1. BANANAGRAMS TERMS: BANANAS, DUMP, PEEL, SPLIT Reasoning: I recently learned how to play Bananagrams! After teaching the game to my family, they now want to play every night! Although similar to Scrabble, I really appreciate how this game allows for social connection and whole group play with fun terminology while also incorporating words, creativity, and fast critical thinking like the NYT Connections puzzles. This grouping includes words like "SPLIT" and "DUMP" that are generic and can be tricky to figure out where they fit in the puzzle. Unless one is familiar with Bananagrams and its terminology, one likely won't associate a food-like item with the rest of these words, making for a fun and informative game. 2. EARLY 2000S TECHNOLOGY: CAMERA, DVD, IPOD, WII Reasoning: With the rapid advancement of modern technology, I often find myself wanting to slow down and revisit the basics. Digital cameras/camcorders, DVDs, iPods, and Wii games were the nostalgic Y2K gadgets of my childhood. These older technologies remind me of a time of less distractions and more fun, productivity, and memories, specifically when technology advanced relationships in a positive way. This grouping was chosen because it targets a specific age group and might be challenging for other generations who are unfamiliar with some of the classic gadgets. 3. OLD, AS AN OBJECT: ANTIQUE, ARCHAIC, HISTORIC, VINTAGE Reasoning: Every Sunday, my grandfather and I visit a new flea market. We are always on the lookout for unique vintage items that we can learn more about and bond over. My grandfather inspired my early passion for old films, fashion, and home furnishings, an integral part of my identity. This category is a tribute to our memories together as his health is declining and it's uncertain how many more Sundays we will have together. Also, I grouped these words together because they are very similar but are usually specific to an item (i.e. "HISTORIC" and "ANTIQUE" imply history and calculated age which are typically associated with more valuable items in regards to rarity and expense). This grouping can make the puzzle challenging because people may not be as familiar with some of these words, with the exception of the popular "VINTAGE", used to describe anything that is old or has age. 4. WOODLAND ANIMALS: BUTTERFLY, DEER, RABBIT, SNAKE Reasoning: This summer, I've started taking walks in the woods for my physical and mental health where I've spotted so much beautiful wildlife that I wouldn't be able to see elsewhere. My favorite sightings thus far have been deer with their fawns, rabbits running together, snakes, butterflies, dragonflies, an owl, and even a turtle laying eggs by a pond! I'm so thankful to be present in nature and witness the wonder, joy, and serenity that accompanies it. Aside from being relevant to my daily life, I grouped these words together because they can easily be associated with one another, and act as the one "easy" category that each NYT Connections puzzle seems to have.

Often, we become so engrossed in our daily lives that we forget about the world that lies beyond our own. However, the experience that travel provides along with its transformative qualities is not easily forgotten. Travel has countless benefits on well-being: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual to name a few. I would even consider it imperative for personal growth, discovery and the expansion of the mind, happiness, and what is needed to keep one's childlike sense of awe and wonder intact. Depending on the motive to travel, there may be different outcomes and rewards of the experience. There are those who wish for a change of scenery/lifestyle, thus gaining new cultural insights and a newfound appreciation for the world around them. The exposure to cultures and environments unlike one's own is beneficial as it allows for outdated thinking patterns/biases to disperse and for understanding, curiosity, and respect to consume one's thoughts and heart instead. Then there are those who travel due to recent hardship, the experience providing them with inner peace, new fulfilling relationships, and an improved mindset. This new exposure reminds of the beauty of life and the wonderful people that make it up (most of which we have yet to meet), even amidst life's lows. Travel allows us to zoom out on our lives in order to see the bigger picture and feel grateful for even the smallest of things. Personally, the beauty of nature always inspires feelings of gratitude in me when I visit new places. Also, there are those who seek out a specific destination to explore more about themselves or roots. This immersion in culture can really transform one's inner being, fostering a feeling of community and belonging. As humans, it's only natural to want to be part of something bigger than ourselves: to be a team, to be loved, and to be one. Travel provides endless opportunities for discovery via reconnecting with loved ones, meeting new family/friends, and learning new things about ourselves and others that foster our mental wellness, thus bolstering the connection and clarity that we're all in search of. For instance, despite expenses, I dream of visiting Chieti, Italy, the birthplace of my late grandmother. Although I'm also Italian, she was the last to integrate her culture into our family practices and traditions, thus I wasn't able to learn as much as I hoped. My wish to travel to Chieti is fueled by my desire to connect with my grandmother's world and to learn more about myself and my family's roots through the immersion of culture and language. Specifically, it would be a life-altering experience to learn about traditional Italian cuisine and to speak Italian with locals, as my grandmother valued food that I couldn't cook and spoke Italian in which I couldn't understand, making it difficult to connect with my culture. Travel is priceless as it prompts us to nurture the truly human parts of ourselves and to expand our consciousness, allowing for lifelong memories and profound transformation.

The two biggest things that the books I've read over the years have taught me are how to find myself again through literature and how to be a good writer, my own writer. I'm grateful for these lessons and each book that has pushed me closer, and has given me the confidence, to work toward my lifelong goal of becoming a best-selling novelist. I grew up with my nose in every book I could find. I was a very shy child and had a hard time making friends. Books were my sanctuary and kept me company when I had nobody else. In first grade, I told my family that I was going to write a book someday and I planned my life around this. Up until high school, I read nearly every day. But when my life as a teenager grew increasingly busier with no time for anything other than schoolwork and extracurriculars, and my motivation to read, along with my mental health, dwindled until I was amidst a four year reading slump and depression. I found that the required books for my classes weren't compelling and I found little happiness in anything. As cheesy as it might sound, I felt like a part of me was missing when I was no longer interested in reading. However, I can attribute my falling in love with books again to a single required summer reading title, my all-time favorite book: "Truly Devious" by Maureen Johnson. The missing puzzle piece was discovering the genre of mystery! Johnson's creative plot, exciting atmosphere, and little twists kept me hooked and wanting to read more of her work. I finished the series and read more mystery books! Firstly, I have come to appreciate the meticulous planning and execution that goes into every book. I have a deep respect for anyone who shares their work with the world. I also relearned the importance of finding the right books and genres, as well as slowing down and really listening to what each author has to say. I started taking notes and analyzing each author's writing techniques such as starting and ending a chapter with different emotions, how certain characters are developed to best connect with readers, and even little punctuation choices. I recognize that each book is inspiration and something to learn from. The "good" things that I admire become additions to my techniques and plans as a writer. The "bad" things that aren't my cup of tea allow me to reflect on what I could do better in my own writing and help me to further develop my writing style. I admire the individuality in every piece of literature! Something that also helped me to discover new writing is by volunteering at my local library! Another book that has shaped my writing style and path is Brian Turner's "The Wild Delight of Wild Things". He visited my college to talk about his work and mentioned how his shy nature held him back from opportunities. I realized that to achieve my goal of publishing a book, I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I did just that by sharing my work at a public reading! It was terrifying but also helped me to push past my fears to get where I want to be. His writing also features lots of childhood reflection. This is something I have started to do and I find it healing. I look up to writers as artists and people. I would not be who I am or where I am if it were not for books and those who write them.

I'm proud to say that my first ever concert was filmed on an iPhone 5s in 2017. Like any middle school girl at the time, I was obsessed with Shawn Mendes and his song "Stitches" quickly became the first and only song I purchased on iTunes, and of course, I listened to it on repeat for months on end. So you can only imagine how over the moon I was when my mom surprised me with three The Illuminate World Tour tickets to see Shawn Mendes in concert for my twelfth birthday. Now, as I scroll through endless photos and videos from that night, most of which are hilariously blurry, I feel grateful for having been able to experience the sheer childlike excitement, happiness, and awe that accompanied my first concert. Looking back, this concert was truly a coming-of-age experience for me as it introduced me to the world of live music and entertainment, kick-started my passion for certain music genres and helped me to discover my musical preferences, as well as aided me in creating lifelong memories that would propel me to enjoy future concerts. I went to see Shawn Mendes with my best friend at the time. We thought we looked so mature and cool in our black chokers, ripped skinny jeans, and smokey eye makeup that we applied while fully convinced that Shawn Mendes was going to fall in love with us. Our seats were in the nosebleeds of TD Garden but that didn't stop us from having the time of our lives. I just remember being in awe of the magnitude of concert sound and how raw and real Shawn Mendes' voice was in person. I also just couldn't believe that he was in the same room as us! The props and digital effects were breathtaking and made the experience that much more unforgettable (the giant moon was my favorite). My friend and I stood and danced together while belting out the lyrics to every single song until our throats grew raw. I noticed how everyone (mostly teen girls) came together in celebration over a common interest and the room turned into a fun-loving community that allowed us to live in the moment and just have fun without worrying about what we looked or sounded like. It was incredible! My first concert experience was my motivation to explore my music taste and attend more concerts to create more memories with my loved ones. My favorite (and most unexpected) memory from a concert is swaying to "Tequila" with my mom and sister at a Dan + Shay concert in 2021. We tried to dress as "country" as possible to match the music by wearing bootcut jeans, belts, and denim jackets. I've never been a huge fan of country music but my family convinced me to join them, and I'm glad I did. I quickly noticed that the crowd dynamic was very different than that of the Shawn Mendes concert. Everyone was so relaxed and wholesome, and it was clear that they were there to really soak in the experience. This helped me to fully enjoy my time at the concert as I was with like-minded people. Thanks to this lovely concert memory, I have expanded my music taste and now have several favorite country songs, many of which I wouldn't have been introduced to if not for this experience. Country music is now a favorite genre between my friends and I!

I'm grateful to have grown up in a service-oriented family, for which I can pinpoint my early passion for helping others. I loved listening to their stories and learning how their efforts changed lives. I remember how their eyes lit up as they spoke about impacts of their work, and I knew that I wanted that same passion to fuel me in helping others as well. My mother has worked as a teacher her whole life and my father, a firefighter and devoted philanthropist. However, my grandmother and grandfather were my main mentors as they dedicated their lives to helping children with terminal illnesses, deformities, and developmental needs in hospitals, schools, and through Shriners Children's. They fostered my love for life and showed me that it isn't about what one can gain, but rather what one can do to support others. But their emphasis on gratitude is my biggest influence and motivator. I appreciate everything in life as some might not have the same privileges. In middle school, I joined a volunteer choir program that sang to residents at nursing homes. I was emotional that the residents were so overcome with gratitude, and this became the moment that I knew I wanted to support older people through volunteering. I later worked a fast-paced customer service job and had several older coworkers with dementia and health problems. We grew close and they thanked me for listening to their stories and helping them through each day. My passion only blossomed from there. I am now in charge of connecting my school's community service Rotaract Club with nursing homes for visits! I loved books growing up. As a fourth grader, my first grade teacher had me read to her students. I enjoyed helping younger students discover a love for reading/knowledge. This passion for helping children and encouraging reading led me to join my college's Teen Voices program where I volunteer by building relationships with underprivileged middle schoolers through reading/discussing literature. I then encountered another turning point in my journey when I suggested that a student I was working with should pursue English in college because of her reading and writing talents. Her eyes lit up when I said this as I learned that she struggled with self-esteem and had no hopes of attending college. This moment furthered my passion and seeming life purpose for nurturing the emotions and well-being of others. Since childhood, I've had anxiety and OCD. There is so much stigma surrounding mental health disorders in the U.S., making those suffering labelled as "crazy" and treated inhumanely. Access to healthcare and support is also lacking. I received little sympathy and support growing up with mental illness and I never want anyone to feel like they're not supported, loved, and validated because of a condition(s) they cannot control. My overall volunteer work has inspired me to dedicate my career to improving the lives of others through mental health support/counseling. I want to be someone that people feel comfortable sharing their struggles with. I recently read Deepak Chopra's "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success...". One of these laws is The Law of Giving! This book emphasizes that giving back is how one shows up as the highest version of oneself. Chopra says that to find one's life purpose, one must uncover what speaks to one's soul and combine it with giving back. This insight bolstered the importance of volunteering and mental health advocacy. It reminds me of my grandparents' teachings, and that we are all humans in this experience called life. Thus, we should support one another and lend a hand whenever possible.

I'm convinced that everyone has "that moment" when something clicks and you realize that you're meant to be apart of something bigger than yourself. That moment for me was in sixth grade when a girl seated in front of me stood up and it was clear that she had bled through her pants. After she ran to the restroom and the class finished laughing at her, she later raced back into the classroom panicking and crying as she told our teacher that she didn't have any menstrual products. My heart broke for her as I watched her sit back down without getting what she needed. I hadn't gotten my first period at the time, but I immediately decided that advocating for the access to menstrual products, women's health, and period education was something that I wanted and needed to do. During my senior year of high school, I joined my school's Girl Up Club, an organization dedicated to advocating for and empowering women. Among other projects, we distributed a range of menstrual products to all of the restrooms on campus to provide for those who didn't have access due to location or financial situation or just didn't have a product available when needed. This club project healed sixth grade me as I felt good about hopefully improving people's health as nobody should be left without products—bleeding is natural and nearly all of us get periods. This year, as a college freshman, I came across the Free the Tampons Project Volunteer Club. To my surprise, the club also distributed tampons across campus and provided resources to educate students about their bodies and cycles, as well as to end the stigma and shame associated with periods. This was perfect as I would have created a similar club if it didn't already exist. The club was in need of people to step up and run it as all the members were approaching graduation. For the past two semesters, two of my friends and I have been fully in charge of club organization, club promotion and advertising, and of course, tampon distribution. Every Monday, we walk to all the buildings and dorms on campus to fill or refill our tampon bins in the bathrooms. We track how many tampons we add to each bin as we go as we only have a limited stock of tampons left from a donation from years ago. Our goal is to reduce period poverty in our community as Farmington, Maine is home to a lot of people who are struggling financially. Not having the funds to taking care of your body and period should never be a worry! Students across campus have even begun helping each other out by adding tampons and pads of their own to the bins to help out our community! For next year, we are currently looking for grants to purchase more tampons as we are running out. The future of our club depends on this donation! If all goes well, we are also hoping to add pads to the bins (for those who don't like tampons or can't use them), continue our Instagram (@umffreethet) to continue providing resources and education, and I also plan to make our tampon tracking sheets more straight forward and easy to use. Another goal is to motivate other students to join our cause as it is only three of us running the club at the moment! I've always been passionate about women empowerment and period advocation, and I hope to see a huge difference on campus by the time I'm a college senior!

katielipoma

I effortlessly attract abundance in my personal & professional life, am at peace of mind, overflowing with gratitude, nourishing meaningful relationships and learning from others, satisfied with my growth, connected to nature, and prioritizing hobbies & health.

"Since when are you such a feminist?" my mom interrogates. "What do you mean? I've always been a feminist!" I respond. I guessed that she'd known all along but was waiting for an opportunity to comment. Two weeks ago, I toured a college and expressed that the community would feel tight-knit and welcoming if it were all women. I value female empowerment, thus I've applied to 3 all-women's schools out of 5 colleges. If asked three years ago, I'm ashamed that I would've said feminism was women protesting for change with signs. It wasn't until grade twelve (this year), that I grasped the true meaning behind the movement. Unsurprisingly, feminism is so much more than what I first believed. It only took growing up and maturing to discover. Feminism to me is more than a movement. It's choosing to incorporate values and embrace an empowering lifestyle—encompassing all that is your power as a woman. I believe that every woman has access to this power if they only choose. Feminism is important as it teaches women that they have a voice that matters. It represents women fighting for their right to be seen and heard in a male-dominated society. It's crucial to continue breaking down gender norms and inequities for the women of now and the future. I was drawn to this scholarship as I'm passionate about feminism and it pertains to my life. From a young age, I've been committed to the feminist lifestyle. My family recognized early on that my values strayed from their traditional generational beliefs regarding women and their place in society. I truly believe I was born a feminist! My childhood consisted of correcting the wrongs thrust upon women in my life. When my family was misogynistic, I was and am the first and only one to speak up. One time stands out to me. My family was shocked when I spoke against my grandfather who believed women belonged in the kitchen. He treated my grandmother horribly at dinner, shouting orders to make him food and saying he didn't like her cooking. She complied, too nervous to object. I told him off every time. Eventually, my comments wore him down. I've gotten better at this as a teenager. This confidence helps me to continue speaking out about injustices in my school and community. Without familial support, I forged my path in feminism. Fast forward to this year, I joined my school's Girl Up Club. It advocates for women’s rights and underprivileged women with United Nations. I'm directing advertising and fundraising for women in Iran facing hijab injustice and menstrual products to end period poverty! Additionally, my friends and I realized that the women's basketball games were seen as a joke and only attended to laugh and boo. My dance team performed during these games to boost their engagement and reputation. Now they're a hit! I continue to share my voice and contribute to the movement every way I can. A woman who inspires me in more ways than one is my math tutor. She teaches all subjects plus four languages. She's a dedicated STEM student at Harvard and MIT. She's an engineer, designs for Apple and NASA, and motivates with each accomplishment. She's also a beautiful human with a pure heart. I admire how she seeks to better herself and others through her work in male-dominated fields. She hasn't let prejudice or gender-based hardships affect her as she uses these experiences to excel. I'm grateful for her influence on me. She's an exceptional woman that's helped shape my ever-growing views on feminism in today's world.

My inspiration is no longer physically with me. My portrait painting highlights my grandfather. He passed away in 2016 but has remained a consistent source of inspiration. My Papa Joe is hard to forget. Lung cancer took him too soon, transforming his appearance into one I was unfamiliar with. He grew thin, withered, and weak, a contrasting image to his usual jolly well-fed self. I strived to capture the healthy version of Papa that I want to remember. When I look at this painting, I see him giving us gum packs for the ride home from his house, his clothes that smelled of mints and cigarette smoke (a now nostalgic scent I used to hate), "his" chair at the head of the dinner table, him taking us on tractor rides around his yard and lifting us in the scoop, eating everything we made for him, cooking fried dough for us the morning of sleepovers, and loudly telling jokes in the middle of restaurants. The photo I chose as a reference is one of my favorite photos. It's a photo of little me and Papa Joe. There are stickers all over his face and shirt, little mementos of our weekends together. He's laughing and smiling like he's remembered for doing by all his loved ones. Every time I look back at this memory, I smile because he looks so genuine as opposed to his usual serious photos (he was a tough guy in general but had a soft spot for his granddaughters). I decided not to include me or the stickers in the painting to highlight Papa Joe and all that he means to me. The purpose of this is to simply convey his character without distractions. His smile and eyes were some of the best parts about him, and I did my best to depict these features with love as I see them. Although I'm no professional and am still developing my artistic style, I'm proud of the quality of this painting especially since it was my first time painting a person. When I showed this work to my dad, he immediately got emotional as he couldn't believe the resemblance and began thinking about his father. My goal was to leave viewers with a good image of Papa Joe and the sweet man that he was, a moment preserved in time with his glassy eyes and sun-glazed wrinkles. This special piece as well as my love for painting and art has motivated me to start a mural of my own at my high school. I hope to continue to create work I'm proud of and that impact other people and prompt reflection. I'm happy that I found a creative way to honor my grandfather and show a side of him that many people might not have seen. I miss my Papa Joe so much. He was truly a special man.

Books literally changed my life. Passionate is an understatement when it comes to my love for English composition and literature. My interest goes way back to the start of my childhood where I was naturally drawn to the world of English and everything it has to offer. Like most parents, my mom and dad used to read to me as a young child. My favorite was "A Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon. My dad read it to me every single night without failure. I guess I could say that my obsession with reading and English started here. It's funny to say that a girl with stripes who eats lima beans changed my life for the better. Further down the line of childhood, I was extremely shy and had a hard time making friends. I'd get picked on a lot because I didn't stick up for myself. Books acted as a source of comfort and took the spot of loneliness in my life. The more I read, the more I grew to love reading. I could read a whole chapter book in a day if I really put my mind to it. I'd get lost in the words and escaped into my fictional world of choice for hours on end. It was my way of coping and doing what I loved at the same time. All through my schooling, I've excelled in both reading and writing. I've exceeded expectations on the English MCAS test and have been complimented by nearly all of my teachers on my writing assignments. This outward support from others has fueled my motivation and passion for everything English. As the years went on, I developed several mental disorders that hindered my social development even more. English class and reading continues to be of interest and have helped me to work through my fear of public speaking and verbally expressing my ideas. Currently, it's hard to find time in a given day for independent reading but my honors level English class satisfies my love for knowledge and curiosity. I continue to stay invested as I love to discover new authors and works through social media as well. My plan for college is to major in English and give back. I've gained so much from English over the years, it's only right that I contribute some of my own work for the world to see. I hope that my passion for English lives on for the rest of my life, and that when I'm old and gray, I am able to look back and see the impact that my own books have had on readers.

Some choose to value learning while others are born into it. I was born expected to value and continue learning. My family ingrained in me the importance of lifelong learning and higher education that I couldn't be more thankful for. My mom is a school teacher so academics and learning are extremely important to her. My childhood summers consisted of MathXL sessions and flashcards. What I didn't know at the time was that she was setting me up for academic success. She is planning to put her life savings towards my higher education (she started a college fund for me right after I was born). She has been the driving force behind my love for learning and desire to learn in college and beyond. In contrast, my grandmother never went to college—in fact, she never finished middle school. I hope to go to college and continue to learn for myself and the little girl inside my Gram. She always motivated me to pursue a higher education and supported me every step of the way in my academic endeavors. Similarly, my grandfather was extremely poor growing up and didn't have the financial means to go to college. Despite this, I look up to him and consider him to be one of the smartest, well-read, and knowledgable people I have ever met. He learns most from talking with others—especially strangers. He is the perfect example of a lifelong learner, one of many who has motivated me to want to go to college and has taught me so much. These special people have pushed and motivated me to value learning both in the classroom and out. I don't believe I'd have the same passion for learning if it were not for their guidance. A higher education is important to me because I strive to continue learning, and make myself and my family proud. I work very hard in school and out of school. I have decided to challenge myself this year after my past of high school burnout. I am currently taking three honors classes amongst other things. Most nights I end up working on homework until 2am. I'm involved in three clubs, am part of the Harvard Young Achievers Program, and am in the process of constructing a wide scale mural at my school. In addition, I'm still in the process of applying to colleges which is stressful but will be rewarding down the line. My mental health challenges throughout the years have made it even more difficult for me to work in comparison with my peers without mental health disorders. Most days I feel drained with the smallest of tasks but am able to motivate myself and work to achieve my goal of obtaining a college degree in English or writing. This has been my dream since I was a child, making it the driving force behind each and every one of my homework assignments. I'm extremely privileged to have the support system, internal motivation, and drive to pursue higher education. Learning has so many benefits and it's up to us to take advantage of them.

Some choose to value learning while others are born into it. I was born expected to value and continue learning. My family ingrained in me the importance of lifelong learning that I couldn't be more thankful for. My mom is a school teacher so academics and learning are extremely important to her. My childhood summers consisted of MathXL sessions and flashcards. What I didn't know at the time was that she was setting me up for academic success. She has been the driving force behind my love for learning and desire to learn in college and beyond. In contrast, my grandmother never went to college—in fact, she never finished middle school. I hope to go to college and continue to learn for myself and the little girl inside my Gram. She always motivated me to pursue a higher education and supported me every step of the way in my academic endeavors. Lastly, my grandfather was extremely poor growing up and didn't have the financial means to go to college. Despite this, I consider him to be one of the smartest, well-read, and knowledgable people I have ever met. He learns most from talking with others—especially strangers. He says that one can learn more from connecting with others than in the classroom, although he believes school is essential. He is the perfect example of a lifelong learner, someone I look up to and have learned so much from. These special people have pushed and motivated me to value learning both in the classroom and out. I don't believe I'd have the same passion for learning if it were not for their guidance. Learning is important to me because I strive to make myself and my family proud. I plan to continue learning throughout my life by obtaining a college degree in English or writing. I've been working towards going to college my entire life and my family is planning to put their life savings towards my higher education (my mom started saving for my sister and I's college fund right when we were born). I also plan on talking to more people. I can be very shy so it doesn't come easy but I would love to strike up some more conversations to learn more about different people and the world, as well as to make some new friends. I'm a naturally curious person and am interested in hearing new perspectives and ideas. Additionally, traveling after college is a great way to learn more about different areas of the world and gain new knowledge that cannot be discovered in a textbook. If possible, I hope to go to Italy and discover more about where my grandmother grew up and her background, as I don't know much about her past in Italy and am very interested in learning more about it and her as a whole. I'm extremely privileged to have the support system, internal motivation, and drive to continue learning. Learning has so many benefits and it's up to us to take advantage of them.

This scholarship was fate. Today in class, I came across a song that really stuck with me. I had heard it many times before but was captivated by the "catchiness" of the song, rather than the words. When it played over my earbuds in forensics, I was actually able to take in and understand the message behind the beautiful lyrics. "Vienna" by Billy Joel encompasses the most important message to me, one that I feel every teenager should reflect on before adulthood and beyond. I interpreted Billy Joel's "Vienna" as revolving around growing up, navigating life, and eventually growing old. I view "Vienna" as the end point in life, a mysterious nameless goal that everyone works toward. The song proposes that maybe "Vienna" isn't what one should solely be focused on or looking forward to, but that the process of getting there will be more rewarding in the long run—one will miss out on the journey of life if they don't "slow down" in getting to the final destination. The song also proposes that it's okay to sit with oneself in the present moment and be satisfied with themself here and now. It emphasizes that constantly looking ahead makes it hard for one to accept themself as they are, and not how they could be, and to recognize that they are only doing their best. At this uncertain stage of my life before college, my future remains a mystery and I find myself feeling lost most times. This song's message actually changed my perspective on work and stress in life. I actually get a little emotional as the line "if you're so smart / why are you still so afraid?" makes me think about how I may be sabotaging my own success out of fear of failure.

Clean living is extremely important, especially in today's fast-paced world. We are so used to fast fashion, fast food, and even fast shipping where we are compromising clean living habits for the sake of convenience without any regard to ourselves or the planet. This is incredibly harmful. I believe that clean living is important because it balances the unclean living practices of our current world. Committing to implementing clean living practices may take more time, energy, and effort but they are vital for keeping yourself and the planet healthy for years to come. My day-to-day clean living practices consist of self-control and research before buying new clothing. I value sustainability and ethical practices, meaning that I will never buy a piece that is considered fast fashion or is sweat shop based where people are laboring in inhumane conditions. Although not ethical, I work at TJ Maxx (at the time the job made sense) and almost every garment is poorly crafted to keep up with demand, fueling the company and the fast fashion industry along with all of its flaws. Whenever I'm considering a TJ Maxx purchase, I always research the brand and materials to make sure that I'm investing in something that does good for me and the world. One of the websites I use is Good On You. Their rating system covers all the bases in terms of what humans should be looking for and valuing in purchases (people, planet, animals). Additionally, I try my very best to fuel my body with healthy, enriching foods. My family and I started a backyard garden when I was young and most of the produce has lived on! We grow tomatoes, basil, mint, and chives. I'm human, so of course I eat some junk food and things that aren't the best for me. But I go food shopping with my mom and we only shop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods (we bring our reusable shopping bags!). The food is expensive but we know we are buying healthy produce that is less tampered with in terms of pesticides and harmful chemicals. I refuse to eat at McDonald's because of their unhealthy food and how little they pay their workers. My family has a history of cancer. I figure that if I want to keep my body healthy and cancer-free, that it's good that I'm implementing healthy practices sooner than later. However, eating the right foods is only one component of clean living. I make sure to recycle cardboard and paper. I cut up trash that an animal could get stuck in or injured from. This includes toilet paper rolls and tissue boxes so that if the trash ends up in the ocean or elsewhere, nothing is harmed (did a school project about this, so I'm more aware now!). My family has a compost bin that we use to compost food, which we then use to fuel our garden. It's the circle of life! Moreover, my family uses dryer balls instead of single use dryer sheets. We use a Water Pik instead of dental floss, we buy bamboo hair brushes instead of plastic ones, my car has an eco button which saves gas and power, along with many other practices that I don't have room to list here. It's the small things that make a difference in this huge capitalistic, convenience-driven world! I choose to take steps toward cleaner living and to shape my conscious habits to reflect the life that I want to lead. My goal is to continue these clean living practices in college and beyond!

"Ciao bella" my grandmother would murmur to me in her thick Italian accent. Those simple phrases that I didn't understand at the time are just one of the many things I miss about my Gram. What now seems like the good old days were just a mere three months ago. It was stomach cancer—the same cancer that took my grandfather and my Grammie's husband six years prior. The first time I saw her since her diagnosis was absolutely heartbreaking. It seemed as though her hair had gotten more gray, her skin more pale, her frame more weak. It seemed all too familiar to watching my grandfather (a weakened, fragile man struggling to eat chocolate yogurt from the spoon I fed him with). I tried to stay strong for her but seeing Gram so withered took its toll on me in a matter of minutes. Gram tried to keep the conversation positive but I knew she was dancing around the point—how much time she had left. "You're going to do great things in college" she suddenly said. I burst into tears. I knew what she was saying...that she wouldn't get a chance to see me graduate and go to college. Unfortunately, this was true as Gram passed away a day after my birthday on August 28, 2022. I think death is a funny thing. Well, not funny, but ironic because it makes you value the things you didn't value at the time. The smallest moments that seemed so insignificant are now the fondest. My grandmother was extremely religious and she made it her purpose in life to "save" others so that they could make it to heaven. I was brought up Catholic and was always taught that Christianity was the only way to happiness and spiritual fulfillment. Sometimes I despised going to her house, listening to her preach about a religion I so grew to hate. Most afternoons at her place would be sitting around a Bible or listening to her words of wisdom. Looking back, I am able to see that she only wanted the best for me. I have made some sense of where her heart lied in the process. She did everything out of love, so I know this was no different. And so sitting here and reminiscing and crying my eyes out, I am thinking about my Gram and how has made me think about how grateful I was to have her in my life, to gain new perspectives about things I wouldn't have known otherwise, and I hope that she is now watching from heaven proud of me for deciding to pursue my dreams of higher education and a degree in writing. So no Gram, I will not be writing the second Bible, but I hope you will be proud of me regardless. My grandmother was only a young girl when she moved to the United States from Italy by herself. The times made her a woman who could not get a job or pursue a higher degree as she was expected to stay home to cook, clean, and care for her children. Gram’s past has motivated me to do what she couldn’t do for the both of us. She remains an inspiration for myself and for my family who admire her for her strength and perseverance amidst such hardship. My Grammie was the most talented woman I have ever met, and I’m not just saying that because she was my grandmother. She could cook anything, memorize any recipe, and sew any garment within minutes. I looked up to her (well, down, since she was 4 foot 11 inches haha), because of her immense strength that came from this little Italian lady. She often expressed how she had no doubt I’d do great things some day and how she was excited to see me succeed in life. Unbeknownst to me, Grammie had been one of my biggest supporters and motivators all my life, and yet, I looked past this because of her unbreakable devotion to her religion and her mission to convert me. However, I believe that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Gram. She was the one person who I wish I expressed my love to a little more, and I hope that following my dreams of going to college and becoming a writer will make her proud of me. I can see myself in four years, graduating college with a degree in hand, and she’s asking me to bend down so she can kiss me on the forehead, her clothes and hair smelling of kitchen soap and mud in the best way. Just like Grammie fought and battled cancer, I will fight to earn my college degree to make both of us proud.

The Power of The Unsaid by A Father's Daughter he doesn’t look up from his phone he doesn’t talk to me he goes to bed without saying a word he hasn’t said anything, yet he’s said too much. his words sting. they sound in my ears like the ringtone of the important. the right words, spoken too late. are they lost? i’m afraid i’ll never find them. don’t keep me entangled in this routine of yours i’m softer than you, what you have broken cannot be fixed with a wrench screwdriver or set of nails. three soiled syllables linger on my tongue turning my cereal stale. stark darkness is a source of comfort for the forgotten close your eyes and you can sink into the wallpaper. once in a blue moon he looks up from his phone talks to me goes to bed following a single word or two. just enough but never quite enough. Silence speaks. Message received.

When I hear the word "college", I feel both nervous and excited...but mostly excited! Knowing that I'll be flipping the page to the next chapter of my life in a matter of months is incredibly freeing to think about. I'm looking forward to exploring my independence and taking advantage of the freedom to make more of my own choices. I'm also excited to make new friends and get involved in the community! I've had severe anxiety and OCD for all of my life, making it hard to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul during the school year. High school has been challenging as mental health conditions affect every aspect of daily life—interacting with others/communication, work completion, extracurricular involvement, etc. Despite lifelong challenges, I make attempts each year to improve my health. This year, I signed up for a yoga pilates and mindfulness class at my school which has drastically helped me to get exercise and stay active, center myself and calm my mind before returning to academic classes, reflect on my habits, and make friends. I can tell that my anxiety and OCD have improved and I'm so grateful for this. My mom has turned me onto all the yummy snacks at Trader Joe's. The baby carrots are so good! As soon as I come home from school, I eat some carrots or mini cucumbers (also from Trader Joe's) to start off my afternoon. They taste great and give me lots of energy to do homework! I feel like getting caught up in schoolwork and school-related stress is super easy to do. Without an outlet, all that pent up stress and anxiety can backfire and make the situation worse. I've been trying to spend more time with family and friends this school year and it's helped tremendously! For example, every Sunday I go to a new flea market with my grandfather. We spend the whole day together looking for vintage treasures, it's great! This has been a helpful strategy for me in restoring balance in my life. Another thing I've been doing senior year of high school is spreading out my time. In years past, I used to dramatically procrastinate assignments to the point that I physically couldn't get them done. Recently, I've been able to better manage my time, leaving me to do other fun things that I enjoy like art and reading. My grades are looking better, and I'm feeling better! Overall, there's no single "right" way to live and maintain a healthy life. With some self reflection, time management, and nutritious food, I have grown into a person I am proud of, one that is finally healthy!

Getting discouraged from time to time is a normal part of life. But this high school senior's life was about to change when she entered the scholarship of her dreams (oh yeah, this one!), that would be the end all of the scholarship blues. The scholarship application process has provided me with many valuable lessons (*groans ensue from the reader*). I know it sounds cliché but I'm being totally serious. Amongst many, I've learned how to practice patience and resilience, as well as to not get discouraged when my progress and hard work don't pay off at the same time as others'. The experience thus far has been humbling, and has taught me how to better bounce back from a challenge. I've learned more about myself. I have a lot to offer as a person, college-bound student, and scholarship applicant. My diverse interests work to my advantage for the creation of scholarship entries (writing especially, I love a strong voice in written pieces as I'm sure you can tell). I have gained more self-confidence knowing that I'm worthy of a scholarship and an opportunity to further my education, myself, and my work. I now have a habit of reminding myself that approval from others does not matter, and that the approval that matters most comes from me. As someone with a lot of self doubt, I have learned to believe that my work and scholarship entries are good enough and do deserve recognition. My achievements will come into fruition at some point and that being proud of them and myself is already enough. I've also learned to be present in the current moment and to be happy with where I'm at instead of looking ahead to the future and spoiling today's good. I've learned to frequently give thanks. I now have a grateful mindset and am thankful for all the past opportunities I've been apart of and all of my hard-earned achievements. I now know it's not the end of the world not to win a scholarship. In a short time, I've become happier for others instead of focusing on my own emotions and needs for a bit. I love to congratulate those who succeed because they deserve just as much opportunity as me and everyone else. We all ultimately want to be successful and obtain similar opportunities and experiences through scholarships and in life. I've learned to stay determined and to not back off from a challenge that might seem daunting at first glance (most scholarships require essays which take time and effort). As the saying goes, "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you" (Fred DeVito). As it applies to scholarships, if I don't win, I still gain valuable life skills and experience. For example, knowing that always winning in the real world is not realistic. Instead, I'm willing to go within to reflect and make changes where needed. Plus, I'm practicing writing essays to help the future Katie! On a more personal level, OCD and anxiety have been present in my life for as long as I can remember. This keeps me in a perpetual loop that makes it hard for me not to over control everything so it's "perfect". The scholarship application process has given me an opportunity to release control of overly harsh self-expectations and of fears for the future. I can actually thank the scholarship process because being a loser has made me a winner. I'm confident all of my takeaways will prove helpful for college and beyond. I'll close with a relevant affirmation: I will win, I will win, I will win.

It might sound cliché but writing has always been my passion. My talent and interest in writing emerged in first grade when my teacher recognized the difference in my writing compared to other students. She called up my parents to share the news! I was definitely a book worm in my childhood and I was never seen without a book in my hands. I remember I went on a four hour drive to New Hampshire one time and I got so carsick from looking down the entire time reading. I don't think I looked up once! I've always had a talent for taking in my surroundings and developing a story in my head within seconds. I have a very vivid imagination which I know will work to my advantage. Not to mention, I genuinely enjoy writing and it's something I do to cope with issues or just to pass the time. I also want to pursue writing because every time I mention to another person that I want to pursue this career field, I get the same reaction every time. It's a genuine look of shock and confusion and I've heard time and time again that today's world doesn't want or need another writer. I've listened to countless people tell me that I should choose a different career path like an in demand one such as psychology or nursing, something that will "make me money" and "be worth tuition". Now more than ever, my goal is to prove those people wrong. I'm not choosing to make this a side hustle or a hobby, I want to write for the rest of my life.

It might seem obvious, but from experience, the tip I'm about to share doesn't seem to be common practice for every student. That is to prepare and prep for the new school year long before the first day. It doesn't matter what grade you're going into, I'd recommend getting situated in all aspects of your academic and personal life before the school stress hits and life gets messy. Buy school supplies, organize your email, create a life calendar and homework tracker to manage your time, clean your room, and don't forget to schedule time for yourself. Wasn't until this year (senior year of high school) that I started planning for school months beforehand. This has drastically helped me perform better because I felt confident, prepared, and in control of my life before I underwent a lifestyle change. I don't handle change well so this made the process manageable. I was even complimented on the first day of school by a student who said "you look so confident and put together". I promise, being prepared ahead of time is beneficial for your personal and mental wellbeing, and you're not rushing to get everything done a day before school! Instagram handle: katielipoma

"Well hiya, pal!" This famous greeting from the one and only Mickey Mouse sculpted me into the Disney lover I am today. I'm proud to say that the good old-fashioned Mickey Mouse Clubhouse television series was a beloved childhood pastime of mine. I clearly remember my grandmother and I watching together, juice boxes in hand, during my preschool days. Then at four years old, a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal was placed in my unsuspecting hands before I embarked on my very first trip to Disney World. Little did I know that this trip would speak to me as much as it did, literally. As I approached Cinderella's Castle in my own little stroller of a carriage, my Mickey plush began to speak aloud! "Welcome to Cinderella's Castle!" it cheerfully announced along with a few other one-liners. My mother was shocked as she didn't think it had the ability to talk - she denies this ever happened to this day. This memory feels like a hazy dream but was my first real introduction to the magical world of Disney and all that Mickey Mouse represents. Mickey Mouse will forever be a symbol of happy childhood memories for me as well as many others. This classic and lovable character embodies the true meaning of "A Whole New World" of Disney magic. As the first-ever Disney character, Mickey's reliability and memorability make him my favorite. While Disney continues to introduce new characters, none have been a similar source of comfort and nostalgia as Mickey. I have yet to visit Disney again, and thus the Mickey plush magic remains a mystery. However, my love for Mickey lives on along with my newfound appreciation for everything Disney. Mickey will forever serve as a reminder of the simpler times of childhood that I long for as a now teenager.