From the time I could talk, I knew I wanted to care for people. I recall standing in the pediatrician’s office at four years old, hearing a baby crying down the hall and saying to my mom, “I want to be a baby doctor and make them not want to cry.” As time went on, this love transferred over to animals. There was never a time as a kid when I didn't have my hands on an animal. There was one point when we had a cat who was requiring medical attention multiple times a week. This is when I met Dr. Darcy Sobel, who is still my biggest inspiration and supporter to this day. I was in awe of how she had so much compassion for animals, but also managed to be so strong for them when they needed it most. This awe has stayed with me and brought me to the next stage of my life—attending SUNY Delhi to pursue my education. For roughly eight years of my education, I was homeschooled by my mom, one of the best teachers I have ever had, but my sophomore year I made the transfer to my local school, Windsor High School, and met my current agriculture teacher, Mrs. James. At my school, we have an amazing Vet Science class where I got to work closely with cows, ferrets, chickens, and many other small animals. This experience completely solidified my decision to go into the veterinary field. I knew from the minute I took a tour of SUNY Delhi's campus that it was where I belonged for my next chapter in life. Their program is one of the best around, offering extensive hands-on experiences to prepare me for what lies ahead. Their 2+2 program was the perfect decision—I can become a technician in my first two years and have a job wherever my education takes me after my time at Delhi. Seeing how intensive the work was at Delhi was also a big interest to me. I wanted to surround myself with people who would push me to be my best while also being a support system. When visiting, it was clear to me that all the students in the vet science building had inside jokes and great relationships, but also pushed each other in the lab and while studying. They always say to get faster you have to run with people faster than you, and I believe the same goes with my education. My ultimate goal in my career is to open my own practice in my town. I want to make it a place where everyone feels comfortable and cared for, like they are understood no matter what decisions they choose to make. I want to offer good quality care that is still affordable. I also hope to inspire people just as Dr. Sobel inspired me. This scholarship would be a building block to my education and assist me in achieving my lifelong goals. I am very excited to see where the journey at Delhi takes me and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my story and to be considered for this scholarship. Thank you.