Hello. My name is Marjana Sowe. I recently finished my final semester at Ivy Tech Community College with a major in Liberal Arts. I strive to earn a bachelor's degree in Chemistry as I love learning about chemical substances that influence our environment. Chemistry is the study of matter, which is relevant to the everyday actions of individuals because our differences in behavior release a variety of chemicals. This is particularly evident when it comes to handling emotions, what we consume, our self-care practices, or even simple gestures, such as hugging. My favorite course is Sociology, as I love learning about social behaviors and their influence on a population. First and foremost, I am passionate about helping my community. Participating in various activities helps me gain a sense of worth, devotion, and self-esteem. My senior year in high school, specifically, allowed me to display my dedication within the environment before I graduated. I actively participated in renovating the building where my school had previously been located, along with my classmates. A month before graduation, I tutored sixth-grade students, which allowed me to implement discipline and patience among the students who needed help with assignments. Occasionally, I also worked alongside the staff and other students in setting up decorations for special school events, and I served as a substitute teacher for first-grade students in a single day. Substituting students for the first time yielded a positive outcome, as nearly all the students requested assistance. They were all polite and well-mannered for the remainder of the hour. I believe that utilizing listening skills and organization made the situation efficient, and effective methods will lead to a greater experience. My goal is to have a positive effect on anyone in need, whether it is in a school or at work. These important tasks can be exhausting; however, I have enjoyed them, knowing I have made a difference in a person's life. Displaying selflessness yields numerous benefits and positive results; however, selfishness is not inherently a negative connotation, as there will be moments in one's life when one must do what will give them joy. Both selflessness and selfishness share a common factor about what a person needs, not just what they want. Selfishness can mean an individual values their own self-worth, but there must be a balance between doing things for oneself and doing things for others, with what they would appreciate by giving them what they want. There will be times when I must apply self-respect in certain circumstances. On the other hand, serving my community showcases the great qualities I possess. Having a kind heart could mean the world to anyone. I plan to engage in various extracurricular activities in the future to impact another individual's life while gaining more experience and acquiring new knowledge along the way.

After graduating high school in 2022, I decided to attend college to continue my education. I'm currently pursuing my associate's degree in Liberal Arts at Ivy Tech Community College and plan on transferring to Wayne State University or the University of Michigan in Dearborn. I have been working harder than ever before to receive my associate's and pursue a career in writing. Before, I did not like school considering how time-consuming it was to wake up early in the morning, five days a week as a child. As I grew up, I realized that I should not take my education for granted since it is an essential aspect for all children learning about the world. I studied a lot, read books, and made improvements in the classes I was taking. High school, specifically in my junior high, has inspired me to further my education during quarantine because I wanted to graduate and go to college. I loved to read books since I was eight years old and decided to become a writer in eighth grade. This caused me to improve my writing skills as well as my reading skills because I finally had a goal to achieve; therefore, I became inspired to embrace my education and strive for success. I started a habit of journaling my daily routines and activities because it is a great way to reflect on my day, and what I have learned, and helps with making progress in writing. Now, thankfully, I attempt to get my hands on as many books as possible to become a writer. My plans for the future are to receive my degree in Liberal Arts and get a bachelor's degree as well. I want to major in Journalism, and I'm currently interested in Nursing. For Journalism, I plan on starting a blog at the moment to prepare myself for publishing online articles about various topics in the future. I would like to major in Nursing because it is a scientific program since science is also my favorite subject; specifically, I'd want to become a pediatric nurse by taking care of child patients, running assessments, and helping with the types of health challenges they are facing. Overall, I'd have to complete the courses that I'm taking which include a variety of subjects before I could transfer to a university. I enjoy the classes I am taking because I love to gain more knowledge, even if the subjects are not related to what I'm majoring in. My dreams and aspirations are what inspired me to push forward and value my education. Dedication is what leads to achieving goals and becoming successful.

There have been many female advocates who have stood for equal treatment of women for centuries. One female who has been a great role model for girls is Malala Yousifzai. When she was eleven, she became an activist encouraging girls of all ages to attend school during the rule of the Taliban. Malala did not give up on what she believed even though she knew what she was doing was risky. She is an inspiration for all females who would like to pursue an education. Malala Yousafzai grew up peacefully in Swat Valley, a beautiful district located in Pakistan. Malala, fortunately, was educated at a young age and went to school with no issues until the Taliban announced that girls were prohibited from attending school. As a result, Malala felt that she had a purpose to serve and took matters into her own hands. She started a blog called "Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl" where she wrote entries about her fears of her school being attacked, the military activities within her community, and the truth about what the Taliban has been doing. Her actions sparked widespread attention, eventually reaching to BBC news. Unfortunately, Malala was seen as a threat by the Taliban. So with the help of her dad, she continued to spread her advocacy for women's rights and education. In 2012, Malala was shot on her way home from school by the Taliban, which caused international attention. Thankfully, she survived and continues to speak out for equal treatment of women, despite living overseas. Malala won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 after giving a speech at age seventeen. She has also spoken out about her experiences, told her story to the world, made a speech about education in the United Nations, and completed her education at the University of Oxford. With her strength, hope, nobility, and bravery, Malala Yousafzai broke through the gender barriers of a group that enforced repression upon females by restricting them of a valuable right. Not once has she given up, even though she was afraid that bad things would happen. She is a primary example of a female role model who lived through a difficult situation to reach success with determination and intelligence. As a Muslim woman, education never should be taken for granted. It means so much to me that I grew with the privilege of learning about the world around me utilizing various resources. Malala Yousafzai has taught me through courage, resilience, and ambition, anyone can achieve anything as long as they put the effort into it. That being said, this activist is a phenomenal role model to both genders.