Throughout my life, I have fallen deeply in love with music and realized I am happiest when I sing. This "songbird", as many have nicknamed me, feels at home on a large stage where she can look out into the world and feel the music connecting her to an audience. Both in the highest points of life and the deepest lowest, music is how I express myself in a way that becomes art. My interest began as a child when I would join my grandma for her choir practice and sing along from the back of the room. The way a group of people can sing individual lyrics, parts, and voices while still creating a harmonious sound will forever be one of the most beautiful displays of teamwork. I was too shy to join the choir, though my elementary music teacher asked me many times. As my interest became a hobby, I started singing more in small groups with other kids my age. My enthusiasm showed in my performance and the other kids did not appreciate my involvement. There were many times my team made comments such as, "too loud" or "show off", all of which were painful to hear. In all honesty, I did not sing with the intent to share music. I simply sang because it was fun. It wasn't until my middle school years when I changed schools and later entered high school, that a teacher changed my mindset. In this school, music class was mandatory and the choir was composed of the students in my grade level. We were separated by vocal groups and as I learned early on, first sopranos are not always a large group. I was paired with three other girls so there was a small fear that I would be singled out, but as time passed, I quickly became a valuable member of the choir. When I entered high school, I met a new teacher whose approach to music was entirely different. I had been taught that simply singing the right lyrics and being in tune was enough to make art. He clarified that the composer had created art and as singers and a choir, it was our job to sing what and how a song was written to be able to paint the correct picture that the artist intended. He showed us how to read sheet music, what dynamics were, and even the proper technique to have a "rounded sound." Now the songs we sang were not in black and white but instead, fully colored and expressed as what the artist had created. This teacher taught me that music was an art that could be shared with anyone willing to listen even though we all experience and appreciate music in varying degrees. As I grew and this hobby became my passion, I began singing alone and realized, like any instrument, I was as good as what I did with this gift. Over eight years, I have been invited to sing thousands of times. I've performed multiple times a day, in different venues, for audiences of varying ages and sizes, in competitions as well as concerts, with other singers and as a solo, and even outside of the United States. I would be a fool to say it all happened by coincidence so instead, I express my gratitude for every opportunity by putting all my passion and hard work into every piece I perform. Now as a budding adult, I hope to keep growing and share my song with the world.

The dictionary defines a feminist as an advocate for women's rights. I, however, see a feminist as someone who empowers women to look beyond the sexes and reflect on themselves and how they can spread equality. The idea of feminism has become corrupted with the idea that "men are the problem" and if women ruled the world, humanity would be all the better for it. I must disagree because feminism was formed based on the equality of the sexes, not in the hopes of creating female supremacy. To create a more unified nation and balance in all aspects, we must have both men and women in power and the workforce without creating a divide or rivalry due to gender. It would be wrong to neglect the fact that men do have an advantage that society has carried on since decades ago, but that is not to say that society is not progressing in a new direction. Now we have a female vice president whereas a hundred years ago we were celebrating the first woman in congress. It has felt like an uphill battle but at last, we see it turning in our favor. The most successful advocates see success because instead of trying to bring men down, they are uplifting women and inspiring change. One person or one voice is enough to start a movement and we have seen just how far this movement has brought us. As a young woman who is about to enter the real world, I am excited about all the opportunities that await me. The playing field is leveling and I come from a line of strong women. I know that there is nothing that can or will hold me back from my dreams. My grandparents are immigrants and if it weren't for their sacrifice, I wouldn't be alive today. My maternal grandma in particular was dealt a harder card when she came to the united states. She left my mother and my aunt in El Salvador with their grandmother in 1986. She traveled alone and walked more than one thousand miles to reach a country she did not know where they spoke a language she couldn't, and build a life with nothing more than the clothes on her back. She worked any job that would give her money and did it all for her babies at home. Somehow she managed to save enough money to get an apartment and send money home to her girls to help improve their lives. Sometimes all she could do was call them for a few minutes a week but her daughters knew she was exhausted from working day and night. She kept this up until 1993 when she was finally able to bring her daughters to the United States, their new home. While she worked three full-time jobs, she sent her daughters to school and gave them the best shot at a future that she could. She managed to get them a house, a family car, and through high school. As her daughters grew and made families of their own, she helped raise ten grandchildren and even survived cancer while keeping a smile on her face. Today my grandma is 68 years old and an inspiration to me. So much so that we call her our wonder woman. As a senior, many underclassmen look to me and my hope has always been to inspire them to be strong leaders and kind people. I want to be a chaplain in a school to keep helping others and although there aren't many women pastors, I believe the future includes females.

Since 2018, statistics show that out of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 in the U.S., 2.7% of them will have an eating disorder. I was on my way to becoming part of that number by the age of 15. Growing up, I was always on the healthy-sized part of the scale. I wasn't always as skinny as some of my classmates but I also wasn't the largest girl in my class. Nonetheless, I became self-conscious of my weight and appearance by middle school and that small insecurity wouldn't stay small for very long. I had to transfer to a new school and it was a hard transition for me. I had the opportunity to be someone different and build a new reputation, and I was determined to change my image metaphorically and literally. It started with dieting and exercise. The doctors had recommended a simple regimen of daily activity for at least half an hour and fewer starches in my meals. Coming from a Hispanic family, having two tortillas a day was a lot to ask for. Nonetheless, my desire to slim down was stronger than my longing for another serving. As I made progress, I slowly became more and more fond of my new lifestyle but at some point, it turned into an obsession. For a large portion of my middle school years, I would skip one meal a day to help minimize my caloric intake and the mild exercises grew in intensity. I got compliments for being thin and it felt good to have to get new clothes because my old ones didn't fit. Although I had achieved my original goal to lose some weight, I wasn't satisfied because I felt that I could do better and become even fitter. So I became very disciplined with my regimen and never missed a day of at least an hour and a half of moderate to intense exercise. Instead of skipping one meal, I would try to only eat at home when my parents could see me so they wouldn't be any wiser. The foods that I did eat were strictly what I deemed healthy and anything else was a repulsive abomination to me. My family noticed the shift but I did my best to conceal the habits and choices that were making my health decline. By my 15th birthday, I was so skinny I could fit into children's clothes and I was proud of it but by then, things started to take a turn. I got bad episodes of vertigo to the point that I would quite nearly faint, I had headaches from the lack of nutrients and stress I put on myself, and my mental health hit a low point. A trip to the doctor confirmed I was developing anemia and by BMI only needed to drop a point for me to be considered underweight. It was a wake-up call for me because although I was one of the pretty girls at school, it came with a heavy price. It took a lot of guidance to help change my mindset but now almost four years later, I am in a completely different place. I now educate and encourage others on the value of proper nutrition, balanced exercise, and proper recovery, and am an advocate for self-love in young people but especially girls. I don't work out as much as my early teen self, I am not as thin as she was, and I certainly eat more than she did, but I am also a thousand times happier and healthier because of the journey.

Since 2018, statistics show that out of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 in the U.S., 2.7% of them will have an eating disorder. I was on my way to becoming part of that number by the age of 15. Growing up, I was always on the healthy-sized part of the scale. I wasn't always as skinny as some of my classmates but I also wasn't the largest girl in my class. Nonetheless, I became self-conscious of my weight and appearance by middle school and that small insecurity wouldn't stay small for very long. I had to transfer to a new school and it was a hard transition for me. I had the opportunity to be someone different and build a new reputation, and I was determined to change my image metaphorically and literally. It started with dieting and exercise. The doctors had recommended a simple regimen of daily activity for at least half an hour and fewer starches in my meals. Coming from a Hispanic family, having two tortillas a day was a lot to ask for. Nonetheless, my desire to slim down was stronger than my longing for another serving. As I made progress, I slowly became more and more fond of my new lifestyle but at some point, it turned into an obsession. For a large portion of my middle school years, I would skip one meal a day to help minimize my caloric intake and the mild exercises grew in intensity. I got compliments for being thin and it felt good to have to get new clothes because my old ones didn't fit. Although I had achieved my original goal to lose some weight, I wasn't satisfied because I felt that I could do better and become even fitter. So I became very disciplined with my regimen and never missed a day of at least an hour and a half of moderate to intense exercise. Instead of skipping one meal, I would try to only eat at home when my parents could see me so they wouldn't be any wiser. The foods that I did eat were strictly what I deemed healthy and anything else was a repulsive abomination to me. My family noticed the shift but I did my best to conceal the habits and choices that were making my health decline. By my 15th birthday, I was so skinny I could fit into children's clothes and I was proud of it but by then, things started to take a turn. I got bad episodes of vertigo to the point that I would quite nearly faint, I had headaches from the lack of nutrients and stress I put on myself, and my mental health hit a low point. A trip to the doctor confirmed I was developing anemia and by BMI only needed to drop a point for me to be considered underweight. It was a wake-up call for me because although I was one of the pretty girls at school, it came with a heavy price. It took a lot of guidance to help change my mindset but now almost four years later, I am in a completely different place. I now educate and encourage others on the value of proper nutrition, balanced exercise, and proper recovery, and am an advocate for self-love in young people but especially girls. I don't work out as much as my early teen self, I am not as thin as she was, and I certainly eat more than she did, but I am also a thousand times happier and healthier because of the journey.

"We all have music in us- your heartbeat is your drum, your voice is your sound- and music is supposed to put you in tune with nature." (Randy Weston) From instrumental work to vocal and choir repertoire, music has remained a constant passion in my life. In my earlier years of elementary, I was rather shy about this love and did not express it much because when I did, peers would scorn me. Still, life continued and this passion grew with me. When I entered middle school and enrolled in a new school, I was searching for a niche. That's when Mr. Tico came into my life. This music teacher saw my potential and worked with me until I blossomed. He helped reveal to me what my voice really was; a gift I needed to share. Mr. Tico took our school to an annual music festival hosted at North Dallas Adventist Academy where I became a soloist and sang the Hebrew part of When you believe from the prince of Egypt, making my debut. That was the first time someone called me "songbird" and the name has stuck since. With every class he taught us, I felt more empowered and in tune with this passion. My life became ever brighter as I met other students who also loved music and we worked together to make art. Mr. Tico left in my sophomore year of high school and although I was sad to see him leave, it allowed me to explore music more on my own. In my junior year, we received a new teacher and they weren't Mr. Tico of course, but because he had made sure to make us versatile, I was able to take advantage of many opportunities. I auditioned for a part in the handbell choir since Mr. Tico taught us how to play them. Using the strong vocal foundation he left me with, I slowly built up the confidence to start singing in praise teams instead of choirs and learn new styles of music. One of those styles was musical theatre. With the new teachers, I was able to be part of a concert as a soloist performing the classic, Don't cry for me Argentina from the musical Evita. I joined a team that tours churches singing during their worship sessions and started singing regularly for the chapel services at my school. This group work led to my solo work. To this day, I visit a new church just about every sabbath and perform musical offerings. Due to this exposure, I was scouted by Gale Jones Murphy to participate in her concert and have a solo in her song, Your Grace. All these experiences have been engraved into my memory because I could not be more thankful for the blessing of being able to express and share my love for music with others. I kept in contact with Mr. Tico and have excitedly shared my progress with him because no other teacher or mentor has stood out in my musical journey as he has. When I visited Washington D.C. I got the chance to meet him at a restaurant with my class and he expressed the same pride and love he has always had toward me, his student. Despite the fact that we live in different states and different time zones, he has always replied to my messages and gone out of his way to help and provide any resource he could. Mr. Tico is not only a teacher for me. He is a godsend and family; one that I'm eternally grateful to.

I've been told I'm a natural-born leader but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school, and building the skills I was given. I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, my goal is to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age and God will use any willing heart. I have decided to use psychology and theology to become a chaplain and counselor so that young people in high school or college can seek guidance. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows by letting God shine through me. I am young and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. As a young person now, I am a mentor to those in the club I lead and in my class as vice president. I want to continue that leadership and mentorship well beyond college and into my career. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be and I directed all those around me closer to Him and build better relationships with themselves.

I’ve been told I'm a natural-born leader, but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. Making God a part of who I am has given me the confidence to challenge myself and always go the extra mile. That confidence enables me to stand on a stage every week, either in school to lead out or at church, to offer a musical gift. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school and building the skills I was given. I started working in schools at the age of ten. I was a teacher's aide and tutor for kinder and first graders. They taught me to be patient and understanding because every child learns independently. My job was not to compare the students but help them succeed individually. Since then, I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, I aim to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age, and God will use any willing heart. As a senior, a teacher's aide, and president of the campus ministries club, I use my influence to inspire children and adults alike. When I lead meetings, I always do my best to encourage and help my team improve our performance so that we can grow the spirituality of our school. Even students who don't know me personally feel comfortable asking for my help because no matter their questions or problem, I greet them with a smile and offer the best assistance I can. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows today and every day the future holds. I aspire to become a psychologist or chaplain that works with young people so that they have a safe space and support outside of their homes. Education would enable me to provide them with the best professional advice and assistance that I can while propelling me farther in my career. As a first-generation soon-to-be college student, I need all the help I can get. This scholarship would help me take big steps toward my goals and become a stepping stone. I am young, and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be, and I directed all those around me closer to Him.

I’ve been told I'm a natural-born leader, but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. Making God a part of who I am, gives me the confidence to challenge myself and go the extra mile. That confidence enables me to stand on a stage every week, either in school to lead out or at church, to offer a musical gift. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school. I started working in schools at the age of ten. I was a teacher's aide and tutor for kinder and first graders. They taught me to be patient and understanding because every child learns independently. My job was not to compare the students but help them succeed individually. Since then, I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, I aim to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age, and God will use any willing heart. As a senior, a teacher's aide, and president of the campus ministries club, I use my influence to inspire children and adults alike. When I lead meetings, I always do my best to encourage and help my team improve our performance so that we can grow the spirituality of our school. Even students who don't know me personally feel comfortable asking for my help because no matter their questions or problem, I greet them with a smile and offer the best assistance I can. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows by letting God shine through me. I am young, and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be, and I directed all those around me closer to Him

I’ve been told I'm a natural-born leader, but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. Making God a part of who I am, gives me the confidence to challenge myself and go the extra mile. That confidence enables me to stand on a stage every week, either in school to lead out or at church, to offer a musical gift. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school. I started working in schools at the age of ten. I was a teacher's aide and tutor for kinder and first graders. They taught me to be patient and understanding because every child learns independently. My job was not to compare the students but help them succeed individually. Since then, I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, I aim to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age, and God will use any willing heart. As a senior, a teacher's aide, and president of the campus ministries club, I use my influence to inspire children and adults alike. When I lead meetings, I always do my best to encourage and help my team improve our performance so that we can grow the spirituality of our school. Even students who don't know me personally feel comfortable asking for my help because no matter their questions or problem, I greet them with a smile and offer the best assistance I can. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows by letting God shine through me. This doesn't just apply to the world but also to home. As the eldest, I must support my family and care for the little ones. When my grandma had cancer, I worked with my parents to help the kids accept and cope with the struggle. It was scary to see my grandma come home with discolored skin or covered marks from her latest appointment, but keeping the kids happy meant she would go home to her family as they had always been. Sometimes helping her meant being there to help my grandma prepare for chemotherapy, and sometimes it meant sitting with her until she fell asleep with a smile. When my aunt was diagnosed with a mental disorder soon after, my family stepped in to provide a loving home for my cousins. Every night I prayed with them, and we spent hours talking so they would not face that burden alone. Perhaps I have been blessed in life, and my family has not suffered as much as others, but that is not to say that my contribution has been any less. After all, to sacrifice is to give, and I have so much in me left. I am young, and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be, and I directed all those around me closer to Him.

I’ve been told I'm a natural-born leader, but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. Making God a part of who I am, gives me the confidence to challenge myself and go the extra mile. That confidence enables me to stand on a stage every week, either in school to lead out or at church, to offer a musical gift. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school. I started working in schools at the age of ten. I was a teacher's aide and tutor for kinder and first graders. They taught me to be patient and understanding because every child learns independently. My job was not to compare the students but help them succeed individually. Since then, I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, I aim to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age, and God will use any willing heart. As a senior, a teacher's aide, and president of the campus ministries club, I use my influence to inspire children and adults alike. When I lead meetings, I always do my best to encourage and help my team improve our performance so that we can grow the spirituality of our school. Even students who don't know me personally feel comfortable asking for my help because no matter their questions or problem, I greet them with a smile and offer the best assistance I can. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows by letting God shine through me. This doesn't just apply to the world but also to home. As the eldest, I must support my family and care for the little ones. When my Abulita had cancer, I worked with my parents to help the kids accept and cope with the struggle. It was scary to see my Abuelita come home with discolored skin or covered marks from her latest appointment, but keeping the kids happy meant she would go home to her family as they had always been. Sometimes helping her meant being there to help my Abuelita prepare for chemotherapy, and sometimes it meant sitting with her until she fell asleep with a smile. When my tia was diagnosed with a mental disorder soon after, my family stepped in to provide a loving home for my cousins. Every night I prayed with them, and we spent hours talking so they would not face that burden alone. Perhaps I have been blessed in life, and my family has not suffered as much as others, but that is not to say that my contribution has been any less. After all, to sacrifice is to give, and I have so much in me left. I am young, and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be, and I directed all those around me closer to Him.

I’ve been told I'm a natural-born leader, but in actuality, it took a lot to get to who I am. It took perseverance, restarts, mistakes, guidance, courage, strength, loved ones like friends and family, and most importantly, God. Through God, I have learned to love myself and people. Making God a part of who I am, gives me the confidence to challenge myself and go the extra mile. That confidence enables me to stand on a stage every week, either in school to lead out or at church, to offer a musical gift. I've discovered my passion for helping others build better relationships with themselves and God through leadership positions in and out of school. I started working in schools at the age of ten. I was a teacher's aide and tutor for kinder and first graders. They taught me to be patient and understanding because every child learns independently. My job was not to compare the students but help them succeed individually. Since then, I've become comfortable mentoring others no matter the age gap, speaking in public about any topic, and educating myself through resources and teachers without a need for motivation other than my desire to grow. No matter where I go, I aim to nurture others in any way I can because wisdom is not limited to age, and God will use any willing heart. As a senior, a teacher's aide, and president of the campus ministries club, I use my influence to inspire children and adults alike. When I lead meetings, I always do my best to encourage and help my team improve our performance so that we can grow the spirituality of our school. Even students who don't know me personally feel comfortable asking for my help because no matter their questions or problem, I greet them with a smile and offer the best assistance I can. I wish to be the sunshine in a world of shadows by letting God shine through me. This doesn't just apply to the world but also to home. As the eldest, I must support my family and care for the little ones. When my grandma had cancer, I worked with my parents to help the kids accept and cope with the struggle. It was scary to see my grandma come home with discolored skin or covered marks from her latest appointment, but keeping the kids happy meant she would go home to her family as they had always been. Sometimes helping her meant being there to help my grandma prepare for chemotherapy, and sometimes it meant sitting with her until she fell asleep with a smile. When my aunt was diagnosed with a mental disorder soon after, my family stepped in to provide a loving home for my cousins. Every night I prayed with them, and we spent hours talking so they would not face that burden alone. Perhaps I have been blessed in life, and my family has not suffered as much as others, but that is not to say that my contribution has been any less. After all, to sacrifice is to give, and I have so much in me left. I am young, and my story is still being written, but I am doing my best to ensure that every page in the following chapters speaks volumes of my character. Perhaps the name Ashley Jeannette Leon will never be known worldwide, but what is important is that I did all I could to be the woman God created me to be, and I directed all those around me closer to Him.