Selflessness isn’t always about grand gestures or heroic sacrifice. Sometimes, being selfless means being willing to give and also receive, recognizing that allowing someone to help you gives them the blessing of being needed. It’s a cycle: giving, receiving, and giving again. Not because it makes you look good, but because we love each other, as neighbors, as friends, as brothers and sisters on this earth. I believe God still performs miracles, but not always in the ways we expect. They don’t always look like loaves and fishes or burning bushes. Sometimes, they look like someone bringing in your trash barrels before the storm hits. Or like my family being able to access a food pantry when times are tough. Sometimes, the miracle is found in a smile, a kind word, or a warm meal shared when money’s tight but community is strong. One of the sweetest examples in my life happened in an unexpected moment. We had a good egg day with our chickens, more than we needed, so I brought a basket over to an older neighbor. I ended up staying to wash their dishes while we chatted. They told me I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. There’s something holy in quiet service, in doing what needs to be done without fanfare. She later wrote me a college recommendation that brought me to tears. She is a retired English teacher and she put into words what our relationship meant to her. I knew how much I loved and looked up to her, but I never realized how much I meant to her. That same kind of miracle showed up again when I was getting ready for prom. I used a donated dress from a prom closet, something beautiful that made me feel special without costing anything, just some of my sewing practice and old jewelry. Later, I helped a friend alter her own dress to make sure it fit her just right. I knew how it felt to put on something and feel proud, and I wanted her to feel that way too. Selflessness looks like that sometimes, threading a needle, pinning a hem, and watching someone you care about light up. These moments, small and unglamorous as they might be, have shaped how I see service and love in action. As someone planning on studying mechanical engineering, I think a lot about how things work, how systems function, and how small parts make a big difference. I think that applies to people too. Every kind act, every tool lent, dish washed, bike fixed, ride given, keeps the whole moving forward. I try to bring that mindset into everything I do. I’ve volunteered at the Bishop’s Storehouse, packing hygiene kits with care, knowing how important even a bar of soap can be. I’ve stayed late after youth events to clean up unnoticed messes. I’ve helped friends repair clothes and offered my time freely, not because I’m a perfect person, but because I believe we’re all better when we take care of each other. To me, selflessness is the circle. The continuation. It’s loving people enough to give when you can, and trusting people enough to receive when you need to. It’s choosing kindness over convenience. It’s believing that love doesn’t always need words, it can live in what we build, what we fix, what we share, and how we quietly show up. Selflessness doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, it’s a dozen eggs, a clean dish rack, a hemmed dress, or a full pantry. But always, it’s love given and love received.

Faith has always been a part of my life, shaping my values. My faith has helped me make decisions and figure out challenges. My belief in God has been a source of strength, guiding me through adversity and helping me find purpose in hardships. I believe my Heavenly Father has my best interest in heart and if I only ask He will help guide me to make meaningful choices in my life. One of the most significant ways faith has impacted my life is by giving me strength in difficult times. Growing up my family has always faced financial struggles, which made pursuing some education and extracurricular activities challenging. However, my faith reassured me that I was not alone. I believed that God had a purpose for me, and through prayer and hard work, I’ve found opportunities that allowed me to have a fulfilling highschool experience. My faith taught me the value of hard work and to trust in God. This mindset gave me the motivation to excel in school, take on leadership roles, and embrace service opportunities despite challenges. Faith has also shaped my perspective on leadership and service. My belief in Christ’s example of selflessness has guided me in my leadership and volunteer roles. The scriptures taught me to lead with compassion, patience, and a willingness to help. These experiences have influenced how I will approach my future career in engineering. Engineering is not just about solving technical problems, it's about improving lives. My faith instills in me a responsibility to use my education to help others, not just look for personal success. Additionally, faith provides me with resilience. An important quality for a career in engineering. The challenges in engineering can be scary, with complex problem solving, long hours, and plenty of failure. But my faith reminds me that failing is part of growing. I have learned to approach difficulties with patience and determination, trusting that God has a path for me even when things are uncertain. This belief will help me remain confident in my career, even when I face obstacles. Engineering also requires a lot of decision making. My faith teaches me to act with integrity, ensuring that my work aligns with my values of honesty, responsibility, and caring for others. My faith has been a guiding force throughout my life, providing strength in adversity, helping shape my leadership, and allowing me to seek a career with service and integrity. I know that as I start my engineering education journey, my faith will continue to sustain me, helping me contribute positivity to the world.