I have made a difference in my community through acts of service and compassion by showing up. I am a volunteer at my local fire department, and I help to run calls and events within my small town. I've had quite a large number of pediatric calls, and one thing I always make sure to do with them is to keep them happy. I blow up a rubber glove and let the children fidget around while administering treatment. This is all unpaid, and that is okay. It is what I would prefer. If I can put a smile on children's faces on their worst day, that is the real paycheck. This is my second and final year volunteering at North Lyon Fire, as I will be attending the College of Southern Idaho for EMS/ Fire Science. My positive impact within my community has been a true honor to carry out. I have been able to serve people on their worst days, help those in need by doing fundraisers and boot drives, and keep people alive. With everything I've seen, good and bad, I've learned how an impact really works within such a tight-knit community. It starts with an event or call for help. Other responders and I listened to and answered the call. Then, the outcome comes. Most of the time it is good, like childbirths or resuscitation, and other times bad, flatlines and grieving tears. My drive to answer those calls started in 5th grade when I saw an opportunity to help with the Special Olympics, so I joined the leadership program. There, I became vice president of the program and president in 6th grade. I carried my values to middle school, where I became the National Junior Honor Society treasurer in 7th grade. From there, I stayed treasurer until my freshman year of high school. I stopped everything at school to solely focus on soccer until my junior year. I then joined the Cadet program at North Lyon Fire, which is a fire-oriented program for high schoolers interested in becoming volunteers. I rose through the ranks and became the 2nd Lieutenant, where I currently get to coach younger cadets through training and teach them the knowledge that was passed down to me. I love the role I play within my community. It has shifted my perspective on things. I used to say "Oh, I have to do this." Now, I say "I get to do this." My community means the world to me, and though I will be leaving, I hope that the people I communicate with share this same feeling.

A difficulty I faced in life was last summer. I am a cadet at my local fire department, and I was on shift when the tones dropped for a gunshot wound. We responded as quick as possible. Through all of the nosy neighbors and crying people, one thing was clear: we had to save this man. We rushed inside to attempt to revive him through CPR, saline IVs, and intubation. Unfortunately, we were not able to save him. I lost myself on that call. I took care of the crying toddler who walked in on his dad's suicide, and that experience is still with me today, branded like a calf in the back of my mind. I ended up having nightmares about it for about six weeks after, and I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress by my therapist. I was not the same, and I don't know if I'll ever be the same again. I still struggle with my post-traumatic stress from it, but now I know how to handle my mental health when things go south. I started talking to our paramedics and firefighters about seven weeks after that call to try and wipe the memories away, but when talking with them, I realized that those memories will be there forever. Just because they are here to stay does not mean that I will think of them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It simply means that triggers can pop up and validation is sometimes needed. For instance, I needed people to tell me that I'm going to be okay and that I'm still breathing, all this trying will pay off, and all of these people whom I love dearly won't ever go away. Crying children are a big trigger for me, but I have learned to tolerate it and face the very pain I have. Strength and kindness have helped me make it through that call in numerous ways. I have grown deeper in my faith and will be getting rebaptized. Also, I realized that I made an impact on that child's life. It does not matter how big or small it was, it still counts as an impact. I'm just praying he has no recollection of that day. I was on the suicide hotline a couple times when I was fighting the demons from that call, and it is by the grace of God that I'm even here writing this essay. On that day, I saw exactly what suicide was and how it affected even the slightest of people. The strength and kindness my community and pastors showed, as well as a big hug from God are how I made it through my darkest of days after that call. In all, mental health was a tiny specimen of my life until I experienced that call. My view on life has changed significantly. We are to live each day like it is our last because God gifts us time here. Life is precious, so it is best that we are wise about it.

A difficulty I faced in life was last summer. I am a cadet at my local fire department, and I was on shift when the tones dropped for a gunshot wound. We responded as quick as possible. Through all of the nosy neighbors and crying people, one thing was clear: we had to save this man. We rushed inside to attempt to revive him through CPR, saline IVs, and intubation. Unfortunately, we were not able to save him. I lost myself on that call. I took care of the crying toddler who walked in on his dad's suicide, and that experience is still with me today, branded like a calf in the back of my mind. I ended up having nightmares about it for about six weeks after, and I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress by my therapist. I was not the same, and I don't know if I'll ever be the same again. I still struggle with my post-traumatic stress from it, but now I know how to handle my mental health when things go south. I started talking to our paramedics and firefighters about seven weeks after that call to try and wipe the memories away, but when talking with them, I realized that those memories will be there forever. Just because they are here to stay does not mean that I will think of them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It simply means that triggers can pop up and validation is sometimes needed. For instance, I needed people to tell me that I'm going to be okay and that I'm still breathing, all this trying will pay off, and all of these people whom I love dearly won't ever go away. Crying children are a big trigger for me, but I have learned to tolerate it and face the very pain I have. Strength and kindness have helped me make it through that call in numerous ways. I have grown deeper in my faith and will be getting rebaptized. Also, I realized that I made an impact on that child's life. It does not matter how big or small it was, it still counts as an impact. I'm just praying he has no recollection of that day. I was on the suicide hotline a couple times when I was fighting the demons from that call, and it is by the grace of God that I'm even here writing this essay. On that day, I saw exactly what suicide was and how it affected even the slightest of people. The strength and kindness my community and pastors showed, as well as a big hug from God are how I made it through my darkest of days after that call. My view in life is now this: every day is a gift from God and it is up to us on how we spend it.

A difficulty I faced in life was last summer. I am a cadet at my local fire department, and I was on shift when the tones dropped for a gunshot wound. We responded as quick as possible. Through all of the nosy neighbors and crying people, one thing was clear: we had to save this man. We rushed inside to attempt to revive him through CPR, saline IVs, and intubation. Unfortunately, we were not able to save him. I lost myself on that call. I took care of the crying toddler who walked in on his dad's suicide, and that experience is still with me today, branded like a calf in the back of my mind. I ended up having nightmares about it for about six weeks after, and I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress by my therapist. I was not the same, and I don't know if I'll ever be the same again. I still struggle with my post-traumatic stress from it, but now I know how to handle my mental health when things go south. I started talking to our paramedics and firefighters about seven weeks after that call to try and wipe the memories away, but when talking with them, I realized that those memories will be there forever. Just because they are here to stay does not mean that I will think of them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It simply means that triggers can pop up and validation is sometimes needed. For instance, I needed people to tell me that I'm going to be okay and that I'm still breathing, all this trying will pay off, and all of these people whom I love dearly won't ever go away. Crying children are a big trigger for me, but I have learned to tolerate it and face the very pain I have. Strength and kindness have helped me make it through that call in numerous ways. I have grown deeper in my faith and will be getting rebaptized. Also, I realized that I made an impact on that child's life. It does not matter how big or small it was, it still counts as an impact. I'm just praying he has no recollection of that day. I was on the suicide hotline a couple times when I was fighting the demons from that call, and it is by the grace of God that I'm even here writing this essay. On that day, I saw exactly what suicide was and how it affected even the slightest of people. The strength and kindness my community and pastors showed, as well as a big hug from God are how I made it through my darkest of days after that call.

I have lived in Fernley, Nevada my whole life and attended Cottonwood Elementary, Fernley Intermediate, Silverland Middle, and Fernley High Schools. I have been a part of the Varsity Soccer and track team since my freshman year. Most recently I won state for FFA Livestock Evaluation with the team. I am not directly related to any ROTC program, however, I am a part of the North Lyon Fire Cadet Program, which happens to be just like ROTC. We have ranks modeled after the fire service. My rank is second lieutenant. I have had many impactful teachers and experiences, but one that stuck out to me the most is with our librarian at the high school, Mrs. Knodell. She recently was diagnosed with cancer and I saw her today for an issue with my computer. She was still the cheery and lovely lady she normally is. That teacher is the definition of day one. She has known me ever since freshman year, and I am friends with her 19-year-old son Peter. Whenever I'd see her, she would ask me how the game went or how my injuries were healing. She is by far one of the most caring people I have ever met and is a second aunt to me. She supported me when I broke my toes during my sophomore year and motivated me to get back out there. Though she may be just a teacher to some, she is more to me. My plans for the future are to attend the College of Southern Idaho for fire science and to get my EMT-basic. This summer will be my first fire season, as I have been hired in Oregon to combat our nation's fires. After that, I plan to keep fighting wildfires until I start to settle down and get involved with another fire department. My financial circumstances are not the worst, however, things have been a little hard with inflation and my recent surgeries. My parents will be paying out of pocket for my education, and I am exceedingly grateful for that, but I do not want them to work any longer than they have been. They deserve a vacation after everything they've done for me. This scholarship is important to me because Mr. Monachino had the skill that not many people have nowadays: showing up. When I go on shift at North Lyon Fire, I used to say "I have to go", but now I see that every day is a gift after having experienced a traumatic suicide call. I now say "I get to go." It is not being optimistic, but being faithful and trusting in my God. Similarly, Mr. Monachino showed up every day whether he wanted to or not. I think that is one thing Irish people like me have in common with the hardworking Sicilians like Mr. Monachino. He was a true model of what hardworking and honest people do: show up.

What motivated me to pursue higher education was my dad. He was a firefighter and now a police officer, but he always tells me about stories on the fireline. I will be entering the health science field, specifically fire science and EMT classes at the College of Southern Idaho this fall. I'm not sure if this falls 100% under the science field, but I feel it does. In all, I just want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am a cadet at my local fire department, and now that I've seen a lot of things I can never unsee while on shift, I want to help others. I am terrible at normal everyday math but when it comes to calculating dosages and what to give based on protocols, I am spot on. What excites me most about this field is the chance to work with some of the best guys in the world, be involved in whichever community I end up in, do the best job in the world, and get paid to do so. I've always been told to do what I love, and I love doing this. The thing about going into this field is that it never gets repetitive. I will never have the same call twice. Every day is a new day and a chance to get 1% better. When I have bad days, I mentally reset and ask my supervisors what I can do better. I train as hard as I can to be the best for my community right now, as they are literally depending on me. When I think about skipping out on training or studying tactics, I am reminded every single day that I have to show up. It is never within my job description to quit. I am supposed to be there for my community on their worst day, and if I can make their worst day just a little bit better, then I've done my job. Showing up for my community is something that is taught, never given. In our academy at the fire department, it is instilled in us from day one that the best thing to do is to show up. Going into the fire science and health science field will instill that belief even further than it already has been. I can help even more and give my people an even better day.

I have given back to my community by providing something hard to find in this day and age: integrity. During my time here in the North Lyon Fire Cadet Program, I get to experience things through the eyes of an everyday firefighter. I can help administer CPR, provide moral support, and be truthful. Whenever I do ride-a-longs or come in for training, I always remember that my best day at the station will be someone else's worst day. Unfortunately, I was able to see it firsthand when I witnessed the aftermath of a suicide call. I saw just how hurt the family was, how curious the neighbors got, and how impacted our firefighters were. I remembered two things that day: Having this job requires firefighters to give nothing less than everything, and that they are human just like the rest of us. That day, I saw my first suicide. I saw Chief Kuntz comfort the wife. I was unable to help on that call for the reason that I was shocked. I watched our amazing firefighters work harder than ever to save this man but to no avail. I gained a deeper understanding of what firefighters do, and I also gained a huge respect for life in general. This call single-handedly influenced my career ambitions because of what I witnessed. This call also made me wake up and realize that people need help. With people needing help, who is going to help them if no one is there? Firefighters will. I realize that this is nothing close to an easy profession, but I also realize that this profession is what's needed in the world. We don't need more athletes or rappers, we need people willing to help civilians on the worst day of their life. We also need firefighters who understand the fitness aspect of the job. Having been an athlete my whole life, I understand why this job requires you to be in Ironman shape. We have community members donating money so firefighters here can lift weights and run on the treadmill. I thought I knew what community was, but I didn't know anything. Community is a big reason why I am pursuing a career as a firefighter. Here in Fernley, these firefighters serve the same community they live in. If I saw every house burned down and medical issues in my community, I'd want to help with the solution. I will never do this job for the glory because that's not who I am. I'll do it so I can help the community that helped me and give all glory to God. Community is not just cookouts with your neighborhood every year. It's helping each other in times of need, celebrating when things are good, and above all, giving back.