I’ve always been in love with stories. My mom read books to me from the time when I was a baby, and I quickly grew to adore them. I learned to read on my own when I was four, and when I was five and a half, I decided that it was time to start making my own books. My first book was a clumsy affair. I taped several folded sheets of paper together and wrote in huge font, embellishing the pages with illustrations that looked like something Picasso would do. However, my family chose to overlook the book’s imperfections and wholeheartedly supported me in my love of writing. I continued to write more books and share them with my family, and they continued to encourage me. I found it especially rewarding to see the smile on my mom’s face when I showed her the latest installment in a series I was writing or a picture book I was proud of. The knowledge that someone enjoyed my work was very rewarding, and encouraged me to keep writing. As I got older, my writing goals started to get bigger. At age ten, I wrote a short book that we “published” at home using a printer and cardstock for the cover (stapled, not taped!), then handed out to some friends and extended family. Though it seems small now, I remember that back then that was a big step for me. It felt vulnerable, sharing my work with more than just immediate family, but also exhilarating. I continued to receive massive support, and had several people tell me that they enjoyed my book. These compliments meant the world to me and made me feel powerful, like I could really do something with my writing. At age thirteen, I decided that I wanted to publish a real book. Through the years, I had watched my work intrigue and put smiles on the faces of family and friends, and now I wanted my work to be able to have that effect on the world. Again, family and friends proved to be my biggest allies in this endeavor. They read early copies of my manuscript, found me a company that would help me self-publish, helped me raise money for publishing, and bought the book when it was published. They also helped me see the power that my writing has. My youth leader told me that my book helped her rediscover her love of reading. My cousin did a project on it for his school. And many people, as always, told me how much they’d enjoyed my work. All of these things brought me so much joy. Becoming a published author was a very important goal to me, but even more important was the goal of sharing a good story with the world. And I was able to accomplish both of those things before I entered college. Now that I’m in college, I find that I don’t have as much time to read and write as I used to, which makes me sad. So if I had twenty-four hours in a day to use however I chose, I would spend it reading and writing. I find that reading fuels my creativity; some of the times when I feel the most creative are when mulling over what someone else has written. Some other times though, my creativity comes at random. That’s one of the many fun things about being a writer, or being creative in general; you never know when inspiration will strike.

The biggest way that I have gone above and beyond in my life is getting a book published. When I was fourteen years old, I saw an article in the newspaper about a thirteen year old girl who got a book published, and I decided that was something I wanted to do too. I had been writing for years, but was tired of writing just for fun. I decided that I was ready for something more. All in all, the publishing process took around three years. I filled the first two years with writing, editing, getting feedback on early manuscripts from friends and family, and saving up money, as I had to pay for services from the publishing company I was using. The last year was filled with the publishing process itself, which involved professional editing and proofreading, designing the cover, and a host of other things. But finally, after hard work, prayer, and support from family and friends, my book came out on Amazon. The second biggest way that I have gone above and beyond in my life is learning Spanish. Ever since I was very young, I have wanted to go on a mission trip to Honduras, and at the end of this year, that dream is finally coming true. With the goal of Honduras in mind, and with the broader goal of learning many foreign languages, I have been learning Spanish for four years. I mainly use an online platform, Duolingo, but I also use many other resources I’ve discovered along the way. Learning Spanish was slow going for the first few years, and I even quit for a while, but in this past year I’ve started to see some amazing progress. I’m now able to read books in Spanish (I can’t understand every word yet, but I can still keep up with the story as a whole) and I also experience something akin to having Google Translate in my head; I’ll be thinking and suddenly my brain will translate a word or two into Spanish. It’s a little strange, but encouraging to note that so many words and phrases are starting to stick. The above examples of going above and beyond are the most impressive, but there are many smaller examples as well. I volunteer two hours a week at my local library, help out in my church’s kindergarten classroom every Sunday, and babysit as needed. I’m also deeply involved in my youth group and Bible Study group, and try to look for ways to encourage or be kind to people. Looking forward, there are many ways in which I wish to go above and beyond in my life. I have a desire to study medieval history, and long lists of places I’d like to go, languages I’d like to learn, and stories I’d like to write. I plan on combining my interests in history, travel and foreign languages in a career in anthropology, and I plan on writing whenever I have time. Going above and beyond is something that’s very important to me, and I try to do it in as many ways as possible.

I was fourteen years old when I made it my goal to get a book published. The process moved slowly for about two years, as I had to write and rewrite, get feedback and rewrite again, find a publishing company, and save up money. But finally, all these things were finished, and a little less than a year ago, my editor started work on my book. In the past, I’d only had friends and family read my writing, so most of the feedback I got was positive. That’s why it felt like a punch in the face when my editor sent my manuscript back full of things I needed to correct. She was always kind and helpful, but her comments still felt blunt and often painful. And not only that, but for the first time in my life, I had a deadline to meet. I had just one month to work through all of my editor’s critiques, some of which suggested major changes to the plot of the book. That one month was incredibly stressful for me; I would work on the book for at least an hour every day, frantically trying to meet the deadline. My proofreader gave me two extra days, but I still turned it in at the last minute. The editing was quickly followed by proofreading, designing the cover, and several other things, all of which had deadlines. They still made me feel stressed, but they were easier than the editing deadline. Then, all of a sudden, the book was out, and I had a chance to sit back and take a breath. I also had a chance to think about all the lessons the book publishing process taught me. First, I learned that the big goals I have in life are achievable. I have a lot of them, and for a long time most of them felt like they would never be accomplished. But when getting a book published finally became a reality, the rest of my big goals didn’t seem so far away anymore. I’ve been able to pursue them with renewed vigor, and have made excellent progress with some of them. Second, I learned that I can survive having my work criticized. I’m very sensitive, so having my book edited was one of the most painful things I’ve ever been through. However, going through it made my book, and me, much stronger in the end. Third, I’ve learned that accomplishing a big thing doesn’t change everything about me. Publishing a book made me more confident, more hopeful, and a better writer, but I’ve stayed the same in lots of ways. I think subconsciously I was worried that getting a book published would change some fundamental thing about me, but it hasn’t. I’m still myself, just a better version. And for that I am very grateful.

My journey to discovering the right career to pursue has been long. From the age of five and a half, I knew that I wanted to be an author, and for years, I thought that was all I would do. But recently, I realized how unstable income from writing is, and knew that I probably needed to find a second career so I could keep writing without going bankrupt. And there was another factor too: I wanted a career that would be fulfilling. You see, I have a lot of other interests besides writing, ones that I would be willing to pursue in a career setting. I love the Middle Ages and want to learn as much about that time period as possible. I want to travel, so I can study medieval history more closely and learn more about different cultures. I want to learn foreign languages so I can understand others in foreign countries (and in fact, I’ve almost got Spanish under my belt). Until recently, all these different passions swirling around inside me were a huge source of stress as well as joy. I felt very scattered, and wondered, how on earth can I find a career that satisfies all my interests? Or does one even exist? And then, I discovered anthropology. I was perusing a booklet that my top college choice, Sewanee, had sent me, when I stumbled across these words: Ask our anthropology professor about the Holy Wells of Ireland. This caught my eye, as holy wells certainly sounded like a medieval topic. Curious, I decided to look up anthropology online. The word sounded vaguely familiar, but I hadn’t looked into it before, as it sounded too science-ey for me (I hate science with a passion). When I looked it up, I was shocked to discover that anthropology, far from being a purely scientific field, was a career that fulfilled all of my interests, including writing. The more I continued to research, the more I found that convinced me that I had found my dream career. Anthropology involves travel, sometimes for extended periods of time, foreign languages, and history. And not only that, but it’s project oriented, so I could have natural down time in between projects to work on writing. Things seemed too good to be true. So, I decided to talk to Sewanee’s anthropology professor. If there were any deal breakers, I was sure I would hear them from her. My conversation with the anthropology professor lasted for about half an hour, and by the end of it I was absolutely sold on anthropology. I had been terrified that she would say something that would cause me to rethink my interest in the subject, but everything she said only affirmed it. Thrilled, I started to dream about what I wanted my future anthropology career to look like. As of right now, I want to go to Sewanee and major in anthropology, with a minor in classical languages and a certificate in creative writing. In order to have any success in anthropology, college is absolutely necessary. My eventual plan is to get a doctorate in anthropology, as that will give me more of an advantage in my career. I truly believe that anthropology is my dream career, and I believe that college is essential in making that dream come true.

I’ve grown up loving stories. There was really no escaping it, as both sides of the family have a passion for them. My dad’s mom, otherwise known as Grammy, is an incredible storyteller. She has the ability to make any character, whether it’s a family member or a fairy tale princess, come alive for her listeners, and has a wonderful sense of humor as well. She’s passed these things down to my dad, and between the two of them I think I can consider myself well versed in the oral tradition of storytelling. My mom’s family is quite the opposite, being well versed in the literary tradition. Supposedly they can trace all the way back to Lord Byron, but they also have more contemporary examples of literary talent. My great-grandfather, a British Literature professor, had waiting lists for his classes, and I’ve been told that he didn’t just teach Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he became Hamlet. My mom seems to have inherited some of this talent, as she’s very animated when she reads out loud. She started reading to me when I was a baby, and hasn’t stopped since (though we now prefer Dickens to Danny the Dinosaur). From a young age, I made everyone aware of the fact that I had inherited the family love of stories. I learned to read when I was four, and was writing “books” (sheets of paper clumsily taped together with handwritten stories and illustrations) at five and a half. As my passion for stories grew, I started to branch out. I wrote a short story to pass out to family and friends at age ten, and was published in a children’s magazine at age twelve. Then, at age thirteen, I started work on another, longer book. Usually, when I started a project like this, I would give up after a few months due to writer’s block or lack of interest, but this time something was different. I had a feeling deep down that this one was “it,” the one I was going to finish. I believe that this feeling was God spurring me on, because after three years of hard work and lots of support from friends and family, I got that same book published. I pursue stories because of the natural gift I have, but that natural gift wouldn’t have flourished so much without my family. I owe it to them, and God, for giving me such a passion for stories and the longing to pursue them. I believe that all stories, including mine, have the power to change the world. And so I write, not only because I was created to, but because I was encouraged to and because I believe that if I do, I will change the lives of others, as my family has changed mine.

I’ve loved Belle from Beauty and the Beast for as long as I can remember, and for a variety of reasons. When I was little, I focused mainly on how pretty she was and how much I’d love a dress like hers. But as I grew older, other elements of character and story started to catch my attention. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, and Belle’s story appealed to it in many ways. Trapped in a castle after an attempt to rescue her father, surrounded by beauty, with the exception of a hideous beast…I loved all these parts of the story, but I loved the ending best, as the “happily ever after” was so much more satisfying than the other princess tales I had grown up with. Belle had actually gotten to know the Beast and was able to look past his appearance to the beauty beneath, a far cry from Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, where the princesses barely knew their prince, and judged mainly by appearance. As we grow, our love of fairy tale characters tends to fade, but my love for Belle has remained strong. The main reason for this is that the things Belle struggles with at the beginning of Beauty and the Beast (except for being bothered by Gaston) are things that I struggle with. Like Belle, I’m very bookish, and sometimes feel left out or isolated, because many people don’t understand my deep love for stories. I also long for adventure, which sometimes causes me to feel restless or discontented. Moving forward, I’m working to have the qualities that Belle develops later in Beauty and the Beast. I’m working to stand up for the people I love and the things I believe are right. I’m working to have the strength to turn back and make reparations when I’ve made a mistake. And, I’m working to look past people’s appearances and see the beauty underneath.

My journey to discovering the right career to pursue has been long. From the age of five and a half, I knew that I wanted to be an author, and for years, I thought that was all I would do. But recently, I realized how unstable income from writing is, and knew that I probably needed to find a second career so I could keep writing without going bankrupt. And there was another factor too: I wanted a career that would be fulfilling. You see, I have a lot of other interests besides writing, ones that I would be willing to pursue in a career setting. I love the Middle Ages and want to learn as much about that time period as possible. I want to travel, so I can study medieval history more closely and learn more about different cultures. I want to learn foreign languages so I can understand others in foreign countries (and in fact, I’ve almost got Spanish under my belt). Until recently, all these different passions swirling around inside me were a huge source of stress as well as joy. I felt very scattered, and wondered, how on earth can I find a career that satisfies all my interests? Or does one even exist? And then, I discovered anthropology. I was perusing a booklet that my top college choice, Sewanee, had sent me, when I stumbled across these words: Ask our anthropology professor about the Holy Wells of Ireland. This caught my eye, as holy wells certainly sounded like a medieval topic. Curious, I decided to look up anthropology online. The word sounded vaguely familiar, but I hadn’t looked into it before, as it sounded too science-ey for me (I hate science with a passion). When I looked it up, I was shocked to discover that anthropology, far from being a purely scientific field, was a career that fulfilled all of my interests, including writing. The more I continued to research, the more I found that convinced me that I had found my dream career. Anthropology involves travel, sometimes for extended periods of time, foreign languages, and history. And not only that, but it’s project oriented, so I could have natural down time in between projects to work on writing. Things seemed too good to be true. So, I decided to talk to Sewanee’s anthropology professor. If there were any deal breakers, I was sure I would hear them from her. My conversation with the anthropology professor lasted for about half an hour, and by the end of it I was absolutely sold on anthropology. I had been terrified that she would say something that would cause me to rethink my interest in the subject, but everything she said only affirmed it. Thrilled, I started to dream about what I wanted my future anthropology career to look like. As of right now, I want to go to Sewanee and major in anthropology, with a minor in classical languages and a certificate in creative writing. In order to have any success in anthropology, college is absolutely necessary. My eventual plan is to get a doctorate in anthropology, as that will give me more of an advantage in my career. I truly believe that anthropology is my dream career, and I believe that college is essential in making that dream come true.

When I first started applying for scholarships, I had a very arrogant attitude. I had grown up loving reading and writing, so I was very confident in my abilities as a writer. I still remember the first scholarships I applied to and the thoughts I had running through my head as I did so: I’m a better writer than other students. Other students might need to work hard on essays, but I don’t. I can churn one out every day. All these thoughts gave me false hope that was quickly defeated. When the first deadline went by and I hadn’t won the scholarship, I felt very frustrated. What happened? I thought. It was a good essay! I should have won! For a while I continued to think these thoughts as deadlines went by and I kept failing to win the coveted prize, but eventually, I began to look over old essays and realize their flaws. I found an extra comma in one, and sloppy writing in others; things that probably showed the scholarship donors that I hadn’t put much work into my essays. Gradually, I started to realize that applying for scholarships was more work than I had thought it would be. Another mistake I made when I first applied for scholarships was to have a lot of them lined up at once. Part of what made me rush through writing my essays was all the scholarships I had piled up. I took a quantity over quality approach, rushing out a lot of sloppy essays and applying to as many scholarships as I could instead of taking a few and really focusing on them. Eventually, the college application season came around, and I took a break from applying to scholarships so I could work on my college essay. That break was good for me, as it gave me time to reflect on the things I had done wrong, and what I wanted to change in the next scholarship go-round. I have two takeaways from my first experience applying for scholarships that I hope will help me in the next phase of my journey. First, less is more. I want to focus on finding a few scholarships to work on carefully instead of going through the mad rush of churning out as many essays as possible. Second, take the essays more seriously. My arrogance did not serve me well the first time, and I need to use my writing abilities to my advantage instead of taking them for granted.

Determination. It’s something I’ve had all my life, and the main way it first displayed itself was in my passion for stories. My mom had read to me since I was a baby, and when I was four years old, I decided that I wanted to learn to read on my own. My mom was reluctant at first, but eventually she gave in and taught me. I’ve been a voracious reader, and writer, ever since. At five and a half, I started writing “books”, sheets of paper folded and taped together with my childish drawings and writing on them. At ten, I wrote a small chapter book that I handed out to friends and family. And at thirteen, I decided that I wanted to get a book published. I didn’t know it then, but the process of getting a book published would be one of the biggest tests of my determination. It took roughly three years of writing, getting people’s input and rewriting before I could send it off to be published. And it took quite a while to find a publisher. Main publishing companies were too lofty a goal to reach, but on the other hand, self-publishing wasn’t lofty enough. I got discouraged, but my determination and my faith in God kept me going. And I’m so thankful it did, because at the perfect time God sent us a publisher. He was the owner of a small publishing company that provided top-notch editing and publishing services while letting you keep the rights to your book. I thought it was perfect. I should have known there was a catch. And that catch was over $3,000. I was furious when I heard how high the price for the publishing services was. I had worked hard to reach $1,000, which is what I thought it would cost, and the thought of having to wait while I raised another $2,000 was almost unbearable. However, even more unbearable was the thought of giving up. So, I went to work. And once again, God provided. He gave me babysitting gigs, work at my grandparents’ house, and other miscellaneous jobs. As a result, I was able to raise the money faster than I anticipated, and start the publishing process. Finally, everything was working out. Then came editing. Editing was one of the hardest parts of the publishing process, and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. My editor was kind enough to point out my successes as well as my mistakes, but their critiques still stung. And there were so many of them! I thought I would never get finished in time to reach my deadline. Even when I was given extra time, I turned in the manuscript at the last minute. After editing, there were a few rounds of proofreading, as well as coming up with a book summary for the back cover and approving the cover and interior designs. Each of these things presented a new challenge, but I kept going. Now, my hard work has just about paid off. The publication of my book is on the horizon, and looking back, I can see that it would not have been possible without God, or determination. I believe that God has given me determination for a special purpose, and I know that the publication of my book is just the beginning. There will be more challenges ahead, and more books to come, and I know that God, and my determination, will help me with each and every one.

Before I begin my story, there is one thing I must confess: I’m not sure I have a medical condition. The one I think I have is self-diagnosed. I’ll tell you my story, and leave you to judge for yourself. The condition I have diagnosed myself with is OCD. From the time I was very little, I knew that something was wrong with me. I would often have strong urges to do things that made no sense, and even if the things were very impractical or embarrassing, I often still did them. For example, I went through a phase where I felt like I had to drop things down the vent in my room. Small things, like an eraser or some accessories from the plastic princesses I played with. Another phase was having to touch everything with both hands. And there were other, more random urges too. I had no idea how to combat them, and this scared me. I often felt ashamed, and never thought to ask for help, I’m not sure why. As I got older, things got better in some ways. I was sometimes able to choose to resist an urge, and as I went on, resisting became easier and easier. Whenever I would struggle with an unwanted urge, I would purposely do the opposite of what the urge was, telling myself, “It’ll be good for your OCD.” And for the most part, that was true. But, I continue to struggle. There are often times when I don’t know if something I’m thinking is true or if it’s just the OCD (or whatever my mental illness is). However, I am continuing to persevere, with the help of God and the things I’ve learned throughout my childhood and early teenage years. As I go forward in life, I hope to continue my mental healing. Maybe I will get an official diagnosis, and maybe not. But either way, I know that I’ll be okay. I’ve got God with me, and at the end of the day, that’s all I need. I know that he’ll protect me and lead me to what my purpose in life is. As of right now, my dream is to attend St. John’s College in Maryland. It is a college that focuses on holistic education, which means that I wouldn’t have to pick a major. This is a great option, as I want to study a variety of topics, including literature, French, and Greek. After that, I want to write books and travel the world, ministering to those I meet as I go. I have a special interest in cultivating relationships with LGBTQ+ people and others who have been hurt by religion or those in religion, especially Christianity. My hope is to meet them where they’re at and give them a safe space to work through the struggles they have. I don’t know how much, if any of this, will happen. But, there is peace in the fact that, if this is what I’m meant to do, I’ll be able to accomplish all of it, even with a mental illness.

It was a typical summer day at Grammy and Daddy Bear’s house. My sister and I had come for a sleepover with our two cousins, and all four of us were enjoying a ride in “Daisy’s truck.” Daisy’s truck was something between a pickup truck and a golf cart, and we absolutely adored it. On some days, we even rode it so much it broke down, and Daddy Bear had to fix it. On this particular day, though, everything was going just fine. We were careening down hills, finding every bump in Grammy and Daddy Bear’s field, and making as much noise as we could manage. Then, suddenly, someone decided to honk the horn. The last time we did this, it wasn’t that entertaining. It had let out a resounding HONK!!! and that was it. This time, though, the horn got stuck. Pandemonium set in. My sister was screaming, one cousin and I were laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe, and my other cousin tried to turn off the horn. This resulted in a sound like honk-honk-HOOOONK!!! This, of course, only made the laughing and screaming louder. At the height of the hilarity, we saw Grammy come from the house with her hands on her hips. At the same time Daddy Bear came around from the “Red Room,” a smaller building near the field, striking the same pose. With a stern look on his face, he motioned for us to come to him. Obediently, we all tumbled out of Daisy’s truck and ran up to him, breathlessly explaining what had happened. Afterwards, we got a short lecture from Grammy on why we should never, ever do that again. She said that she thought one of us was hurt because of all the noise we were making, and that the neighbors might think the same thing. She also said that we should only do something like that if we were actually in trouble. We agreed readily enough, realizing the truth in what she said, but mostly just reveling in the fun we’d had. After all, it isn't every day that the horn on a vehicle gets stuck. Nowadays, we've gone back to avoiding the horn on Daisy’s truck. If I recall, we’ve tried it once since the last incident, but it wasn’t as funny. And besides, we also have Grammy and Daddy Bear to think about, and I don’t want to scare them again.

I love jigsaw puzzles. You could call me a puzzle nut, actually. Some of my most impressive puzzle achievements include doing a round puzzle with an abstract picture, working three puzzles in three days, and flipping puzzles upside down when right side up wasn’t hard enough. One of my top goals with “puzzling” is to do a puzzle that’s all one color. I have yet to find a puzzle that has defeated me (although I have to admit some of them have given me pause), and I always have one going on the game table in the bonus room. I’m not sure of the exact reason why I like puzzles so much, but I do have one theory. I’m a writer, and to me, doing a puzzle is a bit like writing a book. I have lots of pieces of stories in my head, and I’m not sure where all of them are going to go. But when I start writing, the pieces start to fall into place. It’s the same with doing a puzzle. All the pieces are there, but it’s not until I actually start doing the puzzle that I start to figure out what goes where. I really believe in the power of hobbies and how beneficial they are for people. I think sometimes they get underestimated, but they really shouldn’t be. Everyone needs things they can go to just for fun, and for me, one of those things is puzzles. My next puzzle goal: completing a panoramic thousand piece puzzle flipped upside down (I’ve already done it right side up). Wish me luck!

Words are powerful. They can lift someone up, or they can tear them down. They can inspire and empower, or they can suppress and discourage. They can be beautiful, but they can be dangerous too, and the one who wields them must be careful. My life revolves around words. I’m an author, reader, and storyteller, so I have lots of experience with words. However, I still struggle to use them. Sarcasm runs on both sides of the family, so I have a quick, sharp wit that sometimes cuts deeper than I mean it to. In the midst of trying to watch my words, I’ve realized that one of my gifts is encouraging people. Since realizing this, I try to bring the same care to my words that I do when creating a story or biting back a retort. Would this encourage or confuse? Does this combination of words work, or this one? I want my encouragement to be clear, simple and elegant. The main way I encourage people is through text. The impact that one encouraging text can have on someone is immense. I’ve sent many texts that have impacted people more deeply than I could have thought. Another way that I encourage others is through letters. It’s an incredibly special feeling to get an envelope for you in the mail that isn’t a bill or junk. I try to craft my letters as carefully as I do my texts, or even more so. There are two other ways that I encourage people as well: through email and in person. No matter which way I choose to encourage people, though, I always make sure that the encouragement I’m giving is true, not just something I’m telling them so they’ll feel better about themselves. Because, like I said, words are powerful.

If I had one thousand dollars, I’d do several things with it. First, I would pay off the rest of the costs of getting a book published. That would only take fifty to one hundred dollars; I have most of it paid off. My goal has been to pay off the cost of book publishing myself, and one thousand dollars would get me to that goal for sure. Second, I would go on a shopping spree to celebrate my book being published. I’d buy a black hat (I love hats), some earrings, and some rings. I might also add in some cute clothes and a pair of shoes. Frivolous, I know, but hey, I love clothes and accessories, and I’ve rarely bought anything for myself ever since I started saving up for my book. What better way to celebrate it getting published than by going shopping? Third, I’d put the rest in savings for college. All the colleges on my wishlist are private, and as such, they are more expensive. I anticipate having to save every extra dollar towards college, and one thousand dollars (or what’s left over from paying off the book and shopping) would help towards that goal. Every single dollar counts!

When I studied the Revolutionary War in school, Abigail Adams was one of the figures that really stood out. I think I was fascinated to read about a strong female, as so many of the famous figures in history are men, but there were many other things about this woman that caught my attention. To start off, Abigail had an incredible relationship with her husband, John. When reading about the Adamses, the beauty and strength of their marriage, even when John traveled frequently, really stuck out to me and captured my imagination. It was especially interesting to think about all the letters that Abigail and John wrote to each other while John was away. It’s fun to imagine Abigail sitting by candlelight, savoring a letter from John and then taking time away from all the hustle and bustle of caring for children to reply. And John, so many miles away, finding a respite from all the frustrations of politics in a letter from his wife. I believe their frequent writing was part of what kept their marriage so strong, but another large part was the mutual respect they had for one another. That’s another amazing thing about Abigail: She balanced being a faithful wife and mother with knowing what her opinions were and not letting anyone drown them out. She had a strong, quick mind, and saw no need to hide it from anyone. And that’s hard to do, even today. Another quality I really admire in Abigail is her perseverance. During her lifetime, she experienced losing several children and the fear and uncertainty of the Revolutionary War and helping build a new country. Yet, she kept on. According to her, “great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.” She more than lived out those words. She embodied them.

“Don’t give up.” These words have sustained me through so many things. Sometimes when I’m floundering in the waters of temptation, mental struggle, or overwhelming emotions, those three words will pop into my head and give me strength to continue on. “Don’t give up.” So simple, yet so influential in my life. I first heard these words when I was describing some of my mental struggles to my mom. I was very young; not even in my teens yet. But, my mom still took me seriously, and gave me a lot of encouragement and hope, including the three words “don’t give up.” The tone in which she said them was passionate, strong. It gave me the idea that, as long as I was still fighting, I was winning, even if it was a struggle. The problem was if my struggle ceased and I quit trying. I have always remembered that idea, and, even as my mom’s other words from that day have faded from my mind, those three still remain. “Don’t give up.” And I haven’t given up. I’ve had many mental, emotional, and spiritual struggles since that talk with my mom, but I’ve kept on going. And at points, it’s been incredibly hard. There was one period in particular where I almost gave up. Something went very wrong mentally, and I almost went delusional. Part of me even wanted to become delusional, just so I wouldn’t have to keep fighting or have the suspense of wondering whether or not I would keep my sanity. But in the end, I won, with the help of God, my sister, and of course, my mom. And, looking back on that period in my life, and comparing it to where I am now, I am so, so thankful that I didn’t give up.

“In 1815, M. Charles François-Bienvenu Myriel was Bishop of D⸺.” When I first read this sentence, I had no idea that I was about to go on the journey of a lifetime. I would laugh. I would cry. I would even hug the book to my chest and kiss it when I was through. That’s just how obsessed I became with Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Contrary to what one would think when reading the book’s first sentence, Les Misérables’s main character is not a bishop. That role belongs to Jean Valjean, a convict who has spent nineteen years in prison just for stealing a loaf of bread. When he is finally released, he’s hardened and bitter, but all that changes when he meets Bishop Myriel. The kindly old man gives him food and shelter, but he also gives him something much more important: Mercy. When the police catch Valjean making off with Myriel’s valuables, he lets Valjean keep them, telling the police that they were a gift. In this way, he saves Valjean from going back to prison. This act, and Myriel’s telling him that he belongs “no longer to evil, but to good” cuts Valjean to the heart, and sets him on the path to redemption. Valjean’s struggle to do the right thing, and his persistence in choosing it every time, even when it required enormous sacrifice, touched me deeply. However, there are many other aspects of the book that I fell in love with, including this quote: “The pupil dilates in the night, and at last finds day in it, just as the soul dilates in misfortune, and at last finds God in it.” That is the essence of Les Misérables: A man struggling against France’s corrupt politics and his own brokenness, and at last finding God.

I have an all-consuming passion for stories. I learned to read when I was four, and was writing “books” (sheets of paper taped together with clumsy words and illustrations on them) when I was five. Since then, my passion for stories has only grown. One of my favorite things to do is go to a library or a bookstore. As I look around, most of the books I see are unfamiliar, but occasionally I’ll spot favorite titles sticking out of the shelves like old friends greeting me. Victor Hugo. Charlotte Bronte. Arthur Conan Doyle. All of these and more have welcomed me into the pages of their stories, teaching me what the word “literature” means and how to appreciate it. I’d always loved reading, but literature took me to a new level in both education and my growth as a person. As wonderful as literature is, my favorite way to express my passion for stories is to make new ones. I’ve known that I was meant to be an author for a long time, and creating new stories is one of my favorite things. Whenever I come up with an inspiration or title for a story, mull older ones over in my head, or succeed in making the pieces of a plot click, I feel something that is hard to express. It is happiness, satisfaction, excitement, and the knowledge that I am in my element. It is the joy of creating something born out of who I am, and knowing that someday others will enjoy reading it just as much as I enjoyed making it. In short, it is the joy of stories, and the ability to share them with the world.

My answer to the first question is: why don’t I deserve this scholarship? I’m smart, determined, and dream of going to a prestigious college and getting a fantastic education. I also dream of winning scholarships, but that dream hasn’t come true yet (hint hint). My answer to the second question: I hope to double major in Creative Writing and Medieval Studies. Hopefully this will launch me to a well-paying career that has something to do with history, as well as helping me to become an author, which is a dream I’ve had ever since I was a kid. My answer to the third question is that I’m still overcoming obstacles all the time. Some of them are small, like dragging myself out of bed to exercise in the morning, and some are bigger, like trying to earn money for college. I’m doing the best I can to overcome them, and know that my hard work will pay off eventually.

I love jigsaw puzzles. You could call me a puzzle nut, actually. Some of my most impressive puzzle achievements include doing a round puzzle with an abstract picture, working three puzzles in three days, and flipping a couple puzzles upside down when right side up wasn’t hard enough. One of my top goals with “puzzling” is to do a puzzle that’s all one color. I have yet to find a puzzle that has defeated me (although I have to admit some of them have given me pause), and I pretty much always have one going on the bonus room game table.. I’m not sure of the exact reason why I like puzzles so much, but I do have one theory. I’m a writer, and to me, doing a puzzle is a bit like writing a book. I have all these pieces of stories in my head, and I’m not exactly sure where all of them are going to go. But when I start writing, the pieces start to fall into place. It’s the same with doing a puzzle- all the pieces are there, but it’s not until I actually start doing the puzzle that I start to figure out exactly what’s going on. Interestingly enough, sometimes doing puzzles helps me come up with story ideas. I kind of get into a “zone” when working on one, and it’s easy for my mind to go to other places. I think doing puzzles even improves my brain function–it’s easier for me to listen when I’m doing them. In the evenings my dad will read to me, and it’s a lot of fun to do a puzzle while listening. I really believe in the power of hobbies and how beneficial they are for people. I think sometimes they get underestimated, but they really shouldn’t be. Everyone needs something (or things) they can go to just for fun, and for me, one of those things is puzzles. My next puzzle goal: completing a panoramic thousand piece puzzle flipped upside down (I’ve already done it right side up). Wish me luck!

The best piece of financial advice I’ve ever received is to save money. Yep, that’s it. Save money. I’ve followed this advice really well for the most part, and it’s really paid off (no pun intended). In Dave Ramsay’s Personal Finance course for homeschoolers, I learned that when it comes to money, there are two types of people: savers and spenders. I realized that I’m naturally a saver, and continued to work on earning and saving money after the course was over. I did this for two reasons: one, I wanted to get into the habit since I anticipate needing to save a lot of money in the future, and two, I was trying to get a book published. The company I’m working with to publish my book is helping me self-publish, which means that I actually have to pay them. This would be fine, except that the costs come to over $3,000. So, I put my saving skills to work, and now I have almost enough saved to pay off all the costs! It just goes to show what can happen when you save your money. Now, to be clear, there is nothing wrong with spending money. Even while saving for my book, I’ve spent money on a few purchases. I mean, some things are just too good to pass up, and then you have holidays like Christmas where you have to buy gifts for a bunch of people. The point I’m trying to make is that overall, saving is the best idea.

Motivation. I’ve had it ever since the beginning of my existence. I was holding my head up at six weeks old (or even before), walking at nine months, and learning to read at four years old. Since then, my motivation has only kept on growing. It’s a valuable quality, and one that I’m very proud of. The reason I value my motivation is that it has enabled me to keep going through the challenges in my life. Some challenges have been small, like doing a few chores every day to earn money. Others have been a bit bigger, like jogging three times a week (roughly). There’s one particular stretch of road near the beginning of my runs where I always feel like giving up, but I make myself keep going. Some of my biggest challenges, however, have to do with my education. One good example is scholarships–I’m applying to a ton of scholarships because the college I want to get into is very expensive, but so far have not won any of them. I have to admit, it’s incredibly discouraging to watch the deadlines go by and always see the scholarship go to someone else. But I’m not giving up. I want to get into that college and have the means to pay for it, even if it means taking the hard path to get there. Down the road, I believe my motivation will help me in many ways. During college, for example. I’m considering double majoring (in creative writing and medieval studies). Needless to say, that would be a LOT of work! And there is no way I would get it done without lots of motivation. Another good example would be getting a career–I don’t want some run-of-the-mill job that brings me no joy. I never, ever want to sit at a desk all day or flip burgers. That brings some people joy, and that’s great! But it’s definitely not my thing. I want a job with versatility that fits my passions and personality. I”m not yet sure what that looks like, but I’d like it to have something to do with history. Oh, and, I also want to be an author, which probably means I’ll get rejected by publishers at first. You know what’ll keep me going even when that happens? You guessed it: Motivation. I’m very grateful for the gift that motivation is, and the ways it helps me in everyday life. More than that, though, I’m grateful for my mom, who pointed this quality out in me, and grateful to God for giving me this gift in the first place. I truly believe he’s given me this motivation for a reason, and I can’t wait to see all the places it takes me.

The couple watched fondly as their small daughter ran across the grass of the park, chasing a big orange butterfly. “Isn’t she adorable?” the mother cooed. “Yeah, she’s a pretty sweet kid,” the father said a little gruffly, for he wasn’t one to display his emotions. However, he shared the exact same sentiment as the mother, thinking that their child must be the most adorable in the world. Who could resist the small fat feet, barely seeming to touch the grass, or that winning smile? Truly, their child was a work of art. The butterfly gasped as he flew, wings beating frantically in order to get away from the hideous monster chasing him. From time to time he turned to see if he had made any progress, and was horrified to learn that the monster was gaining on him. It was now close enough for him to see its horrible, round eyes, its wide, gaping smile, its flailing hands. Its feet, huge and fat, seemed to shake the earth, throwing the butterfly off track. The butterfly beat his wings even harder, zigzagging or changing direction every now and then to try to trick the monster. The monster, however, seemed determined to catch him. “Come on, Rosie!” the child’s mother cheered. “You can catch the butterfly!” “Come on!” the butterfly yelled at himself, although the yell came out more like a pant. “You can escape the monster! Just a few more feet, and you’ll reach the woods!” “Rosie, don’t go in the woods!” the child’s father shouted. “Come back!” From far away, the child’s parents could see the beginnings of a scowl. “Oh, boy,” the father muttered. “Here comes a tantrum.” The butterfly looked behind him again, and saw a horrifying expression twist across the monster’s face. He let out a small shriek of fear, and flapped as hard as he possibly could. Only a few more inches now, then he’d be in the woods… The child’s father ran and caught her just as she was about to step into the woods. “No, Rosie,” he said. “It’s time to leave the butterfly alone. Let’s go home, and you can play with your toys.” The child started to shriek and cry, and yelled, “I want to catch the butterfly!” “I know, I know,” the father said soothingly. “But it’s time to go home.” The butterfly looked behind him one last time, and nearly fainted as he discovered that there was an even bigger monster behind him, more hideous than the first. I’m done for, he thought despondently. But, to his surprise, the monster didn’t even look at him. Instead, it grabbed the tiny monster and swung it into its arms. As it carried it away from the butterfly, the tiny monster started to shriek and shout something. The butterfly couldn’t make it out, but he was sure that it was some obscenity directed at him. However, it didn’t matter now. The butterfly alighted on a tree, and his heart swelled with gratitude toward the huge monster, as the fact sunk in that he was safe. As the parents and their child were leaving, the child shouted, “Kitty!” The parents turned, and could just make out a small brown shape heading for the woods. “That’s right Rosie, that’s a kitty,” the mother smiled, marveling at how perceptive her child was. Just as the butterfly started to relax, it saw a huge, furry, terrifying shape enter the woods. In a few minutes, it would be close enough to see him. “Oh no,” the butterfly groaned, and flexed his wings, and prepared to fly again.

Hi, I’m Lena. It’s nice to meet you. You’d like me to tell you something about myself? All right. There are three things I’d like you to know: I’m passionate, creative and driven. You’d like me to expound? Well, if you insist. My passions are many and varied: Reading and writing are foremost. Then comes the Middle Ages, learning foreign languages and traveling. My creativity is versatile. It ranges from thinking of plot twists for my stories to experimenting with jewelry. My drivenness is easily explained. Whenever I decide on a goal, I work as hard as I can to reach it. And that's really all I have to say.

I like helping people. Whether it’s something big or something small, I like to find ways to make people’s days a little easier. One big way that I like to help people is clearing the dishes off the table after a meal. Sounds super easy and unimportant, right? Well, sometimes those small, seemingly insignificant things are the kind that make people’s day. For example, at my grandmother (Grammy)’s house, I make it a point to take people’s dishes after they’ve eaten. She loves it, and is very appreciative whenever I do so. Another thing I like to do is help out at my church. The tech team and children’s ministry both really need help, and I’ve got the time to give it. I run a camera on the tech team one Sunday a month (sometimes more if needed), and I help out with the kids every week. Yet another way I try to help out is by babysitting. I’ve got one family that I babysit for quite a bit, and I’m always willing to help out here and there when another family needs me. Right now I’m mostly in the phase where I’m gathering more clients, so I don’t get that much business, but it seems to be growing a little. The last main way I help out is by volunteering at my local library. The library’s been an incredible resource for me, and I want to give back to it. I go there once a week for two hours, and I love it! Other than that, the ways I enjoy helping people are totally random. Helping people comes in all shapes and forms, some of them enjoyable, some not. But either way, it’s important to me to make a difference in people's lives.

Ever since I took Dave Ramsay’s Personal Finance class, I’ve been determined to have as little debt and interest in my life as possible. The course went into the horrors of loans, credit cards, and debt, and I am proud to say that I do not have any of those in my life right now. And I intend to keep things that way. For starters, I have a goal of getting through college with zero student loans and, by extension, zero student debt. I’ve been working my tail off trying to get scholarships for college, and plan to do so until I’ve got all four years of college paid off. It’s definitely the harder route right now, but hopefully it’ll pay off (no pun intended) in the future. Second, I plan on always buying used cars. All I need is a car that works; I don’t need to always have the hottest new vehicle. My priority is to have plenty of money for traveling the world, and that versus having a new car and probably debt… I’m sure you get my point. Third, I hope to have a smaller house with very few expenses. It would be nice to buy a fixer-upper and just pay as I fix it up, but I’ll probably have to deal with a mortgage. That’s okay, as long as I keep things under control. Now, let me make myself clear: it’s not bad to have cool cars and big houses. What’s bad is when people care more about those things than being responsible with their finances. I know the damage that debt can do, and I hope to always escape from that nightmare. Being debt-free is very important to me, and using the guidelines above, I hope to stay that way all my life.

I’ve been writing all my life. Well, I guess that’s a bit of an exaggeration–I don’t want to give people the wrong picture (although the picture of a baby turning in an essay or having a book signing is pretty funny). But I have been writing ever since I was very young, and have wanted to be an author ever since I can remember. I wrote my first “book” when I was five and a half, and, except for a short phase where I wanted to be an archaeologist, that’s never changed. My homeschool education has been very influential in all of my life, and writing is no exception. The curriculum we use doesn’t make you memorize grammatical terms and such; instead, it introduces a concept (tense, for example), then gives you a structured way to write about that concept. I learn by doing, and that’s exactly what this curriculum teaches. It’s been a great way to stretch my writing muscles, and I’ve written some pretty fun pieces. While grammar has definitely helped me improve my writing skills, I try to improve them in other ways as well. A couple things I like to do are reading books on writing and paying attention to the styles of other writers. Each person has a unique way of writing, and it can be fun to experiment with each one. For example, one author uses short sentences at important moments to emphasize a point or to make his cliffhangers more impactful. I experimented with this technique, and discovered that I like it. A lot. While all the things listed above are great, my favorite way to practice writing is just by…well…writing. Like I said, I learn by doing. For me, there’s no better way to learn writing than just going for it!

J.K. Rowling. Lois Lowry. Suzanne Collins. Jeff Kinney. Do you know what all four of these people have in common? They’re all famous authors. Their books have sold millions of copies, been made into movies, and more important than all that, impacted people all over the world. When I say I want to be an author, that’s the kind of author I want to be. My dreams of famous authorship are still a ways away from being completed, as far as I know. I’m getting a book published, but it’s done by a small company and, unless God works a miracle, probably won’t get out to a ton of people. But that’s all right. That gives me more time to mature, and for my writing to get better. If I do become a well-known author, I’d love to use the money from my books to travel the world. Traveling is another huge goal, but unfortunately, you need a decent amount of money to do so. I hope to make enough money to travel comfortably multiple times per year, but worst case scenario, I have to travel cheaper and less often than I want to. And really, that’s not too bad. One day I hope to get all my income from writing. It would be wonderful to work as much as I want to on my next novel while still getting income from the most recent one. But, who knows? Maybe I’ll have to have a more consistent job for a while, or always have to have a consistent job and write as a side gig. But either way, I’ll be getting my stories out for people to enjoy. I’m not writing for money; that’s just the icing on the cake. I’m writing because it’s what I’m made to do.

The goal that is nearest in the future for me is earning enough money to go to college. And not just any college; I’m hoping for one with prestige. Notre Dame and Sewanee are the top two candidates. While in college, I hope to cross some more goals off the list, such as learning Greek, as well as kick-starting some larger goals. While in college, I hope to study abroad, and from there plan on traveling the world. The list of places I plan on visiting is too big to include here, but some of my top spots include France, Scotland, and Greece. I’m even considering living in France, or somewhere else in Europe. That would make one of my other goals a little easier to accomplish: immersing myself in the Middle Ages. Before I go any further, let me get one thing straight: I’m a purist. In the case of studying the Middle Ages, that means that I want to go beyond studying it. I want to experience it. Of course, living in America makes that hard right now, but in the future… While traveling, I hope to find a place that can teach me archery the medieval way, and a place where I can study some medieval manuscripts. I might even take a sword fighting class (yes, those actually exist)! I’m also planning on taking up calligraphy again and hope to live in a home that has existed since the Middle Ages (although that might prove difficult). Regardless of whether these other goals come true, I’ll be writing. I’d love to become famous, but that’s more a dream than a goal. I don’t have many goals centered around writing; I do it just for the love of it, not ambition. And for me, that’s saying a lot.

My passions fuel my life. Especially writing. Even if all my other passions go away, I know I’ll still have writing. It’s a part of me, a skill that I’ve been using and cultivating ever since I was very young. But let me tell you about my other passions first. My overarching passion besides writing is the Middle Ages. I love the Middle Ages. Without my interest in it, I probably never would have found any of my other passions. There’s just something about the Middle Ages that I can’t resist, and I plan on studying it all my life (I believe God embedded this interest in my heart because of some other things that have happened in my life, but that’s a different, very long story). The first passion that came out of my interest in the Middle Ages was travel. It started with wanting to see castles and cathedrals, and grew from there. My travel list is huge, and just keeps on growing! My urge to travel, or “wanderlust,” as I’ve found out it’s called, led me to realize that learning foreign languages would probably be a good idea. I started with Spanish, and hope to take French my senior year of high school. From there I hope to learn Greek, Italian, German, Latin, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, Elvish (yes, as in Lord of the Rings), and maybe even old English! Now, on to writing. As I said, I’ve been writing ever since I was very young, and except for a brief archaeology phase, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. It comes to me naturally, and fewer things in life give me greater joy. Writing, and all my other passions, are the fuel for my life. They are God-given, and I am so grateful for each one.

Nature is incredible. There is nothing like feeling a summer breeze drift across your face, watching a sunset or smelling the aroma of rain. Every object in nature is unique and inspiring, and being out in nature soothes the soul. One of the reasons that I love nature is that I see God in every part of it. From the sweeping power of the ocean to the most delicate details on a butterfly’s wing, I see evidence for a creator. Over the years, science has taken over; Darwin, Hawking and others have denied the existence of God and proposed different theories for how this world came into being, but I simply can’t take those theories seriously. Earth hangs in an incredibly different balance, and holds many creatures of stunning variety. To me, all that is definitive proof that there is a God. The second reason I love nature is that it satisfies something deep in my soul. I’m easily moved by beauty, whether it’s in words or images, and there’s something about nature that I find especially moving. It gives me a mixture of peace, awe and joy, deeply connected with my belief in a creator and my love of beauty. It doesn’t take much to at least partially satisfy this feeling, but I look forward to the day when I can visit places that will satisfy it a bit more. I dream of seeing all kinds of natural landscapes, from the lush beauty of Britain’s countryside to the stark awe of the Grand Canyon. But until then, I can look at the rosebush outside my bedroom window, look up at the few stars that manage to shine through the light pollution, and feel the grass tickle my feet, and be reminded of how it all points back to God.

When I hear the term “bucket list,” I usually think of a list of things that a person sort of hopes to do but probably never will. I don’t know why, and it’s probably not true; that’s just the impression I get. My “bucket list” actually has a different name: General Goals. And I hope to accomplish every item on it. First on the list is “ride a train.” As of right now I’m thinking Blue Ridge Railway might be nice; I’ve heard it’s got some great views. Next is visiting a cat cafe. Cats are very near and dear to my heart (our family has two at home), and I love the idea of sipping on coffee while hanging out with some furry friends. Seeing a play at Sight and Sound Theaters would be cool; they recreate Bible stories on the stage, and supposedly the special effects are epic. Mozart’s The Magic Flute is another thing I want to go see; it looks a little insane, but fun too! At some point, I'm not sure when, I want to get into watching ballet. The Nutcracker, The Firebird, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake all interest me, and I think it would be amazing to see them live. I want to do some more active things as well. At some point, I want to ride an extreme zip line and an extreme swing. I’ve done a couple zip lines and one extreme swing before, but they weren’t intense enough for me. To be honest, I haven’t accomplished any of the goals on my bucket list yet. I haven’t even listed all of them for lack of room. But, I’m still young, and life has a lot to offer. In short, I’ve got time.

There are two things I believe make up the meaning of life: seeking God and serving others. I try to live out both of these things, and while I’m by no means perfect at either of them, they have made my life much, much richer. I wasn’t always interested in God. I thought maybe he didn’t exist, or that he did and just didn’t care about me. It’s a long, crazy story, but eventually I came to realize that God did care about me. I started truly seeking him, and he gave me more and more clarity on the way. I got baptized on November 10th, 2019, and my seeking God has only grown from there. As I started getting more serious about pursuing God, I also became more interested in serving others. I’d done a little volunteering and such before, but now I was ready to commit to something bigger. I joined my church’s tech team, and also started working in the kids ministry. I continue both of these things today, and while draining, they’re both great ways for me to contribute to my church family. Another way I help others is by babysitting. There is one family with five kids that I babysit for; the work can get pretty stressful but I know the family needs help, plus the kids are sweet (and funny), which makes them easier to deal with. Recently, I’ve also started volunteering at my local library. I’ve been coming there for years, and decided that I wanted to give back to the library in exchange for all it’s given to me. The work has been rewarding so far, as are most things that give back to a community. And behind it all is the feeling that I’m honoring God by what I do.

I love jigsaw puzzles. You could call me a puzzle nut, actually- I’ve been known to flip puzzles upside-down when doing them right side up wasn’t hard enough, and one of my goals is to do a puzzle that’s all one color. I find puzzles to be a great way to exercise my mind, and I pretty much always have one going in the bonus room upstairs. Jigsaw puzzles aren’t the only type I like to do; I also like word puzzles. I love curling up on my bed and doing a crossword or something with some good music on my CD player. Which leads me to my next hobby: collecting CDs. I started my CD collection years ago, and so far it mostly consists of Christian music and soundtracks. Recently, however, I’ve discovered a love for medieval music. I plan on collecting CDs by Capella Romana, Dufay Collective, and other artists who focus on medieval music. Yet another hobby I have is anything to do with books. I love both reading and collecting books, and one of my end goals is to have an extensive library, filled with medieval and Victorian literature. I also plan on collecting all the works of some specific authors, including Victor Hugo, J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton. So far I’m not doing too badly- I’ve got quite a few Tolkien books, four Hugo books and three by G.K. Chesterton. I’ll get there! All in all, hobbies are a wonderful part of life. When you have some free time, want to relax or are simply bored, hobbies are a great thing to turn to. There’s a unique happiness that comes from doing something purely for the fun of it, and that’s what hobbies are all about.

My heart sank as my mom told me how expensive it would be to get my book published. $3,475. That was way more than I thought it would be! Why, why, why did it have to be so expensive? Ever since I had seen a newspaper article about a teenager publishing a book, I decided it was time for me to get a book published too. I had been writing for a long time, and had even handed out books to family and friends, but I was ready to take things one step further. So I wrote the book. I edited it, let my family read it, sent it off to a couple trusted friends to read, and edited it some more. And I saved up for it. At the most, I thought it might be a thousand dollars. But three thousand? That was a lot! And it was going to take me so long to save all that up, and I really didn’t want to delay publishing… I was frustrated, but eventually I realized that I had no other choice, because I definitely wasn’t going to give up altogether. The book publishing was put off, and I started saving up. For quite a while, I worked and worked and worked. I saved up almost every penny from gift money and jobs done at home, and babysat. Some family members even chipped in a bit, and it was so cool to see how excited they were about the book. As of right now, I’m over halfway to my goal. It’s been amazing, watching my work start to pay off, and seeing the support from family and friends. It just goes to show what persistence, both by you and others, can do.

John Singer Sargent’s Lady Agnew of Lochnaw has fascinated me ever since I first saw it. It depicts a young lady in a white dress and lavender sash reclining against a chair, a hard-to-read expression on her face. There are several things about the paintings that interest me; a huge gem hanging from Lady Agnew’s neck, the Chinese characters on the drapery in the background, and Lady Agnew’s expression, to name a few. But the main thing that has always drawn me to this painting is Lady Agnew’s striking beauty. Her ivory skin, dark hair, green eyes are like something out of a novel. And all her beauty was completely natural. Lady Agnew of Lochnaw was painted in 1892, well before everyone had started using makeup all the time. That means that all her beauty was real, not something that can be bought and put on. That gives the painting a slightly deeper meaning in my eyes. In these days of obsession with makeup, where we can’t even tell what some people look like anymore, it’s refreshing to see a beautiful face that wasn’t feigned. But I sometimes take the meaning even deeper. Lady Agnew of Lochnaw reminds me that, while not all of us look like Lady Agnew without makeup, it’s good to let more of our natural self show. We don’t have to plaster our faces in makeup all the time, and besides, as the saying goes, true beauty comes from within. I don't know what Lady Agnew’s character was like, but chances are, if it was unpleasant, her beauty would have started to seem less attractive. And in this world of obsession with appearances, that is a valuable lesson to remember.

I stared up at my bedroom ceiling, sunlight streaming through the curtains. For the first time in my life, I didn’t want to get up. I was terrified at the fact of facing the day ahead of me. Would today be the day I finally lost my sanity? It was late 2020. I had been having a flare-up of an issue I had struggled with off and on for years, and had finally resolved it once and for all by talking to my mom. I felt almost euphoric, I was so happy. But then another issue flared up. When I was younger, I struggled a lot with OCD tendencies, and sometimes mild delusions. But this time was different. It literally felt like I was going insane. Sometimes, I even wanted to go insane. All day long, I was fighting delusions. I couldn’t do hardly anything I loved- I couldn’t read, because I would think that the story in the book was real and reality was just a fantasy, I could barely watch TV for pretty much the same reason, and I couldn’t pray much, because one of my delusions was thinking I was God. It was absolutely hellish, and I was terrified that I wouldn’t get through with my sanity intact. I imagined life without being in my right mind. I kept thinking of insane asylums, of never enjoying life again. But I made it, with help from God, and my sister. One of the few things I could still do was play cards, and my sister played countless games with me. I’m so grateful to both her and God for getting me through one of the roughest mental patches of my life, and thankful to be whole again.

The most inspiring book I’ve read is the Bible. I feel like that sounds a little cliche, not to mention holier-than-thou: “Oh, I’m a Christian, my favorite book is the Bible.” Am I right? But that's not what I mean. I’m trying to be holier-than-thou, nor am I planning on getting all weird and preachy, like, “All of you should be reading the Bible, you sinners!” I truly believe that God has used his Word for my good, and it continues to uplift and amaze me whenever I read it. One of my favorite things about the Bible is the way everything ties together so beautifully. It’s clear from the get-go that God has a plan for all of creation, and I love watching it come together as I read. Another thing I love is the symbolism. I’ll give Isaiah 36:6-7 as an example: in these verses, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, is talking to some of Israel’s main officials. He tells them that instead of relying on God, they are relying on Egypt, whom he compares to a splintered staff that will pierce people’s hands when they lean on it. I believe it’s beyond coincidence that later on, Jesus gets his hands pierced when he dies on the cross. It’s a metaphor; it tells us that our option is either to have our hands pierced by the worldly things we lean on, or lean on Jesus, the one whose hands were pierced for us. I could go on and on with more metaphors and examples, but for now, suffice it to say that the Bible only gets richer the more it’s read. I believe it’s the best book ever written, and I can’t wait to see some other ways that God will use it in my life.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. It started with taping sheets of paper together and writing the stories as I came up with them, and has gradually progressed since then. I’ve written a couple of stories that I’ve handed out to family and friends, and now I’m getting a book published. But I don’t plan on stopping there. Someday I’d like to write a book that makes it to a main publishing company. The one I’m working on right now is done by a small publishing company, and while that’s fine for now, I’d like to make it big someday, so I can reach as many people as possible. I want to give my readers a unique reading experience, one that will keep them thinking even after they’ve turned the last page. There are two things I plan to put in each of my books: good values and ideas for the reader to mull over, and relatable characters. I believe these things are very intertwined, and I love weaving stories together with them in mind. Forget goody-two-shoes heroes and silly villains, let’s see a hero struggle to conquer their temper or a villain get redemption. Formulaic plots are my arch-nemesis when it comes to reading and writing, and I don’t plan on any of my plots being formulaic. All that being said, whether I make it big or not, the main goal is for people to genuinely enjoy my books. I want to give them a unique reading experience, and it’ll be worth it whether I’m doing it for five people or five million. I’m going to be honest, I’d rather it was five million, but the point is, no matter if I become famous or not, I’m going to keep writing.

There are two things that I consider essential to living a long, happy life: moderation and staying active. Nowadays, there are lots of diets and weight loss programs, some of which work, but some of which only result in causing stress about diet and weight, without resulting in any actual benefits. This is where moderation comes in. Some people actually need to be on a diet, but for those who don’t, I would offer some advice: just listen to your body. Do you feel good, and are pretty sure you can safely eat a hamburger? Go for it! On the other hand, if you feel sick, stay away from foods that will trigger your stomach. It’s all about having self-control and knowing your body well. Paying attention to your body is important, but keeping it fit is too. This can be a problem for some people, but all you have to do is find a form of exercise you enjoy. If you do, it’ll be a lot easier to stick to it. There are tons of ways to exercise out there, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one you enjoy. Lastly, I believe that you should stay active mentally as well as physically. My favorite way to do this is reading, but “different strokes for different folks,” as the saying goes. There are tons of hobbies and games out there that both challenge your mind and are tons of fun! Again, just find what works for you, and it’ll be a lot easier to stick to it. Well, there you have it: those are my two secrets to living a long, happy life. I firmly believe in both of these things, and practice what I preach. Come back in 65 years or so, and we’ll see if I’m right.

I’m passionate about the Middle Ages. Castles, monks, weapons… you name a medieval topic, I want to learn more about it. In fact, I’m more interested in the Middle Ages than I am by most of modern culture. For example, I can’t tell you what the latest TikTok trend is, but I can tell you the exact date of the Battle of Hastings (October 14th, 1066). My passion for the Middle Ages is where almost all my other interests stem from. Early on in my studies, I decided that I didn’t just want to study the Middle Ages, I wanted to experience it. I do archery, I’ve done calligraphy (and plan to start it up again soon), I want to travel the world and learn foreign languages, and I hope to collect every book written in the Middle Ages (that last will almost definitely be the hardest!) The thing I love most about the Middle Ages is how long of a time period it is. I’ll never know everything about it, but that’s okay! There’ll always be something new to learn or discover. And that’s the case with any passion, really. It’s part of what makes them so fun to have.

My Christian faith makes giving very important to me. I believe that we’re all supposed to give back in what ways we can, and I try to do that as much as possible. I volunteer on the tech team and with the kids at my church, I babysit, I donate money to causes I care about, I volunteer at my local library, and I help out in many small ways as well, whether it’s around the house or out and about. Because here’s the thing about giving: it helps you as well as the people you give to. There’s a certain magical quality about giving- usually it feels so good that you want to do it again. A lot of times when I decide to volunteer or help someone, I feel invigorated afterwards. I believe that God has created the wonderful feeling we get when we give; he makes everything work for the good of everyone, and giving is no exception. Now, don’t get me wrong, giving can be hard too. While I enjoy most of the ways I volunteer on a regular basis, helping out on the tech team is not even close to being my favorite thing. I have to donate a large chunk of my time doing it, and camera work is usually quite boring. Babysitting can also be unpleasant; some days the kids are pretty temperamental, and it can be very hard to get them to reconcile when they argue or get the youngest to cooperate. But, that’s another situation where my help counts for a lot. All in all, fun or not, giving is a necessary and often joy filled part of life, and it’s important never to underestimate its value.

I’ve been serving my community in several ways, like being on the tech team and helping out with the kids ministry at my church and volunteering at the library, but the way I’ve served the most this year is by babysitting and being a “Mother’s Helper” to a family friend. A Mother’s Helper is like babysitting, but with a twist: the mom is still at home. I have to keep the three younger kids occupied while she does school with the two oldest, and needless to say, this can get a bit hectic. The kids I watch are ages seven, four and two, and the younger two are still in the phase where it’s the end of the world if they don’t get what they want, which can be hard to handle. Another challenge is the way the kids entertain themselves. Some of the things they do for fun are pretty unique, and I never really know what they’re going to throw at me. For example, last time I watched them I learned that the seven year old and four year old have dubbed themselves the “bug killers,” which means that they smash stink bugs and put their bodies into any container they see fit, sometimes while humming snatches of a theme song. It was actually pretty entertaining to watch; I preferred that to when they were playing with Barbies and I had to keep the two year old away from their play area so I wouldn’t incur the wrath of the four year old (which can be quite impressive, let me tell you). However, even with all of its challenges, it can be a lot of fun to serve others. I can’t wait to see what serving opportunities I get in 2022!

Whenever a storm comes, I get excited. I have so many good memories that have to do with storms: my dad sitting out on the porch watching the rain, the feeling of settling down with a good book or movie while it was pouring outside, the excitement on the rare occasions when a blackout would happen… even simply hearing the thunder, lightning and rain makes me happy. Another thing I love is an ugly old recliner we have upstairs. It’s peach and floral patterned, and while my mom thinks it’s ugly, I find it beautiful. I’ve spent many an afternoon curled up in it, revisiting a favorite book. A while ago we got a new couch and chair so we had to move it, but when mom wanted to get rid of it entirely, I intervened. It now occupies a different corner of the upstairs, complete with a lamp that I switch on whenever I’m about to read. Yet another thing I love is writing. In fact, writing may be the thing that gives me the most satisfaction. There are few things I love better than creating new characters, plots and descriptions. Writing is a magical experience- as countless authors have said, sometimes the stories seem to write themselves. To me, one of the most satisfying feelings imaginable is when a story comes together perfectly, without me even trying! All in all, the simple pleasures in life are some of the best pleasures in life. There’s a sweet satisfaction that comes from these things, one you can’t get anywhere else. In a way, it’s like writing: it’s magical.

I’ve been writing books all my life. Well, I guess that’s a bit of an exaggeration- I don’t want to give people the wrong picture (although the picture of a baby meeting with their editor or having a book signing is pretty funny). But I have been writing ever since I was very young, and have wanted to be an author ever since I can remember. I wrote my first “book” when I was five and a half, and, except for a short phase where I wanted to be an archaeologist, I’ve never looked back. My homeschool education has been very influential in all of my life, and writing is no exception. The curriculum we use doesn’t make you memorize grammatical terms and such; instead, it introduces a concept (tense, for example), then gives you a structured way to write about that concept. I learn by doing, and that’s exactly what this curriculum is teaching. It’s been great, and I’ve written some pretty fun pieces. Another way I’ve improved my writing skills is by reading. Reading is so much more than just enjoying a good story. It’s learning about the author, and about the art of language in general. Each author has a different style, and once you get a feel for it you can experiment and have fun with it. The nice thing about writing is that you never run out of ideas. There are always new plots to write, new twists to come up with, and new concepts to explore. It’s been awesome to see the ways I’ve improved so far, and I can’t wait to see the ways I’ll grow and improve in the future!

I absolutely love the song “Wait For It,” from the musical Hamilton. Some parts of it aren’t that great; for example, the beginning talks about having an affair with someone else’s wife, but the main theme of the song really resonates with me. Aaron Burr, the main character in the song, vents about how Alexander Hamilton, his opponent in more ways than one, is getting ahead of him. Burr is extremely frustrated, but also willing to wait for when his turn will come. He knows there has to be a reason he’s around, and he’s willing to wait for it. I relate to this sentiment very, very deeply. I crave the spotlight, but none of my talents are the flashy type. My sister is the opposite: her talents are pretty noticeable and she gets the spotlight more than I do, but she's all right with staying in the background. This really frustrates me, just like Hamilton’s success did Burr. But, like Burr, I know I’ve been created for a reason, and I believe that I’ll do amazing things in this world. I don’t know what, and I don’t know when, but I’m willing to wait for it.

Division. We see it everywhere. The news, social media, school, work… it's a dangerous monster, and if we don’t start fighting it soon, it will consume our society. The thing that gives the most fuel to division’s flame is the fact that we have forgotten how to disagree respectfully. There’s a difference between disagreeing with someone and hating them, but our culture seems to have forgotten that. Whenever someone disagrees, “Cancel Culture” comes for them. Yes, some of these people have been very disrespectful of others, but they aren’t the only ones in the wrong. Opinions are important, and if no one can have them, a lot of our diversity will be shut down. We need to give people the freedom to disagree, as long as they do it in a polite and respectful manner. One way to combat division is to listen. Just listen to what people have to say, and when you respond, do so with gentleness and respect. Now, I’m the first to admit that this is easier said than done. I love to talk about myself and am very competitive, which isn’t a great combination. The truth, hard as it is for me and others like me to swallow, is that you don’t have to win every debate (well, unless you’re in a debate club). I’d prefer to dominate an argument or debate, but I know that that can lead to disaster. If we’ll start listening, people will start talking. Some of them won’t want to talk about anything but themselves, but some might appreciate that you’re willing to listen, and might be willing to listen in return. Risky? Yes. Worth a shot? Absolutely.

Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables took me by surprise. It caught my eye every time I looked at the bottom shelf of one of the upstairs bookcases; an old, thick volume that looked very overwhelming to read. But then one of my friends started gushing about it, and my dad spoke well of it too, so I decided to read it. I was hooked from the first page, and only fell deeper in love with it as I got further into the story. Les Miserables has plenty of good values- redemption, love and mercy, to name a few- and that alone makes it worth reading. But that, though it’s still very important, is not the thing that made me fall in love with this book. What I love most, and what caught me by surprise, is the intensity with which Hugo draws you into the story. His character and scenario descriptions, which seem excessively detailed at first, soon make for a story whose depth and complexity I haven’t yet seen paralleled in literature. It makes for a stunning read, and I can’t wait to discover new treasures in its pages.

I want to live in a castle. Yes, you read this right: a castle. For several years, I’ve been interested in the Middle Ages, and I don’t just want to study it, I want to experience it. The idyllic life for me is moving into a castle somewhere in Europe (possibly France), renovating it, using some of the rooms as an Airbnb, and giving tours as a unique way for people to learn about the Middle Ages. I’d love to deck it out with authentic suits of armor, weapons, replicas of medieval furniture, tapestries, etc. Oh, and, of course it’ll have to have a huge library, with a wide variety of books and maybe some nice furniture to relax and read in. If the castle doesn’t work out, my second plan is to have a smaller house that combines the medieval and modern in terms of decoration and such. But, no matter where I end up, I probably won’t be there too often, because I plan on traveling the world. There are so many incredible places on this planet, and I want to explore as many as I can. Most of the places I dream of going to are in Europe, such as the Alcazar de Segovia in Spain, but I’ll probably end up visiting every continent, except for Antarctica. At some point, after I’ve traveled for a long time, I hope to write a book with some of the interesting experiences I’ve had. I’m sure I’ll have a ton of stories to relate, and I’d love for other people to hear them. Besides that, I want to focus on writing fiction- I’ve got tons of stories in my head just waiting to be let out and shared with others!