I know that a good education is one of the most important things you can have and it is necessary if you want to succeed in this life. There are so many people who drop out of high school and because of that, it becomes very difficult for them to obtain a job that will make them financially secure. On top of that, those dropping out may change their mind and want to gain a higher education or at least a better job and that is not very feasible without a high school diploma. I believe that one of our main purposes in this life is to gain an education and grow in our knowledge and life experiences. Getting a proper education will greatly benefit everyone in life, whether they realize it at first or not. I believe in life after death, and I know that the only thing we can take with us from this earth is our knowledge. That is why education is so important to me. I have been very privileged to grow up in a safe community with good schooling and I have never majorly struggled in school which I am very grateful for. There are times when I do have difficulties with some concepts, or I just don't feel like going to school or doing my schoolwork. But I then look ahead and imagine what I want my future to look like. I want to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. I want to get married and start a family. I want to be financially secure and be able to travel the world with my family. I then realize that I am unable to do almost all of that if I do not get an education. I was in Honors classes as early as I could be and continued to stay in them up through my sophomore year of high school. Once I hit junior year, I began pushing myself and started taking AP classes. My classes last year were hard and I struggled at the start--I did not have the best grades for the first couple of weeks. But as I learned throughout the course of the year and put effort into my work, it paid off. I got a three and four on two of my AP tests and was very grateful for that, but I know I earned those scores. This year, I am taking two more AP classes. Again, they are tough, but I know I can do it. I am already doing better in them because the classes I took last year helped prepare me for them. I am on track to graduate with Highest Distinction and I can honestly say it will be worth it in the end. If I never pushed myself to take AP classes, school would have been almost too easy and I don't know if I would have learned much. I know that I want to go to college and I won't be able to go to the one I want if I don't finish high school. I won't be able to become a nurse if I don't go to college. If I don't go to college, I won't be financially secure, at least not secure enough to travel the world. Education is essential to not only one's success in life but also their happiness. I truly believe that because I am gaining a complete education, I will not only thrive as I work towards my dream career and life, but I will be so much more content knowing I worked my hardest to get there.

I have been a leader for most of my life. I have been a part of school clubs and community service events for as long as I can remember, and I love being a part of all those things. When I was younger, I was somewhat shy but I knew I could still lead through my actions--I didn't necessarily have to physically speak up in front of crowds and tell everyone what to do if I wanted to be a leader. As I have grown up, I've become more outgoing and have become more comfortable in new situations and with new people, but I still don't love speaking to large crowds. I continue to this day to lead by my example. Even if not everyone does, I know a few people will take notice of the things I do and say, so I put in my best effort to make those things positive. While I am Senior Class President, President of Key Club, and a member of NHS, those aren't what make me a leader--they just make it easier for me to lead. I find that my leadership comes from something entirely different. I have grown up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and one thing we talk about constantly is to be an example of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. He is the best example of a leader. While I am in no way perfect, I always strive to be like Him. I don't go around preaching my beliefs to people every day, but I try to act in a way that I know Christ would. I do my best to serve others, whether or not they ask. I do my best not to judge others, but rather to be kind to everyone. Even then, I'm not always the best person--there are people I don't always like, and some I may argue with. I have to find the balance between being nice and accepting, but also realizing when I don't want to be around people or in situations that make me uncomfortable. And I do believe that choosing to leave uncomfortable situations can also be an act of leadership. There may be some people with the same feelings as me, but they are too scared to speak up or leave those situations. If I am bold enough to do that, my actions may lead others to find their courage and be able to stand up and lead as well. As I have grown throughout my life, I have learned that there are so many different ways to lead others, and most of the time leading through example is what I seem to do best. I may not reach every single person this way, but I know I will reach a few that really care and may need an example in their lives.