A lot of people say math is their least favorite subject, but I have always enjoyed it. I like that there is usually a right answer, and even when a problem is difficult, there is always a way to work through it. Math has taught me to be patient, think carefully, and never give up just because something doesn’t make sense the first time. I actually enjoy the challenge of solving a problem and the feeling you get when everything finally clicks. One of the things I like most about math is that it makes me think differently. Instead of guessing, you have to slow down, pay attention to the details, and figure out each step. That has helped me not only in school but also in other parts of my life. Whether I am playing basketball, volunteering, or making important decisions, I have learned that taking things one step at a time usually leads to the best outcome. I also like that math connects to so many everyday situations. We use it without even realizing it, whether we’re managing money, measuring ingredients while cooking, or keeping score during a game. Knowing that math has real-life uses makes learning it even more interesting to me. Even when I have struggled with certain topics, I have never let that stop me from trying. Every challenge has helped me become more confident and shown me that making mistakes is just part of learning. The more I practice, the more I improve, and that motivates me to keep going. Overall, I love math because it challenges me, helps me grow, and teaches me valuable problem-solving skills that I can use every day. It has shown me that hard work and persistence pay off, and that lesson is something I will carry with me throughout college, my future career, and every challenge I face.

I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because she has always stayed true to herself, even as she has grown as an artist. She has shown that success doesn’t happen overnight and that hard work, patience, and believing in yourself can take you a long way. Watching her career grow has been inspiring because she didn’t give up, even when people underestimated her. She continued to work hard, improve her music, and prove herself through her talent. One thing I admire most about Sabrina is her confidence. She isn’t afraid to be herself, and I think that’s something a lot of people, including me, can learn from. As someone who has balanced sports, school, leadership activities, and community service, I know that there can be pressure to compare yourself to others or wonder if you’re doing enough. Seeing Sabrina stay focused on her own path reminds me that everyone has their own journey, and success looks different for everyone. Her music has also had an impact on me because it is honest and relatable. Whether she is singing about confidence, growing up, or learning from difficult experiences, her songs remind me that it’s okay to keep learning and growing. I like that she writes music that feels real and allows people to connect with it in different ways. Overall, Sabrina Carpenter has impacted me by showing me the importance of believing in yourself and staying committed to your goals, even when things don’t happen as quickly as you hope. Her career reminds me that hard work and determination can lead to great opportunities. That is something I want to carry with me as I continue working toward my own goals in college and my future career. She inspires me to keep pushing forward, stay confident in who I am, and never stop believing in what I can accomplish.

One Olivia Rodrigo lyric that really resonates with me is, “Comparison is killin’ me slowly,” from her song “jealousy, jealousy.” I think this lyric is something almost everyone can relate to, especially people my age. With social media, it is so easy to compare yourself to everyone else and feel like you are falling behind. Even when you know people usually only post the best parts of their lives, it can still make you question yourself. As a student-athlete, I have experienced this in different ways. Whether it was comparing myself to other basketball players, wondering if I was doing enough in school, or feeling like I needed to accomplish more, I have learned that comparison can take away from being proud of your own achievements. There were times when I focused so much on what everyone else was doing that I forgot to appreciate how far I had come myself. Over time, I realized that everyone’s journey is different. Instead of comparing myself to others, I started focusing on becoming the best version of myself. I worked hard in school to stay on the A/B Honor Roll while balancing sports, leadership activities, and community service. As captain of my basketball team, I learned that leadership isn’t about trying to be better than everyone else. It is about encouraging the people around you and helping everyone succeed together. Winning a state championship was an incredible accomplishment, but what meant even more to me were the friendships, memories, and lessons I gained along the way. This lyric also reminds me to stop comparing my future to someone else’s. As I prepare for college and work toward becoming an orthodontist, I know my path won’t look exactly like anyone else’s, and that’s okay. Every experience I have had, whether it was mentoring younger students, volunteering in my community, or overcoming challenges in sports and school, has helped shape who I am. Those experiences are preparing me for the future I want to build. To me, this lyric is a reminder that comparison can keep you from seeing your own growth. Everyone has different goals, different struggles, and different timelines. Instead of measuring my life against someone else’s, I want to keep focusing on my own progress and continue becoming the person I want to be. Olivia Rodrigo’s lyric reminds me that confidence doesn’t come from being better than everyone else. It comes from accepting yourself, appreciating your own journey, and trusting that everything will happen when it’s supposed to.

When I think about why I should be considered for this scholarship, I don’t just think about the awards I have earned or the activities I have been involved in. I think about everything those experiences have taught me and how they have helped shape the person I am today. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself to stay involved, work hard, and give back to others whenever I could. Whether I was on the basketball court, volunteering in my community, mentoring younger students, or working hard in the classroom, I always wanted to give my best effort. These experiences have helped me grow into someone who values leadership, kindness, and perseverance, and they have prepared me for the next chapter of my life. One of the biggest parts of my high school experience has been basketball. Being the captain of my varsity basketball team taught me lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I learned that being a leader is about more than being the best player. It means encouraging your teammates, staying positive when things get difficult, and leading by example every single day. Our team worked hard together, and making it to the state semifinals and then winning the state championship are accomplishments I will never forget. Those moments showed me what can happen when people work together toward the same goal. I was also honored to receive Academic All-District and Academic All-State for basketball. Those awards meant a lot to me because they showed that I was able to balance athletics with my education. I also played volleyball, where I built lifelong friendships and learned even more about teamwork, communication, and supporting the people around me. Outside of sports, I wanted to stay involved in organizations that allowed me to grow as a leader and help others. As an officer for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I helped plan meetings and events that brought students together through faith, encouragement, and friendship. I enjoyed helping create an environment where everyone felt welcome and supported. I was also a member of Freedom Club, where we discussed challenges our world is facing and talked about different ways we could make a positive difference. Those meetings reminded me that change starts with people who are willing to step up and help, even in small ways. Another experience that had a huge impact on me was Peer Assistance and Leadership. Through this program, I mentored younger students and completed community service throughout the school year. I enjoyed getting to know the younger students and encouraging them as they grew. Being someone they could look up to reminded me that even simple acts of kindness and encouragement can make a difference in someone’s life. It taught me the importance of patience, responsibility, and always trying to set a good example. Community service has become one of my favorite ways to give back. I volunteered at Hero Camp, where I helped children build important life and intervention skills while encouraging them to believe in themselves. I participated in Samaritan’s Purse by packing Christmas gift boxes for children who may not have received gifts during the holidays. Knowing that something as simple as a gift box could bring joy to a child made the experience very meaningful. I also spent time at the Mont Belvieu Rehabilitation Center helping organize crafts and bingo for senior citizens. Seeing the smiles on their faces and listening to their stories reminded me that spending time with someone can mean just as much as giving them something. I helped renovate Plantation Park so families in my community would have a safe and enjoyable place to spend time together. During my town’s Fall Fest, I volunteered at a hair-coloring booth and enjoyed interacting with members of the community. I also volunteered at an animal shelter by cleaning cages and spending time with the animals, and I served at the community food bank by loading groceries into carts and helping deliver them to families. Every volunteer opportunity reminded me that helping others does not always have to involve something big. Sometimes simply showing up, offering your time, and caring about people is enough to make a difference. Along with staying involved, I remained committed to my education by maintaining A/B Honor Roll throughout high school. Balancing school, sports, leadership positions, and community service was not always easy, but it taught me how to manage my time, stay organized, and keep working toward my goals even when life became busy. I learned that hard work and consistency always pay off. As I continue my education, I plan to pursue a career in orthodontics. My own experience with braces gave me confidence in my smile, and I want to help other people experience that same confidence. I believe orthodontics is about more than straightening teeth. It is about helping people feel comfortable smiling, laughing, and being themselves. I also hope to volunteer my time in communities that may not have access to orthodontic care because everyone deserves the opportunity to feel confident in their smile. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue working toward my goals while allowing me to stay focused on my education and continue serving others. I will continue to work hard, lead by example, and look for opportunities to make a positive impact wherever I go. I believe my experiences have prepared me for college, and I am excited to continue growing as both a student and a person. I hope to represent this scholarship with gratitude, determination, and a commitment to giving back to others, just as I have throughout my high school years.

The Taylor Swift performance I find the most moving is when she performs “Marjorie” during The Eras Tour. I think this performance is so emotional because the song is about her grandmother, who passed away, and you can tell it means so much to her every time she sings it. One of my favorite parts is when her grandmother’s real vocals play during the song. It makes the performance feel even more personal and reminds everyone that the people we love can still be with us through memories. I also love when everyone in the stadium turns on their phone flashlights because it creates such a beautiful atmosphere. Even though there are thousands of people there, it feels like such a quiet and meaningful moment. I think that’s what makes this performance stand out from so many others. It isn’t just about the music or the stage effects. It’s about remembering someone who had a huge impact on her life and sharing that with her fans. I think anyone who has lost someone can relate to it in some way. Every time I watch this performance, it reminds me how important it is to appreciate the people you love while they’re still here and to always keep their memories close to your heart every single day.

Challenge Name: Truth or Trouble The islanders get a text saying, “Islanders, it’s time to see how well you really know each other. Welcome to Truth or Trouble. #NoMoreSecrets #GoodLuck.” Everyone is excited but nervous because they know something is about to happen. Before the challenge starts, every islander gets pulled one by one to answer questions in private. The questions can be funny, serious, or messy. Some of them are, “Who was your first choice coming into the villa?”, “What’s your biggest red flag?”, “Who’s someone you would couple up with if your partner wasn’t here?”, “What’s one thing that annoys you about your partner?”, and “What’s something you’ve wanted to say but haven’t?” Then everyone comes back together and starts the challenge. One couple goes at a time. One person answers questions about their partner, and if they get the answer right, they get a point. If they get it wrong, the real answer is read out loud for everyone to hear. That’s where the drama starts because people might hear things their partner never told them. After every few questions, they have to do a fun obstacle, like running across the yard carrying giant puzzle pieces or popping balloons to find the next clue. If they finish before the timer runs out, they keep their points. The best part is at the end. Every couple gets an envelope with something another islander said about their relationship during the private interviews. They don’t know who said it, but everyone else does. It could be something nice like, “They’re the strongest couple,” or something that causes drama like, “I don’t think they’re being real.” They have one guess to figure out who said it. If they’re right, they get extra points. If they’re wrong, the person who said it has to stand up and explain why. The couple with the most points wins a private date outside the villa and gets to spend the night together. The couple with the least points has to sleep outside on the daybeds. I think this challenge would be really entertaining because it shows how well couples actually know each other, but it also brings out secrets that can change relationships. It would definitely create drama, but it would also help people see who’s being honest and who’s not.

Sometimes people mistake the word impact. When I think of impact, I think of giving back and helping others, not for your own benefit, but because you genuinely want to make a difference in someone else’s life. Deciding what I wanted to do for my future wasn’t easy at first, but once I found orthodontics, I knew it was meant for me. I had braces myself, and fixing my teeth was one of the most exciting and confidence-boosting experiences I’ve ever had. Teeth are important because we smile, laugh, and talk with them every day. Something as simple as improving someone’s smile can completely change the way they see themselves. My experience with braces showed me that orthodontics is about much more than straightening teeth. It is about giving people confidence, improving their oral health, and helping them feel comfortable being themselves. I remember how much more confident I felt once my braces came off, and I want to give that same feeling to others. Everyone deserves to feel proud of their smile, regardless of their background or financial situation. The impact I hope to make through orthodontics goes beyond the walls of a dental office. I want to serve communities that may not have easy access to orthodontic care and help people who might otherwise go without treatment. Many families cannot afford braces or other orthodontic services, even when they need them. My goal is to volunteer my time, participate in outreach programs, and use my education to make quality care more accessible. Even helping one person gain confidence in their smile can create a ripple effect that positively influences their relationships, education, and future opportunities. I also want to inspire others through kindness and compassion. Going to the orthodontist can be intimidating, especially for children or people who have had negative experiences with dental care. I want every patient to feel welcomed, heard, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. Building trust with patients is just as important as providing excellent treatment. To me, shaping a better future means leaving people better than I found them. Orthodontics gives me the opportunity to improve not only smiles but also confidence, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. The greatest impact I can make is using my passion and skills to help others, one smile at a time. I believe every smile has a story, and I want to be someone who helps people feel confident enough to share theirs with the world.

I am Mackenzie Thornhill and I am involved in PALs which stands for Peer Assistance and Leadership. What I do is mentor children younger than me and be a role model and a friend they can talk to, we also do things to help our community. We do 30 hours of service total each year. Doing service hours and seeing the difference of each one, it wasn't a chore to me. Even though it was a requirement, it's something I began to enjoy. I play basketball at my high school and being a team player and serving others is something that has come very natural to me. Some may look at it as a sport but I look at it as a game that has prepared me for life's hard challenges. We made it to the state semifinals last year and being so close to a state championship really showed me how much I wanted that to be me. I wanted to make history and be the leader that our team could count on. Being vocal and leading is something I find very natural. Starting in off season and setting the tone for the season and staying consistent was a challenge at first, but overtime it became a routine. My teammates looked to me when they needed guidance. I got hurt halfway through the season and I have never experienced such a thing. I got to focus on balancing schoolwork and take a step back and it showed me a different perspective on school. No matter how much playing time you get, or your performance in school, you always have an important role. Making it to the state championship this year was truly a blessing and has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. When you are at your lowest, pushing through and realizing that I am doing it for my team motivated me through the challenges. This year's season was long and worthwhile. It brought my love for the game back and made me appreciate the highs and lows. It also taught me to be grateful for the opportunities and time you are given. My senior year getting hurt was never in the cards for me but it taught me to live in the moment. Taking those challenges and life lessons I learned from my sport, to helping others, made me feel really good. Being a shoulder to cry on, lean on, and count on is an honor.

My name's Mackenzie Thornhill and I am a senior at Barbers Hill high school. The activities I am involved in are PALS, FCA, Freedom club, and basketball. Outside of school I also work a part time job so balancing multiple things at once is a routine. My biggest impact for me throughout high school was basketball. Some may look at it as a sport but I look at it as a game that has prepared me for life's hard challenges. We made it to the state semifinals last year and being so close to a state championship really showed me how much I wanted that to be me. To play under the lights of the alamo dome was something I had always dreamed of. I didn´t play much last year but I was determined to not let that stop me. I wanted to make history and be the leader that our team could count on. Being vocal and leading is something I find very natural. Starting in off season and setting the tone for the season and staying consistent was a challenge at first, but overtime it became a routine. My teammates looked to me when they needed guidance. I got hurt halfway through the season and I have never experienced such a thing. I got to focus on balancing schoolwork and take a step back and it showed me a different perspective on school. It taught me mental toughness and time management. No matter how much playing time you get, or your performance in school, you always have an important role. Making it to the state championship this year was truly a blessing and has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. When you are at your lowest, pushing through and realizing that I am doing it for my team motivated me through the challenges. This year's season was long and worthwhile. It brought my love for the game back and made me appreciate the highs and lows. Now going into college I plan to major in biological sciences on the pre-dental track. I think my leadership and care for others has led me to want to help build people's confidence in the dental field. My work ethic is very important and needs to be strong for me to complete dental school. However, I think I am well prepared and ready to see what this next chapter of life has to offer

My name's Mackenzie Thornhill and I am a senior at Barbers Hill high school. The activities I am involved in are PALS, FCA, Freedom club, and basketball. Outside of school I also work a part time job so balancing multiple things at once is a routine. My biggest impact for me throughout high school was basketball. Some may look at it as a sport but I look at it as a game that has prepared me for life's hard challenges. We made it to the state semifinals last year and being so close to a state championship really showed me how much I wanted that to be me. To play under the lights of the alamo dome was something I had always dreamed of. I didn´t play much last year but I was determined to not let that stop me. I wanted to make history and be the leader that our team could count on. Being vocal and leading is something I find very natural. Starting in off season and setting the tone for the season and staying consistent was a challenge at first, but overtime it became a routine. My teammates looked to me when they needed guidance. I got hurt halfway through the season and I have never experienced such a thing. I got to focus on balancing schoolwork and take a step back and it showed me a different perspective on school. It taught me mental toughness and time management. No matter how much playing time you get, or your performance in school, you always have an important role. Making it to the state championship this year was truly a blessing and has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. When you are at your lowest, pushing through and realizing that I am doing it for my team motivated me through the challenges. This year's season was long and worthwhile. It brought my love for the game back and made me appreciate the highs and lows. Now going into college I plan to major in biological sciences on the pre-dental track. I think my leadership and care for others has led me to want to help build people's confidence in the dental field. My work ethic is very important and needs to be strong for me to complete dental school. However, I think I am well prepared and ready to see what this next chapter of life has to offer