My name is Julian Gianelli, and youth sports have shaped almost every part of who I am—how I lead, how I communicate, and how I plan to give back to my community. From competing as the team captain of my varsity golf team, to coaching young players through First Tee, to earning my third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and teaching in the Little Dragons program, sports have taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of showing up for others. I want to use these lessons to continue making a positive impact on the next generation of athletes. What I love most about youth sports is that they build confidence long before they build skill. When I coach younger golfers or teach Taekwondo students, I’m not just helping them hit a straighter shot or perfect a form, I’m teaching them how to manage frustration, set goals, and push through challenges. As someone who grew up surrounded by coaches and mentors who believed in me even before I believed in myself, I feel a responsibility to pay that forward. As varsity golf captain, I’ve learned how to lead by example. Golf is a mentally demanding sport, and younger teammates often look to upperclassmen to see how they should handle pressure. Instead of lecturing, I try to model composure. If I hit a bad shot, I reset, breathe, and move to the next swing. If someone else is frustrated, I help them break the moment down, find one thing they did well, and build from there. My leadership style is rooted in presence, patience, and encouragement not authority. I’ve found that teammates respond better when they know you’re with them, not above them. My experience in Taekwondo has shaped that mindset even more deeply. Becoming a third-degree black belt required years of discipline, humility, and resilience. But teaching the Little Dragons, ages four to seven, has taught me an entirely different kind of strength. Young kids watch everything; they notice your tone, your attitude, your consistency. When I teach them how to kick or block, I’m also teaching them respect, self-control, and the confidence to stand tall in any situation. Seeing a shy kid transform into someone who believes in themself is one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. Through First Tee, I work with kids from all backgrounds some who have played for years and others who are holding a club for the first time. Golf can feel intimidating, so I make sure every kid feels welcome from the moment they arrive. I celebrate small wins, encourage them to encourage each other, and remind them that golf, like life, is mostly about how you respond when things don’t go perfectly. My goal is always to create an environment where kids feel comfortable trying, failing, learning, and trying again. As I prepare for college, I want to continue expanding my impact in youth sports. Whether through coaching, mentoring, or creating opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have access, I plan to use what sports have taught me: discipline, perseverance, resilience, and compassion to help shape confident, capable, and kind young people. Sports changed my life, and I’m committed to paying that forward to the next generation.

My name is Julian Gianelli, and service has shaped who I am through my nonprofit work, my leadership roles with youth, and the example I try to set for my peers. I’ve always believed that leadership starts with presence, not pressure, and that the most meaningful influence comes from showing others what respect, empathy, and integrity truly look like. A lot of my community involvement has come through initiatives I’ve built myself. I founded Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit that rescues excess produce from local farms and donates it to shelters, schools, and families who need it most. Over the past two years, I’ve helped recover thousands of pounds of fresh food that would have gone to waste. I also serve as Link Crew Commissioner welcoming new freshman and ensuring a smooth transition to high school, volunteer as a First Tee junior golf coach, mentor younger students in the Little Dragons Taekwondo program, and serve as captain of my varsity golf team. In all of these roles, I work to create inclusive, encouraging environments where younger kids feel supported and safe. My understanding of compassion and responsibility became more personal when my older sister was bullied in high school. What started as small comments and exclusion grew into severe anxiety and emotional exhaustion. She eventually had to finish her last two years of high school from home. Watching someone I love lose her sense of belonging affected our entire family. My mom often slept on her floor to comfort her when things got overwhelming, and there were many nights when she slept in my room because she felt safer near someone who cared. While homeschooling allowed her to regain her confidence and she is now doing well in her first year of college, it shouldn’t have required stepping away from school for her to feel safe. Because of this, I am intentional about how I protect youth from bullying and cyberbullying, especially those who may not realize the harm being done until it’s too late. In every setting where I work with kids: golf, taekwondo, First Tee, and school clubs, I set the tone. I remind students that words matter, that they may not see the impact of their actions, but the impact is real. I include those who seem left out, create space for every voice, and encourage kids to treat each other—and their online presence—with the same respect they would want for themselves. I explain how quick comments, DMs, or posts can have lasting consequences, and I make sure students know they can come to me or another trusted adult if they ever feel unsafe. As I enter college, financial support would make a meaningful difference for my family. With my sister already in college and both of us pursuing higher education at the same time, scholarships would help ease the financial strain and allow me to stay focused on academics, leadership, and service. I hope to study Biology and pursue a pre-med or dentistry path, fields that combine science, compassion, and the ability to directly improve individual lives; values that matter deeply to me. Ultimately, I want to keep building communities where every young person feels safe, seen, and supported both in person and online and use my future career in healthcare to continue helping others in a meaningful way.

Golf has taught me patience, precision, and perspective—but more importantly, it’s taught me leadership. As a four-year varsity golfer and current team captain, I’ve learned that leading doesn’t mean having the lowest score; it means setting the tone. Whether I’m helping a freshman refine their swing, keeping morale up after a tough match, or organizing off-season practices, I focus on creating a culture of encouragement and accountability. Golf may be an individual sport at its core, but being captain showed me how teamwork, trust, and composure turn a group of players into a unified team. Outside the course, I’ve carried that same mindset to Taekwondo, where I earned my third-degree black belt and teach younger students in our “Little Dragons” program. Guiding five-year-olds through their first patterns reminds me how much growth starts with small steps and consistent effort. Teaching has made me more patient and communicative—skills that translate directly to every part of my life. Martial arts instilled in me a sense of discipline and respect that balances my competitive side from golf, giving me a grounded approach to challenges both on and off the course. Beyond athletics, I’ve worked hard to use those lessons in leadership and service through my community involvement. I founded Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit that rescues surplus produce from local farms and redistributes it to schools and shelters. What started as a weekend idea has grown into thousands of pounds of donated food each year and partnerships that now extend beyond my hometown. The initiative represents the same philosophy I bring to sports—hard work, teamwork, and service can create measurable change when fueled by purpose. Balancing school, sports, and service hasn’t always been easy. Maintaining a GPA above 4.5 while leading teams, teaching classes, and running a nonprofit has required constant time management and resilience. But these experiences have shaped who I am: someone who finds fulfillment not just in personal success, but in helping others succeed too. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing both education and impact at the next level. I plan to major in business and communications, combining what I’ve learned through sports leadership and community projects to build a career centered on people—whether in sales, consulting, or entrepreneurship. College will give me the platform to refine my leadership skills, expand Crop Kindness Connect to other campuses, and continue giving back to the community that’s supported me. Every practice, lesson, and service project has shown me that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about consistency, compassion, and the courage to take the first step. This scholarship would not only help fund my education but also allow me to keep turning my passions—golf, Taekwondo, and service—into ways to inspire others to do the same.

Raised by Resilience When people ask my mom her favorite color, she always answers “sunset.” To her, it’s not just a color but a reminder that even endings can be beautiful. That answer sums her up perfectly—complex, resilient, and always finding beauty despite the setbacks she’s faced as a single parent. Growing up in her care has shaped who I am, how I see the world, and the kind of future I want to build. Being raised in a single-parent household meant I learned independence and responsibility earlier than most of my peers. My mom worked hard to keep everything afloat, and I saw how much strength it took to balance challenges with optimism. There were times when life wasn’t easy, but she modeled perseverance. From her, I learned that resilience is not about ignoring hardship—it’s about meeting it head-on and still finding the sunset at the end of the day. Academically, I had to practice that same perseverance. When my high school entrance exam results didn’t reflect my true ability, I was placed in classes below my potential. Instead of accepting that “no,” I studied independently and passed challenge exams that allowed me into honors and AP courses, where I excelled. That experience taught me to advocate for myself, to turn setbacks into opportunities, and to prove that my worth couldn’t be measured by one timed test. Service has become the way I carry these lessons forward. I founded Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit that rescues surplus produce and delivers it to local shelters. I’ve also supported my sister’s nonprofit, Socks4Seniors, helping her deliver thousands of socks to brighten the lives of nursing home residents. These projects reflect the values I learned at home: resourcefulness, compassion, and the belief that even small contributions can make a big impact. One of the first books that made me think deeply about identity and resilience was The Outsiders. The phrase “Stay gold, Ponyboy” has always stuck with me. To me, it means holding on to kindness, curiosity, and empathy even when life gets complicated or divided. It’s a reminder not to lose the innocence or optimism that makes life meaningful. My mom’s “sunset” outlook and the “stay gold” mindset overlap—they both remind me to find light in difficult moments and to carry that light forward. Looking to the future, I don’t know exactly what career path I’ll take, but I know I want to use my talents to connect people, solve problems, and serve communities. Whether it’s through communications, business, or another field, I want to keep scaling the mindset I grew up with: that resilience, kindness, and creativity can make the world brighter. I was shaped by a household where we didn’t have all the answers, but we always had perseverance, faith, and hope. Just like my mom’s sunsets, my future will have challenges and endings—but it will also be full of color, possibility, and beauty.

When I think about people who lead through kindness and action, I think of individuals like Jorge Campos—people who find joy in serving others and bring communities together through purpose. That spirit of unity inspired me to create Crop Kindness Connect, a youth-led nonprofit that rescues surplus produce from farms and redistributes it to food banks and shelters throughout San Joaquin County. What began as a small idea to reduce food waste and fight hunger has grown into something far greater: a movement that empowers young people to become changemakers in their own communities. In a county where child food-insecurity rates are above both the state and national averages, and nearly one in five children lives in a food-insecure household, the need for local action is undeniable. Through Crop Kindness Connect, we’ve rescued and delivered more than 5,000 pounds of fresh produce annually—enough to help feed hundreds of families who might otherwise go without healthy food. But beyond the numbers, our mission is about connection: connecting farmers to families, students to service, and neighbors to one another. Early on, I realized the project’s greatest impact would come from inspiring others to take ownership of it. That’s why I began visiting local high schools, agriculture departments, and service organizations like Key Club to share our model and encourage peers to replicate it in their own communities. I talk to students about identifying needs where they live and turning small ideas into real solutions. Seeing their excitement reminded me that leadership isn’t about telling others what to do—it’s about showing them what’s possible. To make it easier for others to get started, I worked to package Crop Kindness Connect into a simple, repeatable model. I created templates for contacting farms, tracking donations, and organizing volunteer teams so other schools could launch their own branches. Several student leaders have since reached out for guidance, and knowing that the project is expanding beyond my city has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. There have been challenges—coordinating volunteers, finding consistent farm partners, and balancing school with nonprofit work—but every obstacle has strengthened my resolve. I’ve learned how to communicate clearly, build partnerships, and stay optimistic when plans fall through. Through it all, I’ve seen how positivity is contagious: when I show up with energy and belief in the mission, others do too. Crop Kindness Connect has also shaped how I see my future. I plan to major in business or economics and pursue a career in consulting or entrepreneurship, where I can continue building organizations that unite people around shared goals. I want to apply the same principles that have guided this work—collaboration, empathy, and innovation—to solve complex problems and create lasting change. Most of all, this experience has taught me that service isn’t about charity—it’s about empowerment. It’s about showing others that they, too, can make a difference. By combining compassion with action, I’ve seen how one small idea can inspire a network of kindness that stretches far beyond my own community. That’s the legacy I hope to carry forward—the same spirit Don Jorge embodied: serving with joy, leading with humility, and building unity through action.

Growing up in Stockton, I’ve seen both sides of my community—deep need and tremendous potential. That contrast has shaped who I am today: someone who believes in action, empathy, and using what I’ve been given to make a difference. At Saint Mary’s High School, I’ve built my foundation on curiosity, connection, and consistency. I maintain a 4.56 weighted GPA while balancing AP courses, varsity golf, Taekwondo, and community leadership. Each experience has strengthened a different part of me: golf taught patience and focus; Taekwondo taught discipline and mentorship; and founding my nonprofit, Crop Kindness Connect, taught me what it means to turn compassion into impact. I started Crop Kindness Connect after seeing how much fresh produce goes to waste while so many families in my community struggle to put healthy food on the table. What began as a few small farm pickups with friends has grown into a youth-led organization that rescues and redistributes over 4,000 pounds of produce annually. We deliver it to food banks, shelters, and senior centers—places where a box of fresh fruit can mean the difference between scarcity and hope. Additionally, I was able to package up my idea and turn it into something that's repeatable at other schools across the nation involving Agriculture departments and service organizations like Key Club. Leading Crop Kindness Connect has taught me far more than I expected. I’ve learned how to organize volunteers, build partnerships with farmers, and earn the trust of local organizations. But most importantly, I’ve seen how one simple idea can unite people. Whether we’re loading boxes in 100-degree heat or sharing meals with families, I’m reminded that leadership is about consistency, humility, and showing up when others need you. Service has always been part of my family’s DNA. My sister founded Socks4Seniors, a nonprofit that donates fun, colorful socks to nursing-home residents nationwide. I’ve helped her organize fundraisers, sort donations, respond to acquired penpals, and hand-deliver socks to seniors whose faces light up at the smallest gesture. Working alongside her has shown me how different missions—ending hunger, spreading joy—share the same heartbeat: human connection. Together, we’ve seen that small acts of kindness ripple further than we can ever predict. Beyond our nonprofits, I volunteer at soup kitchens like St. Mary’s Dining Hall and Grace & Mercy, serving meals and listening to stories that remind me how dignity matters as much as food. I also lead youth Bible study at my church, guiding younger students through conversations about purpose, empathy, and faith in action. These experiences tie back to my dad—the hardest worker I know—who taught me by example that compassion is something you build with your hands, not just your words. After high school, I plan to major in business or economics and pursue a career in consulting or entrepreneurship. My long-term goal is to lead or build a company that balances purpose with performance—where success isn’t measured only in profit, but in the positive difference it creates. At the core of everything I do—whether rescuing produce, mentoring kids, or helping my sister’s cause—is the same belief: true success isn’t what we gain for ourselves, but what we give back to others.

I love math because it’s one of the few places in life where everything makes sense. It’s black and white — clear, logical, and precise. There’s no guessing what the author “meant,” no room for vague interpretations. In math, there’s always an answer, and that answer can be proven. I find comfort in that. Unlike subjects like English, where opinions and interpretations can vary endlessly, math follows a consistent set of rules. Two plus two will always be four, no matter who you are or where you come from. That consistency gives me confidence. When I solve a problem, I know that my reasoning either works or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, I can go back, find the mistake, and learn from it. Math rewards persistence and logical thinking — skills that I value and use in all parts of my life. I also love how math connects to the real world. Beneath every piece of technology, every bridge, every scientific discovery, there’s math quietly holding it all together. It’s the foundation that allows creativity to become reality. Knowing math means being able to understand and build the systems that make our world work. To me, math represents fairness and truth. It doesn’t play favorites; it doesn’t rely on opinion. It challenges me, but it also gives me a way to prove myself through effort and understanding. That’s why I love math — because it’s honest, dependable, and always there waiting for me to find the right answer.

Golf has been more than just a sport to me—it has been a teacher, a community, and a foundation for the values I hope to carry into the future. Like Samuel D. Hartley, whose legacy as both a dedicated golfer and community leader inspires this scholarship, I have found that golf instills lessons that extend far beyond the course. It teaches patience, humility, integrity, and perseverance—qualities that have shaped not only my athletic career but also my academics, leadership, and service. From the time I picked up a club at a young age, I was drawn to the unique challenges of golf. Unlike many sports, golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. Each round requires focus, resilience, and the ability to recover from setbacks—skills that have carried me through both school and life. As captain of my high school varsity team, I’ve learned how to lead under pressure, celebrate the successes of my teammates, and encourage them through difficult matches. I’ve also had the privilege of competing in high-level tournaments, including the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, where I represented First Tee. My involvement with First Tee has been especially meaningful. I’ve achieved ACE level, the highest level a First Tee participant can earn, which reflects years of commitment to mastering not only the game but also the life skills the program emphasizes. More importantly, I’ve had the privilege to mentor and coach younger golfers through First Tee and beyond. Whether teaching fundamentals of the swing, modeling course etiquette, or encouraging kids through their first tournament, I’ve discovered how much I love sharing the game that has given me so much. Helping the next generation of golfers grow in confidence and character has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Beyond competition and coaching, I’ve committed myself to service. I co-founded Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit that gleans surplus produce from farms and redistributes it to families in need, and I’ve supported my sister’s nonprofit, Socks4Seniors, which has donated over 7,000 pairs of fun socks to nursing homes nationwide. For me, leadership means using every platform I have—whether it’s golf, school, or service—to build community and create opportunities for others. Academically, I’ve worked hard to challenge myself and excel, maintaining a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 4.56 weighted GPA while balancing a rigorous schedule of AP and college courses. I aspire to pursue a career in business communications and sales, a field where I can combine the people skills I’ve developed through golf with my love for leadership and strategy. Like Mr. Hartley, who carried his discipline from the Air Force into successful roles in sales and management, I hope to blend resilience with relationship-building to make an impact in my career. What makes me a strong candidate for the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship is not only my dedication to golf, but also my belief in what the game represents: integrity, perseverance, and community. This scholarship would not just support my educational journey—it would honor the values I strive to live by, values that echo Mr. Hartley’s own lifelong commitment to excellence on the course and service off of it. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply, and I carry forward the belief that, like golf, life is not about perfection but about how we respond to challenges, treat others, and leave the game better than we found it. With this scholarship, I hope to continue that legacy—pursuing my dreams while building a future rooted in service, mentorship, and the lessons I’ve learned both on and off the fairway.

When people ask my mom her favorite color, she always answers “sunset.” To her, it’s not just a shade in the sky but a reminder that even endings can be beautiful. That outlook has defined how she raised me as a single parent—facing challenges with strength, complexity, and grace, always finding light even when life felt heavy. Growing up in her care has shaped not only who I am, but also the way I see my future. Living in a single-parent household meant learning independence and responsibility earlier than most of my peers. My mom worked tirelessly to support me, often juggling multiple responsibilities on her own. I saw firsthand what perseverance looked like, and I learned that setbacks are not excuses—they are opportunities to rise higher. That mindset became essential when I struggled academically at first. I didn’t do well on my high school entrance exam and was placed out of the advanced classes I wanted. Instead of settling, I studied independently, took challenge exams, and proved I belonged in honors and AP courses. That experience taught me to advocate for myself and showed me that resilience, not speed or ease, is what carries someone to success. Those lessons inspired me to create opportunities for others. I founded Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit that rescues surplus produce and redistributes it to local shelters and pantries. By mobilizing volunteers and building partnerships with local farmers, I’ve seen how small acts—one extra row of crops, one Saturday morning of gleaning—add up to thousands of pounds of food for families in need. I’ve also supported my sister’s nonprofit, Socks4Seniors, helping her deliver thousands of socks to nursing homes. Both projects are grounded in the values my mom modeled: compassion, resourcefulness, and the belief that even when circumstances are difficult, we can still choose to bring light to others. These experiences have influenced my career aspirations in powerful ways. I don’t know exactly what job title I will hold one day, but I know I want to build a career where communication, leadership, and service intersect. Whether it is through business, strategic communications, or another field, I want to create solutions that connect people, strengthen communities, and make the systems around us more humane. One of the first books that shaped my perspective was The Outsiders. The line “Stay gold, Ponyboy” has always resonated with me. To me, it means holding on to kindness and empathy even when the world pushes you to harden. That mindset—combined with my mom’s “sunset” outlook—reminds me that no matter what obstacles I face, I can choose to stay grounded in hope and to use my talents to serve. In college and beyond, I plan to carry that same resilience into my studies, leadership, and career. Growing up in a single-parent household has not limited me; it has given me the strength, creativity, and determination to dream bigger. My career will be built on the lessons I’ve lived: find beauty in challenges, stay gold in character, and always work to leave the world brighter than I found it.

Preparing for the SAT has been one of the most challenging experiences of my high school journey, but also one of the most rewarding. I know a single test does not define me, yet I also see the SAT as an opportunity to prove my persistence and growth. My goal is to score a 1400 or higher. I am currently at 1330, which reflects the progress I’ve made, but I believe that with continued preparation and one final attempt, I can reach my goal. I have committed myself fully to preparation by using every resource I can find. Through Schoolhouse, I’ve been able to connect with free tutors who walk me through practice problems and help me target my weaknesses. I also enrolled in a Princeton Review course, which offers a refund if a student doesn’t achieve at least a 1400 after completing their program. That accountability motivates me to stay disciplined with my practice schedule. Between tutoring sessions, guided lessons, and self-study, I have built a strong routine that has pushed me forward. The hardest part of the SAT for me is not the content but the timing. I am slower than the average test taker, and I often feel rushed to finish sections. If I had more time, I know I could perform even better. Because of this, my preparation has focused not only on reviewing material but also on strategies to work more efficiently. I practice setting mini time goals for each passage or math section, skipping questions that slow me down, and circling back when time allows. I’ve also trained myself to trust my instincts on multiple-choice questions instead of overthinking, which often costs me valuable minutes. Each practice test has given me more confidence in balancing speed with accuracy. Even when I fall short of my target score, I look for progress: Did I answer more questions than last time? Did I avoid careless errors? Did I manage my nerves better? These small wins remind me that growth is not always measured in huge leaps, but in steady steps forward. Preparing for the SAT has also strengthened skills that go beyond testing. I’ve learned discipline in creating and sticking to a study plan. I’ve developed resilience by continuing to push forward even when my scores plateau. I’ve also practiced problem-solving in new ways, breaking down not just academic questions but the challenge of time management itself. Looking ahead, I know that no matter what score I achieve, the effort I have put into this test will prepare me for college and beyond. My goal remains to reach a 1400, but my true accomplishment will be the persistence and strategies I have built along the way. These lessons will serve me in every future challenge, academic or personal. In the end, preparing for the SAT has been about more than numbers. It has been about resilience, discipline, and hope—the belief that with enough work and the right approach, I can push past limits and reach higher goals.

Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.” This verse has shaped how I view my role in the world—not as a bystander, but as someone called to act, serve, and give generously when I am able. I am a senior at Saint Mary’s High School in Stockton, CA, graduating in the top 5% of my class with a 3.9 unweighted GPA. I am active in academics, athletics, leadership, and service, but above all, I seek to live out my faith through my actions. One of the most meaningful ways I serve is as founder of Crop Kindness Connect, a nonprofit I started to address food insecurity in my community. By recruiting classmates and partnering with local farms, we collect and donate over 4,000 pounds of produce annually to shelters and underserved schools. I also speak at elementary and middle schools, encouraging students to become “change makers.” This ministry has taught me that serving others often begins with simply noticing a need and being willing to meet it. My love for service also extends to the First Tee junior golf program, where I coach younger players in both the sport and its life lessons—integrity, perseverance, and respect. Through First Tee, I’ve been blessed to participate in national leadership programs like the Game Changers Academy and the Innovators Forum, where I learned to design impactful community projects and share my faith and values with confidence. I also volunteer with Socks4Seniors, delivering thousands of colorful socks to seniors in 120+ facilities nationwide. It’s a small gesture, but I’ve seen firsthand how it brings joy to those who may feel forgotten. Other service commitments—teaching taekwondo to children, helping at local soup kitchens, assisting teachers at Saturday school, and mentoring freshmen through Link Crew—remind me that God uses even the smallest acts of service to make a difference. Faith is the foundation of my leadership roles on campus. As a member of the Core Team for Campus Ministry, I help plan retreats, prayer services, and service projects to deepen faith and community engagement among students. In Link Crew, I mentor incoming freshmen, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported. Whether captaining my varsity golf team, serving as Key Club Secretary, or representing my school as a Rambassador, I aim to lead with humility, kindness, and the mindset of a servant leader. If awarded this scholarship, I would apply it toward my college tuition as I pursue a degree in Business, with a goal of working in global sales and eventually leading a company that blends profitability with social responsibility. I also plan to expand Crop Kindness Connect to other communities, building partnerships that mobilize students to serve in practical, Christ-honoring ways. I believe God gives us talents and opportunities not for personal gain alone, but to serve His purposes. Whether I am standing on a golf course coaching a child, loading boxes of produce into a shelter, or praying with students on retreat, I strive to honor Proverbs 3:27 by acting when I have the power to do good. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also strengthen my ability to continue serving others - living out the call to generosity, compassion, and faithful action.

When I think about why I want to become a veterinarian, I think of Rocket. My mischievous, loyal, and endlessly curious Italian Greyhound. This past summer, Rocket taught me more about the fragility of life, the depth of the human-animal bond, and the kind of future I want to dedicate myself to. It started with something so small: a forgotten backpack and a pack of “all-natural” gum. I didn’t think twice about the gum, but Rocket found it, got into my bag, and ate the entire pack. Within hours, he was weak, shaking, and unable to stand. A rushed trip to the emergency vet revealed something I never would’ve imagined—xylitol, a common sweetener in sugar-free gum, is highly toxic to dogs. Rocket was lucky to survive, but it was one of the scariest moments of my life. That day changed everything. I realized how very little many pet owners (including myself) know about the hidden dangers in everyday items. I also saw how critical veterinarians are, not just in emergencies, but in educating, supporting, and guiding families through caring for their animals. The vet who treated Rocket was calm, thorough, and kind. They saved my best friend—and inspired me to imagine myself in their role. Rocket, full of energy and endless personality, is more than a pet to me. He’s a true companion, a source of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love. And when I think about the thousands of pets like him—who face sudden health scares, chronic conditions, or accidents. I want to be the person who helps bring them back home, happy and healthy. My career goal is to become a veterinarian not only to treat animals, but to advocate for their health through education and community outreach. I want to specialize in small animal medicine, and one day open a clinic that also hosts workshops for pet owners—especially first-time owners—on topics like toxic foods, common household dangers, and preventative care. My passion for veterinary medicine has also been shaped by conversations with my best friend’s dad, who is a practicing veterinarian. He often shares stories from his work, the challenges and rewards, and has even let me shadow him informally. His encouragement means a lot—he’s told me he sees qualities in me that would make a great vet: empathy, resilience, and a drive to help. I’ve always loved science and animals, but these experiences gave that love direction. Whether it's comforting a grieving family, helping a sick pet heal, or teaching someone how to better care for their dog or cat, I want to be the kind of veterinarian who makes a real impact—like Rocky Deutsch did for Pinot’s family. I hope to honor that same compassion and dedication in my own work, saving pets like Rocket and educating families before a crisis occurs. Being a vet isn’t just a job to me—it’s a calling, one I’m determined to follow with everything I have.