Coming from a single-parent and low-income household makes you very resilient. I was and am exposed to many more hardships and challenges than in a two-parent and medium (or high) income household. I've had to learn how to adapt to my situations and be resourceful with what I have so I can be as successful as possible. It forces you to ask for help, have empathy, and be creative to get by, but it also limits you. I think the challenges I've faced highlight the disparities and inequalities between socioeconomic classes. You learn to focus on macro-level issues, which makes micro-level issues easier to roll off your back. However, that is not to say those smaller issues aren't as important because they can build into bigger issues. I plan to use my life experience to connect with others in similar situations to provide them with resources. Those in a low-income household may not have access to a community or know what kind of help they can receive. They also might not have the privilege to use their voice to fight for better welfare or to improve systematic problems. Currently, I work at a nonprofit with elders and volunteer at a summer camp for children experiencing loss. I can use my voice to protest against the cuts to federal social welfare and continue to pursue a career in social work, education, or counseling so I can use my experience to empathize with and support others, highlight issues, and educate those on cultural competence. I can use my experience to relate to others and help them through their issues, like at the camp when helping children process their grief.

If I'm not taking care of myself mentally or if my mental health is being negatively impacted, other areas of my life will suffer. For example, when I was younger, I had severe asthma. If I didn't actively take my inhalers or know the signs of an asthma attack, I could get pneumonia or worse. I was out of school a lot as a child, which affected my mental health because of all the schoolwork I had to make up, and I missed hanging out with friends or events at school. I had to strengthen my lungs while also doing preventative care and eventually, my asthma wasn't so severe, which also improved my health overall. The same applies to mental health. If I don't do any preventative care or maintain or improve my mental health, my physical health can suffer. Although the two don't have to be mutually exclusive, they are certainly connected on many occasions. Mental health doesn't just affect physical health too. If I'm not emotionally available or present, it can affect my work, relationships, academics, and entire well-being. The mental state I'm in can affect so many aspects of life which could further damage, maintain, or improve my mental health. Although it's more invisible than physical health, it's just as important because of the positive and negative consequences. A healthier mind fosters a person who wants to improve or maintain healthy goals and relationships. For example, if I was a therapist with a client and my mental health was negatively impacted, I might not be present with my client. I could harm the therapeutic relationship or have my feelings, unresolved issues, or trauma negatively affect how I treat and interact with the client. I may not give them the support they need because I wouldn't be in the right headspace to listen attentively and provide valuable exploration, insight, or action skills. The most frequent way I maintain my mental wellness is by journaling. Although handwriting is probably more beneficial, I use an app on my phone because it's more convenient. It's the perfect way to write my thoughts and emotions down coherently. I'll also note positive things about my day or include photos since negative emotions and memories can be more prominent than positive ones. I try to include positive affirmations in my daily life since they can trick the brain into believing it and improve mental wellness. Walking my dog outside is another simple way since it exposes me to the elements, most importantly the sun. Sometimes if I'm stressed, I try to focus on my breathing or the senses to regulate myself. I have a planner and write out tasks, work, and chores a week or so in advance so I can take things one day at a time and not get too overwhelmed. If something goes wrong in a relationship, I feel the feelings, write them down, and approach the other person a few days later instead of letting things sit and simmer (most of the time). Lastly, I was briefly in therapy last year, and plan to start again later this semester to work through the tougher things I've experienced, maladaptive behaviors, and figure out better-coping skills so I can become a healthier person.

Financial literacy or stability, therapy, and courage are the commitments I promise my future self. A scholarship of this amount would greatly benefit me. It would provide me with some financial stability because I could pay a past-due balance preventing me from registering for classes next semester. It would also allow me to graduate on time as I have to take a winter course. The rest would go towards textbooks, other educational supplies, or reducing student loans. It could also allow me to build up my savings since I have been unable to due to my financial situation. It would be an emergency or a retirement fund, especially if I open a high-yield savings account. A savings account could also pay for summer classes or ease some of my financial responsibilities when seeking my Master's. I am studying psychology and mental health, pursuing a career in counseling or therapy. A therapist's role is to be self-aware and support their client. One of the ways I can do that is by becoming a client myself. How can I properly support my client if I have never experienced therapy myself? Therapy will provide me with the client's point of view and increase my self-awareness and self-growth so I can be a better therapist, friend, partner, and person. This scholarship would give me the time and space to visit a therapist. I wouldn't have to devote all of my free time to studying and work, but instead dedicate a timeslot to therapy. Lastly, I promise my future self courage. I want the courage to step outside my comfort zone, take risks, and explore new opportunities. I have always been a wallflower, and college is the perfect time to break out of my shell. This scholarship will again grant me more time and opportunities to build this courage because I won't solely focus on working as many hours as possible between classes and studying. Unfortunately, time is money, and both are something I lack. Although my insufficient time was the perfect excuse for not being able to have courage, with more time, I will have no excuse for avoiding things that scare me. I wouldn't have to give up opportunities that may support or enlighten me. This scholarship will let me plan and think about my future by relieving some of the financial burden I face due to unprecedented hardships. I would be able to start some beneficial financial habits that would support my educational journey. I could remove this mindset that I cannot afford to waste time attending professional or recreational events because I could be working instead. Removing that mindset also applies to therapy as I would have the time or feel more comfortable devoting time to my mental health and well-being. This scholarship will allow me to graduate on time and further my education.

If you're an anime or Japanese media fan, then you have probably heard of Hayao Miyazaki, the Director of Studio Ghibli. Many of his films are favorites of mine, and there are a few that I could watch over and over again. However, for this essay, I chose Spirited Away. I watched it for the first time with my late grandmother, who introduced me to Ghibli films. Studio Ghibli was something we shared, so rewatching Spirited Away specifically reminds me of the time with my grandmother. Aside from sentimental reasons, Spirited Away has a very relatable message. The movie is about change, fear, anxiety, and the shift from childhood to adulthood, which Chihiro deals with when having to rescue her parents. In the beginning, we see Chihiro traveling with her parents to a new house, representing the change she's facing. She has to go to a new school, make new friends, and start over again. Throughout the film, the audience watches her face challenges, confront her fears, and build courage, confidence, and maturity that she didn't originally have in the form of working in a spirit bathhouse. You end up rooting for Chihiro and grow to love all the unique characters inspired by Japanese culture, which is another aspect of the film I love. I enjoy how Miyazaki can take a theme that's frequently used but make it special and different by creating this supernatural world and unconventional setting for Chihiro to "grow up" and face her fears. The last aspect of Ghibli films I love is the art. Ghibli is known for its stunning, often handpainted backgrounds. Each time I watch the film, the scene with the house on the island when Chihiro is taking the train and the deserted town brimming to life when night falls always blows me away with how beautiful they are.

My favorite K-pop group is ATEEZ! I have been a fan of them since around the beginning of their debut in 2018. They came from a tiny company and had to rely on their dreams and talent to become globally known. I watched them start with nothing to become the powerhouse they are today. They have twenty-four music show awards. Many of their albums topped the Billboard 200, Circle Album Chart, and Billboard Top Albums Sales chart. They were the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella, the second K-pop group to perform in Saudi Arabia, and the first K-pop group to perform at Mawazine in Morocco. They have achieved so much that they are known as the "Global Performance Idols" and "4th Generation Leaders," even though they have competed against huge companies like JYP Entertainment, HYBE labels, and SM Entertainment. Although they didn't pave the way like BTS and older generation groups did, Ateez (among others) proves their music is unique and worth listening to. East Asian culture, interests, and trends weren't popular around 2015-2016. It was something people made fun of you for, whether it was your food, watching anime, or listening to K-pop. Now, K-pop is well-recognized, especially in the Western world. Fans watch their K-pop idols perform on stage or through YouTube and fall in love. Through fan's exposure to K-pop idols, they learn more about the culture and open their minds to new foods, fashion trends, and experiences. K-pop's popularity has also influenced Western artists, fashion, food, and more. K-pop has even opened the door for other Asian idols and Asian pop, with K-pop groups having one or two Chinese or Japanese members. Groups like Ateez have collaborated with Japanese groups, bringing more recognition to J-pop, which is notably significant as Japan is very restrictive about sharing its music with the world. Ateez has proved that K-pop is a beautiful genre of music that takes years of dedication and hard work. They have shown me that success doesn't come effortlessly, but instead, with passion, friends, and support, you can achieve your goals. They have also shown me that destiny and soulmates exist. When all eight members auditioned at KQ Entertainment, fate intertwined them without them realizing it. When Seonghwa was practicing to audition for K-pop companies, his director told him about a trainee who joined KQ Entertainment and trained harder than anyone else. That trainee was Hongjoong, the first to join KQ Entertainment, and was Seonghwa's motivation before they met. Mingi and Yunho had known each other since high school, and both got accepted. Wooyoung and Yeosang were trainees at Big Hit, but Yeosang left, only for Wooyoung to follow him because he wanted them to debut (or fail) together. Lastly, Jongho and Wooyoung were at the same Block B concert without knowing they would become a team. The love and unbreakable bond that Ateez has for each other shows how the people in your life can truly become your family. Not everyone is in a field that they genuinely enjoy with people they care about, so watching Ateez be so authentic and complete with each other is something to admire and aspire to want for yourself. Ateez shows their fans and onlookers to lead with kindness, humility, acceptance, devotion, and authenticity, while also spreading Korean culture and values.

My favorite aspect of the game is the community. Minecraft is a game with endless opportunities where anything is possible, and the community exceeds those expectations. I have watched community members create builds that took them thousands of hours, whether replicating real-life attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or replicating fictional pieces of work such as the Shiganshina from Attack on Titan. I have followed Minecraft YouTubers who have created thrilling stories and music parodies using Minecraft animations or the actual game as their medium. Lastly, Minecraft's community is constantly improving the game and taking it steps further with mods. Mods build upon vanilla Minecraft while giving players unique mobs, biomes, blocks, weapons, and more to keep them playing. It allows players to be more creative and imaginative, which is one of the main goals Minecraft sets to accomplish. This aspect resonates with me because, without an active fanbase, a game can fade away from existence. Although Minecraft consistently updates, their community brings attention to the fifteen-year-old game. Since Minecraft has a huge following, it allows them to hold events like the MC Championship, have mob votes, collaborate with companies like Pringles, Burberry, and AAPE, and collaborate with celebrities like Jack Black and The Rock. Minecraft's long-lasting career and massive success are due to its loving community, which keeps the game popular and relevant.

My experiences with mental health influenced me to pursue the Psychology field. From a young age, I saw how my friend's were affected by mental health and how they were unable to improve it due to lack of knowledge or resources. I have dealt with trauma that has affected my mental health such as my parent's ongoing divorce. It has affected and disrupted my home, social, college, and work life due to the severity and longevity of it all. Although seeking help may not solve all my problems due to the divorce, I have access to it and healthier coping mechanisms. However, when marginalized communities have less access to resources, they're less likely to know about the importance of mental health and mental illness. It also makes them more prevalent to mental health issues as they have less access to coping strategies. The first step to making a positive impact within marginalized communities is education and awareness. It could be hosting interactive lessons or courses at the local library, donating books on mental health, or holding classes on meditation and breathing techniques. If I'm able to provide communities with healthier, better coping techniques, it can help their mental health or prevent a mental health crisis. However, external factors have a huge impact on mental health, like poverty, food deserts, and more. If I want the mental health within a marginalized community to improve, those factors must be faced. For example, creating a community garden would not only bring the community together, but also bring in healthier food options which can improve mental health. If those communities don't have to worry about taking 3 buses to reach a grocery store to buy fresh produce, it may ease some of their anxiety. In some marginalized communities, they may believe mental health isn't important or "not real," so the best way to make a positive impact is to change their mentality. By letting them know that mental health is real and important, it validates people with mental health issues in that community, helps them understand themselves more. The hope is that it allows them to pursue further education on the topic so they can learn the best ways to deal with any mental health issues that arise in the future. It may not be a big step to make a positive impact, but it's an important first step as marginalized communities are more susceptible to mental health issues.