I promise to leave a confident, clear, strong, and happy legacy for my future children, my future workplace, and myself. A legacy is quality or item which is passed through generations. I believe the most critical type of legacy is the differing qualities individuals give their children. Parents have the most important and valuable jobs globally, and they form our future leaders, aspirers, and families. As children begin to grow, they adapt to their parents' teaching and begin to hold similar qualities. As the child grows more, they start to question their parents' qualities, deeming the best for their identities. As a future mother, I want to ensure the legacy I pass on to my children is fantastic qualities. I want to pass on my openness, love, confidence, trust, dedication, and determination. These qualities may seem broad, but my future children will grow and adapt to meet their expectations and needs with these core qualities. My last name will be passed onto my children, and they will pass it on to theirs. Our last name will carry this legacy and will be known for the qualities needed to prepare my children for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Only time will tell if I will be successful in passing on my legacy.

My dogs' name is Raider, and he is a Dutch Sheperd. He was born this past summer and since then has become a significant part of my family. He has so much personality and life to him. He enjoys long runs with me and sitting on my front porch to watch people walk by. In the photos, I have a picture of Raider and I sitting at Thatcher park and me face timing him because I was away from home. He is such a job in my life and truly is apart of my family.

Covid-19 has been a formidable barrier that I had to adapt and overcome. When the virus began, I was enrolled at Pace University with a year left of school, competing as a student-athlete, babysitting, and lost as to what next steps I needed to take in my life. I went home or spring break and heard the news we would not be going back. I felt lost without my friends, competing, and a sudden lifestyle change. As time had passed, I recognized I needed to decide to stay at Pace University or transfer to an online university. I completed some research, gained guidance from a few trusted individuals, and decided to leap. I transferred and began my journey to complete my degree at Capella University. This decision had a domino of positive effects on my life I could have never predicted. Thankful to covid-19, my life has started on a better path than ever before. The program I choose at Capella allowed me to take as many courses as I wanted, allowing me to graduate early. I was able to complete over forty credits to graduate with a Bachelor of science a semester early. I was able to work full time as a nanny while obtaining my degree, overall saving money to go straight to a master’s program. I also was able to pursue a job related to the mental health field at Ellis Medicine. Since I was able to stay in my area for an extended period, I was able to apply to long-term positions allowing me to obtain this job. Covid-19 started with isolation, sadness, and loss, but through growth and adaptability, I graduated early, accepted a full-time job, and enhanced my happiness. I am proud to say the virus’s effects were a challenging barrier I got through. The world is a tough place to find happiness and remain positive, and with a virus-like this, it can be even more difficult. I have learned that I can adapt to the situation even in times of hardship and find a positive. I also have learned about enhancing my mental and physical health. I have created a schedule to maintain school work, career, lifting, and free time to maintain a positive attitude about my life. Covid-19 made me adapt to a new schedule, which ended up being better. Though I have been able to thrive in this environment, it has been terrible to see the hardships others have had to go through. To help those around me, I have volunteered with an independent practice that produces free mental health guidance and information. Though it is only a small contribution, I know for some it can make a lasting impression. I hope and pray those around me will gain the same confidence in themselves during this time.

Many situations have enlightened me on my path to becoming an LMHC, but one particular account has become a pivotal moment in my life. While attending Pace University, I worked as a Resident Assistant, RA. As an RA, my duties included: Building a community, conducting one on ones, sitting duty, enforcing rules and regulations, and overall ensuring all sixty students, I watched over had the best opportunity to grow and become successful. I loved my job, reached a deeper connection with my residents, and provided a safe environment to find clarity about their current and future lives. A particular event that altered my life forever was when one of my residents attempted to commit suicide. While I was on duty, I was conducting my rounds and decided to stop in and check on my residents. It was a routine for me. Every house seemed to be quiet until I reached townhouse thirty-five. I knocked on their front door, and all of the residents were sitting downstairs, obviously agitated and distraught. I didn't immediately ask what was wrong but casually allowed our conversation to come to the topic, bringing so much negativity. After a few minutes of conversing, I found out a massive fight had arisen amongst the residents, and one particular resident had locked herself in her room and wouldn't come out. I asked if it would be alright to check on her and see if we could conduct a conflict resolution. I went upstairs and knocked on the door, and I heard a loud thud. I knew in my gut something was wrong. I announced myself as RA Leigha, and I would be keying into her room. I unlocked the door and swung it open to see my resident lying on the ground with her wrists slit and blood pouring from her arms. I had to jump into action. I quickly took off my hoodie and wrapped it around her wrists, applying pressure. I looked behind me and told her roommates to call 911 and campus security. I sat there told her repeatedly, "You will get through this, I am by your side, I won't give up on you." I sat there for what felt like too long, and finally, an ambulance had arrived with campus security. Immediately I allowed the professionals to jump into action. After she was sent to the hospital, I was left standing there with my residents' blood on my hands, shirt, pants, and shoes. I realized I needed to speak with someone to ensure I process what had occurred. I signed up for counseling the day after and spent the rest of the night writing my report and taking time to decompress from what had happened. The next few weeks, I wrote emails to my resident who attempted suicide, updating her on school and her friends and her team's general progress. Months had passed, and I heard nothing from her, but finally, in June, I received a letter from her and her parents. The letter explained their gratitude towards my actions and ongoing care of their daughter. I felt extreme joy to hear she had recovered and was gaining favorable and effective treatment. This situation heightened my self-awareness in ways unimaginable. I was able to remain calm, calculated, and collective while dealing with a high-stress situation. After the crisis, I also recognized my own need to recover safely and positively and do so effectively. Though this is an extreme situation, I believe these same qualities can be applied to my everyday life. I can remain clear-headed while dealing with stress and have a great concept of when I need to take a step back from a situation. Having these qualities will allow me to complete a graduate-level program with emotional and physical stability. Not only did this event heighten my self-awareness, but it also gave me direct insight into how I would be when working in the mental health field. I am proud to say I could successfully help a student in a way that could last a lifetime.

During my freshman year attending Pace University, I heard the terrible news that I had an injury. As a student-athlete, this was devasting. I didn't know what my future career in competitively swimming would look like. Through persistence, support, and a positive attitude, I overcame my injury and competed for the rest of my career. The photos represent the period when I first overcame my injury.

My goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, in the state of New York has been a goal of mine for the past five years. I am continuously working towards completing this goal by volunteering, working in a full-time position, and continuing my education. I have volunteered with Giving Hope, a private practice that assesses, diagnoses, and treats adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Volunteering has taught me details about my future career, such as paperwork, insurance, treatment types, and much more. I work full time at Ellis Medicine in their adult psychiatric unit as a mental health assistant. Working hands-on has helped me further understand what working in the field of mental health can be like. Lastly, I am continuing my education at Capella University in clinical mental health counseling. All of these steps will help provide a reasonable basis for becoming a fantastic LMHC. If I were to receive the grant, I would use the money to pay for my education, which is the first step to licensure in the state of New York—allowing me to complete more credits and obtain my degree at an earlier date

When I was thirteen years old, I walked home from school and decided to take a short cut. As I turned down the street, I heard a car approaching, and then nothing, suddenly I felt something slam the back of my head, and I fell to my knees. My body became paralyzed in fear. I laid on the ground in shock while five men began to beat me with no intention of stopping. I screamed and tried to claw away but, in my heart, and head I came to terms with this was how my life would end. As I became over-exhausted, I gave up, and right then, I heard a woman screaming, and then my world went black. I was hospitalized for over a month to recover physically. Since then, my mental recovery has been a continuous battle. I struggled for so long with confidence, anxiety, self-love, and depression. As I have grown and continuously believed in the process of therapy, I can proudly say I have made mass amounts of progress. I used to hide my story and be ashamed and scared to share with others about what happened. As I have grown, I have become more open in telling my story with the hope and goal that others will become more confident in telling their own. Women should allow themselves to take control of the narrative rather than allowing their abuser too. Women should be able to speak up about their trauma with certainty they will receive support and love from those surrounding them. I hope sharing my story will give women the power to take the narrative and gain control of their feelings and story.

Many situations have enlightened me on my path to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, but one particular mental health account has become a pivotal moment in my life. While attending Pace University, I worked as a Resident Assistant, RA. As an RA, my duties included: Building a community, conducting one on ones, sitting duty, enforcing rules and regulations, and overall ensuring all sixty students, I watched over had the best opportunity to grow and become successful. I loved my job, reached a deeper connection with my residents, and provided a safe environment to find clarity about their current and future lives. A particular event that altered my life forever was when one of my residents attempted to commit suicide. While I was on duty, I was conducting my rounds and decided to stop in and check on my residents. It was a routine for me. Every house seemed to be quiet until I reached townhouse thirty-five. I knocked on their front door, and all of the residents were sitting downstairs, obviously agitated and distraught. I didn't immediately ask what was wrong but casually allowed our conversation to come to the topic, bringing so much negativity. After a few minutes of conversing, I found out a massive fight had arisen amongst the residents, and one particular resident had locked herself in her room and wouldn't come out. I asked if it would be alright to check on her and see if we could conduct a conflict resolution. I went upstairs and knocked on the door, and I heard a loud thud. I knew in my gut something was wrong. I announced myself as RA Leigha, and I would be keying into her room. I unlocked the door and swung it open to see my resident lying on the ground with her wrists slit and blood pouring from her arms. I had to jump into action. I quickly took off my hoodie and wrapped it around her wrists, applying pressure. I looked behind me and told her roommates to call 911 and campus security. I sat there told her repeatedly, "You will get through this, I am by your side, I won't give up on you." I sat there for what felt like too long, and finally, an ambulance had arrived with campus security. Immediately I allowed the professionals to jump into action. After she was sent to the hospital, I was left standing there with my residents' blood on my hands, shirt, pants, and shoes. I realized I needed to speak with someone to ensure I process what had occurred. I signed up for counseling the day after and spent the rest of the night writing my report and taking time to decompress from what had happened. The next few weeks, I wrote emails to my resident who attempted suicide, updating her on school and her friends and her team's general progress. Months had passed, and I heard nothing from her, but finally, in June, I received a letter from her and her parents. The letter explained their gratitude towards my actions and ongoing care of their daughter. I felt extreme joy to hear she had recovered and was gaining favorable and effective treatment. This situation heightened my self-awareness in ways unimaginable. I was able to remain calm, calculated, and collective while dealing with a high-stress situation. I recognized the skills I hold all contribute to becoming a great LMHC. I believe in client-led therapy, which was created by Carl Rogers, which allows individuals to express themselves in a trusting, open, and safe environment at their own pace. I also believe in the Montessori approach for children, which emphasizes respect, kindness, and belief in children while they learn, giving them a sense of independence. I believe these qualities can be applied to many mental health positions. I can effectively act on my beliefs, giving my relationships a sense of trust, compassion, and lack of judgment. My beliefs and qualities affirm my goal to become an LMHC.

I began conducting my rounds as a Resident Assisstant and decided to stop in and check on my residents. It was a routine for me. Every house seemed to be quiet until I reached townhouse thirty-five. I knocked on their front door, and all of the residents were sitting downstairs, obviously agitated and distraught. I didn't immediately ask what was wrong but casually allowed our conversation to come to the topic, bringing so much negativity. After a few minutes of conversing, I found out a massive fight had arisen amongst the residents, and one particular resident had locked herself in her room and wouldn't come out. I asked if it would be alright to check on her and see if we could conduct a conflict resolution. I went upstairs and knocked on the door, and I heard a loud thud. I knew in my gut something was wrong. I announced myself as RA Leigha, and I would be keying into her room. I unlocked the door and swung it open to see my resident lying on the ground with her wrists slit and blood pouring from her arms. I had to jump into action. I quickly took off my hoodie and wrapped it around her wrists, applying pressure. I looked behind me and told her roommates to call 911 and campus security. I sat there told her repeatedly, "You will get through this, I am by your side, I won't give up on you." I sat there for what felt like too long, and finally, an ambulance had arrived with campus security. Immediately I allowed the professionals to jump into action. After she was sent to the hospital, I was left standing there with my residents' blood on my hands, shirt, pants, and shoes. I realized I needed to speak with someone to ensure I process what had occurred. I signed up for counseling the day after and spent the rest of the night writing my report and taking time to decompress from what had happened. The next few weeks, I wrote emails to my resident who attempted suicide, updating her on school and her friends and her team's general progress. Months had passed, and I heard nothing from her, but finally, in June, I received a letter from her and her parents. The letter explained their gratitude towards my actions and ongoing care of their daughter. I felt extreme joy to hear she had recovered and was gaining favorable and effective treatment. This situation heightened my self-awareness in ways unimaginable. I was able to remain calm, calculated, and collective while dealing with a high-stress situation. After the crisis, I also recognized my own need to recover safely and positively and do so effectively. Though this is an extreme situation, I believe these same qualities can be applied to my everyday life. I can remain clear-headed while dealing with stress and have a great concept of when I need to take a step back from a situation. Having these qualities will allow me to complete a graduate-level program with emotional and physical stability. Not only did this event heighten my self-awareness, but it also gave me direct insight into how I would be when working in the mental health field. The event that transpired proved to me you never truly know what others are going through.