Jack Terry's story reminds me that even in unfathomable darkness, hope can survive and even thrive. He lost everything as a child yet managed to build a life filled with healing, purpose, and generosity. Like Jack, I've faced adversity that shaped me in ways I didn't choose. But also like him, I've chosen what to do with it. My elementary schoolyard was vibrant, but I often stayed in the garden, chasing butterflies or reading. I felt out of place. The kids made fun of what they didn’t understand—my hair, my body, my love for reading. I was an anomaly to them and to myself. Growing up with a single mother in an unstable home, I felt powerless. Financial struggles loomed over everything from food to housing and even basic peace of mind. On top of that, I was placed in a predominantly white school where I faced isolation, adversity and social injustice. But my parents, especially my mom, instilled a love of literature in me. My father, who I saw biweekly, read me Harry Potter as bedtime stories for years. Books became my refuge. Middle school was more diverse, yet I was still seen as “too strange,” “too smart,” “too white.” I spoke “too well” and read “too much." Then one day, a book series inspired me to start writing. That was my first taste of power. I realized my words held weight—they could influence others and spark change. But soon, I learned, it wasn't enough. I could no longer hide behind creative outlets. I knew the life I wanted, the woman I wanted to be, and it was my responsibility to cultivate that. In high school, I chose the FAME magnet program for choir—after eight years of performing, awards, and all-state honors, it seemed like the natural choice, but it wasn't the right one. I struggled with my depression, anxiety, PTSD and a new diagnosis: borderline personality disorder. Because of my academic success, my pain tended to be overlooked. So I advocated for myself. I left the program, found a place where I could breathe again, and reclaimed my identity as a creator and a human being. Writing became more than an outlet—it was a declaration of my existence. Just months later, I faced another huge challenge. One of the hardest, but most important, moments of my life. I testified in court against my abuser. I gave my victim statement at the end of the trial and helped convict him. He received two life sentences. It was terrifying, exhausting, and deeply painful—I celebrated by taking a trip to Puerto Rico which I mostly cried and slept through on the couch of our AirBnB—but I found strength in telling my truth. I realized the power of my voice wasn't just for stories. It was for justice, too. My family's financial hardship taught me resilience, trauma taught me survival, mental illness taught me empathy, and being raised by a single mother taught me strength. I now work to be a role model for my younger sister and my community, showing them they can live full, authentic lives despite challenges. In college, I plan to study creative writing and business, with the goal of one day creating a publishing or literary agency that focuses on marginalized voices, especially BIPOC creators like myself. Words saved me. I want to create stories that do the same for others. Art reflects, transforms, motivates, and remembers. I could have stayed confined to the box I was placed in, but instead, I broke free and changed my world. I’m determined to inspire others to do the same.

My elementary schoolyard was vibrant, but I often stayed in the garden, chasing butterflies or reading. I felt out of place. The kids made fun of what they didn’t understand—my hair, my body, my love for reading. I was an anomaly to them and to myself. Growing up with a single mother in an unstable home, I felt powerless. Financial struggles loomed over everything from food to housing and even basic peace of mind. On top of that, I was placed in a predominantly white school where I faced isolation, adversity and social injustice. But my parents, especially my mom, instilled a love of literature in me. My father read me Harry Potter as bedtime stories for years. Books became my refuge. Middle school was more diverse, yet I was still seen as “too strange,” “too smart,” “too white.” I spoke “too well” and read “too much." Then one day, a book series inspired me to starting writing. That was my first taste of power. I realized my words held weight—they could influence others and spark change. But soon, I learned, it wasn't enough. I could no longer hide behind creative outlets. I knew the life I wanted, the woman I wanted to be, and it was my responsibility to cultivate that. In high school, I chose the FAME magnet program for choir—after eight years of performing, awards, and all-state honors, it seemed like the natural choice, but it wasn't the right one. I struggled with my depression, anxiety, PTSD and a new diagnosis: borderline personality disorder. Because of my academic success, my pain tended to be overlooked. So I advocated for myself. I left the program, found a place where I could breathe again, and reclaimed my identity as a creator and a human being. Writing became more than an outlet—it was a declaration of my existence. My family's financial hardship taught me resilience, mental illness taught me empathy, and being raised by a single mother taught me strength. I now work to be a role model for my younger sister and my community, showing them they can live full, authentic lives despite challenges. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to my dreams. My mom always says, "You can do anything and go anywhere you want—as long as we can find the money." In college, I plan to study creative writing and business, with the goal of one day creating a publishing or literary agency that focuses on marginalized voices, especially BIPOC creators like myself. Leadership roles in National Honor Society and Student Government Association have taught me the value of community, collaboration, and service. I intend to carry these values with me in college and beyond. Words saved me. I want to create stories that do the same for others. Art reflects, transforms, motivates, and remembers. I could have stayed confined to the box I was placed in, but instead, I broke free and changed my world. I’m determined to inspire others to do the same.

I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and depression when I was twelve. I was medicated when I was fourteen. I am now seventeen, my medication has changed, and I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My entire life, I've watched trauma and mental health tear my family apart. It has divided us, caused us to mistrust and misunderstand each other. For a while, I was angry and bitter. After all, I was just a child. So are my brother and sister, as well as my friends and peers who've faced similar struggles of their own. We are so afraid of not being accepted that we hide our pain. We suffer in silence, because those of us that have dared to make themselves heard have been shunned, abandoned, ignored and or forgotten. I was just a child, and I lost hope. I was twelve years old, crying in a corner on Christmas Eve, considering suicide. Twelve years old on Christmas Eve. It's tragic to believe that that can happen to someone, especially so young, but it did and it does. Every day. What got me through it was finding things to hold on to. I believe everything happens for a really good reason. If I lose sight of that, nothing makes sense. So I find the reasons, no matter how big or small. When anxiety has me by the throat and I can't breathe, when depression is keeping me confined in my bed and not allowing me to leave, when my moods are erratic and unpredictable and I feel myself ready to lash out at a loved one, I remember that this is someone I love. Whether it's myself, my friend, or my family, this is someone that I love. Or something. I apply that to my every day life now, especially when things are dark. I find my reasons, I find something to look forward to, and I connect. If all else fails, I'll call a friend. These are some things I've learned throughout my healing process that I keep in mind daily. Healing, as a whole, is not a linear process. This can be hard to come to terms with, but it is undeniable. There have been many times where I thought, "Finally, I'm healed. I'm ready. War is over." I quickly learned that was not the case. I wonder if it will ever truly be "over," if there is a such thing as fully healed. Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there are some things I will always struggle with. Anxiety and depression, surely. I struggle with relationships and maintaining a stable sense of self and I know that is a battle I will fight for a long time. But I think as long as I focus on what I love and reaching my goals, I can make it through. When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, empathy, emotional struggles, and the intricacies of life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have.

My elementary schoolyard was vibrant, but I often stayed in the garden, chasing butterflies or reading. I felt out of place. The kids often made fun of what they didn’t understand—my hair, my body, my love for reading. I was an anomaly to them and to myself. As a child, I felt powerless. My unstable home life and being placed in a predominantly white school left me facing adversity and social injustice. But my parents were avid readers. My father read me Harry Potter as bedtime stories for years. Books became my refuge. Middle school was more diverse, yet I was still seen as “too strange,” “too smart,” “too white.” I spoke “too well” and read “too much,” which made me an outsider. One day, a book series inspired me to start writing. That was my first taste of power. I realized my words held weight—they could influence others and spark change. However, challenges persisted. I continued to be placed in spaces that didn’t fit. I could no longer hide behind my creative outlets. I knew the life I wanted, the woman I wanted to be, and it was my responsibility to cultivate that. By high school, I had been involved in choir for eight years—honor chorus, all-state, and awards. I chose the FAME magnet program for chorus, but it wasn't the right fit. I struggled with my mental health, an issue often dismissed because of my academic success. I felt like my struggles didn’t matter. I was trapped. No one was coming to rescue me, so I advocated for myself and found a program where I could thrive. I reclaimed my power as a creator and individual. Writing became more than an outlet—it became a declaration of my existence. I learned to shape my own narrative. I gained confidence and clarity, realizing I wanted to be that example for others. My identity as an artist is about connection—giving them spaces to grieve, feel, and grow. Rather than keeping my growth to myself, I chose to share it. I work hard every day, remaining in touch with my health and emotions. I want to be a role model to my peers and my younger sister, showing them they can live full, authentic lives despite struggles. I continue to grow, speak out and show up for my community. Many people believe words are just words, but to me, they are everything. Art is as crucial to society as water—it reflects, transforms, motivates, and remembers. Writing gave me my passion, voice, and courage. I could have stayed confined to the box I was placed in, but I broke free and changed my world. Now, I'm determined to do the same for others. Throughout college, I plan to study both creative writing and business so I can one day start my own publishing company or literary agency—one that advocates for marginalized voices, especially in the BIPOC community. I’ve developed a passion for leadership through my roles in National Honor Society and Student Government Association, which have taught me the value of service, vision, innovation, and collaboration. I'm determined to attend a school that nurtures both creativity and purpose. I want to lead, write, and connect, because my story isn't just mine—it's a blueprint for anyone who's ever been underestimated.

My elementary schoolyard was vibrant, but I often stayed in the garden, chasing butterflies or reading. I felt out of place. The kids often made fun of what they didn’t understand—my hair, my body, my love for reading. I was an anomaly to them and to myself. As a child, I felt powerless. My unstable home life and being placed in a predominantly white school left me facing adversity and social injustice. But my parents were avid readers. They instilled in me a love for literature; my father read me Harry Potter as bedtime stories for years. Books became my refuge. My middle school was more diverse, yet I was still seen as “too strange,” “too smart,” and “too white.” I spoke “too well” and read “too much,” which made me an outsider. One day, a book series inspired me to starting writing. That was my first taste of power. I realized my words held weight—they could influence others and spark change. However, challenges persisted. I continued to be placed in spaces that didn’t fit, forcing me to find something more than writing. I could no longer hide behind creative outlets. I knew the life I wanted, the woman I wanted to be, and it was my responsibility to cultivate that. By high school, I had been involved in choir for eight years—honor chorus, all-state, and awards. I chose the FAME magnet program for chorus, which turned out to be a poor fit. I struggled with my mental health, an issue often dismissed because of my academic success. I felt like my struggles didn’t matter. I found myself trapped. No one was coming to rescue me, so I advocated for myself and found a program where I could thrive. I reclaimed my power as a creator and individual. Writing became more than an outlet—it became a declaration of my existence. I learned to shape my own narrative. I gained confidence and faith in myself, realizing I wanted to be that example for others as well. My identity as an artist has always been about connecting with others—giving them spaces to grieve, feel, and grow. Rather than keeping my growth to myself, I chose to share. I work hard every day, remaining in touch with my health and emotions. I want to be a role model to my peers and my younger sister, teaching them they can succeed and live the life they want despite their struggles. I engage with my community, continue to grow, and speak out for myself and others. Many people believe words are just words, but to me, they are everything. Art is as crucial to society as water—it reflects, transforms, motivates, and remembers. I found myself through writing—my passion, voice, and courage. I could have stayed confined to the box I was placed in, but instead, I broke free and changed my world. I’m determined to inspire others to do the same. Throughout college, I will write and connect with the world around me. I'm determined to attend a school that nurtures collaboration and community. I’ve developed a passion for leadership through my roles in National Honor Society and Student Government Association. These experiences taught me the value of collaboration and leadership. I look forward to taking on similar roles in college, joining student organizations, and contributing to causes I’m passionate about. We are all the same at our core. We face challenges, passion, and purpose. Writing and connecting with others is my purpose. I am dedicated to creating, learning, and sharing my stories, because I know words can change lives—the way they changed mine.

When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. I admired the characters and the story so much that I molded them to my imagination. It wasn't long before I created my own characters, my own stories. That was my first taste of power. I had always written for me, but soon I realized my words held weight, that they could influence others and be a catalyst for change. To most people, words are just words. It is why writers are so rare. And that is what I love. This passion and talent that I have to create worlds by hitting a few keys and manipulating a pen is incredibly rare, yet just as powerful as any weapon. I've struggled with mental health for most of my life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have. I've written an endless number of poems and recently finished my first novel. I'm working on two others while it's in the process of being published. Art is as essential to society as anything. It reflects us, connects us, motivates us, remembers us. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, to guide them to see how sacred books and the art of writing really is. From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to prose. Authors hold so much power in their minds, in their hands, and they are brave enough to share it with the world even if others call them crazy. I believe all good artists must be a little bit odd, a little less sane than the rest, because it takes courage to be vulnerable, to defy what society views as acceptable. It takes courage to face the horrors of the world and it takes passion to find beauty in them, to write about them and look at them through various lenses. That is what I have done and will continue to do. I want to share my writing, my gift with the world and inspire others to do the same. Throughout college and life, I will write until my hands no longer work, create as many worlds as I can. I will write books and poetry, all while studying the works of others, being inspired by my professors and peers, pushing myself, and expanding my knowledge and skills. I aim to have a career in supporting other writers. While publishing my own books, I plan to work in the publishing field, likely as an agent or editor. I want to help others achieve their goals, motivate them and continue to cultivate love for the art of writing that I believe many of us lose under the pressure and competition of the working world. We are all the same at our core. We all have a passion, a purpose. This is mine. I love it more than anything and that is why I will succeed.

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression when I was twelve. I was medicated when I was fourteen. I am now seventeen, my medication has changed, and I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My entire life, I've watched trauma and mental health tear my family apart. It has divided us, caused us to mistrust and misunderstand each other. For a while, I was angry and bitter. After all, I was just a child. So are my brother and sister, as well as my friends and peers who've faced similar struggles of their own. We are so afraid of not being accepted that we hide our pain. We suffer in silence, because those of us that have dared to make themselves heard have been shunned, abandoned, ignored and or forgotten. I was just a child, and I lost hope. I was twelve years old, crying in a corner on Christmas Eve, considering suicide. Twelve years old on Christmas Eve. It's tragic to believe that that can happen to someone, especially so young, but it did and it does. Every day. What got me through it was finding things to hold on to. I believe everything happens for a really good reason. If I lose sight of that, nothing makes sense. So I find the reasons, no matter how big or small. When anxiety has me by the throat and I can't breathe, when depression is keeping me confined in my bed and not allowing me to leave, when my moods are erratic and unpredictable and I feel myself ready to lash out at a loved one, I remember that this is someone I love. Whether that be myself, my friend, or my family, this is someone that I love. Or something. I apply that to my every day life now, especially when things are dark. I find my reasons, I find something to look forward to, and I connect. If all else fails, I'll call a friend. These are some things I've learned throughout my healing process that I keep in mind daily. Healing, as a whole, is not a linear process. This can be hard to come to terms with, but it is undeniable. There have been many times where I thought, "Finally, I'm healed. I'm ready. War is over." I quickly learned that was not the case. I wonder if it will ever truly be "over," if there is a such thing as fully healed. Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there are some things I will always struggle with. Anxiety and depression, surely. I struggle with relationships and maintaining a stable sense of self and I know that is a battle I will fight for a long time. But I think as long as I focus on what I love and reaching my goals, I can make it through. When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, empathy, emotional struggles, and the intricacies of life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have.

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression when I was twelve. I was medicated when I was fourteen. I am now seventeen, my medication has changed, and I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My entire life, I've watched trauma and mental health tear my family apart. It has divided us, caused us to mistrust and misunderstand each other. For a while, I was angry and bitter. After all, I was just a child. So are my brother and sister, as well as my friends and peers who've faced similar struggles of their own. Through it all, I've realized that humans are more alike than we realize. We tend to judge, criticize and fear what we do not understand. That is human nature. It is also in human nature to connect with others, but we are so afraid of not being accepted that we hide our pain. We suffer in silence, because those of us that have dared to make themselves heard have been shunned, abandoned, ignored and or forgotten. I was just a child, and I lost hope. I believe most of us have. But I've begun to see the light again. All of my personal struggles and those I have helped others through have hurt me, yes, but have also opened my eyes to what's important. I believe everything happens for a really good reason. If I lose sight of that, nothing makes sense. So I find the reasons, no matter how big or small. Everything I do, I do with empathy and love. Those are the things we have to nurture. When anxiety has me by the throat and I can't breathe, when depression is keeping me confined in my bed and not allowing me to leave, when my moods are erratic and unpredictable and I feel myself ready to lash out at a loved one, I remember that this is someone I love. Whether that be myself, my friend, or my family, this is someone that I love. Or something. I was twelve years old, crying in a corner on Christmas Eve, considering suicide. Twelve years old on Christmas Eve. It's tragic to believe that that can happen to someone, especially so young, but it did and it does. Every day. What got me through it was finding things to hold on to, the things and the people that I love. It's different for everyone, but it's important to find something to look forward to. I apply that to my every day life now, especially when things are dark. I find my reasons, I find something to look forward to, and I connect. Connection is one of the most important things for any species to survive. There are numerous studies that support the idea that short interactions can have significant effects on stress levels, emotions, and overall wellbeing. If all else fails, I'll call a friend. These are some things I've learned throughout my healing process that I keep in mind daily. Healing, as a whole, is not a linear process. This can be hard to come to terms with, but it is undeniable. There have been many times where I thought, "Finally, I'm healed. I'm ready. War is over." I quickly learned that was not the case. I wonder if it will ever truly be "over," if there is a such thing as fully healed. Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there are some things I will always struggle with. Anxiety and depression, surely. I struggle with relationships and maintaining a stable sense of self and I know that is a battle I will fight for a long time. But I think as long as I focus on what I love and reaching my goals, I can make it through. I'm an author. Writing is my passion; books are my everything. I want to have a career as an author as well as an agent or editor so that I can help others to pursue such a career path as well. When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. I admired the characters and the story so much that I molded them to my imagination. It wasn't long before I created my own characters, my own stories. That was my first taste of power. I had always written for me, but soon I realized my words held weight, that they could influence others and be a catalyst for change. To most people, words are just words. It is why writers are so rare. And that is what I love. This passion and talent that I have to create worlds by hitting a few keys and manipulating a pen is incredibly rare, yet just as powerful as any weapon. I've written an endless number of poems and recently finished my first novel. I'm working on two others while it's in the process of being published. Art is as essential to society as anything. It reflects us, connects us, motivates us, remembers us. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, empathy, emotional struggles, and the intricacies of life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have. Mental health is real. It is everywhere, in all of us. It should be recognized and better understood. I encourage all to work to better understand themselves and the people around them, to put their health above all else. And to never give up.

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression when I was twelve. I was medicated when I was fourteen. I am now seventeen, my medication has changed, and I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My entire life, I've watched trauma and mental health tear my family apart. It has divided us, caused us to mistrust and misunderstand each other. For a while, I was angry and bitter. After all, I was just a child. So are my brother and sister, as well as my friends and peers who've faced similar struggles of their own. We tend to judge, criticize and fear what we do not understand. That is human nature. It is also in human nature to connect with others, but we are so afraid of not being accepted that we hide our pain. We suffer in silence, because those of us that have dared to make themselves heard have been shunned, abandoned, ignored and or forgotten. I was just a child, and I lost hope. I believe most of us have. But I've begun to see the light again. All of my personal struggles and those I have helped others through have hurt me, yes, but have also opened my eyes to what's important. I believe everything happens for a really good reason. If I lose sight of that, nothing makes sense. So I find the reasons, no matter how big or small. Everything I do, I do with empathy and love. Those are the things we have to nurture. When anxiety has me by the throat and I can't breathe, when depression is keeping me confined in my bed and not allowing me to leave, when my moods are erratic and unpredictable and I feel myself ready to lash out at a loved one, I remember that this is someone I love. Whether that be myself, my friend, or my family, this is someone that I love. Or something. I was twelve years old, crying in a corner on Christmas Eve, considering suicide. Twelve years old on Christmas Eve. It's tragic to believe that that can happen to someone, especially so young, but it did and it does. Every day. What got me through it was finding things to hold on to, the things and the people that I love. It's different for everyone, but it's important to find something to look forward to. I apply that to my every day life now, especially when things are dark. I find my reasons, I find something to look forward to, and I connect. Connection is one of the most important things for any species to survive. There are numerous studies that support the idea that short interactions can have significant effects on stress levels, emotions, and overall wellbeing. If all else fails, I'll call a friend. These are some things I've learned throughout my healing process that I keep in mind daily. Healing, as a whole, is not a linear process. This can be hard to come to terms with, but it is undeniable. There have been many times where I thought, "Finally, I'm healed. I'm ready. War is over." I quickly learned that was not the case. I wonder if it will ever truly be "over," if there is a such thing as fully healed. Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there are some things I will always struggle with. Anxiety and depression, surely. I struggle with relationships and maintaining a stable sense of self and I know that is a battle I will fight for a long time. But I think as long as I focus on what I love and reaching my goals, I can make it through. I'm an author. I want to have a career as an author as well as an agent or editor so that I can help others to pursue such a career path. When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have a good home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. I've written an endless number of poems and recently finished my first novel. I'm working on two others while it's in the process of being published. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, empathy, emotional struggles, and the intricacies of life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have.

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression when I was twelve. I was medicated when I was fourteen. I am now seventeen, my medication has changed, and I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My entire life, I've watched trauma and mental health tear my family apart. It has divided us, caused us to mistrust and misunderstand each other. For a while, I was angry and bitter. After all, I was just a child. So are my brother and sister, as well as my friends and peers who've faced similar struggles of their own. Through it all, I've realized that humans are more alike than we realize. We tend to judge, criticize and fear what we do not understand. That is human nature. It is also in human nature to connect with others, but we are so afraid of not being accepted that we hide our pain. We suffer in silence, because those of us that have dared to make themselves heard have been shunned, abandoned, ignored and or forgotten. I was just a child and I lost hope. I believe most of us have. But I've begun to see the light again. All of my personal struggles and those I have helped others through have hurt me, yes, but have also opened my eyes to what's important. I believe everything happens for a really good reason. If I lose sight of that, nothing makes sense. So I find the reasons, no matter how big or small. Everything I do, I do with empathy and love. Those are the things we have to nurture. When anxiety has me by the throat and I can't breathe, when depression is keeping me confined in my bed and not allowing me to leave, when my moods are erratic and unpredictable and I feel myself ready to lash out at a loved one, I remember that this is someone I love. Whether that be myself, my friend, or my family, this is someone that I love. Or something. I was twelve years old, crying in a corner on Christmas Eve, considering suicide. Twelve years old on Christmas Eve. It's tragic to believe that that can happen to someone, especially so young, but it did and it does. Every day. What got me through it was finding things to hold on to, the things and the people that I love. It's different for everyone, but it's important to find something to look forward to. I apply that to my every day life now, especially when things are dark. I find my reasons, I find something to look forward to, and I connect. Connection is one of the most important things for any species to survive. There are numerous studies that support the idea that short interactions can have significant effects on stress levels, emotions, and overall wellbeing. If all else fails, I'll call a friend. These are some things I've learned throughout my healing process that I keep in mind daily. Healing, as a whole, is not a linear process. This can be hard to come to terms with, but it is undeniable. There have been many times where I thought, "Finally, I'm healed. I'm ready. War is over." I quickly learned that was not the case. I wonder if it will ever truly be "over," if there is a such thing as fully healed. Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there are some things I will always struggle with. Anxiety and depression, surely. I struggle with relationships and maintaining a stable sense of self and I know that is a battle I will fight for a long time. But I think as long as I focus on what I love and reaching my goals, I can make it through. I'm an author. Writing is my passion; books are my everything. I want to have a career as an author as well as an agent or editor so that I can help others to pursue such a career path as well. When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. I admired the characters and the story so much that I molded them to my imagination. It wasn't long before I created my own characters, my own stories. That was my first taste of power. I had always written for me, but soon I realized my words held weight, that they could influence others and be a catalyst for change. To most people, words are just words. It is why writers are so rare. And that is what I love. This passion and talent that I have to create worlds by hitting a few keys and manipulating a pen is incredibly rare, yet just as powerful as any weapon. I've written an endless number of poems and recently finished my first novel. I'm working on two others while it's in the process of being published. Art is as essential to society as anything. It reflects us, connects us, motivates us, remembers us. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, the intricacies of life. Part of rediscovering my love for living was achieved in cultivating my love for writing. I want to help others to do the same, to find the one thing that keeps them going and possibly build a career out of it as I have. Mental health is real. It is everywhere, in all of us. It should be recognized and better understood. I encourage all to work to better understand themselves and the people around them, to put their health above all else. And to never give up.

When I was a child, I felt powerless. I didn't have the safest or best home life. Books were my escape. I felt more comfortable in pages of fiction than I did in my own head. One day, a book series inspired me so much that I picked up a pen and began writing. I admired the characters and the story so much that I molded them to my imagination. It wasn't long before I created my own characters, my own stories. That was my first taste of power. I had always written for me, but soon I realized my words held weight, that they could influence others and be a catalyst for change. To most people, words are just words. It is why writers are so rare. And that is what I love. This passion and talent that I have to create worlds by hitting a few keys and manipulating a pen is incredibly rare, yet just as powerful as any weapon. I've written an endless number of poems and recently finished my first novel. I'm working on two others while it's in the process of being published. Art is as essential to society as anything. It reflects us, connects us, motivates us, remembers us. What I hope to achieve with my writing is to open people's eyes to the magic of creation in literature, to guide them to see how sacred books and the art of writing really is. From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to prose. Authors hold so much power in their minds, in their hands, and they are brave enough to share it with the world even if others call them crazy. I believe all good artists must be a little bit odd, a little less sane than the rest, because it takes courage to be vulnerable, to defy what society views as acceptable. It takes courage to face the horrors of the world and it takes passion to find beauty in them, to write about them and look at them through various lenses. That is what I have done and will continue to do. I want to share my writing, my gift with the world and inspire others to do the same. Throughout college and life, I will write until my hands no longer work, create as many worlds as I can. I will write books and poetry, all while studying the works of others, being inspired by my professors and peers, pushing myself, and expanding my knowledge and skills. I aim to have a career in supporting other writers. While publishing my own books, I plan to work in the publishing field, likely as an agent or editor. I want to help others achieve their goals, motivate them and continue to cultivate love for the art of writing that I believe many of us lose under the pressure and competition of the working world. We are all the same at our core. We all have a passion, a purpose. This is mine. I love it more than anything and that is why I will succeed.