I would say a moment that I practiced bravery and lived boldly was the past four years. When I first attended College in the early 2000's I was not ready to dedicate myself to my studies. I didn't know where I was headed or what career was right for me. My grades definitely showed that I didn't have a plan for my life. Fast-forward to the year 2018, in my mid 30's, I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a speech therapist. Nothing was going to stop me! I had to meet with a counselor in order to register for classes. My counselor told me I would not be accepted into the program with my grades, even if I got all A's. Which was something I was never able to accomplish. At the end of the meeting, she told me to choose another career. I was devastated. I told my family and friends and they all told me that I should look at other avenues as well. "School isn't for everyone," said my father. I didn't believe what my family, friends, and counselor told me. I knew that if I tried hard enough I could get into the program and later be a speech-language pathologist. I worked harder than I had ever before. I learned how to study, stay organized, and complete every homework assignment. I not only got into the program but I graduated magna cum laude this past May. I was also accepted into a masters program for speech-language pathology. I will be the 1st in my extended family to attend graduate school. Overcoming the labels others tried to put on me is an example to my kids of what being brave and bold in this world is all about.

Michelle Rosenthal once said: "Trauma creates change you don't choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose." Choose today to be you! Authentically you! There is so much in this world that we have no control over. We cannot control our boss, our teacher, the price of gas, what happens overseas, or even what happens next door. Anxiety occurs when we look to the future and worry about those things we can't control. We are not our past. That does not define us. Our past does not dictate our future. You do, if you choose! Choose everyday to live in the present. Like Carl Jung stated: "I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." Stay focused on those things that you can control in the moment, and you will change your future. In the book, Atomic Habits, the author suggests that minor alterations to your daily routine will lead to significant changes over time. A plane that leaves Los Angeles for Miami, if off by one degree, will end up in New York instead of the desired destination. Look for those little changes that you can control. We as humans tend to overestimate what we can do in a week, and underestimates what we can do in a year. Change the path you are travelling today. One degree at a time. Time allows for healing, and healing takes time. Start today and see your life change one day at a time.

Part of my bachelor degree for speech-language pathology (SLP) consists of one semester in the school district as a practicing SLP. I have been able to work in elementary schools and help these students learn to communicate with others. Wether it’s through writing or speaking. I’m currently helping a student who has childhood apraxia. Meaning he/she has difficulty making the correct movements to speak. Which then makes this student unintelligible. This student is in the 5th grade and often cry’s to me about how he wished he was different. It hurts my heart When I see him cry and wish he was different. When I first met him in January he was just given an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. This device has software installed so that he can communicate with others until we are able to help him with his speech production. The AAC device has brought some joy to his heart as he has been able to communicate what he wants to express. The bullying has decreased and his confidence in participating in class has increased. I just received word that the school district now wants to take back his AAC device for the summer in case his family moves. When I heard this, I was taken back. I understand the point of view the school district has. However, this AAC device is this students voice! No one is able to understand him when he talks not even his parents. This student of mine just got a friend and now that’s he’s starting to gain confidence in is “voice” we are going to take it away? I thought to myself, there’s no way this can happen. I reached out to my site supervisor and talked to her about my students situation. She stated that he should be able to keep his AAC device for as long as his address is within the parameters of the school district. She then gave me a number of someone I could call to make sure my student will be able to keep his AAC device. When I talked to the individual who was the head of the department they let me know that my students AAC device cannot be taken away from him during the summer. I was so relieved! I then went and passed the information down to the person that mentioned they would have to take his AAC device. I know this may not seem like much but for me this was a huge thing. My student who just found his “voice” will be able to use his voice during the summer and possibly make more friends. I love the speech-language pathology field so much! I love being able to help others communicate! Nothing brings more joy to my soul than seeing one of my students with a big smile on his/her face because someone understood what they said.

The unthinkable had just happened. I honestly cannot remember if I was standing or sitting when I said hello. Rachel told me what had happened. I did not and could not believe it! My mind/heart went straight to denial. It felt as though I was sitting in front of a jury and loudly denied the truth. Gravity claimed my tears. I quickly realized I had no evidence to support my objections. He's cannot be dead. Not Brad! Brad and I met in college. He quickly became my best friend and there is no one I trusted more in this world. Together we decided to go on a service mission for our faith. We believed in helping people and motivated each other to put our words into action. He was sent to New Zealand and I was sent to the Eastern United States. We were to serve and help people that were in need. We were 20 years young and excited to change the world. At the time of that phone call, I was home from my service mission with a serious illness that forced me to the hospital to seek out emergency medical intervention. Brad and I weren't able to talk as often as we would have liked. I honestly don't know if he knew I was ill. This was in the early 2000's and email still seemed like a foreign invention, one that I had definitely not mastered. So when we corresponded, it was in the form of a letter, pen, envelope, and stamp. I had just gotten home from the hospital after another diagnostic test that week when Rachel called with the news. I wish I could speak with him one last time. I wish I told him how much he meant to me. Did he know how grateful I was to call him a friend? How much he changed my life? Why do we not tell the most important people in our lives that they are loved. I have learned to do this more often since Brad. Three days later I received a knock on my door. My mother entered my room stating I had received a letter. She placed it in my hand. To my surprise, it was from New Zealand. It was Brad! This letter had been written a week prior and finally arrived. Through tears I opened the letter and the lesson I received from Brad, someone who had since passed on, changed my life. His letter spoke of never giving up. To standing strong in the face of adversity. To never backing down from a challenge even when you feel like all is lost. Especially when you feel like all is lost! He wrote about a person he was able to serve in New Zealand. The world would have looked at this person and mocked as he was different, unusual, atypical. He said that this person is one of the best people he had ever met and to never judge others by how they appear. Finally, never give up on others, and better yet, never give up on yourself! What a beautiful lesson to learn!!! I folded the letter after reading it five or six times. I have returned back to this letter many times in my life since. It strengthened and helped me overcome my illness at that time. I see the world different now. My eyes see more good then bad. I cherish those who are close to me and I wake up in gratitude that I can still do a little good in this world today. Just like Brad did!

I was once told that it is best to act, not be acted upon. We all have the ability to step up when it's time to lead, yet so few do. So many see a problem and are willing to complain about it, yet do nothing to create positive change in this world. Being a great leader means being aware of these changes that can be made, and being brave enough to step forward and do something about it. This may sound like I do this with ease. It may seem like being a good leader comes natural to me. But, this is not so. I hope my honesty does not immediately eliminate me from consideration from this scholarship. I am innately self-conscious. I am a perfectionist and push myself harder then many do. At times, I am shy and introverted. I believe a good leader is one who understands those areas they fall short in and yet bring the best out of themselves and the people they are trusted to lead. I have been positively affected by a church leader earlier in my life. I was headed down a path that would have inevitably lead to drugs, sex, and crime. So many of my friends at that time had this outcome. I experienced significant trauma growing up by the hands of those who should have loved me. The influence of my leader Sheri Jenkins saved me from myself. She showed interest in my life, helped bring out the best in me, and forever altered my projectory in life. She was able to help me own my past, and thus, change my future. A true leader sees hope, not hate, and magnifies the best in the people they have stewardship over. I hope to be a "Sheri Jenkins" in the life of someone else. I know so many people don't have someone like this and continue down the path that Sheri saved me from. That is the energy I bring to my community outreach and leadership to kids in need. That is the forgiveness I bring to those who once did harm to me. That trauma was a part of my story, but I don't allow it to be my story anymore. That is what keeps me pursuing opportunities to be a leader irregardless of my shortcomings. A leader sees the potential in others, and honestly themselves, and allows for growth and positive change to occur.

According to the media, the answer to this question can be read on the cover of most magazines, news specials, New York Times best sellers, as well as the biggest sequence in the most recent episode of Dr. Oz I am sure. These headlines point to the newest supplement, diet pill, facial elixar, or potion for youth and ageless longevity. Yet, the water discussed in the book Tuck Everlasting has never been found. We all feel the changes that time innately brings. But what is the best way to live a long and healthy life? I want to say the answer to this question is the word moderation. Not the catchiest of headlines. I would have changed the channel too if Dr. Oz suggested the same thing. Most are definitely not buying the Moderation magazine, that's for sure. But please don't stop reading. Life is short and I demand that I experience it to the fullest for as long as possible. This includes enjoying times of adventure. Smile more often. Pet a dog. Work hard! Sleep well. Disconnect from social media. Be initimate with the one you love. Eat a balanced diet that is not based on the newest fad but one that keeps you in a calorie deficit. Be okay with having a hamburger or a bowl of ice cream on those days that you need to. We have all had that day! Exercise by doing things you love and connect you with others, nature, and God. Hike, run outside, dance with or without music! Live a balanced life of moderation! Make those daily choices that habitually put you in a better state today then you were in yesterday. Over time, I promise you will be able to live that long and healthy life you were asking about.

I was in my room... alone. Darkness fell on my heart and home. Trauma had been a part of my story for years and I was the main character. I asked myself daily, how long is this going to last? What did I do to deserve this? Did I deserve this? I was 14 and living in an abusive household. I was marked with bruises that only I could see. Standing in class was necessary because sitting hurt too bad. My school life suffered as much as my home life. I wanted to get away and this desire to be anywhere but home lead me down a path that inevitably would have included drugs, sex, and crime. It was a Tuesday afternoon. A knock on the door broke the numbing silence of my home. Two Christians stand at my door, preaching a message that promised joy and happiness. These were two words that felt foreign to me. Joy? Happiness? Where was Webster and his dictionary when you needed one? What could these two people offer? How could this message of faith break the chains I was tethered to? I closed the door and returned back to my overly emotional music blaring from my Walkman. On Thursday, I was shocked when I came home to see those two Christians in my living room. I sat in the other room and passively listened to their message. They promised change and that is the one thing I wanted/needed in life. I anxiously asked to join in on the lessons and quickly decided to put their challenge of change to the test and be baptized. In fear I attended my first church meeting. I looked around and saw a few of my classmates in the pews around me. I laughed to myself thinking about their response to seeing me at church. Me! The troublemaker that always stood in class. I can see the headlines now... From Felon to Faithful! I sat alone as the pastor finished his message and the church building cleared out. Then came a tap on my shoulder. Little did I know the affect that Sheri Jenkins was about to have on my life. Sheri sat next to me and started to ask me questions. She wanted to get to know me. She was interested in my life. She was the perfect example of kindness and her genuine interest in my life started to tear down the walls I spent so much time building. She was there for me every week. She picked me up from church. Took me home. She knew when to talk, ask questions, and also when to just listen. She took a girl who only saw hurt and helped me see hope. I started to study both at school and church. I wanted to be like her. She was the mentor and motherly figure I never had but always wanted. She helped me dream of a better future and was by my side as I clicked send on my college application. Her influence affected my life forever as she helped me own my past and change my future. Sheri and I still talk weekly. I hope to be a "Sheri Jenkins" to someone else. I know there are many out there who don't have someone like this in their life. They continue down the road that Sheri saved me from. My outreach to kids who have experienced trauma has been a part of life and is the main reason for my chosen field of study. Everyone deserves a second chance, and in my case, a first chance.