How does something as thick as smoke conceal your vision, but open your eyes? With a grin, Trooper Smith walked with poise, leading us through The Pennsylvania State Police Academy, an experience presented to select participants as a part of The Camp Cadet program. I followed behind her as she pushed to the outside door of the facility, but we were met with a fog, differing from the sunny weather occurring an hour prior. Trooper Smith turned to us and showcased her grin, “Y’all I am sorry but it seems like today is the tear gas training down there, just be sure to wash your clothes upon returning home.” Her normalcy pushed my initial fear down as she started leading us towards more sights. Though the gas had been at a distance of at least three-hundred meters away, the aroma created a spicy layer on my eyes, initiating a slightly blurry vision. Whilst the situation became humorous to us, it triggered irreplaceable questions to fall into my mind, the prevailing one asking, “If this is what it feels like more than hundreds of meters away, what are the feelings of the various victims of such torture?” Such a question prompted me to attempt to push the pieces together within the frame of my mind. Through previous research and work through Amnesty International, I was aware of situations involving people being subjected to numerous amounts of torture, however, the feeling was dehumanized. Growing up within the “smack middle” of West Virginia, I did not have much exposure to human rights issues and topics, walking merely through the light fog pushed me into an area of both realization and rage. That rage fueled my personal mission. I spent my last two years of high school enrolled half-day in a vigorous technical college that offered a Law and Public Safety program, knowing that the way to initiate change was to work from the inside out. I became captain of the law class, the safety manager, and president of my school. With these roles, I educated the school on excessive uses of force, all whilst driving myself further by gaining recognized certificates on the knowledge of prevention. I set indivisible passions off within each student: encouraging them to write letters to leaders accused of unjust captivity and to further raise awareness, inside and outside our school. My journey does not stop now; I will continue my plan of action to engage as many as I can in creating a shift. I will be attending Loyola Marymount University in the diverse city of Los Angeles to study International Relations. After undergraduate school, my plan is to attend Columbia law school and obtain my law degree! I aspire to step on the global scale as an international humanitarian lawyer and fight for those who cannot stand for themselves. I will represent thousands of people to ensure they never have to experience intense pain for no such reason. Schooling is the first step to do so, it has been - and will always be - a priority of mine. I hope to change The World through defending one individual at a time. The awareness of the advances that still need to be made push me further into doing whatever is possible to shift the norm of force utilization. That experience pushed the ideology into me that, I will not stop my journey to communicate regarding those wrongfully subjected to both torture and unjust force, for the sting may have blurred my vision, but it will not blind my sight.

Speaking up is one of the hardest tasks someone can do, but it is the most rewarding. In my case, it was speaking against the wrongdoing conducted at the nearby college where I attended dual enrollment law classes. Through the dedicated time of my enrollment, I not only developed a greater understanding of our laws, but also learned how an environment can instill the crucial value of speaking up within an individual. Our law professor broke numerous boundaries that were set from students. He offered students rides home, expressed as though he felt “saddened” if we refused to be hugged by him, and took advantage of the student's weaknesses. My stomach churned when I saw him. I knew what he was doing was wrong, but I felt as if everyone would be against me if I “betrayed him." I took everything built up in me and spilled it right in front of my AP Literature teacher at my home school: the fear, the ache, the hurt. I felt as if I was in the wrong at first, rising questions popped into my head, the main one prevailing, “Am I simply overanalyzing this?” My Literature teacher told me just what I needed to go forward with, “He is wrong.” That little saying confirmed me and polluted my overthinking, I knew I had to go forward and do something about what was going on in that class. With newfound bravery, I marched to the principal's office and explained everything to them. They thanked me profusely, for many students witnessed this behavior, but kept it within. They informed me that this would be a long process, that everybody would understand if I decided to never return to that school again, but I knew I had to be strong. It was not an easy journey, for it never is when you speak up against something or someone. When I returned to the school the next day, rumors were spreading, glances were given to me, and I felt wrong again. When I saw the result of the actions I took, however, I was beyond proud of myself. The teacher was removed from the classroom permanently for his actions, the students realized the issue at hand, and most importantly, we were all freed from his manipulation. That was not the end of hardships with this story, there never is an easy journey after being courageous, and it is not talked about enough. I had to endure months of interviews and investigational procedures, but I am a firm believer of the fact that certain things may happen for a reason. This situation, very obviously, left our class without a teacher for a long period of time. I took it as an opportunity to step up and continue the proper education of my class. Partnering with local community officials, lawyers, and officers, I was able to create in depth lesson plans, scenarios, and overall continue on so that we could properly learn. I aimed to engage our class in a patrol routine, implementing a component that involved the class patrolling the school in sectors and writing proposals on what revisions needed to be made. We were the first class to do so in school history. Additionally, with the help of a local company, I refurbished inspirational quotes alongside our classroom walls and entrances. Motivation is needed to succeed, especially after difficult instances. Though the experience was challenging - and still is at points - I hope to inspire others through my story to stand up against the wrongdoings in their own community. There is power in speaking up!

Something I have always struggled with is acknowledging weaknesses. Growing up within the confines of the mountainous West Virginia, there was an existent pride that constantly oozed from me. I wore it like a bejeweled crown on my head, for I loved my state. Traveling across states for speech competitions and educational conferences, it was always something I proudly showed off. Whenever someone would make a comment towards me that went against the ideals of my state being one of true elegance and beauty, I would immediately combat with a defensive statement. It wasn’t until I had a deep conversation with someone from across the country that opened my eyes permanently. When immediately resulting in a defensive statement, I often pushed past reasonable logic. A girl from Colorado that I met at a college event sparked a conversation with me about statistical evidence showing West Virginia’s poverty levels. I, once again, immediately came back with a defense, acting as if I was about to swing in a heated tennis game. What I did not know was that the real tactic was not hitting the ball back as hard as possible, but instead, making improvements to the racket itself. She gave me key advice that - to this day - I aspire to utilize. She stated, “It is okay to acknowledge a weakness in you or your area, however, the real danger is when you acknowledge the weaknesses and do nothing to improve them.” Since then, I have attempted to fix a prevalent issue I have seen as a West Virginia resident: the combination of food waste and lack of healthy meals created by low-income families. As a child, in poverty, we relied on food banks, yet, the same un-nutritional meals fell upon me everyday. Looking back, and knowing it was a simple lack of knowledge on how to utilize ingredients, drove me to assist. I volunteered weekly as a food bank, and weekly I saw a consistent trend. The donated food from markets are often unappealing looking or stale, and that led many volunteers to throw the items away, or give it away with no instructions. I dedicated time to developing a non-profit, aimed to show how to utilize commonly disregarded ingredients, such as stale bread. I included recipes in the boxes that correlated with the, sometimes, difficult ingredients. Not only did I include recipes in the boxes, I decided to create and manage a website to promote recipes for those who may not have been able to travel to the food bank! Additionally, I dedicated my weekends in the summer to making a table at our town’s farmers market. I promoted the non-profit and brought examples of foods to encourage people. Together, with the help of my community, we were able to reduce food waste, and increase nutritional meals within our beloved community. This volunteering experience has profoundly shaped my goal of pursuing a higher education. I aspire to be the first in my family to attend college. In order to create a lasting change, I need a solid educational foundation. A college education will equip me with the advanced skills and knowledge to expand my non-profit work and aim to tackle larger systematic issues. I aim to study international relations and continue on to law school which will allow me to develop more effective programs and advocate for policies that support low-income families in West Virginia!

Something I have always struggled with is acknowledging weaknesses. Growing up within the confines of the mountainous West Virginia, there was an existent pride that constantly oozed from me. I wore it like a bejeweled crown on my head, for I loved my state. Traveling across states for speech competitions and educational conferences, it was always something I proudly showed off. Whenever someone would make a comment towards me that went against the ideals of my state being one of true elegance and beauty, I would immediately combat with a defensive statement. It wasn’t until I had a deep conversation with someone from across the country that opened my eyes permanently. When immediately resulting in a defensive statement, I often pushed past reasonable logic. A girl from Colorado that I met at a college event sparked a conversation with me about statistical evidence showing West Virginia’s poverty levels. I, once again, immediately came back with a defense, acting as if I was about to swing in a heated tennis game. What I did not know was that the real tactic was not hitting the ball back as hard as possible, but instead, making improvements to the racket itself. She gave me key advice that - to this day - I aspire to utilize. She stated, “It is okay to acknowledge a weakness in you or your area, however, the real danger is when you acknowledge the weaknesses and do nothing to improve them.” Since then, I have attempted to fix a prevalent issue I have seen as a West Virginia resident: the combination of food waste and lack of healthy meals created by low-income families. As a child, in poverty, we relied on food banks, yet, the same un-nutritional meals fell upon me everyday. Looking back, and knowing it was a simple lack of knowledge on how to utilize ingredients, drove me to assist. I volunteered weekly as a food bank, and weekly I saw a consistent trend. The donated food from markets are often unappealing looking or stale, and that led many volunteers to throw the items away, or give it away with no instructions. I dedicated time to developing a non-profit, aimed to show how to utilize commonly disregarded ingredients, such as stale bread. I included recipes in the boxes that correlated with the, sometimes, difficult ingredients. Not only did I include recipes in the boxes, I decided to create and manage a website to promote recipes for those who may not have been able to travel to the food bank! Additionally, I dedicated my weekends in the summer to making a table at our town’s farmers market. I promoted the non-profit and brought examples of foods to encourage people. Together, with the help of my community, we were able to reduce food waste, and increase nutritional meals within our beloved community. This volunteering experience has profoundly shaped my goal of pursuing a higher education. I aspire to be the first in my family to attend college. In order to create a lasting change, I need a solid educational foundation. A college education will equip me with the advanced skills and knowledge to expand my non-profit work and aim to tackle larger systematic issues. I aim to study international relations and continue on to law school which will allow me to develop more effective programs and advocate for policies that support low-income families in West Virginia!

Amongst the chaos in The World - even my life - the bright colors, laughter, and vivid sounds from the movie flooded the air, allowing me to simply… breathe. “Breathe, breathe” said Mike Wazowski to Sulley in the bathroom, trying to calm him down after bringing in a human little girl into their monster world. Monsters, inc. is a movie that was released in 2001, and it is something that has comforted and inspired me. Many might be confused with this “random” choice, why would I choose a silly childhood movie instead of something sophisticated and for a more mature audience? What many people might not know is the fact that, oftentimes, messages are buried within scripts. Whether it be a message to be bold, to stand up, or even just to keep going. Monsters, Inc. to me was an inspiration to create change, not only in my community, but World-wide. The first time I watched the movie, I was babysitting my younger siblings. Being the oldest child of seven, I was often tasked with the responsibility of watching them. My youngest brother had been introduced to the movie through his friends, and now had refused to watch any other film. If anybody has a younger sibling, you might know the annoyance of watching the same film for hours on repeat, for months at a time. At first I enjoyed it, then I absolutely despised it, but to my surprise, I ended up adoring it again. After approximately a week of the same movie being on play, I decided to actually pay attention to it, perhaps analyze it. This is when I found out the strong messages that lied within. Monsters, Inc. is about two monsters, Sulley and Mike, who work at a scare factory. The scare facility powers their own world by collecting the screams of human children. The monsters take turns going into the human world via a “door portal” and ultimately frighten the kids, allowing them to scream and fuel their energy containers. Everything shifts around after a little girl named “Boo” accidentally enters their world. Sulley and Mike try to return her home before anyone finds out, all while uncovering a conspiracy at the factory! After the faced-paced adventures and dangers, Mike and Sulley were able to return Boo, though they had created a warm bond with her. In the end, they were able to create a shift in their own World! They found a way to no longer rely on the children’s fear, but instead, laughter. This movie impacted me beyond words. At first it served as a comfort to me throughout difficult challenges in my life, giving me subtle reminders to breathe through the hardships and endure. As I got older, however, it served as a reminder to always strive to change faulty norms. In their world, they realized the wrongfulness of frightening the children, so instead, they shifted it! In my own life, I hope to shift the wrongful way some people are treated through world-wide advocacy, similar to how Sulley and Mike advocated for the children! Somehow, I am the one replaying the movie constantly, and now that my brother has grown, he is the annoyed individual. We joke about it constantly! Never be afraid to shift the faulty norms in your own community, for small steps can create massive change. It is just as Mike states at the end of the movie, "The Team Of Wazowski And Sullivan Are Going To Change The World Starting Today."

For years, I have been working towards my everlasting goal of stepping onto the global scale and carrying out a career as an international humanitarian lawyer, for I wish to be a victim advocate worldwide. I will carry out a double major pathway of political science and international relations on the pre-law track, my goal is to obtain my undergraduate degree and continue on to law school at Columbia Law School. I have always had an interest in law, for I enrolled in a law class my ninth grade year and have continued on every single year. Currently, I am a part of The Law, Public Safety, and Security program at a local college. When applying, I was told by counselors that it would be impossible for me to maintain Advanced Placement classes and a high GPA, due to the course “taking up space.” I refused to let that stop me. I continued on to become the law class captain, serve on the board of school students, implement vinyl motivational quotes on the school walls, self study/take “AP” exams, and managed a 4.37 GPA. I am excited to take the skills and certifications I have acquired, and carry them on to my future school. Obtaining an acceptance to my dream college was difficult, for it is ranked the #3 public university in America and top ten in The World. I worked hard throughout my time in high school and valued a thirst for knowledge and success. I gave up time to contribute to my educational experience, improving our community, and overall doing the most I can do to make my community a better place. I created a pending non-profit aimed to show families from low-income communities how to utilize commonly disregarded foods. I included recipes in food bank boxes and created a website full of resources, it is something I am extremely proud of. I am beyond exhilarated to continue through with attending college, and being the first to do so in my family; tearing down the barrier! Not only is it crucial in giving me the education for my career, but also in showing generations to come in my family that attending college is possible. I have always felt as if it was not a possibility for me to attend, and going through FAFSA and applications by myself was more than difficult, I wish to be that resource for my own children, carrying on a legacy of education. Though I am ecstatic for this journey to begin, there is a factor that worries me, affording college. Throughout school, I have been working to save money, but it is not enough to simply cover a semester. Due to both of my parents being low-income, I am looking at paying for college completely by myself, and there is no existent savings account set up for me to utilize. Our family simply does not have the money to assist, for I have eight siblings who fully depend on my parent’s income, and my mother does not hold a job. I assist my family in housekeeping, watching my siblings, cooking, etc. Whilst some would look at it as a disgrace, I look at it as a challenge. I will do whatever it takes to carry out my educational and professional goals. I have worked extremely hard throughout my school career to get to where I am now; I will not stop. Though I may have a lot on my plate right now… it will all be worth it when I have my degree and use it to help others globally!

My Memaw. It was the middle of the school day when I was sitting in my math class. I was making an attempt at the algebra question presented to me when suddenly I felt a vibration coming from my right pocket, a phone call. I looked down and noticed it was my mother, not knowing the severity of the issue at hand, I simply placed my phone back down so I could push my attention back to the math problem. The phone - however - kept drawing my attention back to it, with several notifications and buzzes. Finally, I decided to resort my attention to the device, and upon reading the message that came across my screen, I was terrified. It read, “Please answer when you can, your grandmother is getting worse, she might only have a few hours left.” Many children remember their grandmother as a soft, kind woman to whom they visited on weekends. My grandmother, however, was the strong person who raised me most of my life. I resided with her during the years following my parent’s separation and divorce, she provided the perfect environment where I could be capably loved and appreciated. Her stories remained present in my mind throughout my days, she was the superhero to me. The first in our family to hold a job in government, the first to move away from home, and the first to even leave the country. She was awe-inspiring, and I wanted to be just like her. During my freshman year of high school, I made the decision to go to a private charter school a few hours away. Though I had to leave my grandmother behind, I knew this decision was the best for my education and presented the most opportunities. A few months after my departure, it was determined that my grandmother had Myeloma, stage three rapidly developing to stage four. I was told not to worry and that she, herself, wanted me to stay at my school, not come home; especially with it being in the midst of Covid-19. Receiving that text message, my heart sank. We had just figured out she had it, how could this have happened, and so fast? My mother held her hand, and though she could not speak, my mother told her, “Your Kammy is coming to say goodbye, wait for Kammy.” She mumbled nothingness and resumed laying… waiting. When I arrived home, I walked into the heavy living room. I tried to keep my composure as I stumbled towards her. I did not want anybody to see me as “weak.” It was bordering 12AM when everybody decided to lay down, I still had not said goodbye to her. It was a miracle that she was still alive with me. I knew I had to build up the courage to say the word, the one I was too afraid to speak in front of everybody else… “Goodbye, I love you.” I fell asleep minutes later beside her. She passed a few hours after that, she waited for me to tell her. She has taught me so many lessons, but the one through this experience will forever remain as one of the most important; never be afraid to speak. This lesson has remained prominent throughout my high school career. I have won numerous speech competitions, spoke out for those who cannot represent themselves, and overall, communicated to others on the lessons taught by her. Everything stems from speaking out, and that skill was unleashed to me by my grandmother. This is devoted to her. Thank you Memaw.