Growing up with a mom who had 3 miscarriages and a very difficult time getting pregnant I think I found the sanctity of life so special at an early age. As I've gotten older and have realized how important it is for us, who have a voice, to speak out for the unborn who are unable to speak for themselves I think my involvement with the movement has expanded. Another thing that has shaped my pro-life position has been hearing the stories of people who their parents tried to abort them has really impacted the urgency I have to advocate for the unborn. I read a book in high school called Abortion Free by Troy Newman and Cheryl Sullenger .That book really gave me the confidence to began speaking out in school when it came to being pro-life. Going to a public high school in Southern California you learn really quick what happens when you believe the opposite of most kids. But you also learn what it feels like to stick up for something you believe in! When I was a senior in high school I had an argument with my government teacher, because she said that late term abortions didn't really exist. I stated to her that yes they do, she then proceeded to tell me show me the data and we'll talk about it. That night I went home and studied the data. According to a survey done by the CDC in 2019 there was an 11.9% abortion rate of pregnancies from 21 weeks and later. She told me about 11% that's not that many. And though 11% percent may not seem like a lot when you look at the big picture and see that 11.9% of the 629,898 abortions that occurred that year is 74,957 late term abortions that really makes you see the big picture. It's not just one or two its close to 75,000 babies that are being killed.Babies that have a heart beat, brain function ,movement of arms and legs and even taste buds. Those are all the same functions a baby has when they are born!That experience taught me that when you have confidence in what you are saying and give data to back up your beliefs people are going to listen. That doesn't mean they'll agree or that they won't fight you on it, but they'll hear you. I have since been involved in my Student for Life organization on my college campus. Something I believe when it comes to promoting pro-life values is that you do not only need to do it in an organized setting. From my personal experience some of the most productive discussion I have had with people is one-on-one discussions.Being pro-life often gives you a sense of reality of the world in my opinion. You see everyday as a way to live for those who are being murdered with no voice, you live everyday to give them a voice and to share how their lives are precious and how they will be remembered.

My mom has impacted my life in so many ways, I'm not even sure I can really put it into words. To start my mom is such a spiritual woman who inspires me to be not only a mother but also a woman with a career. Seeing my mom raise four children while being a successful educator has inspired me to go into the education field. I always tried steering away from becoming a teacher, but as I've gotten older and seen how much of an impact my mom had not only in my life but also in the lives of her students. I hope to be able to impact the next generation of children as she has for the last 28 years. Being raised by a mom who stood by the Word of the Lord has been one of the best things that I believe could have happened to me. Her being strong in her relationship with the Lord allowed me to see just how much of an impact God has in the household when a mother has the fear of the Lord. As well as God giving her strength to not only raise us but to be a successful woman outside of the home. Growing up it would get a little annoying if I'm being honest, how much my mom revolved our growing up around the church and having Christian friends. But now that I am older I don't even think I could thank her enough for equipping us to go into this world and have a faith so strong. I remember growing up that when we woke up in the morning my mom would blast Toby Mac's "I just need you" and though it was really annoying it was such an awesome way for her to start our days. Remembering why we were here, alive and breathing, we were made to worship the Lord. That when we feared we knew that the Lord was always going to be there to guide our steps even when we felt alone. As I moved away to college I often think back to my time of drought and even now as I've moved away and I am so thankful to the Lord for putting my mom in my life. My time in her house taught me so much about how a woman with the strength given, only by the Lord, truly lives her life which is why I aspire to be just like my mom when I grow up.

If I were to get get the $1000 right now, I would put it towards paying for my plane ticket to Amsterdam which is where I am beginning my semester studying abroad. I am planning on studying abroad this upcoming fall and although that is a little bit away, I am trying to save money now so that when I am in another country I do not have to worry about how I am going to pay to eat dinner or worry about how I am going to pay for my room and board when I get back to the states. The 1,000 dollars would specifically go towards my airplane ticket to the Netherlands, as mentioned before, which would be such a weight lifted off my shoulders. This will allow me to save more money to travel throughout the countries I hope to see when abroad in Europe and Asia. Plane tickets to Amsterdam are on the higher side right now due to COVID, but if there was leftover money I would put it towards the souvenirs that I hope to get my family while traveling abroad. The $1000 will really make an impact on my semester abroad and help me afford the travels that I plan to undertake when in-country and traveling with others throughout Europe and Asia.

one of my favorite hobbies is reading. Reading is such an amazing way to be able to step away from my everyday life of school and work and dive into the life of someone else. While their problems often get solved by the end of the book, it lets me know that life can be worse. And my life is the life that so many people dream of. Not having to worry about what food they're going to eat for dinner or worrying about how there going to pay their rent for the month. So I'm going to make a statement that's a little bit embarrassing but, I've never had a boyfriend or even had a boy interest in me, or at least if I did I didn't know it. Books are my one look into the world of love, or at least the world I one day hope to experience. Books remind me that love does exist, even for those who feel forgotten about. And there are days where I definitely feel forgotten about. and the days that I do can read a book with an amazing love story and a boy who is willing to do anything for the woman he loves. Books are an escape to life that I think not only allows me to escape from my current life but also allows me to gain knowledge about the workaround me. even though I love reading fantasy there is something that I have learned from these stories. whether that is that confidence can change not only your perspective of yourself but also the way that others perceive you. Books are one of the best things that have happened to me and my love for reading has begun to flourish again just like when I was a little and couldn't put books down. I love reading and it is definitely the hobby that has helped me flourish and become the person I am today!

The Best Year of the Unknown 1. On the Mend- Foo Fighters 2. Grounded- Sharp Dialect 3. See the Light-Hillsong 4. Walk on Water-Matthew S.Nelson 5. You Got This-Love and Overcome 6. Still Rolling Stones- Lauren Daigle 7. All I Want -Olivia Rodrigo