My summer of 2021 was impacted by Olivia Rodrigo and my parents' divorce. The divorce of my parents was confusing. I was struggling to find myself as a middle schooler, and now had to navigate having separated parents. Rodrigo's music helped reflect my emotions through its raw and relatable energy. SOUR was not just an album but a diary of sentiment for growing up. That summer, I took a road trip to Minnesota with my father and listened to the entire SOUR album. He associates that album with a sweet trip together, but mine is far from that. It takes me back to that lonely summer when words were difficult to find and the question, "How are you?" made my eyes swell with tears. On one of her most profound songs on SOUR, "Drivers License" resonated with me. I didn't relate through being able to drive, but through feeling that sense of grief towards losing something that was once so familiar. The lyrics, "I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone," mirrored my family's dynamic, which wouldn't be the same. Rodrigo's soft melody, combined with angsty, built-up anger, perfectly embodied my emotions to this changed lifestyle. Instead of being mad, some days I needed to be slightly accepting. The lyrics to "Happier" state, "I hope you're happy, but don't be happier." My whole world had gotten split apart, and I was suddenly aware of all these things happening between my parents. As they began their separate lives, I wanted both of them to be happy, but feared how that would look. I was heartbroken that their love and happiness would never again be witnessed. That summer forced me to grow up. I had to adjust to living and moving between different houses. I had to find stability in a situation that felt completely out of my control. The heartbreak of watching my parents completely rebuild their lives themselves has shaped me. I've learned to love the chaos, embrace the changes, and emotionally grow. Today, I've grown to appreciate the decision my parents made. Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR album perfectly displayed my emotions and guided my growth as a person. When moments felt dark, scary, and lonely, her music was there to support me. That summer showed me that life doesn't always go according to plan, but those moments of unpredictability help you grow the most. As years have passed, I can confidently say that those instances aren't sour anymore, but sweet, on what my life can and will be like.

Each summer, my friends and I gather around the TV and analyze Love Island participants, their actions, and the challenges they encounter. We debate who is genuine and who is fake, and question how no one sees it. Love Island has veered from true love and connection, but more towards lust. Honestly, we all love the drama, but we also strive for genuine relationships. I am sadly from Nebraska, so I need something dramatic in Love Island. I will be majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and have always been drawn to personable, emotional connections and human behavior. One of my favorite games is would you rather because they challenge people -and their brains- to make decisions under pressure to reveal their true selves. Many people go on reality shows for publicity, but I want genuine people who want love. The challenge will be called Heart's Crossroad: Would You Rather. Girls and boys will be divided to other sides of a wall, with two doors and one decision. A day before the Heart's Crossroad challenge, viewers will give an intense, truthful would you rather through the Love Island app. For example, "Would you rather watch a clip of what your partner says about you when you're not around or let your partner watch a clip of what you've said about them when they're not around?" A couple will not be able to see each other and will have to answer truthfully. The "would you rather" options will be shown above each door. Each person will stand at the door they believe is true and see if their partner is on the other side! Neuroscience states that lying takes more mental effort than telling the truth, due to suppressing the truth while developing an alternate response. Let's not make all these hotties and smarties use their brain power! Whatever the participants choose during our challenge will have to complete it. Going along with our example, if Jeremiah (S7) chose to see what Huda (S7) said about him, he'd actually have to watch it. We don't want to shoulda, coulda, woulda; we want to see participants being truthful and seeing their partner for their genuine selves. Participants can't hide behind an answer because it sounds good; the challenge reveals honesty, insecurity, and emotional maturity. Love Island is at its best when contestants form real connections, take risks, and are vulnerable. Heart Crossroads would push participants to reveal their true selves, even when it hurts.