I am a senior at Montville Township High School who has learned the importance of service through both my school involvement and my community experiences. Throughout high school, I have been actively engaged in leadership, volunteering, and mentorship, all of which have shaped my desire to give back and support others as they work toward their goals. Education and service have always gone hand in hand for me, and I hope to continue combining both as I move forward after high school. At school, I serve as the Secretary of the ACCE Mentor Program, a club dedicated to building inclusive friendships between students with and without disabilities. Through ACCE, I have had the opportunity to help organize events, support peers, and foster a sense of belonging for students who are often overlooked. I have seen firsthand how small acts of kindness, showing up, listening, and encouraging others can have a meaningful impact. I am also a leader in Key Club, where I have completed over 150 hours of community service, and a junior varsity lacrosse player, which has taught me discipline, teamwork, and accountability. My community service experiences have shown me how access, support, and encouragement can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Many of the students I have worked with through ACCE simply want to feel included and valued. These moments have reinforced my belief that service does not always require grand gestures; sometimes, it is the consistent willingness to help that matters most. This belief strongly aligns with Aserina Hill’s legacy of quiet generosity and sacrifice for the success of others. After high school, I plan to attend college on a pre-law track with the goal of becoming an immigration or criminal defense attorney. I am motivated by the idea of advocating for individuals who may lack access, representation, or understanding of complex systems. Education will play a critical role in helping me achieve this goal, and financial support would allow me to focus on learning while continuing my commitment to service. If given the opportunity to start my own charity, I would create an organization focused on supporting children with disabilities through mentorship, inclusive programming, and community connection. Inspired by my experience in ACCE, the mission of this charity would be to promote inclusion, confidence, and meaningful relationships for children with special needs. The organization would serve children and adolescents by pairing them with trained volunteers who provide academic support, social engagement, and recreational activities in a safe and welcoming environment. Volunteers would assist with tutoring, organize inclusive events, and participate in one-on-one mentorship to help children build confidence and friendships. The charity would also work to educate communities on the importance of inclusion and accessibility. My goal would be to create a space where every child feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Through my service, leadership, and future goals, I strive to carry forward the spirit of generosity that defined Aserina Hill’s life. By supporting others through education and service, I hope to honor her legacy and continue making a positive impact in my community.

I am a senior at Montville Township High School who is deeply interested in understanding how history, culture, and political systems shape the modern world. I have always been drawn to thoughtful discussion and debate, particularly surrounding government, justice, and the ways societies organize power. Through my academic experiences in political science, history, and cultural studies, I have learned that meaningful change begins with understanding how the past continues to influence the present. My interest in political science and history has been shaped by some of the classes I take in school such as advanced placement (AP) U.S. Government and Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Studying historical events and political movements revealed how fear, ideology, and unchecked authority can lead to injustice, while informed leadership and civic engagement can create progress. Examining the long-term consequences of events such as genocide, civil rights struggles, and landmark legal decisions helped me recognize that societies often repeat mistakes when history is ignored or misunderstood. These lessons reinforced my belief that political awareness and historical literacy are essential for building a more just world. Cultural anthropology has further strengthened my understanding of how people experience political and social systems differently based on culture, identity, and access. As a first-generation college student, I have personally experienced how unspoken rules and cultural expectations can shape opportunity. Anthropology taught me that these barriers are not individual failures, but structural patterns that affect entire communities. By studying how cultures develop and adapt over time, I have learned the importance of approaching global and domestic issues with empathy rather than assumptions. Political science allows me to connect historical and cultural understanding to real-world outcomes. Through studying government structures, public policy, and legal systems, I have seen how political decisions directly impact people’s lives. Whether examining immigration policy, criminal justice reform, or access to legal representation, I have learned that informed political engagement is necessary to ensure fairness and accountability. These studies have encouraged me to question systems, engage in respectful debate, and think critically about how power is exercised in society. I plan to study political science on the pre-law track in college, with the goal of becoming an immigration or criminal defense attorney. These areas of law require not only legal knowledge, but also a deep understanding of cultural background, historical context, and political systems. Whether advocating for immigrants navigating unfamiliar legal structures or defending individuals whose circumstances are shaped by systemic inequality, I want my work to be informed by empathy and historical awareness. Understanding how societies have treated marginalized groups in the past will guide me in ensuring those injustices are not repeated. By studying political science and cultural anthropology, I hope to contribute to a legal system that is more informed, ethical, and compassionate. Like Ryan T. Herich, I believe that engaging with history, culture, and political ideas is essential to better understanding the world around us. Through education and advocacy, I aim to help create meaningful change grounded in knowledge, perspective, and respect for human dignity.