Out of the millions of books in the world, if I could pick one for everyone to read, it would have to be The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The Road is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows an unnamed man and a young boy as they fight to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. They only have the supplies that they carry in an old shopping cart and each other. Generally, when people think of science fiction and apocalypse novels, they think of action heroes, zombies, and brave fighters. This book, however, takes more of a "realistic" approach, focusing on the two characters and their emotions and their fight to survive. It showcases the power of a paternal bond and the lengths a father will go through to protect his child. The man and boy wander through the country following the road heading south in hopes of surviving the brutal winter. Along the way more and more questions build up in the reader's mind about the world the characters live in and the dangers of others. The book is surprisingly insightful, filled with moments that are completely shocking and disturbingly dark, while also containing moments filled with bittersweet happiness. It also was written in a very distinct way, with deep symbolism and thematic elements that transport the reader into the character's dark and dreary world. I discovered this book in one of my high school English classes and have loved it ever since. It is one of those special books that make you think and question the world around us. Its cliffhangers and sudden plot twists always keep us on our toes. Everyone should read this novel, as it is a fantastic read that is highly entertaining.

Some people are really good singers. Some are amazing artists. Some can solve a Rubik's Cube in a single minute. But me? I'm really good at finding four-leaf clovers. I've always been able to see things differently than others. My imagination often runs wild, allowing me to perceive the world and its problems very differently. It also helps me find four-leaf clovers very easily. The weirdest part is not that I can find four-leaf clovers, but rather how I find them. Your odds of finding a four-leaf clover are approximately 1 in 5,000. Most people set their mind to finding one and look tirelessly through clover patch after clover patch. When I find them, it's usually totally by accident. It's usually when I'm walking that I'll notice that something is out of place, pick it up, and watch the wild expressions of those that just happen to be with me at that moment. Finding four-leaf clovers isn't exactly going to solve world hunger or poverty; if anything it's just my hidden talent, but having a unique perspective on the other hand, can definitely be a useful skill. There is no denying that our world isn't perfect. From environmental problems such as global warming and the extinction of hundreds of species to humanitarian issues like poverty, homelessness, and sicknesses. More and more, there is a need for creative problem solvers with a passion for helping those around them. I like using my unique perspective to educate others. I've had a volunteer job through my local zoo's education department for three years, and if there's one thing I've learned working there, is that not everyone learns the same way. I speak with approximately fifty guests every hour while working my shifts at the zoo. Some guests have disabilities. Some speak completely different languages. Some are so smart that they teach us things. I very quickly found out that I needed to adapt the information that I am giving to guests to help them comprehend what I am saying, to make the biggest impact on each of them. With younger guests, I've found that using silly comparisons often helps them understand concepts that may be difficult for them to imagine. Many older guests prefer talking about more scientific information and ways to be more environmentally conscious in their everyday lives. Guests who struggle with a language barrier may enjoy seeing visual representations of what we are talking about, such as diagrams, pictures, or videos. Everyone is unique in their way. I have a wild imagination and an uncanny ability to find four-leaf clovers. My special attributes are what will make it possible for me to be a creative problem solver to give back to my community and change our world for the better.

Few people are aware of the importance of our oceans and the impact they have on our life. I personally never fully comprehended just how important our oceans are until I started a volunteer job at a zoo near me. This particular job is through their education department, which means I have spent countless hours with zoo employees, keepers, and conservationists learning about all aspects of wildlife and conservation. After being in this environment for a few months, I fell in love with the zoology field and life at a zoo. I realized that I could be happy working in a field such as that, and began searching for schools with programs that could get me there. Many hours of research later, I ended up choosing animal behavior as my major because it would allow me to focus more on the animal training side of the field, while also being able to work in other areas if needed. Animal behavior is a perfect combination of my animal interests. It not only focuses on the biology of animals but also looks into their psychology and natural behaviors, which is a concept that has always been fascinating to me. Any animal in a zoo-like setting needs some sort of training, whether that is for their own enrichment or a specific purpose, such as a veterinary need. I have an interest in working with marine mammals, due to their incredible intelligence and ability to learn a wide variety of commands. However, the state of the oceans around the world poses major problems for these creatures. Trash that ends up in rivers follows the current and eventually ends up in the ocean, where it can be mistaken for food by wildlife. It has become increasingly common to find marine wildlife that has ingested large amounts of plastic. A considerable amount of the trash that isn't eaten gets swept away to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a mound of trash, litter, and waste that is twice the size of Texas located in the North Pacific Ocean. There it stays growing larger and larger. Although there are efforts to reduce its size, the patch remains a significant issue for the ocean ecosystem. Other problems, such as toxic run-off from pesticides, herbicides, and various chemicals used in the oil industry, and overfishing are also causing significant damage. These issues are not only harming the ocean but also the ecosystems that live within it. More and more species are at risk of extinction due to the state of their home. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its accredited zoos are working hard to make a positive change. AZA accredited zoos have information about conservation efforts and various threats to the animals in need from around the world. They also share information about how to make a difference, whether that is through volunteering, donating, or finding more sustainable ways to live. I never fully understood how much of an impact a single visit to a zoo could have on conservation. By working in a zoo or in the zoology field, I have the potential to have a massive impact on others. Not only could I work with the animals that I love, but I could also explain the struggles that they face, and educate those in the community on how to make a difference. Everyone must understand the impact that the oceans have on the world. By using my voice, I can use the knowledge that I have gained to do my part in making the world a better place.