The year 2020 has shaped me tremendously. Although it was a year of immense pain, many changes, trials, and difficulties, all these experiences helped me to grow exponentially in a way I would not have been able to otherwise. I learned so much about myself and got so close with my family around me during this past year. One of the most impactful events this past year caused was when I was stripped of all my outside influences because everything was closed, school, everything, and this allowed me to really reflect on my identity and who I was going down the path of becoming, and the realization that I wanted to change that. I deeply dove into growing my relationship with God and my faith, and the pandemic gave me the quiet time by myself and at home I needed to just relax in God's presence and let Him lead me to become something greater than myself. I also learned that there are so many ways to show kindness to others, and that we should constantly be encouraging others around us because you never know what someone is going through. Simple acts of kindness go a long way--from delivering a handwritten letter of encouragement, to helping someone with their groceries, to calling someone you haven't talked to in a while. This past year also gave me the time to grow so much closer with my family. My relationship with my parents has become so amazing and I know I can trust them with everyone! Most of all 2020 expanded my perspective on the world by showing me that there is so much more than just my little community and to think of others before myself. It has shaped my plans for my future by showing me that whatever I do in my life I want to help others.

I went snowmobiling in the Colorado Mountains!

I aspire to create change in the world. There are countless issues I want to work to alleviate, but the most prominent and most personal to me is world hunger, and specifically child hunger. It is my belief that in order to ensure what hunger is eradicated, we must first focus on how we grow food and how we distribute food. This is why I want to study Agricultural Science and coupled with my entrepreneurial spirit, one day hopes to open my own International Non-Profit Organization solely focused on combatting child hunger. Although it is great to have big dreams and ambitions for the world, I believe the first step is to create change in my country, in my state, in my city, in my community. I believe that before we can think about hunger in foreign countries, we must first address that children in our community don't have enough food to eat. My family and I have taken this fact to heart---and took action. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have fed over 6,000 kids for free in our local community. We own our own restaurant and we give out free kids meals every day to all kids who come to our restaurant. I also volunteer at my local church every Sunday and work in the children's ministry with kids. I know this is a small start, but I have big dreams and goals, and I know with hard work, determination, and passion I can create the change I want to see in the world.

When I surrendered my life to Jesus, my life changed forever. I grew up in a non-Christian household, I started going to church after my parents divorced and my mom wanted me to get involved in our local church. I was going for about two years and although I liked the music and the messages, nothing was really changing my life, even after a year later when at a Christian camp, I decided to accept Jesus as my personal savior, I still was holding on to parts of my life and didn't give Him full control over my life. This past year, around when COVID hit, I was really brought to my knees and cried out to God, surrendering and giving everything to Him. Ever since, I have grown so much and He has truly transformed my life. I now know that my worth and identity is not based on the culture or the world's approval, but can only be found in my Creator, the Creator of the Universe that loves me so much that He sent His one and only son to cover my sins and set me free from the chains of sin and death. Every day I grow more and more, and begin to see everything as an opportunity to grow. It is a continual daily journey, and yes I still face hardships and difficult times but now I have the hope that He has great plans for me, He is in control, and that He will never leave or forsake me. I can't wait to continue spreading His love and His word to all. He is the only thing that can truly satisfy our souls. I put all my hope in Him, and I know that he is faithful and even when I can't feel it, He is working.

Being involved in your local community it vitally important. Not only does it help to lift others but it also cultivates a sense of purpose in yourself, a sense that you part of something bigger than yourself. Being involved in your local community helps you to reach out and support others, meet new people, and apply the skills and abilities you have in real life scenarios. I believe that every person should try to get involved in their communities, and there are so many different ways to. Whether its helping feed the homeless, cleaning up trash in your local parks, or a simple act of kindness to your neighbor. There are countless ways that you can make an impact on your local community. I love giving back to my community. One way I do this is through my local church. For the past year I have been volunteering in the children's ministry teaching to 3 and 4 year olds while their parents enjoy the service. It brings me so much joy and is the ultimate highlight of my week. I love working with kids and spreading love to them and this is an amazing way I can give back to the kids in the community just as the church leaders have helped me in the past. I plan to continue doing this next year as well. My parents also own a restaurant and we love giving back to our local community through donating free kids meals to any family who comes into our restaurant. It is a small thing that we can do to give back to all of the families that have supported us and together we have fed over 6,000 kids for free since the beginning of the pandemic. Through my future career, no matter what field I go into, I plan to give back to my community. I want to become a teacher and teach foreign students english as their second language because I absolutely love working with kids. I still would continue to volunteer and work with kids in my local area as well. I also aspire to one day open up my own non-profit organization and expand my parents' business to include a mission to help end global child hunger. This issue has always been a passion of mine and my overall goals would be to make sure no child goes hunger, but before I think globally, I first have to make sure that every child in my community gets fed.