As the oldest of seven children, I have been surrounded by little ones for as long as I can remember. I changed my first diaper at five. I helped teach my youngest brothers to read. In all the family pictures, I'm holding one of the babies, and one of my youngest siblings consistently tried to call me "mama". Growing up as a "mini-mom", my passion for working with children came very naturally. I've always found such fulfilment in teaching and nurturing little ones, shaping them into the trailblazing generation of tomorrow. Babysitting or helping with children's events at church never seemed like work to me; I found them enjoyable, even through the longest days. I began cultivating this passion for children at the age of twelve, when I volunteered to assistant-teach at my local ballet studio. Tenderly wiping away tears and re-tying shoelaces dozens of times was my dearest joy. Demonstrating ballet steps backstage during the end-of-year recital shows was bittersweet. Some of these gap-toothed smiles I might never see again, but I knew I had helped instill the foundations of lifelong skills in them. Watching the difference between the wobbly feet at the beginning of the year to the rounded arms and sure skips at the end touched my heart. To them, even if they forgot me sometime down the road, I would always be "Miss Kaelin". I kept assisting with classes, until one day the studio's director entrusted me with my own. To this day, I teach ballet classes to our tiniest three-year-olds all the way up to the twelve-year-olds. Now, seeing them onstage performing perfectly what they've practiced all year truly is my pride and joy. Slightly after when I began assisting with ballet classes, when I was about thirteen, I also began to volunteer at my parish helping teach CCD--Sunday school. I sacrificed sleeping in on Sunday mornings as a teen to care for a sweet class of first-graders, praising their precious drawings, marshalling endless bathroom trips, and sharing the love of God with my little charges. When I turned eighteen, here, too, was I given my own class to teach. Most people shied away from the preschoolers, but I accepted the call, knowing so often that the little toddlers just need someone to speak their language. It has been through this latest experience that I have discovered what I believe to be my purpose. My passion for working with children is something that has developed almost without me conscious of it. Through my home life as well as the opportunities I have had to give back to the children of my community, I have honed my skills in speaking the language of these tiny humans. They aren't so frightening as some might think. My purpose is to help children grow into their full potential, into their best selves, by nurturing and teaching them in the love of God.

In videos and articles that have been released, the media portrays Gen Z as ignorant of history, especially that of our own country. I would argue, however, that this is a cherry-picked representation of the upcoming generation. This generation knows the many young people before us who have united together in times of adversity such as the Great Depression or the hippie movement. And we are going to go down in history as one and the same. The majority of high school students are at least attempting, if not succeeding, at taking dual credit and AP courses before they enter college. This is an increasingly common path, and it demonstrates a unique display of ambition and motivation. These classes demand sometimes double the work of a "normal" level class, and still, students are passing with A's and B's--knocking out college credits early on. One of the most common courses to take is history. High school students are developing a college-level knowledge of historical events, both in the United States and globally. A greater knowledge of history provides these young people with inspiration for the power they might have if they only came together--which, most times, they do. While this does not encompass all of the young people in our country, it shows that the media's portrayal does not necessarily represent the average teen's knowledge of the world. It also shows that Gen Z is capable of immense levels of commitment and determination. Taking one or more college-level courses on top of extracurriculars, volunteer work, family and social obligations, college applications, and more requires sacrificing many hours of sleep and free time all for the chance of bettering one's future career and the potential of contributing to society. Not to mention the personal difficulties of teen years--kids at this age are at a critical point of discovering their identity, which can create unique mental struggles as well. With the rise of social media, human rights issues are being spread faster than ever. The general public is being educated about problems in our society which they might have never known about before, and Gen Z is taking point in uniting against social problems. The young generation's dominance in the online world gives them an opportunity to spread awareness and take action against issues plaguing their local communities. Most teens have reshared posts about missing persons or dangerous individuals in their area, if not outright sharing their political views in this time of party polarization. Issues like pollution and promoting eco-friendly alternatives have begun to be alleviated in areas just from pure popularity of individuals fighting for the life of our planet. This generation has tools at their hands which older generations have never been able to use, and they have the creativity and ambition to make a difference about them in their own lifetimes. With the rise of social media, they have a way to unite with other people which they might never have had the opportunity to before. Gen Z is going to do great things, and I am going to be a part of their legacy.

In kindergarten, my mom would cry when I told her how none of the other children would play with me at recess. In second grade, another girl and I would compete to see who could read the thickest books each night when we went home. In fifth grade, I won my school spelling bee, then the regional, and then advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. My best friends were Harry Potter and Lucy Pevensie, and I had a terrible fear of goblins lurking in the dark. My mother homeschooled me from sixth grade until my senior year. I never doubt that the peer pressure of public school would have molded me into someone unrecognizable, and I am forever grateful that I was spared from it. Being a gifted child that was just a little bit different, I grew up without many friends and therefore without as extensive a support system. I was quiet and socially anxious. Many of my peers struggled in areas where I excelled, so I often had kids I barely knew ask me for help with their work. I always did what I could, wondering why they came to me rather than a trusted adult. The necessary resources for success should be provided to all children, regardless of who they are. All children have some sort of gift, whether or not they read the longest books or make the most spotless grades. With a bachelor's degree in psychology, I hope to become a child development specialist and go on to help identify barriers to success in young children. I will work to spot developmental challenges that could impede social, emotional, and academic growth. Some of the brightest minds in our world have emerged from psychological struggles. I hope to help every child that I work with realize their full potential. I will be a source of knowledge and support for families. With the work I accomplish, I will let every child know that their dreams can be accomplished no matter what struggles they have on their shoulders. Gifted children are often misunderstood, shunned, or even bullied for their differences. I can relate to every one of these, and so I will create a special goal to foster a welcoming, stimulating environment for these children. If I had had such a mentor, I might have had a very different childhood, so I will become what I myself lacked. Even children that are "different" deserve equal love, support, and encouragement. I aim to be a trusted friend and safe space to every child and parent, no matter what their circumstances. I will show children that nothing, not even an ADHD diagnosis, can stop them from achieving their dreams.