One way I have helped bring people together and create a sense of belonging is through my involvement in school sports and as a sports announcer. When I announce games, I make it a priority to recognize all athletes fairly, whether it is a boys’ or girls’ team. I try to bring positive energy so players feel supported and the crowd feels included. Even small things like correctly saying someone’s name or highlighting a good play can help people feel seen and appreciated. I’ve learned that inclusion often starts with simple actions that show people they matter. Playing football on a boys’ team and now being part of my school’s girls’ flag football team has also shaped how I connect with others. Being in both environments gave me different perspectives and made me more aware of how important it is to support people who may feel out of place. I try to use that experience to encourage teammates and help create a positive team environment where everyone feels comfortable and included. I’ve seen how much confidence grows when people feel supported, and I try to be someone who adds to that. Outside of sports, I have also helped build connection through volunteering at places like Pitney Meadows and the Veterans Memorial. These experiences gave me the chance to work with different people in my community toward shared goals. Whether I was helping set up events or assisting with projects, I learned that teamwork, respect, and communication are what bring people closer together. These moments showed me that community is strongest when people feel connected and included. Overall, I try to make my community more inclusive by treating people with kindness, including others, and recognizing everyone’s efforts. I’ve learned that even small actions can create a stronger sense of belonging and help people feel valued. A time I chose to be myself was when I played football on a boys’ team. At first, I felt a lot of pressure because I was one of the only girls, and I knew some people doubted whether I would stick with it or be strong enough to compete. There were moments where I questioned myself, but I decided to stay and prove to myself that I belonged there just as much as anyone else. Instead of trying to fit in or change who I was, I focused on working hard and improving. I didn’t change my personality or try to act differently because I was the only girl. I showed up, worked hard, and stayed committed through every practice and game. Over time, I earned respect not by trying to be someone else, but by being consistent and confident in who I am. That experience taught me that confidence comes from staying true to yourself, even when you feel pressure to fit a certain expectation. It also showed me that being different is not something to hide—it can actually be a strength. I learned that I don’t need to shrink myself or change who I am to belong in a space. Now, whenever I face new challenges, I remind myself of that experience. Whether it is in sports, school, or leadership roles, I try to stay confident, work hard, and not let outside pressure change my goals. These experiences have shaped how I see myself and how I show up in the world, teaching me to value inclusion, confidence, and authenticity in everything I do.

I would say I learned my compassionate ways mostly from my family, my community, and the experiences I’ve had helping others. Growing up, I saw the importance of kindness and responsibility through everyday life. Working at my extended family’s apple orchard taught me not only hard work, but also how important it is to support the people around you and be part of something bigger than yourself. Being in that kind of environment helped me understand that compassion often shows up in small actions, like being reliable, helping without being asked, and treating people with respect. My compassion has also been shaped through my family’s experiences. My grandfather served in the Army, which taught me the importance of service, sacrifice, and respecting others. Learning about his experiences made me more grateful and aware of what others go through. My sister being adopted from foster care has also had a big impact on me. It has helped me better understand different life situations and reminded me that everyone has a unique story. Because of that, I try to be more patient, understanding, and accepting of others. I also learn compassion through my involvement in sports and school activities. Playing football on a boys’ team and now on my school’s girls’ flag football team has taught me what it feels like to be in spaces where not everyone expects you to succeed. That experience has made me more aware of how important it is to support others, especially when they are stepping outside of their comfort zone. As a sports announcer at school, I try to highlight athletes’ achievements and make sure everyone feels seen and valued, not just the most popular or well-known players. In the community, I have shown compassion through volunteering at places like the Veterans Memorial and Pitney Meadows. At the Veterans Memorial, I have had the opportunity to speak and help honor those who served, which has taught me the importance of respect and gratitude. Volunteering has shown me that compassion is not just about feeling for others, but also about taking action to recognize and support them. Going forward, I intend to continue practicing compassion by staying involved in my community, supporting others in school and sports, and using my voice to uplift people who may not always be recognized. Whether it is through leadership roles, volunteering, or simply how I treat people day to day, I want to continue being someone who shows kindness through action and leads with empathy in everything I do.

I have learned about finances mostly through real-life experience rather than formal financial education in school. One of the biggest influences on my understanding of money has been working at my extended family’s apple orchard. Through this job, I earned my own money and had to learn how to manage it responsibly. This experience taught me that money is something you have to work for, and because of that, it should be handled carefully and intentionally. Having my own income has helped me understand the importance of budgeting. Even though I am still in high school, I’ve had to think about how much I can spend and how much I should save. Sometimes I have to make decisions between spending money on things I want right away or saving it for something more important later. This has taught me patience and self-control, and it has shown me how quickly money can be used up if there is no plan in place. I have also learned about finances by observing my extended family and the responsibilities that come with managing a household and a business. Watching the work that goes into running the orchard and handling everyday expenses has shown me that financial decisions are part of everyday life, not just something adults think about later on. It has made me more aware of how important it is to be prepared and responsible with money, even at a young age. In school, I have not had many in-depth financial education classes yet, but I have started to learn basic concepts like saving, budgeting, and the importance of avoiding unnecessary debt. I know there is still a lot more I want to learn, especially about credit, loans, interest, taxes, and long-term financial planning. These are all areas that I feel will be very important as I transition from high school to college and eventually into my career. As I move forward, I plan to continue building my financial knowledge so I can make smart decisions for my future. My goal is to be financially independent and responsible, especially when it comes to paying for college, managing expenses, and avoiding debt that could limit my opportunities later in life. I also want to learn how to save and plan for long-term goals so I can build a stable future for myself. Overall, my experiences so far have taught me that financial responsibility is something that develops over time through practice and learning. I am motivated to continue growing in this area so I can make informed decisions and feel confident managing my finances as an adult.