At the age of three, my parents separated, and I have only ever known life with just my mom and me. I was born and raised in Charleston West Virginia, and later moved to Lynchburg Virginia She has been my sole provider, as my dad does not contribute financially and owes her thousands of dollars in unpaid child support. To make ends meet, my mom has often worked multiple jobs, sometimes holding three at once. She did everything she could to provide for me. Her example taught me early on what hard work and unconditional love look like. Everything changed during my freshman year of high school, when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She could no longer maintain multiple jobs, and I watched her go through chemotherapy, radiation, and several major surgeries. Her treatments left her weak and in pain, often hospitalized for days at a time. As her condition worsened, the medical bills piled up, and our financial situation grew even more uncertain. During this time, I had to take on new responsibilities at home, cooking meals, managing laundry, organizing her medications, and driving her to appointments once I had my license. Emotionally, I was overwhelmed. It was terrifying to see the strongest person I knew suddenly so vulnerable. But despite the fear and instability, something inside me shifted. I began to realize that strength doesn't always look like being in control. Sometimes, it's about simply showing up each day, even when everything feels impossible. My mom showed me that kind of strength in quiet, everyday ways: getting out of bed when she barely could, encouraging me to stay focused on school, and still finding moments to laugh with me, even on her worst days. Through this experience, I not only became more independent and resilient, but I also gained a new understanding of empathy. I began to see how many people, like my mom, carry invisible burdens and still show up with courage. That realization has influenced how I treat others, whether it's volunteering through Key Club or comforting a friend who's going through something difficult, I’ve learned to meet people with compassion first. This period of my life also reshaped my definition of success. While I’ve worked hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA and stay involved in leadership roles through FFA, Key Club, and NHS, I’ve come to believe that real success is about rising through adversity, while continuing to always choose to care for others. It’s about becoming the kind of person my mom is: strong, selfless, and steady. Affording college will be a challenge, but I carry with me the lessons my mom’s journey taught me. I know how to work hard, how to keep going when things are tough, and how to lead with empathy. No matter where I go next, those values will shape the person I continue to become.

Music. The one thing that can connect everyone. It’s arguably the most diverse form of communication on the planet, the unspoken, or spoken, language of love, hatred, kindness, peace, betrayal, depression, and so much more. Every song tells a story. A story that is unique to the composer. A story that lets listeners see a glimpse of their life. Yes, music is a connector, a way to share emotions. But what does it mean to me? Family. Music has been a core part of my childhood and my relationships with family members. One of my earliest memories is sitting at my grandma’s piano bench, my small hands struggling to reach the keys, as she patiently guided me through simple melodies. Day after day, we would sit together, practicing, laughing, and making mistakes that somehow still sounded beautiful. Sometimes, we even put together little holiday recitals for our family—nothing formal, just a way to celebrate music and togetherness. Looking back, those moments weren’t just about learning an instrument. They were about connection. About love. About the unspoken bond that music creates between people. Dedication. Music has always been part of my life, but over the past few years, it has become something much more, something I can’t imagine my life without. What started as casual piano lessons with my grandma grew into something bigger when I discovered my love for singing. For the past six years, I’ve trained in classical voice, spending countless hours refining my technique, expanding my range, and learning how to use my voice to tell stories. I’ve performed in church choirs, mastered challenging pieces, and stood before congregations, using music to lead worship. As college approaches, I find myself at a crossroads, but one thing is clear: music has to be part of my future. Every single day of my life is full of it, whether I’m rehearsing, performing, or simply listening. That realization is what has driven me to pursue music at the collegiate level. I don’t just want to keep music in my life. I need to. I want to share my talents with others, and I know that to do that, I need a higher level of training, more experience, and a deeper understanding of my craft. But beyond that, I want to continue feeling what music has always made me feel: connection. To my family, to my faith, to the people who listen. Music isn’t just about sound, it’s about emotion. It’s about the way a song can make someone cry or smile or remember something they thought they had forgotten. It’s about bringing people together, even for just a moment. Music is my past, my present, and my future. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My name is Katie Adamczyk. I am a senior from Lynchburg Virginia, but I was born in Charleston West Virginia. I am a fairly outgoing and bubbly person, but I am also very emotional and tend to worry a lot. These traits have shaped how I process life’s challenges, including one of the most difficult experiences my family has faced, my mom’s battle with cancer. When thinking of how to answer this prompt, I was reminded of an essay I wrote in my sophomore year. Only a year before I wrote it, my mom had been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I was still processing everything, as she was still having plenty of surgeries and treatments when I wrote it. Before then, I had never written about my mom’s illness. My close friends knew, but beyond them, I kept it private. After I submitted that essay, I remember feeling ashamed. Embarrassed that my teacher would feel pressured to give me a good grade because I was being so vulnerable. Why that thought crossed my mind, I may never fully understand, but it revealed an internal struggle I needed to overcome. That experience became a turning point for me. I realized I did not want to let shame or fear dictate how I handled my emotions or my education. Yes, I was hurt and sad about my mom being sick, but that did not make me any less talented, capable, or intelligent. She was sick, but I could still grow and learn and thrive. This ignited a passion in me. A passion to never let outside circumstances affect my time in school. I could grieve about things, write about them in English class, and ask how cancer worked in biology, but I would never allow myself to feel like less of a student for sharing about them. Over time, I have also come to understand how much my mother’s journey has influenced my personal growth. It has taught me resilience, patience, and the value of emotional strength. Watching her fight cancer with unwavering determination has been both heartbreaking and inspiring. I have learned to appreciate the small victories in life and to focus on what truly matters: family, education, and personal growth. As I look ahead to college and my future career, my mother’s experience has solidified my desire to help others. I believe that adversity can shape us into stronger individuals, and I am determined to channel my experiences into something positive. Cancer changed my life, but it did not define me. Instead, it fueled my determination to succeed, to help others and to never let adversity dictate my potential. I am ready to take this resilience into my academic journey and future career, using what I have learned to make a difference in the lives of others.

Selflessness is a word that carries a unique meaning for everyone who hears it. To me, it embodies the willingness to put others first, going the extra mile for those in need, and never expecting a thing in return. From a young age, I’ve dedicated countless hours to serving my community. Whether handing out silverware at a local soup kitchen or restocking shelves at the food bank, I was always eager to lend a helping hand to those who needed it most. This passion for service continues to shape my life today. As an active member of Key Club, the National Honor Society, and Future Farmers of America, I am part of several organizations emphasizing service and leadership. Through these experiences, I’ve come to realize that leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it’s about serving others too. Leadership and selflessness go hand-in-hand, as leading effectively almost always requires putting the needs of others before your own. My passion for service has helped me become a better leader. Outside of my school involvement, I regularly volunteer with my church, finding immense joy in giving back to my community through worship and music. For me, music is a powerful tool for connection, and singing is another way I can serve others. I find immense joy in sharing my love of singing with those around me, especially in church settings where music is an essential and valuable part of the worship. Whether singing for my church congregation or during community events, I’ve witnessed firsthand how music can lift people’s spirits and offer comfort during difficult times. It’s a meaningful way for me to give a piece of myself to others, making each performance a personal act of kindness. While all the ways I serve others are important to me, I believe the best way to reflect true selflessness is through small, intentional acts of kindness. These seemingly insignificant things, like holding the door open, complimenting a stranger, or surprising a friend with a small gift, can have a huge impact on someone’s day, week, or life. It may feel trivial to the person giving the act, but their effects are often extremely profound. I find great joy in these moments because they are spontaneous, heartfelt, and frequently go unnoticed, making them far more genuine. It reminds me that selflessness doesn’t always have to be grand or orchestrated; it can simply be part of our everyday lives. In my experience, embracing selflessness means being willing to help others at any time, not just during scheduled volunteer hours. It’s about keeping an open heart and always looking for opportunities to make a difference, no matter how small. Through service, music, and everyday acts of kindness, I strive to live out this ideal of selflessness. A life that is rooted in genuine care for others and a desire to bring joy and support to all those around me.

I remember first hearing HOOTTOGO. I was at practice, and one of my friends was doing the dance. Instantly, I fell in love with Chappell's music. Every time I was with my friend Maggie that showed me her music, we listened to The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Maggie and I got so much closer because of her music, and actually got to go to a Chappell Roan concert together!! Our show theme was Pink Pony Club, so we made cute matching hats and shirts. The experience I had at her concert truly changed my life forever. I was surrounded by people that didn't care where you were from, who you loved and what you looked like. There was a young girl and her mom behind me and Maggie. Every single time Chappell finished a song, the mom and her daughter tried to guess what she would sing next. That is why I support Chappell Roan. She creates a welcoming environment for everyone, whether at her concerts or just listening from home. People connect to her music. I could write forever about my experience at the concert, but there's more to this story. While Chappell's music has helped me make new friends and strengthen old ones, she opened my eyes. Growing up as a catholic girl from the country makes it hard to "get out there". I have always been hushed about my opinions on just about everything, especially opinions I formed when I was a bit older on inclusion and equality. I believe that everyone deserves equal respect and to be given the opportunity to do anything they want to. Many of the people I grew up around did not believe these things. I would never think one race is better than another or women shouldn't be working. Chappell also believes the same things I do, and she grew up in an area where people didn't agree with her. They wanted her to change who she was and what she thought was right. Her perseverance gave me the confidence to stand up for what I think is right. She is such a powerful and independent woman and I hope to someday to be as brave and confident as her.