I should not exist. Twenty years ago, my mom received the diagnosis that she had lung cancer. This resulted in the loss of two out of five of her lung lobes and could have even ended in death but she survived it and became a cancer survivor. Twenty years later, just last summer, she received the diagnosis that she had cancer again. Breast cancer. Since then, she has also had a multitude of health problems including recently becoming deaf, having autoimmune diseases, as well as a multitude of health problems she has had since losing lung lobes. These include; having asthma and other breathing problems. All of these issues have been so incredibly hard on her and our family but through this, she has taught me many unique lessons about persevering through life with strength. This adversity was so hard, especially as a student seeing my mom having to constantly be going to radiation and physical therapy. She had to go to doctor's appointments hours away every single week or even multiple times a week. However, through this cancer journey, my mom has shown me an upbeat and optimistic attitude that I want to carry on throughout my entire life. For example, when she was going through radiation, she still wanted to go out hiking and go on mile-long walks throughout nature. She even helped me organize a drive where we made homemade cards snacks and treats for the nurses at the University of Washington Medical Hospital, the same nurses who had helped treat her. My mom has shown such kindness and strength for other people even as she was going through these tough circumstances. However, my mom has also had many issues through her cancer journey with the healthcare system itself and insurance. This includes the astronomical cost of care and getting denied necessary scans because of insurance issues and many other issues. It was because of that that I knew I wanted to make a change. But how could I do something? Well, I recently discovered that I have a passion for government and speaking up for others who feel like they cannot speak up for themselves. I've gotten involved with government classes, speech and debate programs and have learned that I really quite enjoy learning about legislation and government processes. I want to make a difference for cancer patients and cancer survivors through legislation. It can be so hard for patients to get the care that they need and this is a change that needs to come through legislation. Because of the adversity that my mom went through with cancer and the many other stories of others who have had similar experiences, I want to make a difference through policies and legislation. For example, I want to create policies to keep insurance companies accountable so that all cancer patients get the same care that they deserve. My mom, as well as many other cancer patients, are denied life insurance because they have had cancer within the last 10 years. This is a major issue that needs to change so that cancer patients can be able to have the same opportunities that other people have. Through my mom’s cancer journey, she has taught me the perseverance that I need to make this goal come true. With the scholarship, I hope to continue to learn how to advocate for cancer patients and cancer survivors. I hope to study political science at a four-year university to get connected in the realm of government and to help encourage and make these changes so that cancer patients can have a better future

I should not exist. Twenty years ago, my mom received the diagnosis that she had lung cancer. This resulted in the loss of two out of five of her lung lobes and could have even ended in death but she survived it and became a cancer survivor. Twenty years later, just last summer, she received the diagnosis that she had cancer again. Breast cancer. Since then, she has also had a multitude of health problems including recently becoming deaf, having autoimmune diseases, as well as a multitude of health problems she has had since losing lung lobes. These include; having asthma and other breathing problems. All of these issues have been so incredibly hard on her and our family but through this, she has taught me many unique lessons about persevering through life with strength. This adversity was so hard, especially as a student seeing my mom having to constantly be going to radiation and physical therapy. She had to go to doctor's appointments hours away every single week or even multiple times a week. However, through this cancer journey, my mom has shown me an upbeat and optimistic attitude that I want to carry on throughout my entire life. For example, when she was going through radiation, she still wanted to go out hiking and go on mile-long walks throughout nature. She even helped me organize a drive where we made homemade cards snacks and treats for the nurses at the University of Washington Medical Hospital, the same nurses who had helped treat her. My mom has shown such kindness and strength for other people even as she was going through these tough circumstances. However, my mom has also had many issues through her cancer journey with the healthcare system itself and insurance. This includes the astronomical cost of care and getting denied necessary scans because of insurance issues and many other issues. It was because of that that I knew I wanted to make a change. But how could I do something? Well, I recently discovered that I have a passion for government and speaking up for others who feel like they cannot speak up for themselves. I've gotten involved with government classes, speech and debate programs and have learned that I really quite enjoy learning about legislation and government processes. I want to make a difference for cancer patients and cancer survivors through legislation. It can be so hard for patients to get the care that they need and this is a change that needs to come through legislation. Because of the adversity that my mom went through with cancer and the many other stories of others who have had similar experiences, I want to make a difference through policies and legislation. For example, I want to create policies to keep insurance companies accountable so that all cancer patients get the same care that they deserve. My mom, as well as many other cancer patients, are denied life insurance because they have had cancer within the last 10 years. This is a major issue that needs to change so that cancer patients can be able to have the same opportunities that other people have. Through my mom’s cancer journey, she has taught me the perseverance that I need to make this goal come true. With the scholarship, I hope to continue to learn how to advocate for cancer patients and cancer survivors. I hope to study political science at a four-year university to get connected in the realm of government and to help encourage and make these changes so that cancer patients can have a better future

Debt. Forever chasing after you, forever growing. Some say that you take your debt with you to the grave, it's a chain that holds you back and stops you from being able to grow your wealth well. In our society, everyone is telling you that it is okay to get into debt, that it is normal. However, normal is not what I want to be. Normal is what the average American is: an average of $96,000 owed to someone else. Normal is 80% of Americans being in debt. 77% percent of Americans stress about their finances and only about 42% percent of people in my generation, Gen Z, say they are financially literate. Debt can cause mental and physical health issues and even is the main cause of 16% of suicides. Not knowing about finance is only going to hurt you. As a student, I know that it is especially important to manage my finances well for two reasons. Firstly, knowing I have a plan for paying for things like college tuition or car payments helps me have an attainable goal. When I have a goal, it makes it easier for me to work towards that plan. When I manage my finances according to my plan or budget, I know that I am doing the best I can to help get myself out of debt or difficult financial situations like college. I will be able to still have fun and spend money without worrying because it will be accounted for in my plan. Lastly, I know that what I do now is going to affect the rest of my life like a ripple effect. Though my friends may encourage me to spend my money, try to live in luxury, or buy the latest trends, I know that it is important to restrain myself now so that I may be freer to do those things later in life without having to worry. I know that if I wait and save my money now, I will be able to enjoy it more later without stress. This may mean fewer college parties, less eating out, and less travel, but I'm okay with that. I've learned that there are so many ways to have fun with my friends without spending much money. Besides restraining myself from every buying impulse I may have, there are other ways that I manage my finances to prepare for the future. Firstly, I try to educate myself on financial vocabulary and become as financially literate as I can. I have taken a finance class and always strive to know more about these subjects. Next, I keep a record of everything I buy or earn, so that I can accurately know how much money I have and keep a record. I also have these records in my bank's mobile app, but I always like to also keep it on paper. Another way I manage my finances is by trying to find deals or cheaper options to save money. Even in this day and age, I still look for coupons and search the clearance sections. Thrifting is another fun way that I try to save money. Whenever my friends and I want to hang out, I usually try to suggest things like going to a park, geocaching, hiking, or exploring our local towns. These small ways help me save money so that I can prepare for the future. Thinking about saving money for college can be challenging and scary, but there are ways to do it. And I know that the things I do now will benefit me in the future.