My name is Kristina Armantrout, and I'm earning an Accounting degree at Western Governors University. This path isn't about just acquiring some kind of degree; this is a struggle for a more decent life for me and my family. I am a new mother, and I've found managing the responsibilities of being a new mom against higher education challenging yet very rewarding. I would like to give my daughter a secure future and, at the same time, a career worth pursuing. This will also serve as a good role model for my daughter so that she can learn that dreams do come true with much effort and dedication put into it. My favorite field is accounting since it deals with numbers, to which I am especially attached. Math was one of those subjects that clicked, and working out complicated calculations even while going through anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD gives me a place of focus and meaning. Attending college requires a set of financial difficulties on the part of the student, just like anyone else that must take care of tuition, textbooks, and other educational costs, right along with the expenses of day-to-day living. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate that stress, enabling me to clear my mind a little more for my education rather than being tangled up in the expenses related to it. It would be enabling me to stay on schedule to graduate on time and progress more towards my goal of becoming a financial advisor. Besides alleviating the burden of financial distress, this scholarship would be a motivational influence and source of pride. It would ultimately confirm that all my effort put into studying would mean something and be worthy. Knowing that someone believes in me and my potential gets me up, keeps pushing through those inevitable challenges that come hand in hand with balancing motherhood, education, and life. This would mean that I will be able to spend more time perfecting my coursework, further refining my skills, which need to be crucial to my success later in my life. This scholarship, therefore, will not only help me complete my education but also enable me to achieve career goals and build a secure future for my family. I am thankful for this opportunity to apply for the scholarship and committed to making full use of it. Your support would enable me to continue the pursuit of educational and professional ideals for the betterment of the family and community I serve as a personal financial advisor.

The goals I look forward to in the future include establishing a stable, enriched life for my family while establishing my career as a successful personal financial advisor. I want to provide for my daughter and be the role model my grandmother was for me. Balancing a career ambition with being a present, hands-on parent is already a challenge I've welcomed; yet, I do know that it will be one fraught with a lot of difficulties over a long period of time. I look forward to my daughter growing up while improving my education and career, even though the two come with their own sacrifices. I have enrolled in the Accounting course at Western Governors University to achieve this goal. I drew inspiration for this decision from my grandmother, who taught me the very basics of financial literacy from a very young age. I have tried to gain practical knowledge by managing budgets of community events and volunteering at farmers' markets that are involved with the actual operation of finances. However, reaching for this degree comes with challenges. Among the biggest challenges I have are in time management, since I have to balance my life as a mother, wife, and full-time student. Some days, it is like being at the bottom of everything, either in family living or school assignments. This has made me resilient, although the balancing of coursework with parenting duties has made me better at prioritizing and finding creative ways to do both.. I am aware the way up is not going to be easy, but I have purposed myself to push through with all these hardships, since this reward shall be worth it. My goal is not just to make it for myself, but for my daughter, so she can see that if she puts her mind to something and works hard, anything can be achieved. At the end of the day, my most important inspirations in chasing my goals is the fact that I will be an inspiration to my daughter. I want her to grow up while appreciating the values of hard work, determination, and persistence. In this way, I try to balance my education, career, and family life, so she will witness that it is very much possible to pursue your dream while being a committed parent as well. I want her to understand that anything she puts her mind into she can do, no matter how impossible it may seem. By going through my journey and conquering boulders, this will keep her motivated to pursue her dreams, knowing well that nothing will be unattainable if you dedicate yourself to it. My success is not for my person; instead, I want her to have something that she should follow.

Recovery for me is the process of healing and growth, emerging from any form of darkness. It was both painful and inspiring to watch my parents get off drugs. It wasn't just a case of their ceasing a self-destructive habit but of reclaiming lives and rediscovering one's self apart from addiction. It was recovery to see them transform from people weighed down by struggles into those who could finally begin to feel joy, peace, and stability. I guess that is a journey that was not theirs alone but ours- to be together as a family. It taught me the power of grit, resilience, love, and encouragement. There were setbacks along the way and moments of self-doubt, but each small victory lit a beacon of hope. Recovery taught me that healing takes time, effort, and facing one's pain. Today, I look upon recovery as one of resilience- the ability to rise above challenges and rebuild one's life, which reflects strength, health, and purpose. Recovery doesn't mean giving up on oneself or loved ones.

As a student, mental health means a lot to me because it is, until now, the one thing that affects all other aspects of my academic and personal life. Due to being undiagnosed with ADHD, while growing up, I had a constant struggle with feelings of inadequacy. I just didn't understand why focusing was such a hard task or why small tasks overwhelmed me when they did not seem to affect others. It was not until I reached adulthood, juggling the demands of motherhood with my studies in accounting and striving for a scholarship, that a diagnosis came. Discovering my ADHD brought clarity to me, but it also made me look back and reflect on all those years of silently struggling, feeling that something was wrong with me. Now that I know what I'm dealing with, mental health isn't just important-it's imperative. If my anxiety and ADHD aren't managed, it all else falls apart: my focus, my motivation, even the ability to care for my daughter and be present for her. I want to be a great student and mom, but I realize that isn't going to happen until I make my mental health a priority. I'm finding balance important, especially with so much on my plate. It's hard to shake off the feeling that I have to do it all, but I remind myself that it is okay to ask for help and take breaks where needed. In my community, I advocate for mental health by creating open conversations about it. I know how alone it can feel when you don't have answers. This is my story, one of anxiety and ADHD that I share in hopes to break the stigma associated with reaching out for help. Volunteering for food banks, animal shelters, and smaller-scale local events taught me that the connection with other people has been a very strong mode of supporting mental well-being. This allows me to foster spaces where people can share things without judgment. I am vocal about self-compassion, both at school and home. Mental health is so much more than making it through; it's about thriving. I hope to encourage others, most importantly my daughter, to make their mental health a top priority for the ability to live a whole and complete life in the most authentic way. The hard way, I've come to realize that mental health is a lifelong path, and by sharing my story, I hope to lighten the load of others in their path.

Math has always been a refuge for me, one that comes with clarity for my mind, most especially with ADHD. At times, my brain becomes confused; this is when it really gets its structure and predictability from mathematics. In an environment with so many things to pay attention to, people remain certain of what they want. It also has a certain right answer, a logical manner of working, and is not open to misinterpretation. When I can’t concentrate on anything else, math becomes my reference point. Each equation takes me through step-by-step processes without being bombarded by too many distractions all at once. With this subject, every single problem will have its own solution; how I can reach such a solution solely lies in my ability to do so only when faced with it in every instance. That way, I have been able to stay sane during times when anything else felt impossible due to my ADHD. Throughout my experiences with mathematics, I have learned patience, persistence, and joy that come from solving things that appear very difficult at first sight. It is more than just numerals – it is a way of making order into chaos within my head.

I have had my fair share of burdens since birth, and each challenge has shaped my resolve to make it through education. One turning point in my life was the death of my grandmother, my raiser, due to brain cancer. She had been my support system and my teacher on matters concerning the value of education and how one survives. Without her guidance, I fumbled through life when she was no longer there to act as my role model. Adding to this, living with undiagnosed ADHD and anxiety has made attempts to balance responsibilities as a new mother and a student even more burdensome. Regardless of the setbacks, I have never lost interest in continuing my STEM degree in accounting. Numbers have always added up to me, providing structure, clarity, and, most importantly, problems. It is a field within which I can put my aptitude to good use and, at the same time, use my powers of analysis and reasoning to help people attain stability over their finances, pretty much similar to how I sought it in my life. Following in my grandmother's footsteps to become a personal financial advisor is my way of emulating her legacy for a better life that would assuredly affect my family, especially my daughter. Financially, pursuing higher education has been quite uphill. My family depends on me, now a new mother, for both presence and partly financial sustenance. This adds to the stress of tuition, books, and other miscellaneous school-related expenses. On a very tight, limited budget, everything is thought out and only done if it's something important, with little room for unexpected costs. This tight financial situation makes it rather hard to give full attention to my studies without worrying about how to make ends meet. This scholarship would serve as a lifeline, enabling me to stress less about the financial burdens of college and channel more time and energy into education. This scholarship would be a great opportunity to finally finish my accounting degree without necessarily compromising time with my family or my mental health. It would give me the financial freedom to invest in myself and reach my goal of becoming a personal financial advisor. My journey has indeed been tempestuous, but I always believe that with the right support, I can make it through and touch lives for the long run in my future professional career.

Calculus is integral to the course of STEM simply because it composes the very mathematics needed to make sense of change, motion, and systems across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In accounting, even though it may seem like calculus isn't something directly applicable, its principles predominantly play a vital role in higher-level financial analysis, modeling of economies, and decision-making. The bottom line is that calculus studies how variables change in relationship to one another. This could be fundamental in the area of accounting, focusing on interpreting financial trends and projecting future outcomes. As such, during cash flow analysis over a specific period, an accountant may use concepts of calculus to project future revenue based on the current growth rates or determine how changes in interest rates will affect loan repayments. These are applications of derivatives, which describe the rate of change in a system, one of the main concepts of calculus. Calculus also provides the fundamental basis for significant financial models, especially in the aspect of risk assessment and optimization. Many times, accountants and financial analysts have decisions to make in terms of maximizing profits or minimizing costs; calculus helps in laying out the constraints and solutions to these problems. In cases of budget optimization or seeking the most efficient way of allocating resources, calculus can give a more refined and precise way of reaching financial goals. Moreover, calculus involves anything to do with economics-a field that directly relates to that of accounting. For example, the marginal cost and marginal revenue, which are very important in determining the pricing strategy and profitability, respectively, depend on the derivatives describing how small changes in the level of production affect total costs and revenues. These relationships help the accountant and financial manager make informed decisions that drive the company toward success. The more technology is sewn into the fabric of accounting, the more important calculus will become. Most accounting software packages use algorithms based on calculus for processes to be automated, such as inventory management, financial forecasting, and tax computations. Accounting professionals with a very firm grasp of the mathematical underpinning behind these technologies will be very well-placed to interpret results, spot errors, and provide strategic insights. While it might be the last thing one would relate with accounting, after all, calculus underlies many modern financial practices. In accounting, a working knowledge of calculus enriches accountants' understanding of such practices as economic trend analysis, financial forecasting, and optimization, hence making their strategic decisions far more accurate in a generally fast-moving world of finance.

I am a human, and my mental and physical being is an essence of all those things. When it is off, everything else seems to fall apart. It's not the easiest thing being a new mom, going to school, dealing with family life, and trying to be me in one piece. Having ADHD and anxiety without even a diagnosis feels like an invisible fight. It affects not just the things I do on a daily basis but even my relationships and my future career in accounting. Anxiety and ADHD get in the way of social interactions, quite literally. I get overwhelmed socially, second-guessing every move and overthinking my words. Among my close friends, I sometimes feel like an outsider, desperate to keep up with the conversation yet losing my thoughts in space. Of course, the bisexuality adds another layer on top. Many times, being married to a man makes me feel like my queerness is invisible or invalid. I have a hard time feeling like I don't completely fit into either world-straight enough or queer enough. And what that leaves me feeling is isolated, not knowing where I fit in. It's emotionally exhausting. Professionally, it affects my performance directly through my mental health challenges. As an accounting student, the minute details in my field could be overwhelming. On good days, yes-I'm there; on days when my anxiety sky-rockets or my ADHD starts acting up, down I go. Deadlines mount, but instead of keeping on track, I fall further and further behind-really losing faith in my abilities. I know if I don't address these issues now, they will follow me into my career. Terrifyingly, some of the same struggles that make me feel like a not-good-enough student might be holding me back from being this kind of personal financial advisor. This often makes my health take a backseat physically: it is very hard to find some time to exercise or even eat well enough while taking care of a child and keeping up with schoolwork. On the other hand, when I don't pay much attention to my body, I can feel that it affects me mentally: I am more anxious, less patient, and less focused. I fully know that taking care of my well-being is important, but that is not just for me; it is for my family, future, and dreams. On the other hand, holding everything together can be overwhelming. Finding a balance is tough, but I keep pushing since mental and physical well-being are my drive to move on.

She was not a grandmother to me; she was the heartbeat of my life. Since I was young she'd assumed the roles of my parents when they couldn't and raised me with strength and beauty-which I only really came to appreciate as I grew older. She taught me about life, kindness, and how to face the world courageously. She had been my rock, my guide, and one whom I could always count upon, come what may. My grandmother was an outdoorsy woman, and most of the time that I have ever spent with her is still enclosed in my brain as time well spent in the great outdoors. She had this almost magical way with horses, which she passed down to me. She taught me to ride them, take care of them, but most importantly, how to respect them. Those moments were much more than lessons; they were a means for us to connect, to make both of us bond over something that brought us such great joy. The values I stand by to date-compassion, patience, and resilience-they all find their origin in the time that was spent with her. Everything changed then: My grandmother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and my world fell apart. These have been the most trying times standing by and watching this disease take away one little at a time the strong and full-of-life woman that I had grown accustomed to. She went from being the one that would care for me to now someone whom I needed to take care of, and with those role changes came an internal conflict within my heart to see her struggle. The rock which had always been there in my life was now slowly slipping away, and I couldn't do anything to stop that. It has created such a vacuum in my life that I am not so convinced will ever be filled. The pain of this loss is something I have to live with day in and day out. Sometimes, this overwhelming urge strikes me-to call her up, seek her advice on something, or simply hear her voice once again. But even though she is no longer here with me, her influence lives on within my heart. Every decision I make and every step I take has something to do with what she taught me. I try to live my life with her strength, love, and wisdom, especially now that I am already a mom. Her death due to cancer was the most heartbreaking experience; yet it made me realize how determined I should be to live a life for its sake for the sake of her memory. I want to be that person she could be proud of. I just wanted to be there and try to carry on all the values bestowed upon me. I do not have a day, and it does not come to my mind wherein I do not miss her; however, in her absence, my strength shall prevail. Her love is here and is always guiding me and being in my spirit. This allows me to be my best for my daughter and well-being. Though she is no longer here the way I would want her to be, in everything I do, I feel her presence, and that is what keeps me moving forward.

Although living with ADHD has presented its many challenges, it has been a journey into much self-discovery, especially as I get ready to attend college. It is very hard to stay present with my feet firmly planted because my mind can be a whirlwind of thoughts, ideas, and distractions. This can overwhelm one, leaving me frustrated and sometimes defeated, especially when it came to doing schoolwork. ADHD may make one feel at times like a barrier that prevents him from achieving success in class, which he is aware he truly deserves. It is difficult to pay attention to the lecturer or finish an assignment in due time. At other times, my mind wanders away to ideas of things that may be quite vain, as time keeps ticking on. As deadlines approach, anxiety builds to almost unbearable stress, scrambling to catch up, knowing I could have done so much better-if only I could focus. An endless vicious circle, hard to break, often makes me feel like I'm falling behind, no matter how hard I try. But ADHD doesn't just impact my academics; it bleeds into my personal life too. I find that sometimes the simple things in life, like managing time, keeping organized, or even keeping up with my friends, become monumental chores. I commonly think I let people down by such minor things as not meeting a deadline or not showing up at an important event. This comes hand in hand with immense guilt for not living up to the set bars, failing to be that kind of a person I would wish for those close to me. All these struggles taught me the importance of holding my mental health in high regard. I needed to find a voice for myself, to navigate my way through chaotic moments in my mind. Well, it's one of the main things that I do: making some sort of routine that keeps me here. By re-establishing regular day-to-day, well, predictability allows me a little peace of mind and cuts down on some of that anxiety from feeling overwhelmed. It is not about getting things done; it is about creating a sense of control in a world that so often feels out of my hands. I have learned to be gentler with myself. I've stopped measuring my journey against other people's journeys and instead moved to the realization that my journey is different, and that's okay. When things get really hard, I remind myself that I am doing the best that I can do, and that's good enough. I take breaks when needed, practice mindfulness to still my racing thoughts, and lean on the support of those who understand what I'm going through. Living with ADHD has taught me resilience and the importance of self-compassion. It isn't easy, but by making my mental health a priority, I'm learning to thrive not just in school but in life.

Being the First in My Family to Obtain a College Degree Being the first in my family to obtain a college degree is one of the most important things in my life. This is a breakthrough in a journey that my family has longed for, filled with challenges, sacrifices, and dreams spanning generations. Growing up with my grandmother and always remembering her memory was the source of my every strength and wisdom. She taught me the importance of being firm and working hard. Although she never had the opportunity to go to college, she would always encourage me to pursue higher education, to rise above, and to have a life that she and the rest of my family could only dream of. This degree would not only fulfill my ambitions but also it would be the legacy left behind in memory of her. This is testimony to the values she instilled in me and many sacrifices she did to ensure that I had opportunities she herself never had. It's about building a different trajectory for my family, one that my daughter can continue forward on, knowing education opens up opportunities to a future full of limitless possibilities. Accounting: Pursuing a College Degree I have always been fascinated by studying accounting because it puts me on the path of working with numbers through analysis and problem-solving. More importantly, it is a field that offers stability and potential growth for the future that I seek for my family. Accounting is not just balancing books, but indeed to recognize patterns on the financial landscape and make informed decisions and teach others in their attempts to secure their financial futures. This decision is influenced in great part by my grandmother, who guided me to manage our family resources-be they ever so modest-and now I want to take on her legacy by becoming a personal financial advisor. This course will afford me the opportunity to provide continued sustenance for my family and give something back to my community by being able to help others attain their goals, just as my grandmother helped me attain mine. **Long-Term Goals** My long-term goals include an ideal balance of career and mother. In regards to a career, I would like to establish a successful career as an accountant specializing in personal financial advising, emulating my grandmother. I would like to be able to be a role model for my daughter by showing her it is possible to take care of your family but still have professional aspirations in mind. I would want to see my family in the long run, to be living comfortably and happy. I do not look for extraordinary fame or wealth, only a stable, loving environment sufficient enough for my daughter to grow up in-to be there for her when she reaches her milestones and guide her through life as was done by my grandmother with me. Meanwhile, I would want to set up a career that could support us financially but would also satisfy my passion for aiding others in their path toward financial security. That way, I will be able to make my grandmother proud, be a good role model for my daughter, and create a positive impact on the lives of others.

My grandmother had been the most singularly influential person in my life to date, shaping me into the person I am today. When my mother was fighting her own demons, my grandmother filled that void: she raised me with unyielding love and support. Her guidance, wisdom, and values are the very core of the person I have become. Resilience was instilled in me by my grandmother. And when life threw obstacles, she confronted them- almost superhumanly. I still remember how she fought brain cancer with dignity and firmness; unbelievably, she never let the illness define her or dampen her spirit. She could smile and laugh even on her worst days and remind me that no matter how rough things get, there is always one reason or another to keep chugging along. She further taught me the value of kindness and generosity. My grandmother loved to garden and grew far more fruits and vegetables than we could ever eat. Instead of selling the excess, she would give it away at local farmers' markets, always so ready to share with people in need. That selflessness is something I carry with me through to this very day. I find a lot of fulfillment in volunteering, be it at a food bank, an animal shelter, or a community event. I want to make the world just a little brighter, like she did. Since her death, I have felt a deep sense of loss, yet the burning desire to make her proud. My grandmother's influence is what drove me toward this career path as a personal financial advisor-a career she had once wanted. I want to help others achieve financial stability and independence so they can take care of their families, just like my grandmother took care of me. Funding from this scholarship would be vastly instrumental in realizing this ambition. Having been freshly admitted to the Western Governors University to pursue my accounting course, I realize that the blend of education, family, and work will be no easy task. In any case, financial support would mean more focus on studies and less on the headache of tuition and other expenses. I could perform well in classes, go through valuable internships, and eventually build a career with which my grandmother would be proud. In other words, this fund would grant me the lessons my grandmother had taught me and keep building on a future wherein I could support my family, give back to my community, and live a life that truly honored the incredible woman who shaped me.

She was not a grandmother to me; she was the heartbeat of my life. Since I was young she'd assumed the roles of my parents when they couldn't and raised me with strength and beauty-which I only really came to appreciate as I grew older. She taught me about life, kindness, and how to face the world courageously. She had been my rock, my guide, and one whom I could always count upon, come what may. My grandmother was an outdoorsy woman, and most of the time that I have ever spent with her is still enclosed in my brain as time well spent in the great outdoors. She had this almost magical way with horses, which she passed down to me. She taught me to ride them, take care of them, but most importantly, how to respect them. Those moments were much more than lessons; they were a means for us to connect, to make both of us bond over something that brought us such great joy. The values I stand by to date-compassion, patience, and resilience-they all find their origin in the time that was spent with her. Everything changed then: My grandmother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and my world fell apart. These have been the most trying times standing by and watching this disease take away one little at a time the strong and full-of-life woman that I had grown accustomed to. She went from being the one that would care for me to now someone whom I needed to take care of, and with those role changes came an internal conflict within my heart to see her struggle. The rock which had always been there in my life was now slowly slipping away, and I couldn't do anything to stop that. It has created such a vacuum in my life that I am not so convinced will ever be filled. The pain of this loss is something I have to live with day in and day out. Sometimes, this overwhelming urge strikes me-to call her up, seek her advice on something, or simply hear her voice once again. But even though she is no longer here with me, her influence lives on within my heart. Every decision I make and every step I take has something to do with what she taught me. I try to live my life with her strength, love, and wisdom, especially now that I am already a mom. Her death due to cancer was the most heartbreaking experience; yet it made me realize how determined I should be to live a life for its sake for the sake of her memory. I want to be that person she could be proud of. I just wanted to be there and try to carry on all the values bestowed upon me. I do not have a day, and it does not come to my mind wherein I do not miss her; however, in her absence, my strength shall prevail. Her love is here and is always guiding me and being in my spirit. This allows me to be my best for my daughter and well-being. Though she is no longer here the way I would want her to be, in everything I do, I feel her presence, and that is what keeps me moving forward.

My experience of mental health has been one of those great, formative forces in my life-driving everything from goals to relationships to how I think about and come to make sense of the world. To live with anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD has often felt like a juggling act, a balancing between trying to meet expectations and just plain trying to hold myself together. It's a continuous tussle, which time and again helped me to know myself and be more empathetic towards others, yet circumspect and, at times, overwhelmed. Among the most telling ways my mental health has influenced my objectives is through the yearning to create an atmosphere of stability and love within my family. I've known what it is to feel out of control, for one's mind to be racing with thoughts you can't quiet, and I don't want that for my daughter. My anxiety makes me consider whether, as a mother, I am doing enough, if indeed I provide the stability and love she requires. And at the same time, this anxiety has driven me to be more intentional about the life I am building for her. I want her to grow up feeling safe and supported and loved-things that at times I don't know how to give myself. But I think my struggles with my mental health have made me determined to be a role model to her-to show her you can keep moving forward even when things get tough. Mental health has served both as a barrier and a bridge in my relationships. There have been times that my anxiety has intervened in relations with others; it has kept me at bay because I would not wish to burden any of them. Still, it has deepened the relationships in ways so unexpected that my husband has really been a brilliant rock, understanding and patient in ways that I never think I deserve. His support has taught me the importance of talking, of not keeping struggles bottled up inside but instead being open about them. It has also made me more understanding and compassionate in my relationships with other people. I know what it is to be alone, to be overcome with emotions you can't control, and with that understanding, I have grown more sensitive to the needs of those close to me. Mental health has also changed the way I envision the world. I once thought strength revolved around never showing weakness; today, I have come to understand that real strength emanates from being vulnerable-from a person accepting that he or she needs help. The world can indeed be brutal and unyielding, but there are so many compassion and empathetic responses of all from people who have trod similar paths-abound. It has gotten me to be much more committed with helping others, whether it is through volunteering or just simply being there for a friend in trouble. I know just how much it means to have someone who understands and won't judge, who will listen. These experiences have shaped my goals in very important ways. I just want to make that difference by showing them, not perfection, but it's real-show them that it's okay to struggle, you can reach your goals when at your worst. My journey into mental health is one that continues and is never easy; that has formed me into the person I am. It has taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of being kind to myself and others.

A lyrical quotation from Olivia Rodrigo's *GUTS*, which describes this uneasy, distasteful aspect of growing up, would be in "get him back!": "I wanna kiss his face with an uppercut." It merely depicts the messed-up and contradictive attitude during relationships in teen years, that amalgamation of love, anger, passion, and resentment, which is overwhelming and, sometimes, ugly. There was a time when, as a teenager, I relished highly conflicting emotions concerning my loved ones, especially romantic interests. Sometimes, I would feel that one might almost be stuck to another, yet still pained or frustrated by them. This song takes me back to those moments when the entanglement of my emotions was so great that I didn't know whether I wanted to make up or lash out. Wanting to "kiss" and "uppercut" someone in the same breath spoke of the confusion of feeling love and anger at the same time-a feeling so uncomfortable, but all too real. Those were tumultuous years indeed, with often-un-understood relationships, hurt feelings, and the like. I can remember the feeling of being totally betrayed or disappointed by someone but still having deep appreciation for that very same person who did those things to me. The raw, almost violent imagery in this lyric reflects depth of emotions, how love and hate in the chaos of adolescence sometimes coexist, literally in the same breath. While that is not pretty or a very romantic sentiment, this lyric speaks to a very real aspect of growing up; that struggle to work out how to navigate intense emotions with no maturity or experience to handle them with any semblance of grace. Romantic and platonic relationships can be so volatile at that period in one's life because feelings are still new and overwhelming. The lyric captures the essence of that volatility-the way you can care for someone deeply and still want to lash out when you're hurt. This line also tends to an impulsive kind of adolescence, wherein emotions can make one do irrational or even harmful things. It is just a reminder of growing up on its darker side, where one sometimes acts out in ways that are later regretted because the feelings are yet to be learned how to be managed. It reaches out in this weird kind of way because of its brutal honesty. It does nothing to dress up that mess of teenage emotions but lays bare the complexity and sometimes distasteful nature of growing up. It's a reminder that the teenage years are not all those sweet, nostalgic moments; they're uncomfortable, awkward, and sometimes ugly in figuring out who you are.

My passion for helping others be at their best is a product of the experiences and relationships coloring my life. It's not just a goal but a calling that emerged from the love and care that I have both received and gone through. Growing up, my grandmother was my rock-she had this incredible way of viewing the world full of love for horses, outdoors, and people. There was a sense of emptiness upon her death, and I do not just mean because she was no longer in the world but because that guiding light had vanished. In most ways, I have tried carrying her spirit forward by becoming the kind of person she was: someone who lifts others up and helps them find their way. When my daughter was born, it changed everything. She would be spending weeks in the NICU, and I can count those days among the most challenging parts of my life. But at the same time, they were moments that burdened me with the gravity of my goals: to be someone she could look up to. I want to be her role model, just like my grandmother was to me. Mostly, I want her to see it's not just about being a good mother but being a good person who truly cares for others and can make a difference in the world. That is why I have made it my life's mission to try to help others be the best they can be. That's why I took the time with my father-in-law to show him how to work a tablet to stay in contact with our family. It wasn't just about him learning something new; it was one way to keep our family tight and make sure that he did not feel left out or excluded. That is why I have invested myself in volunteering, whether it be at shelters, food banks, or events within the community. Giving back to my community isn't something I do; it is who I am. I feel each time I do something for someone else, I was putting to work all those lessons my grandmother taught me and, in turn, showing my daughter what kind of human being I want her to become. I find my purpose in the work I do with animal shelters, where I manage their social media to make sure these animals find homes. Each post I make, every story I put up, is one step closer to making a difference in the life of someone finally finding the pet they've been searching for or an animal finds its forever home. These experiences taught me that great lessons in helping people are not always about grand gestures but, sometimes, about small, everyday things that can lighten up someone's life just that little bit brighter. Difficulties are not alien to me either: anxiety, living life with undiagnosed ADHD, and processing the grief over the loss of loved ones. It forced my heart to be more compassionate and to understand all other people's difficulties. Inside me, it grew the great urge to become that positive force within the world; to use experiences in life to help others find strength, hope, and a feeling of purpose in their lives. Helping others be at their best isn't a passion for me; it's how I know to honor those I've lost, how I show love to those still here, and perhaps how I can inspire my daughter most as she grows. It's my purpose, and I hope to live up to it daily.

Three songs, in particular, have stood out in my eyes for capturing the listener's thoughts in the raw, unfiltered essence of human experience. "when the party's over" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that echoes the pain of letting go. The combination of tender vocals and very minimalistic production creates a space in which the feelings of loss and separation are shared between a listener and a loved one. For me, that song gave the same impression as quiet devastation between goodbyes: goodbyes to someone you love, not because you want to, but an obligation to do so. It's a painful but necessary act of self-preservation, and Billie's voice carries the weight of that decision with such vulnerability that it feels like she is voicing thoughts I've perhaps kept from even myself. "everything I wanted" encapsulates the paradox of success: when you get what you aimed at, it seldom truly fits your expectations. This song resonates deeply with my own struggle with self-worth and fear of not being enough. These lines have got to resonate with a particular sadness: "If I could change the way that you see yourself, you wouldn't wonder why you hear." It always feels like an internal war: me against them, self-validation versus external. It reflects the burden we expect from ourselves, and sometimes it becomes rather painful that success does not really mean fulfillment. The first track I ever heard from Billie Eilish would be 'ocean eyes,' it remains the most emotionally evocative in her entire repertoire. A bit dreamy-sounding, coupled with melodic lyrics, it projects a feeling of being utterly captured by someone in a way that their presence is invigorating but also scary. Reminds me of a first love when you encounter an experience so feral you feel like you're floating while drowning at the same time.

LeBron James has been my headliner always, not only because of the act he provides on the basketball court but overall, the way he carries himself. Seeing him, from a high school sensation to one of the world's influential athletes, really hit home with me. One thing that I admired most about LeBron is his versatility on the floor. He wasn't just a scorer or a defender; he was a player who could pass, rebound, lead his team, and clutch when most needed. I see a person who can adapt to any situation, and basically, that is what I wish for in my life. Whether it's with my studies, at work, or in family life, I want to be as adaptable and reliable as LeBron is with his teams. But what really makes me a fan is how LeBron uses his platform to do good. He's always been more than an athlete; he has advocated for social justice and education and given back to his community. A school, his "I PROMISE" School, which he founded in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, is a prime example of how he is trying to make a real difference. I find his commitment to these values—values that I, too, truly believe in—to be very inspiring. The debate about LeBron being the greatest basketball player of all time, I think, is just a perspective. I mean, to me, with LeBron, it's not even about how many rings or numbers you want to throw out there, though impressive. It is how he's remained relevant at the very top of his game all these years, adapting and evolving yet simultaneously pulling his peers along with him. He has had to deal with major pressure and criticism, but he keeps delivering, and for me, that's what's deeply respectable. Personally, LeBron is the greatest because of the way he has redefined what it means to be an athlete. He has proved that success is not limited to rings or points but to how you use your influence to improve the world surrounding you. That's the X factor in him that keeps him as the GOAT in my book.

I'm a career-driven lady, driven by a very basic but strong feeling: to create a happy, loving life with my family while building up a fulfilling career. One of my biggest passions is finding that balance—being there for my daughter as she grows up, while also following in the footsteps of my late grandmother, who was a personal financial advisor. For her, it wasn't just about being good with numbers; there was something extraordinary in her, creating security in people and instilling hope for the future. And I want to be that torch, not just for me but also for the people whom I help on the way. I am so grateful for this scholarship because it is literally a stepping stone for fulfilling that dream. I'm just about to begin my accounting studies at Western Governors University, and the financial support would lessen so much of the pressure that comes with being a student, mom, and someone trying to make it all work. This assistance will help me not to focus on how ends can meet and more on my studies, which will put my full energy into learning how to empower others through financial literacy like my grandmother did. Being bisexual, that's been a big part of my journey, and it hasn't always been easy. I'm married to a great guy, and because of that, sometimes I feel like I don't belong in the LGBTQIA+ community. That is tough—when within a community reputed for inclusiveness, you may still feel like an outsider. What I have learned is that my identity is valid, no matter what anyone else thinks. It has made me stronger and more determined to shoot for goals when it's not a straight shot. Experiences as a bisexual woman have also deepened my commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and accepted. I know what it means to be different, to not fit in, and that is what gets me so impassioned about utilizing my future career as a financial advisor for supporting people who feel marginalized or overlooked. I want to be the kind of advisor who sees the whole person, not just a bank balance, and who helps them in building a future that's secure and full of hope. Apart from just looking after my family, I wish to continue my grandmother's legacy in giving back to society. She taught me that when you have the ability or influence to give something—be it time, knowledge, or kindness—you share it. I see this scholarship as a way to carry that lesson forward, helping me get the education I need to be able to make a real difference in people's lives. In the end, this journey is not about me. It's about my grandmother, whom I am going to honor; it's being a role model to my daughter; and it's making sure that the people I meet along this journey feel seen, valued, and loved. This has been the experience of my life—just so grateful for that. I'm excited to see where this path is going to lead both in my career and in my ability to continue spreading the love and support that my grandmother taught me.

Probably some of the most important and challenging experiences in my life have been finding a balance between work and caregiving. After my grandmother died, I felt a little lost. My mom was either away or at work and really wasn't present enough to help guide me on how to get things done. Much of it I had to do for myself. That experience really helped build my resolve to be there for my daughter in a way that didn't happen for me growing up. I want to prove this to her—that one can build a successful career while being a present, loving parent. I fight the demands of work daily and make sure to show my daughter that she is the number one priority. It's not easy—moments, you know, I get torn in different directions to try and hit the deadlines, ensure that I am available for her school events, bedtime stories, and all those little moments that count a great deal. Sometimes it feels a little too overwhelming, but I remind myself why I do it. I want my daughter to learn that it is actually possible to have it both ways—a satisfactory career and a strong, loving relationship with family. Balancing these two has taught me the value of resilience and time management. I have had to become more organized and focused on providing my best to work and my daughter. It hasn't been an easy road at all, with late nights and early mornings, moments of self-doubt, and times one was compelled to make tough choices. But through it all, I keep my eyes on the bigger picture: showing my daughter that she can look up to me as a role model, one who works hard but never forgets what's truly important. It has also changed the way I look at my career goals. I want to build a life where my daughter will respect the fact that success does not mean professional success only; rather, it is time management and balance in bringing up loved ones. She will grow up to realize that she can chase her dreams, too, but not by discarding those relations that really matter. It has made me far stronger, more compassionate, and more determined than ever to have a career that depicts values from which I want my daughter to learn. I am resolved to prove that one can have a fulfilling career and be a present and loving parent: being for my daughter what I never had.

My grandmother and I spent uncountable hours in the garden while I was growing up. Many hours passed when the vegetables and fruits grew from very small, tender seeds into ripened produce. Those garden moments, with the smell of fresh soil and the sun's warmth, weren't just moments of growing food; they were moments of grounding ourselves to the earth and to one another. In the process, I learned patience, hard work, and the large sense of satisfaction that one gets when one realizes that something is developing thanks to one's work. We had more than we could ever use out of that garden, and we began to set up and give our extra produce away free at farmers' markets. It started as a straightforward anti-waste measure and became one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. I met many other customers in different market settings, with stories and connections to our food. Seeing the delight on someone's face as they choose that perfect, ripe tomato or a bunch of fresh herbs brings to mind the power of food to bring people together and change their lives. These experiences have respectively shaped my values and aspirations the most. It taught me the worth of community, sustainability, and generosity. I have seen firsthand how one piece of fresh produce can immensely light up someone's day and how sharing what you have can create connections far beyond just exchanging goods. This familiarity with agriculture has equally instilled in me respect for the Earth and the development of commitment to seeing it saved for future generations. In the future, I intend to continue to create a positive influence by encouraging sustainable farming practices and local food systems. I would like to consider the provision of fresh, healthy food for everybody and the treatment of this planet with the care it deserves the object of my passion. I hope to expand on the work I started with my grandmother and possibly develop community gardens or educational programs that teach others how to grow their own food and live sustainably. Agriculture has taught me that even small actions can bring a good outcome. With a careful production and sharing of food, you are already contributing to a healthy, venous world. These experiences in the garden have nurtured my being and brought me this inspiration to make this world a little different—one plant at a time.

However, reflecting on those very same challenges, I can put myself back into those junctures when my undiagnosed ADHD, coupled with anxiety, felt like insurmountable mountains. There are not a few days when getting out of bed seems to be too much to deal with. My head was filled with racing thoughts, a sort of inability to focus, and this nagging feeling of being 'never good enough.' It was tough, but as hard as those days were, they've also shaped me into someone who refuses to give up on my dreams, no matter how tough things get. I knew something was different from an early age, but I couldn't grasp it. I'd watch others breeze through tasks that would leave me completely overwhelmed. I kept feeling there was too much noise in my head, like I was always lagging behind. For a really, really long time, I held onto those feelings, bent on the idea that maybe if I tried a little bit harder, then things would become a bit easier. But no matter the kind of effort put in, the anxiety wouldn't let up, nor would the distractions. It became better when I started seeking help much later. Talking to a therapist was like opening a door to a room I didn't know existed, where maybe finally I could start making any sense of what had been happening inside my head. I started to realize that all my struggles were not worth telling about my abilities—it is just part of living with anxiety and ADHD. And in this realization, there lies freedom and a taste of fear all the same. All I knew was that, by now, I knew how deep the path went, but I also knew that I no longer walked it alone. So, through therapy, I got to know exactly how I would cope with my anxiety and ADHD, how to break down tasks, how to remind myself, and how to become kinder to myself — things which are extremely important in everyday life. I also got to know self-care and protection from reaching a burnout point. This was not an overnight change, and some days could still get overwhelming, but I started to view these problems as my journey instead of viewing them as obstacles that stood in the way of me achieving success. Opening up about my struggles had deepened my relationships. Often, when I disclose my experiences, other people find themselves with the ease of sharing theirs, and a network of support and understanding would evolve—something I would have never expected. This might help, especially on those days when I found myself doubting the most. My experiences have driven me to make a career in mental health. I want to be there for others the way my support system has been there for me. I want to be the one giving not just clinical support but more insight into what it's all about living with anxiety and ADHD. I want to show people that their struggles don't define them; on the contrary, they can achieve their dreams with the right type of support. Difficulty has taught me some very valuable things: resilience, compassion, and that never is the time to give up. It made me who I am today—a person who is determined to be able to make a difference in the world, one step at a time, even when those steps feel incredibly difficult.

To me, Minecraft is not just a game but a rather trunk of memories, especially those shared with my cousin. The countless hours we spent exploring the virtual worlds that were only as boundless as our imaginations remain in my memory. More than anything else, Minecraft was that thread which held us together, no matter where life took us. We started playing Minecraft as kids, and soon it became our favorite way of spending time together. Whether we sat beside each other or connected to the internet to play from miles away, that game was always there for us. Both of us could just be ourselves and, in that world, never be pressed into being anything but creative and adventurous. He loved the challenge and strategy involved in Survival Mode, while I was happiest in Creative Mode building anything that came into my head. But Minecraft was the one place where our differences didn't matter. Each of us used to play it in our own way, but the game accommodated this and never made us feel left out or like we did not belong. What really made Minecraft so special, though, was how it managed to bring us together—inside our differences. My cousin survived on the brink of survival, always pushing us to explore deeper caves or fight stronger monsters. I, on the other hand, loved the quiet moments of designing crazy structures or just exploring worlds we'd made. Whatever the case, we did it as a team, and that is all that mattered. While growing older, Minecraft became a way for us to stay close when we couldn't be there in person. Life grew busier, and we found ourselves at other places, but we always had Minecraft—in our safe haven where we could unwind, catch up, and just be ourselves. Sometimes we'd build something new; often we'd just wander around in old worlds and remember the times we spent inside of them. It didn't matter how much time had gone by—logging into Minecraft felt like coming home. The beauty of Minecraft is that it caters to every kind of player. Be it challenge, creativity, or just bridging an emotional gap with someone you love, it has a little something for everyone. For me, though, it was those countless hours I spent with my cousin. Those were really full-of-magic moments. Such memories are truly priceless, and they shall always be very close to my heart.

An ideal bookshelf, if it were inspired by #BookTok, would offer a diverse and interesting blend of books that have been making waves within the community. Everyone is talking about these titles, coming up in repeated recommendations, and leaving readers with impressions. First off, *The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo* by Taylor Jenkins Reid is just something you should go ahead and have in your arsenal. This book has become a BookTok favorite, and with good reason: the story is engaging, one of an elderly Hollywood star reminiscing over her life and secrets she has kept hidden. The way it explores identity, love, and the cost of fame has opened up so many great discussions. Moreover, the plot twists at the beginning keep one fully engaged. Next on the shelf would be *The Song of Achilles* by Madeline Miller. If you were on BookTok for even a minute, you must have seen raving about this one. It is a gorgeous, wrenching retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus, and it hits right in the feels. BookTok readers can't get enough of sharing their emotional reactions to this book, and once you've read it, you'll understand. There's just the right mix of epic mythology and deep, personal storytelling. I can't forget *A Court of Thorns and Roses* by Sarah J. Maas. This series is practically a BookTok staple. It has everything: romance, action, rich fantasy worldbuilding with characters one can't help but be attached to, and it has inspired so much fan art, discussions, and even cosplay. Yes, really, this series is great in pulling people in. If you are into fantasy, then this is a series you must read. I would include Madeline Miller's *Circe* on the more literary side. Similar in many respects to *The Song of Achilles*, this novel retells ancient mythology with a refreshed, feminist eye. This is an empowering and relatable journey—from outcast to powerful witch—of Circe. This is huge on BookTok, with its gorgeous writing and strong themes like identity and transformation. Finally, *It Ends with Us* by Colleen Hoover is another book all over BookTok, and for good reason: it is quite a strong romance novel, not shying away from some of the harder subjects like domestic abuse, and something in it has spoken to so many readers. This story plumbs such emotional depths as to make it an impactful, standout read—enabling productive dialogue about relationships and personal strength. These books don't just hold a BookTok kind of popularity; they have also impacted the community, bonding the people together and sparking all manner of discussions. These would be on my perfect bookshelf, where each of these gems represents some other magic #BookTok brings to the table to create such an amazing place for book lovers.

Anxiety has been my defining factor in life and changed the way I view the world around me and how I interact with it. For me, the anxiety started at a very tender age in the form of feeling that something was always on the verge of going wrong. Further, the undiagnosed ADHD held me back from focusing and holding onto tasks. I could hardly keep up at school, and most of my time would be spent in reverie, getting lost when I was expected to pay attention. That made other kids think of me as weird; I often felt I didn't fit in. I thus felt a surge in self-consciousness, which led to the development of habits like constant second-guessing and worrying about perceptions other people formed of me. A mixture of anxiety and ADHD makes the situation quite tough in social interactions; therefore, I always found myself in isolation even when surrounded by many people. I gradually developed coping mechanisms that helped me deal with such situations by avoiding them or being invisible, but this only worked in further confirming this belief in me. It wasn't until much later in life that I realized what I was going through wasn't just shy or nervous feelings but something deeper. If I learned anything about anxiety and ADHD, it has opened my eyes so I could understand what I have been battling all my life and equipped me with the right tools to combat these wars. Earning a college degree is important because it's more than an academic achievement. This will prove that I can overcome the problems that have plagued me over the years. There was always this feeling of being a failure in some way when growing up—being always a step behind. Now, however, I can see education sitting in my future and building a life that truly reflects my potential. I'm determined to succeed not just for myself but for my daughter, too. I want her to see that anything is possible and that problems and burdens are obstacles that, sooner or later, could turn around to contribute positively to the person. Having a degree means a better career, but for her, it will also mean it's worth fighting and believing in oneself. College is that further-reaching opportunity to give my story a different ending, one in which anxiety and ADHD go from being shortcomings to strengths.

Anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD have had such an impact on my beliefs, relationship skills, and career aspirations. The experiences with these have not only given me a deeper level of understanding about mental health but also fueled my passion to make a difference in the world by seeking a mental health career. My anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD began in my childhood. I remember being overwhelmed by so many tasks that I could recognize as actually quite simple for other people to do. The constant noise in my mind, a lack of focus, and high worry levels made life very challenging to deal with. Not knowing ADHD at the time as part of the problem made things a whole lot more difficult to cope with. It was only through the development of coping mechanisms, therapy, and now an understanding of the source of my struggles that helped me survive these conditions. I had the most difficult time in my life, and this was a wake-up call for mental health awareness and more compassionate and approachable support for all those struggling with related challenges. Believing in the power of empathy and understanding is what has influenced how I go about relating with others. It has taught me that mental health struggles are most often invisible to the outside world and that it is empathy that acts as real cement in relationships. Today, I am more patient with myself and others, understanding that everyone has their own battles to fight. This belief has strengthened my relationships in the sense that now I can connect at a deeper level with others and be a helpful point in the life of any person who may be struggling in any aspect. For me, it is important to have open communication in relationships. That made me more vocal about what was required of me and challenging, and helps when others are encouraged to share theirs to build more robust, real relations, with mutual support and understanding. Mental health ambitions were born out of the desire to help others through the complexities of their minds. Anxiety and ADHD can be debilitating, and I would like to make a difference using my experiences to contribute positively. Aspire to be a professional working in mental health: I would like not only to provide clinical support to those in need but also to give a personal insight into what it is like to experience such debilitating mental health conditions. I feel that my journey has uniquely equipped me with a vantage from which to understand patients personally and offer empathy and understanding beyond bookish knowledge. I look forward to the day when I can make a difference by helping advocate for mental health awareness and accessibility. I want to work with communities that have scarce mental health resources and ensure that everyone gets the required care. Besides, I would like to bring awareness about mental health to more people and hence reduce the stigma that mostly surrounds it. Sharing my story and experiences is how I am trying to inspire others to come for help, speak and share freely without fear about their struggle, and know they are not alone. Anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD have played huge parts in the formation of my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. It has taught me open communication, empathy, and resilience. I am driven by a desire to use my experiences to help others and positively make lasting changes in mental health. Through my work, I would like to help bring into being a world with priority placed on understanding and support towards mental health.

In my daily life, I try to live and show characteristics of strong leadership, great communication skills, resiliency, unselfishness, focus, and hard work. All these are personal and professional values that I live by. They point out the way in which I intend to run my life and realize my aspirations. Strong leadership and great communication skills form the base for all my relations within my community and in my personal life. Whether it is helping my father-in-law master new technology or volunteering at local shelters, I make sure to be approachable, clear, and supportive. To me, leadership is setting an example that will make others step up and want to contribute. It's a guiding force, yet open to feedback and collaboration. In the process, good communication is fostered by ensuring that all parties are on the same page and work in tandem toward objectives. Resilience is something which I have learned over time, more so when I became a new mom and later when my daughter was admitted to the NICU. These instances have taught me to be strong and hardened, even in the face of odds. The resilience to keep pushing, to find solutions when challenges arise, and to maintain a positive outlook characterizes my studies and work. I just keep pushing myself to overcome obstacles and keep moving. The next value that I hold very close to my heart is unselfishness, especially within my community work and as a mother. Whether it is through volunteering or supporting my family, giving back to others is the first thing I do in my daily life. Real leadership and success, to me, mean not only the great things one can achieve but how much we contribute towards improving the lives of others. My actions are guided by a desire to make a positive impact, whether in organizing kits for homeless people or helping animals find homes. It is focus and determination that keeps me pushing forward in the attainment of set goals. Being a personal financial advisor like my late grandmother, I know I have to make it big with my studies and eventually in my career. My focus helps me in keeping on track with my set long-term goals while juggling being a mother, student, and member of society. No task is big or small; it is undertaken with the same commitment and determination. I am a dedicated worker in everything I do. I serve my studies, community work, family, or any other situation I may find myself in with dedication and a willingness to go above and beyond. This work ethic motivates me to pursue a degree in accounting from Western Governors University, commencing this September. I want to make a name for myself in the financial industry and be able to set a good example for my daughter, showing her the value of hard work and dedication. Leadership for me implies guiding others with integrity, contributing selflessly, and being resilient. I want to be successful in my accounting degree and be driven by the urge to make a difference in society, just like my late grandmother did. These are the traits that best guide me in my everyday life and will continue to do so as I work toward my future goals.

Of the different environmental issues today, global warming perhaps becomes the most critical. Evidence to it is undeniable: increasing temperature, changing patterns of weather, shrinking polar ice caps, and shifting ecosystems confirm we are in a climate crisis that needs comprehensive and immediate actions. Climate change has implications on the environment and human health, food security, and economic stability. Unless controlled, this crisis is going to be huge—not only for the well-being of the planet but also for the history of generations to come. Some of the key drivers of climate change across the world include excessive greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, through various human activities. These gases work within the atmosphere to trap heat and thereby warm up the planet. Major man-made sources include burning fossil fuel for energy, land clearance mostly deforestation, and industrial processes. We need a serious reduction of Green House Gases and progress toward more viable ways of living if we are going to reverse climate change. Renewable energy would help tremendously aa a great deal of CHG is the result of fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas. In the process, we will reduce overreliance on fossil fuels and lower our carbon footprint by encouraging, promoting, and investing in renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower. I will promote policies that encourage the exploitation of renewable sources of energy while opening an environment for clean energy technological innovation. I also would like to participate in organizing community renewable energy projects, and setting up community solar panels or wind farms that will help communities change their sources of energy to clean ones. The other aspect is where climate change is campaigned against through sustainability by encouraging efficient use of energy, reducing waste and sustainable farming. I, for example, would engage local businesses and organizations in reducing their energy use by changing over to energy-efficient lighting and appliances. I would likewise find ways of reducing wastes with the programs on recycling and composting. In agriculture, farming practices with low levels of carbon emission, such as organic farming and agroforestry, shall be emphasized. These practices, aside from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improve health and biodiversity in soil simultaneously. Many people remain in ignorance or unaware of the crisis and what they, as individuals, can do to make a difference. I will engage in informational outreach in my community and on social media about the impacts of climate change and the need for action. I will conduct workshops, webinars, and campaigns that provide information targeting people and groups to influence them into changing their practices into more sustainable ones and advocate for policy changes towards a climate-friendly environment. Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time and one that has huge repercussions for the environment and human society. I strongly feel that significant awareness, advocacy, and promotion with respect to renewable energy will be a long way toward arresting this crisis. Indeed, the task ahead may be daunting, but collective action and individual commitment toward it form imperatives to a more resilient and sustainable future. These, among others, are efforts to which I am prone to contribute to a global movement for a health-improved planet and a more secure future for all.

One of my desired career paths is becoming a personal financial advisor. The reason this profession excites me is that I have a passion for finance with the desire to help people achieve their financial goals. This career puts my skills in financial planning into practice while having constructive impacts on people's lives by making informed financial decisions. Toward this career goal, there are several proactive steps that I have taken. I am majoring in Accounting, which gives me a sound background in financial principles, knowledge of tax laws, and skills for financial analysis. Such academic training is of immense help in going through the complexities of financial planning and advising clients on the management of their finances. In addition, there have been a number of projects in the areas of personal finance and investment strategies that have gone a long way toward sharpening my knowledge and skills. Outside class, I have also sought internship and work experience to enable me to put theory into practice. Notably, I have volunteered at local animal shelters and community organizations which gave me numerous opportunities to handle financial issues like budgeting and raising funds. Working for these institutions has enabled me to develop my financial management skills but has also inculcated principles such as effective communication and showing empathy to people from all walks of life. Advice needs an understanding of the individual circumstances of clients and their unique financial situations. Community work has fostered my interrelation skills with people and my capacity to perceive their needs. Besides my certification as a financial planner, I also pursue being a Certified Financial Planner to attest to my qualifications and commitment to professional standards about the delivery of quality financial advice.I also continue to network with others in the profession, attend seminars related to financial planning, and join appropriate professional organizations to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices within the profession. Because of this powerful influence, I am very keen to become a personal financial advisor and influence the financial well-being of people in the best way possible. What excites me about this opportunity is the fact that I will be able to become that touchstone in the lives of my clients, knowing that they are passing through issues, prospering to reach their objectives, and having an assured financial future. I could see myself making a positive difference in my future profession by delivering comprehensive and ethical financial advice to all my clients, developing long-lasting relationships, and being sure to make them financially literate. My strong academic background and work experience, as well as professional development, show most of my career path to a personal financial advisor. The bundle of skills, experiences, and interests that blend cohesively has equipped me well to pursue such a career and positively affect the lives of people through proper planning and advice on finances.

What Makes Me a Leader? Leadership does not pertain simply to a title, position, or seat; it is an existence, a never-ending journey of growth, empathy, and responsibility. In my life, this would mean making a positive difference in others' lives and helping them to move on the right path toward a better future. In addition, it would mean inspiring people to unlock their potential. My definition of leadership has been influenced by a host of personal experiences, values, and the deep need to repay my community for what I have earned from it. My leadership style has been most influenced by my grandmother. She was not only a personal financial advisor; she was also a very strong and compassionate lady who instilled in me the virtues of integrity, perseverance, and the power of example. I hope to be like her, not necessarily in the financial world, but in being that person who does things to inspire others. Her legacy pushes me to become a leader who will stand up for a good challenge and one who's going to use those challenges for growth and to help others. One seminal experience that has influenced my leadership journey was becoming a new mother. The challenges I went through, mainly with my daughter spending weeks in the NICU, tested my resilience and gave me lessons in Agape love: unconditional, selfless love. This experience deepened my empathy and made my heart firm as a beacon to others whenever times are rough. I learned that the very key characteristic in effective leadership is striking a balance between strengths and vulnerabilities. By leaning into Agape love, I have grown to learn how to lead in compassion and put the well-being of people that surround me foremost. Another area I have developed leadership skills through is work in and about my local animal shelter. Running social media posts to network animals in search of homes requires creativity, dedication, and even deeper awareness of community needs. This gave me experience in how to connect with people on an emotional level, how to communicate effectively, and how to inspire others to take action. By giving voice to those animals, I realized that leadership has to do with lending the ability of speech to those who cannot raise their voices and rallying people around something greater than any one person. Aside from my personal experience, the commitment to give back to my community has also shaped my approach to leadership. One of the things I did was to provide starter kits containing all items necessary for living to street people. This act of service is informed by thinking that if leadership is about anything, then it is about lifting other people, more so the most vulnerable. It involves recognizing the dignity in every person and acting accordingly to ensure that everybody has what they need to survive and thrive. What makes me a leader is my serving, inspiring, and empowering of people around, coupled with continuous growth that I undertake. To me, leadership means making a difference. It means the small act of goodness at one end and the larger initiatives taken at the community level. It is about being that tower of strength and guide to all, and leaving behind a legacy which tomorrow's generation will hold in good esteem.

Adversity often measures the depth of our character and alters the direction in which we relate to the world around us. One of the most difficult times in my life came when my daughter was born several weeks premature and remained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for weeks. The unpredictability of not knowing what was in store for the future had multiplied the emotional toll of seeing her fight for each day of her life. I felt helpless and overwhelmed as a new mother, full of fear. In the fullness of time, I have also learned the meaning of resilience and community; I stood on the shoulders of my family and friends, near and far, and even reached out to me from the space of strangers to find words of comfort and support. The medical staff of the NICU became my support system in more ways than one; they became my family. They showed me how to take everything one day at a time, one small victory at a time, and hold on to hope. The things that I learned from it were the power of love, and the strength that lies in facing challenges head-on. This challenge has also allowed me to experience Agape love first-hand in a way that is unselfish and unconditional, rested upon outreach beyond one's person. My daughter's struggle showed me to be of service meaningfully to my community. That so many people are going through just what we are going through can be a source of comfort for others. I want to be that for other people, as others have been for me. One of the ways that I apply Agape love is through volunteering in the local animal shelter. I handle all the posting on social media with the hope of, by this, helping these animals finally find a home. It may be a small act, but it brings me much joy to see these animals have families who will love them unconditionally. I also volunteer in programs that aim to support the street families in my community. I participated in the making of kits that have living basics for homeless people. From this, I have learned that Agape love is seeing the humanity in everyone, regardless of their condition, and helping despite the hopelessness of a return. Just to know that we all belong to the greater community, and it is collective well-being. Moreover, the most significant motivation to conduct my practice as a personal financial advisor, and follow in my grandmother's footsteps, has been informed by my personal experiences in the NICU. I would like to provide much-needed empowerment, especially for female and young mothers, towards attaining stability in their financial future. I hope that by preparing and educating them for success, will serve as a motivation for them to strive against their adversity and create a good quality of life, both for them and for their families. I strive to repay my community by living agape love in ways through which I was sustained by its goodwill when I was in a plight. Be it through volunteering effort, advisory on financial management, or just being there for this person at that very difficult moment in life, I feel love and compassion can change worlds. But my trip has taught me that within the darkest pit, light can be found in the love we share with one another.

In the last season, the pressure for the restaurant's reopening is loud enough to almost pierce the eardrums. Carmy himself is more attached than ever to the prospect of reshaping the place into high-end success and bears an increasingly stressful burden of mounting expectations and personal ambitions. Sydney, first off so sure about this too-adventurous a leap, slowly begins to doubt it all. After all the progress and professional growth, she has come to feel that this high-stakes environment is not the place for her to find her future. Her passion remained for the craft, though the relentless pressure and the toxic work culture began to grate on her. With the opening night closer than ever, Sydney makes a shocking decision to leave the restaurant to work on a different path, which might give her more integrity and personal well-being. She leaves abruptly and in emotional moments, therefore Carmy is in terrible shock, and the team is in total disarray. Sydney's departure puts Carmy right in the eye of the storm, which forces him not only to face the loss of a key member but also asks the essential question as to whether his vision for the restaurant is flawed. The last shots should be able to portray Sydney's internal conflict in the farewell while Carmy reacts with visceral emotions, without filter. It is Richie, who all along has been redeeming himself, finding a new direction in life, who now comes forward to help Carmy in this hour of crisis. With his struggles, he tries to be there for Carmy and keep the restaurant running as usual. There's a lot of tension and uncertainty within the team, feeling the sting of Sydney's departure and Carmy's deteriorating mental state. In the ultimate twist, Carmy finds himself overwhelmed by the emotional fallout and professional repercussions. The emotional weight of the restaurant's success and Sydney's absence was too much to handle. In the sad turn of events, he breaks down. It pushes him to the brink where he gives up his dream. The final scenes show Carmy fighting through his brother's memory; the force that drove him to follow his passion was also the root of his pain. Most importantly, the ghost of his brother serves as a symbol for both the motivation and the burden that Carmy has carried. The last moments of the show are very poignant. Rather than the expected ecstatic finale, viewers see Carmy falling apart emotionally. He now sits in the almost-empty restaurant, surrounded by the ruins of his aspiration and the echoes of his brother's legacy. Sydney left; the restaurant is on an undefined line, so it throws him into failure with feelings of loss. It is quite far from what would have been the anticipated ending, which was celebratory in nature. It's palpable—this sense of his grief, this betrayal—as Carmy reflects on what all his ambitions cost. The haunting note on which the series concludes is one in which Carmy gazes upon a photograph of his brother, showing what was lost and what might have been. It is an ending that puts viewers in a position to confront the reality that in the chase of dreams, personal and relational well-being is debased, leaving one jumbled with mixed feelings and deep unresolved tension.

My interest in becoming a personal financial advisor is rooted in both family legacy and personal experience. What has driven me toward this profession most is the strong influence of my grandmother, who was a very well-known and reputed financial advisor. She managed portfolios but also provided prudent and ethical guidance to clients, extending this sense of duty by imparting valuable lessons on financial literacy to me and showing how it can make all the difference in people's lives. She inspired me greatly with her commitment to making sure the people she worked with could achieve financial stability, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps to start a career that would empower others through financial education and planning. This scholarship is important in attaining further education goals and turning my dream of becoming a personal financial advisor into reality. It's been quite a whirlwind of emotions and challenges with the birth of my daughter, especially when she spent several weeks in the NICU. It has been humbling and opened up our eyes to the issues of financial security and planning for the unexpected. This helped me refocus on my commitment to helping families like mine find the confidence and clarity they need to make tough financial decisions. Completing an accounting degree is not just a career pursuit; it becomes almost a personal vendetta for making a positive difference in other people's lives, particularly those who never had much guidance in this area before. More than ever, I realized that proper financial planning would have significantly lessened the financial burden of my daughter's stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and I want to help others be better prepared for life's uncertainties with the education I am getting. This scholarship will allow me to excel in my chosen field of pursuit. This will further my education without additional stress from financial strain, which is important in being able to focus on my coursework and professional development. This is another step closer toward my goal: being a financial advisor who does not work in memory but serves as a role model to my daughter. I want her to grow up knowing there is nothing she cannot conquer if she has the will and support for it, and follow through with her dreams. This scholarship is going to help finance the support so that I can focus on my studies and do well in my chosen field of pursuit. It will further my education without additional stress from financial strain, which is important in being able to focus on my coursework and professional development. This brings me closer to achieving this goal: to be a financial advisor, not in memory of my grandmother, but to be a good role model for my daughter. I want her to grow up knowing that there is nothing she cannot conquer if she has the will and support for it, and follow through with her dreams.

The journey of life can be so unpredictable, often peppered with those moments that beg the question, "What could go wrong?" The almost innocuous phrase often stands at the very forefront as a precursor to the totally unexpected and reminds one that much as the adventures in life are exciting, they also come with their own set of risks. The question, however, is not a cautionary prelude to disaster but embraces the spirit of resilience, courage, and good-natured humor. Sitting here and thinking back at my grandma—a lady whose life epitomized these very virtues—I remember how embracing the unknown with an attitude of adventure could turn what seemed like mishaps into glorious memories. SHe inspired me in a lot of ways and is actually the sole inspiration behind my desired career path. My grandma spend most of her time outdoors, taking care of her horses and tasting random herbs she would plant along her normal nature walk. For her, though, the question "What could go wrong?" was never an invitation to fear but rather a challenge to embrace the unknown with open arms and playful spirit. Take, for instance, when she decided to break in a new horse, at the age of 80. Not some old plug, but a spirited young stallion by the name of Jasper, pretty full of energy and high jinks. Many, at the thought of an elderly woman trying to break in such a horse, raised some alarms. The potential for things to go wrong was enormous—an unpredictable horse, an aging rider, and the open countryside. My grandmother, however, treated the situation with the very lightness by which she treated most things in life. "What could go wrong?" she asked, winking at me; she was aware of the risks but unwilling to let them deter her. What happened that day was typical of how the uncertainties of life can be transformed into so many beautiful, true moments of joy. Jasper, being Jasper, barely gave a moment to allow my grandmother to mount him before launching into a wild gallop across the fields. It could have so easily turned to disaster, but my grandmother didn't panic—it was laughter. Though she could have stiffened with fear, she leaned into the ride, silver hair cascading behind her and peals of laughter echoing across the air. Jasper eventually slowed when he felt her calm and control; what might have been a dangerous episode became one of her most treasured adventures. More than this whimsical moment, this has come to represent and symbolize a whole life philosophy, one my grandmother lived by and passed on to those around her. "What could go wrong?" did not mean to invite one to envision the worst-case scenario but to encourage living life's unpredictability gracefully and with humor. It is easy to get caught in the paralysis of failure or harm that might result, but only at the cost of lessening our experiences through fear. In contrast, if we view life as the adventure it is—one obeying risks but not ruled by them—then life at any moment can change into something beautiful and joyful. This is most especially a lesson appropriate for today's world, where uncertainty does seem to loom larger than ever. From minor inconveniences to life-changing events, we're constantly being thrust into situations that can go wrong. It is human to want to avoid risk, and to seek safety in the known and the predictable. If we did this, though, we would miss so much of the richness of life. My grandmother reminds me that those minutes can, and sometimes do, go wrong; yet they often will be some of the stories treasured the most. More to the point, there is emotional depth to this philosophy. It's not about risks taken just to have an adventure, but how we deal with things when they do go wrong. What turned out to be eccentricity in my grandmother was laughter in the face of possible disaster. No matter what, life's going to throw things at us that we just can't help, and we can't control the outcome from such things all the time. What we can control is the response to it. Then, when we choose to laugh and see humor and possibility in every situation, we feel more in control of a situation and turn what might have been setbacks into opportunities for growth. Yet, no matter how much it is about the circumstances, it is the question, "What could go wrong?" Even as she faced her final challenge—losing her mind to brain cancer—my grandmother's spirit remained unbroken. The disease took its toll, stealing her memories and muddling her thoughts, but it could never dull her sense of adventure. Even in the fog of illness, she would try to run from the house to tend to her garden or insist that she wanted to walk into the woods, even though she was so fragile. One time, she even attempted to saddle Jasper, thinking she was still strong enough to ride like she had done all those many years ago. We'd have to remind her gently that it wasn't safe, but even then, she'd give us that same mischievous grin and ignore our warnings. During the last days, her bravery—when confronted with the unknown—left an impression in each one of us as to how one is to live life in fullness, even when the odds are against us. My grandmother's legacy is not just in the stories about her adventures but in the spirit with which she met life's challenges—right until the end—with laughter, resilience, and a refusal to let fear determine what she could do. I mean, what could go wrong, right? And isn't that just another story if it does?