Before I was born, the nurses gave me a funny nickname, Peanut. It stemmed from the fact that I stayed as small as a peanut the whole time I was in my mother’s womb. I was born 4 weeks early, screaming and without a left hand. The doctors diagnosed me with amniotic band syndrome; meaning at some point during growth, a fibrous band wrapped around my left hand inhabiting it from developing below the wrist. Early on in life, I hardly noticed that I was different. I pushed myself to learn to do anything a kid with two hands can do in my own special way. I learned to tie my shoe, to button my shirts, and even to ride a bike! However, as I and the kids around me hit puberty, the idea of looks and beauty came to the forefront. I remember Halloween of 2016. I was dressed as Batman, my favorite character at the time. I remember being so excited to go to my first Halloween party, but then I looked in the mirror. I saw a girl with the potential to be beautiful, but that beauty was stunted by her obvious image of inadequacy. My left hand: a nub, a hippo hand, a t-rex arm. How could I achieve anything: beauty, success, fame; with a hand that made me look like I was pulled right out of a horror movie. I spent my first Halloween party feeling depressed and insecure. It wasn’t until almost 4 years later, going into my freshmen year in 2019, that I realized how trivial outer beauty was. It’s no longer the 1800’s! A women’s achievement of success, and overall self-worth, no longer revolved around being beautiful. I could create whatever image of myself I desired, and I desired to be intelligent. I challenged myself to join a dual enrollment program. At this school, I completed all required high school courses in two years, using the other two to take college classes allowing me to graduate with not only an honors high school diploma, but with a college associate's degree. I adapted good note-taking skills, completed my homework every night, and started studying for tests 2 days in advance. I became active in clubs such as Mock Trial and Student News. There, I got to harness my skills in acting, as well as learning group synergy. I also was invited to academic clubs such as Beta and the National Honors Society, where I served as a school correspondent. Even though the lingering effects of a dwindled self-confidence hung over me, I flourished. As I go about starting the process of planning my college journey, I have gained the self-confidence needed to push me through life’s struggles. My left arm limb difference no longer defines me. I recognize that I am beautiful with or without a hand. I also know that my outer beauty is not what defines me. My loyalty, caring, and intelligence is what has shaped me, and allowed me to achieve all my goals. The Only aspect holding me down is finances. Being awarded this scholarship will allow me the financial freedom to continue my education. I know now that if I continue to work hard, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. The most memorable words of encouragement I have ever received were written in a letter given to me by a dear friend on my 17th birthday, “Kelsey; I truly believe you have the potential to change the world”.