She was not extremely smart, super strong, or overflowing with kindness. In fact, she was average…and that is what made her special. In a world where everyone specialized in honesty, bravery, selflessness, wisdom, or peacefulness, Tris from Divergent did not exclusively portray any of these qualities. Her personality consisted of a dash of all of these things, making her much different from everyone else. Because she embraced her uniqueness, she was able to put the expectations of the world behind her in order to save the world and those she loved, even though it meant her death. In today’s world, we are often told to be and act a certain way in order to fit into the mold the world wants us to fill. However, what if we decided not to do what popular culture tells us to do? What if we decided that we could be “ok” at everything rather than “outstanding” in one area? What if we lost our fear to fail and instead embraced the exhilaration found in trying something new? Just like Tris, we should aspire to break the mold. We should do what is right, not what the world tells us we should do. We should seek to try things even if people tell us we are not good at them, just like once-weak-Tris continued to train day-in and day-out and eventually became stronger than most despite everyone’s doubts. Tris inspires me to be my true self, not someone the world wants me to be. She inspires me to put others before myself and not to fear failure (which is one of my biggest fears, to be honest). Even though Tris may be fictional, her example is real and one that will hold a special place in my heart forever, making Divergent my favorite book.

The curtain opens slowly, causing heightened anticipation in the audience. Blinding me momentarily, the stage lights turn on, and my heart pounds beneath my chest. Adrenaline and excitement course through me as I begin the dance performance I have worked on for months. As I dance, I come alive. The stage lights bring a certain happiness in me that nothing else can as I tell a story through dance. Dancing is one of my talents that I love so dearly and that I work hard at to improve. I attend ballet, pointe, jazz, and hip hop classes weekly and spend seven to fifteen hours a week at my dance studio. There are days I would rather skip class and relax at home, but I almost always choose to go to the studio. I am always glad that I chose to go to class, for dancing brings me peace and acts as a stress reliever for me. Even though I spend so much time in dance class, I have had to do things outside of class to get to the point I am at today. For example, flexibility does not run in my family, so I had to stretch at home for two years before I finally got my split. I also received a lead role in my studio’s 2021 Christmas production, and it required me to dance en pointe. I had never performed en pointe before, so I came to the studio early for many days to make my dance the best that it could be. Dancing brings me immense joy. One might even say it is one of my passions, which is fine with me, for as Martha Graham once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

The curtain opens slowly, causing heightened anticipation in the audience. Blinding me momentarily, the stage lights turn on, and my heart pounds beneath my chest. Adrenaline and excitement course through me as I begin the dance performance I have worked on for months. As I dance, I come alive. The stage lights bring a certain happiness in me that nothing else can as I tell a story through dance. Dancing is one of my best skills that I love so dearly and that I work hard at to improve. I attend ballet, pointe, jazz, and hip hop classes weekly and spend seven to fifteen hours a week at my dance studio. There are days I would rather skip class and relax at home, but I almost always choose to go to the studio. I am always glad that I chose to go to class, for dancing brings me peace and acts as a stress reliever for me. Even though I spend so much time in dance class, I have had to do things outside of class to get to the point I am at today. For example, flexibility does not run in my family, so I had to stretch at home for two years before I finally got my split. I also received a lead role in my studio’s 2021 Christmas production, and it required me to dance en pointe. I had never performed en pointe before, so I came to the studio early for many days to make my dance the best that it could be. Dancing brings me immense joy. One might even say it is one of my passions, which is fine with me, for as Martha Graham once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My dream is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. This dream of mine motivates me daily. I want to perform well in high school so that I can attend and graduate college debt-free, allowing me to put my focus on my patients who need me rather than focusing on eradicating my student debt. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me motivation and dreams for my career. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me and am more motivated to do so than ever. Ultimately, it is the thought of helping others in a realm where I needed help that motivates me daily. I cannot wait to further chase my dream of becoming a dietitian in college so that I can share a little hope with people (and maybe even a little motivation).

My entire family had COVID-19. We spent several days locked up in our rooms, and one by one we began to show symptoms. We were isolated from the world, but one thing that helped us feel a connection to the outside world was food. Many kind souls dropped meals on our porch, knocked on the door, and watched from afar as we picked up the body-and-soul-nourishing food. My family and I could not help but think of the hands that prepared the food as we ate, making us feel loved by our community. There have been several times in my life when people have shown love to my family through the gift of food. Whether it be a pan of egg rolls as a housewarming gift or a pot roast given in a time of sickness, food always seems to bring a smile to one’s face. As I love to cook, I have adopted this form of loving others. When my small group leader from church gave birth, I brought her my favorite meal. Knowing that I was able to help her mind be focused on her daughter rather than on what was for supper brought me joy, for even the small acts of kindness matter. I also enjoy making baked goods to take to our local Ronald McDonald House. The families staying here go through so much as they often have babies in the NICU or teenagers in critical care. If I can use something that I already love to do (baking) to sweeten the day of these families, why not do it? I believe that the simple gift of food is one of the best ways to show love to others, for as Cesar Chavez once said, “The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

Tears fill his eyes as he opens the gift that I made for him and his wife. After they purchased their first-ever home together, I thought that the perfect Christmas gift for them would be a watercolor painting of their house. It brought me so much joy in that moment to see how much that simple painting meant to people that I love so dearly. For me, the best joy is found when in the company of others. Yes, I am an introvert and often find alone time more restful, but when I decide to spend time with others instead of on my own, I find it beyond rewarding. The joy that others bring us is indescribable. Sure, sometimes people can get on our nerves or make us angry, but at the end of the day, the joy found in community is like no other. Beyond this joy found when with others is the joy brought when doing something kind for them. Whether it be baking a batch of homemade cookies for a sick neighbor or giving someone a heartfelt painting, the moment when one sees the joy that the little things bring others is one of the best moments in the world. Oftentimes, this world emphasizes the importance of “self,” and while taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves is very important, we often lose sight of loving others. Truly loving and caring for others proves to be hard sometimes, but the joy found in doing so ultimately makes it all worth it. So the next time you feel an absence of joy in your life, consider finding a way to serve others and show them just how much they are loved and needed in this world, and I guarantee that the spark of joy within you will grow.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persevered. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persevered. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

My entire family had COVID-19. We spent several days locked up in our rooms, and one by one we began to show symptoms. We were isolated from the world, but one thing that helped us feel a connection to the outside world was food. Many kind souls dropped meals on our porch, knocked on the door, and watched from afar as we picked up the body-and-soul-nourishing food. My family and I could not help but think of the hands that prepared the food as we ate, making us feel loved by our community. There have been several times in my life when people have shown love to my family through the gift of food. Whether it be a pan of egg rolls as a housewarming gift or a pot roast given in a time of sickness, food always seems to bring a smile to one’s face. As I love to cook, I have adopted this form of loving others and practicing selflessness. When my small group leader from church gave birth, I brought her my favorite meal. Knowing that I was able to help her be focused on her daughter rather than on what was for supper brought me joy, for even small acts of kindness matter. I also enjoy making baked goods to take to our local Ronald McDonald House. The families staying here go through so much as they often have babies in the NICU or teenagers in critical care. If I can use something that I already love to do (baking) to sweeten the day of these families, why not do it? I believe that the simple gift of food is one of the best ways to put others first, for as Cesar Chavez once said, “The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

When most people think of middle school, they think of the awkward phase they wish could be erased from existence. For me, however, middle school was a time when schoolwork consumed my life. I was assigned hundreds of pages of reading per week, had nightly math homework for an honors-level class, and studied 24/7. Needless to say, I was stressed out of my mind, especially since I possess the blessing and curse of being a perfectionist. One day after an especially stressful night of schoolwork, I came home from school to a note on my bed. It was a letter from my dad that read, “Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better,” with a picture of Walt Disney next to it. To understand just how much this Walt Disney quote means to me, one must also know that I am one of the biggest Disney fans in existence. These words from a man that has created so much magic and joy in my life impacted me deeply, and it meant even more since my dad was the one who found the quote. While I still struggle with worry, I have become better at managing it. I no longer let stress consume my thoughts. Instead, I know the fact that I have done the very best that I can is all that matters, and everything will be okay in the end. In fact, when we let worry consume our thoughts, we negatively impact others. We should seek to put others first, but worry often prevents us from doing so. So the next time you feel stress creeping up, remember the wise words of Walt Disney: “If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.”

Tears fill his eyes as he opens the gift that I made for him and his wife. After they purchased their first-ever home together, I thought that the perfect Christmas gift for them would be a painting of their house. It brought me so much joy in that moment to see how much that simple painting meant to people that I love so dearly. For me, happiness is found in the company of others. Yes, I am an introvert and often find alone time more restful, but when I decide to spend time with others instead of on my own, I find it beyond rewarding. The happiness that others bring us is indescribable. Sure, sometimes people can get on our nerves or make us angry, but at the end of the day, the happiness found in community is like no other. Beyond this happiness found when with others is the happiness brought when doing something kind for them. Whether it be baking a batch of homemade cookies for a sick neighbor or giving someone a heartfelt painting, the moment when one sees the happiness that the little things bring others is one of the best moments in the world. Oftentimes, this world emphasizes the importance of “self,” and while taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves is very important, we often lose sight of loving others. I believe that the meaning of life is to serve others, for the happiness found in doing so ultimately makes self-sacrifice worth it. So the next time you feel an absence of happiness in your life, consider finding a way to serve others and show them just how much they are loved and needed in this world, and I guarantee that you will feel like you have a life worth living.

She was not extremely smart, super strong, or overflowing with kindness. In fact, she was average…and that is what made her special. In a world where everyone specialized in honesty, bravery, selflessness, wisdom, or peacefulness, Tris from Divergent did not exclusively portray any of these qualities. Her personality consisted of a dash of all of these things, making her much different from everyone else. Because she embraced her uniqueness, she was able to put the expectations of the world behind her in order to save the world and those she loved, even though it meant her death. In today’s world, we are often told to be and act a certain way in order to fit into the mold the world wants us to fill. However, what if we decided not to do what popular culture tells us to do? What if we decided that we could be “ok” at everything rather than “outstanding” in one area? What if we lost our fear to fail and instead embraced the exhilaration found in trying something new? Just like Tris, we should aspire to break the mold. We should do what is right, not what the world tells us we should do. We should seek to try things even if people tell us we are not good at them, just like once-weak-Tris continued to train day-in and day-out and eventually became stronger than most despite everyone’s doubts. Tris inspires me to be my true self, not someone the world wants me to be. She inspires me to put others before myself and not to fear failure (which is one of my biggest fears, to be honest). Even though Tris may be fictional, her example is real and one that will hold a special place in my heart forever, making Divergent my favorite book.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. During the summer before my sophomore year, I developed an interest in nutrition. My dad has an autoimmune disease known as ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the joints. Certain foods cause his inflammation to worsen, and since I was responsible for cooking dinner that summer, I attempted to make dishes that would dissuade inflammation. Cooking, especially for others, brings me immense joy, so this task did not feel like a task at all; instead, I enjoyed it. My desire to learn more about why certain foods cause inflammation, my passion for cooking, and (most importantly) my hope to help my dad sparked a dream in me, a dream to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Another factor that fueled my hopes to become an RDN was (and still is) my love for dance. Even though I adore dancing, I knew I did not want to become a professional, but that I wanted to stay involved in the dance world in some form or fashion. I knew that as a dietitian, I could help dancers reach their full potential and still be involved with dance. My love for dance, my dad’s disease, my passion for cooking, and the joy I found in learning about science all helped foster my hope to become an RDN, but I was still skeptical of my perceived calling. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. My doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up and doubted the impact of my hard work, but I persisted. I chose to trust my nutritionist, desiring that my patients may one day trust me as their RDN. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. While my dad’s disease and my many passions sparked an interest in nutrition, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain and make their fights easier. It was the pain, the struggle, and the tears that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. In order to pursue this dream of helping others, I will major in Nutrition and Dietetics in college and go on to gain my master’s degree and find an internship. After this, I will take the Registered Dietitian Exam. I also desire to become a Certified Sports Nutritionist as I have been a dancer my whole life and hope to help athletes like myself with their relationship with nutrition. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for my pain has given me a passion: impacting the world positively by helping heal others.

Tears fill his eyes as he opens the gift that I made for him and his wife. After they purchased their first-ever home together, I thought that the perfect Christmas gift for them would be a painting of their house. It brought me so much joy in that moment to see how much that simple painting meant to people that I love so dearly. For me, happiness is found in the company of others. Yes, I am an introvert and often find alone time more restful, but when I decide to spend time with others instead of on my own, I find it beyond rewarding. The happiness that others bring us is indescribable. Sure, sometimes people can get on our nerves or make us angry, but at the end of the day, the happiness found in community is like no other. Beyond this happiness found when with others is the happiness brought when doing something kind for them. Whether it be baking a batch of homemade cookies for a sick neighbor or giving someone a heartfelt painting, the moment when one sees the happiness that the little things bring others is one of the best moments in the world. Oftentimes, this world emphasizes the importance of “self,” and while taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves is very important, we often lose sight of loving others. I believe that the meaning of life is to serve others, for the happiness found in doing so ultimately makes self-sacrifice worth it. So the next time you feel an absence of happiness in your life, consider finding a way to serve others and show them just how much they are loved and needed in this world, and I guarantee that you will feel like you have a life worth living.

She was not extremely smart, super strong, or overflowing with kindness. In fact, she was average…and that is what made her special. In a world where everyone specialized in honesty, bravery, selflessness, wisdom, or peacefulness, Tris from Divergent did not exclusively portray any of these qualities. Her personality consisted of a dash of all of these things, making her much different from everyone else. Because she embraced her uniqueness, she was able to put the expectations of the world behind her in order to save the world and those she loved, even though it meant her death. In today’s world, we are often told to be and act a certain way in order to fit into the mold the world wants us to fill. However, what if we decided not to do what popular culture tells us to do? What if we decided that we could be “ok” at everything rather than “outstanding” in one area? What if we lost our fear to fail and instead embraced the exhilaration found in trying something new? Just like Tris, we should aspire to break the mold. We should do what is right, not what the world tells us we should do. We should seek to try things even if people tell us we are not good at them, just like once-weak-Tris continued to train day-in and day-out and eventually became stronger than most despite everyone’s doubts. Tris inspires me to be my true self, not someone the world wants me to be. She inspires me to put others before myself and not to fear failure (which is one of my biggest fears, to be honest). Even though Tris may be fictional, her example is real and one that will hold a special place in my heart forever, making Divergent my favorite book.

As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persisted. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. I hope to major in nutrition and dietetics in college and go on to earn a master’s degree as well in order to one day become a registered dietitian. Since I also have a passion for dancing, I also want to become a certified sports nutritionist, as this would enable me to stay involved in the dance world as a nutritionist for dancers. My desire is that as an RDN I will enable dancers to perform at their best and avoid hardships that I went through.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persevered. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persevered. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to have a dream and a hope for my future and the future of others whom I will aid in the realm of nutrition. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

I was standing in front of the panel of judges, nervously waiting to hear whether or not I would be called back for round two. This was the first time I had ever auditioned at my dance studio, so I was scared, nervous, and had low expectations. I had even considered not coming to auditions at all, for I feared failure. However, I decided to face my fear of potential failure and go to auditions. It paid off, for I was called back and received a special role! For me, failure is the most terrifying thing in the world. I have to take deliberate steps in order to overcome fear, for if I do not, I would miss out on so many good things in life. In order to live boldly, I choose to do things that I worry I will fail at. I have exercised bravery by attending auditions when I feared I would not get a part, by taking an honors class that I wanted to take but worried I would not have time for, and by applying for scholarships that I did not think I would win. Doing these things has rewarded me immensely, for I received the part, performed well in my honors class (which led to a desire to pursue nutrition as a career), and won a scholarship that I doubted I would win. Now do not get me wrong, there have been times when I have attempted things I fear I will fail at and do fail at them, but it is better to fail than miss out on the chance of a good outcome. I choose to be brave by facing failure, for as John F. Kennedy once said, “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”

The curtain opens slowly, causing heightened anticipation in the audience. Blinding me momentarily, the stage lights turn on, and my heart pounds beneath my chest. Adrenaline and excitement course through me as I begin the dance performance I have worked on for months. As I dance, I come alive. The stage lights bring a certain happiness in me that nothing else can as I tell a story through dance. Dancing is one of my talents that I love so dearly and that I work hard at to improve. I attend ballet, pointe, jazz, and hip hop classes weekly and spend seven to fifteen hours a week at my dance studio. There are days I would rather skip class and relax at home, but I almost always choose to go to the studio. I am always glad that I chose to go to class, for dancing brings me peace and acts as a stress reliever for me. Even though I spend so much time in dance class, I have had to do things outside of class to get to the point I am at today. For example, flexibility does not run in my family, so I had to stretch at home for two years before I finally got my split. I also received a lead role in my studio’s 2021 Christmas production, and it required me to dance en pointe. I had never performed en pointe before, so I came to the studio early for many days to make my dance the best that it could be. Dancing brings me immense joy. One might even say it is one of my passions, which is fine with me, for as Martha Graham once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

My entire family had COVID-19. We spent several days locked up in our rooms, and one by one we began to show symptoms. We were isolated from the world, but one thing that helped us feel a connection to the outside world was food. Many kind souls dropped meals on our porch, knocked on the door, and watched from afar as we picked up the body-and-soul-nourishing food. My family and I could not help but think of the hands that prepared the food as we ate, making us feel loved by our community. There have been several times in my life when people have shown love to my family through the gift of food. Whether it be a pan of egg rolls as a housewarming gift or a pot roast given in a time of sickness, food always seems to bring a smile to one’s face. As I love to cook, I have adopted this form of loving others and practicing selflessness. When my small group leader from church gave birth, I brought her my favorite meal. Knowing that I was able to help her be focused on her daughter rather than on what was for supper brought me joy, for even small acts of kindness matter. I also enjoy making baked goods to take to our local Ronald McDonald House. The families staying here go through so much as they often have babies in the NICU or teenagers in critical care. If I can use something that I already love to do (baking) to sweeten the day of these families, why not do it? I believe that the simple gift of food is one of the best ways to put others first, for as Cesar Chavez once said, “The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. In order to achieve this goal, I will major in Nutrition and Dietetics in college and go on to gain my master’s degree and find an internship. After this, I will take the Registered Dietitian Exam. I also desire to become a Certified Sports Nutritionist as I have been a dancer my whole life and hope to help athletes like myself with their relationship with nutrition. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me my dreams for my career. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me.

I have loads of homework, tests to study for, and Etsy orders to fulfill; but first, I step onto the dance floor. As soon as the music starts playing and my body starts moving, the worries of the world melt away. My focus is solely on the beautiful art form of dance, and my body tells a story through the language of movement. One might call dance my hobby, but for me, it is so much more. It is a way to keep my body healthy and fit, but it is also a way for me to release my worries. Whenever I dance, I tell a story that is not my own. I am given a character to portray, and my movements convey their emotions. For a moment, I tell a different story, feel different emotions, and live a different life. Other times, however, I can relate to the emotions of the character, and telling their story through dance is a way to express my own emotions. Dancing allows me to release my feelings, stress, and worries. So call it a hobby if you want, but dance is my form of exercise, therapy, art, storytelling, and joy.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My dream is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. This dream of mine fuels me daily. I want to perform well in high school so that I can attend and graduate college debt-free, allowing me to put my focus on my patients who need me rather than focusing on eradicating my student debt. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me motivation and dreams for my career. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me and am more motivated to do so than ever. Ultimately, it is the thought of helping others in a realm where I needed help that fuels me daily. I cannot wait to further chase my dream of becoming a dietitian in college so that I can share a little hope with people (and maybe even a little motivation).

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persevered. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persevered. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to have a dream and a hope for my future and the future of others whom I will aid in the realm of nutrition. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My dream is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. In order to succeed in pursuing this goal, I will major in Nutrition and Dietetics in college and go on to gain my master’s degree and find an internship. After this, I will take the Registered Dietitian Exam. I also desire to become a Certified Sports Nutritionist as I have been a dancer my whole life and hope to help athletes like myself with their relationship with nutrition. While this educational plan will help me succeed, so will my personal drive. I have always possessed a desire within me to do the best that I can at everything I attempt, and this motivation will take me far in achieving my goals. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me my dreams for my career and even more motivation to succeed. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me.

As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persisted. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. I hope to major in nutrition and dietetics in college and go on to earn a master’s degree as well in order to one day become a registered dietitian. Since I also have a passion for dancing, I also want to become a certified sports nutritionist, as this would enable me to stay involved in the dance world as a nutritionist for dancers. I desire that as an RDN I will enable dancers to perform at their best and avoid hardships that I went through. Even though my nutrition journey was hard, I am glad that I persisted, for this persistence helped lead to my calling: dietetics.

My entire family had COVID-19. We spent several days locked up in our rooms, and one by one we began to show symptoms. We were isolated from the world, but one thing that helped us feel a connection to the outside world was food. Many kind souls dropped meals on our porch, knocked on the door, and watched from afar as we picked up the body-and-soul-nourishing food. My family and I could not help but think of the hands that prepared the food as we ate, making us feel loved by our community. There have been several times in my life when people have shown love to my family through the gift of food. Whether it be a pan of egg rolls as a housewarming gift or a pot roast given in a time of sickness, food always seems to bring a smile to one’s face. As I love to cook, I have adopted this form of loving others. When my small group leader from church gave birth, I brought her my favorite meal. Knowing that I was able to help her mind be focused on her daughter rather than on what was for supper brought me joy, for even the small acts of kindness matter. I also enjoy making baked goods to take to our local Ronald McDonald House. The families staying here go through so much as they often have babies in the NICU or teenagers in critical care. If I can use something that I already love to do (baking) to sweeten the day of these families, why not do it? I believe that the simple gift of food is one of the best ways to show love to others, for as Cesar Chavez once said, “The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

Tears fill his eyes as he opens the gift that I made for him and his wife. After they purchased their first-ever home together, I thought that the perfect Christmas gift for them would be a watercolor painting of their house. It brought me so much happiness in that moment to see how much that simple painting meant to people that I love so dearly. For me, the best happiness is found when in the company of others. Yes, I am an introvert and often find alone time more restful, but when I decide to spend time with others instead of on my own, I find it beyond rewarding. The happiness that others bring us is indescribable. Sure, sometimes people can get on our nerves or make us angry, but at the end of the day, the happiness found in community is like no other. Beyond this happiness found when with others is the happiness brought when doing something kind for them. Whether it be baking a batch of homemade cookies for a sick neighbor or giving someone a heartfelt painting, the moment when one sees the happiness that the little things bring others is one of the best moments in the world. Oftentimes, this world emphasizes the importance of “self,” and while taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves is very important, we often lose sight of loving others. Truly loving and caring for others proves to be hard sometimes, but the happiness found in doing so ultimately makes it all worth it. So the next time you feel an absence of happiness in your life, consider finding a way to serve others and show them just how much they are loved and needed in this world, and I guarantee that the spark of happiness within you will grow.

My entire family had COVID-19. We spent several days locked up in our rooms, and one by one we began to show symptoms. We were isolated from the world, but one thing that helped us feel a connection to the outside world was food. Many kind souls dropped meals on our porch, knocked on the door, and watched from afar as we picked up the body-and-soul-nourishing food. My family and I could not help but think of the hands that prepared the food as we ate, making us feel loved by our community. There have been several times in my life when people have helped my family through the gift of food. Whether it be a pan of egg rolls as a housewarming gift or a pot roast given in a time of sickness, food always seems to bring a smile to one’s face. As I love to cook, I have adopted this form of helping others. When my small group leader from church gave birth, I brought her my favorite meal. Knowing that I was able to help her mind be focused on her daughter rather than on what was for supper brought me joy, for even the small acts of kindness matter. I also enjoy making baked goods to take to our local Ronald McDonald House. The families staying here go through so much as they often have babies in the NICU or teenagers in critical care. If I can use something that I already love to do (baking) to sweeten the day of these families, why not do it? I believe that the simple gift of food is one of the best ways to help others and show love, for as Cesar Chavez once said, “The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My dream is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. This dream of mine motivates me daily. I want to perform well in high school so that I can attend and graduate college debt-free, allowing me to put my focus on my patients who need me rather than focusing on eradicating my student debt. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me motivation and dreams for my career. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me and am more motivated to do so than ever. Ultimately, it is the thought of helping others in a realm where I needed help that motivates me daily. I cannot wait to further chase my dream of becoming a dietitian in college so that I can share a little hope with people (and maybe even a little motivation).

When most people think of middle school, they think of the awkward phase they wish could be erased from existence. For me, however, middle school was a time when schoolwork consumed my life. I was assigned hundreds of pages of reading per week, had nightly math homework for an honors-level class, and studied 24/7. Needless to say, I was stressed out of my mind, especially since I possess the blessing and curse of being a perfectionist. One day after an especially stressful night of schoolwork, I came home from school to a note on my bed. It was a letter from my dad that read, “Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better,” with a picture of Walt Disney next to it. To understand just how much this Walt Disney quote means to me, one must also know that I am one of the biggest Disney fans in existence. These words from a man that has created so much magic and joy in my life impacted me deeply, and it meant even more since my dad was the one who found the quote. While I still struggle with worry, I have become better at managing it. I no longer let stress consume my thoughts. Instead, I know the fact that I have done the very best that I can is all that matters and that everything will be okay in the end. In fact, when we let worry consume our thoughts, we negatively impact others. We should seek to put others first, but worry often prevents us from doing so. So the next time you feel stress creeping up, remember the wise words of Walt Disney: “If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.”

She was not extremely smart, super strong, or overflowing with kindness. In fact, she was average…and that is what made her special. In a world where everyone specialized in honesty, bravery, selflessness, wisdom, or peacefulness, Tris from the book Divergent did not exclusively portray any of these qualities. Her personality consisted of a dash of all of these things, making her much different from everyone else. Because she embraced her uniqueness, she was able to put the expectations of the world behind her in order to save the world and those she loved, even though it meant her death. In today’s world, we are often told to be and act a certain way in order to fit into the mold the world wants us to fill. However, what if we decided not to do what popular culture tells us to do? What if we decided that we could be “ok” at everything rather than “outstanding” in one area? What if we lost our fear to fail and instead embraced the exhilaration found in trying something new? Just like Tris, we should aspire to break the mold. We should do what is right, not what the world tells us we should do. We should seek to try things even if people tell us we are not good at them, just like once-weak-Tris continued to train day-in and day-out and eventually became stronger than most despite everyone’s doubts. Tris inspires me to be my true self, not someone the world wants me to be. She inspires me to put others before myself and not to fear failure (which is one of my biggest fears, to be honest). Even though Tris may be fictional, her example is real and one that will hold a special place in my heart forever.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. It is because of the struggle I went through in the realm of nutrition that I long to pursue higher education. My dream is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist so that I can help others with their nutrition journeys. I want to walk alongside them to make their journey easier and to give them courage. In order to achieve this dream, I will major in Nutrition and Dietetics in college and go on to gain my master’s degree and find an internship. After this, I will take the Registered Dietitian Exam. I also desire to become a Certified Sports Nutritionist as I have been a dancer my whole life and hope to help athletes like myself with their relationship with nutrition. Thankfully, my health issues were eventually cured due to my journey with nutrition. Although it was a hard journey, it was one I would not trade for anything, because it has aided in giving me my dreams for my career. Because of this experience, I dream of guiding others to become healed just like my nutritionist guided me.

Tears fill his eyes as he opens the gift that I made for him and his wife. After they purchased their first-ever home together, I thought that the perfect Christmas gift for them would be a watercolor painting of their house. It brought me so much joy in that moment to see how much that simple painting meant to people that I love so dearly. For me, the best joy is found when in the company of others. Yes, I am an introvert and often find alone time more restful, but when I decide to spend time with others instead of on my own, I find it beyond rewarding. The joy that others bring us is indescribable. Sure, sometimes people can get on our nerves or make us angry, but at the end of the day, the joy found in community is like no other. Beyond this joy found when with others is the joy brought when doing something kind for them. Whether it be baking a batch of homemade cookies for a sick neighbor or giving someone a heartfelt painting, the moment when one sees the joy that the little things bring others is one of the best moments in the world. Oftentimes, this world emphasizes the importance of “self,” and while taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves is very important, we often lose sight of loving others. Truly loving and caring for others proves to be hard sometimes, but the joy found in doing so ultimately makes it all worth it. So the next time you feel an absence of joy in your life, consider finding a way to serve others and show them just how much they are loved and needed in this world, and I guarantee that the spark of joy within you will grow.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persevered. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persevered. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I hope to use this experience to impact the world by making others’ journeys with nutrition easier.

To most people, Misty Copeland is the first female African-American dancer at the American Ballet Theater, but to me, she is much more. Misty is a ballet dancer who, like myself, did not start taking classes until her early teen years, yet she rose to the top of the dance world despite her late start. Whenever I attend a dance class and feel discouraged because my technique is not as good compared to other girls, I remember that if Misty started her career so late and succeeded, so can I with hard work and determination. Not only do I remember this while dancing, but I keep this in mind in all aspects of my life. Whether it be dance or school, art or relationships, if I put in that hard work, I, too, can rise. To me, this drawing represents how anyone, no matter what their background or obstacles, can succeed at anything, as long as they are bold enough to pursue it. I hope that my art shows people that they need not be afraid to pursue their dreams or conquer their fears because those things are minuscule compared to the power of determination. Something that I have recently pursued that has taken much commitment is starting a small business. I create custom watercolor paintings of homes, families, and friends with the intent for these pieces to represent the joy that these things bring the customer. Even though running this business takes a lot of hard work, it brings me so much joy in return. I love seeing people’s faces light up when they receive their painting of the things they love so dearly, and that is worth all the hard work a hundred times over. Medium: Led Pencil Dimensions: 19x27 inches

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persevered. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persevered. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

He woke up in the middle of the night, completely blind in his left eye. No warning had shown itself; the blindness was completely unexpected. The blindness lasted for two whole months, and he was unable to drive for five. He went to the doctor to discover the cause of this sudden blindness and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a disease that causes inflammation in the spine and joints. The disease is what created inflammation in his eye, which is what caused temporary blindness. This story is not hypothetical; it is a true story. It is the story of my dad. My dad has lived with ankylosing spondylitis for as long as I can remember. As this disease is an autoimmune disease, he gets sick easily and has a hard time recovering. The inflammation he experiences causes him pain in his joints, and some days the pain is worse than others. Often, my dad experiences more pain due to the food he eats. Highly processed foods, grains, and more increase his inflammation. A few years ago, I was given the responsibility to cook dinner during the summer. Since I knew that certain foods cause inflammation, especially in my dad, I decided to attempt to cook meals that would dissuade this inflammation. This is how I gained my interest in nutrition, and this interest would eventually lead to my desire to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Personally, I have also experienced struggles with nutrition. A few years ago, I started to experience some health issues. Although they were not life-threatening, they needed to be addressed. I began to see a nutritionist in order to cure my health issues, but changing my diet was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up and doubted the impact of my hard work, but I persisted. In fact, it was this second experience that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain and make their fights easier. Due to the challenges both my father and I have experienced, I am passionate about natural foods and the environment. I want to tell others our stories so that they might know that they do not always have to turn to medicine to cure their ills, but that natural foods grown in a sustainable, healthy environment could fix the root of the problem without the unwanted side effects of medicine. Natural foods lead to better health, which in turn can lead to a longer, happier, less painful life. When I go to college, I hope to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in order to one day become a Registered Dietitian (RD). During my journey to becoming an RD, I will gain the knowledge needed to better educate the community about the importance of natural foods grown sustainably. I look forward to being able to take classes in college where I will learn about the science behind why natural foods are better for one’s body. In the future, I will combine this information with my dad and I’s stories in explaining to people how natural foods could positively impact their lives.

I have loads of homework, tests to study for, and Etsy orders to fulfill; but first, I step onto the dance floor. As soon as the music starts playing and my body starts moving, the worries of the world melt away. My focus is solely on the beautiful art form of dance, and my body tells a story through the language of movement. When most people think of self-care, they think of taking a bubble bath, putting on a face mask, or painting their nails. However, my form of self-care is much different from the typical ritual. Dance is my form of self-care. It is a way to keep my body healthy and fit, but it is also a way for me to release my worries. Whenever I dance, I tell a story that is not my own. I am given a character to portray, and my movements convey their emotions. For a moment, I tell a different story, feel different emotions, and live a different life. Other times, however, I can relate to the emotions of the character, and telling their story through dance is a way to express my own emotions. Dancing allows me to release my feelings, stress, and worries, making it the ultimate form of self-care.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up, but I persisted. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. Ultimately, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain. It was the struggle that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

Although most people think of a painter or sculptor when they think of an artist, I think of a dancer: Misty Copeland. Misty Copeland is my favorite artist because I, too, am a dancer and her story encourages me to be diligent in all that I do. Although Misty started ballet at a very late age like me, she rose to the top through determination and hard work. This inspires me to stay persistent and be diligent in everything, for I know that if I do, I can rise above like Misty.

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. During the summer before my sophomore year, I developed an interest in nutrition. My dad has an autoimmune disease known as ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the joints. Certain foods cause his inflammation to worsen, and since I was responsible for cooking dinner that summer, I attempted to make dishes that would dissuade inflammation. Cooking, especially for others, brings me immense joy, so this task did not feel like a task at all; instead, I enjoyed it. My desire to learn more about the science behind why certain foods cause inflammation as well as my passion for cooking sparked a dream in me, a dream to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Another factor that fueled my hopes to become an RDN was (and still is) my love for dance. Even though I adore dancing, I knew I did not want to become a professional, but that I wanted to stay involved in the dance world in some form or fashion. I knew that as a dietitian, I could help dancers reach their full potential and still be involved with dance. My love for dance, my dad’s disease, my passion for cooking, and the joy I found in learning about science all helped foster my hope to become an RDN, but I was still skeptical of my perceived calling. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up and doubted the impact of my hard work, but I persisted. I chose to trust my nutritionist, desiring that my patients may one day trust me as their RDN. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. While my dad’s disease and my many passions sparked an interest in nutrition, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain and make their fights easier. It was the pain, the struggle, and the tears that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”

I had been seeing a nutritionist for months, and my health issues still persisted. If my health did not improve soon, I would have to turn to medicine, but medication held the potential of causing unwanted side effects. Alongside my nutritionist, I had worked so hard and for so long to improve my health, and I did not want all the hard work to prove fruitless. Therefore, even though it was hard, I persisted. During the summer before my sophomore year, I developed an interest in nutrition. My dad has an autoimmune disease known as ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the joints. Certain foods cause his inflammation to worsen, and since I was responsible for cooking dinner that summer, I attempted to make dishes that would dissuade inflammation. Cooking, especially for others, brings me immense joy, so this task did not feel like a task at all; instead, I enjoyed it. My desire to learn more about the science behind why certain foods cause inflammation as well as my passion for cooking sparked a dream in me, a dream to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Another factor that fueled my hopes to become an RDN was (and still is) my love for dance. Even though I adore dancing, I knew I did not want to become a professional, but that I wanted to stay involved in the dance world in some form or fashion. I knew that as a dietitian, I could help dancers reach their full potential and still be involved with dance. My love for dance, my dad’s disease, my passion for cooking, and the joy I found in learning about science all helped foster my hope to become an RDN, but I was still skeptical of my perceived calling. As I entered my sophomore year, I began to experience health problems. Although not life-threatening, they needed to be fixed. After bringing the issues I had been having to my doctor’s attention and running several lab tests, my doctor concluded that my health would improve if I saw a nutritionist or took medication. As I had an interest in nutrition and the medicine could cause undesirable side effects, my parents and I decided that seeing a nutritionist was a compelling option. While seeing a nutritionist was beneficial to me, trying to address my health problems with dietary modifications was some of the hardest work I had ever faced. Some days I felt like giving up and doubted the impact of my hard work, but I persisted. I chose to trust my nutritionist, desiring that my patients may one day trust me as their RDN. Even though I experienced moments of doubt and shed many tears throughout my fight, nutrition healed me. While my dad’s disease and my many passions sparked an interest in nutrition, it was my personal health struggle that caused me to recognize a calling to the field of nutrition. The battle I fought caused me to want to help others as an RDN so that I can help alleviate pain and make their fights easier. It was the pain, the struggle, and the tears that caused me to know that I am meant to be a dietitian. Even though my health journey was difficult, I would not change a single moment, for as Steve Maraboli once said, “Something will grow from all that you are going through. And it will be you.”