When I think back on my time in sports, I recognize the sacrifices my parents made from the countless hours in gyms to the amount of money they spent on hotels, flights, and club fees. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Positive role models and sports shaped who I am. My parents always encouraged me to do the best that I could and strive for excellence. They were always there to encourage me and lift me up even during hard times. I remember late night talks and encouraging words to do the best I can. Being an athlete taught me things aren’t given, but earned through discipline and setting goals. When I was a freshman in high school I set a goal to make the varsity volleyball team as a sophomore.The summer before tryouts I spent hours in a gym and in the sun working out and training. I had to work extremely hard, not only because I attended a competitive 5A school, but I also started the sport later than my peers. The first morning of tryouts I felt nervous but excited. As the week went on my nerves got the best of me and every mistake I made lingered in my head. My body began to feel weak, and my head was throbbing. I didn’t know if it was stress or something else. When I told my coach she told me to push through. Later, I found out that I had COVID-19. It was a challenging week mentally and physically, but I made the team. What came next I didn’t expect. Even though I was the one that made the team, I felt like I lost. The other teammates on varsity didn’t like me. Since I made the team, one of their friends didn’t and I wasn’t included. I watched as my friends on JV laughed and hung out together. I was isolated and alone and it was one of the most challenging years. That year taught me so many valuable lessons. I learned the value of communication and teamwork because many things can’t be done alone. I learned the value of resilience and the true meaning of grit. If I had quit that tough year, I wouldn’t have seen how my hard work paid off the following years. My current goals are different but sports taught me the foundation for what I know will help me continue to be successful to reach my goals. I’ll attend Texas A&M in the fall and plan on being an orthodontist. I love children and want to continue to work with them. My parents showed me support and how important it is to have someone to lean on during hard times I’m currently an after school counselor for children in my community and work weekdays after school. I know the importance of support and role models. My hope is that I can show these kids how loved and important they are. People have impacted me through their actions and how they made me feel. My love of sports and children is combined when I coach little spikers volleyball. I hope to install the values of teamwork and work ethic with these young athletes so they know they can do anything they want if they don’t give up. Even after college I plan on continuing to pay it forward by showing love to others and help them feel valued. As the oldest of four, I always wanted to set a good example through my actions and character.

When GUTS first came out, I listened to it on repeat for months. It wasn’t just an album—it was my soundtrack, my comfort, and a reflection of emotions I often struggle to put into words. By the time my Apple Music Wraps came out at the end of the year, my top songs were the entire GUTS album. For me, this album is more than just music. I can relate to the lyrics on a deeper level, and they remind me that I’m not alone in the way I feel. One of the songs that speaks to me the most is Ballad of a Homeschool Girl. The first time I listened to the lyrics my jaw was on the floor. It felt like my feelings had been translated into a song. It captures the experience of feeling like an outsider and trying to fit in but somehow always getting it wrong, perfectly. The lyric, “I stumbled over all my words, I made it weird, I made it worse,” is one of the most relatable lines I’ve ever heard. I can’t count the number of times I’ve said something that unintentionally made a conversation awkward. Making a joke that no one laughs at, getting strange looks over a comment, or feeling out of place in a group are all situations I am well acquainted with. While the moment itself might not be a big deal to everyone else, I am stuck overthinking it endlessly, replaying it in my mind for days and even months. The line “I’m on the outside of the greatest inside joke” is a direct reflection of all the times when people are laughing while I stand there awkwardly. The feeling in that moment is one of self-loathing and confusion. I am left wondering why I wasn’t included in the joke. I wonder if it was something I said or did. This vicious cycle is one I struggle to break. The overthinking and worry I feel is a feeling that I had never expressed in words, so when I first heard “Ballad of a Homeschool Girl” I was in shock. This song, like much of the album, is filled with that kind of overthinking where even if it probably wasn’t as bad as it seems your mind makes it ten times worse. Olivia Rodrigo captures that feeling of self-doubt and amplifies it in a way that feels painfully real. For me, GUTS is like stepping into my mind without having to say a single word.

The summer before my sophomore year was a blur of hours spent training, practicing, stressing, and pouring my heart and soul into volleyball. After earning a spot on a new club team, I was ready for my next challenge, school tryouts. The week leading up to tryouts was spent working out and preparing for the upcoming week. When tryouts began, I walked into the gym, mixed with excitement and nervousness. The first half of the day left me feeling confident and excited. I left for lunch and took a quick nap, preparing for the second half of the day. As the hours dragged on, my confidence shrank. My mistakes were in the front of my mind. I could feel my nerves getting the best of me, and at the end of the day, I came home on the verge of tears, convinced I wasn’t good enough. Day after day my emotions were on the ultimate rollercoaster. The girls were cliquish, and I felt the gaze of the coach, watching every move I made. As the week continued, my head started throbbing, breathing was difficult, and my energy was at an all-time low. At first I chalked it up to nerves and exhaustion, but as the week progressed I knew it was something more. Halfway through tryouts, I went to the doctor and discovered I had COVID-19. Whether it was caused by stress, nerves, or bad luck, I’ll never know. At the time, it felt like my world was ending. Panicking, I went to my coach explaining I was sick. She told me to push through and do the best I could. I pushed through and made it to scrimmages the next weekend. When teams were announced on the last day of scrimmages, I had made the team. It was the highlight of my life, until it wasn’t. That season was one of the hardest of my life. My coach played favorites, and as the youngest player and a newcomer, I had to work twice as hard as everyone else. It was obvious that the girls on the team didn’t like me. I had taken the spot of one of their friends, and I wasn’t one of them. While my old friends were on JV, I was trying to fit into my new team. Even though I was the one who made Varsity, it felt like I was the one missing out. My old teammates were thriving, constantly sharing laughs while I stood by and watched. In my attempts to fit in with a new team, I lost the friendships of my old teammates. At that point I felt completely isolated. That week of tryouts and the season that followed shaped me as a person. At the time, I was shy, anxious, and overwhelmed by the challenges I faced, but that season taught me discipline and the rewards of hard work. Now I am confident and secure in my identity. I learned that being confident in who you are as a person is more important than trying to shape yourself into a mold to fit someone else's expectations. I learned that hard work pays off. I learned that sometimes the difficult times are often the most important. The difference between who was then and who I am now is astonishing. While I wouldn’t choose to relive those challenges, I wouldn’t trade them. They shaped me and allowed me to become the person I am today. That week, and the season that followed, were the most emotional, impactful times of my life. They became the foundation of the person I am today.

Since the beginning of time, the human mind has been a curious thing. People have always wondered: Where did we come from? What are we made of? How does the world work? Throughout history, one thing has provided the answer, science. Science has the power to explain even the most complicated parts of our world, uncovering truths that once seemed impossible to understand. Some of the brightest minds in history were scientists who made groundbreaking discoveries that changed the course of humanity. Albert Einstein introduced theories that reshaped our understanding of time and space. Isaac Newton laid the foundation of physics. Galileo Galilei expanded our knowledge of the universe, proving that our world was only a small part of something much greater. These men dedicated their lives to understanding the world, yet even their work only scratches the surface of what has been discovered. The impact of science is everywhere. The satellites orbiting the Earth, the lessons we are taught in school, and even the basic explanations for life itself all stem from scientific research. The things we take for granted today, electricity, medicine, and even the simple concept of gravity, were once mysteries that took years of struggle, experimentation, and debate to uncover. What we now call common knowledge was, at one point, a revolutionary idea. Leadership is similar. Just as science has shaped our understanding of the world, leadership has shaped our societies. Today, I live in a country where people have rights, freedoms, and opportunities. But these things didn’t come easily. They were fought for by leaders who pushed for change. Martin Luther King Jr. led a movement that got rid of segregation and fought racial barriers. George Washington led a revolution that gave America its independence. Abraham Lincoln held the country together during its darkest time, ending slavery and guiding the nation through the Civil War. Without their sacrifices, I wouldn’t be sitting here, writing this essay. And that’s just a handful of leaders from American history. The list of leaders from other countries and times is unfathomable. Countless leaders have shaped their nations, whether for better or worse, and the world we live in today is a result of the choices they made, the movements they led, and the sacrifices they were willing to make. Both science and leadership stand as pillars in a world full of conflict and strife. No matter where someone lives, they are surrounded by the effects of scientific discoveries and the decisions of past leaders. But history isn’t finished being written. Right now, there are scientists making discoveries that will change the way we see the world. There are leaders making choices that will shape the future for generations to come. The present was shaped by the past, and in the same way, our actions today will shape the future. Scientists and leaders have always had some of the biggest impacts on the world, and those stepping into these roles now have the same opportunity. In a hundred years, people will look back at what was accomplished in our time—just as we look back at those who came before us.

As an eighth grader, I was told to pick an endorsement for high school and that our choices now would prepare us for the rest of our lives. Endorsements are chosen career paths that are intended to help students get an early start on college and job opportunities. This decision would decide my path throughout high school, college, and the rest of my life. There was only one problem… How was I going to determine what I was supposed to do with my life as a fourteen-year-old child? My dreams as a little girl varied from fashion designer, lawyer, surgeon, and even an entrepreneur. The options were overwhelming and intimidating as I tried to figure out my talents and interests. I wasn’t sure where to begin or even how to choose something so important at such a young age. I’ve always loved helping people and working with children. As the oldest of four, I was around younger kids a lot, babysat, and served as a camp counselor for a neighborhood kids camp one summer. I also realized that I enjoyed my math and science classes. After I was told to pick an endorsement, I started thinking about ways to combine things I liked in a career. One day when I was in eighth grade my mom and I were leaving my neighborhood and a side by side flipped in front of us. We pulled over and quickly tried to lift the side by side and help a girl whose arm was trapped underneath it. My mom could barely look at the girl’s mangled wrist without getting queasy, but I was intrigued and eager to help. I was excited to help the young girl and realized in that moment I wish I knew more so that I could assist her. Eventually, I decided to pick the health path and it was the best decision I have ever made. As I continued down that path, I knew it was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wasn’t sure of the specifics, but I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare world because I loved the idea of helping others. During my junior year of high school, we were able to travel to different clinics and hospitals around the Tyler area. I was able to see surgeries, basic procedures, check-ups, and so much more. I shadowed radiologists, dentists, orthopedic surgeons, and many others. These experiences were like no other. Being able to peer into the medical world from all different perspectives allowed me to get an insight into what the rest of my life would look like. Throughout this process, I managed to narrow my choices down to a select few. I loved orthopedics, but I also loved the dentistry world. One of the few sites not offered during these rotations was an orthodontist office. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I contacted my orthodontist and asked if I could come into the office for a day to observe. I loved it. The environment, the work, and the flow all intrigued me. I knew on that day that I was going to be an orthodontist. From then on, every decision I have made has been to get me one step closer to my dream. Next came the question of colleges. Where should I go? Both of my parents went to Texas A&M and I grew up visiting the campus and dreamed of being an Aggie one day. However, I began to question if I wanted to go there because that was what I wanted or because it was what they wanted. I started looking at other colleges trying to figure out where I belonged, but nothing quite felt like home. After visiting several different campuses, I decided to visit A&M one last time. That trip was intended to attend a baseball game with my dad and visit an organic chemistry class with an older friend. I had already done several dorm tours and a general campus tour but wanted to make the most out of the visit. Not knowing what to expect, I signed up for a tour of public health because I was told many pre-med and pre-dental students major in public health. As the speaker described the major and all that accompanied it, it sounded too good to be true. It was exactly what I had been looking for. I’d be able to complete all the prerequisites I need for dental school, and it is one of the smaller schools within the college which allows for a low student-to-teacher ratio. After the game that night, I knew I wanted to attend Texas A&M University and the decision was entirely my own. While my parents' love for A&M probably had some sway, I am going for me. After all the time of wondering where I would end up, I ended up right back where I started. Looking back I can see how events have shaped who I am today and how they have led me to the next step. The degree and college I have chosen will allow me to get one step closer to achieving my dream. And while the process that led me to that decision may have been a long one, it was necessary to get me to where I am. I am now excited to start a new chapter and begin the process of obtaining my degree and starting the rest of my life.

As the cost of college continues to rise, thousands of students across the United States struggle to afford higher education. I have been working and saving, hoping to earn enough to make college a reality. Many students take jobs in food service, retail, or other industries. While these jobs provide income, they are often not enjoyable. I am fortunate enough to earn money while doing something I love—working with kids. I am employed at Mentoring Alliance, an after-school program where I care for eighteen children. My role extends beyond supervision; I ensure they are safe and well-fed, help them complete their homework, and create an environment where they can enjoy their time. Each child is unique, and resolving conflicts is a daily part of my job. Some children are joyful and outgoing, while others express their emotions through anger, fear, or sadness. No matter their personalities or backgrounds, they all have one thing in common—the after-school program. Learning about each child and their unique needs has been challenging, but understanding them is essential if I want to make a difference. My goal is to be someone they trust—a person who listens, supports, and reassures them that they are not alone. Many of the kids in this program don’t have the best home lives, so creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial. Even if I don’t know their full stories, I strive to be a source of stability and encouragement. A kind face can make all the difference in someone's life. Bullying, whether in person or online, can be devastating. Many children who experience it feel isolated, with nowhere to turn. Giving them someone to lean on when things get hard makes a monumental difference. As the leader of my group, I set the tone. Through my words and actions, I show them kindness and teach them how to treat others with respect. Helping children understand what bullying is and how to prevent it empowers them to recognize and address it. I may not be able to change their home lives, but I can give them a safe space every day. If I can do that, I consider my job well done. As I enter college, I will carry this passion with me. While my financial needs play a role in my job, my desire to help others is even more important. The weight of my work is something I am proud of, and I strive to continue making a difference in the lives of children. If I can be a source of strength for even one child, I know my work and education will be worth it.

God has been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember. In moments of uncertainty, I have turned to Him for guidance, and in times of joy, I have praised Him for the blessings He has given me. My faith is the foundation of who I am, shaping my perspective, my decisions, and my identity. Like any relationship, my walk with God has not always been easy. There have been times when I felt myself drifting away and losing sight of what truly matters. Whenever I drifted away, my struggles and worries felt heavier and my path less clear. Yet, each time, I found my way back to Him, and in doing so, I realized that even in my lowest moments, He had never left my side. One of the most difficult seasons of my life came during my sophomore year of high school when I fell into a depression-like state. I was stressed, fearful, and emotionally exhausted. It was the lowest point in my life. In my desperation, I turned back to God, seeking comfort in His Word and strength in His presence. As I prioritized my relationship with Him, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. My circumstances had not changed, but my heart had. I found peace in knowing that I was not alone, and that God had a plan for me even when I couldn’t see it. That experience taught me the importance of placing my faith above all else, trusting that His love and wisdom will always guide me through life’s highs and lows. As I step into the next chapter of my life, my faith remains my guide. College and life will continue to bring new challenges, but I know that no matter what, I can always turn to God for wisdom and strength. His presence will continue to light my path, and I will hold onto the lessons I have learned. I am currently on my way to becoming an orthodontist, a career that will allow me to serve others and make a lasting impact on their lives. I hope to bring my faith into my work, not just through the care I provide but through the kindness, compassion, and integrity I show to every patient who walks through my doors. My accomplishments, my dreams, and every opportunity I have are credited to God. I will always give Him the glory, for He is the one who has guided me, shaped me, and given me the strength to pursue my calling.