The experience of mental health has taught me to see, that not every thing is perfect. As though you are looking in and see that from your prospective it may seem everything is fine, but on the deep inside that "perfect" person is dealing with something so heavy. On March 9, 2023, a very close family member took her own life. My Great Aunt Kim, my Godmother who raised me into church. Who always taught me to take care of myself, and put on that red lipstick. She taught me so many, ways to help others. Showed kindness for anyone, that was dealing with tragedy or even just needed a simple hug to make their day brighter. She was just always there in that front row, cheering the loudest, smiling with that red lipstick. My Aunt Kim was there no matter what for others, and no one knew she was battling something herself. She never showed that side, as to me she was perfect. On the day, she took her own life. I felt as was not there mentally, as a part of me left with her. It shocked the whole community of my small town. She was so loved, even Sonic the fast food change in our hometown wrote a little saying for her at the funeral. She touched lives that needed to be healed and she didn't know how much an impact she had here. Where everyone thought of her just as I did "perfect". She never showed her moments, where she would get low on herself. She always welcomed me anytime. But as time went on, my parents explained that secretly she had been diagnosed with biopolar and it did taken a tow on her. She did had bad days, but I just assumed she was just under the weather, never the worst. She always gotten back up, put on her red lipstick and cheered the loudest for anyone. I guess things just got to much at moments, I just wished she didn't take that way. Things are different, family dinners are different, community events are different, and my world is different. As I walked across that stage, looking onto my family. I smiled, but felt a little empty as I knew my Aunt Kim would be screaming and clapping the loudest that day. But as I looked down, I seen where my mom slid a note stating "put on your red lipstick" she is here with you always. So, I tell this story to share that mental health shaped me to check and take that extra time to listen to what is being told. To gain that extra relationship with the person sitting alone or just be kind to others. As you never know what that they are struggling with. Some may seem as things are perfect in their world, not everything is perfect. Everyone has their struggles, take the extra time and slow down just to take the moment to listen. You never know where you could be their extra that is needed in their life, or even in yourself. To take time out for your mental health, to learn the signs. There is help, as I have helped close friends reach out for counseling with struggles that was carrying extra weight on themselves. I have learned to always put my red lipstick on and ask "what can I do to help".

Hello, I am writing this essay to let you know about myself. I am a senior attending Armorel High School who is active ie in Cheerleading (All American), Golf (ranked All State for the 1A division), President of FBLA, Vice President of BETA, President of Student Council, and the Student Representative of my Senior Class. I had volunteered many boards, and helped in many ways. I had helped with relay for life, the blood drive, food drives, pull tabs, and even spent time helping with the NEA pageant system. Some of the job duties; I set up tables, made decorations, helped with chili cook offs, and just to help people in general that needed pointed in the right directions. While representing these roles, I am maintaining the third overall in my class with a 4.0 GPA. Currently enrolled ed at Northeastern Arkansas College to earn my two year certificate through the Nucor Square Program. In the future, I plan on transferring to Arkansas State University to major in Biology. This is a step where I can pursue my goal of becoming a successful in learning Medical Biology with hands on experience with becoming a Cosmetic Dermatologist. This will help me gain the strength and knowledge of life and the genetics of how our body works. And this leads me to my dream job of becoming a Cosmetic Dermatologist. I want to open my place of business back in the Mississippi County, where there will be a closer place to our area that do not have the advantage to get to a dermatologist and get the assistance they are needed. A little closer to home, where it will cost less stress on "how to get there". I would after the experience and the build up, even go into the local schools just to offer, personal hygiene products to help with families. Just a grab and go of items that some students may not have at home. This would require a lot of time, for me and the staff of school but I know we can make it work. School can be stressful, and the students do not need any more burden put on them, with the lack of items at home or just forgot moment. We have all been here, and wished at times there was just a cabinet for me to grab and item I needed. To me something small can make a huge impact on others, I want to spread the love, faith and continue to pay it forward.

Golf, oh what can I say. Is this is one of the most challenges sport I have played, where I came to the conclusion of a love hate relationship with this sport. Hello, I am Libby Jane VanDyke a senior at Armorel High School. Who is very active in the school alone. I am Vice President in FBLA, earning a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of the BETA club earning also a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of Stuco, and also class representative for the graduating class of 2026. While earning a two year certificate from the Arkansas Northeast College through the Nucor Square program. I also do many volunteer programs to help our local community or drives that need the extra helping hand. As I have my hand in many activities and into the books. My escape away from home is the golf course. This has been one of the hardest sports for me to achieve, as it took time for me to learn the game. As I came from a family that was always on the golf course, who enjoyed competing in the local golf matches. I wanted to be the best, to drive the farthest, to make that par, or just to make that eagle. Was the goal for me, to settle in my head, to beat everyone out there. To have my name on top. With many lessons, new clubs, and down to even knew attire. It seemed I was stuck in the middle and could not beat my own personal record. I was living on this golf course, not understanding what I was doing wrong. With my coach, finally told me to just have fun, to actually enjoy the game. He told me, I always praise others and say encouraging words to others but not myself. That I am only letting myself down, by not trying to get into my own head. As this was a huge eye opener. I took his word advice, no it was not over night. It took time. I finally got out there with a group of friends and just played, laughed, and when I was three putting on the greens. I was okay, I talked to myself and shook it off. Which later one lead me to become All State for the 2026 1A girl golf earning me the ninth spot on the state title. I have learned to not be my hardest critique that I do not have to have the perfect game. That its okay to be human, to encourage and enjoy the beautiful game of golf.

Golf, oh what can I say. Is this is one of the most challenges sport I have played, where I came to the conclusion of a love hate relationship with this sport. Hello, I am Libby Jane VanDyke a senior at Armorel High School. Who is very active in the school alone. I am Vice President in FBLA, earning a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of the BETA club earning also a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of Stuco, and also class representative for the graduating class of 2026. While earning a two year certificate from the Arkansas Northeast College through the Nucor Square program. I also do many volunteer programs to help our local community or drives that need the extra helping hand. As I have my hand in many activities and into the books. My escape away from home is the golf course. This has been one of the hardest sports for me to achieve, as it took time for me to learn the game. As I came from a family that was always on the golf course, who enjoyed competing in the local golf matches. I wanted to be the best, to drive the farthest, to make that par, or just to make that eagle. Was the goal for me, to settle in my head, to beat everyone out there. To have my name on top. With many lessons, new clubs, and down to even knew attire. It seemed I was stuck in the middle and could not beat my own personal record. I was living on this golf course, not understanding what I was doing wrong. With my coach, finally told me to just have fun, to actually enjoy the game. He told me, I always praise others and say encouraging words to others but not myself. That I am only letting myself down, by not trying to get into my own head. As this was a huge eye opener. I took his word advice, no it was not over night. It took time. I finally got out there with a group of friends and just played, laughed, and when I was three putting on the greens. I was okay, I talked to myself and shook it off. Which later one lead me to become All State for the 2026 1A Girls Golf earning me the ninth spot on the state title. I have learned to not be my hardest critique that I do not have to have the perfect game. That its okay to be human, to encourage and enjoy the beautiful game of golf.

Golf, oh what can I say. Is this is one of the most challenges sport I have played, where I came to the conclusion of a love hate relationship with this sport. Hello, I am Libby Jane VanDyke a senior at Armorel High School. Who is very active in the school alone. I am Vice President in FBLA, earning a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of the BETA club earning also a state title and being able to compete in the national level, President of Stuco, and also class representative for the graduating class of 2026. While earning a two year certificate from the Arkansas Northeast College through the Nucor Square program. I also do many volunteer programs to help our local community or drives that need the extra helping hand. As I have my hand in many activities and into the books. My escape away from home is the golf course. This has been one of the hardest sports for me to achieve, as it took time for me to learn the game. As I came from a family that was always on the golf course, who enjoyed competing in the local golf matches. I wanted to be the best, to drive the farthest, to make that par, or just to make that eagle. Was the goal for me, to settle in my head, to beat everyone out there. To have my name on top. With many lessons, new clubs, and down to even knew attire. It seemed I was stuck in the middle and could not beat my own personal record. I was living on this golf course, not understanding what I was doing wrong. With my coach, finally told me to just have fun, to actually enjoy the game. He told me, I always praise others and say encouraging words to others but not myself. That I am only letting myself down, by not trying to get into my own head. As this was a huge eye opener. I took his word advice, no it was not over night. It took time. I finally got out there with a group of friends and just played, laughed, and when I was three putting on the greens. I was okay, I talked to myself and shook it off. Which later one lead me to become All State for the 2026 1A girl golf earning me the ninth spot on the state title. I have learned to not be my hardest critique that I do not have to have the perfect game. That its okay to be human, to encourage and enjoy the beautiful game of golf.

I am wanting to take a step into the biology medical field to earn my doctorate degree in Dermatology. I know nursing is a huge step towards this career as I will learn more throughout my journey of becoming a reality. Wanting this to happen, to come back to the Mississippi County and open an office up to help around my hometown areas. Where I am able to give back to the community as well. A little about me, I am Libby Jane VanDyke a Senior at Armorel High School. Active in many clubs and sports; Vice President of FBLA earning a state title being able to compete in the national level, President in BETA also compete at state title being able to compete in the national leve, and President of STUCO, and class representative for the graduating class. I am active in many volunteer hours of many outside organizations; red cross blood drive, relay of life, NEA pageant system, various of food drives, blanket drives, and collection soda tabs to turn in for the local hospital of the Le Bonheur in Memphis TN. In sports I cheered for our Tigers for jr high and into varsity, organization of little tiger cheer camp, and earning the spot of All American. I have respectfully earn the 1A All State for Girls Golf earning the 9th over in Arkansas. I have golfed for over six years, and learned I am my biggest competitor. This is who can either earn me a win. or get me down. I am control of myself self and it can be hard at times but to never give up. Which leads to my family. My family, is a hard working two parent household. My dad works hard at Nucor Yamato in the maintenance, he has taught me "when there is a will there will be a way". My mom works at the Armorel Elementary School as the Preschool teacher, she works hard and taught me to have peace in life. My family is strong, and with the past experience of my mom being diagnosed with skin cancer, which was scary at first. But with the right Dermatologist on hand caught it and had it removed before it gotten worse for her. This is where I drew my attention to dermatology field. I wanted to help others, to be aware of something so small as a mole that could lead to life changing.