was slow. Luckily, our foster parents kept us to adopt and helped us through all the trauma we had been trough in our young lives. We had been locked in a room by our biological mother and didn't know how to use a spoon or fork. We didn't know how to give ourselves baths nor were we potty trained at the ages of 3, 5, and 7. We had a long road ahead of us. It was an uphill battle because we had a lot of emotion pain and hurt feeling from what happened to us. I decided that I wasn't going to let the trauma define me and I wanted to make something of my life. I decided to go to school and do well and then go to college one day. That has always been my dream. I never want my child to ever feel what we did growing up unwanted and unloved or in poverty. So it's important to me to a better person and break those chains of my family and make a better life.

I am a pro-life person. I firmly believe in my heart that all life is precious. My friend got pregnant and didn't tell anyone and she had an abortion because her boyfriend dumped her after he heard she was having a baby. She now regrets her decision in ending the babies life. I don't think a woman should have to go through this alone. Abortion isn't birth control it's murder of a fetus in my opinion. I believe anything with a heartbeat is life and deserves a chance to live. I am a Christian and through my faith I've been taught that children are a blessing. Life is a blessing. I've been taught babies are a gift from God and are entrusted to us. In one of my classes we debated pro-life and pro-choice. Most of the kids were pro-choice because they were hearing from society that abortions were women's rights and are ok by society's standards. When I showed them some picture and total them some facts, the kids were in horror. They didn't know the truth about why abortions are so terrible. I told them about the bad affect abortions have on the mother and how most of the women live with regret afterwards. The videos and the pictures of an abortion really made the kids to think twice on their position on pro-choice. There are so many women out there who can't have babies that these unborn babies would have a place to go. A life would be saved and given so much love by their potential families. American women are having to go to foreign countries to adopt babies. I also feel that every baby created has a plan and purpose for his or her life no matter what society says and when we take away that baby's life through abortion we are taking away what great things this child would have done in life. The baby could have been the next president, scientist or doctor of great renown. I don't think it should be allowed to counsel these pregnant women without giving them the full understanding and information they would need to make a decision. It's sad that these counseling places are making money off of these abortions that are taking place in great numbers in our countries. Some poor women are using abortion as contraceptive practices which is not what abortion was intended to ever be. It's a sad practice that I feel is damaging to the pregnant mother, the fetus, society and our humanity.

The quote that means a lot to me is that "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me". This quote is one I have memorized in my time at church in my youth service. At first it was just words I remembered for a prize at church, but now it's something that I've learned to live by. When things aren't going my way or I feel like I just can't make it or do it, I remember this scripture and recite it in my mind. This statement has always given me strength to do what ever I had to do no matter what was stacked against me. If I couldn't do it even if I tried my hardest, it was my faith that helped me through picking myself up and going on. This quote will always be special to me because I have relied on it to get through.

I am a Christian and I use technology for many things to future my faith. I enjoy my online bible and I can read Bible verses anywhere I am. I also attend online church since the pandemic happened and social distancing was a concern. I use my phone to read devotionals during my day. Also I can listen to the gospel music channel K-Love on my phone or satellite radio. Through Social media, I can talk to other Christian friends around the world. All in all, technology has made it easier to have Bible study options, service options, and worship options all in arms reach.

I have been applying to many scholarships on bold.org and haven't win any awards at all. I am happy that many people have won an award but was hoping to earn at least one. I don't have any money and would need to have a lot of help for books and extras for college. I don't have a lot of help because I was in foster care and I don't have much money.

I am interested in the Luv Michael Volunteer Program because it sounds outstanding. There are so little programs for people with Autism in the United States. I know how much those with Autism need this type of help. I am also interested because my two brothers have Autism and the community has been there to help them. My brother goes to a DTA camp that provides small working opportunities for Autistic people. We have a two restaurants near by in Casa Grande Arizona that supplies jobs for these type of kids and young adults. These kids are so excited to be working and be productive. I think I would like to help them in these endeavors to make the world a better place.

Albert Einstein is my favorite scientist because of his world-wide popularity. I am interested in him because it is claimed that he didn't do well in school. Later in life, he proved what a genius he was by developing his theories in quantum mechanics and his theory of relativity. He was responsible for changing the face of science study and practice, which inspires me as an average person.

I have a personal support system in my life that has given me the tool to be successful in running a business. My mom and aunt have a home business selling items. I see how they work together and being successful at what they do and it inspires me to do my own thing. Their business started off small, but has grown in small bounds. It's very exciting to see it grow and expand. They get a kick out of succeeding and making money in a small venture. They get to be their own boss and can work when they want to do so. They can make their own rules and do what's best for them. It's great to have the power to form the business in the way you want to see it go. The business has expanded to include other items that they first didn't intend to include. I see as they go the business is shaped to grow and it has in ways that wasn't first intended. I want one day to have my own business and set it up with my rules and plans. I want to be my own boss and make my own rules. I know it isn't easy and it is a struggle. Sometimes you have problems and you have to figure out how to work out those problems to be successful. I really like the idea of having my own place to dream about and make it happen. One day, I might like to have my own dental practice. I would be responsible for hiring the workers and staff. I would be responsible for health insurance and business insurance. I would have to keep it running smoothly and getting advertising about my new dental practice. I could join my two loves of dental and business. I think this would be great if I were a wife and mother because I could make good money from the business and have great hours of work for my family. My mom and my aunt have inspired me to do what they do. They say they have never regretted starting their own business and I want to follow in their footsteps. It would be awesome to make them proud and happy for me. My mom and my aunt are my greatest support system and I would count on them when I get my own business one day.

The pandemic came and changed everything in one's daily life. Once the pandemic hit nothing was ever the same. I am most saddened that the pandemic took me from my friends because I didn't have the personal relationships in my life that I ordinarily have. As a teen/young adult is so important to have that connection with your best friends. We didn't get to experience the Prom and other dances and we didn't get to go on our school trip. I lost several teachers that had been with my school for years. After I went back to school in person, there were several of my friends who stayed online and didn't come back. I just feel like I was in a period of isolation like a prisoner would go through. I can't wait until things normalize and I can get back to a more normal life. I hope when I go to college that I will have a new normal and meet new friends so we can support each other emotionally. I don't believe we were born to be alone in life but to connect and walk together.

I think that empowering women is very important because women have been held back far too long. Women have been seen as less in the work force and in areas of intellectual pursuit. I don't think that it is fair for a woman to do the same job as a man and get paid less for it simply because there is a difference in their gender. Women should be allowed to think for themselves just as a man does. Women can reason just as well as a man. Women in society are seen as weak and needy. Women should be able to prove that they are strong and able bodied to do things that are strictly for men. Women are making head way in business and society but they are still being held back due to old mind sets that women are property. Women are able to be more than housewives and mothers. I believe women have a need to be something more than just a housewife or mother. A woman needs something for herself to be able to support herself financially and to feel like she is accomplishing something. It is important for her to use her skill sets also. I think that to be able to change the notion that women are weak, we must empower them. I think women should fight for laws that protect women from being overlooked in the job force. We need laws to protect women from abuse in home. I think we also need to educate women in jobs that are male dominated so that a woman can get her high heel in the door. Those jobs are more financially benefiting. I think with better paying jobs that a woman can be freer and feel more secure than she normally would. I believe we should teach equality to our children at an early age that we should respect women and men and that we are equal in the world. Nothing should hold us back from our dream of how we want our lives to be. Empowering women is a movement that could help us strength our society as a whole. The more that we unity the stronger we will be. The old views of the world have become outdated. I think as we make a more modern society things will turn around and gender will be less of an issue. Women in the world can make a difference.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. My social worker Carol came and took us away when it was Christmas time. I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright.

Higher education is a way to improve and elevate oneself. I believe it is important for my future success so that I can broaden my ideals and understanding of concepts that I can build up on. I want to gain a higher education because I am the first in my family to be going to college. My older siblings or my parents didn't get to attend a university. I think that it would be liberating if I broke that mold and got to attend college. I know college can help you find the kind of passions and interest you have and you get to pursue those things as you go. I want to have a higher education so that I can have a career track instead of just a job that I might find lacking. I am on track to go to college for an accounting degree. I was adopted when I was in Kindergarten and I came from a bad background with my biological parents. I think that a higher education can break those chain of poverty and no working skills that held my biological parents had. I want to be different and forge ahead into a brighter future than I would have had if I had not been adopted. I am involved in many extracurricular interests in my area. I love anything music related. I have been involved in a dance troupe for many years. My teacher was on the dance competition show with Jennifer Lopez. It's an R&B type dance program that helps unprivileged children. I live in a very small community and this dance program helps keep kids off the street. It's a faith based program as well. It helps me be fit and and to express myself in dance. I was also in a music group until a year or so ago. With Covid-19 we haven't been able to meet. I miss my band mates very much because we have been there for each other as we go through school. I play the violin in the group and have been playing for a few years now. I've even played a different church and wedding events. I also love drama and have been in featured in plays. My drama coach laughs because I'm willing to go out there in front of the audience and loose myself. I'll do anything for a laugh or an audience reaction. I am such a ham or so I've been told. I am also involved in my church and sing in the worship team when I can. I also volunteer to help others in my free time. I enjoy writing and expressing myself and I have many readers of my work on the wattpad app. I really like to keep myself busy. Like my aunt says every opportunity is the chance for an open door to do something else. She taught me to try things without preconceived ideas to see if I like it. If I do like it stay with it and gain friendships and open doors. I am very hyped to going to the next level of my life because being involved in different opportunities is very exciting. I like to see where it will take me.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. My social worker Carol came and took us away when it was Christmas time. I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright. Seeing how trying life can be made me want to a better person so I wouldn't be like my biological parents who disappointed me and my life.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright. Seeing how trying life can be made me want to a better person so I wouldn't be like my biological parents who disappointed me and my life.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright. Seeing how trying life can be made me want to a better person so I wouldn't be like my biological parents who disappointed me and my life.

Music is the soundtrack of our life and is attached to our emotional development. Music supplies the backdrop to our daily living and as I look back on my life and the memories I have made in my short life, there seems to be music associated with many of these great and sad memories. I can remember silly little baby songs and songs to learn ABC’s and numbers. I had music for dance class and music from my favorite kid shows. My favorite time at church was the worship music. As a teen, I crushed on boy bands and memorized their lyrics. There was music at weddings and music at funerals. There is the birthday song to celebrate my birth date. Then there is holiday music and silly commercial tunes. Music is everywhere and so easily retained in our minds and hearts. Music is specially important to me. I began to take violin lessons in Junior High School. I had been in foster care with my brothers and I was sad. I began to live with a foster family who helped me buy a violin for school and CPS gave me a scholarship for music lessons. I took lessons at school and got private lessons on the weekends with the scholarship. My teacher Mrs. Kimmy was passionate about music, especially the violin. The more I learned my instrument the more I wanted to know. Mrs. Kimmy became not just my teacher but a good friend. Playing the violin gave me confidence that I hadn’t had before. It felt good to play in front of people and get applause from the audience. It really helped my self confidence and now I’m not afraid to be in front of a group of people and perform or talk. I have two violins now and I enjoy making people smile when I play music. I hope one day to be able to teach young children to play violin and give lessons to them like my teacher did to me. I hope to make a difference in their lives as Mrs. Kimmy did for me. I want to inspire children to grow in music talent and be able to spread their wings to grow in personal expression through music. I also would like to write my own music and I would like to be like Lindsey Stirling who has also inspired me. She made playing violin cool and more modern. I don’t know how my life is going to turn out but I know music will always be a part of my life.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my ne w outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright

As I think of the world today, I believe it is necessary that we help the present generation to navigate our future. There's nothing like the present to start making needed changes in our world. Things are changing so rapidly and the world isn't anything remotely like what our parents experienced. People are more educated on the ways of the world more than ever before. The computer has given us ready information at our fingertips. People are no longer willing to live in a world where there aren't questions being asked about why we do the things we do in the world. The younger generation is looking for a change and is not happy with the status quo. I believe that we must focus on information gathering and decisions must be made on facts, not on feelings. We are in a world where there is a mixture of different people all with different views and wants. It is important to find a way where every side is heard and given credence. I think that we need to tackle the problems that keep us from moving forward. Things have been going on the same way for far too long and it isn't working anymore. I believe things need to be reorganized in a way where decisions and play include everyone. Equality is something that needs to be tackled head-on. There must be a way that every race, gender, creed are represented when decisions about our future are taken on. The world needs to change to make life better for us all. If we don't make these changes now there will be a separation of people that deepens as time passes by. I think we need to make a commitment to meet in the middle and make life better for all citizens. We all deserve a government and life that works for us. I believe this generation is ready for a change like never before. With the racial unrest, the political situation as it is, and the spirit of change that is evident in the news today. I believe that children of this generation need to educated on the past and the results of past decisions and their results. We need to teach young adults to respect each individual and give them an understanding that each person has the right to be represented as decisions are made in this world. The time is now to lead and education this generation to make changes that will positively affect the next phase of our history.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my ne w outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama, and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright.

Smartphones are so commonplace these days. Everyone has one and it is used for more than making calls. A Smartphone is essential to everyday life from organizing your calendar to keeping up with your contacts and much more. A smartphone is indispensable in school and at work. My smartphone has an alarm that wakes me in the morning and as I get dressed I listen to music on my phone. As I eat breakfast I go over my social media to see what friends have written me and I check my emails. As I wait for the bus I can play a game on my cell. On the bus, I can take pictures on Snap Chat and send selfies to my friends. When I get to school, I can use my calculator on my phone for math. I can look up topics on google for my essays and I can write notes and documents on google drive. Now that I am online schooling, my classes are all on zoom meetings and all my assignments are on an app. At lunch, I can do creative things on my phone like make memes and edit photos and put words on them. At the end of the day when I am home, I can do my homework on the phone as well and then chat with my friends. I can do my banking online and other business things like making appointments for doctors and such. I can use the GPS on the phone to find those appoints. All in all the smartphone is in my hand a lot and it is necessary to use it more as a teen than an adult I believe. My cell keeps me in touch with my family and friends. I can buy things online. I can do entertainment apps like TikTok and youtube. It almost as if the cellphone has become a virtual world that we live in. I think in the future the Smartphone will be even more essential than it is now. As new technology is created the more things the cellphone will be able to do. Since the smartphone has made so many things obsolete like alarm clocks, and GPS systems, dial-up internet, and date or contact books. There is so much potential in a smartphone that has yet to be tapped into. I can't wait to see what the future holds in this great time of technological expansion. I think that smartphones have their place and time but one place it doesn't belong is when you are behind the wheel. Several years ago my older friend who was a cheerleader just got a new car and was driving through town and she answered a text message. She answered with a smiley face while driving that was her last text ever because she crashed the car and died. Her friends with her were hurt badly but luckily survived. I learned a lesson that day to never never text or use the phone while driving. It is an accident waiting to happen. So the Smartphone has pluses and minuses but it is an essential part of our lives and will continue to be. The Smartphone is a device that has made its mark on society and the way we communicate and the way we live our lives. It's here to stay.

I love being an artistic person and I love to show my colors by doing so. There are many ways I like to express myself. I love to dance and I have taken dance lessons for many years. My teacher is very good at dance and choreography and was featured on an episode of the "World of Dance." I love hip-hop dancing and I make people take notice when I dance at performances. It's an amazing feeling. I have also took a few ballet and gymnastics classes. I also like to write just about anything. I currently write short stories on Wattpad and I have a kind of big following. It is nice to be noticed for things that I construct on paper and in my imagination, My teachers have always complimented me on my writing in school. I also do picture edits online and have taken pictures for websites. I love anything that artsy like that. I want to continue expressing myself through art and growing to a new level. I want to know more kinds of dances and be better at choreography. I also like drama and I have been in different plays. I am one to take risks on stage and do anything for a comedic laugh. I enjoy the audience and the attention. I hope one day to connect all these things into one production that's an inspiring thought to me.

My all-time favorite movie is The Little Mermaid with Ariel. When I was an abused child I would watch the movie over and over and pretend to be her. When I was taken by CPS and then sent to be with my new family, the first thing I uttered to them was to sing "Kiss The Girl". Lyrics: Yes, you want her. Look at her, you know you do. Possible she wants you, too. There is one way to ask her. It don't take a word, Not a single word. {SEBASTIAN:} Go on and Kiss The Girl. Several years later, I was adopted by my family and every time I see that movie it makes me especially happy to know I got my happy ending just like Ariel in the movie.

I have been inspired by my aunt. She became my aunt when I was adopted several years ago. We have been particularly close because she was someone that I could always talk to about anything. She was an abused child growing up and so was I before I entered foster care. She is a very smart lady and was trained as a teacher. She was the first of her entire family to go to college. So she is the person that inspires me the most. She was there for me as I struggled with ADHD and other problems. She sat with me and patiently taught me to read and do the math. She believed in me when and never gave up on me. After a while learning became easier and I got excited to learn. At school, I became the top of my classes. I was willing to try hard subjects because my aunt taught me to tackle them in little bites instead of trying to tackle them as a whole. So, I decided at an early age that I was going to be the first one in my family to go to college as well. I worked hard to get into honor classes and to do extracurricular activities. My next challenge was doing violin. It was a daunting thought to play the violin but I decided I would work hard to learn to play and I did. By the time I made it to Junior High School, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to do well in math because I was competitive. My teacher said that girls were less likely to have math careers because it was a male-oriented field. He said that more females should try to be more involved in math. He felt girls are as intelligent in math as boys. I took the challenge and really concentrated on math and science. My teachers said I did very well for myself in these subjects. So now I enjoy a good challenge in those subjects. The best thing since I entered High School and I am now getting ready to graduate is that I have made my aunt super proud. She is so encouraging of me and I am glad that I could take what she helped me with and fly with it. She is my biggest supporter still and I am glad she was put into my life. I plan to pay it forward by helping other disadvantaged children by volunteering my time to helping kids like my aunt helped me.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I hope to be an accountant and help organizations that help foster care and adopted parents in the future. It would be good to give back to the community that helped me.

My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright.

The problem that interests me most about climate change global warming. I became interested in global warming after seeing the film that Leonardo Dicaprio narrates about it. I learned from that film that half of all coral has disappeared in the three decades. China is one of the biggest polluters but is in the works of creating and implementing new renewable energy. I also learned that we can all do our part to help especially by voting for those who care about our environment. Also, we can help by eating less red meat because cows give off large amounts of greenhouse gases that hurt the environment.

Music has changed and shaped my life for the better. In Junior High, I began to take a music class. I didn't have an idea of what instrument I should play but my music teacher looked at me and said you look like you should be a violist. She said I looked like I liked a challenge and the violin is a challenging instrument. She was right and I love the instrument in my hand with the bow. It was exciting and loved the sound when the bow hits the violin. I did well in class and I practiced so very hard. My music instructor believed in me so much that she gave me private lessons on the weekend. After that, she invited me to play in one of her personal music groups. We went around several places and gave concerts for others to hear our music. It encouraged me so much as a performer. During the summer, the regular school was out and my teacher asked me if I would help with her new students coming in for summer classes. I really enjoy helping small kids learn to play instruments as well. It was great seeing their faces light up when they would play the note just right. I have continued to play my violin at church events and at gatherings. It makes me feel special to share my talent with others. I would hope that my college campus will have a band where I can play violin with the band. I also play handbells for the symphony. I hope to always have music in my life.

My friends said that I was too chubby to be a cheerleader but I loved to dance. So i took a bold step and tried out for cheerleading anyway. I was so nervous but I got through the routine. It was so nerve-wracking and could feel my heart beating hard. Anxiously I awaited the results from the cheer captain and it was announced that I was in the squad. I was so happy that I screamed and shouted. My Chair coach said there you go you sound like a cheerleader now.

I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright.

My background was not that steady or wonderful. I was born into a chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I plan to go to college and be able to give back to my community for the help it has given me and all the opportunities it has afforded me. The scholarship would allow me to do this and I would like the chance to move forward into a bright future.

\ My traumatic life has shaped and challenged my life. My life started out as very traumatic but my life has been turned around for the better. When I was young I never thought I would be able to make it through life but I can say I made it out of those major traumas in my life. I was born into an already chaotic family. My biological mother and father were not good parents at all. My dad left before I was even born and never looked back. Not even born and already abandoned by the father who was supposed to make your life secure. My mother was emotionally unable to care for me and my brothers. She eventually gave birth to my two step-siblings. She gave birth to another boy and a girl. She was having children every two years. She was unable to work due to her condition so she was also unable to provide for us. She didn't have adequate food for us all. The one house we lived in didn't have a working shower. She couldn't afford to wash our clothes either. We were in a terrible situation and no way out. She eventually met a new man that moved into the house to support her financially. He didn't like us children and began beating us and abusing us. One day my brother went to school and the teacher saw the belt marks on him. They called CPS. CPS came and took us away to another home. It was during Christmas time and I was in a daze by all of it. CPS brought us to a new home. I couldn't believe how much better it was there. I had food and it was safe. I even had my own room. I had clean clothes and toys. I was finally secure which is something I have been in my entire life. My biological parents gave up getting us back. My mom couldn’t keep a job, keep the house clean or provide for us. She really didn’t try. I didn’t want to go back since I had a normal house. I was afraid that I would be hurt at my old home. I was happy where I was. After I was adopted I began being happy and growing. I wanted to try new things and do well at school to make my new parents proud. Eventually, I began loving school and dreamed of going to college when I got older. My parents have helped me get where I am and helped shape my new outcome. I don’t know where I would be if fate didn’t put me where I am now. I have grown and became multi-faceted and taken risks because I know my parents would help me get back on track if I missed a step. They have encouraged me and worked hard to provide what I need to be successful but not only for me but for my brothers also. I have learned many things in my adopted home. I play the violin, I take dance lessons, I enjoy drama and many other things. I can’t wait to get to my future because I know it is going to be bright.

I have been inspired by my aunt. She became my aunt when I was adopted several years ago. We have been particularly close because she was someone that I could always talk to about anything. She was an abused child growing up and so was I before I entered foster care. She is a very smart lady and was trained as a teacher. She was the first of her entire family to go to college. So she is the person that inspires me the most. She was there for me as I struggled with ADHD and other problems. She sat with me and patiently taught me to read and do the math. She believed in me when and never gave up on me. After a while learning became easier and I got excited to learn. At school, I became the top of my classes. I was willing to try hard subjects because my aunt taught me to tackle them in little bites instead of trying to tackle them as a whole. So, I decided at an early age that I was going to be the first one in my family to go to college as well. I worked hard to get into honor classes and to do extracurricular activities. My next challenge was doing violin. It was a daunting thought to play the violin but I decided I would work hard to learn to play and I did. By the time I made it to Junior High School, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to do well in math because I was competitive. My teacher said that girls were less likely to have math careers because it was a male-oriented field. He said that more females should try to be more involved in math. He felt girls are as intelligent in math as boys. I took the challenge and really concentrated on math and science. My teachers said I did very well for myself in these subjects. So now I enjoy a good challenge in those subjects. The best thing since I entered High School and I am now getting ready to graduate is that I have made my aunt super proud. She is so encouraging of me and I am glad that I could take what she helped me with and fly with it. She is my biggest supporter still and I am glad she was put into my life.

America is my country and it's a great nation. It was built on a foundation of people looking for freedom from their own countrymen who try to restrict them from living life by their convictions. It's a land that has had open arms for those struggling to live a life free from restrictions that are unfair. This is a land where people came to escape death, to escape religious prosecutions, and to make a fair living from themselves. This meant a new life in a new country that was newly formed. It was full of promise and hope. For me, America is a land of dreams. In this country, we have so many opportunities open to us. It is a place where others want to come to experience those types of opportunities that we sometimes take for granted. I dream of getting a good education, having a family of my own, and a career. I would also like to give back to my community. I was a foster child and I would like to help disadvantaged children like myself. I was adopted by a good family and now that I am taken care of I can live the American Dream. In America, you can work to make something of yourself and that is a unique thing amongst other nations. In many of the other nations, you are controlled by the government for their purposes. America is a place that I am proud to live. We are a rich nation with excellent technologies that other countries may not have. We have beautiful land and scenic places. We have a democracy where we can choose the way the nation is governed. We have citizens of people from different lands that make our country rich with different cultural crafts, music, and artistry. I enjoy learning about the different cultural stores from other countries. I am glad I live in a country where I have the best of everything and there is so much diversity. There is room for everyone no matter race, creed, or difference.I am glad that we are an open border where people can come from other countries to have and enjoy this freedom that we are given at birth by being American citizens. I am happy that America reaches out to help other nations during times of struggle. We are usually first to extend a hand to help other countries. I am deeply blessed to be An American.

2021 is my senior year of High School, and it makes me feel like my future is beginning. I am very concerned about how the country's vibe has been with the election and everything which surrounded it. I believe we can once again unite people. Love and understanding of all different types is the beginning of uniting one another. We must learn to live and let live, as the saying goes. We must make room for all types of people in the world. We aren't all cookie-cutter types. Our nation has different colors, genders, races, nationalities, and so forth. We must embrace each other as brothers and sisters and treat each other as family. I believe music can unite people. Music is a universal language and can help people bond over the passion and spirit of music

My first day of Junior High was the best day of my life. I was nervous as I began my first day of Junior High School. Everything was new, and I was moving to a new building. I was going room to room, meeting my new teachers, and getting my materials for my first day of school. It was time to go to the gym for extracurricular. As I was making my way from table to table to look at the many choices, and there I met Mrs. Kimmy. She was the new music teacher, and she seemed as nervous as I was. I looked at the many instruments she has displayed and was excited to look at them. The next thing I know, I was registering to take music as my extracurricular class. Mrs. Kimmy thought I should take violin because I had the fingering for it. I went home excited, and my mom bought me a student violin. I felt so important to have this 'grown-up' instrument. Mrs. Kimmy began to encourage me and help me to play. She helped me grown and learn with the exciting way she taught the class. After days and nights of practicing, I had been invited to play with a group. During the summer, she made sure I got a scholarship to have violin while school was out. She invited me to join her group, and we went to many places to play the violin. She took us to California and other fun places that I have never vacationed. Mrs. Kimmy taught me so much that I joined the Symphony several years back and then went on to learn handbells at her suggestion. She helped to boost my confidence. I needed that because I was in foster care and kids used to make fun of me. I am grateful to Mrs. Kimmy and her endless support of me and her other students. Mrs. Kimmy is a true inspiration to her students. She made a huge impact on my life, and I will never forget her even though she has moved on in her life to new things. I have been able to follow her on social media and support the things she is now doing. I had the opportunity to tell her how much I appreciate all she did for me and others while she worked at the school. I hope one day to play violin again with her.

My journey in life has really caused me to put my trust in the Lord. I was born into an abusive home, and I was locked in a room and beaten. It was a terrible existence for my life. Every day I would dread seeing another day. I would hope that someone would come and save me. One day, when I was three, CPS came and took me away from my awful home and brought me to a new foster home. I was scared at first, but I learned to trust my new family. I was so happy to have food, clean clothes, and a warm bed. Later this same family adopted me. My new parents took me to church, and I just knew that the Lord had rescued me and sent me to my new home. I received the Lord as my personal Savior, and now He leads me in life. He helps me to realize my goals and dreams. My dream has been to go to college since I was in Kindergarten. All my teachers were so sweet and helpful to me. I now realize that God had put them in my life to help me. I also want to be able to help children like myself in some way. By going to college, I will be able to realize many of my goals and dreams.