Hey, I’m Lilly! I love spending time with my family and friends, going on adventures and learning! I have always taken pride in my level of ambition. In elementary school, I ran for president - and won! In high school I took advanced classes to get the education that I wanted in order to push my success. I love being an active part in my community, specifically through elementary school volunteering and the youth advocacy council I am in. All of my experiences have led me to where I am today. The biggest experience that impacted my future happened during the summer after sophomore year. I was given the opportunity to take part in the Advanced Studies Program. This five week, overnight, academic program was receiving applications from the top 10% of high schoolers in New Hampshire. I was accepted into the program and placed in ‘After the Rally.’ The purpose of the course was to have discussions to learn about social justice in America. I didn’t realize how many social issues we had in our nation until I was taught about them through this class. We not only discussed problems facing our society, but we also spoke about possible solutions. At my high school, we have no courses about social justice. If I hadn’t been put into this course, I wouldn’t have found my new career path. After the Rally inspired me to want to make a difference in the world. I want to make a change that will positively impact as many people as possible. I will be enrolled at Clark University in the fall, double-majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy. During my junior year I plan on joining a 4+1 program, which will allow me to get my masters degree in management and public administration in only five years. I can’t make the foundational changes I want to make without receiving the higher education that I need. I have always cherished education; learning from my experiences inside and outside of the classroom. I do, however, worry about our ability to pay for that education. In 2022, multiple pipes burst in my house overnight, causing severe water damage. Forced to move into a hotel, we ended up living there for eleven months. The first contractor didn’t put up dividers or check for asbestos, so it ended up spreading throughout the house. They then threw all of our belongings away without telling us. Once the eleven months passed we moved in with my GG, as we were unable to afford staying at our home. My mom lost the majority of her savings during this time because of the contractors (who all broke their contracts) and the five year divorce that she went through prior. Ultimately, college remains an investment that I am willing to make. Our unfortunate financial situation has pushed me to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I refuse to allow my situation to prevent me from pursuing a level of higher education. The Mark Green Memorial Scholarship would definitely have an impact on my ability to pay for my education. Eventually I will be a voice for the voiceless by working in the government or an interest group. I want to use the messages of activists around the world to take real action, transforming it into legislation that will make a difference. Whatever I choose to do with my degrees, I know it will be for the good of the people. I can’t wait to see what positive change I am able to make in the world.

Empowerment. A strong word with an even stronger meaning. Empowerment to me means using your voice and actions to encourage people to be the best version of themselves. In a world where everyone is trying to push each other down, it is important to find those who choose to build others up. Empowerment is particularly important when it comes to women. The chains of the past hold women back, making them work twice as hard to get to where they are; to where they want to be. People are so drawn to pulling women away from their potential that they completely miss what women have to offer, which is ironic because those people wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a woman. I am a big believer in empowerment. I used to be a shy girl who didn’t know how to speak up for herself. That is until I found a community that knew how to build each other up. They empowered me in ways I didn’t know was possible. I still remember those pivotal moments that transformed me into my most confident self. It was the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I had been accepted into the Advanced Studies Program. It was an overnight summer program for the top ten percent of rising juniors and seniors in New Hampshire. It was the first time I would be away from home for an extended amount of time. I was placed in a dorm with nearly 30 girls and very soon became friends with all of them. We spent hours in the common room talking about anything and everything. When we could be alone, we chose to be together instead. They were actually interested in what I had to say and made me feel like my opinions were important. They encouraged me to be my true self. Being around them gave me a major boost in confidence. After living with a bunch of people for multiple weeks, one tends to care less and less about what others think. I left the program as a new person. With my newfound confidence, I have never been happier. I see things in a new light. I want other women to know the feeling, which is why I take any chance I get to lift up and empower people– specifically my friends. My friends talk negatively about themselves constantly and I hate knowing that they think they aren’t good enough. It breaks my heart. I will continue using my voice to empower others every chance I get. I hope that I am able to make an impact by exemplifying the importance of empowering people. I believe that the act of empowering another individual can have a life altering effect. I hope more people are able to see the influence it can have.

I have always been an extremely ambitious person. Throughout my life I have compiled a long list of career paths I at one point was committed to. These include, but are certainly not limited to: a ballerina, veterinarian, hotel owner, animal shelter owner, lawyer, and president. Coincidentally, I ran for president- and won in fifth grade. And during senior year I was voted most likely to be president for class superlatives. While each of these represent who I was at certain points in my life, I ultimately went in a different direction. The summer after sophomore year I was accepted into an overnight summer program for the top ten percent of rising juniors and seniors in New Hampshire high schools. During my time at the Advanced Studies Program, I took a course that prompted me to take a deep dive into the vast array of social justice issues plaguing America. I was stunned by what I learned. I had heard of many of the issues, but had never seen the full extent of how they impacted people until that point. During the program, a public speaker visited the ASP to give a presentation on what his life was like working in social justice. It was at that moment when I realized what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. After the presentation was finished, I ran to my teacher and told her, “Okay, I’ve decided. I am doing something in relation to social justice in college.” She gave me a high-five and that was that. I found my purpose. I will be double-majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy at Clark University in the fall. I plan on joining the 4+1 program during my junior year to get my masters degree in five years. By the time I graduate I will have four degrees. I couldn’t be more excited. If I could create my dream job it would definitely be community based. I’d like to use my degrees to create and run a nonprofit focusing on youth outreach to educate students on politics, the importance of voting, social issues, and most importantly: what they can do about it. The program would be open to middle school and high school students. The program would be free, as the goal is to inform and better the community. Politics really do affect everyone, but there isn’t enough education out there for kids. Of course they learn about history and the basic political processes in school, but that doesn’t specifically show the connections between their lives and politics. I would like to show how interesting it can be - like how I learned at the Advanced Studies Program. That program changed my life and I hope my program would impact kids in the same way. I have always loved working with kids. I currently work at a fitness center for kids leading birthday parties. Every month I volunteer as an assistant teacher in a kindergarten class. My dream job combines my love for kids, interest in social justice, and love for community into one. The GEAR UP & TRIO Scholarship would bring me closer to achieving my educational goals. Without the funds to cover my college expenses, life after college will be focused on paying off debt rather than living out my dream job. The purpose of life is to leave the world a better place than how you found it. With this scholarship I will be able to focus on the important things in life: making a difference in the lives of others.

My mom has always been my biggest supporter. Especially with academics. We spent many nights together during the school year. She put her love for me above herself. We brainstormed ideas for all sorts of projects. They took forever, but the end products were worth it. Some of my closest memories were during these times. In fifth grade I wanted to run for student council president. My mom scrapbooked, so she had lots of materials for me to use for my poster. She taught me about different tools to make it look how I wanted. After I wrote my speech, I read it to her, making sure it sounded okay. Her opinion really matters to me, so it was relieving to hear that she loved it. My speech was to be read in front of the entire school. I had never done anything like that before. My mom knew how much it mattered to me. She allowed me to read it to her countless times, no matter how annoying it probably was. The day of my speech she hugged me and reminded me that whatever happens, she would still be so proud of me for leaving my comfort zone. I did end up getting the most votes for president, and funny enough, I was recently voted most likely to be president for senior superlatives! My mom is the biggest advocate I know. If I ever had a problem, she encouraged me to speak up for myself. If I couldn’t, she always stepped in. My mom used to work as a public guardian for people who couldn’t make decisions for themselves, so she was no stranger to supporting others. Growing up with someone who was constantly advocating for others inspired me to do the same. I know that my academic and life successes have been reliant on the lessons my mom taught me. I developed a fascination for social justice during the summer after sophomore year. I was accepted into the Advanced Studies Program. The program was a five week, overnight, summer program for the top ten percent of rising juniors and seniors in New Hampshire. The program was expensive, but my mom knew how much I wanted to do it and put in the work to go through the long financial aid process. I was placed in the After the Rally course which focused on social issues in our nation. I was shocked and a little overwhelmed by the many injustices in America. I wanted to do something about it. I will be enrolled at Clark University in the fall; double majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy. My mom definitely played a role in my career choice being related to helping people. I often say that the purpose of life is to leave the world a better place than how you found it. That is exactly what I plan on doing. Once I graduate I will be using my degree to work in public policy. Whether that be within the government or an interest group. I know whatever I choose will make a difference in the lives of others. I’ve been in a single-parent household for over six years. Without my mom’s support I would have no one. She supported me through Covid, going into high school, losing my belongings due to burst pipes, living in a hotel for eleven months because of the pipes, everything in between, and now going to college. She made me who I am today and I know she is proud of who I am becoming.

Without a doubt, my favorite community event that I have participated in to this day has been the Toys for Tots holiday event. I found out about the opportunity through the National Honor Society. Our advisor sent out a sign up sheet that I immediately filled out. I had heard about the event many times before but haven’t been a part of it until this past year. When I got to the event space, I was quite overwhelmed. There were toys everywhere I looked. I walked to a woman who was instructing volunteers on what we can do to help. She provided me with a list of things to do and pointed me towards the line. It was so long! I loved seeing the community come out to support those in need; especially during vacation and just days before Christmas. Participating in this event opened my eyes to the willingness of people to be of service. The event had a significant impact on the people involved, so I hope even more people will want to partake in the event next time. Once I reached the front of the line I was given a large black trash bag and paired with a parent or guardian looking for gifts. My job was to guide them to the different tables, categorized according to the age group of their children. Each child would receive two toys and a book. Families got a book and game to share. If the children were younger than five they would get a stuffed animal. I was always paired with a mom and absolutely loved ‘shopping’ with them. I asked them about what their kids liked to do for fun and we talked about what their plans were for the holidays. I found that getting to know the families made it easier for me to point out things the kids may enjoy. I have always loved working with kids. At my job I run birthday parties and Parent’s Night Out events. I get to see what kids really appreciate and I believe that my work experience was a major help when I was assisting with picking out presents for the kiddos. I carried gigantic trash bags around for hours, making gift suggestions and placing presents carefully in the bag. After everything was chosen I walked with the parent to the end line where they received a market basket gift card and an electronic charging stand. They thanked me, and that was that. In a second I was back in line waiting to be paired with the next person. To see the adults walking in, confused, to them leaving with a huge smile was amazing. I loved seeing how their whole persona changed after shopping for their children. I was so glad I was able to be a part of the Toys for Tots event this year. I know I will volunteer with the organization in the future as well.

I have always been quite keen in regards to the value of money. Even at a young age, I was always sure to remind my mom to save her money; even though that is exactly what she had been doing her whole life. My mom has been the best at teaching me how to manage money, but I also have been able to teach myself a lot about saving as well. When I was in fourth grade I got pneumonia. My mom and I drove to Walmart to pick up my prescription. As we were waiting for it to be ready, I asked if we could look through the toy section. Not because I wanted something, but because going through the toy aisles had always been a reward for good behavior at stores. Looking through the coloring books, I picked up one that my eyes were drawn to. “Do you want me to get that for you,” my mom asked. I remember immediately putting it back and saying, “No, mom, we have to save money!” At that age, any other kid would have happily taken the offer, but not me. In my spare time back then I loved coming up with new ways to make money, such as dog walking and babysitting. I was aware that money came from working hard. It didn’t just grow off trees. My biggest source of income was, without a doubt, lemonade stands. My sister and I had the best lemonade stand on the block for three years running. We once spent a whole summer raising money for a dog training program after our parents said we could get a dog if we did so. I am happy to say that we did get our little pup, and she turns 7 this month. As I got older, I furthered my financial education by utilizing financial lessons online. My favorite app that has taught me a lot of information about finances is called Zogo. There are hundreds of lessons on financial basics, college, scholarships, risk management, and so on. This past year Zogo partnered with the US Bank to offer scholarships. The amount of lessons completed determines the award category that I will be entered in. Trust me when I say that I have spent much more time using Zogo after learning about the possibility of earning a scholarship. During my freshman year of high school I begged my mom to bring me to the bank to open a Roth IRA. Through my financial lessons I was able to learn about the lifelong benefits that come with opening a Roth IRA. I was so lucky to have learned about this type of account early rather than later. It was crazy to me that my economics class hadn’t taught me about an IRA account. I have always been a saver rather than a spender. The Financial lessons I have learned in the past and continue to learn have taught me how to be a more financially literate individual. Going into college, I know to save every penny I make. I apply to scholarships everyday, hyper aware of how expensive my education is. I know my financial proficiency will help me be successful and I definitely plan on continuing my financial education in the future.

I have always taken pride in my level of ambition. In elementary school, I ran for president - and won! In high school I took advanced classes to get the education that I wanted in order to push my success. I love being an active part in my community, specifically through my elementary school volunteering and youth advocacy council I am part of. All of my experiences have led me to where I am today. The biggest experience that has impacted my future took place during the summer after my sophomore year. I was given the opportunity to take part in the Advanced Studies Program. This five week, overnight, academic summer program was receiving applications from the top 10% of high schoolers in New Hampshire. I was accepted into the program and put into After the Rally. The purpose of the course was to have discussions to learn about social justice in America. I didn’t realize how many social issues we had in our nation until I was taught about them through this class. We not only discussed problems facing our society, but we also spoke about possible solutions. At my high school, we have no courses about social justice. If I hadn’t been put into this course, I wouldn’t have found my new career path. After the Rally inspired me to want to make a difference in the world. I want to make a change that will positively impact as many people as possible. I will be enrolled at Clark University in the fall, double-majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy. During my junior year I plan on joining a 4+1 program, which will allow me to get my masters degree in management and public administration in only five years. I can’t make the foundational changes I want to make without receiving the higher education that I need. I have always cherished education; learning from my experiences inside and outside of the classroom. I do, however, worry about our ability to pay for that education. In 2021, multiple pipes burst in my house overnight causing severe water damage. Forced to move into a hotel, we ended up living there for eleven months. The first contractor didn’t put up dividers or check for asbestos, so it ended up spreading throughout the house. They then threw all of our belongings away without telling us. Once the eleven months passed we moved in with my GG, as we were unable to afford staying at our home. My mom lost the majority of her savings during this time because of the contractors (who all broke their contracts) and the five year divorce that she went through prior. Ultimately, college is an investment that I am willing to make. Our unfortunate financial situation has pushed me to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I refuse to allow my situation to prevent me from pursuing a level of higher education. Although I know the category of career I will work in, it is difficult for me to decide on what area of policy I want to focus on. Eventually I will be a voice for the voiceless by working in the government or in an interest group. I want to use the messages of activists around the world to take real action, transforming it into legislation that will make a difference. Whatever I choose to do with my degrees, I know it will be for the good of the people and I can’t wait to see what positive change I am able to make in the world.

Walking to my physical science class during freshman year, I see a note on the door: “Go to room 408.” I walk across the hall, entering the most welcoming classroom I had ever been in. Posters scattered the walls, fish tanks lined the room, and another tank in the back was home to a quail named Tuesday. I had never been in the class before, but little did I know, I would be seeing a lot more of this room during my four years at Memorial high school. The teacher, Ms. Thomas, was one of the kindest teachers I had ever met. She was the Honors Biology teacher. It was easy to tell that she loved her job. The way she talked with us was magical. After the period was over, my friends and I talked about how we hope to have her as a teacher next year. I got my schedule a week before my sophomore year. Scanning my schedule, I went to biology and there it was: “Ms. Thomas.” I was thrilled. I immediately texted my friends and soon found out that they also had Ms. Thomas, during the same period as me. I couldn't wait for the new school year to begin. Everyday was something new when it came to Ms. Thomas. She believed that as kids got older the education system stunted their curiosity. There was no time to explore; for kids to be kids. She thought that exploration was the key to growing. She wanted to change the typical sit-at-a-desk day that high schoolers have to go through everyday. During the warmer months she often gave us a choice between doing something inside or exploring outside. She would bring us to the field, the pond across the street or to the back of the school. I still remember when we went to the back one day. After walking for a bit she kneeled down next to a plant and pulled it out of the ground, asking us to come over to her. She told us about how the roots smelled like carrots. We each eagerly waited for our turn and it did, in fact, smell like carrots. It was incredible. She helped us feel like kids again. As part of her belief in exploration for high schoolers, you could often find her applying for grants for field trips. She once got a grant for snowshoes in the winter. Ms. Thomas brought us outside to the field where she showed us how to properly walk in them. I had so much fun, but let's just say that I wasn’t the best at snowshoeing. I have made so many memories with Ms. Thomas, but my favorite memories, handsdown, were made with her during the summer between junior and senior year. Me and 13 other students from the Manchester high schools were given the chance to spend a week on Appledore island, off the coast of Maine with her. The island was home to a variety of researchers and sustainability experts. It was there that I saw my first meteor, went stargazing, climbed across the side of the rocky island cliffs, explored different invertebrates, went on hikes, and watched early morning sunrises. I had the time of my life. Ms. Thomas has taught me so much in the four years that I have known her. I am so thankful to have had her in my life. I will be sure to keep in touch with her well after high school has ended. She changed my life. I wouldn’t be the person I am without her guidance and motivation.

Feminism. A word that carries so much meaning. It is economic equality for women. It is political equality for women. It is social equality for women. It is freedom for women. I have always supported women’s rights. There is no comprehensible reason why anyone should be denied equal rights. As much as I have always supported the idea of women obtaining equality, I used to be afraid of the word feminism. I wasn’t sure what it truly meant. When asked during freshman year by a sophomore boy if I was a feminist, I didn’t know what to say. He made it seem like I should be embarrassed to say yes. I was afraid to answer. Was I a feminist? Was it something to be ashamed of? I didn’t know where I stood on the word. My indecisiveness was soon replaced with certainty after watching the blockbuster film ‘Barbie’ in 2023. Barbie changed how I look at the word feminism. Seeing what the world could look like if women were respected was inspiring. During the monologue at the end, I am not embarrassed to say that I cried my eyes out. I wasn’t aware of how much I resonated with the struggles that so many women face until I heard the words spoken by America Ferrera. “You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line.” The societal expectations that are placed on women are unrealistic. The pressure is unbearable and it shows how all women are facing these problems and must support each other in putting an end to inequality. The Barbie movie was so heartfelt and real. I was no longer hesitant to say that I was, in fact, a feminist. I felt moved to work towards creating a world similar to Barbie Land. A world where women have social, economic, and political power. A world where women don’t have to worry about their own safety. A world where women don’t have to worry about losing their rights. It is a world that I aspire to live in. I now take any chance I get to support women and the ideologies shared by feminists across the world. I have even started an Instagram page, “Feminists 4 Freedom,” to use as a platform for feminists - both men and women. I hope that by spreading awareness of the problems women face, we can work towards building a better society - together.

Imagine being beyond excited to start a new chapter in your life: College. Preparing to build relationships that will last a lifetime. Knowing exactly what you want to study. Knowing how you want to use your degree to make a difference. There is only one problem. How in the world are you going to find the money needed to pay for your education? Unfortunately, that is the predicament that I find myself in right now. I know I will be going to Clark University in the fall. I know I will be living on campus. I know I will be double majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy. I know I will be joining the 4+1 program during my junior year to get my masters in management and public administration. What I don’t know is how I am going to earn enough money to get me through five years of higher education. I have been looking forward to college for a very long time. The excitement I feel when thinking about my future is hard to explain. I can’t wait to enjoy the college experience and make friendships that will last a lifetime. It is strange to think that I may meet people who, in the future, I won’t be able to imagine living without. I guess that is part of the mystery and thrill of college life. When I was younger I had no doubts that I would be able to afford a college education. But then my mom became a single mom. We then lost our house to water damage and had to move into a hotel. After 11 months we moved in with my GG and have been here ever since. Most of our savings were spent fixing the mess that four separate contractors had made and removing the asbestos that had spread. My mom is now unable to work and the only income she gets is from the tenants who now live in our house because of our inability to afford it. I used to not worry about the cost of college as much as I do now. After my mom asked me to have a serious talk about cost needing to be a major factor in my choice of school, that dream of pursuing a level of higher education slowly moved farther from my reach. I began searching for scholarships daily. As of right now I have applied to over 30 scholarships and have about 40 more saved. Unfortunately, I haven’t been very lucky in the scholarship awards department, but I refuse to let that stop me. I know being a double major will affect the cost of my education. On top of the added stress, I will have to pay for double the amount of materials, which isn’t ideal. The average cost of books alone can range up to $1,000, so I am going to need all the help I can get. Applying to scholarships is my way of trying to cover that cost. It is no secret that college is expensive. However, it is an investment in my future that I am willing to make. Receiving this scholarship would be a huge help in relieving some of the financial burden on both me and my family. Leaving college debt-free is a top priority for me and being awarded this scholarship is an important step that will bring me closer to achieving that goal.

I have always taken great pride in my level of ambition. In elementary school, I ran for class president - and won! I took advantage of every opportunity that was made available to me. Every assignment was done like my future depended on it. Obviously, my third grade multiplication sheet wouldn’t determine if I got into college, but I didn’t know that. In middle school I managed to make it through with A’s every quarter, every semester, and every year. In high school I took high placement classes to get the education that I wanted in order to be successful in my career. All of my experiences eventually led me to where I am today. During the summer between my sophomore and junior year, I was given the opportunity to take part in the Advanced Studies Program. This five week rigorous academic summer program was accepting applications from the top ten percent of high schoolers in New Hampshire. I was accepted into the program and put into the After the Rally course. My first pick was Studio Arts, but I am so glad that I was put into After the Rally. The purpose of After the Rally was to have discussions and complete projects to learn about social justice in America. I didn’t realize how many social issues we had in our nation until I was taught about them through this class. We not only discussed problems facing our society, but we also spoke about possible solutions. At my high school, we have no courses about social justice. If I hadn’t been put into this course, I wouldn’t have found my new career path. After the Rally inspired me to want to make a difference in the world. I want to make a change that will positively impact as many people as possible. I will be enrolled at Clark University in the fall, double-majoring in management and political science with a concentration in ethics and public policy. During my junior year I plan on joining a 4+1 program, which will allow me to get my masters degree in management and public administration in only five years. I can’t make the foundational changes I want to make without receiving the higher education that I need. I have always cherished education; learning from my experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Through my AP government class that I am currently in, I have been able to learn about an array of events happening around the world - mostly pertaining to social justice. While I am becoming a more informed individual, it makes it more difficult for me to decide on what area of policy I want to focus on. Eventually I will be a voice for the voiceless by working in the government or in an interest group. There are thousands of activists around the world. I want to use their messages to take real action, transforming it into legislation that will make a difference. Whatever I choose to do with my degrees, I know it will be for the good of the people and I can’t wait to see where my path will lead me to next.

The stereotypical career path for a little girl back in the early 2000s was to be a ballerina. Unfortunately, I fit into that stereotype. It may have been because ballet was my extracurricular at six years old, or it might be the fact that kids weren’t taught about the multitude of potential career paths in elementary school. Once a month I volunteer as an assistant teacher in a kindergarten class. I like to ask them what they want to be when they grow up and it has sparked some fun conversations about the different paths that are available to them. As I got a little older, I thought I wanted to work with animals in some capacity. I didn’t have a pet, but I absolutely loved animals. I read animal rescue books about all sorts of animals, from domestic to wild. I began watching rescue videos online that made me want to open a sanctuary for dogs who have been abused. It was so heartbreaking to watch what these poor animals go through all over the world. I wanted to stop the mistreatment of the creatures who don’t have the ability to protect themselves. There have been multiple occasions throughout my young life where I have saved animals in the wild. From birds that flew into my windows to a tortoise that was stuck under a car. My early love of animals instilled in me a passion for helping others. I started off wanting to be a ballerina and an animal caretaker, but my experiences and interests placed me on a different career path. In high school I developed a deep fascination for social justice. I was accepted into a summer program called the Advanced Studies Program where I learned about the many injustices happening around the world. It opened my eyes to the struggles people face everyday. I wanted to do something about it. After looking through the many public service career options, I decided that I could make the most change through policy making. I am set to study public administration and management at Clark University in the fall. During my junior year I will enroll in a 4+1 program to get my master's degree. With these majors I can oversee policy making on many levels. Whether that be from a government position or from within an interest group. It will take me more time to figure out exactly where I want to use my degree and where I will fit in, but whatever I do it will be to help those in need.

Dedicating your life to serving the public isn’t just something that you decide. You have to be called to it. That moment for me was when I was selected to take a summer course learning about the many injustices happening to people all over the world. I worked alongside about eight other girls to look into root causes and possible solutions. I found the work fascinating. None of the projects we did went any further than the classroom, as it was an exploratory course, but I knew I wanted my career to be in a social justice field. After exploring my options, I decided the best thing for me would be to pursue a degree in public administration and management. I hope to join a 4+1 program during my junior year of college to get my masters degree in both programs. Being able to oversee and suggest public policy initiatives puts me in a position where I can make real change in thousands of lives. Of course, there are many ways to make change in the world, such as through activism, volunteering or donations, but being able to design and implement policies to make fundamental changes is the way I hope to make a societal difference. Although there are hundreds of social justice matters that deserve to be focused on by policymakers, I want to specifically address matters of women’s rights. At a time when women’s rights rest in the hands of politicians who know nothing about women, it is more important than ever to have advocates who will work towards passing laws to protect the rights of women. What is happening in the country with regard to women has me extremely worried. I hate how the government has this belief that they are allowed to control women based on their own beliefs. Some people who I have talked to about what I want to focus on think that there are already so many people working for women’s rights and that I should work in another field instead. I was pretty shocked when I first heard this. I honestly didn’t even know how to respond. There is power in numbers and if women are going to get the respect they deserve, we need to all work together: Men and women alike. I feel more inclined to do something that positively impacts women because of the people who think ‘they already have enough representation.’ Through policies I will help fabricate in the future, I want to tackle the root causes, just as I learned in my summer course, rather than by passing policies that work as a band-aid to the problem. By using what I have learned in the past combined with what I will learn in college, I believe I would be a valuable asset to the people of the United States. I am excited to contribute to the health and happiness of individuals and communities throughout the country and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Sitting quietly, trying to avoid the attention of others at any cost. Not wanting to cause problems. Not wanting to be a bother. Worst of all: not standing up for myself when something was wrong. My mom always had my back the second she sensed something was not as it should be. It wasn't until my mom became my sole guardian that I realize how my mom's support influenced my life. Watching how she stood up for herself and me through all kinds of situations taught me to become a strong advocate for myself and others. Not too long ago my sister was having trouble with a teacher who I also had trouble with during sophomore year. I wish that when I was a sophomore in that AP World class I had stood up for myself in a stronger way. I let that teacher disrespect me because she was an authority figure, but I now know that respect must go both ways. I learned that it is okay to cause problems when they are for the right reasons. Many other students had difficulty with this teacher, but were too afraid to stand up to her because they hadn't been taught to advocate for themselves. That teacher was negatively effecting my sister's mental health everyday and I was not about to allow her to get away with it again. I spoke with teachers whom I trusted about what to do and eventually decided that enough was enough. I had to go to someone who could make a change. I encouraged my sister to speak with the principal, knowing he has the power to make changes that will bring a smile back to my sister's face. Our principal and the students at Memorial High School have a very positive relationship. I accompanied Avery to his office and spoke for her when she was too overwhelmed to speak. After a few days, we were able to get Avery one-on-one help with one of the resource teachers who happens to teach AP World at a school nearby. Avery was back to her usual cheerful self and received the support she needed. Without my mom teaching me the importance of being an advocate, I know I wouldn't have had the courage or confidence to help my sister. I am excited to eventually work in the public policy field, impacting people's lives in the best way possible. I don't think I would be interested in this field if the art of advocating hadn't been rooted in me thanks to my mom. Being in a place of power is something that is too often taken advantage of. Individuals with the ability to make laws quite literally have people's lives in their hands. The goal should always be to leave the world a better place than how you found it, and that is what I intend to do.

For a long time, I thought I knew what I wanted to do when I got older. I was going to be an interior designer. Nothing could change my mind. It was a career that I was sure would make me happy. After sophomore year I realized that just because this career made me happy, it didn't mean I was actually making a difference in the lives of others, which is what I wanted to do. The summer after tenth grade I was accepted into an overnight summer program for the top ten percent of rising juniors and seniors in New Hampshire high schools. During my time at the Advanced Studies Program, I took a course that prompted me to take a deep dive into the vast array of social justice issues plaguing America. I was stunned by what I learned. I had heard of many of the issues, but had never seen the full extent of how they impacted people. During the program, a public speaker visited the ASP to give a presentation on what his life was like working in social justice. It was at that moment when I realized what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. After the presentation was finished, I ran to my teacher and told her, “Okay, I’ve decided. I definitely want to do something for social justice in college.” She gave me a high-five and that was that. I found my purpose. Now that I had made my generalized career decision, I needed to figure out exactly how I would make an impact. It’s hard to make change as someone who simply supports social justice related issues, so I decided to major in public policy in order to make the fundamental changes needed for true reform. I also plan on getting my master’s degree through a 4+1 program. While there are many issues to work with, I specifically want to focus on Women’s Rights. As a woman, the daily harassment that many women experience is no secret to me. Although I haven’t personally been harassed, the thought of it plagues me nearly everywhere I go. I refuse to go to the gas station at night, I constantly check behind me when I’m alone, I’m weary of most men, I lock my car immediately after getting in and my heart rate sharply increases whenever I see a man walking on the same side of the street as me. Women can’t continue to live fearing what danger may be lurking around the corner. I hope to be part of the solution for making this country a place where women can walk to their cars without holding keys between their fingers; where they can live each day to the fullest without the slightest hint of fear for their lives. Everyone has a right to feel safe and to be treated with respect.

In the year 2022, my mom, sister, and I woke up to a living room filled with water that was coming from the ceiling fan. A pipe had burst while we were all asleep. We quickly began carrying buckets of water from the living room to the bathroom. An hour later, a friend came over telling us to shut off the water completely. Unable to live in a house without water, we checked into a hotel. Due to complications with the first two hotels, we had to move into another hotel. At the third hotel, we checked in thinking we would only be there for about a week. Unfortunately, the contractor did not keep the room dividers (plastic sheets) up, so he unknowingly freed the asbestos while doing work in the bathroom - which spread throughout our entire house. Weeks later, another contractor came over and discovered that this had happened - warning us to not return until everything was fixed. Soon, warning signs were placed on every window in our house. The cancer-causing substance was in the air with me and my family as well as the workers while we were in the house all because the original contractor did not have anyone come in to test the area. Unable to keep anything that the asbestos touched, we were forced to throw away all of our belongings. The only material things we had left were the objects that were brought to the hotel with us. Instead of living in a hotel for a week, we lived there for eleven months and two weeks. Still to this day, I don't think I realized how much of an impact that had on me. I lost everything and have yet to process all that is gone. As time goes on, I try to forget about the past and what happened to me and my family, but sometimes it's too hard. Some people are not lucky enough to have what I had. Although my experience has been really hard for me, I know there are others out in the world who have it much harder than I do. Thanks to my experience, I was able to make lasting connections with the staff at the hotel we spent eleven months in. We continue to stay in touch with each other and often visit. Good things can come from bad experiences. I learned that material objects are not everything and that the most important things in life are your family members. It is too soon to see what impact the asbestos had on our health, but I hope me and my family members will be able to live long and healthy lives.