I was able to go to and compete in the state track meet my freshman year. I run the hurdles and compete with the shuttle hurdle relay team. I got my best time of the season on the blue track at Drake. Once you get that taste of success and hope for a state finish, it is disappointing when you fall short of qualifying the next year. I was able to better my time last year by .03 seconds. Yes, this is an improvement, but I worked hard outside of track practice and also tried my best to coach the other members of my shuttle hurdle team. I have become a leader on the team and enjoy my teammates successes as much as my own. I took videos of each of my teammates during practices so we could determine what needed to be worked on. Throughout the season Skye improved her time by over a minute and Hayden learned how to 3-step. Although my last track season fell short of my expectations. It ignited a strong desire for success, motivating me to dedicate myself and put in the necessary hard work since then. I have been working hard since the end of the season last year. I put extra hours in at work so I could afford additional coaching. I am on my third session of Iowa Speed which is put on by the Iowa Hawkeye track and field coaches and players. I have learned several tools to become faster and improve my form. In addition to my Iowa Speed training sessions three times a week, I also go to the gym and lift weights. This is all to become faster and do the best I can. This extra work as provided me with the tools and understanding of what needs to happen to improve and I will be able to help my teammates improve this year as well. Track can be an individual sport, but it is also a team sport and is so much fun to share success as a team. With the extra work on the track and at my job one might think that I have let my grades slip. That is not the case at all. I challenged myself to take an AP class this year and my GPA increased this year. I am determined to go to school to become a Nurse. I hope that by increasing my GPA and finding success on the track I might be able to obtain scholarships to afford my dream degree. As I finish track season is about to start. I hope you will be able to see me on the blue track this year! Kayla Langerman

I am at a family dinner with my grandma, aunt and cousins. I am listening to what everyone is saying, and I have opinions, but I am unable to speak. I have known these people my entire life yet I am unable to speak to them. I can answer their questions such as "how is school going?" with good. I smile and give a little giggle. My one-word answer causes my face to turn red. I always know when my face is beat red because I can feel the heat in my body build up. I know it is red yet for some reason there is always someone who has to point it out. My mother says I am just shy and so was she when she was young. My mother has gotten better but still struggles. I have to admit that I did not know selective mutism was even a diagnosis until reading through this scholarship notice. I am 16 years old, and this is something that has affected me my entire life. At school, teachers and students aren't aware that I have real ideas and insights to the topics being discussed. I can never raise my hand. I have lost points in class for not being able to raise my hand and add to the discussions in class. In one class I was forced to raise my hand to be called on at least once per class period. I would recite my answer several times in my head to prepare for the moment to be called on. This of course meant that I was not fully listening to the instruction in class as I was dealing with the anxiety of being forced to do something that caused so much anxiety. Needless to say, I have zero good memories of that class and did not retain anything that was discussed. I will never initiate a friendship. My best friends are two girls who live in my neighborhood that I have known my whole life. It took a good year to become comfortable with them enough to talk and be myself and not have anxiety around them. It feels good. Their parents however think I do not talk as I will answer their questions but can't carry on a conversation with them. I want to go to college. I am a good student who has to work hard for my grades. My brother gets straight A's easily where I on the other hand have worked extremely hard for my 3.7 GPA. My mother has helped me a lot when I don't understand something as I would never be able to ask for clarification in class. I do want to be a nurse in pediatrics or cosmetic surgery. I have always had an interest in helping people with disfigurations improve their appearance, so they are able to see the beauty I see. I will be the first health care professional in my family. In order to do this, I would need a college degree. My local college is private so is very expensive, so scholarships are needed to attend. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my struggles. I have not been diagnosed and didn't really know this was a thing until now. Thank you for shedding light on my condition and letting me know I am not as alone as I sometimes feel. Kayla Langerman

I never used to read for entertainment, but I got into a car accident and found extra time on my hands. I wasn't seriously hurt but lost my freedom as my car was totaled. I chose to read the book "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah based on recommendations on BookTok. "The Nightingale" is set during World War II and follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they navigate the horrors of war and find strength in themselves and each other. The emotional journey that these characters go through touched me and has left a lasting impact on my own life. One of the most powerful aspects of "The Nightingale" is its exploration of resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Both sisters face unimaginable challenges during the war, from the loss of loved ones to the constant threat of violence and danger. Despite these hardships, they find a way to persevere and continue fighting for what they believe in. Their determination and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds inspired me to look at my own life with a new perspective. Reading about the sacrifices that the characters make for each other and for their country made me reflect on the importance of love and loyalty in my own life. The bond between Vianne and Isabelle is unbreakable, and their unwavering support for one another is a testament to the power of family and friendship. This made me reevaluate my own relationships and realize the value of having people in my life who will stand by me no matter what and not just because I can provide them transportation. "The Nightingale" also made me more aware of the atrocities of war and the impact that it has on individuals and communities. The vivid descriptions of the horrors that Vianne and Isabelle witness and experience served as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. It made me more empathetic towards those who have lived through similar traumas and motivated me to advocate for peace and justice in my own way. Overall, reading "The Nightingale" changed my mindset by showing me the power of resilience, love and courage in the face of adversity. It inspired me to be more grateful for the blessings in my own life and to be a source of strength and support for those around me. I have learned the loss of a vehicle and freedom to go places pales in comparison to what Vianne and Isabelle endured. I can't wait to find another book the depicts strong women characters.

Playing basketball has always been a big part of my life. It was a form of self-expression and a way to challenge myself both physically and mentally. However, with this love for the game also came a struggle that I had to face - anxiety and emotional stress. I remember the feeling of dread that would wash over me before every game. The fear of making a mistake, letting my team down, or not performing up to my own expectations would consume me. I would often find myself overthinking every play, second-guessing my decisions, and doubting my abilities. This constant state of anxiety and stress took a toll on me, both on and off the court. There were times when I felt like giving up, like the pressure was too much to handle. Deep down, I knew that basketball was something I couldn't give up as it was also my release. So, I made the decision to confront my anxiety head-on and work towards overcoming it. I sought help from a sports psychologist who helped me develop coping mechanisms and strategies to manage my anxiety. I also began practicing mindfulness and visualization techniques to stay present in the moment and focus on the task at hand. Slowly but surely, I started to see improvements in my game and more importantly, in my mental well-being. I am still a work in progress, but I now have tools to help me.