I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University because I want to become a middle or high school Earth Science teacher. Science gives students a way to make sense of the world around them, from the weather they experience to the landscapes they see every day. My goal is to build a classroom where students feel curious enough to ask questions and confident enough to investigate the answers. I know that confidence matters, especially for young women who may receive the message that science is not for them. As a future teacher, I want girls in my classroom to see themselves as scientists. That means giving them opportunities to work with evidence, share their ideas, make mistakes, and try again. I want them to know that they belong in conversations about science and that their perspectives matter. My education is preparing me to teach that way. Alongside my Earth Science coursework, I have completed a minor in Family Science, which has helped me think more carefully about the different experiences students bring to school. Through classroom volunteer work and my education courses, I have learned that effective teaching involves more than explaining a concept clearly. It also means noticing when a student needs support, finding another way to help them understand, and creating opportunities for every student to participate. I have kept working toward this degree while balancing school, employment, and unexpected financial challenges. This year, major dental expenses and a car repair added pressure to an already tight budget. Those setbacks have been stressful, but they have also strengthened my determination to finish my degree. I continue to work and study because I can picture the students I hope to teach and the kind of classroom I want to create for them. A $1,000 scholarship would help me pay for educational expenses and ease some of the financial pressure I am carrying. It would give me more room to focus on my coursework, classroom preparation, and the experiences that will make me a stronger teacher. That support would have an impact beyond this semester. Every step I take toward earning my degree brings me closer to working with students who need someone to encourage their curiosity and take their ideas seriously. My academic goal is to graduate prepared to teach Earth and Space Science in a way that is welcoming, challenging, and connected to students’ lives. I want my students to learn how to read evidence, think critically about information, and understand that they are capable of doing science. If I can help even one student who doubts herself begin to see a future in science, that will be part of the lasting impact of this scholarship.

My parents divorced when I was 14 years old, at an age when I was still figuring out who I was. My mom moved out, and my dad gained full custody of my younger siblings and me. He worked two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. I could see how hard he was trying to take care of us, but I also felt the absence of my mom during moments when I needed her. When I got my first period at 15, I had to tell my dad. I was embarrassed, and I felt sad that my mom wasn’t there to guide me through something that felt like such an important part of growing up. My dad did his best, and I’m grateful for him. Still, that moment showed me how much my life had changed. I was trying to navigate my teenage years while our family was learning how to live in a new way. During that time, school became one of the most consistent places in my life. When things at home felt uncertain, I knew what to expect when I walked into my classrooms. Some of my teachers did more than teach their subjects. They cared about me as a person and created a space where I felt safe. I did not always have the words to explain what I was going through, but having adults who noticed me and believed in me made a difference. Their kindness helped me understand that a teacher’s influence can reach far beyond a lesson. Growing up in a single-parent household also gave me a deeper appreciation for my dad. I saw how much effort it took for him to work two jobs and care for three children. His determination taught me to keep going when life does not turn out the way I expected. At the same time, my experience taught me that people often carry struggles others cannot see. I want to remember that when I work with students. I am now studying to become an Earth Science teacher. I love the idea of helping students ask questions about the world, investigate what they observe, and realize that they are capable of understanding science. I also want my classroom to be a place where students feel they belong. Some of them may be facing family changes, financial stress, or other challenges that they are not ready to talk about. I hope I can offer the patience, consistency, and encouragement that my teachers offered me. My teachers could not change what was happening at home, but they helped make school a place where I felt supported. In the future, I want to use my love of science and my own experiences to do the same for my students. If they leave my classroom feeling more curious about the world and more confident in themselves, I will know I have made a difference.

1.) My name is Kristin and I'm working on my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University after completing my minor in Family Science. My goal is to become a middle school or high school Earth Science teacher. Our planet has always fascinated me. I've always wondered things like, "Why is the sky blue?". I want to share my curiosity with my future students. Throughout college, I've spent countless hours volunteering and observing local classrooms. Doing this has made me realize that teaching is meant for me. I want my students to understand that science isn't all about memorizing fancy vocabulary words or fun facts for a test. To me, science is is about asking questions, solving problems, analyzing evidence, and truly understanding why our planet works the way it does. If I could do anything with my life, I want to build a classroom where each student feels safe, validated, and comfortable being curious. I think a lot of people think scientists look like Albert Einstein, with the white hair and a lab coat. I want to teach my students that anyone can be a scientist, you don't have to look like Albert Einstein or Bill Nye to participate in science. My motivation comes from my understanding that a teacher's influence can shape someone's life beyond the classroom. I want my students to be able to leave my classroom knowing it's okay to be curious and interested in the world around them, that doesn't make you a "nerd". I want them to leave my classroom feeling more confident in themselves and their abilities. 2.) What excites me the most about STEM is that there's always questions to ask and answers to find. My favorite thing about my content is the unknown. I love it when my professors say, "This is a process or system the Earth has but we're not sure of the exact reason why this happens." Studying Earth Science is multidisciplinary, I've explored our planet through geology, chemistry, physics, meteorology and math. I've used physics and math to measure geological structures such as fault lines or crater impacts, I've used chemistry to understand Earth Materials and minerology. I've used mapping technology such as GIS to map fault lines, mountains, and craters. Each of these disciplines are not separate and isolated from one another, they can work together to help find answers to real questions. Tech is becoming more important to finding answers. Earth scientists rely on technology to collect and analyze data from things like volcano eruptions, earth quakes, weather climate, oceans, and changes on Earth's surface. As someone who is gong to be a teacher someday, I see information technology as a way to make this type of data and information more accessible to students. I may not be pursing a traditional career in IT or tech, but technology has played an important role in my STEM career so far, I think it will continue doing so. I want my students to work with real digital mapping models, simulations, and data like I have during my time as a student. I think textbooks are valuable but having hands on experiences with the technology that geologists use in their jobs, is priceless. I also would like to teach my students that not all information is good or reliable information, I would like to teach them digital literacy. It's important to recognize credible scientific resources, instead of a click bait, fear mongering headline from an influencer. I know I can make an optimistic impact by helping the next generation of scientific and technologically literate students. Some of my students may go on to have careers as engineers, programmers, researchers, professors or teachers themselves, and perhaps as a geologist. Even if my students don't want a career in Earth Science or in the sciences at all, I want to give them the confidence and skills to believe that they can accomplish hard things. 3.) The greatest challenge I’ve faced hasn’t been one single moment. It has been learning how to keep moving forward when several difficult experiences happened within a relatively short time span in my personal life. On September 10, 2025, I was present during the tragic event involving Charlie Kirk on my college campus. Not to be too graphic, I ran off of campus that day, fearing for my life as I thought a mass casualty event was about to occur at my school. Returning to campus afterward was difficult. I still had classes to attend, assignments to complete, and a degree I wanted to finish. Presently, I sometimes struggle with the memory of this day. I have to walk past where the tragedy occurred, where I ran - fearing for my life - on a daily basis. In January, I unexpectedly lost my grandmother, who was like a second mom to me and one of my biggest supporters. In May, I lost my uncle to health complications. He had spent his career as an elementary school teacher, and hearing his former students speak at his funeral about the impact he had on their lives reminded me why I want to become a teacher. During this time, my husband and I faced significant financial challenges. Between major dental expenses, unexpected car repairs, owing taxes, tuition, and reduced work hours while I attend classes, there's been many moments where I wonder if college is worth all this headache. These experiences have taught me what resilience means. To me, being strong doesn’t mean that hard things don’t influence you. It means choosing to keep going even when life feels overwhelming. I can’t change what has happened in my past, and I don’t think moving forward means forgetting these difficult moments. For me, resilience means continuing to show up, work toward my degree, and not giving up on the future I’ve worked so hard for. So, why give up now? As the resilient scientist I am, I'm going to stay curious and keep finding answers to questions.

**Selected Passage (Samuel Butler Translation, The Iliad, Book II)** “All who have not since perished must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before, how the ships of the Achaeans were detained in Aulis when we were on our way hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans. We were ranged round about a fountain offering hecatombs to the gods upon their holy altars, and there was a fine plane-tree from beneath which there welled a stream of pure water. Then we saw a prodigy; for Jove sent a fearful serpent out of the ground, with blood-red stains upon its back, and it darted from under the altar on to the plane-tree. Now there was a brood of young sparrows, quite small, upon the topmost bough, peeping out from under the leaves, eight in all, and their mother that hatched them made nine. The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming. Then, when he had eaten both the sparrow and her young, the god who had sent him made him become a sign; for the son of scheming Saturn turned him into stone, and we stood there wondering at that which had come to pass. Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven. ‘Why, Achaeans,’ said he, ‘are you thus speechless? Jove has sent us this sign, long in coming, and long ere it be fulfilled, though its fame shall last for ever. As the serpent ate the eight fledglings and the sparrow that hatched them, which makes nine, so shall we fight nine years at Troy, but in the tenth shall take the town.’ This was what he said, and now it is all coming true. Stay here, therefore, all of you, till we take the city of Priam.” Although the omen in Book II of The Iliad appears to function simply as a prophecy foretelling the length of the Trojan War, Homer uses the image of the serpent and the sparrows to argue that every great victory demands forgotten sacrifices. Through the destruction of an innocent family, the permanence of the stone serpent, and the carefully ordered symbolism of the prophecy, Homer reminds readers that history often celebrates triumph while overlooking the quiet suffering that makes that triumph possible. The first striking feature of the passage is Homer's unexpected tenderness toward the sparrows. Rather than describing them as ordinary birds, he calls them "poor cheeping things." This small detail immediately shifts the reader's attention away from the military purpose of the omen and toward the suffering of innocent creatures. The sparrows have no ability to defend themselves against the serpent. They are young, vulnerable, and entirely unaware of the danger approaching them. Homer could have chosen any animal to symbolize the nine years before Troy's fall, but he deliberately chooses helpless birds nesting in a tree. This choice encourages readers to see the prophecy not only as a prediction of victory but also as a reminder that war inevitably reaches those least able to protect themselves. The inclusion of the mother sparrow deepens this idea. She is not simply another victim added to complete the number nine. Homer pauses to describe her "lamenting her little ones" before she is seized herself. Her cries transform the scene from an act of violence into an expression of grief. The reader witnesses not only death but also the emotional cost of loss. This detail mirrors one of the central themes of The Iliad: war affects far more than the soldiers who fight it. Behind every fallen warrior stands a parent, spouse, or child whose suffering often remains invisible in stories that celebrate military success. By including the mother's desperate attempt to save her offspring, Homer quietly reminds readers that every casualty creates ripples of grief extending far beyond the battlefield. The serpent itself is equally significant. At first glance, modern readers may instinctively interpret it as a symbol of evil. Homer, however, complicates that assumption by explaining that Zeus himself sends the serpent. The violence is not random or chaotic; it unfolds within a divine plan. This creates an uncomfortable tension. The gods' purposes are fulfilled through destruction, forcing both the characters and the reader to confront the unsettling reality that justice and suffering are not always easily separated. Homer does not present the prophecy as a celebration of violence. Instead, he invites readers to wrestle with the idea that history's greatest achievements often emerge through painful sacrifices that those living through them cannot fully understand. Perhaps the most intriguing image in the passage comes after the serpent completes its task. Zeus transforms it into stone. On a literal level, this marks the event as a divine sign. Symbolically, however, the transformation suggests permanence. Stone does not decay or forget. The serpent becomes a monument to what has happened, just as the Trojan War itself will become fixed in memory long after those who fought it have died. The transformation also reflects the way history preserves outcomes while obscuring individual suffering. Future generations will remember that Troy fell after ten years, but few will remember the countless personal tragedies that occurred along the way. Like the serpent frozen in stone, history often immortalizes events while leaving the victims behind. Even the numbers within the prophecy reinforce this message. Eight fledglings and one mother become nine victims, corresponding to the nine years of conflict before the tenth year brings victory. The numerical precision demonstrates that the prophecy follows an order invisible to ordinary observers. Without Calchas's interpretation, the Greeks would simply witness a horrifying natural event. Meaning does not exist on the surface; it must be discovered through careful reflection. Homer therefore models the very act of close reading. Just as Calchas interprets the omen beneath its outward appearance, readers are invited to search beneath the literal events of the epic for deeper truths about humanity, suffering, and memory. The final sentence of the passage is perhaps its most revealing. After recounting the destruction of the sparrow family and explaining its significance, the speaker simply concludes, "Stay here... till we take the city of Priam." The conversation immediately returns to military objectives. The birds disappear from the narrative almost as quickly as they appeared. This abrupt transition reflects the way history itself often functions. Great victories become the focus of memory, while the individual lives lost along the way fade into the background. Homer subtly challenges readers to resist that tendency by paying attention to the details that others overlook. The sparrow prophecy ultimately reveals that The Iliad is not merely a poem about war or heroism. It is also a meditation on what history chooses to remember. By focusing on the suffering of a small family of birds before announcing the eventual triumph at Troy, Homer suggests that every celebrated victory carries hidden costs. Those costs deserve remembrance just as much as the victories themselves. The prophecy reminds readers that true wisdom comes not from celebrating conquest alone but from recognizing the sacrifices that make history possible.

When I think about what I want to build, I don't picture a building or a business. I picture a classroom. I want to build a place where students feel safe asking questions, where curiosity is encouraged, and where science becomes something they experience instead of a list of facts to memorize. I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education because I believe education has the power to change lives. Earth science helps us understand the world we live in, from earthquakes and volcanoes to weather, climate, and the resources we depend on every day. My goal is to help students see those connections and realize that science isn't just found in a textbook, it surrounds all of us. Building that kind of classroom means creating an environment where every student feels like they belong. I want my future students to know that making mistakes is part of learning and that their ideas matter. Through hands-on activities, outdoor investigations, and real-world problem solving, I hope to help students develop confidence alongside scientific knowledge. I don't just want them to remember facts long enough to pass a test. I want them to leave my classroom believing they are capable of learning difficult things and making meaningful contributions to our world, which we all share. My experiences have shown me how much teachers can influence the lives of their students. I've spent time volunteering in local classrooms, watching dedicated educators encourage students who struggled and celebrate every success, no matter how small. Those experiences confirmed that teaching isn't simply about delivering lessons—it's about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping young people discover strengths they didn't know they had. Earning my degree is the foundation that will allow me to build this future. The impact won't stop with one classroom. My students will become future voters, parents, scientists, engineers, healthcare workers, and community leaders. If I can help even a few students develop curiosity, resilience, and confidence, they'll carry those qualities into our community and pass them on to others. The future I want to build begins with education. By building a classroom that is rooted in curiosity, kindness, and opportunity, I hope to inspire the next generation to care for one another, think critically about the world around them, and believe that they have the ability to make a difference.

Growing up, I never thought of math as just another subject in school. To me, it's always been a tool for understanding how the world works. As an Earth Science Education major at Utah Valley University, I've realized that math is woven into almost every class I've taken, and it's helped me appreciate just how important it really is. In my geology courses, I've used math to measure fault lines and calculate dip, strike, and slip to better understand how Earth's crust moves and changes over time. Those calculations aren't just numbers on a page—they help explain earthquakes, mountain building, and the history recorded in rocks. In chemistry, math has been essential for solving chemical equations, calculating concentrations, and understanding the reactions that shape our planet. Physics has challenged me to apply mathematical formulas to explain motion, forces, and energy, giving me a deeper understanding of the natural processes that influence our everyday lives. What I enjoy most about math is that every problem has a logical path forward. Even when the answer isn't obvious, math teaches patience, critical thinking, and perseverance. It encourages me to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps, which is a skill I've carried into every part of my education and daily life. As a future Earth Science teacher, I want my students to see math the same way I do—not as something to fear, but as a powerful tool for discovery. Whether they're calculating the speed of tectonic plates, interpreting climate data, or balancing chemical equations, I hope they'll recognize that math helps us answer questions about the world around us. For me, that's what makes math so rewarding. It gives us the ability to explore, explain, and better understand the incredible planet we call home.

Throughout college, I've looked for opportunities to serve in ways that make a lasting difference. The volunteer experience that has meant the most to me has been spending time in local classrooms, working directly with students and supporting teachers. While I wasn't there to earn a grade or fulfill a requirement, I chose to volunteer because I genuinely enjoy helping students learn and grow. Those experiences have strengthened my desire to become a middle or high school Earth Science teacher. In the classroom, I took on a leadership role by mentoring students who needed extra encouragement and support. Every student learns differently, so I tried to meet them where they were instead of expecting everyone to learn the same way. Sometimes that meant sitting with a student one-on-one to explain a concept differently, helping them stay focused during an activity, or simply encouraging them when they became frustrated. I learned that leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about being someone others can rely on and creating an environment where people feel supported. One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering was seeing students gain confidence. There were moments when a student who had been struggling finally understood a lesson or became excited to participate because someone took the time to help them. Those small victories reminded me that learning is about more than grades. It's about helping students believe in themselves and recognize that they are capable of succeeding. My volunteer experiences have also shown me the value of working alongside teachers. Watching experienced educators adapt lessons, encourage students, and build positive classroom communities taught me that effective leadership is rooted in service. The best leaders don't seek recognition for themselves—they focus on helping others succeed. That is the kind of teacher and leader I hope to become. I believe leadership through service is important because it creates a ripple effect. When we invest our time in helping others, we build stronger communities and encourage those around us to do the same. A single act of kindness or encouragement may seem small, but it can have a lasting impact on someone's confidence, education, or future. I've seen firsthand how taking the time to support one student can change their attitude toward learning for the rest of the day, and sometimes even longer. As I continue working toward my degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University, I hope to carry these lessons with me into my own classroom. My goal isn't simply to teach science. I want to mentor students, encourage their curiosity, and create a classroom where every student feels valued. For me, leadership has never been about a title—it's about serving others in ways that help them discover their own potential.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is the performance that has stayed with me the most. It wasn't just a concert, it felt like a celebration of growth, resilience, and embracing every chapter of life. Watching Taylor confidently perform songs from every era of her career reminded me that our past doesn't have to define us. Instead, every experience, whether joyful or difficult, becomes part of the person we're becoming. One of the reasons I connect so deeply with Taylor's music is because it has helped me find confidence in myself. Like many people, I've had moments where I questioned whether I was capable of reaching my goals. Between balancing college, work, financial challenges, and personal loss, there have been times when it would have been easier to give up. Taylor's music has always reminded me to keep moving forward, even when life feels uncertain. The songs about resilience are the ones I return to the most because they remind me that setbacks don't have to be the end of the story. The Eras Tour brought that message to life in a way that no recording ever could. Seeing someone stand on stage and celebrate every part of their journey. This is including the highs, the lows, and everything in between, I found to be incredibly inspiring. Instead of hiding from past versions of herself, Taylor embraced them. That mindset encouraged me to do the same. Every challenge I've faced has shaped who I am today, and those experiences have strengthened my determination to become the person I've always wanted to be. I'm currently working toward becoming a high school Earth Science teacher, and I hope to pass that same confidence on to my future students. I want them to know that learning isn't about being perfect. It's about growing, trying again after failure, and believing in yourself even when things are difficult. Those are lessons I've learned through my own experiences, but they're also lessons I've found reflected in Taylor's music. The Eras Tour reminded me that life isn't about pretending every chapter is perfect. It's about recognizing that every season has value and that growth comes from embracing each one. That's why it's my favorite Taylor Swift performance, and why it continues to inspire me long after the final song.

When I think about selflessness, I don't think about grand gestures or receiving recognition. I think about the people who quietly make life better for those around them by showing up, offering encouragement, and helping whenever they can. That's the kind of person I try to be. I believe selflessness is found in the little things we do every day that make someone else's life a little easier or brighter. I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University because I want to become a high school science teacher. For me, teaching is about much more than science. I want to create a classroom where students feel safe asking questions, making mistakes, and discovering what they're capable of. I hope to be the teacher who encourages students when they're struggling and reminds them that they can do hard things. Over the past year, I've experienced several losses that have changed the way I look at serving others. I unexpectedly lost my grandma, who was like a second mom to me, and a few months later, I lost my uncle. Both of them believed in me and encouraged me to pursue teaching. My uncle spent his career as an elementary school teacher, and hearing his former students speak at his funeral reminded me that the greatest impact we leave behind isn't measured by awards or accomplishments. It's measured by the lives we touch through kindness, patience, and encouragement. That perspective continues to motivate me every day. One experience that sticks with me happened during my field placement in a special education classroom. We took students to a gas station so they could practice real-life skills like budgeting, counting money, and making purchases independently. One student I worked with became frustrated while trying to count their money and calculate the total. Instead of taking over, I slowed everything down and worked through it with them step by step. By the end, they were able to complete the purchase on their own. Seeing their confidence grow reminded me that sometimes the best way to help someone is simply by being patient and believing they can succeed. I also try to serve others through my job at Utah Valley University. Every day I interact with students, faculty, and visitors who need directions, have questions, or are dealing with frustrating situations. While those conversations may seem small, I've learned that treating people with patience, kindness, and respect can completely change someone's day. Those everyday interactions have taught me that helping others doesn't always require something extraordinary—it starts with choosing compassion. Pursuing my education hasn't always been easy. Between balancing work and school while dealing with unexpected financial challenges, including expensive medical bills and major car repairs, there have been moments when continuing my education felt overwhelming. Even so, I've kept moving forward because I know why I'm doing this. I want to make a difference in the lives of future students, just as so many people have made a difference in mine. To me, selflessness isn't about being perfect or having an incredible story to tell. It's about consistently choosing to care for others, even in ordinary moments. I hope that through my career as a teacher, I can continue the legacy of kindness and service that my family inspired in me by helping students believe in themselves and discover their own potential.

My name is Kristin, and I'm currently studying Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. My goal is to become a high school science teacher because I've always believed that education is about more than teaching a subject. It's also about helping students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to reach their potential. Over the past year, my own struggles with mental health have reinforced that belief. Last September, I attended Charlie Kirk's event at UVU, expecting it to be an ordinary day. Instead, it became one of the most difficult experiences of my life. In the weeks and months afterward, I struggled with anxiety in ways I never had before. Going back to campus was hard, especially because I still walk past the place where the shooting took place every day on my way to class. Something that had always felt familiar suddenly felt different, and it took a long time before I started to feel comfortable again. As I was trying to work through that experience, life became even more difficult. My grandma unexpectedly passed away January, 2026. She was like a second mom to me and someone I could always count on. Not long after that, my uncle passed away from health complications in May, 2026. Losing two people who meant so much to me while I was still trying to process everything else felt overwhelming. There were days when keeping up with school, work, and everyday responsibilities felt nearly impossible. Those experiences affected more than just my mental health. They changed the way I see the people around me. I've learned that many people are carrying struggles that aren't obvious on the outside. Someone can smile, go to class, or show up to work while quietly dealing with anxiety, grief, or something else entirely. Because of that, I've become more patient, more compassionate, and more willing to check in on the people I care about. My experiences have also strengthened my goal of becoming a teacher. I know I can't solve every problem my future students will face, but I can create a classroom where they feel safe, respected, and comfortable asking for help. Sometimes having one adult who listens and believes in you can make a bigger difference than we realize. I want to be that person for my students. Mental illness and emotional struggles are still surrounded by stigma, and I think that's something we need to continue changing. My own experiences have shown me that struggling with your mental health doesn't make you weak, and asking for help isn't something to be ashamed of. It's part of being human. Although this past year has been one of the hardest of my life, it has also helped me grow. It has made me more resilient, more understanding of others, and even more determined to become the kind of teacher who helps students feel like they belong. Those are lessons I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

My goal is to become a high school Earth Science teacher. I've always enjoyed learning about the world around me, and I want to help students develop that same curiosity. I don't want my classroom to be a place where students only memorize information for a test. I want them to ask questions, explore, and understand how Earth science connects to their everyday lives. Right now, I'm working toward my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I still have education courses, geology classes, classroom observations, and student teaching to complete before I graduate. Every semester, I meet with my advisor to make sure I'm taking the right classes and staying on track. I keep a planner with assignment deadlines, exams, work shifts, and other important dates because staying organized helps me balance everything. One of the biggest parts of my plan is getting as much experience in classrooms as I can before I graduate. Through my education courses, I've already had opportunities to observe teachers and work with students who have different learning needs. Those experiences have taught me that being a good teacher is about much more than knowing the content. It's about being patient, building relationships, and helping students believe in themselves. I know I'll continue learning during student teaching, and I'm excited for the chance to have my own classroom someday. After I graduate, I'll complete my teaching license and begin applying for Earth Science teaching positions. If I can't find a full-time position right away, I'm willing to substitute teach or work in another education-related job while continuing to apply. My goal has always been to teach, and I'm willing to take different paths if that's what it takes to get there. Financially, earning my degree hasn't been easy. My husband and I have had unexpected medical bills, expensive car repairs, reduced work hours while I've been in school, and even a large tax bill. To help with expenses, I've donated plasma and applied for as many scholarships as I can. For this school year, I expect to spend about $7,000 on tuition and fees, around $800 on books and supplies, about $500 on transportation, and another $700 for things like classroom materials, licensing costs, and professional clothing. Every scholarship I receive helps take some of that financial pressure off and allows me to spend more time focusing on school instead of worrying about how we're going to pay the next bill. Joe Gilroy believed in having a plan and following through with it, and I really like that idea. My plan isn't complicated. It's to keep showing up, keep working hard, finish my degree, and become the kind of teacher who helps students feel supported and excited to learn. I know there will be challenges along the way, but every class I finish brings me one step closer to the career I've been working toward.

Growing up, I was always curious about how the world works. I loved learning about weather, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the natural processes that shape our planet. That curiosity eventually led me to pursue a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. While my love for science is what first inspired me to become a teacher, my experiences throughout college have shown me that education is really about people. Like many college students, my journey hasn't always been easy. Over the past year, I've faced unexpected challenges that tested both my determination and my resilience. Between balancing school and work, experiencing personal loss, and navigating financial hardships, there were times when earning my degree felt overwhelming. My husband and I have dealt with significant medical expenses, unexpected car repairs, and reduced work hours while I focused on completing my education. To help cover those costs, I even began donating plasma. Those experiences have taught me to appreciate every opportunity I've been given and have strengthened my commitment to finishing my degree. I chose education because I believe teachers have the ability to change lives in ways they may never fully realize. Every student walks into the classroom with a different story. Some are excited to learn, while others may be carrying challenges that no one else can see. I want to be the kind of teacher who helps students feel safe, supported, and capable of succeeding, no matter where they come from. As an Earth Science teacher, I hope to make science engaging and meaningful by connecting it to students' everyday lives. I want my classroom to be filled with hands-on activities, curiosity, and opportunities for students to ask questions and explore the world around them. More importantly, I want my students to leave my classroom believing in themselves. If they can develop confidence in their ability to solve problems and think critically, those skills will stay with them long after they've forgotten the details of a lesson. My goal isn't just to teach Earth science. It's to help shape kind, curious, and confident young adults who know they are capable of making a difference in their own communities. I believe education has the power to open doors, inspire future careers, and give students the confidence to pursue goals they may never have imagined for themselves. Robert F. Lawson dedicated his life to serving others, and while my path looks different, I hope to honor that same spirit of service through education. Every student I encourage, every lesson that sparks curiosity, and every classroom where students feel like they belong is an opportunity to make a positive impact. That's the kind of difference I hope to make throughout my career.

Growing up, I always enjoyed learning about the world around me. Whether it was learning about volcanoes, earthquakes, weather, or space, Earth science was the class that made me ask questions and want to learn more. As I got older, I realized it wasn't just the subject that made those experiences meaningful—it was the teachers who made learning exciting. They encouraged curiosity, answered my endless questions, and created classrooms where I felt comfortable learning. That's the kind of teacher I hope to become. I'm currently studying Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University because I believe science should be more than memorizing facts for a test. I want my future students to understand how science connects to their everyday lives and helps explain the world around them. My goal is to create lessons that are engaging, hands-on, and encourage students to think critically instead of simply looking for the right answer. More importantly, I want every student who walks into my classroom to know they belong there. Every student comes to school with different experiences, strengths, and challenges. Some students love science right away, while others may feel intimidated by it. I want to create a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and discovering that they are capable of learning difficult things. I believe some of the most meaningful learning happens when students feel safe enough to be curious. One person who reinforced my desire to become a teacher was my uncle. He spent his career teaching elementary school, and after he passed away this year, many of his former students spoke at his funeral. Listening to them share memories of how he encouraged them, believed in them, and made them feel valued was incredibly moving. It reminded me that teaching isn't just about helping students succeed academically. The way a teacher treats their students can stay with them long after they leave the classroom. That realization strengthened my commitment to becoming an educator. Over the past few years, I've also learned that students often carry struggles that aren't visible to others. Because of that, I want to be a teacher who leads with patience, kindness, and understanding. I hope my classroom is a place where students not only learn about Earth science but also feel supported as individuals. Teaching gives me the opportunity to combine two things I'm passionate about: science and helping others. I hope to inspire students to be curious about the planet they live on while showing them that their questions, ideas, and voices matter. If I can help even one student discover a love for science or believe in themselves a little more than they did before walking into my classroom, then I'll know I've chosen the right career.

Mental health has changed the way I see myself, the people around me, and the future I want to build. For a long time, I thought perseverance meant pushing through everything on my own. Over the past year, I've learned that real strength also means recognizing when you're struggling, giving yourself grace, and allowing others to support you. Last September, I attended Charlie Kirk's event at Utah Valley University. What began as a normal day quickly became one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. Even now, I walk past the place where the shooting took place every time I go to class. For months afterward, I struggled with anxiety and found myself constantly on edge in places that had once felt safe. It changed the way I viewed the world. I realized how quickly life can change and how invisible emotional struggles can be to everyone else. Just a few months later, my grandma unexpectedly passed away. She was like a second mom to me and one of the people who always believed in me. Then, in May, I lost my uncle to health complications. He had spent his career as an elementary school teacher, and hearing his former students speak at his funeral reminded me how much of an impact one person can have on the lives of others. Experiencing trauma and grief so close together made it difficult to focus on school, work, and even everyday life. There were times when I questioned whether I had the energy to keep moving forward. Those experiences also changed my relationships. I became more aware that everyone is carrying something you can't always see. Because of that, I've learned to be more patient, more compassionate, and more intentional about checking in on the people I care about. I've also learned that asking for help isn't a weakness. It's part of healing. My experiences with mental health have also strengthened my goals. I'm currently studying Earth Science Education because I want to become the kind of teacher who creates a classroom where students feel safe, respected, and supported. I know that many students come to school carrying burdens that no one else knows about. While I can't solve every problem they face, I can be someone who listens, encourages them, and helps create an environment where they know they matter. Although I wish this past year had looked different, it has shaped me into someone who values kindness, resilience, and genuine human connection. My mental health journey is still ongoing, but it has given me a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy and the impact a caring person can have. As I continue working toward becoming a teacher, I hope to use those lessons to help my future students feel seen, supported, and hopeful about their own futures.

Mental health has affected my life more than I ever expected. There have been times when I questioned myself, felt overwhelmed, and wondered how I was going to keep moving forward. Even though I kept going to school and working toward my degree, there were days when simply showing up felt like a huge accomplishment. Those experiences taught me that perseverance doesn't mean you never struggle. Sometimes it just means choosing to take the next step, even when it's hard. Last September, I attended Charlie Kirk's event at Utah Valley University, expecting it to be an ordinary day. Instead, it turned into one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. Even now, I still walk past the place where the shooting took place every time I go to class. For a long time afterward, I struggled with anxiety and found myself feeling uneasy in places that had always felt safe. Going back to campus wasn't easy, and it took time before I started to feel like myself again. That experience reminded me how quickly life can change and how deeply something like that can affect your mental health. Just a few months later, my grandma unexpectedly passed away. She was like a second mom to me and one of my biggest supporters. Then, in May, I lost my uncle to health complications. He spent his career as an elementary school teacher, and listening to his former students speak at his funeral reminded me how much of a difference one teacher can make in someone's life. Experiencing so much fear and loss in such a short amount of time was overwhelming. There were days when balancing school, work, and everything happening in my personal life felt almost impossible. Even through all of that, I didn't want to lose sight of the future I had been working toward. Some days, perseverance looked like finishing one assignment. Other days, it meant getting out of bed, going to class, and reminding myself why I started this journey in the first place. Those small steps may not seem significant, but they were what kept me moving forward. These experiences have shaped the kind of teacher I want to become. I'm studying Earth Science Education because I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe, supported, and accepted. I've learned that you never really know what someone else is going through. A little patience, kindness, and understanding can make a bigger difference than we sometimes realize, and I want my future students to know they have someone in their corner. Looking back, I wish those experiences had never happened, but they changed the way I see both myself and other people. They've taught me to appreciate the people I love, ask for help when I need it, and keep moving forward even when life feels heavy. My mental health journey is still ongoing, but it has made me more resilient, more compassionate, and even more determined to become the kind of teacher who helps students feel seen, supported, and hopeful for their own future.

I'll start this essay with a brief introduction of myself. My name is Kristin and I'm an Earth Science Education major at Utah Valley University. I recently completed my minor in Family Science. I've always believed that science has the power to spark curiosity and help students better understand the world around them, which is why I'm pursuing a career to be a high school Earth Science teacher. The past year has been one of the hardest years for me. I was attending the event surrounding Charlie Kirk on my campus. A few months later, I suddenly lost my grandma, who was like a second mom to me. Recently, in May, I lost my uncle to health complications. Each of these people encouraged me in different ways to become a teacher. My uncle, who recently passed away, spent his career as an elementary school teacher. Some of his previous students speak at his funeral and it was so touching to hear the positive impact he had on their lives. Listening to their experiences with my uncle made me realize that education isn't just about creating an opportunity for myself, it's also about fostering and helping create opportunities for others. I don't want this essay to be about the grief and death that has been circling my life, like the way a vulture circles a carcass. I don't want grief to define this essay because it doesn't define me. I am resilient. I still showed up to class despite being scared to return to class after the event took place on my campus. Bravery doesn't always look like someone suiting up for war. Sometimes it looks like a college student putting notebooks and a laptop into a backpack and walking past the same place each day, where tragedy happened, on the way to class. It looks like maintaining a solid GPA despite funeral planning for family members you adored. It can look like pursuing a male-dominated degree, while being one of the only females in class. Bravery isn't a one-size-fits-all, it takes on a multitude of forms. Throughout college I've challenged myself with rigorous Earth Science coursework while maintaining a qualifying GPA and balancing work. Beyond my academics, I've completed hours of classroom observations and teacher preparation experiences that have confirmed I'm on the right career path. Every opportunity to work with students reminds me why I chose education in the first place. I want to create a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and discovering that science is something they can enjoy and succeed in. I am not only a student, I'm an employee at a part-time job on campus. I am a wife who takes full responsibility of running a home. I wear many hats because it is key to my survival each day. I have to go to school to fulfill my career goals, I have to work because I have bills to pay, I have to manage a home, grocery shopping, cleaning, making sure the bills get paid, and make sure that dinner is made each evening. I need to be dependable because I have my family who depends on me. These responsibilities have shaped me into someone who follows through, adapts when life changes unexpectedly, and keeps moving forward even when things feel overwhelming. Despite me being a hard worker, I can only work so many hours to provide for my family and me, while balancing school. The past year has not only tested me with grief but it's tested me with financial hardships. I have had unexpected medical and dental expenses, two funeral expenses, car repairs, and owing taxes. I've had to donate plasma and pick up extra hours at work to make ends meet. These experiences have taught me that I cannot do everything on my own and it's okay to ask for help. That's part of the reason why I am writing this essay and continuously applying to other scholarships. I've only won one scholarship but I have submitted hundreds of applications. No obstacle has convinced me to give up yet, and I don't intend to start now. I will keep working until I earn this degree and become the teacher I know I'm meant to be. This scholarship would do more than simply help pay my tuition. It would give me the opportunity to feel more financially secure so I can spend less time worrying about expenses and more time preparing to become the best teacher I can be for my future students. Every dollar that is invested into my education is also an investment in the hundreds of student's I'll one day have the incredible privilege of teaching. This past year has taught me that life throws challenges at you and I doubt they'll cease. Despite all the challenges, I'll still show up for myself, my family, my friends, and anyone else who needs me. I've learned that resilience isn't about avoiding struggle; it's about working through it and growing because of it. I'm committed to earning my degree, no matter what happens because I want to build a classroom where every student feels seen, capable, and that they can make a difference in the world we share. I want to use my education to make a lasting difference in the lives of others, just like late my uncle did with his. I am so happy he left behind such a great example for me to follow. If I can leave even an ounce of the impact my uncle had on his students, then every challenge I've faced to get to this point will have been worth it.

I don't believe I deserve this scholarship because I'm more worthy than anyone else applying. There are countless students working just as hard toward their dreams. What gives me an advantage is my determination to keep pushing forward, even when life has made earning a degree difficult. I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University because I want to become a high school science teacher. I want to help students discover that science isn't just something in a textbook, it's all around us. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel welcomed, ask questions without fear, and leave with a different perspective and appreciation for the world we all share. Getting to this point hasn't been easy. Over the past year, my husband and I have faced unexpected financial challenges, including expensive medical bills (for both us and our cat), major car repairs, and a significant tax bill. Between those expenses and balancing work with a demanding course load from upper division classes. There have been times when continuing school felt overwhelming. I've taken on extra work hours, adjusted my schedule countless times, and even donated plasma to help cover expenses because earning my degree is something I'm not willing to give up on. I've also learned how quickly life can change. Experiencing a traumatic event on my college campus reminded me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. That experience strengthened my commitment to making the most of every opportunity I have, including my education. This scholarship would ease some of the financial pressure that comes with pursuing my degree and allow me to spend more time focusing on becoming the best teacher I can be. I want my future students to have someone who believes in them, encourages their curiosity, and helps them see that they are capable of more than they think. My advantage isn't that my path has been easier than anyone else's. It's that no matter what obstacles have come my way, I've continued to choose my education, my future, and the students I hope to teach someday. I know exactly why I'm working toward this degree, and I won't stop until I reach that goal.

The Girl Who Never Stopped Asking Why When people hear the words *Mad Genius*, they usually picture someone standing in a laboratory with crazy hair, goggles, and inventions exploding around them. I picture someone much quieter. She isn't the smartest person in the room. She doesn't always have the highest grades, and she definitely doesn't have all the answers. What she does have is an endless habit of asking one question: **Why?** Why do mountains form the way they do? Why do storms suddenly change direction? Why do people insist something can't be done before they've even tried? Growing up, people told her she asked too many questions. Teachers were trying to move on to the next lesson, classmates rolled their eyes, and sometimes she wondered if maybe she really was thinking too much. But she couldn't help it. Her brain wasn't interested in accepting things just because "that's the way it's always been." Every answer led to another question, and every question opened another door. As she got older, life became more complicated than science textbooks. Unexpected challenges showed up that no one could prepare for. There were moments that left her anxious, discouraged, and wondering whether she was capable of reaching the future she had imagined. She realized that solving problems wasn't always about equations or experiments. Sometimes the hardest problems were learning how to keep moving when life felt uncertain. Instead of giving up, she became creative. She learned to find different paths when the original one disappeared. If she couldn't solve a problem one way, she'd try another. If she failed, she'd figure out why. If she was scared, she'd keep going anyway. That became her greatest invention—not a machine or a groundbreaking discovery, but a mindset. Eventually she found herself studying Earth science because the planet felt like one giant mystery waiting to be understood. Every rock, volcano, earthquake, and weather pattern told a story. The more she learned, the more questions she had. Some people saw endless questions as a weakness. She saw them as fuel. Her dream became teaching high school science, not because she wanted students to memorize facts, but because she wanted them to become curious enough to ask their own impossible questions. She wanted the quiet student in the back to realize that wondering about the world is powerful. She wanted the kid who struggles in school to know that creativity matters just as much as getting the right answer. She wanted every student to understand that mistakes aren't failures—they're experiments. A Mad Genius isn't someone who has all the answers. It's someone brave enough to chase questions other people ignore. It's someone willing to look a little different, think a little differently, and keep creating even when everyone else says it won't work. The world doesn't change because someone follows the instructions perfectly. It changes because someone looks at the ordinary and imagines something completely new. Maybe that's what being a Mad Genius really means. Not being the loudest person in the room. Not being the most famous. Just being curious enough to believe there's always another way. And maybe the craziest idea of all is believing that one curious person really can make a difference.

If I could create a new Love Island challenge, I would call it **"The BBQ Breakdown."** This challenge combines flirting, funny moments, and a little bit of jealousy—everything that makes Love Island entertaining. For this challenge, the Islanders are paired up and stand at different BBQ stations around the villa. Each station contains a variety of sauces and condiments, including Sweet Honey BBQ, Spicy Chipotle BBQ, Garlic Aioli, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Buffalo Sauce, and even some silly mystery sauces created just for the challenge. The challenge begins with the host asking each Islander personal questions. These questions would reveal fun details about their personalities and relationships, such as: * What is your biggest turn-on? * What is your biggest pet peeve? * What would your perfect date look like? * What quality do you notice first in someone? * Which Islander would you trust most? * Which Islander always makes you laugh? Before the answers are revealed, their partner must guess what they think the answer will be. If the partner guesses correctly, they earn points for their couple. If they guess incorrectly, the answering Islander gets to choose a condiment and spread it on their partner. The messier the sauce, the funnier the result. The real twist comes halfway through the challenge. Instead of applying sauce to their own partner, Islanders are randomly assigned another Islander. This creates opportunities for playful flirting and plenty of jealousy. For example, an Islander might have to carefully brush Sweet Honey BBQ sauce onto someone they have been secretly interested in, while their current partner watches from across the challenge area. Another might choose the extra-spicy Chipotle BBQ sauce as a playful way to tease someone they have been arguing with. To make things even more entertaining, there would be bonus questions that allow Islanders to award special sauces. The "Sweetest Islander" receives Honey BBQ, the "Most Dramatic Islander" gets covered in Buffalo Sauce, and the "Biggest Heartbreaker" receives a combination of every sauce on the table. The winning couple earns a private sunset BBQ date away from the villa. Meanwhile, the Islanders with the lowest score must clean up the entire challenge area while everyone else relaxes. I think this challenge would be perfect for Love Island because it combines humor, romance, competition, and drama. The personal questions help viewers learn more about the Islanders, the condiment aspect creates hilarious moments, and the partner-swapping twist would definitely spark conversation, and maybe even a little jealousy, back at the villa.

I have been a fan of Sabrina Carpenter for several years, but her music has become especially meaningful to me because of the memories I have made with my husband. Some of our favorite songs are "Please Please Please," "House Tour," and "Tears." We listen to them together all the time, sing along in the car, and have even done karaoke to them. Those moments have become some of my favorite memories, and her music is something that we genuinely bond over. I also admire how much Sabrina has grown throughout her career. I remember watching her on Girl Meets World and then seeing her transition into music and continue to find success. It is inspiring to see someone work hard, take risks, and keep growing while staying true to themselves. She has built a career in acting and music, and it is clear how much dedication and effort it took to get there. As a college student studying Earth Science Education, there are times when school, work, and life can feel overwhelming. Seeing Sabrina's journey reminds me that success takes time and persistence. She did not become successful overnight, and that encourages me to keep working toward my own goals, even when things get difficult. What I like most about Sabrina Carpenter is that her music brings people together. For me, it has strengthened my relationship with my husband and created memories that I will always look back on fondly. Beyond that, her career has shown me the importance of believing in yourself, continuing to grow, and not being afraid to pursue what you are passionate about. That is why I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter and why her career has had such a positive impact on my life. Love you Sabrina! *Hand Hearts*

Education has changed my life for the better and has given me some direction in my life. As a result from the positive impact education has made in my life, I want to use my degree to help change the lives of others. I'm currently pursing my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education with a minor in Family Science at Utah Valley University. My goal is to become a middle school or high school science teacher. I want to create a classroom where each student feels safe, seen, soothed, respected, and valued regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances. I want my students to know that education is for everyone and education has the ability to change their life for the better, just as it changed mine. Throughout college, I've learned that there's more to education than just receiving a "good grade" or maintaining a "solid GPA". Numbers are great but they don't always calculate the confidence you've built, or the opportunities that are given to you. Numbers don't recognize the relationships you've built with your classmates or professors. As I've gone through my degree I've developed a passion for learning about our beautiful home planet Earth. I've developed a passion for sharing the systems that make our planet our home. I took a special education class during the summer and worked with students who have disabilities. I witnessed firsthand how creating accommodations, having patience, and building positive relationships with the students can help them succeed. These experiences have reinforced my belief that education is for everyone, especially if you believe in yourself and have a teacher who also believes in you. The people who inspired me the most are my professors who believed in me and helped me believe in myself. I often doubt myself, I'm overly critical of me and my abilities. It's been nice to have a professor tell me that I'm being too hard on myself and I can succeed in their class. They helped grow my confidence and helped me reach my educational goals. Their kindness and validation has motivated me to become that same source of encouragement for my future students. I want my classroom to feel welcoming, a place where you can feel safe to ask questions, make some mistakes, and grow both academically and as a human being. As a future Earth Science teacher, I hope to help my future students understand our planet while developing critical thinking skills that will be a useful tool for them throughout their lives. I want to make science more engaging for all learners by incorporating real world applications for the knowledge they obtained. I want to implement and continue to learn about inclusive teaching practices to make science more accessible for various types of learners. As a future teacher, I not only want to teach my content, I would like to promote messages of inspiration, creativity, curiosity, resilience, and foster a lifelong love of learning. My educational journey, like most journeys, has not been linear. I have faced financial hardships and mental health difficulties after witnessing a high profile murder on my campus. As many students can also relate to, I have maintained a seemingly impossible balancing act of my coursework, employment, and personal relationships/responsibilities. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today and reinforced the importance of giving back to my community. In the lowest points of my life, I was able to ask for help and receive it. I would like to return the favor and by being a beacon of light for someone when they need it most.

I am wanting to pursue a career that allows me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, which is why I’m drawn to work connected to the nonprofit sector and public service. As an Earth Science Education student at Utah Valley University, I’ve realized that education is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen communities and create long-term change. While nonprofit work is often challenging and not always recognized, I deeply admire careers centered around helping others, improving opportunities, and serving communities that need support the most. Growing up, I saw firsthand how important support systems are for families facing financial or personal hardships. Because of that, I’ve always been drawn toward service-oriented work and environments where people genuinely care about helping others succeed. Through volunteering, customer service roles, and working directly with students and community members, I’ve learned that even small actions—listening to someone, encouraging them, or helping them access resources—can have a lasting impact. My long-term goal is to become a high school science teacher, particularly in communities where students may not always have equal access to opportunities or encouragement in STEM education. I believe education and nonprofit work overlap in important ways because both focus on empowering people and creating opportunities that can improve lives. I want my future career to be about more than teaching content. I want to help students build confidence in themselves, discover their strengths, and feel capable of pursuing futures they may not have imagined for themselves. I’m especially passionate about environmental education and community awareness surrounding issues like climate change, drought, water conservation, and environmental sustainability. Living in Utah has made these issues feel very personal because our communities are already experiencing the effects of changing water availability, extreme weather, and environmental stress. I hope to use education and community outreach to help students better understand these challenges while also empowering them to feel like they can make a difference locally. In the future, I hope to work alongside schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to create educational programs that make science more accessible and engaging for students from all backgrounds. Many students, especially those from low-income or underserved communities, may not see STEM careers as realistic or attainable. I want to help change that by creating supportive learning environments where students feel seen, encouraged, and capable of succeeding. I’m also passionate about making education feel more connected to students’ real lives and communities. Too often, students feel disconnected from school because they don’t see how what they’re learning matters outside the classroom. I want to create opportunities for students to engage in local environmental projects, community science initiatives, and service-learning experiences that show them how education can directly improve their communities. What draws me most to nonprofit and public service work is the idea of creating lasting impact rather than short-term success. I want my work to contribute to stronger communities, better educational opportunities, and greater confidence in young people who may not always have someone encouraging them. Whether through teaching, mentorship, environmental outreach, or partnerships with community organizations, I hope to dedicate my career to helping others feel empowered to create positive change in their own lives and communities.

Growing up in a single-parent household has impacted nearly every part of my educational journey. Following my parents divorced, I witnessed my father carry the responsibility of providing, supporting, and encouraging a somewhat cohesive family dynamic, taught me resilience early on. I learned that education was not something to take for granted. It was an opportunity that could create stability, open doors, and change the direction of one's life. At the same time, I also saw how difficult it can be to balance work, finances, and school responsibilities without a strong support system. As a college student at Utah Valley University studying Earth Science Education, I have experienced firsthand how challenging higher education can be financially. There have been times when unexpected expenses made school feel overwhelming. Between working while attending school full-time, dealing with major financial setbacks, and trying to stay focused academically, I have had moments where continuing my education felt uncertain. Still, I kept going because I knew earning my degree meant more than just personal success. To me, it represents perseverance and proof that difficult circumstances do not have to define someone’s future. Being raised by just my dad has made me more aware of how important community support is. I have always admired people who give their time and energy to help others because I know how meaningful even small acts of support can be. Through volunteering and working in student-facing roles, I have learned how important encouragement, patience, and guidance are, especially for young people who may not always have strong support systems at home. My goal is to become a high school science teacher because I want to give students the kind of encouragement and stability that can make a lasting difference in their lives. Science can sometimes feel intimidating or out of reach, especially for students who are struggling personally or financially, but I want my classroom to be a place where students feel capable, supported, and curious about the world around them. I want students to know that their circumstances do not determine their potential. I also hope to give back to my community by making education more accessible and meaningful. As a future teacher, I want to connect science to real-world issues that directly affect students and their communities, especially environmental issues here in Utah like drought, water availability, and climate change. I want students to feel empowered to make a positive impact locally, not just learn facts from a textbook. Beyond the classroom, I hope to mentor students who may feel lost or uncertain about their future, especially students from single-parent or low-income households who may not always see college as achievable. I understand how overwhelming higher education can seem when finances, work, or family responsibilities are involved. Because of my own experiences, I want to be someone who reminds students that they are capable of accomplishing difficult things. Coming from a single-parent household taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of giving back. Those lessons continue to shape the way I approach my education and the kind of person I hope to become. My experiences have not only motivated me to pursue higher education, but they have also inspired me to use that education to support and uplift others in my community.

I feel like Olivia Rodrigo’s music hits so hard because she says things that are actually real, even if they’re kind of uncomfortable to admit. A lot of her lyrics feel like thoughts I’ve had but didn’t really know how to put into words. One lyric that really stands out to me is from “brutal”: “I’m so insecure…” because that’s honestly something I’ve felt a lot, especially trying to balance school, work, and everything else going on in my life. There are times where it feels like I’m doing everything I can, but it still doesn’t feel like enough. Like I should be doing more, or doing better, or somehow keeping it all together perfectly. Even random little things stick with me way more than they should. Like I’ll literally just be driving and out of nowhere I remember that one time I spilled mustard all down the front of my shirt in front of a bunch of people. It wasn’t even that big of a deal, but my brain won’t let it go, and I just sit there cringing about it. I feel like that kind of overthinking and embarrassment ties back to that same insecurity she talks about. Another lyric that connects to me is from “drivers license”: “I still f**ing love you…”* Even though the song is about a breakup, I don’t really relate to it just in that way. For me, it’s more about how hard it is to let go of things in general. Whether it’s plans that didn’t work out, expectations I had for myself, or even parts of my life that I’ve outgrown, it’s not easy to just move on. Sometimes you still hold onto things even when you know you probably shouldn’t, and I think that lyric shows how real and messy that process is. I also really like “hope ur ok” because it focuses on how people are going through things you don’t always see. The line about people struggling with things in their own lives reminds me that everyone has something going on beneath the surface. That’s something I’ve become more aware of over time, especially as I’ve gone through my own challenges. It’s made me try to be more understanding and patient with other people, because you never really know what someone else is dealing with. Overall, I think Olivia Rodrigo’s lyrics reflect both the hard and the good parts of my own journey. There’s the stress, the self-doubt, and even those random embarrassing moments that won’t leave your brain alone. But at the same time, there’s growth in that too. Going through those moments has helped me become stronger and more aware of myself and others. Her music kind of reminds me that it’s okay to not have everything together all the time, and that those messy, imperfect moments are actually part of growing into who I’m supposed to be.

While growing up, I began to notice pretty quickly that not everyone has the same access to opportunities, especially when it comes to education. For me, going to college was never just a simple next step, it was something I’ve had to work toward while balancing adult responsibilities. There have been times where it felt like I had to choose between working to stay afloat or focus on school, and trust me, it is a challenging predicament to be in. Over the past year, my spouse and I have faced several financial challenges that made continuing my education extremely difficult. We had over $10,000 in unexpected dental work, and when we got the bill, it completely wiped out our emergency savings. I remember feeling unsure of how we were going to make ends meet. To get by, my spouse and I started donating plasma just to help cover basic expenses and put food on the table. Around the same time, my car blew a head gasket unexpectedly, and we also owe about $4,000 in taxes. On top of all of that, I had to reduce my work hours because many of my classes were not offered online. It felt like everything was hitting at once. I felt overwhelmed at times and quite frankly, I still do, but I know that in order to break the cycle of poverty, I have to keep pushing forward and finish my education. I am currently studying Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University, and my goal is to become a high school science teacher. Higher education, to me, is more than just getting a degree, it’s a way to build a stable future and create opportunities not only for myself, but for my family and community. I want to be the kind of teacher who understands that students have lives outside of school and that sometimes they’re dealing with challenges that aren’t visible in the classroom. I can see that invisible pain because it's been a majority of my college experience. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe, supported, and validated, even when things are difficult. Working while being a full-time student has taught me a lot about responsibility, time management, and perseverance. There have been times where I’ve had to adjust, sacrifice, and push through stress just to stay on track. Those experiences have shaped me into someone with grit. Instead of letting setbacks stop me, I’ve learned how to keep pushing forward, even when things don’t go as I initially anticipated. Higher education is helping me turn that grit and persistence into something meaningful. As a future teacher, I want to make science feel relevant and engaging. I don’t want students to feel like it’s just another subject they have to get through, I want them to see how it connects to their everyday lives, especially when it comes to the environment we share. Living in Utah has given me a strong appreciation for the outdoors and the Great Salt Lake, and I want to help students understand why these things are worth protecting. In the future, I also hope to combine my enthusiasm for education with entrepreneurship. I would love to create opportunities that encourage people to explore the outdoors responsibly while taking care of the environment. Whether that’s through teaching, community involvement, or a small business, my goal is to make a positive impact that goes beyond just one classroom. Receiving this scholarship would make a huge difference not only for me, but for my family. It would help relieve some of the financial pressures that has made balancing school and life so challenging. More importantly, it would allow me to stay focused on my education and continue working toward a future where I can give back and support others. At the end of the day, higher education is my way of creating more opportunities. These opportunities are not just for myself, but for the students I will teach in the future, and for my family, who has supported me every step of the way in this journey. My family may not have been able to support me financially, but they have been my strongest source of encouragement through every challenge. The difficulties I've endured could have shoved me off this path, but instead, I'm viewing them as strengths, to keep me motivated. I am committed to finishing my education and using it to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me.

Entrepreneurship, to me, is about building something that makes a meaningful difference in the world around you. I have always believed that your name is your legacy. I want to leave a good mark on the world by making my name known for positive contributions, whether that is through helping people, improving communities, or creating opportunities for others. My goal after college is to build a business with my husband that reflects our love for exploring and conserving the beautiful lands that surround us. I am currently studying Earth Science Education, and my long-term goal is to become both an educator and an entrepreneur. Education has the power to shape how people understand the world, and I want to create opportunities that help students connect with science in ways that are exciting, accessible, and meaningful. My dream is to start a small business that complements my husband and his father’s shop. They build Jeeps designed to travel through the rugged terrain that surrounds us. Because of this, many of the vehicles they work on come back covered in mud and dirt. I would love to create an eco-friendly car wash that operates alongside their business. Having a nearby car wash would allow them to clean vehicles after off-road trips and refer customers who need the same service. Since we live in a desert environment, water conservation is incredibly important. My goal would be to design a water-smart car wash that uses efficient recycling systems and environmentally responsible practices. I believe there is an opportunity to create something innovative that helps businesses operate more sustainably while still meeting a practical need. Creating a legacy means building something that continues to positively impact others. For me, that means starting a business that benefits not only people but also the environment we share with many other ecosystems, including plants and animals. Nearly every living thing depends on water, which is why water conservation is so important to me. Through my business, I hope to make a lasting impact by showing how small businesses can operate responsibly and protect the natural resources we depend on. Starting a business will require perseverance, creativity, and resilience. Like many students, I have balanced school, work, and volunteer commitments while pursuing my goals. These experiences have taught me discipline and determination. Entrepreneurship will certainly come with challenges, but I believe passion and persistence make it possible to turn ideas into something real and impactful. One of the ways I “shine my light” is by helping others learn and grow. Whether through volunteer work, mentoring, or simply sharing knowledge, I try to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around me. I believe leadership is not just about personal success but about using your opportunities and abilities to lift others up. In the future, I hope my work as both an educator and entrepreneur will inspire curiosity, encourage environmental stewardship, and create opportunities for others to see the world in new ways. If my husband and I can build something that helps people care more about the environment while supporting our community, then we will know we have created the kind of legacy we hope to leave behind.

At the beginning of this year, I unexpectedly lost my grandma. She helped raise me because my mom was a teen mom, and because of that she played a huge role in shaping the person I am today. My mom struggled to care for my siblings and me when we were young, but my grandma provided the love and stability that every child needs. She helped heal the broken parts of me that were left by those early experiences. Through her example, she taught me how to love and care for others who may also be hurting. My grandma was an amazing cook and an incredibly organized person. Her career was being a housewife and a stay-at-home mom, and she took great pride in creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. She taught me that a house is more than just a place to live—it can be a refuge from the difficulties we face in everyday life. I'm trying not to cry while writing this. I lost her on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. She had a history of heart problems and passed away during surgery. She had undergone heart procedures before, so our family believed everything would be okay. She was only 63 years old, and none of us were prepared to lose her. My grandma was the matriarch of our family. She had a special way of smoothing over conflict and helping everyone feel safe, seen, and heard. When people were struggling, she knew exactly how to listen and help them work through their problems. She was the person everyone could talk to. Losing her right before the spring semester started was incredibly difficult. Many people in her family, including her brother and sister-in-law, are teachers. I am pursuing a career in education, and a big reason for that is because of her. She always spoke so proudly of her brother and admired the work he did as a teacher. After she passed, I felt lost without her presence and guidance. Now more than ever, though, I realize that I need to keep pushing forward and finish my education. My grandma was the best mother figure I have ever known. When it is my turn to become a mother someday, I hope to teach my children the same things she taught me. I want to continue her legacy by making my future children feel safe, seen, and heard. I also hope to create that same sense of refuge in my home and in my classroom—a place where people feel supported during the challenges of everyday life. Losing someone so important is not easy. I have learned that grief is not linear, and it needs a witness. Sometimes I get impatient with myself. I cry often because it hurts knowing I will never be able to call, text, or visit her again. Even though it has been three months, I still struggle with those feelings. I think part of my impatience comes from living in a world where everything is instant. We are used to instant answers and instant solutions, but grief does not work that way. Healing takes time. When I feel overwhelmed or miss my grandma the most, I journal or reach out to my siblings. Those moments remind me that I am not alone. I hope that over time I will continue to grow through this experience. Right now, though, I am still learning what growth looks like without having my grandma there to talk to everyday.

Most public education students spend more than a decade in K-12 classrooms, and the learning experiences they have during those years shape the way they think about the world. As a future Earth Science teacher, I believe that one of the most effective ways to help students understand complex ideas is through visual learning. My educational poster was designed around the Next Generation Science Standard HS-ESS2-4, which asks students to use models to explain how changes in energy entering and leaving Earth’s system influence climate. This concept is fundamental to understanding climate processes, but it can be difficult for students to grasp if it is only presented through text or lecture. My design strategies focused on using visual elements to help students see how Earth’s systems interact. These system interactions are essential to sustain life as we know it on Earth. The poster centers around a visual model of Earth’s energy balance, showing incoming solar radiation, reflected energy, and heat radiating back into space. Arrows and color coding are used to represent the movement of energy through the atmosphere, oceans, ice, and land surfaces. For example, yellow arrows illustrate incoming sunlight, while red arrows represent outgoing heat energy. These visual cues help students quickly recognize patterns and relationships that might otherwise be difficult to follow in written explanations. I also included labeled feedback loops, such as the ice-albedo feedback, which demonstrates how melting ice reduces surface reflectivity and leads to further warming. By representing these processes visually, students can better understand how one change in the Earth system can trigger a chain reaction of additional changes. Another design choice was to organize the poster so that information flows in a logical, easy-to-follow sequence. The poster begins with the Sun as the primary energy source, moves through the atmosphere and surface systems, and then shows how energy ultimately leaves the planet. This layout mirrors how scientists think about energy transfer and allows students to follow the concept step by step. Short captions accompany each diagram to reinforce the key idea without overwhelming students with text. Visual learning is especially important in K-12 classrooms because many students process information more effectively when they can see relationships rather than only read about them. Earth science, in particular, deals with large-scale systems that cannot be directly observed in everyday life. Visual models allow students to explore processes like climate feedbacks, energy flow, and atmospheric interactions in a way that makes abstract ideas more concrete. Research and classroom experience both show that diagrams, models, and color-coded visuals improve student engagement and help learners retain information for longer periods of time. Ultimately, the goal of my poster design is to make a complex scientific concept accessible to students. By combining clear diagrams, visual cues, and simplified explanations, the poster encourages students to think about Earth as an interconnected system. As a future educator, I hope to create classrooms where visual learning tools help students not only understand scientific ideas but also develop curiosity about how our planet works.

Hey there! My name is Kristin Harkness. I’m an Earth Science Education student at Utah Valley University. The people who inspired me to become a teacher are my family. My mom, my uncles, and a few of my cousins are teachers. The state we live in has a teacher shortage, like most of the nation, and growing up I heard a lot about the need for teachers. My family members often told me that teaching is a good career that pays somewhat decently and that I would likely be able to find a job after graduating. I started my college journey in 2020, which was a difficult time for many people. During that time, I had a hard time finding a job. Luckily, teaching was considered an “essential job,” so my family members who were teachers were able to keep their jobs and continue working. I’m not a very competitive person, and I value stability. Knowing that teaching is a career where I will likely be able to find a job after graduating was very reassuring to me. Even though teaching runs in my family, I originally didn’t want to become a teacher. Since so many of my family members were already teachers, I wanted to do something different. For a long time, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I completed my general education classes at UVU and then left school for a while to work at a veterinary clinic and pursue the path toward veterinary school. I worked at the clinic for two years, and during that time I learned a lot about the field. Eventually, though, I realized that this career path wasn’t the right fit for me. Making that realization was difficult. I felt lost and discouraged because I had spent so much time and effort working toward something that ultimately didn’t work out. When I returned to UVU to finish my bachelor’s degree, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. I remember feeling very unsure about my future during that time. When I felt stuck, I turned to my mom for advice. She encouraged me to consider teaching. She told me that she thought I would be a good fit for the profession and reminded me that teachers are always needed. Her encouragement helped me start thinking about teaching in a new way. Most of the teachers in my family teach elementary school. While I think I could be a great elementary teacher, I wanted to challenge myself a little more. One of my personal goals in life is to become a mother someday, and honestly, the stage of parenting that I find the most intimidating is the teenage years. Because of that, I decided that teaching older students might help me grow as a person. I want to face that fear instead of avoiding it. That idea eventually led me to pursue a science education degree with the goal of teaching middle school science. I want to inspire my future students, my friends, and anyone who feels lost in life to understand that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. It’s okay to change your plans. It’s okay to fail and start again. Life has a funny way of shifting your perspective and leading you somewhere you didn’t expect. For a long time, I truly believed I would become a veterinarian and eventually open my own clinic. Now, instead, I’m preparing to teach middle school science in my own classroom. I’ve always been a bit of a science nerd, so I’m excited that some of my favorite scientists and scientific ideas will be part of my future classroom.

What's up? My name is Kristin Harkness. I'm working on my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am a child of divorced parents. I've lived with both of my parents when they were single and I lived with both of them when they got remarried and blended families. My ultimate goal is to become a high school science teacher. I think I'll bring a unique perspective and empathy towards my future students because my parents got divorced when I was 14. They both remarried when I was 16. I went from having a consistent family to a bunch of changes in such a sort amount of time. I can understand how going through a divorce and the turbulence of blending a family, can impact your education. I want to make my future classroom a safe space for students who are experiencing troubles at home so they can excel in their educational endeavors. Despite the inconsistency within my home life, after my parents divorce, my mom has always been a teacher. My mom is the person who inspired me to become a teacher. When I started my journey at college, I had no idea what I wanted to major in. My mom encouraged me to complete my general education. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a teacher. I had no idea what grade or subject I wanted to teach. She told me that STEM teachers are in high demand. I took a career test with my counselor, at my college, and she told me that I should try Earth Science Education. I'm so glad that I had the support of my mom to help me take the next steps in my college journey. Since my family fell apart before my eyes, I decided to minor in Family and Consumer Sciences, so I could know the academic reasons as to why some families stay intact and have an abundance of love. I know I most likely won't be able to achieve any monetary gain from pursuing my minor, but the personal gain I got, is invaluable. I think I'll be able to be more personable to my future students, because I got that minor. I know the research behind what makes a happy family and what doesn't. I personally know the pain of having divorced parents, being raised with single parents, and blending a family. It's a lot of change and it can impact you in immense ways, especially when your brain isn't fully developed. Again, I hope to provide a safe space in my classroom, a listening ear, and helpful advice, if my students need that. I want them to succeed in my classroom and beyond it. If they need to vent about the frustrations of dealing with step siblings or a step parent, I'm all ears, because I probably had similar feelings. Most people learn best when they feel safe and seen, I know I can provide that for my future students. I want them to excel in my classroom, not feel like it's another danger that they need to escape.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I'm currently earning my degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I didn't initially start at UVU wanting to get a degree in Earth Science. I've always enjoyed conservation and animals, so I began my journey attempting to get my pre-veterinary degree, with an emphasis in biology. I worked at a vet clinic for two years while attending classes. After two years, I recognized that pursuing a career as a vet, wasn't for me. Back to the drawing board. I grew up in Utah and I was always so proud and intrigued by our state's national parks. I enjoyed hiking and spending time in nature. Long story short, I enjoyed spending time in our natural world. I wasn't sure where to go so I took a career test, provided to me from my school's counselor, and they suggested that I try Earth Science. I had no idea how many jobs are available for Earth Science. There's a lot of research and conservation work. I was amazed at the diversity of opportunities for me. Now for the teaching part. Many folks in my family are teachers so I figured if they could do it, I could do it too (but better than them because my focus is Earth Science, which is the best)! I want to share my passion for the outdoors and conservation with the upcoming generation. As I've gone through my degree, I've recognized that humans are the stewards of our planet. We each play a role and have a responsibility towards our mother, Earth. I enjoy learning about our solar system and space as well. I agree with Elon Musk's perspective that in order to preserve ourselves as a species, we have to look towards interplanetary colonization to preserve humanity. I believe that in my lifetime, we will see humans on Mars and beyond. I think before we colonize other planets, it would be beneficial to learn how to be better stewards of our own planet before we destroy another one. I think this is an important concept for the upcoming generation to recognize and incorporate into their lives as well. I don't want mankind to be known as world eaters in our galaxy. Instead, I would like mankind to be known for world caretakers, making our planet and other planets better than how we found it. This summer I am aspiring to do an internship at a National Park in Utah. If I receive this internship, I'll have the opportunity to teach the public about geology as well as conservation. During the summers, when I don't have classes to teach, I can envision myself working at National Parks to continue educating the public about our natural world. I think educating the public is just as important as educating the upcoming generations about how to be good stewards of our planet. I'm eager to continue my degree in Earth Science Education. I enjoy learning about our planet, patterns and systems that our only found on our Earth. I am constantly learning about what lies beyond our planet in space. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my future students and the public. I know my work and influence is a small wake that can create a ripple effect of conservation and knowledge that our planet and species needs to not only survive but thrive.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I'm currently earning my degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I didn't initially start at UVU wanting to get a degree in Earth Science. I've always enjoyed conservation and animals, so I began my journey attempting to get my pre-veterinary degree, with an emphasis in biology. I worked at a vet clinic for two years while attending classes. After two years, I recognized that pursuing a career as a vet, wasn't for me. Back to the drawing board. I grew up in Utah and I was always so proud and intrigued by our state's national parks. I enjoyed hiking and spending time in nature. Long story short, I enjoyed spending time in our natural world. I wasn't sure where to go so I took a career test, provided to me from my school's counselor, and they suggested that I try Earth Science. I had no idea how many jobs are available for Earth Science. There's a lot of research and conservation work. I was amazed at the diversity of opportunities for me. Now for the teaching part. Many folks in my family are teachers so I figured if they could do it, I could do it too (but better than them because my focus is Earth Science, which is the best)! I want to share my passion for the outdoors and conservation with the upcoming generation. As I've gone through my degree, I've recognized that humans are the stewards of our planet. We each play a role and have a responsibility towards our mother, Earth. I enjoy learning about our solar system and space as well. I agree with Elon Musk's perspective that in order to preserve ourselves as a species, we have to look towards interplanetary colonization to preserve humanity. I believe that in my lifetime, we will see humans on Mars and beyond. I think before we colonize other planets, it would be beneficial to learn how to be better stewards of our own planet before we destroy another one. I think this is an important concept for the upcoming generation to recognize and incorporate into their lives as well. I don't want mankind to be known as world eaters in our galaxy. Instead, I would like mankind to be known for world caretakers, making our planet and other planets better than how we found it. This summer I am aspiring to do an internship at a National Park in Utah. If I receive this internship, I'll have the opportunity to teach the public about geology as well as conservation. During the summers, when I don't have classes to teach, I can envision myself working at National Parks to continue educating the public about our natural world. I think educating the public is just as important as educating the upcoming generations about how to be good stewards of our planet. I'm eager to continue my degree in Earth Science Education. I enjoy learning about our planet, patterns and systems that our only found on our Earth. I am constantly learning about what lies beyond our planet in space. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my future students and the public. I know my work and influence is a small wake that can create a ripple effect of conservation and knowledge that our planet and species needs to not only survive but thrive.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I'm currently earning my degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I didn't initially start at UVU wanting to get a degree in Earth Science. I've always enjoyed conservation and animals, so I began my journey attempting to get my pre-veterinary degree, with an emphasis in biology. I worked at a vet clinic for two years while attending classes. After two years, I recognized that pursuing a career as a vet, wasn't for me. Back to the drawing board. I grew up in Utah and I was always so proud and intrigued by our state's national parks. I enjoyed hiking and spending time in nature. Long story short, I enjoyed spending time in our natural world. I wasn't sure where to go so I took a career test, provided to me from my school's counselor, and they suggested that I try Earth Science. I had no idea how many jobs are available for Earth Science. There's a lot of research and conservation work. I was amazed at the diversity of opportunities for me. Now for the teaching part. Many folks in my family are teachers so I figured if they could do it, I could do it too (but better than them because my focus is Earth Science, which is the best)! I want to share my passion for the outdoors and conservation with the upcoming generation. As I've gone through my degree, I've recognized that humans are the stewards of our planet. We each play a role and have a responsibility towards our mother, Earth. I enjoy learning about our solar system and space as well. I agree with Elon Musk's perspective that in order to preserve ourselves as a species, we have to look towards interplanetary colonization to preserve humanity. I believe that in my lifetime, we will see humans on Mars and beyond. I think before we colonize other planets, it would be beneficial to learn how to be better stewards of our own planet before we destroy another one. I think this is an important concept for the upcoming generation to recognize and incorporate into their lives as well. I don't want mankind to be known as world eaters in our galaxy. Instead, I would like mankind to be known for world caretakers, making our planet and other planets better than how we found it. This summer I am aspiring to do an internship at a National Park in Utah. If I receive this internship, I'll have the opportunity to teach the public about geology as well as conservation. During the summers, when I don't have classes to teach, I can envision myself working at National Parks to continue educating the public about our natural world. I think educating the public is just as important as educating the upcoming generations about how to be good stewards of our planet. I'm eager to continue my degree in Earth Science Education. I enjoy learning about our planet, patterns and systems that our only found on our Earth. I am constantly learning about what lies beyond our planet in space. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my future students and the public. I know my work and influence is a small wake that can create a ripple effect of conservation and knowledge that our planet and species needs to not only survive but thrive.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I'm currently earning my degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I didn't initially start at UVU wanting to get a degree in Earth Science. I've always enjoyed conservation and animals, so I began my journey attempting to get my pre-veterinary degree, with an emphasis in biology. I worked at a vet clinic for two years while attending classes. After two years, I recognized that pursuing a career as a vet, wasn't for me. Back to the drawing board. I grew up in Utah and I was always so proud and intrigued by our state's national parks. I enjoyed hiking and spending time in nature. Long story short, I enjoyed spending time in our natural world. I wasn't sure where to go so I took a career test, provided to me from my school's counselor, and they suggested that I try Earth Science. I had no idea how many jobs are available for Earth Science. There's a lot of research and conservation work. I was amazed at the diversity of opportunities for me. Now for the teaching part. Many folks in my family are teachers so I figured if they could do it, I could do it too (but better than them because my focus is Earth Science, which is the best)! I want to share my passion for the outdoors and conservation with the upcoming generation. As I've gone through my degree, I've recognized that humans are the stewards of our planet. We each play a role and have a responsibility towards our mother, Earth. I enjoy learning about our solar system and space as well. I agree with Elon Musk's perspective that in order to preserve ourselves as a species, we have to look towards interplanetary colonization to preserve humanity. I believe that in my lifetime, we will see humans on Mars and beyond. I think before we colonize other planets, it would be beneficial to learn how to be better stewards of our own planet before we destroy another one. I think this is an important concept for the upcoming generation to recognize and incorporate into their lives as well. I don't want mankind to be known as world eaters in our galaxy. Instead, I would like mankind to be known for world caretakers, making our planet and other planets better than how we found it. This summer I am aspiring to do an internship at a National Park in Utah. If I receive this internship, I'll have the opportunity to teach the public about geology as well as conservation. During the summers, when I don't have classes to teach, I can envision myself working at National Parks to continue educating the public about our natural world. I think educating the public is just as important as educating the upcoming generations about how to be good stewards of our planet. I'm eager to continue my degree in Earth Science Education. I enjoy learning about our planet, patterns and systems that our only found on our Earth. I am constantly learning about what lies beyond our planet in space. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my future students and the public. I know my work and influence is a small wake that can create a ripple effect of conservation and knowledge that our planet and species needs to not only survive but thrive.

I'm going to be very forthcoming and honest. I haven't lost my parent to death, I've lost my mom to addiction. Due to my mother's addiction, I was raised by my grandmother, who stepped in place for my mom. She passed suddenly on New Year's Day this year due to heart complications. She was only 63 years old. My grandmother passed on the operating table, so no one in my family was able to say goodbye to her. My world shattered when I heard the news of her passing. I know I'm an adult but I felt as if I was an orphan. I thought to myself, "Who was going to teach me how to be a mom when the time comes?" I felt so isolated and my future suddenly looked bleak. I'm still working through this recent loss. I do my best to attend school and finish my degree because I know that's what she (my grandma) would want me to do. She wouldn't want me to wallow in my sadness, she would want to see me achieve my goals and smile while I'm doing it. Grief has been my constant companion and it scrambles my brain while I'm at school. My therapist said it'll be temporary but I'm unsure if I should believe her or not. How long is temporary? How long will my heart want nothing but a hug from my grandma or to hear her say, "I love you" one last time? My therapist says grief needs a witness, so that's part of the reason why I'm writing. I can't think about much besides her (my grandma). She's constantly on my mind and I look for her everywhere. I look for her in the sky, in the sunsets she taught me to cherish. My grandma loved Disney because she believed life should have some magic. I rarely listened to Disney music or watched Disney before but now that's all I listen to and watch. When I go to bed at night, I hope that I can have a dream with her in it because I miss her so much. My own mother left such a big hole in my life that my grandma knew how to fill. I didn't believe in love because my own mother didn't love me. My grandma taught me how to give and receive love. My grandma healed wounds in me that if they were left untreated, I would not be the person you see today. She was more of a mother to be than my own mother was capable of being and I am so glad that I had her in my life. I hope I can be a fraction of the woman she was, that would be an even greater accomplishment to me than getting my degree. My grandma taught me to love big. I used to be ashamed of it but after her sudden passing, I am going to love unapologetically, like she taught me to do. The world can be a dark and scary place. As corny as this sounds, I think the world can be soften with kindness. Kindness is infectious, it can spread to others, and give beauty to our world that desperately needs it. Something I've learned on my journey is that grief not only needs a witness, I think grief needs a listening ear, a smile, and sometimes a hug.

Hey there! My name is Kristin Harkness. I'm currently pursuing my bachelors degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I recently finished my minor in Family Science and completing that definitely put some wind under my wings to complete my degree. My career of choice is to teach 9th grade Earth Science. Many folks in my family are teachers so I thought, "if they can do it, I can do it!" I grew up in a classroom as both a student and my mom's personal teacher's aid because she teaches middle school math. I experienced learning various things in a public school and helping my mom grade papers after school, because that's what happens when your mother is a teacher. I'm passionate about teaching because I enjoy seeing students learn. I love seeing that, "Aha!" look on their faces when they are understanding a concept and feeling confident with that concept. I enjoy working with the older children. Many people assume I want to teach elementary school and they quickly show their dismay when I tell them that I want to teach high school. I think the older kids need good teachers just as much as the younger kids. I think I can give older kids the support they need to be successful at school, through teaching them. I've made a lot of sacrifices getting my education degree. I could be working a full time job and making decent money. I could be like most folks in their twenty-somethings, partying it up. Instead I have made monetary and social sacrifices to complete my degree. I go Utah Valley University and I was there on that historical day on September 10, 2025. I was horrified to return to school after being in that situation. I didn't want to go back to UVU after that day but a small part of me told me that it was okay to return and I need to continue my education. I recognized I cannot put my education on hold because of a horrific situation that happened at my school. Now is the time to learn, not live in fear. I watched how fear can be overpowering, because of that day, and I couldn't let fear dictate my life. As difficult as it was to go back to school, I made the sacrifice to return and I am so glad I did. I got accepted into the teaching program and I'm on my way to being in my own classroom. I've learned that each day I spend at UVU, I'm a day closer to becoming a teacher, and being there for students who need me. I know I can inspire my future students that they can overcome any challenge that gets in their way and become a better person because of it. Life may be tough but through my lived experience, I can say without a doubt, you can be more tough.

It's a bit of a lengthy story as to why I wanted to pursue a career in teaching. Initially, I didn't start college to become a teacher. I wanted to become a veterinarian, I even declared my major at the time in Zoology so I could apply to vet school. Long story short, I worked at a vet clinic for two years. I found out that my purpose in life was not to be a vet. I found a few aspects in the veterinary field to be concerning so I knew it was time to change my major. To give you some context, a majority of my family members, including my mom have made a career from teaching. As the angsty young adult I am, I wanted to be nothing like my mom, so that's why I was initially drawn to the vet field. Ironically enough, if you want to know what teacher changed my life, the teacher who changed my life was my own mother. I have an additional goal of pursuing a career, that's not technically considered a career of being a mom. I remember enjoying summers with my mom because she had them off. Christmas was extra magical because my mom got a Christmas break with my siblings and I growing up. Vets work long days and don't get many breaks. I want to be there for my future family as my mother was for me growing up. As I mentioned previously, I wanted to be nothing like my own mom but something clicked in me as I had some conversations with her and did some soul searching. I came to the conclusion that pursuing a career in teaching would be a better fit for me and my goals in life. After I realized that, I went through the journey of what grade and subject should I teach? My mom teaches middle school math. I've visited her classroom a few times and I enjoyed the older kids. They were a little more independent and you had the opportunity to see various students throughout the day since there's different class periods in middle school. I enjoyed those aspects so I knew I wanted to teach middle school or high school. The next question I had to answer is what subject? I still want to differentiate myself from my mother. I have always enjoyed learning about our planet and how it came to be. I enjoy learning about the history of our world. I thought I could be a history teacher. My mom expressed concern that I may have a difficult time finding a job because history teachers enjoy their jobs and if I decide that I don't want to teach anymore, it's a bit difficult to find a job with a history degree. She encouraged me to pursue a degree in STEM because STEM teachers are in high demand. I spoke to my counselor and took a career test. That's when I saw my degree, Earth Science Education. It was perfect, it talked about the geologic history and formation of our planet. It wasn't too math heavy (which met my requirement of being different from my mom). It was perfect! I had no clue life would lead me here but I'm so grateful and I cannot wait to teach my future students about our beautiful planet and how to be good stewards of it. I also want to teach my future students that even if life doesn't go according to your plans, if you work hard and believe in yourself, amazing opportunities will come your way.

From a young age, I have been fascinated by the Earth. I am enjoy learning about how mountains form, how oceans change, and how our planet continually reshapes itself. As I grew older, that curiosity evolved into a calling. I want to become a high school Earth science teacher. I am currently pursuing a degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University, where I am gaining the scientific knowledge and teaching experience I need to empower the next generation of learners. Choosing a career in STEM, specifically science education, is deeply personal to me. Throughout my academic journey, I have learned that resilience and curiosity are essential not only for scientists, but for anyone striving to understand and better the world. There have been moments when my pathway felt uncertain, and times when confidence was difficult to hold. Yet each challenge I have faced has strengthened my determination. I want my degree to serve as proof, both to myself and to those who come after me, that we can overcome hardship and accomplish things we once thought impossible. Women remain underrepresented in STEM careers, especially when it comes to leadership and education roles in the sciences. This imbalance does not reflect a lack of ability or passion, it reflects long, standing systemic barriers that continue to limit equal opportunity. As a future educator, I am committed to helping break those barriers. I want every young woman sitting in one of my future classrooms to see that she belongs in science, that her ideas matter, and that her contributions can change the world. Representation is powerful, and I hope to be the kind of teacher who encourages students to picture themselves in lab coats, in the field, conducting research, or teaching others. Earth science is not only a subject, it is a key to solving some of the most urgent challenges of our time. From climate change to natural resource management to natural hazard preparedness, the next generation will inherit a planet that requires informed, science-driven action. By teaching high school students the fundamentals of geology, meteorology, and environmental science, I hope to spark awareness and responsibility in future leaders, engineers, policymakers, and scientists. I want my classroom to be a place where curiosity is celebrated and where students see how their knowledge can shape their communities. I believe women bring critical perspectives to STEM fields. We innovate, we collaborate, and we ask questions that broaden what is possible. With the support of this scholarship, I will be one step closer to completing my degree and fulfilling my goal of becoming a science educator who advocates for inclusivity and equal representation. I am driven by the belief that education changes lives and by pursuing a career in STEM education, I hope to ignite that transformation in all my future students. My passion for Earth science and teaching continues to grow, and I look forward to making a difference not just in the classroom, but in the future of STEM itself. Empowering more young women to step confidently into this field is how we create the diverse scientific community our world needs. I am ready to be part of that change.

What interested me in astronomy is just as vast as the universe we reside in. I could write a several page paper about why astronomy interests me but I'll condense it down to 400-600 words for everyone's sake. I'll start with a brief introduction of myself. My name is Kristin Harkness. I'm earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education and minoring in Family Science at Utah Valley University. As an Earth Science major, astronomy has been my favorite subject that I've learned about so far. The ideal job for me in 10 years time is to be an astronomy or Earth science teacher. As much as I enjoy learning about the universe and various systems Earth has to offer, I feel a little bit selfish keeping that knowledge to myself. I enjoy informing others about the marvels of space and Earth. Astronomy interests me because it's one of the oldest sciences. Early ancient cultures such as the Greeks and Egyptians made observations about stars and planets. These observations made calendars and help somewhat grasp concept of time. Early civilization used these calendars for practices such as understanding season changes so they could make farming more effective. In modern society, as one may know, we have a very different application of time and season changes. Due to the lengthy history of astronomy, I feel like I'm more in touch with my ancestors when I practice it. I know that many of my ancestors relied on astronomy for calendars, traveling, and storytelling. In more recent times, scientists have made the conclusion that we are made from stars. Whenever I'm having a bad day, I'll tell myself that. Knowing that our planet and everything on it was made from materials that stars are made out of, it's incredible to think about. Even though I find the past of astronomy to be very interesting, I enjoy what is happening in the present. I'm also anxiously anticipating to see what the future has in store for the science. I have the opportunity to go to nearby Bryce Canyon National Park with my husband to watch a meteor shower. The program we're going to has expensive, fancy telescopes set up for the public to be able to view and observe the meteor shower. I can't believe that we're able to participate in such an amazing event. I've been carefully watching Elon Musk and SpaceX as well. I cannot believe that there's a possibility of watching people go to Mars in my lifetime. I'm insanely jealous of those few individuals since Mars is my favorite planet. It will be incredible to watch how much astronomy will change as technology and the science behind the tech improves. It's always humbling to think that we are such a tiny part of the vastness of the universe. We may be small but I know we hold so much importance in the universe. After all, a beach wouldn't be as enjoyable without all the tiny grains of sand making up that beach. Again, we are small compared to the vastness of the universe. However, I believe we have our place and our importance in the universe.

Heart disease has plagued my family for several generations. My great-grandfather was one of the first people in the United States to receive a heart transplant. My grandma had her first heart attack when she was 30 years old. My uncle had his first heart attack at 23 years old, he has had many, many surgeries on his heart. I had another uncle pass away due to a heart attack. One of my cousins received a heart transplant when he was 2-3 years old because he had some holes in his heart. Currently this cousin is being hospitalized due to some complications with his heart. It's devastating. I am so scared of ending up like my grandmother and uncles. I do a lot of cardio based work outs to help protect my heart. My family is more susceptible to high cholesterol, which causes cardiovascular issues. I am mindful of my diet because of our proneness to cardiac complications. I try to have little to no salts and sugars in my diet. I do cardio work outs several times a week. I get my blood drawn and have my cholesterol levels tested once a year, at a yearly doctor's check up. It's scary for me. I want to be a mom someday and my grandma had her first heart attack in front of my grandma. My mom was very young at the time so it was traumatic for my mom to see my grandmother have her heart attack. I'm constantly worried if my mom will have a heart attack someday. She has high cholesterol levels, she's not the best at exercising and managing her diet. Just given our family history, I live in fear that my mom will eventually have a heart attack. I worry about my siblings cardiac health. It's difficult for my entire family to face this fear and live in this reality. Our genetics, for lack of better words, stink when it comes to cardiac diseases. Luckily I have taken several biology classes so I have somewhat of an understanding of cholesterol. I have talked to my doctor and I know the preventative measures but it still doesn't change the fact that it is a very scary reality for my family. Ironically enough, I have ran a few 5ks as well as 10ks that help support people with cardiac disease. I run those races to help raise awareness and support those who have similar genetic disparities as my family does. I run to exercise my heart and hopefully prevent myself from having cardiac disease. Thank you for taking the time to read through this essay about my personal and family struggles with cardiac disease. I hope I have inspired others to take control of their hearts and their health, if they are in a position to be able to do so. Heart health is so important and I hope to continue to raise awareness regarding heart health.

This may sound cliche but my life has not been easy, at all. I have faced a lot of challenges in my life. I know I could definitely be at a different spot currently, if I didn't make the choice to take my challenges on the chin, so to speak. Bits of my soul were broken throughout these various misfortunes I experienced, now I'm working hard to take these pieces back. I work hard everyday to make not only my life better, but the lives of those around me better. It's not easy. However, I personally feel like nothing worth having in life, comes easily. I currently work two jobs while taking 14.5 credits. I typically work 50-60 hours each week while earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education, I'm also minoring in Family Sciences. The economy has been extremely difficult to start my adulthood in. I still have bills to pay, I don't live with my parents. Unfortunately my parents are too unreliable to live with so I have no other choice but to live on my own. It's a scary thought knowing that I cannot rely on my parents, so again, I have to take it on the chin. I work two jobs to survive. This scholarship will be so helpful with helping me to simply survive and pay for my education. I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education and I'm minoring in Family Sciences at Utah Valley University. I aspire to be a high school or middle school science teacher. I enjoy helping people learn about the sciences and what they have to offer. I had a very rough upbringing. My parents got divorced when I was thirteen. My mom left the home due to the divorce. I have three younger siblings so I had to step it up at thirteen and play the role of mom due to the divorce. My dad worked two jobs to keep us alive and to pay the bills. I did not have normal teenage experience due to the timing of the divorce. Science in school was my safe haven. It was the only thing that was consistent, enjoyable, and made me feel like I belonged. I hope to be able to be that teacher for one of my future students. I hope they find enjoyment and belonging in the subject I'm pursing to teach. I don't think I'll change the world as a teacher and I'm okay with that. I'm hoping to be able to change at least one of my future students lives. I hope that by changing at least one life, they will be able to pay it forward as well. Showing a little bit of kindness or taking a small moment to help someone, can make a huge impact in their lives. I know this because I experienced this when I was enduring the turbulence of the divorce in my teenage years. This is how I was able to find solace in the sciences, I had one teacher show me how I could see the world differently through the sheer power of science. Thank you for taking the time to read this short essay about my life and considering me for this opportunity. I hope by sharing my story, it'll inspire others to pay it forward.

I used to not be a fan of online schooling. I thought online college was easier in some ways and more difficult in other ways. When Covid happened, all of my classes were quickly ushered to online courses. Since then, online courses have stuck around. Many of the classes for my degree are offered online now. I work while attending classes. I have to work to pay my bills and my tuition. Most of my classes are online. The online classes allow me to be able to work, while I pursue my degree. My college uses Canvas. I have downloaded the Canvas app on my phone. The Canvas app sends me notifications about when assignments are do. There's also a digital checklist of assignments, tests, and quizzes that I need to do each day. It is extremely helpful to have those notifications and digital check list. It helps me prioritize assignments and get them done efficiently. Another online platform that I use is Quizlet. Quizlet helps me memorize topics for my classes. I used to carry around physical flashcards but I have found the online flashcards to be just as effective. I believe there is a Quizlet app as well, that can allow you to study on the go. However, I just use my desk top when using Quizlet. I have made many, many sets of flashcards for the courses I have taken on their platform. YouTube is another resource that I rely on heavily for my online classes. When I want to know more about a topic or I'm unsure how to work out a math equation, YouTube has many helpful videos. The only issue with YouTube, is that you need to know what you're looking for. You need to be descriptive about the videos you search for to aid you with school. If you're too broad and general, you may end up in a rabbit hole of videos, trying to find the right one. However, if you are specific, YouTube is a wonderful tool that you can employ to help you. In many ways, I happy that I have all of these resources at my finger tips. I have found YouTube and Quizlet to be just as helpful as a tutor. I also am so grateful for the Canvas app. I don't think I would be as successful as I am, without that app. Having a digital, daily checklist, and calendar of assignments, really helps keep me on track with my online courses. I am taking 14.5 credits this semester, so it's very important to stay organized and on track with due dates for assignments, quizzes, and tests. This is what I have found to work for me, everyone is different and entitled to their own opinion. What works best for me, may not work for you. However, if this helps you, I'm happy you have found this essay. Happy studies!

I am no stranger to classrooms. Many members of my family have found careers in teaching. It was instilled into me at a young age that education is very important because you will be learning things your entire life. I know teachers don't make a lot of money and it's honestly not about the money either. Many of my family members have made huge impacts in their students lives, their colleagues lives, and in their communities. Education is crucial for a high functioning, literate, and well established society. Teachers play such a significant role in education, as well as societies, globally. When I started college, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do something different than my family. After a few years of struggling, soul searching, trying new things and disliking them, I came to the conclusion that I need to be a teacher. I have always had a passion about our world and what we can do to protect it. I have always been curious about how our planet formed and how is it possible that we are the only intelligent form of life (that we currently know of) in the universe? I came to the conclusion that I should be an Earth Science teacher. I want to teach others about our beautiful home planet. Earth quite literally rocks! I never envisioned myself being a high school science teacher. Teenagers terrify me because I was not a good teenager. I was horribly behaved and did some things I regret. It's interesting that you attract what you fear. I feel like it's a good challenge for me to teach high school or even middle school. I do want to be a mother someday, and well, babies do grow up to be teenagers. I know it's important for me to learn how to work with teenagers, especially since I do want to be a mom someday. I think it's important to think and participate in things that are larger than yourself. I believe in the future generations. Just as I have been given the gift of education, I want to give future generations the gift of education. Education has made and is continuing to make a positive impact in my life. I want to give back to my community and uplift those who are a part of it. Teaching is the perfect way to achieve being a part of something that's bigger than yourself. I am looking forward to touch the lives of my future students and give them the gift of education. I'm currently pursing a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. My minor is Family Science. I want to be a high school science teacher and a mother someday. If my student's don't learn much from me, I hope they can walk away from my class knowing the importance of being a part of something that is larger than yourself. In my opinion, the world needs more educated and hard working individuals in order to make the world a better place.

My anxiety really started to run rampant in my teenage years. My parents got divorced when I was 13 years old. I'm the oldest of three siblings. Due to the divorce, my mom left the home. I had to step into the role of "mom", because my mother was no longer around. My dad worked two jobs to support us kids. Since I was playing the role of a mother at 13, I never got to do "normal" teenage things. I found myself sitting alone during class. I was that kid in the back corner that no one paid no mind to. Along with sitting alone in class, I would eat lunch by myself, everyday. I found it difficult to connect with others but I wanted to be friends with my peers so badly. No one could really relate to the turbulence that I was facing at home. Sadly for me, it got worse. My mom remarried to an alcoholic. My dad remarried to a very narcissistic individual. I remember bringing some friends I had just met to my mom's house. My mother's alcoholic spouse began yelling at my friends and I. After that incident, these friends that I just made, stopped inviting me over. Not only did they stop hanging out with me, they slowly stopped talking to me. I felt even more alone and isolated, after that horrible incident. To stay away from home, I started working. I worked a full time job while I was in high school. I turned 18 my senior year of high school. I moved out to my own apartment on my 18th birthday. I was working on my senior prom and homecoming nights. It was agonizing to not experience the typical, high school experience. My anxiety gets worse, I would often think to myself, "I deserve to be alone forever." "No one understands me." I sat alone in class and ate lunch alone for years at this point. It hurt to see my peers having fun and sitting with their friends in class. All I wanted was someone to go to the mall with or to go grab McDonalds with during lunch. No one paid any mind to me. I am so grateful that I made the choice to go to college. After high school, I moved in with some roommates, down the street from my college. Pursuing a college degree is where I finally felt like I belonged. No one cared that I was moved out. No one mind that I was working. The friends that I have made in college, work around my schedule. They aren't afraid of me or the experiences I have had. They think I'm strong and they enjoy spending time with me. Making friends in college has boosted my self esteem and diminished my social anxiety. I no longer had thoughts of, "I deserve to be alone." Currently, I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I want to become a high school science teacher. I want to be there for the students who sit alone in class, because of my experience. I want to create unity in my classroom and help those students who are alone find some friends among their peers. I want to share my experiences with my future students to let them know that it's okay if high school doesn't work in your favor, I found my place in college. Don't let your anxieties and past experiences hold you back from achieving your dreams. If you open your mind and heart, anything is possible.

Adversity is something that I have experienced a lot in my life. My parents divorced when I was 14. I am the oldest of three siblings, so I had to step it up at 14 years old and help take care of my younger siblings because of the divorce. When my parents remarried (to different partners), they both remarried to extremely abusive individuals. My dad's spouse is what I suspect to be a narcissist. She threatened to call the police on my siblings and I often, for no reason. She would make each of us feel devalued and unloved. My mom's spouse wasn't any better. This individual was an alcoholic. My siblings and I experienced a lot of emotional abuse, in both households. I was still a senior in high school when I decided to move out on my own. I moved out on my 18th birthday, my senior year of high school. It broke my heart to leave my siblings behind. I knew I had to leave and set a great example for them. During my senior year, I worked a full time job, to keep up with bills. I didn't have a "traditional" senior year experience. I was working during prom and homecoming. I couldn't participate in any clubs or extra-curricular activities because I was supporting myself. While working a full time job, I graduated early. I graduated in January of my senior year. After graduating, I moved to another city on my own. I moved to a city that's closer to my college. There, I had a more traditional freshman year of college. I lived with several roommates and was attending classes. I finally got to do extra-curricular activities and be involved with my school. Sadly, this was short lived because Covid happened my freshman year of college. Luckily, this wasn't the first time that I had faced a challenge. I feel like my rough teenage years prepared me to endure the storm of Covid. Due to Covid and inflation, it's taken me a bit longer than most individuals to earn my bachelor's degree. I have worked part time, full time, and at times, overtime, while I have been in college. I have a goal of graduating college debt free, so I will do whatever it takes to achieve this goal. Currently, I am working two jobs while earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I want to become a high school science teacher someday. For my journey, I feel that it is best for me to graduate college debt free. This goal has been extremely difficult because inflation has run rampant. My grocery bill has quadrupled since Covid. My rent has doubled since Covid. Luckily, adversity is something I'm used to and I know if I continue to work hard, I can overcome these challenging times. I share my story in hopes that I can inspire others to chase their dreams, despite the turbulence around them. I work hard but when I get the opportunity to play hard, I take it. I know the sacrifices that I am making today will help me live a better life in the future. Not to toot my own horn or anything but I think I'm going to be a great teacher. I know many people are leaving the education industry in droves. I know the adversity I have faced in my life is going to make me more successful in my career. Thank you for reading this essay and considering me for this opportunity.

1. Salutations! My name is Kristin. I come from a middle class family. My works as an HVAC and my mom is teacher. Since HVACs and teachers don't make a lot of money, I missed out on a few opportunities as a child. Both of my parents attended college so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Due to my family's financial restraints, I am responsible for paying for my education completely on my own. My parents made me into the woman I am today. I am grateful for everything they have taught me so I can live a successful life. 2. I have always enjoyed the sciences and did well with science in school. My parents got divorced when I was 14. My mom left home due to the divorce. I am the oldest of 3 siblings, I had to take care of my younger siblings and play the mother role at home because mom was gone. I still placed a high emphasis on school. I studied, did my homework, and still showed up to class everyday. Luckily, my work ethic paid off and I did well in school, despite the all of the emotional turmoil I faced at home from the divorce. 3. I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science education so I can become a high school science teacher. I want to teach the future generations of how to be good stewards of our planet so it can be enjoyed and livable for millions of years. I also have a goal of graduating college debt free. I currently work two jobs. On average, I work anywhere from 50-60 hours each week, to help me on my journey of graduating college debt free. Receiving this scholarship will help me so I can quit one of my jobs and focus on my studies more. Focusing on my studies more will allow me to be able to spend more time with my family. It would change my life as I currently know it, in such a tremendous way, if I received this scholarship! 4. I currently work two jobs, I am responsible for paying for my education on my own. I would like to graduate college debt free. It seems nearly impossible because since moving out on my own 4 years ago, my rent has nearly doubled. I don't eat as much because I cannot afford as many groceries, since the price of groceries has nearly quadrupled in the last 4 years. I had to get another job to help me make ends meet. It has been difficult working two jobs while taking a full set of classes. I am hopeful that I will reach my goal of graduating college debt free. Hope is all I have in these trying times. 5. I am so excited to become a high school teacher. In my opinion, nothing screams more of an active member in a community than a teacher does. I can't wait to teach my future students how to be excellent stewards of Earth. Learning this is so important because climate change is a real threat to humanity. I want to teach my students how to take care of our home planet so it can be enjoyed by many generations to come. Being a good steward of the Earth can be big or small actions. Small actions such as recycling can compound into a larger change that the world needs. By making a community more mindful of these issues could compound globally. My impact in the community may be small but I know it is essential.

I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because of her style. Sabrina Carpenter is so girly pop and I aspire to be just as girly pop as she is. I love how she embraces her femininity and is proud to be a woman. I also think she is a style icon! I love her platform boots and how she incorporates hearts into her clothing. She is also not afraid to express her sexuality or her passion (or lack there of) for a boy in her songs. Sabrina Carpenter is truly a queen. Sabrina Carpenter's career has impacted me stylistically. I used to be afraid to be a woman and embrace my feminine side. I would shy away from my sexuality and conceal it. I am proud to be a feminine, heterosexual female because of her songs. I am wearing dresses and doing my makeup the way Sabrina Carpenter does her makeup. I am tapping into the feminine side of myself that I sadly suppressed for many years. Through her, I am learning that it is okay to be a diva! I love tapping into this side of myself and embracing my womanhood. I think it is important to learn to love yourself for who you are. It's okay to be a female and enjoy feminine things! Society has told me for many years that I don't need a man to save me and I should just become my own man. It's okay to be a diva and need a man, there is nothing wrong with that. I would like to thank Sabrina Carpenter for helping me be comfortable with my sexuality and femininity. Thank you for reading a little bit of my story and considering me for this opportunity!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I currently work two jobs while earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am responsible for paying for my education completely on my own, that is why I am working two jobs while taking a full schedule/set of classes. I have a goal of graduating college debt free. I work diligently each day to help me achieve this goal. How do I hold myself accountable and how has that led to my success? To be completely honest, family helps hold myself accountable. I love my family and they are the most important thing to me. I will do anything to be able to spend time with my family. I had an uncle tell me, "At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much money is in your bank account. All that matters is being surrounded by those who you love most." I came to the conclusion that my uncle was dead right. Before having many chats with my family members, such as my uncle, I thought success was dependent on a career. I had a lofty goal of becoming a veterinarian someday. I pushed my family aside to pursue my veterinary degree. While I was trying to earn that degree, I worked at a vet clinic. In my experience the vet clinic was not a family friendly environment. I saw the vet work after hours, doing emergency surgeries on pets. Somedays, I would be at the vet clinic until ten o'clock at night, despite the fact that I got there at six o'clock in the morning. I rarely saw my family because of the demands of the vet clinic. I grew very anxious, sad, and lonely. I based my entire personality off of the prospect that I was going to become a veterinarian someday. I met my husband while I worked in the veterinary field. He was crushed when I told him that I may have to move across the country to go to vet school. My husband is my everything. Early on in our relationship, I knew we were going to get married and spend the rest of our lives together. It was difficult for me to see the pain it caused him that I may move across the country to go to school. I was also still anxious and lonely because of all the hours I was spending at school and work. I knew something had to change. I made the decision to leave the vet field and pursue a teaching degree. I feel like teaching is a more family friendly job. After all, I will get summers off to spend time with my husband and our future children. Family is that important to me, I owe it to myself to tap into my core value of family. A few months after I made the decision to change my major, I got married to my best friend. My husband is in school and works a full time job as well. He understands the hardships I face working two jobs and earning a degree. He shares my goal of starting our own family someday. We make a great team. Thank you for reading about my life as a student as well as considering me for this opportunity! I think it's important to be true to yourself. Being true to yourself and holding yourself accountable is difficult but in my experience, it has led to me finding success - as well as true happiness! In my opinion, success does not always equate to money. Thanks again!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I am currently working two jobs while earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am responsible for paying for my education completely on my own. One of my goals is to be able to graduate college, debt free. Graduating debt free has been increasingly challenging due to the record high inflation we are all feeling the impact of. Recently, the cost of my tuition and fees increased. My rent increased. Recently, I heard that the power company who provides my power is increasing their costs as well. This is why I am working two jobs while taking classes. I work diligently each day to be able to achieve my goal to graduate college, debt free. I was going to school to become a veterinarian. I worked at a vet clinic for a few years, it was extremely difficult. I would come home exhausted and crying most days. I started to suffer from compassion fatigue. I started to get more anxious while working at the vet clinic. I experienced many panic attacks while working in the veterinary industry. It's a tough environment and it only seemed to get worse the longer I stuck around. I knew something needed to change before I dove more deep into my veterinary degree. It was painful coming to the conclusion that I needed to change degrees. I thought for months about what was I going to do with my life? I felt so lost and hopeless. I grew up in the geologically diverse state of Utah. I still currently live in this wonderful state. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain range. I was always curious as to why I lived next to a giant salty lake in a land locked state or why I live next to such beautiful mountains. I guess if you live somewhere long enough, it becomes normal and you stop questioning some of the things around you. I took the wonder around me for granted, until recently. During my time in college, I taught myself how to snowboard. I more into camping and exploring Utah. There's so many geological wonders in Utah. A great example is the iconic, delicate arch. After rediscovering my love for where I live, my curiosity returned. I wanted to know what the heck is going on around me! I enjoy teaching others about how some of the rock formations, such as the Delicate Arch formed. At the time, I thought to myself, "Maybe I should become a science or geology teacher?" Now, I am hoping to become a high school Earth Science or Astronomy teacher. My degree will help me become an educator. Not just an educator, but an educator in geology and the earth sciences. I took an astronomy class this summer and I completely fell in love with the class. I could see myself teaching astronomy someday. Space is very interesting and there is so much we don't know yet about the cosmos. I am learning a lot about greenhouse gases and conservation. I'm learning about how we can create more sustainable energy. I find it extremely important to educate the future generation about these topics so we can be better stewards of our home, Earth. I am learning about the history of our home. I think knowing and understanding the history of Earth, can help point us into a better direction of where we need to go or be at for the future. Earth has many cycles or systems. There's a cycle or system with the tides, our weather, how natural disasters occur, even down to the magnetic field that surrounds Earth. I feel like by understanding these systems can help us cohabit and work with the Earth, not against it. Again, I feel like my future students need to learn about these things. I think everyone should know more about our home planet. Might as well, especially since all of us are residents of Earth. I had a rough time in high school. I didn't go to prom or homecoming. I ate lunch alone every single day. All of the teachers knew my name. I was very much a loner and didn't have any friends in high school. If I'm not able to impact my future students by my teaching, I am hoping to at least be a helping hand in their life and help improve their personal circumstances. I don't want to be their best friend by any means, I hope that I can encourage them to improve their circumstances so they can live a better life. As much as I love Earth Science, I love family and friends as well. It's difficult to navigate personal circumstances, especially as a teenager. I hope someday, I can be a good listening ear and give good advice to my future students in regards to friends or family. I want to bring more unity and joy into my community by becoming a teacher. I enjoy bring people together and bringing joy into others lives. I feel like I can do both by becoming a teacher. I want to help out and volunteer at the school. Schools can do amazing things for their community and bring people together in ways that are just wonderful. I believe that earth sciences and conservation cannot be done without bringing people together first. It takes a whole community to make major impacts in conservation and being excellent stewards of our Earth! Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider me for this scholarship. If I was awarded this scholarship, it would help me be one step closer to my goal of graduating college debt free. I feel honored to be considered for this opportunity. I am so excited to become a teacher and bring a much needed positive impact in the community I reside in. I hope to share my passion of Utah and beyond with my future students. Thank you for believing in me!

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am working two jobs while earning my degree. On average, I work 50-60 hours each week, while taking classes. I am a devoted student and a hard worker! I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I come from a family of teachers. You could say that teaching runs in our blood! My mom is a middle school math teacher. My brother is wanting to become a high school or middle school history teacher. I have aunts and uncles who have had a career in teaching. I think it is so wonderful that my family has made an impact on the future generation by teaching them subjects such as math. My family is proud of teaching their students how to be critical thinkers and how to be a successful member of society! I can't wait to contribute to my family's heritage in that way and continue teaching my future students how to be a critical thinker. In our society now, I feel like technology does a lot of thinking for us. We are bombarded by media for most of our day. Others on media teach us how to think. I would like to be able to teach my future students creativity and how to be able to think for themselves. I think that is a very important skill to have in order to be a successful member of a community or our society. One teacher who changed my life was Mr. Burns. I had no friends in middle school or high school. I sat alone, often. I had a difficult time doing group projects, simply because I was everyone's last pick! Mr. Burns noticed how I struggled to connect with others. He would invite me into his classroom to eat lunch with him. He would tell me how middle school and high school is temporary. He told me that someday I will live a beautiful life and achieve my dreams someday! Mr. Burns showed me picture of his family and kids. He would talk about how they were his pride and joy. I appreciated this because it inspired me to find something in my life that would bring me that much joy! I recently got married to my best friend! He inspires me to be my best self, everyday. I hope to be able to build a family with him someday. I would say that my husband is currently my pride and joy. He brings so much happiness into my life and he is so excited for me to become a teacher someday! Thank you for reading a little bit about my life. I am so grateful to be considered for this opportunity.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I work two jobs while attending college. On average I will work anywhere from 50-60 hours each week while being a full time student. I have a goal of graduating college, debt free. I work extremely hard each day to help me achieve my goal. I plan to give back to my community and others around me by becoming a high school Earth Science or Astronomy teacher. I would also like to become a mother someday. I believe in our wonderful world. I know there is still good in the world. I can contribute to the good in the world by becoming a teacher and a mother. I want to share my passion about our Earth (and beyond, meaning our galaxy) to my future students and children. There are so many unsolved mysteries on Earth and in space. Perhaps by sharing my passion for Earth Science and Astronomy, I could inspire one of my future students, or children, to help solve the mystery behind some of those unknowns to make our world a better place! I had a very difficult time in high school. I was a black sheep. I didn't have many friends, so I ate lunch alone every single day. I didn't go to prom or homecoming. High school was not a great experience for me. One teacher that made my high school experience bearable, was Mrs. Bates, my math teacher. She always wore a smile on her face. She would talk to me after class. I would consider her somewhat of a friend to me. I appreciated her taking time out of her busy schedule to get to know me and help me out with life. I suspect Mrs. Bates knew that I was struggling. She saw me sit alone in class and at lunch. I appreciate the kindness she showed to me. I used to struggle with math but she made math one of my favorite subjects! I never envisioned myself becoming a teacher, honestly. High school was a less than desirable experience for me. I thought about some very kind teachers like Mrs. Bates for example. I hope to be an example, a friend, and assist students who were like me, when I was in high school. Sometimes a small amount of kindness can go a long way. If my future students don't care about the subject I'm teaching, I hope that I can at least teach them that kindness is infectious. I don't think I can change the world but I think by spreading kindness, it can make the world a better place to be! Thank you for reading my essay and considering me for this opportunity. I hope by sharing my story I inspired more to learn more about our universe or to spread some kindness. I am very nervous but excited to be a high school teacher someday. I look forward to teaching the future generation and children about our world, our universe, and how spreading kindness can make our world a better place to be.

Hello! My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I work two part time jobs. On average, I work anywhere from 50-60 each week. I am also taking classes while working my two jobs. I am paying for my education on my own. I have a goal of graduating college debt free, I work diligently each day to help me achieve this goal. How do I embody selflessness? My family has gone through a lot of turbulence over the past couple of years. I am the oldest in my family and I am constantly helping out my parents and younger siblings. My parents got divorced and remarried. Unfortunately, both of my parents remarried to abusive spouses. My mom's partner was an alcoholic. They were both physically and verbally abusive. My dad's partner had, what I suspected, some sort of personality disorder. My dad's partner was very manipulative and controlling. Interestingly enough, both of my parents are divorcing these partners this year. My siblings and I endured a lot of abuse from our parents' spouses. I would be a shoulder to cry on for my siblings. Honestly, I still am, as I help my siblings transition into adulthood. I helped my siblings when my parents could not. From doing carpool, to helping them buy clothes, or helping them out with a school assignment, I was (and still am) there for them. I would listen to their worries and fears. I would listen to the abuse they experienced. It was so difficult but I knew I had to be there for them, since it seemed like no one else was in our corner. I still help my siblings out a lot. My parents are both getting divorced from their spouses. Even though I have moved out, work two jobs, and I'm attending college, I make time for my siblings. I still give them rides to places, I assist them financially, and of course I'm a shoulder to cry on. They watched me leave our unfortunate circumstances and make lemons into lemonade. I helped blaze a trail for them, so to speak. My siblings are starting to step into adulthood without fear because of my example. My siblings are also helping others that have difficult family situations be the best they can be. Support is contagious. You don't have to make dinners for people or give them money. Just listening and being present helps someone out a lot. I hope by sharing my story, it inspires others to support those who are close to them. Being present is so important, especially when we have so many distractions in our society. Text messages, emails, social media, all take away from truly being present and listening to someone. Putting that away and truly listening, can make a huge difference in someone's life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope that I get considered for this opportunity. If not, I am very grateful for this opportunity and hope that my story inspires others. Thanks again!

Hey there! My name is Kristin. I'm currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I currently work two part time jobs. On average, I work 50-60 hours each week. While working my two jobs, I am taking several classes so I can earn my degree. I am also getting married this summer to my best friend. Due to the current state of the economy my parents are not able to fund our wedding so I am paying for the wedding and my education completely on my own. My fiance is also a student and he is paying for his own education as well. My fiance and I are both children of teen parents. My fiance's parents were 17 when they had him and my parents were 18 when they had me. Both of our parents are very successful, despite being teen parents. My mom is a teacher, my dad has had a career in HVAC for over 25 years. My fiance's parents own a business and several properties. My mom is a middle school teacher. I grew up watching her go to school, working a part time job, and raising my siblings and I. Because of my mother, I want to become a high school Earth Science teacher. I know there is a negative connotation with teen pregnancies but I want to put a positive spin on these stories. Being a teen parent is very difficult but you can still have a wonderful life, if you work hard enough. I know this because my parents and my fiance's parents are perfect examples of this. Both of our parents had to work very hard to be where they are at in life today. They both made huge sacrifices to be able to provide for themselves and their family. Being a teen parent is not bad, it's just more difficult. It's more of a challenge. I hope that by sharing my story, others will be able to see this perspective. Due to my parents choices and the sacrifices I saw them make, I made the choice to not have children for a long time. I want to focus on school, getting a steady career, before I have kids. We didn't have much money growing up. I missed out on many opportunities due to financial reasons as a child. I am hoping that I can provide a financially stable environment for my future children, so they can have more opportunities than I did. Both my fiance and I grew up in apartments due to our circumstances. I want my future children to grow up in a house. Again, being a teen parent is not bad, it's just can be more difficult in many ways. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay about my upbringing. I hope that others can see my perspective and not place such a negative connotation on teen pregnancies. Both my parents and fiance's parents were brutally bullied and looked down upon by their peers because they decided to start a family as teenagers. This is not what we need in society to prevent teen pregnancies. I think teenagers should understand the weight of their decision and the challenges that can come with a teen pregnancy. Challenges and difficulties are not a bad thing, they can be excellent learning opportunities. Challenges help us grow as human beings. Personally, that challenge was not for me so I choose not to follow in my parents footsteps, which is okay. Thank you again for reading this essay. I hope I can be considered for this opportunity!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I work two part time jobs while taking classes. On average, I work anywhere from 50-60 hours each week. I am paying for my education completely on my own and I have a goal of graduating college, debt free. Both of the jobs I work at are at schools. I feel like I play a key role in the community by working at the schools. Schools not only provide education but they provide many opportunities for the community. From time to time, one of my schools does participate in volunteering to further give back to the community. I have volunteered at homeless shelters, read books to foster children, I've also helped out at community pantries. I have donated items to homeless shelters and food pantries. I love serving the students at my school as well as others who reside in my community. As for the future, I am planning to become a high school Earth Science teacher. I personally had an extremely difficult time in high school. I felt like no one was in my corner. I want to continue to give back to my community by becoming a teacher. I hope that I can change at least one of my students' lives and help them feel like they have someone in their corner. I don't expect to change the world as a teacher, I'm just hoping to educate my future students about Earth. I want to teach my students the importance of being a good steward to our home planet, Earth. There is a possibility that by teaching my future students about our world, they could do more to preserve it and possibly save it. I want to further my contributions to society by becoming a wife and a mother. I am getting married to my best friend in June. Unfortunately, due to the current state of the economy, neither of our parents are able to assist in paying for our wedding. My fiancé is also a student, he is paying for his education on his own as well. It has been extremely difficult sorting out how to pay for school, our regular bills (rent, car insurance, ect.) and paying for our wedding, with record high inflation. Fortunately, we both are working several jobs to make ends meet. If we are lucky, we get to spend at least several hours or even sometimes, a day together, each week. I am so excited to become a teacher and a mother someday. I hope I can inspire my future students and children to be good stewards of the community and our world. For now, I will continue working multiple jobs, at the schools I work at indefinitely, and taking classes to become a teacher while I work those jobs. One of my goals for the summer is to donate blood, at least once. I will also continue to volunteer when the opportunity presents itself. As I said before, I enjoy helping out my community and making it a better place. Thank you for reading my essay about my current circumstances and my goals for the future. I don't think that I will change the world. Changing the world is a lofty goal, I'm hoping that at least I'll leave a positive impact on my community. I hope by sharing my story it will inspire others to work hard and consider contributing to their communities and the world in a positive way!

Hello! I would like to introduce myself, first. My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my Bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I work two part time jobs while taking classes. I currently work on average, 50-60 hours each week. I am paying for my education completely on my own. I have a goal of graduating college, debt free. I work hard each day so that I can someday achieve my goal of graduating college, debt free. Travelling is very transformative. I have never travelled outside of the United States but I have been so blessed to see the East coast as well as the West coast. It was a very interesting experience to see the differences from coast to coast. I met some really cool people along the way! I also learned a lot about our country and the many cultures that make up the United States. I would like to travel the world someday. I think it would be an amazing experience to visit all of the countries in the world. I am curious to see how others live from day to day. Travelling can be very humbling. Again, I've never been outside of the country but I have seen a lot of other states in the U.S. Last year, I visited New Mexico. I had some high hopes with New Mexico because of the T.V. series, Breaking Bad. I thought I would see some nice houses or bump into Walter White. Unfortunately, I passed through a lot of towns that were extremely run down. I didn't see any houses, I saw mostly trailer homes, lots of stray dogs, and some beat up cars. I remember stopping into the gas station in one of the towns near the iconic rock formation, Shiprock. When I was in the gas station, I noticed that nearly all of their liquor and cigarettes were sold out. It was humbling but yet so sad to see. I had no idea that people in New Mexico lived like that from everyday. I know that our country wants to assist other countries such as Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. I find it hard to understand after seeing some very run down towns in New Mexico. Why are we sending out money to other countries when there are individuals in our country who don't have the best quality of life? I apologize for getting somewhat political in my essay but travelling can open your eyes, as well as your heart. Perhaps my perspective would change if I travel to some of those countries that I listed previously. I may have a bias, since I've never been outside of the U.S. I would also love to visit Africa and Haiti to see how individuals live in those countries. I know Haiti is an extremely dangerous place at the moment. I know that their country has been overruled by gang members after the assassination of their president back in 2021. I would love to see how people are overcoming the turbulence in the country and how they live each day. I think it would be incredibly humbling and life changing. Thank you for reading my essay on how I would like to travel more. I appreciate being considered for this scholarship!

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem and I'm currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I currently work two part time jobs while taking some classes. I work about 50-60 hours each week. I am paying for my education completely on my own. I have a goal of graduating college debt free, so, I work diligently each day to try and achieve this goal. STEAM has always interested me. More specifically, geology and Earth Science has always been of interest to me. I was born and raised in the geologically diverse state of Utah. I grew up by The Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. I enjoy hiking and exploring all of the summits, lakes, and valleys that Utah has to offer. I have always been curious as to why I grew up next to a salty lake in a landlocked state. Learning about the history and science behind some of Utah's most iconic geological formations, such as the iconic Delicate Arch, have only fueled my passion for Earth Science. I enjoy learning about the weather and how rain can form rivers, which can chip away at solid rock, overtime. It's incredibly fascinating to me. I enjoy learning geology and botany. It's amazing to think that plants have an affect on how mountains and valleys form. In my humble opinion, Earth Science quite literally, rocks! I love children, which is why I want to share my passion with Earth Science by becoming a high school or middle school Earth Science teacher. I hope by sharing my passion and enthusiasm for Earth Science, it will inspire my future students to explore the sciences more. I think science is important because science helps shape our world into a better place. Without science, I feel like progress in medicine, transportation, and developments such as buildings or homes, would come to a screaming halt. I don't think I will change any of my students' lives by teaching but it is exciting to think that I could potentially teach some students that could contribute to science and make our world a better place. I hope to always continue my education with STEAM. I feel like as much as I would like to have a career in teaching, it's important to have the life long career of being a student and continue to learn as much as you can. Science is constantly changing. There's always more efficient ways of conducting a study or proving a theory that come out all the time. I feel like it's important to be able to adapt, learn, and grow, just as science does. I want to teach my future students the importance of having a growth mindset so they can become the most authentic version of themselves. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay about why I would like to be a high school Earth Science teacher. I hope my story inspires others to work hard so that they can achieve their dreams. I also hope my story inspires others to pursue a career in STEAM. Earning this scholarship will help me be one step closer to graduating college debt free. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my story and apply for this scholarship!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my Bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I currently work two jobs and I'm taking some classes as well. Between my two jobs, I work on average 50-60 hours each week. I am paying for my education, completely on my own. I have a goal of graduating college debt free, so I work hard each day to help me achieve this goal. Mental health is something that has impacted me for a number of years. I started to develop major anxiety issues after my parents divorced when I was thirteen years old. My mom moved out of the home, because of the divorce. My dad had to work two jobs to provide for my younger siblings and I. I am the oldest out of my three siblings. I had to step into the role of a mother while my dad was away at work. I would cook, clean, and babysit. I would listen to my siblings cry because they missed my mom so much. Each of us were impacted negatively by the divorce. About a year after the divorce, my mom and my dad found different partners. They both remarried, shortly after meeting their new partners. My dad's spouse suffered from a number of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Her children also suffered from a number of mental health issues. One of my step siblings was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. It was difficult navigating my step mom's emotions and struggles. I had to protect and watch out for my younger siblings because my step mom's emotions were all over the place. My step siblings did not provide much comfort. Three of my step siblings attempted suicide because of the circumstances we were facing at home. It was an extremely difficult environment to grow up in. Due to the severe issues I was facing with my dad's new family, I moved in with my mom and her spouse. At my mom's home, I was physically and verbally abused by her spouse. My mom's spouse was an angry drunk and an alcoholic. I endured a lot of abuse from this person because they got very drunk, every day. My anxiety became worse because I felt like I did not have a home as a teenager. I started to experience panic attacks as a result of the abuse. I also became somewhat depressed and had thoughts of ending my life from time to time. Leaving home is what kept me going. The day I turned eighteen, I moved into an apartment with roommates. I started college shortly after moving out. Now, you would think I would catch a break from the tumultuous circumstances that appear to follow me around, you would be incorrect. My first year of college was Covid. As for many people, Covid was a terrifying and difficult time. My anxiety grew into a monster, it was unbearable. At the start of Covid, with so little information about the illness, I had many panic attacks. I started to attend therapy, online sessions, because of the pandemic. There, I was diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD. Luckily, I was able to obtain an emotional support animal because of the state of my mental health. I love taking care of my cat, he is my best friend and he has brought so much peace into my life. Present day, I feel like I finally have a handle on my anxiety and PTSD. I started working out consistently. I eat better foods, I drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep. I also cuddle and hug my cat all the time. Working out has helped me achieve wonderful things, I recently completed my first half marathon. I feel like my anxiety, who talks down to me and tells me I can't do something, melts away while I'm running. I feel more confident after completing my workouts or long runs. As a teenager, I had so much animosity towards the world. I felt like a victim of the world. Now, I feel like I truly am a part of the world and I have the power to contribute to the good that is in it. One of the many reasons why I would like to become a high school teacher is that I would like to be an inspiration to my students who have terrible home situations, just as I did. I thought about dropping out of high school when I was a teenager. Instead of dropping out, I graduated high school early, moved out into an apartment, and started college. I feel like what I went through as a teenager helped me gain grit and resilience. Learning those traits have helped me become a more successful adult. Whenever college or being an adult gets difficult, I just think back about teenage me, who just kept pushing onwards. I don't like to share my story but I felt inspired to write this essay. I hope by sharing my story, it will assist others in their battles with mental health. I have lost several friends and family members to their battle with mental health. I want others to know that no matter what you are going through, if you keep showing up and doing your best, your circumstances will improve. I never thought my life would get better because trouble followed me like my shadow. I still go through hard times but I am more receptive to challenges in life because they have helped me grow into the woman I am today. I hope others reading this will realize that their challenges will help them grow. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I hope my essay brightens or uplifts someone!

Hey there! My name is Kristin. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am working two part time jobs, while taking classes. On average, I will work 50-60 hours each week. I am paying for my education, completely on my own. I have a goal of graduating college debt free and I work diligently, each day to achieve this goal. My career of choice is to become a teacher and a mother someday. My first career of choice is to be a mother. I know modern society trashes mothers and does not value mothers as much as they should. I think being a mother is the most important job that I can hold. I want to teach and nurture the next generation, so they can help with the pursuit of making our world a better place. I highly value the experiences and lessons that children can bring into one's life. As for my second career of choice, I am choosing to become a high school Earth Science teacher so that I can share my passion for science with my future students someday. I am an avid learner and I feel like most teachers are excellent examples of individuals who chose to constantly be learning. As much as I want to be a teacher, it's important for me to always be a student (or at least have a student mindset) and continue my lifelong pursuit in learning. When I first started college, I wanted to be a corporate woman. I had the goal of becoming a veterinarian and opening my own vet clinic. I had a job as a veterinary assistant at a vet clinic. I also took classes to earn my pre-veterinary requisites. After working in a vet clinic for two years and earning my generals, I came to the conclusion that becoming a veterinarian was no longer for me. To become a veterinarian, I would need to sacrifice large amounts of time away from my family and friends. I knew to my core, that this decision would break me. After coming to terms that the vet field was no longer for me, I felt lost and broken. I had wanted to become a vet since I was a little girl. Most of my family members have or have had a career in teaching. My mom is one of the main reasons why I would like to become a teacher and a mother someday. I grew up watching her go to college to earn her teaching degree and raising my siblings and I. She maintained so much composure and eventually earned her teaching degree. I love the fulfillment that teaching and family has brought into her life. I know in my core, that I want to achieve something similar to my mom. As I mentioned previously, I am paying for my education on my own. I work two jobs, while taking classes to become a teacher. People say I'm insane but I watched my mom raise four children, be a wife, while taking classes. I met the man of my dreams and we are getting married in June. We're hoping to start a family after we buy a home, someday. My fiance is also an inspiration to me. He works a full time job while taking night classes, he is paying for his education on his own as well. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. I hope by sharing my story, it inspires others that if they work hard, they can make their dreams come true!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I currently work two part time jobs and I am taking classes for the summer. Between my two jobs, I work about 50-60 hours each week. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I hope to be a high school Earth Science teacher someday. I am paying for my education completely on my own. I have worked either full time, part time, overtime, or multiple jobs during my time in college. I think my greatest achievement to date is teaching myself how to snowboard. After work and class, I would drive myself up the mountain to snowboard. I don't have a lot of friends so I would go snowboarding by myself a lot. It's scary being a solo female snowboarder. I would keep on the trails, so if I fell, someone would be able to help me. I remember constantly falling on my rear end. I would sometimes fall on my face as well. I would get so frustrated that I would hit the snow. Other snowboarders would seem to glide past me and they made snowboarding look so easy. I was determined to be a decent snowboarder. I would go up several times a week, after my long hours at both my jobs and after class. I didn't expect to be as good as Shawn White, I just want to be able to glide through the snow without falling. I am proud to say that I have successfully taught myself how to snowboard. Teaching myself how to snowboard taught me endurance, grit, and that is okay to fall. I learned a lot from falling on my face and rear end. I learned how to push past the pain and to get back up again. I also learned how to teach others how to snowboard. I have taught my friends, my fiance, and my siblings how to snowboard. They have all said that I'm a great teacher. I am getting married in June. I hope that I can be a great wife in the not so distant future. I hope to be a great mother when the time comes for that. I want to earn my teaching degree and become a high school teacher. I want to inspire my future students to become the best person that they can be. I also want to teach my future students that it's okay to fail. I want to show them that they can learn a lot from their failures, just through my experience with snowboarding. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay about my recent endeavor with snowboarding. I am grateful for this opportunity. I hope that I can be considered for this opportunity. Another goal that I have is to graduate college, debt free. Receiving this scholarship will help me, immensely, on my journey of paying for college on my own. I hope this essay inspires others that it is okay to fail, just as long as you get back up again, and learn something from your failure! Don't be afraid to try something new. It's also okay to not be good something the first time you try it. As a student and employee for multiple jobs, I think it's important to have a growth mindset and learn as much as you can!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I currently work two, part time jobs while taking summer classes. I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. Between my two jobs, I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer. I am paying for my education on my own. I have either worked part time, full time, overtime, or multiple jobs the entire time I have been in college. My family has a long history with mental illness. Many of the women in my family have struggled with depression and anxiety. My grandmother has suffered from both and she attempted to take her own life when I was eleven years old. I remember visiting her in the hospital after she jumped off of a cliff. She was trying to jump off of a cliff, into the ocean. Luckily, a ledge caught her and essentially saved her life. My parents had a difficult time explaining what had happened with my grandma because my siblings and I were very young at the time. Seeing my grandma struggle with mental illness at such a young age was my first experience with mental illness. As I have gotten older, I have struggled with anxiety. I feel like there are a million thoughts swirling around my head constantly. I constantly tell myself that I am not enough. I am not good enough, I am not pretty enough, I am not smart enough. I am very harsh with myself. I have had these types of thoughts since I was a teenager. I will stay up and not sleep because of my anxious thoughts, eating me away. Last year, I was diagnosed with anxiety by a mental health therapist. I have since gotten an ESA (emotional support animal) to help me cope with my anxiety. I have also started exercising, in hopes that the endorphins will help me overcome my battle with anxiety. Since I got my ESA and started exercising regularly, my anxiety is more manageable. I ran a half marathon last year and I am training for another half marathon. I am hoping to be able to run a full marathon someday. Taking care of my ESA, which is my cat, helps keep my constant negative thoughts at bay. I enjoy taking care of my cat. He comforts me just as much as I comfort him. Sometimes I feel as if I am his emotional support human. I share my story because I hope to inspire others to try new things. I noticed an interesting correlation with mental illness in my family. Those who have mental illness in my family often lose themselves and neglect themselves. They stop exercising regularly, they have a poor diet, they stop spending time with the people they love, they stop investing in their hobbies, they never go outside and get some sunlight. I know that correlation does not always mean causation but I feel like it is important to eat right, drink water, exercise regularly, keep in contact with your friends and family (if they bring you happiness), invest in hobbies, and spend some time outside in the sun. Implementing these types of habits in my life have helped me manage my anxiety and helped me become more whole as a person. I hope that others can try new things and find things to implement in their lives that bring them joy. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. I am grateful to be able to apply for this scholarship and I hope my story helps others with their battles with mental illness.

Hello, my name is Kristin. I currently work two part time jobs and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I work an average of 50-60 hours each week. I am doing this for the summer to assist me with paying for my education. During the school year, I work one, part time job (typically 25 hours each week) while taking several classes. I am also taking some summer classes on top of working the two jobs. I have a goal of graduating college debt free. I have worked full time, part time, multiple jobs, or over time, throughout my time in college, to help me achieve my goal. When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked at a vet clinic for two years as a veterinary assistant. I felt, at the time, that my calling in life was to help people with their pets. Sadly, I grew to dislike the vet field after my two years in the field. I worked full time and sometimes overtime, while taking several classes. My apartment was constantly a mess. I hardly got any sleep and I had no friends. My job was my life. I wanted to live life a little more, so that led me to the conclusion that the vet field was not for me. I know in my heart that I have a passion for helping people. I enjoy uplifting and inspiring others so that they can continue on their journey of being the most authentic version of themselves. I thought to myself, "What profession uplifts and inspires others?" I thought about my family and their careers. Most of my family members are teachers and have made a career with teaching. After connecting the dots, I felt inclined to pursue a degree in teaching. I enjoyed teaching others about how to care for their pets at the vet clinic, it was my favorite aspect of that job. It just made sense for me to become a teacher. Now, what should I teach? I grew up and currently live in the geological diverse state of Utah. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain range. I love exploring the geology of Utah. I've seen the iconic Delicate Arch and snowboarded on Utah's, greatest snow on Earth. I have always had a curiosity of how these wonders came to be? The valleys and mountains that I reside in, have taken millions of years to form. I always enjoyed learning about these types of things in my Earth Science classes in high school and middle school. After much pondering, I decided to pursue a degree in Earth Science Education. I would like to be a high school Earth Science teacher someday. I am going into teaching in hopes that I can uplift and inspire some of my future students to become the best versions of themselves. I hope that I can help them discover a passion in Earth Science or geology, because it quite literally rocks! I am not expecting to change all of my future students' lives, I hope I can inspire at least one student to be their best. I hope my journey helps others discover that it is okay to try things, it's okay for some things to not work out. As long as you do your best, good opportunities will come your way! Thank you for reading this essay about my educational journey and why I would like to become a teacher someday. I appreciate this opportunity.

Hello, my name is Kristin. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I recently obtained a second job for the summer. Between the two jobs, I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer, while taking summer classes. I am paying for my education on my own. I have either worked full time, part time, or multiple jobs while I have been in college. When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked full time at a vet clinic, as a veterinary assistant, while taking my pre-veterinary classes. I did this for two years. Those two years were challenging. It was difficult to navigate work, school, while trying to take care of myself. I moved out from my parents' home when I was 18 and I have not lived with my parents since then. It has been the most challenging aspect of my life, so far, to balance adulthood, while being a student, and working. After working in the vet field for two years, I decided that becoming a veterinarian was no longer for me. I felt lost because I had wanted to become a vet since I was a little girl. I thought about what I could do with my life. Luckily I grew up (and continue to live) in the wonderful state of Utah. I have grown up camping, hiking, and kayaking. Utah is a geologically diverse state. I live by the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain Range. I have always enjoyed learning about my state and how it has taken millions of years for the Great Salt Lake and the mountains to form. Instead of becoming a vet, I feel in my heart that I need to become a high school Earth Science teacher so that I can share my passion for this science with my future students. I enjoyed my Earth Science classes when I took them in middle school and high school. I have always had an interest in meteorology and geology. I want to continue living in Utah so that I can share with my future students how some of the state's most iconic rock formations such as the Delicate Arch were made. Becoming a teacher in a society where teachers are not compensated or treated well, is a noble task. I am not becoming a teacher in hopes that I will change all of my future student's lives. I simply want to share my passion for science and hopefully change at least one life, because of sharing my passion for science. When I become a teacher, I want to teach my future students how to be a productive human being. As human beings, who are residents of Earth, I feel like it is important to know something about our wonderful home. I want to teach all of my students about our Earth, so we can continue preserving it for ourselves and future generations. I hope by sharing this knowledge, it would have a positive effect on society and my community. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. I don't like sharing my financial struggles, I was raised to earn my own keep. I would like to graduate college debt free. This scholarship will help me continue my educational journey and assist me in graduating college, debt free. I am grateful to be considered for this opportunity. I hope by sharing my story, it will inspire others to continue to work hard so they can achieve their dreams.

Hello, my name is Kristin. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I recently obtained a second job for the summer. Between the two jobs, I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer, while taking summer classes. I am paying for my education on my own. I have either worked full time, part time, or multiple jobs while I have been in college. When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked full time at a vet clinic, as a veterinary assistant, while taking my pre-veterinary classes. I did this for two years. Those two years were challenging. It was difficult to navigate work, school, while trying to take care of myself. I moved out from my parents' home when I was 18 and I have not lived with my parents since then. It has been the most challenging aspect of my life, so far, to balance adulthood, while being a student, and working. After working in the vet field for two years, I decided that becoming a veterinarian was no longer for me. I felt lost because I had wanted to become a vet since I was a little girl. I thought about what I could do with my life. Luckily I grew up (and continue to live) in the wonderful state of Utah. I have grown up camping, hiking, and kayaking. Utah is a geologically diverse state. I live by the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain Range. I have always enjoyed learning about my state and how it has taken millions of years for the Great Salt Lake and the mountains to form. Instead of becoming a vet, I feel in my heart that I need to become a high school Earth Science teacher so that I can share my passion for this science with my future students. I enjoyed my Earth Science classes when I took them in middle school and high school. I have always had an interest in meteorology and geology. I want to continue living in Utah so that I can share with my future students how some of the state's most iconic rock formations such as the Delicate Arch were made. Becoming a teacher in a society where teachers are not compensated or treated well, is a noble task. I am not becoming a teacher in hopes that I will change all of my future student's lives. I simply want to share my passion for science and hopefully change at least one life, because of sharing my passion for science. When I become a teacher, I want to teach my future students how to be a productive human being. As human beings, who are residents of Earth, I feel like it is important to know something about our wonderful home. I want to teach all of my students about our Earth, so we can continue preserving it for ourselves and future generations. I hope by sharing this knowledge, it would have a positive effect on society and my community. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. I don't like sharing my financial struggles, I was raised to earn my own keep. I would like to graduate college debt free. This scholarship will help me continue my educational journey and assist me in graduating college, debt free. I am grateful to be considered for this opportunity. I hope by sharing my story, it will inspire others to continue to work hard so they can achieve their dreams.

Hello, my name is Kristin. I'm currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I recently got a second job for the summer and I will be working 50-60 hours each week, while taking summer classes. I have faced a lot of adversity in my life. My parents got divorced when I was thirteen years old. My mom left the home due to the divorce. My dad had to work two jobs throughout the divorce, to keep the bills paid and a roof over our heads. I have three younger siblings and I had to take on the role of a mother, because my mom left. I had to make their meals, clean, and babysit them due to the circumstances we were in. I listened to them cry because they missed my mom so bad. A year or two after the divorce, both of my parents got remarried. Their spouses were abusive towards my siblings and I. My dad's spouse has a lot of mental issues, she struggled with a personality disorder. She was verbally abusive towards my siblings and I. She would give us punishments for no reason as well. My mom's spouse was not any better, unfortunately. My mom's spouse was an alcoholic. This individual was both verbally and physically abusive towards my siblings and I. I had to continue playing a parental role in my siblings' lives because of my parent's spouses' behaviors. Interestingly enough, both of my parents divorced their spouses this year, just as my siblings and I are starting our adulthood. Science has been my safe haven, despite the trials I was facing at home. I have always enjoyed science and looked forward to my science classes in school. I live in the wonderful state of Utah. I have grown up camping and hiking. I have always been fascinated about how the Rocky Mountain range and the Great Salt Lake have taken millions of years to form. I enjoy learning about the geology of Utah, such as the Delicate Arch. I didn't know growing up that I would become a high school Earth Science teacher. When I started college, I originally wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked at a vet clinic for two years, while attending classes for my pre-veterinary degree. I worked as a veterinary assistant. I observed a lot at the vet clinic in the two years that I was in the field. I decided that the vet clinic was not for me. After much thought and soul searching, I remembered how much I loved Earth Science in middle school and high school. I have a passion for geology and meteorology. It just made sense for me to become a high school Earth Science teacher so I can share my passion for science with my future students. I am paying for my education on my own. I have either worked part time, full time, or multiple jobs, the entire time I have been in college. I have a goal of graduating college debt free so that I can get started with my other goals, such as getting a house or a newer (more reliable) car. This scholarship will help me continue my educational journey of earning my bachelor's degree. This scholarship will also assist me with my goal of graduating college, debt free. I don't normally like to share about my rough upbringing and financial difficulties. However, I share my story to inspire others that they can chase their dreams, no matter what adversity they are facing in their life. Thank you for this opportunity!

1. Hey there! My name is Kristin. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am paying for my education on my own. I recently obtained another part time job. I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer to assist me in paying for my education. On top of working two jobs throughout the summer, I am taking some summer classes. I am a driven and hardworking individual. 2. My academic and professional goals are to graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher with a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I would like to minor in geology but I'm unsure if I'll be able to afford the extra classes I would need to take to earn the minor. I want to become a high school Earth Science teacher. I would like to share my passion with Earth Science to the next generation. I may be a little biased but Earth Science quite literally rocks. 3. I need this scholarship award because I am paying for my education on my own. I have worked either full time or part time since I have been in college. My biggest goal is to graduate debt free. It has been increasingly more difficult, since Covid, to be able to obtain my goal of graduating debt free. Each of us have felt the impact or have seen inflation. My rent has nearly doubled since I've been living in my apartment, I started living there in 2021. Being awarded this scholarship will help me be one step closer to achieving my goal of graduating with my degree, debt free. 4. If I don't get awarded any financial aid from FAFSA, or get awarded any scholarships, I just plan to continue working part time or full time to pay for my education. As I mentioned previously, I have either worked part time or full time while I have been in college to assist me in paying for my education. When I graduate, I would like to "hit the ground running", so that I can start saving up money for a home or for a nicer car. When my grandfather was on his deathbed, he told me his biggest regret in life was acquiring a lot of debt. He told me to try to live my life as debt free as possible and that is the main reason why I work so hard to stay out of debt. 5. Heavy metal music means a lot to me because I listened to a lot of heavy metal growing up. My mom would play Metallica, Nirvana, Finger Eleven, and Bon Jovi, to name a few. Whenever I play heavy metal music, it reminds me of singing Metallica in the car with my mom. Heavy metal is quite nostalgic to me. I also like to do extreme sports such as snowboarding and dirt biking. I'll listen to heavy metal, especially when I am riding on my dirt bike, simply because I feel like it makes me ride faster. When I listen to heavy metal while I'm dirt biking, I feel more confident and I'm able to take more risks (so I can do jumps or pop wheelies). Thank you for reading my essay on my academic, financial goals, and why I am a fan of heavy metal. I am also getting married in June, to my best friend. He listened to heavy metal growing up so heavy metal is nostalgic for him as well. He dirt bikes as well. When we go on dirt biking trips, we like to listen to heavy metal in the truck to hype us up before we go dirt biking. It has been difficult to sort out paying for a wedding and paying for my own education. Being awarded this scholarship will assist me greatly, in paying for my own education. I hope my essay inspires others to work hard and to keep head banging!

Hello! My name is Kristin. I'm currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am paying for my education on my own. Recently, I obtained a second part time job. I will be working 50-60 hours each week, during the summer, to assist me in paying for my education. Unfortunately, paying for my education on my own has not been one of the only hardships I have experienced in my life. My parents got divorced when I was thirteen years old. Due to the divorce, my mom left the house. My dad had to work multiple jobs to provide for my siblings and I. I am the oldest of three siblings. I had to take on the role of a mother because of the divorce. I had to babysit my younger siblings for several hours nearly every day. I had to cook, clean, and listen to them cry because they missed my mom. I had to learn how to be a leader to help guide them through this difficult time in our lives. A few years later, my parents both got remarried. My dad's spouse was verbally abusive. She would often gaslight my siblings and I. She caused each of us a lot of pain. My mom's spouse was an alcoholic. This individual was verbally and physically abusive towards our little family. It was difficult to navigate through the broken homes. My siblings and I felt alone, scared, and invisible. I had to step up, once again, to help my siblings through the abuse we were all experiencing. Interestingly enough, both of my parents have divorced their spouses this year. I suppose that they could no longer tolerate the abuse. Honestly, banding together with my siblings helped me get through those turbulent times. We would validate each other by sharing our experiences with the circumstances we were in. I can't help but feel like God gave us these trials to bring us closer together. Not only did we grow closer together, we grew stronger as individuals. Psalm 23:1–6 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Becoming stronger as individuals, have helped us grow to "fear no evil", as we enter our adulthood. I feel like any trial that comes our way, we can overcome, because of what we endured as children. I embody Agape love by forgiving my abusers. We are all human and as human beings, we make mistakes. Unfortunately, my abusers did put me through a lot. I did have to go to therapy and I am continuing to navigate through some of the damage that they bestowed upon me. Jesus would have forgiven those individuals. I forgive my abusers because I feel like they did not know how to deal with their own pain in their hearts. I truly hope that they can feel God's love and find peace someday. I want to give back to my community by becoming a teacher and showing my future students Agape love. I honestly don't think I'll change all of my future students' lives. I hope to change at least one life and teach that individual Agape love through my example. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. I don't normally like to share my hardships, as I was raised to bear my own burdens. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my story. I hope my story inspires others to fear no evil and learn how to embody Agape love.

Hello! My name is Kristin and I'm currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science education. I recently got a second job for the summer. I will be working 50-60 hours each week, between my two jobs, during the summer. I will also be taking some summer classes on top of working the two jobs. The most influential person in my life is my fiancé, Zach. Zach and I met three years ago, from a dating app called Bumble. We really hit it off after we met in person and we are going to get married in June. As Zach and I have dated, we've grown very close together. We both had very similar childhoods because we both come from very broken families. Zach's parents got divorced when he was very young. His mom struggled with addiction while his dad has issues with a personality disorder. It was very difficult for Zach growing up. Zach's mom left the home due to the divorce. He had nothing, both of his parents did not have a lot of money, so he grew up eating lots of ramen and mac n' cheese. Zach also struggled with emotional and physical abuse from his father due to his dad's personality disorder. My childhood was also very broken. My parents got divorced when I was thirteen. My mom also left the home due to the divorce. I suffered emotional and physical abuse when my parents remarried. My dad's spouse suffers from some mental disorders. Due to her mental disorders, she was verbally abusive. My mom remarried to an alcoholic. My mom's spouse was physically abusive. I could relate on a different level because I had gone through similar situations as him, due to our circumstances as children. Over the past three years, Zach and I have been working together to unpack some of the trauma we experienced as children. Zach makes me smile, especially on the days that I could not imagine bearing a smile. We go camping, jeeping, dirt biking, and kayaking together in the summers. In the winters, you can find us exploring hot springs and snowboarding. Zach has taught me how to let loose and truly live in the moment. I enjoy experiencing life with him. He has brought so much happiness and joy into my life, that I would not have without him. Currently we are working diligently to pay for our wedding and education. Zach is in trade school, he wants to become a welder someday. I'm in school to become a teacher. We are both paying for our education on our own. Our parents are unable to assist us with paying for our education, as well as our wedding. Zach's father has disowned him and cut all ties of communication after he proposed to me. Zach works from 7am-5pm and goes to his welding classes from 6pm-9pm. I work part time while attending classes. I am about to work two jobs for the summer while taking classes. We both have the goal of graduating debt free. We budget every penny and live within our means so we can obtain our goal of graduating college debt free. Thank you for reading about some of my struggles and about who is the most influential person in my life. I don't normally like to share about my childhood and my current struggles as I was raised to keep those things to myself. However, I am grateful and hope you consider me for this opportunity. It will help Zach and I be closer to our goal of graduating debt free!

If I could watch one movie for the rest of my life, I would choose Clint Eastwood's Outlaw Josey Wales. I grew up watching westerns with Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. I enjoy watching movies with the "wild west" and sometimes I wish I was a part of the "wild west", when it was truly wild. I currently live in a pretty famous state where outlaws would have their hideouts. I've even been to some of the places in the desert where they would hideout. I like Outlaw Josey Wales because of some of the scenery of the desert in the film. I enjoy how he saves some farmers and some Native Americans. I also like the grit of Clint Eastwood in the movie. Just like life itself, the entire film has ups and downs. The beginning of Outlaw Josey Wales is quite sad because his family got killed by a group from the Union. He almost got killed himself and he had a mean looking scar on his face from the encounter with the crooked group, Josey Wales sought out revenge by joining the Confederate Army. After the war was over Josey Wales tried to find refuge in Texas with his family that he adopted. Outlaw Josey Wales only killed men who deserved to be killed and he would protect the innocent. The desert landscape shown throughout the film is my personal favorite. One of my favorite places to be is the desert because I feel like I am on the set of a western film. I could watch that film over and over again because of the beautiful backdrops and landscapes that are shown. I love the lawlessness, isolation, and freedom of the desert. Outlaws and deserts go hand in hand, just like cookies and milk. I like how Josie Wales is a hero as well. He saved some Native Americans from being raped and killed. He saved a family of farmers from also being raped and killed. He banded the farmers and Native Americans together to create a makeshift family. Together they all moved to Texas to homestead and protect their land from the group of men who killed Josey Wales' original family (from the beginning of the film). I love his grit and determination to find a family again. I enjoy watching Clint Eastwood protect the other family that he banded together. Outlaw Joey Wales is such a wonderful film. It has all of the traits to make it one of the best, if not the best, western films. The desert, the lawlessness, horses, and guns, make this film so amazing. I do fantasize about living in the wild west but this film shows the dangers of what it would be like to live in that time period. I also enjoy some of the history of the film with the Union and the Confederate Army. I would be quite satisfied to watch Outlaw Josey Wales for the rest of my life, it's just such a classic film.

Hello, my name is Kristin. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I recently got a second job for the summer. I will be taking some geology classes and working 50-60 hours each week, between my two jobs, during the summer. I wanted to pursue a higher education because I wanted to become a veterinarian when I first started college. I worked at a vet clinic for two years as a veterinary assistant while taking my pre-vet classes. In my humble opinion, the veterinary field is not for the faint of heart. During my two year career in the vet field, I decided that becoming a vet was not for me. This choice was difficult to come to terms with because I had wanted a career as a vet since I was a little girl. I knew I had to continue pursuing a higher education, I just earned my general education. After much thinking, I decided that I could become a high school biology teacher. Most of my family members are teachers. I enjoyed teaching clients at the vet clinic about how to give their pets the best care. After failing a few biology courses, I discovered that biology was not for me. I had to go back to the drawing board and come up with what I could do. I have grown up and currently live in such a geologically diverse state, the state of Utah. I grew up next to a giant salty lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain range. There's red rocks in the southern part of the state and high mountain peaks in the northern part of the state. I have grown up camping and hiking throughout the state. I continue to hike and explore the geological wonders of Utah. It just made sense for me to pursue Earth Science because I have enjoyed learning about how the Great Salt Lake formed. I love learning about the geological history of the mountains I'm surrounded by. I look forward to teaching my future students about weather patterns, how oceans and mountains were created, what materials that our Earth is made up of, and how our Earth was formed. I hope to be a teacher in Utah so I can share my passion for the geologically diverse state. I want to tell my future students about how the iconic Delicate Arch was formed or explore the reason why Utah is home to the Great Salt Lake. Earth is also our home and I hope to share with my future students the science behind our home. I feel like by understanding the science and forces that created our home, it gives us a better idea of how we can preserve it. By preserving the Earth, we can make it a better place for ourselves and future generations. Thank you for reading my essay about my pursuit of higher education and my passion for Earth Science. This opportunity will assist me greatly with my journey, in continuing my education. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope that you will consider me for this scholarship!

If I could form a squad with three characters from the show, I would honestly pick Jim Hopper, Eleven, and Joyce Byers. Each of these characters have grit, integrity, and they are somewhat quick on their feet. These characters would form the most elite squad to face a new supernatural threat. My first pick is Jim Hopper. Hopper was a sheriff for the town. I did not like his character at first but I grew to really enjoy his character, especially after season 4. Hopper knows how to use a gun and find his way out of dangerous situations. In times that the people are more dangerous than the supernatural threat itself, Hopper is very useful in these types of situations. Hopper is also up to fight. He has taken out several people as well as Demogorgons. His bruteness, ability to fight, and cleverness, is honestly the total package. Eleven is pretty self explanatory due to her powers or abilities. Eleven is a strong, female lead character. Eleven has had her ups and downs, as many teenagers do. Her abilities make her a powerful weapon, especially with the group that I have picked. I think Eleven plays a vital role and is a big piece to the bigger picture I am creating. Her and Hopper also have a strong, father/daughter type of relationship. They are truly a dynamic duo. I picked Joyce because I love the Hopper/Joyce romance. I also think Joyce is a wonderful mother and can be a mama bear towards her sons. With Joyce's protective instincts, she is able to provide insight to Hopper and Eleven, that could save both of their lives. I think Hopper and Joyce would make a wonderful couple and I hope that they get married someday. I loved the way that they worked together in season 4, it was incredible to watch how they navigated through sticky situations. In conclusion, Hopper, Joyce, and Eleven would make an unstoppable team. They each have traits and abilities that make them a well rounded group. Whatever supernatural monster they come across, would be destroyed in sheer moments with this lineup. I think this group has the capabilities to work well with each other. They can communicate, think for quick or long term solutions, and they can fight hard. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for this scholarship. I appreciate this opportunity and I hope you find my character line up to be the best one. If you disagree with me, I would like to hear as to why and I would be interested in seeing your character line up. I honestly think I have the dream team but I know my opinion is biased. Thanks again!

Hello! My name is Kristin and I am currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I would like to become a high school Earth Science teacher, a wife, and a mother someday. I am the oldest of three siblings, so demonstrating leadership started at a young age for me. I constantly and quite frankly, still am, laying down a foundation to be a good example of a big sister for my younger siblings. My parents divorced when I was thirteen years old. My mom left the home because of the divorce and my dad worked two jobs to make ends meet. I had to take on the role of a mother and be there for my younger siblings, when my parents could not. I made dinners, cleaned, and listened to them cry because of the circumstances we were in. I still continue to help my siblings out as they transition into being an adult. My younger siblings are my closest friends, we talk nearly everyday. I continue to demonstrate leadership skills through my friendships, at my job, and at school. It is typical for me to take charge in group projects and help my colleagues to the best of my abilities. I try to assist in a non-dictatorship manner. I find what my colleagues are most comfortable to work with on a group project. After chatting and coming up with a conclusion of what each person can work on, it makes it easier to divide and conquer the project. My professors have mentioned to me that my projects appear to be "greater than average." with the way I conduct projects. I hope that in the future, I can continue working on my leadership skills. I am far from being a perfect leader and I would like to continue working on certain skills. I feel like leaders need good communication skills and I am constantly looking for ways that I can communicate better with others. I would like to work on being more assertive. Another great quality good leaders appear to have is knowing when they need to be assertive. I would like to get more comfortable with asserting myself in certain situations. I do not enjoy conflict or dealing with tension, so I would like to become more comfortable with dealing with conflict. In the future, I hope that I can be one of the best high school science teachers. I want to get my students excited about learning and share my passion for science. I don't want my future students to dislike coming to my class. I have had my share of "bad teachers" and I don't want to subject any of my students to being a bad teacher. I want my future students to walk away from my class, learning at least one thing that could make their life a little bit better. I would like to live a moderate life, I don't want the fanciest, newest things. I just want to be remembered as a "great person" by those who meet me. I hope that I can continue working on my leaderships skills so I can be an excellent teacher, wife, and mother someday. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay and considering me for this opportunity.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I hope to be a high school Earth Science teacher someday. I am paying for my education on my own and I have a goal of graduating college debt free. I recently got a second part time job for the summer. Between my two jobs, I will be working on average 50-60 hours each week during the summer to assist me in paying for my education. On top of all that, I will be taking some classes during the summer. I am hoping that by taking summer classes, this will help me graduate more quickly. I have been working diligently over the past couple of years while earning my education. I have either worked part time, full time, overtime, or I have worked multiple jobs while attending classes. I live within my means and I budget every cent I earn so I can obtain my goal of graduating college, debt free. It is normal for me to work 50-60 hours during the summer or even during breaks such as Christmas Break, so that I can pay for my education. The next obstacle that I am experiencing while pursuing a college education is that I am getting married in June. I am excited but I will be going through a lot of changes, for the better. Change is difficult for me but these are exciting life changes. My fiancé is also earning his education and he is paying for his own tuition as well. Unfortunately, my parents are unable to pay for the wedding and my fiancé's parents disowned him so they will not assist with any funding for our wedding. It has been difficult setting the money aside for our education and our wedding. We both work low income jobs. We are both hard workers, working diligently with what little we have. Due to our current circumstances, things have been stressful but at the same time, exciting. We are both thrilled to start a life together. Thank you for taking the time to read this essay about some of the hardships in my life. I don't normally like to share about my financial difficulties because I have been raised to earn my own keep. I feel like finances are very personal. I am also a positive person and I don't normally like to speak about personal hardships. As I mentioned before, between my two jobs, I will be working 50-60 hours during the summer to assist me in paying for my own education. Earning this scholarship will help me greatly with my goal of graduating college debt free. As some say, "every penny counts." I appreciate you considering me for this opportunity, thanks again!

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I am paying for my education on my own and I have a goal of graduating college debt free. I recently got a second part time job for the summer. Between my two jobs, I will be working on average 50-60 hours each week during the summer to assist me in paying for my education. I have experienced a lot of hardships while obtaining my degree. The first hardship was covid. My first year of college, everything got shut down due to quarantine and all of my classes switched to online. I was upset because I was still paying the "in-person" tuition price but I'm happy that I completed all my classes that semester, despite them suddenly switching to online courses. Covid was difficult for me because I felt very alone and isolated due to the pandemic. All of my roommates left the apartment to live with their parents and families. I was left alone in the apartment for months with little to no interaction with other people. It was a very difficult time for me. The next obstacle that I am experiencing while pursuing a college education is that I am getting married in June. I am excited but I will be going through a lot of changes, for the better. Change is difficult for me but these are exciting life changes. My fiancé is also earning his education and he is paying for his own tuition as well. Unfortunately, my parents are unable to pay for the wedding and my fiancé's parents disowned him so they will not assist with any funding for our wedding. It has been difficult setting the money aside for our education and our wedding. We both work low income jobs. We are both hard workers, working diligently with what little we have. Due to our current circumstances, things have been stressful but at the same time, exciting. We are both thrilled to start a life together. Thank you for taking the time to read this essay about some of the hardships in my life. I don't normally like to share about my financial difficulties because I have been raised to earn my own keep. I feel like finances are very personal. I am also a positive person and I don't normally like to speak about personal hardships. I will be working 50-60 hours during the summer to assist me in paying for my own education but earning this scholarship will help me greatly with my goal of graduating college debt free. As some say, "every penny counts." I appreciate you considering me for this opportunity, thanks again!

Hello, my name is Kristin. I'm currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am also getting married to my best friend this summer (June 2024). I am beyond excited to become a wife and a hopefully soon, a teacher. Success can have a variety of looks and meaning to individuals. Success to me means being your most authentic self and obtaining happiness. I have a strong belief of traditionalism. I don't want flashy things or millions of dollars in my bank account. I want enough in life to get me by, comfortably. I don't want to live beyond my means. I know that success can others mean having the newest car or cell phone. I actually dislike technology and I don't want a brand new car, fresh off the lot. I actually don't want to deal with a car loan or monthly payments on it. Success to me looks like a moderate home, used cars in the driveway, a hard working husband, and children laughs echoing down the hallways or in the yard of this moderate home. My fiancé is currently in trade school to become a welder, he is the hardest working man I know. He works as a mechanic at an auto shop from 8am-5pm. After he gets off of work, he attends his welding classes from 6pm-9pm. He still finds time to spend time with me, his friends, and his family. We both have the same image of success and we are both working hard to have that moderate home, used cars in the driveway, and happy children someday. In order for us to afford the home, I need to have a decent paying job too. It is difficult for where we live to buy a home. We live in the 3rd most unaffordable state to purchase a home. My ultimate goal is to become a homemaker someday but with the economy being the way it is, and how home prices are in my state, that goal is difficult to obtain. I love children and I love science so it just makes sense for me to earn my degree in Earth Science Education. This opportunity will help me achieve my goal of graduating college debt free. I am paying for my education on my own. I recently got a second part time job and I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer to pay for my education. This opportunity will help me pay for my education, which will help me be one step closer to graduating debt free. I'm hoping to graduate debt free so I can start saving for a home and for my future family. I don't want to spend my first few years of marriage swimming in debts and living beyond my means. I want to enjoy the first few years of my marriage and start laying down a foundation so I can become an excellent teacher and home maker someday. Thank you for reading my essay on my idea of success. I know my idea of success is somewhat controversial in today's society. Homemakers are often discredited for their hard work. I do all of the cleaning and cooking in my relationship so that my fiancé can focus on doing his best at his current job and school. It's important that he does well at his job and school so that he can become an excellent provider someday. We both share the idea of "traditional gender roles" because we grew up in very broken and abusive homes. We have seen children blossom in homes with "traditional gender roles" and we would like to provide the best for our future children. Our future children will be a part of the world and society. My fiancé want to give the best to the world and society. I know that becoming a homemaker and teacher is my way of giving my personal best to the world and our society.

Hello there! My name is Kristin. I currently work part time and I'm earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I have an Emotional Support Animal or ESA for my anxiety. I was diagnosed with anxiety about two years ago from a therapist. I have been battling my anxiety for longer than when I was diagnosed. My parents got divorced when I was thirteen years old. My mom left the home due to the divorce while my dad worked two jobs to help make ends meet. I am the oldest of three siblings. I had to take the place of a mother and watch over my younger siblings while my dad worked. I grew very anxious not having my parents at the home and I have had struggled with anxiety since that time in my life. Pursing a college degree is important to me so that I can continue working towards battling my anxiety. As I grew into an adult, I still experience anxiety. I am now anxious about how I will afford to live. I sometimes get panic attacks on the fact of: how I will pay for things so that I can survive? It is difficult to survive in today's economy. I recently picked up a second part time job. I will be working 50-60 hours each week during the summer to assist me with paying for my education. With my college degree, it will hopefully land me a better paying job so I will be less anxious about being able to afford the cost of living. I attempt to battle my anxiety with consistent exercising, eating a better diet, and having an ESA animal. I am slowly deleting all of my social media because social media has made me experience anxiety as well. Having a college degree with a better paying job will help me on my exercising journey and help me continue eating a better diet. It is difficult to have a decent diet when all you can afford to eat is ramen. I have found ramen without the MSGs but it is slightly more expensive than cheapest ramen you can purchase. I enjoy running but it is difficult to run outside when the weather is too cold. I live in a climate where it snows and it is difficult to run during a snow storm or blizzard. I hope that I can afford to get a gym membership or perhaps a treadmill someday. This scholarship will help me on my journey of paying for my education. My goal is to graduate debt free and it is becoming very difficult to graduate debt free with the current economy. I would like to live my life as stress and anxiety free as possible. This scholarship will also assist me with my ongoing battle with anxiety. I feel like I would be less anxious if I have a solid plan of paying for my education, besides working 50-60 hours each week during the summer. I would like to enjoy a moderate summer vacation this summer but that is okay if I cannot afford it, I just won't go on a moderate vacation. Thank you for reading about my struggles with anxiety and considering me for this scholarship.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. It is somewhat difficult to say what inspired me to become a teacher. Most of my family members are teachers. My mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins have a career in teaching. One could say that teaching runs in our blood! When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I have worked in the vet field for two years as a veterinary assistant. The vet field is a difficult field and not for the faint of heart. I had a difficult time working at the vet clinic and attending classes to become a veterinarian. It was hard work and I would be completely exhausted after each shift at the vet clinic. Over the past couple of months, I have come to the conclusion that the vet field is not for me. It was a difficult choice because I have wanted to be a vet since I was a little girl. I thought I could become a biology teacher instead. Turns out, biology was just as stressful and difficult as the vet field. I pondered deeply for what I could do. My mom taught elementary school (she currently teaches middle school). I didn't like shadowing her while she taught at an elementary school. It was hard to watch my mom wipe kids noses and tie their shoes. I want to teach children that are hopefully more independent. I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I have grown up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of Mount Timpanogus, which are both located in Utah. My opinion may be biased but I think Utah is the most geographically diverse state in the U.S. We have the Great Salt Lake and the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. We also have five amazing National Parks. I was always curious as to why I lived by a giant salty lake and such beautiful mountains. I also have pondered as to why I live by red rocks. These questions have fueled my passion for Earth Science. I adore learning about weather systems, water, and the tectonic plates that have helped shaped the geologically diverse landscape that I live in. This landscape has taken millions of years to shape such incredible rocky formations that many people will travel from all over the world to admire, one of the most famous is The Delicate Arch. I hope to share my passion of Earth Science and Geology with my future students. I also enjoy learning about the geological diversity of the world. Why is there such extreme desert landscapes like Egypt and frozen tundras such as Antarctica? How did the oceans form? I'm enthusiastic about exploring the answers to these questions. I feel like we should know more about our wonderful planet because we are all residents of Earth. I hope to inspire my students to learn more about our incredible planet. Hopefully by learning more about our planet, my future students would be inspired with the possibilities of what they can do to make our planet a better place for everyone. I'm very blessed to have many family members who inspire and support me on this journey of becoming a teacher. More specifically, I am so excited to become a high school Earth Science Teacher because teaching some geology quite literally rocks! Thank you for taking the time to read this little essay about my life and why I would like to have a career in teaching.

Salutations! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. During the summer months I will be working 50-60 hours each week, working two part time jobs to help me pay my tuition and class fees (books, parking, ect.) during the school year. My ultimate goal for college is not only to graduate but to graduate debt free so that I can pursue other personal goals, such as (hopefully) buying a home someday. When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked in the vet field for two years as a veterinary assistant while attending classes to work towards becoming a veterinarian. I am grateful for my experience in the vet field but I came to the difficult conclusion that becoming a veterinarian was not for me. However, I come from a long lineage of teachers. My great grand mother was a teacher, I have aunts, uncles, cousins, and my mother is a teacher. One could say that teaching, "runs in our blood." I grew up helping my mom grade papers and helping her set up her classroom each school year. I started taking classes to become a high school Biology teacher but the classes were extremely difficult and I wasn't happy doing biology. I have grown up in the amazing state of Utah. Utah is such a geographically diverse state. I've grown up camping, hiking, and exploring Utah. While I was looking for other majors, I saw Earth Science. I have always been fascinated at how our beautiful Earth formed because of the state I grew up in. I've always loved hearing stories of how the Great Salt Lake and the Rocky Mountain range formed. It just clicked for me that I need to become a high school Earth Science teacher. It is exciting for me to think about teaching future my future students about how our planet was formed. I feel like by knowing our planet's history, it helps us know more about our present, which can help us create a better future. Knowing how to take care of our planet will help us preserve our planet for future generations. I don't expect my future students to change the world, I just hope that they can make small adjustments in their lives to help make Earth a better place for ourselves and future generations. I hope that I can graduate and become a teacher, debt free. I am getting married this summer to my best friend. My fiancé is my partner in crime and he inspires me to do my best each day. We both would like to buy a home and raise a family together, someday. My mom's career is teaching and was raising my siblings and I. She is my inspiration of why I would like to become a wife, a mother and a teacher. Thank you for reading about my life and considering me for this scholarship.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my Bachelor's Degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I was born and raised in what I consider the most wonderful state, Utah. Utah has such geological diversity. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Growing up, I always was very curious as to why there is a giant salty lake, in a land locked state. I was also curious as to how the mountains surrounding me were formed. These types of questions are what continue to drive me to share this information with others and hopefully my future students! I have also had a fascination with the geological diversity of our beautiful planet, Earth. How did the oceans form? Why is there places like Egypt, that are a sandy desert and other places that are frozen a frozen tundra, such as Antarctica? How is there such diverse weather such as wind and lightening? During my search for answers to my questions and general curiosity of our planet I have learned that there is such a delicate balance of living things (such as plants and animals) with nonliving things (such as weather and rocks). It find it important as a human who is a resident of our wonderful planet to understand this balance. I think it's important to know and understand the history that created this delicate balance. By understanding the history of the Earth, it helps us know what to do present day, and what we can create to help preserve this balance for the future. I hope to inspire my future students to do what they are able, to help preserve our Earth for future generations. Even if we fail as the human race to preserve our planet, I hope this knowledge can lay a foundation to preserving other planets. Technology is getting more advanced, I would not be surprised if we can develop the ability to colonize other planets. In the mean time, I hope I can share my passion for Earth Science with my future students. I hope I can inspire a few of my students to pursue careers in building technology to make Earth a better place for ourselves and future generations. If I don't inspire any of my students, I hope that they leave my class with the basic knowledge of our amazing home planet. I may be biased here but Earth Science quite literally rocks, if you don't believe me, there's millions of years of history surrounding each of us to prove that.

Hello, my name is Kristin Clem. I'm currently working a part time job and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education. I am a self proclaiming granola girl, with an obsession with coffee. I consider myself a coffee connoisseur. Unfortunately, I do not have the funds to get Starbucks very often since I am a college student, barely getting by each day. When I have the opportunity to obtain the iconic, classic treat of a Starbucks coffee, I will get an iced pumpkin spice latte. Yes, I am well aware that a pumpkin spice latte is considered "basic". I do not care about being unique when I consume a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I only care about the aroma, taste, and the ambiance of the mouth watering, fall inspired latte. As a self identifying granola girl, fall is simply the best time of year. Where I live, the hiking is supreme in the fall, with the crunchy leaves and the golden glow of the sun. The temperature during autumn is not extremely hot but not bitter cold. Occasionally, there is a perfectly grey, cloudy day, with rain. There is nothing more refreshing in autumn, than a rainstorm. The only thing that can make a fall, cloudy/rainy day more perfect, is a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. A pumpkin spice latte offers the perfect blend of sweet and bitter for optimal coziness and comfort during a storm. To further add to comfort during the fall storm, is fuzzy socks. Nothing is more soothing than wearing fuzzy socks, sitting on the couch, binge watching a show from a streaming service, while consuming a pumpkin spice latte. The aroma of pumpkin spice lattes, is a necessity during the fall. I have several pumpkin spice latte scented candles, as well as Glade air fresheners, dispensing the amazingly pleasing scent during fall. Nothing screams fall quite like the scent of pumpkin, spice, and with the addition of latte, in my opinion. Since I am on a tight budget, I will get the Starbucks pumpkin spice k-cups for my Kerig each fall. I will also purchase Starbucks pumpkin spice coffee creamer. Making my own pumpkin spice lattes fulfills my craving for the drink. Not only does making latte my own suffices my craving, it makes my wallet and budget happy. As a granola girl, I am all about being utilitarian and authentic to yourself. In regards to this fall drink, I think it is important for one to understand that you can still enjoy Starbucks, no matter what your budget is. Starbucks does sell their products in the grocery store, making it more obtainable for those who work with a strict budget. However, it is important to treat yourself, so I will go to the store, only on special occasions. Understanding this delicate balance of saving and splurging can help one live their best life, not only in the fall, but year round. I am still being authentic to myself by showing my passion for the Starbucks, pumpkin spice latte. I am also being utilitarian by obtaining this drink on a budget and mostly making it on my own. To summarize my own character, in my own fall narrative, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes can be enjoyed by those who are seeking the most supreme quality of autumn.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time, I'm searching for a second job for the summer to help me pay for my tuition. I plan to work 50-60 hours each week during the summer to help me pay for my schooling. I am working hard so I can graduate college, debt free. I do not want to take out student loans due to the high interest rates. This scholarship will help me be one step closer to graduating college debt free. I am currently earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. It is somewhat difficult to say who inspired me to become a teacher. Most of my family are teachers. My mom is a teacher, I have uncles, aunts, and cousins who are also teachers. One of my uncles is also currently in college to become a history teacher. It would be a safe assumption that teaching runs in my blood, because of my family. I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I have grown up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of Mount Timpanogus, which are both located in Utah. My opinion may be biased but I think Utah is the most geographically diverse state in the U.S. We have the Great Salt Lake and the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. We also have five amazing National Parks. I was always curious as to why I lived by a giant salty lake and such beautiful mountains. I also have pondered as to why I live by red rocks. These questions have fueled my passion for Earth Science. I adore learning about weather systems, water, and the tectonic plates that have helped shaped the geologically diverse landscape that I live in. This landscape has taken millions of years to shape such incredible rocky formations that many people will travel from all over the world to admire, one of the most famous is The Delicate Arch. I hope to share my passion of Earth Science and Geology with my future students. I also enjoy learning about the geological diversity of the world. Why is there such extreme desert landscapes like Egypt and frozen tundras such as Antarctica? I enjoy exploring the answers to those questions. I feel like we should know more about our wonderful planet because well, we are all currently residents of Earth. I hope to inspire my students to learn more about our incredible planet. Hopefully by learning more about our planet, my future students would be inspired with the possibilities of what they can do to make our planet a better place for everyone. I am so excited to become a high school Earth Science Teacher because it quite literally rocks! Thank you for taking the time to read my this little essay about my life and why I would like to become a teacher.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. It is somewhat difficult to say who inspired me to become a teacher. Most of my family are teachers. My mom is a teacher, I have uncles, aunts, and cousins who are also teachers. One of my uncles is also currently in college to become a history teacher. It would be a safe assumption that teaching runs in my blood, because of my family. When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked in the vet field for two years as a veterinary assistant. The vet field is a difficult field and not for the faint of heart. I had a difficult time working at the vet clinic and attending classes to become a veterinarian. It was hard work and I would be completely exhausted after giving each day my very best. Over the past couple of months, I have come to the conclusion that the vet field is not for me. It was a difficult choice because I have wanted to be a vet since I was a little girl. I thought I could become a biology teacher instead. Turns out, biology was just as stressful and difficult as the vet field. I have job shadowed my mom a few times. My mom taught elementary school (she currently teaches middle school). I didn't like shadowing her while she taught at an elementary school. It was hard to watch my mom wipe kids noses and tie their shoes. I want to teach children that are older and hopefully more independent. I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I have grown up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of Mount Timpanogus, which are both located in Utah. My opinion may be biased but I think Utah is the most geographically diverse state in the U.S. We have the Great Salt Lake and the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. We also have five amazing National Parks. I was always curious as to why I lived by a giant salty lake and such beautiful mountains. I also have pondered as to why I live by red rocks. These questions have fueled my passion for Earth Science. I adore learning about weather systems, water, and the tectonic plates that have helped shaped the geologically diverse landscape that I live in. This landscape has taken millions of years to shape such incredible rocky formations that many people will travel from all over the world to admire, one of the most famous is The Delicate Arch. I hope to share my passion of Earth Science and Geology with my future students. I also enjoy learning about the geological diversity of the world. Why is there such extreme desert landscapes like Egypt and frozen tundras such as Antarctica? I enjoy exploring the answers to those questions. I feel like we should know more about our wonderful planet because well, we are all currently residents of Earth. I hope to inspire my students to learn more about our incredible planet. Hopefully by learning more about our planet, my future students would be inspired with the possibilities of what they can do to make our planet a better place for everyone. I am so excited to become a high school Earth Science Teacher because it quite literally rocks! Thank you for taking the time to read my this little essay about my life and why I would like to become a teacher.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my Bachelor's Degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I was born and raised in what I consider the most wonderful state, Utah. Utah has such geological diversity. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Growing up, I always was very curious as to why there is a giant salty lake, in a land locked state. I was also curious as to how the mountains surrounding me were formed. These types of questions are what continue to drive me to share this information with others and hopefully my future students! I have also had a fascination with the geological diversity of our beautiful planet, Earth. How did the oceans form? Why is there places like Egypt, that are a sandy desert and other places that are frozen a frozen tundra, such as Antarctica? How is there such diverse weather such as wind and lightening? During my search for answers to my questions and general curiosity of our planet I have learned that there is such a delicate balance of living things (such as plants and animals) with nonliving things (such as weather and rocks). It find it important as a human who is a resident of our wonderful planet to understand this balance. I think it's important to know and understand the history that created this delicate balance. By understanding the history of the Earth, it helps us know what to do present day, and what we can create to help preserve this balance for the future. I hope to inspire my future students to do what they are able, to help preserve our Earth for future generations. Even if we fail as the human race to preserve our planet, I hope this knowledge can lay a foundation to preserving other planets. Technology is getting more advanced, I would not be surprised if we can develop the ability to colonize other planets. In the mean time, I hope I can share my passion for Earth Science with my future students. I hope I can inspire a few of my students to pursue careers in building technology to make Earth a better place for ourselves and future generations. If I don't inspire any of my students, I hope that they leave my class with the basic knowledge of our amazing home planet. I may be biased here but Earth Science quite literally rocks, if you don't believe me, there's millions of years of history surrounding each of us to prove that.

Hello, my name is Kristin Clem. Unfortunately, I have faced a lot of adversity in my life. I did not have an easy childhood, my parents divorced when I was thirteen years old. I am the oldest of three siblings. My mom left the home due to the divorce and my dad worked two jobs to help make ends meet. I had to watch over my younger siblings at thirteen because my mom was no longer around. Nearly a year after their divorce, both of my parents remarried to abusive spouses. My mom's spouse was an alcoholic. That person did verbally, as well as physically abuse my mom, my siblings, and I. My dad's spouse was extremely verbally abusive to her children along with my siblings and I. My dad's spouse's children all attempted suicide due to the abuse we endured. I lived with my dad for a few years as a teenager and then I moved in with my mom when I was sixteen years old. I went from one abusive home to another. I left home on my eighteenth birthday. My birthday is in August and I was about to start my senior year of high school. Despite living on my own during my senior year of high school, I was able to graduate high school a few months early. I worked a full time job at the time, I was paying rent, bills, and buying my own groceries. I didn't go to my senior homecoming or prom because I had to work an 8 hour shift on both of those nights. Once moving out, I never looked back into moving in with my parents again. I still continue to live on my own and I have worked either full time or part time while being in college. I'm currently working part time and earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. Interestingly enough, both of my parents are divorcing their abusive spouses this year. My mom could no longer handle dealing with an alcoholic. My dad's spouse suddenly left my dad earlier this year. I am somewhat sad that I did not have a traditional high school experience, sometimes I do wish I was able to go to prom or participate in high school extra-curricular activities. On the bright side, I am glad that I did not have a traditional high school experience. I had to learn at a young age how to be self sufficient. I had to learn grit, hard work, and dedication. These qualities that I learned at a young age have helped me endure quarantine from Covid-19 and inflation on my own. My support system has been my younger siblings. I grew very close with them because of the divorce. I had to basically take on the job of a mother right after the divorce. I cooked lots of meals, I helped with chores around the house, I would watch my younger siblings and play with them. I would listen to them cry when they missed my mom. Present day, my siblings are growing up and starting adulthood, I feel like they have returned the favors I have done for them right after my parents divorce. We all talk to each other nearly everyday, no matter if it is in person, a phone call, or over text message. They continue to show me unconditional love and support as I go through life. They are my biggest cheerleaders and my best friends. I don't wish my unconventional childhood and teenage experience upon my worst enemy. I do however think facing such adversity has helped me enjoy the really good days to their fullest extent. I have gone skydiving, I have taught myself how to snowboard and how to dirt bike. I feel like when I engage in these extreme sports, I'm able to let loose and fully be present in the moment. I am excited for the future, I know that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way because of my rough upbringing. I hope that my story inspires others to have a similar perspective so that they can live their lives to the fullest! Thank you for reading my story and considering me for this scholarship. I am very grateful to have this opportunity.

Hello, my name is Kristin Clem. Unfortunately, I have faced a lot of adversity in my life. I did not have an easy childhood, my parents divorced when I was thirteen years old. I am the oldest of three siblings. My mom left the home due to the divorce and my dad worked two jobs to help make ends meet. I had to watch over my younger siblings at thirteen because my mom was no longer around. Nearly a year after their divorce, both of my parents remarried to abusive spouses. My mom's spouse was an alcoholic. That person did verbally, as well as physically abuse my mom, my siblings, and I. My dad's spouse was extremely verbally abusive to her children along with my siblings and I. My dad's spouse's children all attempted suicide due to the abuse we endured. I lived with my dad for a few years as a teenager and then I moved in with my mom when I was sixteen years old. I went from one abusive home to another. I left home on my eighteenth birthday. My birthday is in August and I was about to start my senior year of high school. Despite living on my own during my senior year of high school, I was able to graduate high school a few months early. I worked a full time job at the time, I was paying rent, bills, and buying my own groceries. I didn't go to my senior homecoming or prom because I had to work an 8 hour shift on both of those nights. Once moving out, I never looked back into moving in with my parents again. I still live on my own and I have worked either full time or part time while being in college. Interestingly enough, both of my parents are divorcing their abusive spouses this year. My mom could no longer handle dealing with an alcoholic. My dad's spouse suddenly left my dad earlier this year. I am somewhat sad that I did not have a traditional high school experience, sometimes I do wish I was able to go to prom or participate in high school extra-curricular activities. On the bright side, I am glad that I did not have a traditional high school experience. I had to learn at a young age how to be self sufficient. I had to learn grit, hard work, and dedication. These qualities that I learned at a young age have helped me endure quarantine from Covid-19 and inflation on my own. I don't wish my unconventional childhood and teenage experience upon my worst enemy. I do however think facing such adversity has helped me enjoy the really good days to their fullest extent. I have gone skydiving, I have taught myself how to snowboard and how to dirt bike. I feel like when I engage in these extreme sports, I'm able to let loose and fully be present in the moment. I am excited for the future, I know that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way because of my rough upbringing. I hope that my story inspires others to have a similar perspective so that they can live their lives to the fullest! Thank you for reading my story and considering me for this scholarship. I am very grateful to have this opportunity.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. It is somewhat difficult to say who inspired me to become a teacher. Most of my family are teachers. My mom is a teacher, I have uncles, aunts, and cousins who are also teachers. One of my uncles is also currently in college to become a history teacher. I suppose you could say that teaching runs in my blood because I have been around classrooms my entire life! When I first started college, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked in the vet field for two years as a veterinary assistant. The vet field is a difficult field and not for the faint of heart. I had a difficult time working at the vet clinic and attending classes to become a veterinarian. It was hard work and I would be completely exhausted after giving each day my very best. Over the past couple of months, I have come to the conclusion that the vet field is not for me. It was a difficult choice because I have wanted to be a vet since I was a little girl. I thought I could become a biology teacher instead. Turns out, biology was just as stressful and difficult as the vet field. I thought and thought of what I could do. My mom taught elementary school (she currently teaches middle school). I didn't like shadowing her while she taught at an elementary school. It was hard to watch my mom wipe kids noses and tie their shoes. I want to teach children that are hopefully more independent. I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I have grown up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of Mount Timpanogus, which are both located in Utah. My opinion may be biased but I think Utah is the most geographically diverse state in the U.S. We have the Great Salt Lake and the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. We also have five amazing National Parks. I was always curious as to why I lived by a giant salty lake and such beautiful mountains. I also have pondered as to why I live by red rocks. These questions have fueled my passion for Earth Science. I adore learning about weather systems, water, and the tectonic plates that have helped shaped the geologically diverse landscape that I live in. This landscape has taken millions of years to shape such incredible rocky formations that many people will travel from all over the world to admire, one of the most famous is The Delicate Arch. I hope to share my passion of Earth Science and Geology with my future students. I also enjoy learning about the geological diversity of the world. Why is there such extreme desert landscapes like Egypt and frozen tundras such as Antarctica? How did the oceans form? I enjoy exploring the answers to those questions. I feel like we should know more about our wonderful planet because well, we are all currently residents of Earth. I hope to inspire my students to learn more about our incredible planet. Hopefully by learning more about our planet, my future students would be inspired with the possibilities of what they can do to make our planet a better place for everyone. I'm very blessed to have many family members who currently inspire and support me on this journey of becoming a teacher. More specifically, I am so excited to become a high school Earth Science Teacher because it quite literally rocks! Thank you for taking the time to read my this little essay about my life and why I would like to become a teacher.

Hello! My name is Kristin Clem. I currently work part time and I am earning my Bachelor's Degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I was born and raised in what I consider the most wonderful state, Utah. Utah has such geological diversity. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Growing up, I always was very curious as to why there is a giant salty lake, in a land locked state. I was also curious as to how the mountains surrounding me were formed. These types of questions are what continue to drive me to share this information with others and hopefully my future students! I have also had a fascination with the geological diversity of our beautiful planet, Earth. How did the oceans form? Why is there places like Egypt, that are a sandy desert and other places that are frozen a frozen tundra, such as Antarctica? How is there such diverse weather such as wind and lightening? During my search for answers to my questions and general curiosity of our planet I have learned that there is such a delicate balance of living things (such as plants and animals) with nonliving things (such as weather and rocks). It find it important as a human who is a resident of our wonderful planet to understand this balance. I think it's important to know and understand the history that created this delicate balance. By understanding the history of the Earth, it helps us know what to do present day, and what we can create to help preserve this balance for the future. I hope to inspire my future students to do what they are able, to help preserve our Earth for future generations. Even if we fail as the human race to preserve our planet, I hope this knowledge can lay a foundation to preserving other planets. Technology is getting more advanced, I would not be surprised if we can develop the ability to colonize other planets. In the mean time, I hope I can share my passion for Earth Science with my future students. I hope I can inspire a few of my students to pursue careers in building technology to make Earth a better place for ourselves and future generations. If I don't inspire any of my students, I hope that they leave my class with the basic knowledge of our amazing home planet. I may be biased here but Earth Science quite literally rocks, if you don't believe me, there's millions of years of history surrounding each of us to prove that.

Mental health is a bit of a personal struggle for me. Most of the women in my family have struggled with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. My grandmother has gone as far as attempting to take her own life due to the serious depression that she has struggled with her whole life. Thankfully my grandmother's attempt was unsuccessful but it does go to show that the women in my family struggle deeply with mental health. My aunt also had a mental breakdown while she was in college and had to be prescribed anti anxiety medications while she was in college. Mental health is something I personally take very seriously due to my family's history. I have been attending college since covid. Covid is somewhat of the root of when my anxiety began to spike. I was isolated for months and was not able to have what most would consider, a traditional college experience. I have also worked a full time or part time job during my time in college. Some of the people I used to attend high school with have already earned their bachelor degrees. I have been in college for years and I'm proud to say that I am halfway done with earning my bachelor degree. It is hard seeing some of my peers earn their degree before me but I have to remind myself that I have either worked part time or full time during my time here in college. Working during college has added a lot of stress into my life. It's difficult to manage personal things such as going grocery shopping or cleaning my apartment, on top of attending class and doing homework, then having to go to work everyday. Somedays, when I get home from school, work, and getting personal errands done, I just go to bed. I don't talk to my friends, I don't do some chores I needed to get done. I am completely exhausted so I just call it a day and go to bed. Another issue that I have struggled with during college is that I have gone through a faith crisis. I came to the conclusion that I needed to distance myself from the church that I grew up in. It was difficult because my entire family still attends the church that I grew up in. Luckily my family has been supportive of my decision to leave church but I have heard of some stories where families will disown the person who left the church. A faith crisis is an extremely difficult thing for someone to experience. My entire world was flipped upside down and I was so unsure of myself. Most of my identity was associated with this church. When I left, I thought I was going to burn in hell immediately. This faith crisis did not assist with my already brewing anxiety issues. Recently, in order to manage my mental health better, I have began working out and journaling. Journaling is like a friend that will always listen to me. I write some of my deepest, darkest, thoughts and insecurities in my journal. It's nice to get the the thoughts swirling around in my head on paper. Working out also helps by giving me endorphins. Doing these two things have dramatically helped me with my performance in school. I feel like I'm able to be more present and pay closer attention to lectures, which help my test scores. Mental health is something that needs to be taken seriously. I hope others can find what works for them to help improve their mental health.

Hey there! My name is Kristin Clem. I'm currently working part time and earning my Bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. I am currently engaged, my wedding will be in June of 2024. I have either worked a part time or a full time job while earning my Bachelor's degree. I find it difficult to make ends meet, with the record high inflation we all feel the impact of, when I am not working. I currently work in parking services at the university that I attend. I do get yelled and screamed at often by disgruntled students and staff who received a parking ticket. My dream is to someday leave this job and become a high school Earth Science teacher. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Utah. There is so much geological diversity surrounding me. I grew up next to the Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the beautiful Rocky Mountain range. I was always curious as to why there's a giant salty lake in a land locked state. I also had a fascination as to how the beautiful mountains surrounding me formed. I am very passionate about the amazing geological features, especially in Utah. There's five amazing National Parks in the state, one of which contains the millions of years old, Delicate Arch. I am not only interested in my home state's geology, I have always had an interest in the vast geological diversity of our beautiful planet, Earth. How were the oceans formed? Why is Egypt so hot and sandy when there's frozen glaciers at the poles of the Earth? Those types of questions fuel my passion for Earth Science. I would like to share my passion and interest of how our beautiful planet came to be with my future students. There is a delicate balance in our ecosystem of living things, such as plants and animals, and nonliving things such as rocks and the ocean. Since Earth is our home, I feel that if it is our duty to preserve and protect our home for future generations. Earth has a vast history and I feel like by understanding our history, we can know more about what is happening present day, and find a solid direction to help preserve our future. I want to inspire my future students to take interest, big our small, in preserving our incredible planet. I also hope that I can inspire some of them to pursue careers in making our planet a better, more sustainable place to live. From my experience, we make choices each day that affect our planet. It could be something simple as walking to work or taking public transportation verses driving to work. Instead of using plastic we could use more paper or glass products. There is so much trash filling the oceans as well as land, such as along freeways, or anywhere that there's a major road. This trash disrupts the delicate balance of living and nonliving things on our planet. I hope that we can find a better balance to make our home better for ourselves and future generations. By becoming a high school Earth Science teacher, I know I can impact my community by sharing a much needed call to action to my future students.

1. My name is Kristin. I am currently working a part time job on campus and I am earning my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education at Utah Valley University. What specifically motivates me each and every day is honestly my family. I love my family a lot and I want to make our lives better. My siblings and I had a difficult upbringing because our parents divorced at a young age. Our parents got remarried to some individuals who were abusive. Today our parents are divorced from those abusive partners. Unfortunately my siblings and I are still working though some of the abuse that we endured. I love my parents and siblings with my whole heart. They are the reason why I get up out of bed and work hard everyday. If I could do anything with my life, I would enjoy owning my own land and living on a farm with my siblings. I am not a city girl. It pains me to live in a city where I hear ambulance sirens and cars honking at each other every single day. I enjoy being out in nature. I enjoy admiring the mountains and valleys that took millions of years to form. I enjoy taking care of animals as well as my family. I would love to not rely on a grocery store to get my food. It would be such a dream to grow my own food and truly provide for myself in that way. I would love to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It would be amazing to slow down time by living remotely, away from others. Unfortunately, I know that it's not a realistic dream and I need to work with the hand that I've been delt with in life. 2. STEM excites me as an Earth Science Education major because technology is helping us understand more about our beautiful planet that we inhabit. The technology coming out is helping us understand the history of our oceans and our land. We are learning more about natural disasters and getting better at predicting when they could happen. With technology, we are learning more about the delicate balance of ecosystems in our oceans and our land. Having knowledge about how our oceans or how our land was formed is so important. Knowing about geological history, helps us create a better future. It's so important to know about past events so we can preserve those geological landscapes, or try to prevent a major disaster from happening. Having knowledge about why natural disasters happen, how we can track them, and potentially creating technology to possibly try and prevent them will save thousands of lives. Understanding natural disasters will not only save lives, but it will help protect entire communities and the economies within those communities. Protecting the ocean is just as important as protecting our land. The ocean and the land have a unique relationship. It's important to keep balance within the ocean and within the land, to prevent entire ecosystems from collapsing. I feel like I can make a positive impact on the world through becoming a high school Earth Science Education teacher. I am enthusiastic about teaching my future students about the delicate balance of ecosystems in our world, the history of how the Earth was formed, and the technology coming out to help us find more about our past. I'm also excited to teach my future students about the technology coming out to help us save our present and protect our future. Perhaps I may inspire some of my future students to be involved with creating such technologies and show them how crucial such technologies are. 3. The greatest challenge I have to overcome in my life, is my childhood traumas from the abuse that I endured from my parent's ex spouses. I have spent a lot of time understanding why I was hurt so badly by these people and how their abusive actions affected me. It was difficult for me to explore such a painful and traumatizing subject of my past. I had extreme anger and trust issues from the abuse. I have spent many hours working on my anger and trust issues to help me become the woman I am today. I have seen a therapist, read many books, and listened to many podcasts about how to overcome the awful circumstances I was in. I wouldn't have been able to overcome these issues if it was not for my siblings. It is unfortunate but validating that my siblings and I endured the same abuse from the same people. We have helped each other learn and grow from our traumatic pasts. My siblings continue to inspire me to work hard and be the best that I can be. I hope to become the best high school Earth Science teacher I can be someday, thanks to their endless love and unwavering support.

Greetings! My name is Kristin Clem and I'm currently an Earth Science Education Major at Utah Valley University. My journey in life to lead me to this degree has been long and at times uncertain. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian. I worked at a vet clinic for 2 years as a veterinary assistant and recently decided that the vet field is not for me. I enjoyed the science behind the job but certain qualities of the job did not align with some of my personal values. I have always been an avid outdoors girl. I was born and raised in the geologically diverse state of Utah. I grew up by The Great Salt Lake and in the shadows of the beautiful Rocky Mountain Range. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been curious about why I live by a giant salty lake, in a land locked state and why certain rock formations like the Delicate Arch exist? Seriously, why does the Delicate Arch appear to defy gravity and how has it been standing and forming for millions of years? Those questions are what have help me come to the conclusion that I need to learn more about those things and teach others about our beautiful planet, Earth. The teaching part has always come naturally to me. Many of my family members are excellent teachers. I come from a lineage of teachers. The past few years have been difficult for me to decide what should I teach. I knew I wanted to be a teacher but for what? I enjoy science and I'm so glad that I tried pursing the vet field because it lead me to the conclusion I need to be an Earth Science teacher. Being an observant and curious person, I have noticed that many of my science teachers or professors in middle school, high school, and college are all mostly male. I have only had one or two female science teachers. Now, in my classes, I've noticed most of the students are male. It doesn't bother me that science is mostly male dominated, I just wish there was more women participating in the science field. I hope to inspire my future, female students, that women can do science as well. I know science isn't necessarily the most glamourous thing to do but I have always been a science oriented woman. I know that there are others like me. I don't want women to be afraid of the sciences, I want to inspire them to be proud of it and to enjoy it. I hope to share my passion of Earth Science with other women to inspire them to pursue anything in STEM. STEM does not have to be male dominated, many women are extremely capable and can add so much value to the STEM field.

Personally, I do believe in a creator who designed heaven and Earth. I am not religious, I do not attend church because I experienced some religious trauma as a child. Even though I don't believe in religion or church, it is difficult for me not to believe in a higher or divine entity. I live in the beautiful state of Utah where we have the high Uinta mountains and we have the beautiful red rock deserts such as Moab and Zion. There's also the beautiful Great Salt Lake located near the middle of the state. I think of it as, a divine power or God created this beauty that surrounds me, how wonderful is it that God thought he needed one of us, a human as well? It's something that comforts me and helps inspires me to continue doing what I do each and every day. I also enjoy the mystery of God. I always wonder why bad things happen to good people and why do good things happen to bad people? I think about all of the animals, continents, plants, even weather that happens on our Earth. There is so much diversity with all of those things, it makes it difficult for me not to believe in something higher up or divine, such as a God. When I look at the stars while I'm camping, I always think of a higher power. The stars I'm looking at are billions of years old. Some of the stars could be planets or galaxies, light years away from me. How wonderful is it to think about who or what created those? I'm currently an Earth Science major, so I enjoy learning about the molecules, or various types of pressure that created rocks and earth formations. I enjoy learning about the science of our oceans or atmosphere. It's interesting learning about the fine balance of living beings and non living beings such as rocks and mountains. I truly believe that a God created that balance of living and non living beings. There's so much life on a rocky mountain and valleys. I see the prevalence of that balance because of the state I live in. This is also what drove me to study Earth Science. I'm always so curious at how the mountains surrounding me were formed and why I live nearby a salty lake, in a land locked state. The nearest ocean is hundred of miles away from the salty lake, in either direction. With all of the science and technology coming out, the question that I pose for others is was it divine intervention/inspiration to create all of this technology? Is a computer or cellular device is as magnificent as the seven wonders of the world? Is technology as wonderful as the mountains and valleys that took billions of years to form? I know my opinion is biased because I'm an Earth Science major but I am generally curious as to what others responses would be to my questions. I think those types of questions is what brings the STEM community together and helps us continue to implement STEM in the modern world to make society a better place for everyone.

My favorite game to play with my friends and family on the Nintendo-64 was Super Mario Smash Bros. This was a time where you had to plug in your controllers to the gaming device and use cartridges to put in the gaming device to play a game. Occasionally the cartridges would get dusty so you would have to blow the dust out the cartridge to be able to play the game you wanted to play. My story begins in my basement with the old TVs that had backs and they were bulky. Today's television sets are flat and seem to be weightless as they hang on the walls. Not mine, it was bulky and sat on a desk. Below the TV, underneath the desk is where the N-64, it's games and controllers lived. In front of the TV was an old floral couch where I would sit with my friends or my siblings to have intense battles. We would settle our differences with Super Mario Smash Bros on that old floral couch. I would always fight with the character, Link from The Legend of Zelda. Link was small and nimble, he had the best fighting combos out of all the characters. I loved using his sword and his shield. Often times, my brother would be Kirby. Kirby would practically swallow Link and spit him out in the most dangerous and inconvenient of places. Luckily, most of the time Link was nimble enough to navigate through the hardships that Kirby made him endure. I mostly played with my younger brother but it was a riot when we would play together with our cousins or the neighbor kids. The graphics seemed so cool for the time, we always had so much fun playing Super Mario Smash Bros together.

Zendaya does indeed, wear many hats. She is the "jack of all trades" so to speak. They say that a master of none is better than being a master of one. I admired her acting role in Euphoria the most. When I first started to watch Euphoria, I thought the show was glorifying drug usage but that was not the case for that TV series at all. Later, you see the character that Zendaya plays in the TV series, go in a downward spiral because of her drug usage. Zendaya's character in that TV series showed the highs and lows of drug usage. It even showed the devastating effects of selling drugs and what could possibly happen to an individual when they are addicted to drugs. I feel like this role Zendaya played is important because I personally have lost some individuals who are close to me to drugs. Zendaya portrayed beautifully that a life on drugs, is a horrible quality of life for a human being. I appreciate Zendaya, because she is a well known actress, and her taking that role. She did look like a drug user in Euphoria but outside of Euphoria, we all know that she is a beautiful human being, inside and out. As a woman, I appreciate her standing up for women's rights and showing her femininity. Zendaya again, does wear many hats. She is an amazing individual with incredible talents!

My name is Kristin Clem and I currently work a full time job while attending school part time. I have experience adversity by being a woman. I often get overlooked and people underestimate me. I recently ran a half marathon and I ran faster than my fiancé, who is a 6 foot male. I completed the race 40 minutes faster than him. Whenever people tell me I can’t do something, because I’m a girl, I will simply go do that thing. I taught myself how to snowboard and dirt bike which are both male dominated sports. I am proud of stepping up to the plate when people underestimate me. Some of my goals in life are to become a high school biology teacher and a homemaker. People also underestimate homemakers and think they are not useful to society. I know my value and I want to raise my children in a stable, well put together environment. I also want to help my Fiance financially by becoming a teacher. I love children and I want to raise the next generation to think critically and be resilient. I feel as if many children are given the option to give up easily. I want to teach my students and my own children how to preserver, especially in case of adversity, just as I have experienced. When I deal with push back or adversity, I have learned to find my own path, or my own way of doing things. I will admit, I’m not the best snow boarder or dirt biker, but I have inspired many of my friends, who are also girls, to try these extreme sports. I have learned by doing these things, I am much stronger than I think I am. It’s a mind game when someone tells you, what you can and cannot do. I have learned that the sky is the limit, once you work past some of the mental barriers and discard what others say. I also feel like I have gained more independence and resiliency by overcoming these extreme sports. Sure, I cannot jump as high or go as fast as my male counterparts, but I’m doing the sports and helping break the glass ceiling so other women can try these extreme sports. I’m redefining what it means to be lady like and what traditionalism means. I want to be a homemaker and a teacher but it doesn’t mean that I can’t live life to the fullest while I work towards achieving my goals.

I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I want to help the next, upcoming generation be better informed and educated. We currently live in the age of misinformation. Many young people are being educated by platforms such as Tik-Tok and YouTube. I have met many children who aspire to be famous on these platforms when they grow up. Sadly, I personally feel like this is mostly unsustainable. A very small margin of people can be famous on these platforms. I personally feel like many people on these platforms spread a lot of misinformation as well. I want to teach my future students the importance of looking at information and deciding weather that information is important and applicable to their lives or if it is false information, that could potentially damage their life. I want to share the importance of finding something that you are interested in as a career or hobby, that is sustainable and attainable. I want my future students to see that if you have passion and you work hard, you can achieve almost anything in life. A teacher that changed my life is my 7th grade, English, junior high school teacher, Mr. Walsh. He showed the importance of looking at information, how to perceive the information that you were shown, and what to do with that information. He taught me a lot about misinformation and the dangers of misinformation. He inspired every student in my class to be the best version of themselves. He taught the value of authenticity and being true to yourself. I hope that I can be as inspiring and helpful as Mr. Walsh. I want to push my students to be the best versions of themselves. I hope with all the aspirations I have for my future classroom my students can walk out of the classroom at the end of the year, with one piece of information that can stick with them for the rest of their lives, that help them be a well-rounded individual. I don't expect any of my future students to change the world but if I taught them one thing that changed their perspective for the better, that they can pass along to others. I would honestly, consider myself to be a successful teacher. Teaching seems to be dying, in this world full of misinformation and AI. I am nervous for my future endeavours I will experience as a teacher. I am nervous for the things my future colleagues may experience. I truly believe that being your most authentic self and spreading truthful information, are the two things that can protect myself and the future generation of teachers against AI and misinformation. I hope to spread some of this knowledge to my future students someday so that they can be their most authentic selves in a world full of misinformation.

My best friend, Adi, has inspired me and supported me on my education and career journey. Adi is an amazing individual. She is humble, compassionate, and tries not to take life too seriously. I am a very anxious person and I have a difficult time enjoying the moment. Adi will help me enjoy the moment and let my true self shine. This year, Adi went through a big loss. Her boyfriend's mom decided that life on this earth was not for her. I believe this individual felt like they could do greater work in heaven so she chose to leave this earth. This was a devastating and unexpected loss for her. Adi is the same age as me (23) and she stepped into a lot of roles this year. She helped plan this funeral and she is her boyfriend's world. She has helped him in many ways that so many individuals would not understand. I admire her greatly for all that she has done for her boyfriend and his family. Adi has still found time to be there for me and to help me. Adi is currently in college as well and pursuing her degree despite the tragedy that happened. I have thought many times, if she can continue school, so can I. She is resilient and I aspire to have her resiliency. Adi is so compassionate. She is constantly putting others before herself. She has the biggest heart. She has taught me how to not be selfish and how to create space for others. She has helped countless individuals in her life, including me. I wish everyone in the world had her kindness and compassion. The world would certainly be a brighter place if it did. I often get stuck in my head. I am a very anxious person. I have a hard time enjoying the moment because of my anxiety. Adi has taught me to not take life too seriously and to enjoy the moment. She has made me laugh when I needed to the most. Adi has gone to hell and back with what happened to her this year but she still finds time to smile. I admire her ability to smile through the pain. Adi has inspired me to have more humility, be more compassionate, and not take life too seriously. She is such an amazing woman. Anyone who speaks to her will understand that she is truly amazing. I hope by sharing her story, it will inspire others as well. What an honor it is to be influenced by such an amazing woman, like my best friend, Adi.

I am interested in becoming a teacher for several reasons. Most of my family are teachers. I love children. I want to teach the upcoming generations how important education is. My mom is currently a middle school math teacher. My uncle is an elementary school teacher. My great-aunt is a music teacher. I have another uncle who is currently in school to become a high school history teacher. I believe my great-grandma taught elementary school. My little brother will be enrolling in a school next year to become a teacher. I have a very witty and inquisitive family. We all value education and know how important it is to be a well-read individual. We enjoy teaching others and sharing our passion for education. My ultimate goal is to become a homemaker someday. I love children so much. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to become a homemaker in today's economy. My fiance and I are currently struggling to make some ends meet. We have found it very difficult to plan for a wedding and the joys that come with a wedding. We both work full-time jobs, we're both looking into getting a second job. Children are unfortunately something we cannot afford at this time so I want to pursue a career working with children until we can have our own. We both come from broken homes so we would like to provide a wonderful life for our future children and us, as well. With more and more AI being introduced to the world, I would like to teach my future students how important it is to educate yourself. I feel like AI is diminishing the importance of education. There is so much knowledge available everywhere. It's important to understand what information is true and what information you can apply to your life. My mother says that AI is only as intelligent as the individuals who created it. I think it's important to understand that AI is not always intelligent and does not always portray what is true. I know that I can be an excellent teacher someday. I have wanted to become a teacher since I was a child. I currently daydream about decorating my future classroom and who my future students will be. I want to share my passion for animals and science with my future students. I want the next generation to receive their education from the very best and I know that I can be one of the best teachers. The education system needs passionate, creative, and resilient teachers to be able to teach this upcoming generation.

I chose to study veterinary medicine so that I can help people make good decisions for their pets. I want an animal's quality of life to be the best it can be. I want to stop the spread of misinformation that can damage a pet's quality of life. This is the age of misinformation. Many people get information from the internet and there are some "trends" that do more harm than good for an animal. I also enjoy teaching people how to take care of their pets. I love animals and I have loved animals since I was a small child. Many individuals don't know how to properly take care of their pets. Yes, they feed them and give them water. They may take them to the groomer here and there. Some individuals may be overfeeding their pets and not even know it. Some individuals may have a pet with a food allergy and have no idea. I want to be the person to help people understand how to provide the best preventative care and daily care for their pets. I want to clear the air on "grain-free" diets. I want to show people how an animal can have a beautiful coat of fur because of what you feed them. What you do daily for your pet can affect their overall, quality of life. I have noticed that many individuals get their information from an Instagram or Facebook post. Some get their information from TikTok. I am here to say that Dr. Google or whatever doctor you listen to on the internet may not always be correct. Many are feeding their dog a grain-free diet which studies have shown has caused heart issues. Some think it's acceptable to declaw a cat, which if that cat escapes from the home, its own for some time, that cat is going to have issues defending itself without claws. I want to be the one who can clear the air on this misinformation and give pet owners facts. I want pet owners to be able to trust me and see that their pet's quality of life improves under my care. I have loved animals my entire life. Animals have been there for me when people have not. I don't think that I would be here today without animals in my life. I am currently in school to become a veterinary technician. The DVM that I currently work for says that a veterinarian is only as good as his technicians. I want to be a reliable, compassionate, knowledgeable veterinary technician someday. After I get my degree in veterinary technology, I want to take the test to become a registered veterinary technician. In the state that I currently live in, you do not need to be a licensed or registered technician. I want to become a registered tech so I can be the best tech that I can be. The school has helped me tremendously by giving me the correct information and understanding why certain treatments or procedures are done to help animals. I know techs get burnt out quickly but after I reach that point, I'm hoping to become an animal science teacher so I can help lay a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of vets and veterinary technicians.

Dogs are amazing animals. I currently own a springer spaniel. Springer spaniels are a hunting breed. I have not trained my spaniel to hunt but I have trained her to find sheds. Sheds are antlers that deer, elk, or even moose shed every year. In the state I live in, you can get a permit to collect those sheds. Sheds make an excellent chew toy for my dog and I think antlers are a great decoration. Not only is my dog an excellent shed hunter, she’s my best friend. Dogs have the reputation of being man’s best friend and mine certainly lives up to that reputation. Ever since I got her, she’s been my pal. She cuddles with me every day and gives me kisses constantly. She follows me around everywhere like a little shadow. Friends don’t have to be people, they can be furry and have four legs. I’m currently a vet tech student so my dog serves as something for me to practice restraints, nail trims, or even sanitary trims. I feel bad practicing my craft on her but I need practice so I can safely restrain animals for the veterinarians at my work. I also need to be able to restrain animals for the current classes I’m taking. I do draw the line at her being my pin cushion. I will not poke her because I don’t want her to associate pain with me. I feel like she understands I’m learning, she is so patient with me. She also gets fabulous health care because I’m slowly stepping foot into the industry. I also give her impeccable nail trims and she’s on a special diet (prescription dog food) because I get a discount from working at the vet clinic. She serves as my alarm at my apartment. I’m sure you’ve heard of ring or doorbell security cameras. You don’t need one when you have a dog as loyal as mine. My dog barks at people walking past my door, she barks at the mailman, she barks at the Amazon delivery driver. Anyone who comes into proximity of the area of my apartment, I know because she will bark at them. She even barks at cats if they get too close to my apartment. Who needs a door security system when you have a dog who barks very loudly at everything that passes through your neighborhood basically? She’s honestly one of the best security installations I own. Dogs are so amazing. Each dog has their own personality or quirks. I’ve never owned a dog that acted the same as the last dog I’ve owned. I love all of their little personalities. All of the dogs I’ve owned have been amazing companions and I’m so happy to be studying them in school. I want to work with them every day so I can provide the best care to everyone’s furry friend. I want to be a voice for the voiceless and be there for them because they’ve always been there for me. Dogs are simply the best.

I currently work at a vet clinic and I want to help animals. I have always been interested in helping animals. They don’t have a voice so I want to be their voice. I want to do what’s right for them so they can live fulfilled lives. I have had a hard life. I have been independent since I was 16. My parents got divorced when I was 14. When my parents were separating I would cry to our family dog. She seemed to listen and understand me when people wouldn’t. When my parents finalized their divorce, they sold her to another family. I promised her that to honor her, I would get a job in veterinary medicine so I could help other animals. I currently work full time at a vet clinic and I’m in school to become a registered veterinary technician. I love animals. I love helping them everyday. At my work, I have assisted with many surgeries, x-rays, and vaccinations. I believe that a healthy animal is a happy one. I’ve ran into a few people who aren’t well educated on how to take care of their furry friends and I want to continue educating people on how to give the best care to their pet. I feel like education is the key to resolving misinformation or ill informed pet parents. As a future vet tech, I want to continue helping animals and educating pet parents. I would also like to not see as many sick animals. I’ve seen countless sick animals where their sicknesses could’ve easily been prevented by vaccinations, basic care, or even better breeding. I’ve seen so many “greeders” (greedy breeders) breed animals that have horrible health conditions and sell those animals for thousands of dollars. I want to inform people of “greeders” so we can end this problem. There needs to be laws and more regulations around breeding so “greeders” don’t scam people and make money from genetically damned animals. I also hope to see vet care become more affordable so we can continue giving the best vet care to patients who may not be able to afford it. Pets are family, we grow a bond with them. They deserve just as good of healthcare that we provide to people, no matter the cost of the bill. I know more people will be better equipped to take care of their fur babies if Veterinary care was more affordable. Animals matter, I will always be a voice for them because they cannot speak for themselves.

Honestly, I used to have a strong distaste for math. I always thought people were born with an innate ability to understand and master mathematics. I would be so jealous of people who got an “A” or “B” grade in math because I failed many of my math classes. I struggled with math for as long as I could remember, I always had to go to before or after school tutoring. I even failed a college math course. Recently, last semester to be exact, I got to understand math on a deeper level. I set our differences aside and decided to try and like math. Now I really enjoy math and have a passion for it. Math is like learning another language and it takes practice. I set the time aside daily to learn and master mathematics. I passed this course with flying colors and now I have a friendship with math. Overcoming my challenges with math, I learned that it is just like anything else in life. Yes, there are some people who understand things more than others and that’s okay. For the rest of us, it takes time, dedication, and hard work to get to where you would like to go in life. That is also okay. It’s also okay to not like something in life and grow to enjoy it. That is how life is sometimes, as they say. I did not want to take the math course I did last semester because I failed it, twice. I went in with the attitude that I would fail it again. That’s not the way to go about things. You need to have an open mindset and practice daily. Math really knocked me down, it made me feel powerless, and uncomfortable. I would cry at the kitchen table trying to understand how where I went wrong and how come I’m not “gifted” at math like others. I decided to change and go to tutoring every single day. I decided to study for at least 2 hours everyday. It was real work. The feeling I got when I finally passed the course was unexplainable. I felt so much joy that my hard work and dedication finally paid off. Math and I had become friends because I worked my tail off. I finally understood concepts and now I had become one of those “gifted” people. Just like anything in life, you need to work hard and not give up. Sure it may knock you down and you may cry but that’s okay. You just need to get back up on your feet, keep trying, keep showing up and do the best you can.

My passion in life is animals. I have dedicated my life to save them and to teach others of their importance. I'm currently in school to become a veterinary technician and I just started a new job at a vet clinic as a vet assistant. Since working with animals, I have seen some people not take the best care of their pets. I enjoy helping others learn about their pets and how to take the best care of them. I want animals to live long and healthy lives with their humans. I enjoy teaching others the importance of animals in our lives. Animals can make such great companions and they help enrich our lives. I currently volunteer at the animal shelter as well and I love helping the animals in my community. I want to continue helping the animals in my community throughout my career as a vet tech. I'm excited to share my skills on some of the less fortunate animals in the community. I want to help them and see them go to amazing homes. I want to be able to save as many animals as possible. I want to share my knowledge with others so that animals can live their best lives. Animals don't have a voice and I want to be their voice. They are truly amazing and I want to see them live their best lives. I know that they cannot do it without our help.

Animals fuel my life. I currently am working on getting a degree to become a veterinary technician and I currently work at a vet clinic as a vet assistant. I love animals and I love saving them. Since working with animals, I have seen people not taking the best care of their pets. I enjoy teaching others how to take better care of their fur babies. I also currently volunteer at the animal shelter and I enjoy saving the animals that are in my community. Animals have always been a passion of mine and I know that it's my personal mission to teach others of their importance. I also want to teach others how they can live fulfilling lives with animals. Animals are truly amazing and they are such great companions. I look forward to working with them every day. Another hobby of mine is spending time in nature. At the moment, I enjoy nature in the winter by snowboarding. In the summer, I will go camping, hiking, and kayaking. It's amazing to be able to spend time with the beauty that mother nature has provided for us. I feel like I'm able to be my best self when I explore nature and get in touch with mother nature. Being able to explore and see wildlife in their natural habitat really fuels my life.

I used to be very shy and reserved. Well, quite honestly, I'm still shy. When I was more reserved, I didn't speak my mind. No one knew what I was thinking or how I was feeling. I never felt comfortable telling others how I was feeling. I used to get walked all over and people would take advantage of me. I got bullied a lot in high school. The girls who I thought were my "friends" would call me stupid or an idiot constantly. They always made me feel bad about myself. They would always make me cry whenever I would hang out with them. One day, I decided that enough was enough. I spoke to them about the way they made me feel and I stopped hanging out with them. It felt good to stand up to people who made me feel like garbage. Now that I understand how to speak to people better, I'm able to voice myself a lot more clear. I always say what's on my mind and I'm constantly voicing my opinion to others. I know that I matter and my opinions matter. I know that others can trust me and my opinion so I share my thoughts. I work with animals and they don't have a voice so I use my voice for them. I speak up for animals because they can't speak for themselves. I'm constantly teaching others how to take care of their pets better. I enjoy helping people and their pets. It's great to use my voice and speak my mind for those who can't. I know that I help so many others that way and I try to speak my mind when possible to help them live their best life.

When I think of the word joy, I think of Christmas. You know, "Joy to the world." The definition of joy is a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. Joy to me means doing what makes me the most happy. There are so many things in my life that bring me joy and I'm grateful for all of them. I seek out joy by spending time with my friends and family. Most of the time, I'm either working or at school. I hardly see my family so in the moments I do, it brings me joy to be able to see them. They helped build me up to the person who I am today and I couldn't be more grateful for them. I also seek out joy by volunteering and helping others. I currently volunteer at the animal shelter and it brings me so much happiness. I've even cried tears of joy from volunteering. I feel such great satisfaction in my heart when I save animals and see the animals that I helped save go to amazing families in my community. I love teaching those in my community how to take care of their fur babies and I love seeing how their pets bring joy into their lives. It's such a blessing to have that opportunity and I wouldn't change it for the world. There's so many things to be grateful about and so many things that bring joy. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do this scholarship and reflect on what brings me joy. I've been going through a rough patch in my life lately so it's made me smile to look back on the things that make me the happiest.

If I could share one sentence with the world it would be, "Everything is going to be okay." Currently suicide is the number one cause of death in the United States and rising in other countries. The pandemic has made people isolate themselves which can cause many issues for people. Biologically, as humans, we are designed to connect with people. I can see why quarantine has had a negative effect on people and we can still see the effects of that today. I want to share my wisdom of that everything is going to be okay because I know that many of us get worried, anxious, or even afraid. It's okay to feel those things and it's normal to have those feelings. I'm unsure why but I've noticed that hard times pass. I've noticed that things do eventually get better and you can achieve happiness. I've had so many stresses and worries in my life. I've experienced many hardships and I've learned a lot from them. I know that things will sort themselves out and that everything is going to be okay.

Do I have to chose one thing that makes me happy? I can't just chose one. There are so many things in this beautiful world that make me happy. My apartment that I live in currently is a 15 minute walk away from campus. Being able to be so close to campus and walking through the most adorable neighborhood to get to campus makes me happy. I love looking at the little houses and apartments on my way to school. It makes me happy to see people's dogs in their yards and I love to say hi to them as I'm walking to campus. Animals make me happy. I'm currently pursuing a career with animals. They have been here for me when no one else has. They saved my life and I want to be able to return the favor to them. Just being able to do that and look forward to that, makes me happy. I currently groom dogs for work and that makes me so happy. I love being able to groom dogs and see them nearly every day. Nature makes me happy. I enjoy being able to leave the concrete jungle I live in to walk around in some dirt. I love snowboarding, hiking, camping, kayaking, and jeeping. Those activities make me so happy. I enjoy being able to step away from life, technology, and stress by connecting with nature. I look forward to being able to visit national parks or even canyons that I live by to admire the beauty that mother nature has placed for me. I wish I could squeeze in more because there is so much to be happy about! I'm even happy about being able to apply for this scholarship. Thank you for this opportunity.

A song thar inspires me most recently is ROS by Mac Miller. I enjoy being able to listen to that song while I go snowboarding. The piano at the beginning melts my heart. I love the various sound effects and instrumentation that he uses. The type of bass used makes me blast the song while I'm in the car or in my head phones. I also think the way Mac Miller put the lyrics together with the music make for a gorgeous tune. This song is one of the most beautiful song's that I have ever heard. ROS stands for rain or shine. The song was about his then current girl friend. They both got matching tattoos that say, "for rain or shine." I feel like that saying resonates with love. True love is having the ability to love someone through rain or shine. You have to be there for your significant other for the good days and the bad. Recently, my partner and I have been going through a rough patch. We're both being over worked because of the current labor shortages that are plaguing our country. It's been really difficult to be able to love each other because of the added stresses we face in our work life. ROS inspires me to try and love my partner through rain or shine. I find the beat of that song so calming. The lyrics inspire me to push through the current challenges that my partner and I are facing. It seems to be raining hard on us right now but I know the sun will come out soon. Thank you Mr. Mac Miller for the stunning song that inspires my love and I.

1. Why do you deserve this scholarship? I actually don't deserve this scholarship. I've done absolutely nothing to deserve it. Scholarships are clearly not my thing. 2. What are your academic and/or career goals? I don't have any academic or career goals. I want to be a couch potato and watch TV all day. Goals are for dreamers and I'm clearly not a dreamer. 3. Tell me about a time you’ve overcome an obstacle. I've never overcome an obstacle. I just avoid them. It's better to never face challenges. Challenges are hard and it's best to avoid them as much as possible.

A female leader who inspires me the most would have to be Donatella Versace. I really like Donatella because she's experienced lots of hardship and she pushed through it to become a very successful leader in the fashion industry. The fashion industry is already very difficult for women but she pushed through the glass ceiling and made it big. She worked with her brother but he died. After he passed away, she continued and still is working with the fashion industry. She creates unique dresses for many people and still creates amazing pieces for fashion shows. I love how she pushed through her pain to create beauty. Losing a family member is not easy but she created so much after she lost her brother. I plan on becoming a leader through my career by doing what Donatella did. I plan on pushing through the hardships to create beauty. I want to become a veterinary technician and save animals. Working with animals can be difficult but I know I can push past that and create something beautiful. I know that saving animals lives and helping them live a better quality of life is beautiful. Every animal deserves to live the best quality of life and I want to advocate that. I currently volunteer at the animal shelter and I want to continue volunteering there. I enjoy helping my community that way. I like being an example to my community by spending so much time there. The local animals need help and I love seeing them go to loving families. It makes all the time that I spend volunteering at the animal shelter so worth it when I see them go to caring families. I also like telling others about my endeavors of volunteering. I know it inspires them and I've been able to get a few of my friends to volunteer there as well. Animals don't have voices so I want to be their voice. I help people by teaching them how to care for their furry friends better. I currently work at a groomers and I am constantly showing people how to clip their dog's nails or how to brush their dogs. It hurts dogs when their nails aren't clipped properly, it's like walking on high heels backwards. I want people to know how important it is to properly take care of your fur baby. I want people to see me as an example of proper caretaking of animals because it's important that they live comfortable lives too. I know that I can't change the world but I know I can help those in my community by changing their worlds. I do this by volunteering and helping pet parents out at my work. I want to continue to share my passion for animals by being the best vet tech I can be. I want to continue helping and saving animals lives. I know I can be a leader and advocate in my community for animals. I want to be their voice since they don't have one.

Reading is a simple pleasure to me. I enjoy pulling out a good book and relaxing as I dive deep into the pages. I feel like when I'm reading, I go into another world and my worries melt away. I like reading books that suck me in and captivate my imagination. Reading a book by a fire is a whole different subject. I enjoy sitting by a crackling fire while reading a book. It makes my soul smile. I also really enjoy snow. Snow makes the world a more beautiful place. I love hearing snow crunch under my shoes. It makes me smile to see a fresh blanket of snow. I love the quietness it brings. Snow absorbs sound so everything is much more quiet and still when there's snow. I also love seeing Christmas lights reflect off of the snow. It's so beautiful to see the soft glow of a Christmas light reflecting off of the snow. Snow is amazing and it makes winters more enjoyable in my opinion.

It takes a village to raise a child. My community has provided me with so much that it would be difficult for me not to give back and give opportunities to others. I currently volunteer at my local animal shelter. I love volunteering there. It's amazing to see my community come together for the welfare of animals. I enjoy being apart of that. I also enjoy seeing beautiful animals go to even more beautiful families. It's great to give back to my community. Like I've stated before, my community has done so much for me. The least I can do is clean kennels and walk some dogs at the animal shelter. I find so much joy in seeing animals that I've worked with go to amazing homes and lead happy lives. I want to continue volunteering at the animal shelter. I'm interested in volunteering at the homeless shelter as well. I've donated to the homeless shelter many times but I have yet to volunteer there. It's great to help my community, which has helped me so much. It's amazing to be giving opportunities to the same people who gave me opportunities.

I want to finish up my current associates degree that I'm working on so that I can get another associates degree in veterinary technology. I would love to work as a veterinary technician at a vet clinic or the zoo. Animals hold a special place in my heart so I want to work with them. I would also be interested in being a small business owner. I want to own a car wash. My boyfriend is a mechanic and I think owning a car wash would pair well with his line of work. I plan on taking some business classes so I can learn some strategies of managing my own car wash. I can also see myself marrying my boyfriend and having a family with him someday. We want to get out of the city we live in and move to the gorgeous, quiet state of Montana. I love Montana and I think it's a great place to raise a family. My boyfriend and I don't enjoy the city. There was a shooting behind our apartment and we don't want to be around that stuff anymore. We can't raise a family if we currently live so close to those types of conditions. I want to continue to serve my community by volunteering and making donations to the animal shelter. I enjoy serving my community that way. The local animals are so important to me and I enjoy seeing them go into the care of amazing families that are in my community. It's such an honor to serve them and I want to continue doing that for the rest of my life. I look forward to what the future will bring me and I'm grateful for all the opportunities that I've received!

Animals. I am so passionate about animals. Whenever I've needed a hand in life, I've gotten a paw instead. Animals have touched my soul in a way that people cannot. I would do anything for animal. That's why I'm currently studying veterinary and I'm working on becoming a veterinary technician. I want to save animals lives. I also currently work at Petsmart grooming. I love going into work everyday and helping dogs. I've seen dogs with nasty nails, dirty ears, and mats in their fur. I enjoy clipping their nails so they can walk better. I also enjoy bathing them so their ears are clean and their coats are shiny. A shiny coat is a great sign that the dog is healthy. I love animals so much because they have been here for me when people have not. I don't have many friends but luckily animals have helped me through some of my darkest moments in life. I want to return the favor by being there for animals when no one else is there for them. I want to be a comfort to them just as they have comforted me. I want to save their lives because they saved mine. Animals are incredible and I want to be there for them.

I want to impact the world by showing how important animals are in our lives. With technology growing and becoming common, I feel like there's less and less education about animals being produced. As humans, we've had a kinship with animals for thousands of years. We domesticated wolves to be our companion. I feel like that is being lost. People don't appreciate animals like they used to. I want to show others how important and essential they are in our lives. Recently, with the pandemic. Many people have adopted pets. As life tries to return to normal and people head back to work, animals are being dumped off at the animal shelter. There is also becoming a huge demand for veterinary care because of the increase of people who adopted a pet. I'm glad that people have wanted a furry companion during the pandemic but many of them don't have the proper knowledge of how to take care of their furry friend. As humans, we have a responsibility to take care of our furry friends. I want to create classes, online resources, and local sources so people can be better equip on how to take care of animals. I want people to rekindle that age long kinship of animals that we've had for thousands of years. I want to continue to volunteer at the animal shelter so I can see pets go to amazing, loving homes. Animals are incredible and I know they deserve the best. I also know that there's many ways that people can give them the best care. I can confirm that it's my mission to help animals and help people learn how to take care of their furry companion.

Always yearning to learn is the best way to live a long, healthy life. I feel like most people who are older have learned a lot. They always seem so wise. They have learned and have had more experiences than me. Some of the most educated people that I know have lived long lives. My great grandparents are still alive and my great grandma is so sharp. She's one of the wisest people that I know. She's always reading or trying to do something to keep her mind young. I feel like my great grandmother's passion to be continuously learning or reading a book has lead her to live a long, healthy life. Education is so important. They say that you can't teach an old dog a new trick but I highly doubt that. If you lead a life full of curiosity and a constant yearning to learn, I feel like your brain stays sharp. Learning is a lifelong process so you might as well keep your heart open for it. I feel like those who do live long, healthy lives.

I moved out the day I turned 18 years old. I was still a senior in high school. I didn't want to graduate, I just wanted to work full time. I wanted to work full time so it would make paying bills easier. Instead of dropping out to work, I worked hard at school so I could graduate early. I graduated in January of 2019. I worked full time and became a pharmacy technician. I'm proud of what I did because I was living on my own my entire senior year of high school. I had no help from parents or friends. I actually had no friends my entire senior year because I was constantly working. I often ate lunch alone and I didn't do traditional senior things. I didn't go to senior prom or homecoming because I was working those nights. This actually prepared me more for college and living on my own during college. I learned time management and I also have made some amazing friends in college. I've been able to do traditional college things despite the pandemic. When I was a senior, I was so bummed out that I couldn't be "normal" and go to prom or homecoming. I missed out on a lot but it helped me gain a better insight for my future. I feel like I've had an amazing experience in college because of the sacrifices I made when I was a senior. I'm so glad I graduated high school early instead of dropping out. That has shown me resilience and that I can graduate college as well.

One investing tip that I've taken to heart is to have long term investments. My dad told me another way to save up for my future is by having some long term investments. I invested in stocks when I was 18. I'm currently 21 and I haven't sold the stocks. I've only added to it by buying more stock. I want to save that money for a future home, wedding, or even children that I may have. It could also be used for another pandemic just in case I lose my job. I've heard a lot about people doing day trades and losing money because of it. The risk is greater when you do a short term investment. Over the past few years of investing, my opinion is that slow and steady wins the race. I feel like the risk isn't as great and you're really able to get greater gains by having long term investments. For me personally, with the way my finances look currently, long term investments are the way to go. I know that my future self can reap the benefits of the decisions that I make now.

I live with gratitude by counting my blessings daily. Every day I will think of something that I'm grateful for, it can be as simple as the table I get to eat food on or being able to go to the grocery store to get food. The pandemic has made me grateful for just being able to see friends and family members as often as I do. On the same token, regarding the pandemic, I am grateful for my job. I'm grateful to be able to go out and work. I can't work from home, it would drive me insane so I'm glad that I'm able to leave my house to work. I think about that a lot, especially with the recent omicron surge. I'm grateful that I get to work with dogs, I wasn't working with dogs until recently. I'm grateful for my apartment and my one roommate. Last year, I had five roommates which was very difficult. All five of my previous roommates would bully me and give me a difficult time. My one roommate, that I have now, is amazing and I am so grateful to be able to live with them. They are so kind to me and by far one of the best roommates I've ever had. I try to make a habit of counting my blessings daily to be a more grateful person. When I practice gratefulness, I'm able to see how much I have instead of how much I'm lacking. My heart feels full and I appreciate my life more when I count my blessings. I'm also very grateful for this scholarship and I am so happy that I can apply for it. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I'm grateful for bold.org and your willingness to assist people with student debt.

Life without friends would be so dull. Friendship means a lot to me. I was bullied a lot in middle school and high school. I had a hard time making friends and keeping friends. I was often alone or I did things alone because no one wanted to hang out with me. In high school, I ate lunch alone everyday. I didn't get asked out to prom or homecoming. I didn't get to do traditional senior things because I had no friends. So if you want to be my friend, it just means a lot to me. Luckily I found my best friend in college. We started out as roommates and I thought she was a bit stuck up at first. Living with someone, you learn a lot about them. Over time, I learned that she wasn't stuck up as I originally had thought. We enjoyed the same movies, food, and we're both introverts. We also both enjoyed having alone time. After we moved out from the apartment we shared because our contracts were up, we continued to hang out with each other. We still see each other once a week. I'm so grateful to finally have a friend. Life isn't so bleak. I'm so happy to make memories and share experiences with someone who views life similarly as me. I know that I didn't get to live out having normal high school experiences but it's nice to have someone that I can share some normal college experiences with. Having someone that wants to be my friend just means a lot to me.

Self-care is essential to help you obtain the best version of yourself. There are many ways that I practice self-care. The first of which is school. I know by getting a higher education, it will help my future self. I put a lot of time into each of my classes. I learn and teach myself many things that make my life easier now and I know it will also help my future self. Many don't see getting a higher education as self-care but I do because it's something I'm doing for myself. Spending time outdoors is how I treat myself. I love going on hikes, snowboarding, kayaking, camping, and fishing. There's something that's so liberating to hike a mountain or snowboard in fresh powder. I love getting away from the city and having a breath of fresh air. I feel so spoiled when I see gorgeous views that mother nature provided me with. It's such a great mental reset each time I'm in the mountains. I feel like I'm able to think more clearly and I'm able to tackle any future challenges that are going to take place. It builds my confidence when I leave the mountains after completing a crazy hike or I tried some new tricks while snowboarding. By practicing self-care it helps me obtain the best version of myself. I feel more happy and confident.

Honestly, I try to focus on the positives to help me have a growth mindset. If I focus on positives of a class, a job, or even life in general, I'm able to have more of an open mind. I'm able to take in more information and constructive criticism. I'm open to more possibilities when I try to think more positively. If you're constantly focusing on the negatives, I've found through personal experience that it drags you down. You're not as open to many possibilities and you slow down in life. What I mean by that is that negative thinking is repetitive. You're not growing from thinking negatively all the time. You build a wall and block yourself in from growth. When you look for positive outcomes, you are able to handle situations differently than you would by thinking negative. You are able to see things with a different perspective that can help you grow. I'm constantly looking for someone to constructively criticize me. I'm looking for what I need to make improvements on. I don't shy away from others input. I don't doubt myself when I'm wrong, I want others to help me learn and grow. I wouldn't be open to those types of experiences if I thought negatively all the time. Thinking positively and looking for the best outcomes can help you have a growth mindset.

My mother would always tell me growing up, "Patience is a virtue." I never really understood that saying until I got older. In today's society, we are so used to getting things instantly. Our phones and social media give us instant gratification. We get meals and packages delivered to our homes nearly instantly. We find instant information online. As a society we have been conditioned to get things nearly instantly. I have found within the last few years that patience is truly a virtue. You cannot get your degree instantly and you can't get the job you want just as fast. I've learned to embrace each moment and enjoy the ride. I've learned that it takes patience to get a degree or a job that you want. When I first started school, I wanted it to be over. Now that I nearly completed my associates degree, I want to try and continue my schooling. Patience has helped me come to that conclusion. I practice a lot of patience daily. I hope to show others in this world of instant gratification that patience is a virtue. By being a daily example of patience, I want others to learn from me and try to do the same. It makes me sad that our society has turned so instantaneous. People no longer understand how essential patience is in our lives. That's why I practice patience every single day. Patience is a virtue.

One of my favorite hobbies is nature. I love being outdoors and exploring the great outdoors. I can't pick one hobby I like to do in nature because I enjoy doing all of them. I'm an avid snowboarder, kayaker, hiker, camper, and an adventurer. There are so many things to explore and enjoy in the great outdoors. This past summer, I camped outside of a ghost town in Montana. It was so much fun to see the history of this old, mining, ghost town. It was a little scary camping outside of it but luckily I didn't see any ghosts. I did learn a lot about Montana's history and how life was back in the late 1800's. It's interesting how gold was sought out by many back then. Now technology is the new gold rush. I enjoy reflecting on history and seeing how our ancestors lived. Snowboarding has to be my favorite winter activity. Every winter, I'm up on the slopes, exploring the mountain that way. I love going to different mountains on a snowboard. Seeing the powder on the trees and the mountain brings the biggest smile on my face. I usually go alone when I go snowboarding and I look forward to meeting people. I meet people on the lifts and on some of my runs. I've met the coolest people on the lift and I've learned some pretty cool things from them. Snowboarding is amazing and I just feel so happy after I go. It's such a fun way to spend time out doors and connect with others. I love visiting national parks. I'm going to visit Capitol Reef National Park in March. I've done a lot of research on the National Park and I cannot wait to go. It's been fun reading up on the history of the park and trying to figure out what sights I want to explore. I can't wait to visit the park in March and see the sights for myself! The outdoors are amazing and I appreciate mother nature so much. There is so much beauty in connecting with nature. That's why I enjoy the great outdoors so much!

Uniquely, intriguingly, interestingly, incredibly, happily, differently, I have a passion, a love, a big heart for animals. Animals are my life. I'm currently finishing up one associates degree just to get another associates in veterinary technology so I can be a vet tech. You could say I think animals are the bees knees, they rule, they're awesome. Animals are my world. I want to save as many animals as possible. Besides animals I love exploring the outdoors. I'm wanderlust, restless, adventurous, curious, about the great outdoors that surround me. I enjoy snowboarding, camping, hiking, kayaking and jeeping. Life is great!

Snowboarding. Snowboarding is my best talent and one of my favorite skills that I have taught myself. I go to the ski resort at least once a week to unwind and sharpen my skills. I challenge myself by going on black diamonds and different runs. I try to go over jumps and catch some air. I push myself to keep going, even when my legs are on fire. I also enjoy being in the outdoors and spending time with nature. I know that it's technically not a talent but going on hikes and pushing myself to explore the great outdoors is something I do often. I suppose exploring could be a talent. I love finding old ghost towns or abandoned sites and exploring them. I take nothing but pictures from these sites and enjoy their beauty. The outdoors is one of my favorite things. I enjoy pushing myself physically and discovering the past with abandoned sites I find.

Confidence means to be sincere and comfortable with yourself and your abilities. I'm currently working on my confidence by challenging myself to do new things and to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I like to go and experience things that make me uncomfortable. For example, trying to make new friends and meeting new people is hard for me so I've been trying to say hello to people in the check out lines at stores or talk to the cashiers at stores. It's a good skill to be able to meet others and make friends wherever you go. It does take some confidence but I'm working on it more and more as I go out. I want to put these skills to test as a new semester of school starts. I have such a hard time talking to others in my classes and making friends. It's something that is awkward and scares me but I know making friends in classes can lead to study groups or even life long friends. I know it will help me gain confidence and I hope someday meeting new people won't scare me as much.

I have a few goals for the future and I'm currently working my hardest to achieve these goals. I'm so excited that I almost have my first associates degree. One of my goals is to get another associates degree but in veterinary technology so that I can become a vet tech. I want to be able to work in a vet clinic and save animal's lives. I also would like to continue to volunteer at the animal shelter and help my community out with the local animals. I enjoy volunteering and seeing animals go to their forever homes. It's amazing to see the animals in my community grow from poor circumstances and have the opportunity to live out their best lives. My final goal would to be able to buy a carwash. My boyfriend is a mechanic and I want to own my own car wash someday to help him out. I think it would be fun to be a small business owner while helping his shop out at the same time. He has difficulty working on cars that are very muddy or salty (from salt on the roads to melt the snow). It would help make him a better mechanic if he had easy access to a car wash. We can also hand out free car washes to people if needed. I think it would be a fun challenge and opportunity to own a car wash.

A few things on my bucket list are to explore some of the least visited national parks in the U.S. and to visit Yosemite. I would love to see the Dawn Wall in Yosemite. I want to see some of the least visited national parks in the U.S. to see their beauty and appreciate them. I would love to go camping and hiking more this summer as well. I had to work full time this summer while attending school part time so I had no time to adventure this summer. I was so busy with school and work. I even worked overtime some weeks. I've accomplished nearly getting my associates degree this year, I'll have my associates by summer of 2022. I quit my old job and now I'm working at a job that I want to be working at. I got to go to Montana to see some ghost towns and camp out at them. It was one of the only camp trips I took this summer. I really enjoyed seeing the history and learning more about Montana's past. I would love to go on more adventures but I have a feeling I will most likely be working two jobs while going to school this summer to make ends meet. I know some adventures will have to wait but I'm okay with that, I will see them someday!

I noticed with the pandemic, how vulnerable people around me really are. I've seen people completely give up on their dreams and themselves. I feel like it's important to discourage giving up and encourage others to do things that make them truly happy. I love seeing others smile and be themselves. It's an amazing smile and glow in their eyes when people are doing something that they're truly passionate about. It can be difficult to be able to do something that you're passionate about without any affirmation from people. I know people can better versions of themselves when they chase their dreams for the right reasons. I enjoy building up others so they can chase their dreams. It makes me happy to inspire others so they can go out and do their best. I know it helps make their day and it makes the world a better place. It makes the world less lonely and tiresome. It brings joy into the lives of others when you encourage them go find their passions and to follow their hearts.

Animals are something that have always made sense to me. My parents got divorced when I was 14 years old. I didn't have a lot of friends growing up. I was always the black sheep. When my parents got divorced, my world felt even more lonely. Luckily we had a family dog. I would go and talk to her about my troubles. She seemed to care and listen to me more than people would. During the pandemic I wasn't able to volunteer at the animal shelter so I became a foster volunteer. I would foster kittens. I had 5 roommates and they were horrible. I worked graveyard shifts while going to college full time. Even though I lived with 5 girls and was surrounded by people from my work (I worked at a hotel at the time), no one seemed to care. I felt so lonely, just like I did while I was growing up. The kittens gave me company. I cared for them when they were sick. I would play with them. I would teach them how to eat kibble. They made me smile and would give me snuggles. Animals have always given me comfort in my loneliest, darkest times. Like I said, they're the only thing that makes sense to me, especially when people don't want to pay attention to me. I've never understood people and I doubt I ever will. I want to get an associate's degree in veterinary technology so I can become a vet tech someday. Animals have helped me in my hardest moments so I want to return the favor. I want to be their comfort and save their lives when they need help. I currently am going to school and finishing up my first associates degree in university studies. Then, I want to get my second associates degree in veterinary technology. I'm also currently working in a grooming salon as a bather. I help the groomers bathe their dogs. I don't get paid a lot and I work short shifts but I'm there to get experience with animals. I've applied to work at a few vet clinics and I hope that they can hire me on soon. I'm also still a volunteer at the animal shelter. I go there during my free time to help out. I hope to help the world with my career by saving animals. Animals are important to the ecosystem and in recent studies, they help with our mental health. I want to show others my passion for animals so that they can learn to love animals themselves. I want to be their voice because we know animals cannot speak. I want to know what's best for them so they can live the best quality of life. I know that there's others in the world that know how animals just make sense, like I do. We can come together and make the world a better place with them. Animals are truly amazing and I'm devoting my life for them.

The biggest goal that I'm currently working on is to get my associates in veterinary technology so I can become a vet tech. I want to help animals and save their lives. I would feel so successful once I get my degree and a job at a vet clinic. I look forward to that day. Another goal that I have in mind is to own my own car wash for some passive income. Veterinarians and vet tech actually don't make a lot of money. We do it because we love the animals so much. I want to donate money to animal rescues and animal shelters to help out with their operations. In order to do that, I need to make a passive income. So, I would like to own my own car wash someday. I want to donate the extra income to the organizations I mentioned previously. Having extra money to donate would be a huge success to me.

I had a rough upbringing. My parents divorced when I was a teenager. My mom remarried to an alcoholic who I was abused by. My dad remarried to a narcissist. My home life was difficult. Because of that, I moved out on my 18th birthday. I was a senior in high school. I didn't get to go to senior prom, I was working a double shift that night to pay my bills. I'm grateful that I moved out when I did though. I did miss out on some normal experiences but I got to experience some of the real world before I got to college. Moving out on my 18th birthday taught me that I have grit and that I can get my degree. I have always had a passion for animals. It was lonely when I moved out but luckily I had a dog that was always by my side. She seemed to listen to me when no one else would. She was my comfort when I felt so alone. I want to return that favor to animals by saving their lives. I want to become a veterinary technician so I can save animals. My little dog saved my life when I was experiencing some of the darkest moments of my life. I look forward to returning that favor to other animals in the future, I want to be their light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a few passions that fuel my life. My first passion would be animals! I would do anything for an animal. I want to be able to save animals as a vet tech someday. I love being a comfort and helping them, it's something that inspires me daily. Animals are amazing, I can't wait to be a vet tech. My second passion would be nature. I love spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. I enjoy going on hikes, kayaking, snowboarding, and jeeping. It's so much fun to explore the wilderness around me. I work hard everyday so I can save up to go on camp trips or a day trip exploring nature. Being with nature fuels me. The final thing that fuels me is my boyfriend. He is amazing and he inspires me everyday. I love taking care of him and being there for him when he needs me. He's my adventure buddy. He works hard and I look to him as inspiration. I hope that someday I can work as hard as he does. He's a Jeep mechanic. He would like to own his own shop in the future. We would also like to open up our own car wash together someday.

I practice empathy a lot with my job. I can use my shift from yesterday, for example. I work in a dog grooming salon. Yesterday, we were very busy. I was called in a few hours early to help out because we were so busy. A gentleman walked in with his dog. I was about to turn him away because of how busy we were but instead I chose to listen to him. He explained to me that he was putting his dog down in a few hours and he wanted her face trimmed up. He wanted to see her looking well groomed for the last time. He wanted to look into her eyes for the last time. I have had to put down many pets. I explained to one of my co workers the situation so we stopped what we were doing to groom that dog for the last time. We even put bows in the dog's ears to make her look cute. Despite us being so busy, we showed empathy to that gentleman. He didn't seem upset or sad when he walked in, he was even smiling at us. I want to continue to show empathy to others because you never know what someone is going through. You can make someone's worst day a little better by being empathetic towards them.

The first thing that I would like to say is that I love this scholarship and the whole premise behind it. I am the type of person to overwork myself and I don't get a lot of time to relax. When I do find some time to take care of myself or when I have a mental breakdown and I need it, I will go outside. I love connecting with nature. I feel like I can hit a mental reset button when I'm up in the mountains. I enjoy setting up a hammock and reading or napping while I'm in it. I love building campfires. I feel like it's so relaxing to sit by a campfire and stare off into the flames. I enjoy hiking and exploring. I hike my worries off. Nature heals me and I know it's very healing to others. It's seriously the best way to relax and get away from the concrete jungle I live in.

As human beings, we have had a relationship with nature for millions of years. To be human is to be with nature. We are still making discoveries with nature and trying to preserve it to the best of our abilities. I appreciate nature because it's what makes me feel human. When I'm in nature I feel my head is clear. I love looking at all the plants and trees. I love stumbling into an animal and observing how they live their life, wild and free. I feel at peace when I hear the wind echo through the leaves in the trees around me. I enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I enjoy getting out into nature and away from the concrete jungle that I live in. I'm grateful to be able to go camping, snowboarding, kayaking, and jeeping. I enjoy building a fire and laughing with friends around it. I love hiking up mountains and looking at the valley below me. Nature is truly amazing, I can't pick one thing I appreciate about it because there's so much to appreciate. I'm grateful to have a good relationship with nature and I want to continue exploring and appreciating it.

I started my senior year of high school already moved out of home. I wanted to graduate early so I would not be struggling to pay my bills. I worked full time, sometimes overtime, while attending my senior year of high school. I moved out because of some serious struggles at home. I wanted to drop out of high school to provide for myself. I had bills stacking up and I had to work to survive. Instead, I would go to all of my classes and try my best. I worked hard and was persistent about school. I was able to graduate early instead of dropping out. I'm so glad that I was persistent about that challenge and I was able to graduate early. I'm now in college, working just as hard as I did my senior year of high school, to make the world a better place and to make myself a better person. I want to continue to be persistent so hopefully I can inspire others to do the same. No matter how hard things get, don't give up.

Helping others and being selfless is something that I'm passionate about. I enjoy taking the time to help others. I feel at peace when I know that I made someone smile or that I made someone's day a little easier. Being a human is hard so I find that helping others makes being a human being easier for myself and others. I am constantly trying to find opportunities to help people. One way I do this is by volunteering at the animal shelter. I know I've help assist those who work at the shelter and made their job a little easier. I know I've changed lives of people who adopted the animals that I've fostered. I like to share my knowledge of caretaking to others so they can give their animals the best quality of life. I also try to serve others in my daily life by making them smile. You never know what someone is going through. I make others smile by complimenting them or something as simple as putting their cart away for them at the grocery store. I know I can't change the world but showing small acts of kindness to others can change their world. I'm always on the lookout for when I can help someone, whether it's at my job, the animal shelter I volunteer at, school, or out in public. Helping others is apart of who I am and I will always find ways to be selfless to make someone smile.

From my experience, I think the meaning of life is trying to be the best version of yourself I can be. I feel like tapping into yourself, challenging yourself, and learning from your experiences to become the best you can be, is what makes us human. Others are always self improving and striving to be the best. I try to achieve being my best self by volunteering and helping others. I feel so happy when I serve others. It's nice to know that I help made someone smile or that I helped make someone's day better. I also like to serve by volunteering at the animal shelter. My passion in life is helping animals. I can feel my heart grow when I help an animal, it puts a smile on my face. I also try to achieve this by constantly learning. I'm always asking questions, seeking constructive criticism, and trying to sharpen my skills each day. I know I'm not perfect but I want to be the best that I can be. I know that no matter how good I am at something, there can always be room for improvement. I always want to be learning something new to improve myself and helping others along the way. That's the meaning of life to me.

My future dreams and goals are a few different things. My first goal I would like to accomplish is to finish up my current associates degree that I'm working on. I would like to get a second associates degree in veterinary technology so I can become a vet clinic. I would also love to work in a vet clinic as a secretary or a vet assistant in the near future. My dream is to be able to save as many animals as possible. I want to continue to volunteer at the animal shelter, like I do now. I want to save animals lives and help teach others how animals play an important role in our lives. I also would like to show others how to take care of their pets better. Animals deserve a good quality of life and I want to make sure that we're able to help them with that. I would also like to become a wife and a mother someday. My boyfriend and I have an amazing relationship. My boyfriend is a Jeep mechanic. Be builds Jeeps so people can rock crawl in them safely. I want to own a car wash someday so he can take some of the Jeeps he's working on there, if needed. He can also hand out free car washes to his customers. I think it would be a great opportunity. I am currently working hard and learning a lot so I can be a vet tech and a small business owner in the future.

"My Grand Overture of College" by Yours Truly 1.) Library, Study, Brainpower 2.) It Takes Time 3.) Where is my pen? 4.) My Laptop is my Bestie 5.) Notes, Glorious Notes 6.) I took a Snowboarding Class for an Elective

The impact I hope to leave on the world is to show how we can care for animals. I plan by devoting my life to animals and saving them. I'm currently in school to become a veterinary technician. I hope to build my skills to be able to work with exotic or endangered species. I want to show others of their importance in our ecosystem. I also volunteer at the animal shelter as a foster volunteer. I foster kittens until they're old enough to be able to be adopted. Today we are seeing more and more "pandemic pets." People have adopted pets during their quarantine, which is amazing. Some of these adopters have since dropped off their pets to the animal shelter or dumped them in other places. People are also neglecting some of the pets they adopted during the pandemic as life tries to return to normal. I want to show others how important it is to make that commitment of taking care of a pet. Animals are truly amazing and like I stated previously, I want to devote all of my time to them. I want to teach others of their importance. I believe that every animal has a soul. It's important that we learn how to help them so they can live the best quality of life. Instead of destroying their habitats by building houses or polluting their homes, I want to teach others how to nourish them. With more and more species becoming endangered, our ecosystem is falling apart. The circle of life cannot continue without these species.

Financial freedom to me means living as debt free as possible. My great grandfather told me to live a life without owing money to someone. Currently, I live within my means and work hard at my job to try and achieve living a debt free life. I also have several stocks, I've been investing in stocks since I was 18. When I get into the career I want, I want to start investing in myself. I want a 401-K and have a sufficient amount of money for myself when I retire. It's never too early to start investing for your future self. Living within my means is really important to me. Instead of eating out all of the time, I cook for myself. It can be difficult prepping meals and constantly cooking for myself, especially when I come home dead tired from work. I feel like it's necessary and worth it. I know that it will help me in the long run, it's cheaper and more healthy. Cooking for myself also produces less waste than eating out. Eating out often has a lot of unnecessary packing that comes with the meal, which produces a lot of waste. I will never buy a brand new car off of the lot or live in a big mansion. I don't want to be a millionaire. I don't want to buy a brand new car, when I can buy a used one that costs less. I don't want a mansion because they're extremely costly and I don't want to be the one cleaning it all of the time. I'm perfectly happy living in a small house or apartment. I'm fine with living with roommates to help cut costs. I ride the bus sometimes to save money on gas. I could easily drive but I rather ride the bus to save myself more money. I also reduce miles on my car by using public transportation and help the environment in that way. I never make a purchase that I know that I can't pay back. I've never maxed out a credit card. I don't want the bank making money off of me. I pay my bills on time because I don't like owing people money. Not owing others money and being in debt is what financial freedom is to me. I don't want any of the superficial things that come with having loads of money and I don't want to live outside of my means. I want to be rich enough to always be donating that money to my community and I want to live as debt free as possible.

I volunteer at my local animal shelter as a foster volunteer. I mainly foster kittens that aren't old enough for adoption I love bottle feeding and playing with the kittens. I also enjoy the bittersweet feeling of sending them back to the animal shelter for adoption. I will never forget when I witnessed one of my foster kittens going to their forever home. There were two little girls and a very pregnant mom. The mom could barely walk because her belly was so big. The girls saw the kitten and fell in love with her. I knew this kitten would be spoiled by those two little girls. Their smiles when they saw that kitten melted my heart. I started to cry tears of joy because I knew that kitten was going to a great home. I love being able to give back to my community. It's such a blessing that I'm able to foster and get kittens out of the streets. Those kittens have so much love to give and they bring joy to the families who adopt them. It's an amazing feeling to be able to serve my community that way.

My goals for the future are to become a certified veterinary technician. I want to work in a regular veterinary clinic to help sharpen my skills so I can someday work at the zoo or the aquarium. I find surgery so fascinating and I want to be able to perform necessary surgeries on exotic animals. I want to help them have a better quality of life. I want to teach others the importance of every animal in our ecosystem and how important it is that we learn to share our world with them. In my personal life, I would like to get married to my boyfriend. We've been together for a year. 2020 was very difficult for me. I was constantly alone and I got depressed from being alone all the time. My family lives far away so I don't get to see them very often. My boyfriend helped me out of that dark place and has changed my life. I'm so grateful for him and I would be more than happy to spend the rest of my life with him.

I am passionate about animals. Ever since I could remember, I've always loved animals. I wanted to work with animals since I was a little girl. When I was a teenager, my parents got divorced. No one wanted to be my friend and I was alone. My parents we're separating and I had no friends to talk to about it. Luckily, I had a German Shepard. She was the family dog and I would talk to her about what I was going though, even though she couldn't talk, she seemed to listen. She would comfort me by laying in my lap. Ever since those moments with my German Shepherd, I wanted to do everything to help animals. She helped me when I was facing difficult challenges and I want to return the favor to all animals. Animals are truly amazing and I'm so grateful that we share this world with them.

Having different experiences everyday motivates me. I enjoy meeting new people, learning new things, and serving others. Each day, I try to seek out an experience. It could be as simple as getting to know the cashier at the grocery store or giving someone a hug. I never know what each day will bring me exactly, I try to keep my mind open to different experiences. I try to learn something new from someone or I try to teach myself something. I have a daily routine but it's fun to break out of it for a couple minutes to try and experience something. I feel like by constantly trying out something different is what makes us human. Like I said, it doesn't have to be a big thing everyday, it could be something simple. I love seeing others smile and opening my mind to something new. It helps make life exciting.

To make others in my life feel loved, I give them gifts. I rarely buy things for myself because I rather spend my money on someone else. I'm constantly giving gifts to those I love. It makes me happy if I make or buy them something that means a lot to them. I love making others smile by giving them a gift. My love language is gift giving.

The simple pleasures in my life are animals, exploring, and coffee. I love simply just looking at animals. They make me smile and they immediately make me feel comfortable. I'm a pet groomer and I love shaving the fur out of their paw pads so I can see their toe beans. It's so satisfying and it makes me smile. I love exploring, even if it's something as simple as going to a new store or restaurant in my town. It's always fun to see something new. Finally, I love coffee. Making a fresh cup of coffee in the morning brings a smile to my face. I love the aroma of coffee and the way it tastes. It helps me start my day. A small, warm cup of coffee helps me to look forward to waking up every morning. These simple pleasures make me so happy and I'm so glad that I get to do these things nearly every day.

Giving is important to me because gift giving is my love language. I show others I love them by giving to them. It takes a village to raise a child and I'm grateful for everyone who helped me. I love volunteering and working with my community because they have given me so much. I currently volunteer at the animal shelter and I like to donate hygiene items to the homeless shelter. I know some of the homeless are veterans and they made unimaginable sacrifices for us. I like to give back to them especially because I'm grateful for their service. I volunteer at the animal shelter because animals have given me so much. They help bring a smile to my face and comfort me. Animals saved my life when I had no person to save me. I love giving and I try to give everyday because I have so much appreciation for our beautiful world. I feel so spoiled when I stop to count my blessings, I have to give back.

I moved out on my 18th birthday. I was still a senior in high school. My mom married an alcoholic and I wanted to get out of the house. I decided to work really hard at my job to help pay bills. Instead of going to senior prom or homecoming, I was working a double shift those nights to survive. I didn't have any friends my senior year because I was working so hard and I was living on my own. I wanted to drop out of school but instead I worked hard. I worked so hard that I graduated high school early and with a 3.4 GPA. I was so proud, I also became a pharmacy technician so I didn't have to work as many hours. I applied to college and now I'm still in college. I taught myself that no matter how hard things get, I can preserver and do my best. I wanted to survive and work 2 jobs instead of going to school, I'm glad I didn't. I'm grateful for that challenge because I wouldn't be where I'm at today.

Joy to me means being content and happy for a period of time. It doesn't matter if it's a long period of time or a short moment. Joy can be sought after or given to you. I like to seek out joy. I seek joy by going on adventures and exploring with the people who I love the most. I love exploring our world and looking at history. It brings me joy to go look at abandoned mining towns with the people who mean the most to me. It makes me happy when I see cool things from history and exploring it with my loved ones.

Education has shaped my worldview by giving me other perspectives. I used to be more close minded and thought that certain things were irrelevant. I now know that a lot of things affect our lives and our society. I am more mindful of the things I do and of those who are around me. I think through my decisions carefully, instead of just doing things without thinking them through, like I did before I got a higher education. My understanding about our world is greater and I feel like I've become more wise with how our world works. I know that each of us has a part in how we can shape the world and our lives.

I want my legacy to be saving animals and people. I want people to know that I worked hard and I saved the lives of many animals. I want to study how animals affect our mental health for the better and use them more in therapies. Studying animal therapy and bringing it more into common practice will help save people's lives as well. I have so much respect for animals and I would be honored to leave behind a legacy that I helped them.

The biggest turnaround story from my life that I'm proud from is leaving my abusive ex-boyfriend. I was with him for 2 years and those were the worst 2 years of my life. He didn't have a job and always used me as a source for money. He was constantly lying to me and he put me in some dangerous situations. The straw that broke the camel's back is when he had a severe accident. He put everyone in danger from his accident. I wasn't physically harmed but mentally I was very broken from his manipulation and the accident. I stayed with him in the hospital for weeks, I was only 18 years old at the time. I made the choice to leave him and go to college. His accident was so severe, that I would be his primary caretaker and he would continue to use me as his primary source of money. It was the most difficult choice I had to make. I am so much more happy and now I feel free from his grip. I'm proud to be pursing a higher education than being trapped in a toxic relationship.

I think the best way to live a long, healthy life is to have fun. I mean don't take things too seriously all of the time. Don't stress all of the time. Go out and have some fun, embrace the moment. Do things you've never done before and try to have fun while doing it.

One investing tip that I've taken to heart is to invest in some stocks. My grandfather and father both have stocks and they have both told me to invest in technology companies. They are long term investors and have steady stocks. I have followed in their footsteps and I have had tech stocks for about 2 years now. Best financial decision that I've made!

A piece of art that inspires me is Judith beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio. I love the biblical story behind the painting. Judith is an example of one of the few female leader or protagonist in the bible. She seduced Holofernes into his tent and she decapitated him when he passed out drunk. The painting is depicting that perfectly. I love how extreme and exaggerated the painting is. The dark background with light on the characters is gorgeous. This painting inspires me to be a bold leader like Judith. Judith was not afraid to do what was right and kill Holofernes for her people. This painting also inspires me to try and paint as beautifully as Caravaggio.

Something that I have learned about myself that I've found valuable is my resiliency. I was a black sheep growing up and I didn't have many friends. I was often alone. My parents divorced when I was in middle school which secluded me more from my peers. I moved out the day I turned 18 and I was starting my senior year of high school as well. I was moved out and on my own my entire senior year of high school. It was rough. Instead of going to senior prom, I was working a double shift at work to pay rent. I graduated high school early and started college despite my struggles that I had. I've had people tell me that they wouldn't succeed with the challenges that I've had in my life. I am so glad that I am resilient. I know how to roll up my sleeves and keep pushing though when life gets tough. I find my resilience very valuable.

Animals make me happy. I love being around animals and helping them. Whenever I have needed a hand in life, I've gotten a paw instead. Animals are so pure and amazing. They touch our lives in special ways and bring more meaning into our lives. They always put a smile on my face.

Friendship means the world to me. I love having someone that I know I can rely on. I enjoy having someone around who I can vent to and I know that they'll listen to me. Having friends makes life easier.

I practice self-care by working out and eating right. When I work out, I feel that I am able to think more clearly. When I eat right, I nourish myself and I feel better. It helps me work and communicate more efficiently so I'm able to complete daily tasks throughout my school and work days.

The pandemic was a very difficult time for everyone. I felt like dropping all of the classes that I was taking so I could help out at my work. I used to be a pharmacy technician and it was a very stressful time for everyone involved with healthcare. Instead of giving up with school, I continued to do school, despite it going online and completely changing. I also decided to work full time and overtime to help out at my work during the hardest time for healthcare workers. It was difficult and I often wanted to give up with school. I was diligent and did my best everyday. I did worked hard for myself and for my community that was needing help with the darkness that the pandemic brought. I couldn't let myself quarantine and be stuck in the house. I had to make a choice so I continued to work as hard as I could.

I have a pet scorpion named, Jafar! I got Jafar because I wanted a unique pet. I love cats and dogs but I wanted something more exotic so I got a pet scorpion. Jafar actually is a girl. I found out that she is a girl because she had babies a few months ago. She was an amazing mother and I'm so happy to have her in my life!

I stay true to myself daily by being honest with myself and others. I practice honesty everyday with everything that I do. I think it's important to tell yourself and others the truth. I really hate lying or making up excuses. I find it best to go forward with each day with honesty.

One experience that has shaped a part of who I am today is when I first started to volunteer at the animal shelter. I was nervous but happy to help out my community. I have had so much fun volunteering and assisting the animals in the shelter. I will never forget the first time that I saw one of the dogs I was helping take care of get adopted. My heart was so happy for that dog and his new family. There was so much joy. Everyone was smiling, even the dog. It makes me happy that the dog got a 2nd chance, a new start, with an amazing family. I've helped so many animals go into better homes with better circumstances. It has made me more compassionate and loving.

The pandemic affected my life in a positive way by giving me time to myself. My freshman year of college, I was working full time as a pharmacy technician and attending school full time. I had just gotten out of a horrible 2 year relationship and I was coping with it the best way I could, working myself to death. I never had the opportunity to do the things most freshman do. I did not make any friends, I kept to myself, and I worked myself to the bone daily. I was working in the pharmacy when the pandemic hit. It was just the pharmacist and I working the closing shift when they announced everything would be shutting down. We had a huge flood of people panicking and filling up their prescriptions so that they can quarantine. I filled over 300 prescriptions and helped the biggest amount of people I ever had as my career as a pharmacy technician that day. When I got home, I fell asleep on the kitchen floor. I had never worked so hard in my life. School started to switch to online, I picked up more shifts at work. I was grateful to have a job and to be considered an essential worker since so many people were laid off. I know it sounds like a lot of work for me still but I started to find more time to myself. I started working out, going on hikes, reading more books. I watched more self help videos on Youtube. I went on more dates and I finally started to make more friends. I was discovering more about myself every day, despite the world crashing down around me. I will forever be grateful for the time that the pandemic gave me. I reconnected with nature, I used to love going outside as a kid and I still love it. I learned to love myself and it's okay to take some time to myself. I don't have to work myself to death everyday. As I learned these things, I found my amazing current boyfriend. We have been dating for a year now and he treats me so much better than my ex. He says I'm the hardest working person he's every met but he met me during my sophomore year of college. As I had mentioned before, I was working myself to the bone my freshman year. I was so miserable. It's crazy how much time I gained from the pandemic. I even got myself the best boyfriend! I am doing much better in school, I got a better job during the pandemic. I got a new car during the pandemic! I have achieved so many things because the pandemic has given me more time to myself. It's okay to treat yourself and if the pandemic never happened, I think that I would still be working myself to death every single day.

I have a positive impact on the climate by walking to school and work everyday. When the weather is bad or I don't feel well, I'll take the bus instead. I enjoy walking to school and work. I know that it is healthy for me and the environment. I'm leaving more of my tiny footprints in the Earth than a big carbon footprint. I also like to go hiking a lot and I'll clean up any trash that I find along the trails. I know the plastics are bad for the animals and the Earth to consume.

Moving out to go to college has changed my perspective on life in general. I thought things in life came easily to people, I had no idea how much work actually goes behind achieving your goals. I've learned that if things do come easily in your life, you should be wary of them. Some opportunities that are too easy are often a scam and not worth your time. Things that you have to earn and work for are worth your time. You should focus on obtaining things that do not come easily. I am starting to see some of the fruits of my labor since moving out. Each year, I've moved into a bigger and better apartment than the last. I've made some dependable friends who respect me for who I am. They crave success as much as I do. Be cautious of who you surround yourself with because those are the people who you affiliate yourself with. Moving out and going to college made a significant impact on my life for the better. I'm learning skills everyday that are preparing me for the rest of my adulthood.

If I was a highly influential figure, I would stand for more research in medicine for women. Men have been studied for dosing of medicines. Unfortunately, women have not been studied as much. The dosing recommended is typically a dosing for a man. I wish that there was dosing recommended for women since we have different metabolisms than men. It would help women be more comfortable with medicine and give women correct doses.

Being independent to me means being able to sustain myself without having to rely on others. Being independent impacts me because it gives me the confidence to know that I can do things by myself. I don't like relying on others and I like to earn my fair share for things in life. I enjoy being independent and being able to do things on my own. I moved out the day I turned 18 years old and I haven't relied on others since.

I have stayed optimistic through tough times by finding new hobbies. I went through a really bad breakup in 2019 so I started to tap into myself and take care of myself. One of the things I picked up was snowboarding. Snowboarding has taught me that I can learn new things, I'm independent, and I love the snow! I taught myself how to snowboard. I often go snowboarding alone. It's been one of the most liberating things that I've done. I encourage others to pick up a new hobby, you'll learn a lot about yourself.

A change I would like to see in my community is seeing less homeless people. I would like to volunteer at a homeless shelter soon to help improve the lives of the homeless. I currently volunteer at the animal shelter and seeing animals go to homes is important to me. Now I would like to see people off the streets and homes, just like the animals I work with at the shelter. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. It's a basic human need and I believe that I can start making that difference by volunteering with the homeless shelter.

Something that I love about myself is my diligence. I feel like I have a good work ethic and I enjoy working hard. I'm always asking questions and looking for ways that I can improve myself. I love feeling a sense of accomplishment and I strive to have that sense daily.

I act locally to make positive changes in my community by volunteering at the animal shelter. I also like to support the small businesses in my community. I'll go to small business stores instead of chain stores to help support the local people in my community.

I am working towards being a vet tech and helping the animals in my community. I currently volunteer as a foster volunteer with my local animal shelter and I recently got a job as a groomer apprentice to gain more experience with animals. I want to save as many animals as I can. I want to see our furry friends go to loving homes and have the greatest quality of life. I plan on continuing with fostering and volunteering with the animal shelter to continue giving back to my community. Animals can show people love and change people's lives. I know that whenever I needed a hand, I got a paw instead. Animals are amazing and I want to save their lives.

My favorite piece of art is the Girl with the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. I love the contrast of colors that Vermeer used. The blue hairpiece stands out so beautifully. Her faded yellow robe is gorgeous. The white in her eyes and her pearl earrings glisten. The detail Vermeer used is amazing. Such a classic piece of art.

One personal finance lesson that I find important is to live within your means. You don't need to go in debt to live a lavish lifestyle. Living within your means and staying out of debt will help you be able to spend bigger in the future. I see so many people go into large amounts of debt to live a lavish life and it's simply not worth it.

My dream life looks like living in a small, rural town. I would love to live in a farm house and have a variety of animals to take care of. I would love to have horses, chickens, and cows. I would also love to have my dream career of being a veterinary technician. It would be a dream to work with large animals so I can help out on various farms with their animals. Working hard and small town living is what I've grown up with and I want to continue that lifestyle.

One way I try to have a positive impact on the world is by volunteering at the animal shelter. I know for every animal that I foster, a loving, caring family is awaiting their furry friend. I've personally seen how animals can bring smiles and change people's lives. Fostering is the best!

My favorite scientific discovery was making e-coli bacteria glow in the dark in my biotechnology class. It was so cool to be able to add that aspect to make the bacteria glow in the dark. I learned a lot about genetics and how biotechnology can play a big role in helping us understand genetics from that experiment.

Educational inequity is something we should all stand for because there are major issues within education. My mother is currently a teacher and she has to buy supplies out of her own pocket for some of her students. Some of her students do not get the same opportunities as other students because of their home situations. Some of her students parents work multiple jobs and are not home to support their children through school. There needs to be more funding and tutoring opportunities for students with rough home circumstances. The students that my mother is currently teaching are the future of America. She should not be paying out of her own pocket to give these students supplies for their success. There should be more funding distributed to schools so they can set these students up for success. There needs to be free tutoring services for these types of students. There needs to be free meals for these types of students. Some of these students with parents working multiple jobs, their parents are too busy to make them breakfast or a lunch. These students are the future so we need to give them the same opportunities as any other student in America.

Generosity means to me that you are doing a selfless act. Whether it's volunteering somewhere or helping your friends or family, you are putting yourself aside to help others. That is what generosity means to me. I often put aside my own needs to volunteer at the animal shelter when I can. I know that the animals in my community need help. By helping animals in the community, I know I'm helping the people in my community too. I've seen so many people come through the shelter and get excited to adopt a new furry friend. It changes their lives and the animals lives. Generosity can make our world a better place by warming people's hearts.

The wisest thing that I've ever heard is to enjoy the moment. I feel like most people get so caught up in their past experiences or get too caught up in the future. It's easy to get worried about the future or things you can't change about the past. Living in the moment and truly enjoying certain moments in life brings so much joy. I like to put my phone down and embrace certain moments with my family or friends. It is what makes me happy and appreciate the moment. I feel like others can do the same.

One thing that gives me hope that the future will be better is spending time in the mountains and connecting with nature. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I'll go to the mountains to unwind. I love observing the wildlife and taking a moment to appreciate their beauty. Seeing the forest thrive gives me hope for the future.

New technology that I'm excited about is prosthetic limbs for animals. Unfortunately some animals need to go through an amputation due to injury. It's not uncommon to see a three legged dog. Currently there's prosthetic limbs being developed for animals such as turtles to dogs. Prosthetic limbs will help maintain a good quality of life for animals that are amputated and can help them move around better post amputation. I am excited to see what prosthetic limbs will be developed and how it can help a variety of animals.

One change that would make education better for future generations is higher pay for teachers. Teachers in the public school system are underpaid and underappreciated. Public school teachers are currently teach our future generation and they have taught through the pandemic. I believe these educators should have higher wages and more appreciation to make education better for future generations.

Society can most effectively empower women by giving women equal opportunities. Some careers are still dominated by men, I believe that we can change this by giving women equal opportunities as men. I also believe for some of these equal opportunities to happen there needs to be day cares or child care services in places of work where there are women, especially women who are mothers. Society is changing and women are becoming more independent. Places of employment should provide child care services for mothers who are wanting to be independent, hard workers.

My goal in education/life is to become a veterinary technician. I would love to assist and save as many animals as possible. I would also like to continue my education by specializing in large animal care or possibly animal dentistry. I know that I could impact the future by continuing volunteering the animal shelter. I know that I can change the world by continuing to assist my community. I currently foster kittens but I would like to volunteering my specialties that I learned from becoming a veterinary technician. I could assist large animals or animals needed dental care at the shelter by doing these services, it would help their chances of getting adopted to a loving family someday.

I moved out the day I turned 18 and I was starting out my senior year in high school. I moved out due to conflict with my mom and other issues at home. I was able to graduate early in February of 2019 and earn a certification to become a pharmacy technician. I lived with my ex boyfriend at the time. In July of 2019, he was involved in a terrible accident and became paralyzed. I witnessed the accident and spent the entire summer of 2019 at the hospital with him. I was traumatized from his accident but I had to move on. I knew that I could no longer be in a relationship with him because I wanted to go to college and I could not be his caretaker. As difficult as it was to break up with him in his conditions, I still went to college. It was hard for me to go at first and it was a difficult break up. I continued worked full time as a pharmacy technician and attended college full time. I chose to work full time to keep my mind off of the breakup and his horrible accident. Knowing that I can overcome family problems and a hard break up made me realize that I'm strong, independent, and that I have grit. Realizing my potential, despite these challenges I went through, helped me learn that I can work in a clinic with animals. My biggest passion in life is animals. I want to help them overcome challenges just as I did. I'm so excited to learn how to become a veterinary technician and hopefully work in an emergency clinic someday. I want to save their lives, be able witness their strength, and courage.

Before my great grandfather passed away he told me to live as debt free as possible. He told me this because he lived his life in lots of debt and financial stress. He told me that you don't want to live your life owing money to someone. I currently am trying to live my life as debt free as possible by only taking out loans that I need, applying for as many scholarships as I can, and working full time while I'm attending college.

I admire Laura Bullion because she was a female outlaw and assisted Butch Cassidy. Along with being an outlaw (bank and train robber specifically), she was also a seamstress and dress designer. I appreciate her being able to be an famous female outlaw. Most outlaws were men however, Bullion was able to rob banks and trains just as well as the men. Throughout her life she was able to change her appearance/disguise herself from the authorities. I thought that it was very clever she was able to outsmart the authorities back then by disguising herself. Bullion lived an interesting life and I appreciate her ability to be a female outlaw back in the day.

I believe that the biggest problem the world is facing right now is the infamous COVID-19 virus. One way we can help solve this issue is to listen to the scientists and health care workers who are working with the virus daily. Everyone can partake in listening to these experts and doing what they recommend. By listening to the experts, COVID-19 will hopefully become an issue of the past and we can go on to living life before COVID-19 happened.

My favorite book would be Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. I like Hatchet because I have always thought about how I would survive in the woods on my own and the book helped me come to some conclusions of what it would be like to live in the wilderness. Some of the conclusions that I came to would be loneliness and lack of medical care (no doctors or dentist). I also thought it would be liberating to be able to provide for yourself in the wilderness and to be able to connect with nature. It's a great book and I recommend it to everyone.