Wylie is the world’s happiest guy! He knows nothing but love. If someone needs a cuddle/hug/kiss he will deliver. He is a bright spot of pure joy.

I am pursuing a degree in the mental health field because I want to help kids with emotional challenges by becoming a school counselor. The main reason I am following this career path is that I was/am one of those kids who struggles with emotional challenges. I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. In March of 2020, I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt. To this day I am not sure what triggered me to get to that level of despair. One moment I was in English class doing a mindfulness exercise and the next thing I knew I felt the world cave in on me. Everything went dark and I experienced my first panic attack. That night not knowing what was happening to me I wrapped my computer cord around my neck. Going through this was extremely difficult because I felt that no one really understood what was happening to me. I didn't know what was happening to me. Yes, I spoke with school staff, teachers, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, county mental health workers, sheriffs, and my family, but I needed someone to let me know that I was going to be okay. Then for me, a miracle happened. The world shut down. I was able to begin to heal in the comfort of my home with my family (including my dog Wylie) around me. I needed time to reset and not feel the outside pressures of school and the social world. By having that quiet time with my family I was able to slowly heal. I also started sessions with my psychiatrist and therapist which helped me gain an understanding of who I was and what I wanted to become. Then I began volunteering with my county’s park and recreation center. I helped with the afterschool program in my neighborhood. I have always felt a connection to children. I enjoy mentoring and playing sports with the children at the center. Working and helping the children was very healing. I completed all of my high school volunteer hours, and then in August of 2020, I was offered a job at the center to work with kids of essential workers. I still work at the center and that was when I decided that I would like to pursue a degree in counseling or social work. Helping others has always been important to me because my mother is a teacher. She has been a special education teacher for the last twenty years. The dedication and drive that she has for her profession, and the compassion she has for kids have been inspirational for me. I hope that one day I can make the connections with kids and help shape their futures just like my mother has. I have already been accepted to nine universities, but I would like to attend Oregon State as a Human Service & Family Science major. This scholarship would help me cover the tuition price for attending an out-of-state college. With your support, I hope to achieve my goal and become that supportive adult to kids who go through the same mental health struggles as myself. Mental health is so important for our youth especially now during these turbulent times.

I want to help kids with emotional challenges because I was/am one of those kids. I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. Going through this was extremely difficult because I felt that no one really understood what was happening to me. Yes, I spoke with school counselors, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, county mental health workers, sheriffs, and my family, but no one was really able to relate to my situation. Then I began volunteering with my county’s park and recreation center. I helped with the afterschool program in my neighborhood. I have always felt a connection to children. I enjoy mentoring and playing sports with the children at the center. Working and helping the children was very healing. I completed all of my high school volunteer hours and then in August of 2020 I was offered a job at the center to work with kids of essential workers. I still work at the center and have decided that I would like to pursue a degree in counseling or social work. I have already been accepted to four Universities, but I would like to attend Oregon State as a Human Service & Family Science major. My goal is to be that supportive adult to kids who go through the same mental health struggles as myself.

I am pursuing a degree in education because I want to help kids with emotional challenges by becoming a school counselor. The main reason I am following this career path is that I was/am one of those kids who struggles with emotional challenges. I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. Going through this was extremely difficult because I felt that no one really understood what was happening with me. Yes, I spoke with school counselors, teachers, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, county mental health workers, sheirffs, and my family, but no one was really able to relate to my situation. Then I began volunteering with my county’s park and recreation center. I helped with the afterschool program in my neighborhood. I have always felt a connection to children. I enjoy mentoring and playing sports with the children at the center. Working and helping the children was very healing. I completed all of my high school volunteer hours and then in August of 2020 I was offered a job at the center to work with children of essential workers. I still work at the center and have decided that I would like to pursue a degree in counseling or social work. Education has always been important to me because my mother is a teacher. She has been a special education teacher for the last twenty years. The dedication and drive that she has for her profession, and the compassion she has for kids have been inspirational for me. I hope that one day I can make the connections with kids and help shape their futures just like my mother has. I have already been accepted to five universities, but I would like to attend Oregon State as a Human Service & Family Science major. This scholarship would help me cover the tuition price for attending an out-of-state college. With your support, I hope to achieve my goal and become that supportive adult to kids who go through the same mental health struggles as myself. Mental health is so important for our youth especially now during these turbulent times.

I want to help kids with emotional challenges because I was/am one of those kids. I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. Going through this was extremely difficult because I felt that no one really understood what was happening with me. Yes, I spoke with school counselors, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, county mental health workers, sheirffs, and my family, but no one was really able to relate to my situation. Then I began volunteering with my county’s park and recreation center. I helped with the afterschool program in my neighborhood. I have always felt a connection to children. I enjoy mentoring and playing sports with the children at the center. Working and helping the children was very healing. I completed all of my high school volunteer hours and then in August of 2020 I was offered a job at the center to work with kids of essential workers. I still work at the center and have decided that I would like to pursue a degree in counseling or social work. I have already been accepted to four Universities, but I would like to attend Oregon State as a Human Service & Family Science major. My goal is to be that supportive adult to kids who go through the same mental health struggles.