Social media, created by Andrew Weinreich in the late 1990s, offers ways to create, share, and exchange ideas across the internet. It includes various platforms, such as community forums, video-sharing sites, and social networking sites, that encourage communal interaction. While social media can positively influence our wellbeing, it can also negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. Social media impacts mental health and self esteem through comments, posts, and messages. First, comments on social media significantly affect mental health and self-esteem. People often leave two types of comments: positive and negative. Social media provides a space for people to express their thoughts quickly and, at times, without considering the impact on others. Negative comments can lead to anxiety, sadness, and a drop in self-esteem. A single harsh comment can influence how someone views themselves or a topic. Positive comments, on the other hand, can uplift and encourage users. Therefore, comments are one of the main key factors that can affect one’s mental health and self-esteem. Next, posts on social media also influence mental health and self-esteem. Many users share photos or updates to showcase their lives or preserve memories. However, fear of judgment can discourage some people from posting, causing stress and lowering self-esteem. Comparing one’s life to the carefully curated posts of others may lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. On the contrary, supportive interactions on posts can foster a sense of belonging within a certain group. Thus, posts also play a significant role in one’s mental health. Finally, private messages on social media impact mental health and self-esteem. Messaging allows people to stay connected, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Hurtful or critical messages can lead to feelings of rejection or distress. Conversely, kind and encouraging messages can improve mood and self-confidence. The immediacy of messaging means these impacts are often felt instantly. As a result, messages are a significant contributor to mental wellbeing. Overall, social media influences mental health and self-esteem through comments, posts, and messages. As technology continues to evolve, so does the nature of social media interaction. While it can change our connection and self-expression, it also opens the door for negative experiences. Recognizing this great impact is essential in understanding how social media shapes our mental health through our lives. Therefore, it is clear that social media can both positively and negatively affect self-esteem and mental health through comments, posts, and messages.

My name is Kaleb Smith, and I am a high school senior passionate about finance. Life has taught me that valuable lessons often come from facing adversity. During my sophomore year, my family faced a significant financial setback when both my parents lost their jobs. The stability we had always known disappeared, and I felt the weight of the situation. As the youngest sibling, I knew I had to help my family navigate this difficult time. The uncertainty was daunting, but it sparked a determination in me to support my family as best as I could. To overcome this adversity, I took on part-time work to help with our household expenses. Balancing schoolwork with a job was not easy, but I was determined to maintain my 4.2 GPA while supporting my family. I learned to manage my time efficiently, prioritizing both my academic responsibilities and my job. This experience taught me discipline and time management, skills that will serve me well in my future studies in finance at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I also learned the importance of setting clear goals and staying committed to them. This challenge taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Facing this adversity made me more empathetic toward others facing similar challenges and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in finance. I realized financial literacy is crucial, and I am committed to using my education to make a positive impact in my community. I want to help people manage their finances better, so they can avoid the hardships my family faced. This experience has fueled my passion to educate others about financial stability and planning for the future. My advice to someone facing similar circumstances is to stay focused on your goals and not lose sight of what you want to achieve. Adversity can be overwhelming, but it is an opportunity for growth. Do not be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or mentors. Lean on your support system and communicate your needs. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. It is easy to feel discouraged, but believing in yourself can make all the difference. Take things one step at a time, and celebrate small victories. Every challenge you overcome makes you stronger and more prepared for the future. Adversity does not define you; how you respond to it does. In conclusion, facing adversity taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of financial literacy. These lessons have shaped who I am today and fueled my passion for finance. I am eager to continue my education and use my experiences to help others. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for the Simon Strong Scholarship, which will support my journey in making a positive impact. I am committed to using the skills and knowledge I gain to give back to my community and help others find stability and success. I hope to inspire others to overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams.

My name is Kaleb Jackson Smith and I plan to make a positive impact on the world by being a good leader towards my coworkers and offering my professional knowledge in finance to help people who commonly don't know what to do with their money. Commonly, people mistakingly treat their money like it's nothing and spend it rapidly without thinking. I want to prevent this mistake by offering my guidance and experience towards money. When I was in middle school, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I became an adult. I felt like I was pressured into figuring it out, but learning what you're good at takes some time to understand. I didn't have many real friends at the time and most people used me for my smarts. I felt like everyone started to go against me and didn't feel like I belonged in the group. However, these times don't affect me today as they did back then. I am part of many different leadership roles in my school and I am one of the top students in my class to this day. Although I have faced many challenges and obstacles in my life, I stayed strong and overcame every single one of them making me grow more experienced. I wish to major in finance/economics and one day become a financial advisor. I admit I can be shy at times, but once I get used to public speaking then I will start becoming a better leader. I am currently taking finance courses so I can prepare for my future career. Starting now not only helps me prepare, but it also helps me way before life happens. These courses help me understand taxes, investing, stocks/bonds, saving, and checking. Before this year, I had no clue how to do any of these things making a huge difference in my life. Therefore, finance is really important in my life and I hope to give this knowledge to others in need. In conclusion, I am a senior in high school and I want to help people by offering my guidance and experience toward others money habits. While most people don't consider thinking about their money, others care deeply about saving up for retirement or spending on important things such as college. I wish to be helpful to everyone that will need my assistance and I hope to create a better future for others and myself.