Music: The Language of the Universe By Melody Henry An essential method of expressing emotions comes from the sound of music amongst the cacophony of life around us. From a simple melody of notes being played in a garage to an orchestrated masterpiece performed by the world's best symphony, music is how we humans communicate in the most beautiful of ways. Kicking your foot to the beat of a song and tapping your fingers becomes a common occurrence in a world filled with the sound of music. It becomes more than coordinated notes; it becomes a secret language that binds all who listen to its sound together. Music, whether simple or complex, has the ability to connect the world. How can a song connect people together? You'd be surprised when you realized the grip that music has on society. When another human being hears a beautiful sound coming from an individual, it makes you realize that the wonderful sound they're hearing is a treasure that someone gets to share with them. Those who have a gift for creating music gladly share it with others. I recognized this once I realized the effect my ability to play the guitar had on other people. Seeing how their attitude changed when even a small acoustic ambiance played in the background helped strengthen my understanding of what music does to people. Not only does it bring emotions to life within people, but music also encourages people to look at the beauty of things. Some manifestations of music's beauty come in different forms. While some people may enjoy the warmer tones of acoustic music, others may relish the hardcore grunge that an electric guitar paired with solid drumming provides. Whatever version the music is in, someone is being influenced by its magnificence. When I take a look around me in a crowded area, I can practically smell the music all around me. Whether it's coming from someone's earbuds, someone patting a beat on a table, or the song nature sings freely for us, it is all around us. The great part about it surrounding us is how it can bring people together. Have you ever seen a live performer on the street play their heart out? People start to notice, gathering to experience the emotion of the music and the passion of the performer. Music does that to people; it brings them together. When I view the world, I see a melody forming with every circumstance and every aspect of life. Even with the loudest noises nearing from every side, the faintest of music brings the heart together. The power of music turns into a language that others can relate to through emotions and feelings, creating the most powerful language of all: Music.

Financial Advice: A Strive for Improvement By: Melody Henry Personal finance is a difficulty that can leave someone financially crippled or affluently stable. In America, many individuals will find themselves surrounded by the pressure that personal finance has on their lives. Debt has become the normality that people live with, accepting that they are in debt rather than striving for improvement. Struggling to reach the bare minimum has crippled society for far too long. Improving methods of personal financing and encouraging morale at the same time are needed in this day and age. College students, minimum wage workers, and even modern employees are all examples of where personal finance can become a struggle. I have found that in each individual, there is a choice. The choice is to stay with the bare minimum or to strive for a better financial situation. Every person has the chance to change their financial situation. The reason why many have not fixed their personal finances is that they simply do not know where to start. Thankfully, I've gained advice over the years from colleagues, financial courses, and simply life. The greatest piece of advice is this: to improve your current situation of financial struggle, you need to understand personal finance, use specific strategies, and plan for retirement. Understanding personal finance is the first step to improving a financial situation. Personal finance is always behind the scenes in every individual’s day-to-day life. When someone makes a purchase or earns money from work, their personal finances are affected. Examples of day-to-day personal finances would include credit cards, mortgages, debt, insurance, and even more. Finances within your personal life can affect how you live or how your future will turn out. Personal finance is not only the process of managing financial needs but also planning for the financial future. The future is a constant that you cannot simply avoid. Preparing for your personal financial future can save a lot of money and worry. Examples of future personal finance would be retirement, estate planning, and investments. These examples deal with future finances that should be planned out before they happen. Personal finance is a bigger picture altogether, making it a very important aspect of one’s financial decisions. Once you understand the concept of personal finance, strategies to improve the financial situation are the next section to look at. Some strategies that I've had suggested by friends or family are “saving money” or “not buying everything you want.” While these are great tips on not going broke, they would not entirely improve my finances. A financial personality, Dave Ramsey, has a very specific strategy that is perfect for college students entering the financial realm. His strategy is called the “Five Foundations,” and it is a guideline for financial steps. The first step is to save a $500 emergency fund to ensure that you are financially prepared for the unexpected. The next step, getting out of debt, is a major priority to be financially prepared. The third and fourth steps, paying cash for a car and college, are important as using a loan can ultimately put someone in deeper debt than they expected due to interest rates on the loan. The fifth step is ultimately what comes after one is financially stable, which is building wealth and giving. This step encourages saving money and being generous, two concepts that many individuals do not partake in anymore. Other strategies that I've learned to help with personal finances are creating a savings account, ensuring a stable budget, and watching finances closely. These strategies presented are some of the best strategies that you could partake in, allowing you to strive for improvement. In personal finance, there comes the inevitable future. Preparing for the future is a step that every individual needs to accomplish if they wish to improve their personal finances. Retirement is the pressure that many people, even adults, fear the coming of. Many individuals do not have a retirement plan until the usual retirement age of sixty-five comes closer. To ensure that a financial disaster does not take place, preparing for retirement should be a major priority. The first step in preparing for retirement is to plan for expenses. Provisions do not suddenly become free when one retires, meaning one has to set money aside for the years they are retired. Saving money for the future is of utmost importance as bodies become frailer when one becomes older, meaning medical expenses are inevitable. Interest is something to consider, as putting money in a compound investment can lead to extra money being built on top of the amount first put in. From this information, I have gathered that I need to save and invest money to prepare for retirement. Personal finance has been a pressure on society for far too long, which every individual has the chance to change. Bearing the following information in mind, any person can go through these strategies and tips to find stability within their personal finances. Saving money has become a pattern within the following information, proving that it is ultimately one of the most important strategies discussed. Not only does it provide the user with backup funds if needed, but it allows them the knowledge of financial stability. Planning for retirement can be helped through the process of saving money as well, even though retirement comes later in life. Being prepared for the unknown protects individuals from straying into debt or financial struggles. Over the years, I have gained many tips and advice from people concerning finances. This is my main tip to anyone else going through their future: you can strive for financial improvement and improve your future by understanding personal finance, applying strategies to improve finances, and planning for retirement will allow.

Words Are Important By Melody Henry Role models can greatly influence someone's life for the better or worse. The saying "monkey see, monkey do," is a prime example of how one can look to another to see how they act. Role models have the ability to bring about great hope based on their achievements as a person and how they act. With a world of possibilities, who you look up to can change even your own perspective on life. Therefore, the biggest role model in someone's life is a very important choice to make; who to look up to and who to follow. Someone who has made a significant impact on my life by being my role model would be my father: A man of many words. Like me, my father loves to talk, only he manages to strike up conversations with strangers on a bus ride rather than talking to his friends he already knows. Even while in line for something, he can make a conversation concerning the weather turn into a deep and profound experience with someone. While others may see this as strange, I can see why my father makes an effort to reach out to strangers. People are always rushing to the next big thing. They often will never take the time to look at others they may find themselves sitting next to on a bus or crossing by on the street. However, my father knows the impact that a simple conversation showing he cares about them can have on the soul. Within these simple conversations, he knows where to inspire hope in a person's life. With the influence that my father has based simply on his words, he shows me how important it is to think before I speak. It is not just an indication that I should try and be nice to everyone I meet, but more of a suggestion to apply a different perspective with people I come across. You may never know what is going on behind the scenes with someone. While I used to think it was weird as a child when my father would start talking with strangers, now with a bigger perception of the world, I respect him all the more. The confidence that he would have to acquire to make conversation with someone he doesn't know, let alone change their life by sprinkling hope through his kindness, inspires me to do the same. He has been a mentor to many simply through his voice. When I look at him, I see what I can be in the future. I can either be another busy person on the bus, or I can be somebody who offers a hand to their neighbor.

Steps Toward the Future By: Melody Henry One of the significant worries in this world comes from a group of individuals entering into the aspect of their future. Many teenagers facing their futures may struggle with the thought of “what should I do for my future?” or “what job makes more money?”. These people often struggle to ever find a position suitable for their needs and end up going to a disappointing job where they are not happy, but they make ends meet. Deciding I want to make a difference with whatever job I may have in the future, I have planned that my educational goals can lead to improving the business environment. Building people up and organizing clutter to turn it into new ideas is something that I strive in. Whenever it comes to major projects, I usually volunteer to be the leader, not because of notoriety or anything like that, but because I look at the bigger picture. What can be made from a few people, an idea, and our minds? Leading people to not only get the job done but also encourage them to rise above is an ability that gives me a sense that business is the way to go concerning educational goals. There are so many ideas that the people of this world have to offer, but how can their ideas take hold if no one is willing to help build them up? If the world of business is the career that I am pursuing, the game plan needs to help me achieve the goal. The first step to achieving this educational goal is finding a group of individuals with an idea is the first part. Building that idea to reach newer heights is what I am there for, being the builder but also the glue. Who said that it would stop at one great idea? Many people have fantastic ideas for businesses and more significant futures but have no way of realizing them. Instead of stopping with one company, I can help multiple people achieve their goals and dreams by building ranks and gathering strength for these brilliant individuals. Managing their dreams can turn into managing a better future for the entirety of humanity. The Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship intends to improve the lives of others, which directly matches the goals I wish to achieve. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me achieve my educational goals of creating a better world but also change people's lives around me. I can only do so much with my limited knowledge as of now, which is why I plan to go to college and learn more about my career path. Business can be a cold and dark place, but with the help of this scholarship, I can help change that into something beautiful. Mostly, I chose this goal simply because I get to see the joy on people’s faces when they achieve their dreams. Achieving greatness is one thing, but achieving something greater that will last for a lifetime is worth every moment.

Personal Literacy: A Strive for Improvement By Melody Henry Becoming financially literate is an ability that many people have failed to successfully achieve. Many individuals will find themselves surrounded by the intimidation that financing has on their lives. Debt has become so normal in this world that people accept that they are in debt rather than striving for improvement. College students, workers, and even your everyday employees are all instances where personal finance can become a battle. In each person, there is a choice. Either they can accept the normalcy of staying in debt or they can be in charge of their finances. How then can people learn about becoming financially literate? Learning about personal finances is the first step to improving a financial circumstance. I have found that finances in my life can affect how I live and how my future will turn out. The future is a constant that people simply cannot avoid. For instance, preparing for my financial future will save lots of money and stress. Some examples of future finance would be the attempt to retire, making housing plans, and starting investments. Being literate in finance is a bigger picture altogether, making it very important to one’s decisions. Once I educate people about financial literacy, methods to improve their financial situation are the next area to look at. Some strategies that could be offered by someone's friends or family could be “saving money” or “don't overspend.” While these are great tips on how to not go broke, they don't exactly improve someone's finance. Strategies that I have found helpful with people's finances are creating a savings account, securing a stable budget, and monitoring finances. These strategies are some of the best strategies that people can participate in, allowing them to strive for improvement in their financial journey. In personal finance, there comes the inevitable future. Preparing for the future is a step that every individual needs to accomplish if they wish to improve their finances. For example, retirement is the pressure that many people, even adults, fear the coming of. To ensure that a financial disaster does not take place, preparing for retirement should be a major priority (Turner, 2022). Personal finance has been a pressure on society for far too long, which every individual has the chance to change. Bearing the following information in mind, any person can go through these strategies and tips to find stability within their finances. Becoming aware of one's financial literacy can change their entire point of view on how one uses money. Being prepared for the unknown protects individuals from straying into debt or financial struggles. Those who are knowledgeable about their finances have a chance to help others with their finances as well. It is up to the future generations, up to us, to spread awareness of financial literacy. Reference: Turner, T. (2022). Personal Finance Defined | What is Personal Finance? Annuity. https://www.annuity.org/personal-finance/

The Importance of Writing By Melody Henry Writing is an interest that piqued my interest when I was in middle school. Creating stories or explaining processes on paper was simply a way to express my feelings. For some psychological reason, putting my whirring thoughts onto a piece of paper or, in this modern day, Google Docs, helps me understand myself better. With my senior year of high school coming to an end, I find myself writing for more scholarships than I ever would have with all of my combined essays. However, with each project that I write, I learn a lesson in some way. For example, by writing this, I learned more about the depth of my passion for writing than I would have in a conversation. Writing stories with deeper meanings gives me insight into the reality that words have a heaviness to them, affecting people in various and different ways. Writing unlocks the true potential of the mind and creates a picture depicting the writer's thoughts. Whether it is a simple story or a philosophical answer to a question, I have become very connected and interested in writing whatever may come to mind. While I write, I tend to look off into the distance, thinking of the many answers that could answer a question. This small notion allows me to imagine thousands of possibilities that the writing's course of action can take. It is also a reason why I love writing so much. With narratives that include characters and intense plotlines, I find myself revealing truths throughout my writing even when it may be between a simple fiction piece. Whatever I may write, there are pieces of myself that I leave between the lines. It may be hard for someone to see, but close is the story of my life within every phrase, every sentence. That is why writing inspires me so much, as it is a glimpse into someone's own perspective. I believe that in every written piece, there is a story behind the author's words. Finding truths in writing whether books, papers, or essays that define the author's true intentions is why I enjoy writing so much. Not because I wish to escape reality or because I wish to dull my time by writing thousands of words, but because I wish to understand the world a little bit more. With the overbearing future coming closer with every step, I find that writing helps me understand who I am and where my place is in the inevitable future. We all must walk along the path of life, but gaining a bit of insight into how to approach it makes it all the easier. Writing creates a pathway to someone's perspective on life. Whether it may be through a narrative or an explanatory, there lies the truth in between the lines.

The King of Fall By Melody Henry Charles was a man, With an obsessive great plan. He aimed to plunder, And sought to sunder, The one who held all, The King of Fall. Now The King of Fall, Thought big to small, Though he had lots of food, He ate only in the mood. His riches were great, At an alarming rate. But he'd often forget, Of his enormous debt. The debt that was due, "It is mine," Charles knew. So he planned a great plan, That involved his pan. "Eat this for some food." Charles was not in the mood. The clatter of metal on flesh began, A sound that alerted every man. From city to village, the kingdom knew, What dear brave Charles would strive to do. The Night that thought the King was dead, Found Charles had hit his own dim head. The King of Fall smiled on, unaware, That Charles was indeed his only heir.

Battling the Climate Change By Melody Henry Climate change is an issue that has presented itself for many years. However, climate change has recently come to the attention of people who strive for change in their world. While the very few may do everything in their power to improve the world and protect the climate, others may see it as a winless battle not worth fighting. Finding ways to battle climate change has been an ever-present struggle in the world. However, there are more impactful ways than others that can ultimately save the climate after many years of attempts. The most impactful way to combat climate change is to bring awareness. While some may think that protesting or raising signs accomplishes nothing, they would find themselves to be quite wrong. Mathematically speaking, if only a few people are changing their habits to fight climate change, nothing will get achieved through minimal efforts. It is for this reason that I believe bringing awareness can change the gameplay in terms of protecting the climate. Instead of protesting the streets or simply holding a sign with a pretty picture of the globe on it, I believe that our methods may need to change. Getting personal with people is how the game plan will change. Why would a person join a side if they do not know the consequences of not joining? By relating to people and showing them that taking care of the climate can become a natural habit, swaying people to protect the climate becomes easier and ultimately more effective. Striving to fight climate change in my life may not seem drastic or major as some people would expect. Instead, it is the little things that will truly bring our earth to better environmental health. These small instances could be not wasting natural gasses or not wasting resources. With the changes that climate change is enduring, small acts such as these may be overlooked. However, with over 50% of the world's population working together to make a difference, the climate has a chance of being protected. Even with a few people, even 5% of the population, doing a ton of work toward protecting climate change, little to no difference is made. That is why I belive that bringing awareness to the world's inhabitants about their beautiful earth is the best course of action. This not only allows the climate change to be reduced but also lets people know that they can make a change. Anyone can make a change in the world, but the biggest change can come from each individuals own words.

Above and Beyond By Melody Henry Going beyond the status quo is a vision that I strive to achieve. Seeking to go above and beyond can often be seen as "too hard" or "asking for attention" in this day and age. Taking my leadership abilities and leading people to achieve greatness rather than the bare minimum is a task that I have given myself. My plan for the future is not only meant to push me beyond my limits but to also push others to go above and beyond. Deep down inside I believe that every individual is meant for greatness. They simply need to have the motivation to reach for the stars. Building people up and organizing clutter to turn it into new ideas is something I have found myself to excel in. For example, I have taken up the responsibility many times to lead certain groups that I find myself in, not because I seek fame or anything like that, but because I look at the bigger picture. What can be made from a few people, an idea, and our minds? Leading people to not only get the job done but also encourage them to rise above gives me a sense my plan for the future is the way to go. There are so many ideas that each individual in this world has to offer, but how can their ideas take hold if no one is willing to help build them up? If business management is the career that I am pursuing, the game plan needs to help me achieve the goal while also taking me above and beyond normal expectations. The first step in this task is finding a group of individuals with an idea that leads to a better world. Building that idea to reach newer heights is what I am there for, being the builder but also the glue. Who said that it would stop at one great idea? Many people have fantastic ideas for businesses and more significant futures but have no way of realizing them. Instead of stopping with one company, my vision includes how I can help multiple people achieve their goals and dreams by building ranks and gathering strength for these brilliant individuals. Managing their dreams can turn into managing a better future for the entirety of humanity. Mainly, I chose this goal simply because I get to see the joy on people’s faces when they achieve their dreams. Achieving greatness is one thing, but achieving something greater that will last for a lifetime is worth every moment.

A Melodic Characteristic By Melody Henry My favorite characteristic about myself is something that I have been gifted with which is a love for music. I have loved music ever since I was a child, playing instruments from the age of five and singing on stage at the age of two. Growing up in a musical family, I see how music influences people's lives. Their eyes light up with the joy reflected in their soul, showing me that music can impact people in many different ways. I love this quality as it is a talent that I can use for not only my community but for the world around me. Have you ever heard a song so amazing that it changed your perspective on life? Music has changed many people's lives for the better as it is scientifically proven that music affects the brain. How music affects the brain depends on the person, which results in some people being able to smell music, connect with the emotions of music, or even see the music visually. Personally, music affects the way my mind works. Throughout the hard times of discovering who I am or what I am meant to do, music is there to comfort me. From the age of three, performing music has become a monument in my lifestyle. My family is very invested in music as my father was in a family band. Passing down the love of music to me, my parents taught me to utilize my gifts and harness them to higher levels than average. From the influence on my life, the aspect of singing has been an amazing experience that I have embarked on. The fact that words can be put into song and connect with the audience is a beautiful and poetic ability that I love using. Words affect people every day, and by combining words with the aspect of music, differences are made in people's lives through meaningful lyrics in the music. My passion for music did not stop with just singing and playing violin at the age of five but instead expanded to an orchestral knowledge of instruments. I now play the violin, mandolin, guitar, lyre, kalimba, ukulele, and many more thanks to my "ear" as music professionals call it. Hearing music and transferring it to an instrument is something that I was born with, and I utilize this talent to show other people the beauty music has to offer. Recently, composing became my major hobby of mine through music. The intricate design that songs have is an aspect that I love creating. The real joy that music brings along my journey is when others get to hear what I have created. I love seeing people enjoy my music, not only because it brings them smiles, but also because it means that my knowledge of music allows me to do the thing I love; perform. Music has been with us from the end of time to our current day and age. I plan to utilize the gift of music to create a better future for the world, allowing people to envision new dreams simply through the sound of music. Anywhere I go, I can use this gift to lift people's spirits or help them overcome obstacles in life. I plan to use my talent to better the world around me and influence people for the bettering of the future.

Pointing a Career Towards a Better Future By Melody Henry My name is Melody Henry and I am a Senior in High School who is dedicated to making the world a better place through the gifts that I have been given. One of these gifts is music, which allows me to lift people's spirits with the sound of music. I use this gift by performing, singing, and songwriting, all meant for lifting others through hard times. Another gift that I have been given to use for the bettering of our world is the gift of leadership. I love leading others by organizing their ideas and helping them reach their goals. Figuring out my future was one of the many problems that I had to balance during my time in high school. For those who know me, they would have guessed the problem would have arisen during my Junior year in high school when many fall prey to their future. However, my worries started to take hold of me during my sophomore year when I decided to take on a full year of high school and dual enrollment. I had to balance everything equally or fall prey to one of my other fears at the time, losing a 4.0 GPA. Reputation in a small school was not going to get you anywhere, but a good grade would earn you some form of respect, or so I thought. Building people up and organizing clutter to turn it into new ideas is something I have found myself better at doing than other things. What can be made from a few people, an idea, and our minds? There are so many ideas that the people of this world have to offer, but how can their ideas take hold if no one is willing to help build them up? As business management is the career that I am pursuing, the game plan needs to help me achieve the goal. Just as I would at school, finding a group of individuals with an idea is the first part. Building that idea to reach newer heights is what I am there for, being the builder but also the glue. Who said that it would stop at one great idea? Many people have fantastic ideas for businesses and more significant futures but have no way of realizing them. Instead of stopping with one company, I can help multiple people achieve their goals and dreams by building ranks and gathering strength for these brilliant individuals. Managing their dreams can turn into managing a better future for the entirety of humanity. Mostly, I chose this goal simply because I get to see the joy on people’s faces when they achieve their dreams. Achieving greatness is one thing, but achieving something greater that will last for a lifetime is worth every moment. At the same time, I can also build a small career on the side of performing. The arts will never leave me, so I plan to just take my musical gifts along and perhaps even use them to benefit my business management major. Music tends to relieve tension, so I can always use my gift to help people further their dreams, along with the business side of things. I plan to take these two talents and take them further than this girl’s lifetime could ever hold. The worried girl of the past has a plan now, and she is willing to bet that it might not always be easy, though the smiles, in the end, make it all worthwhile.

Scholarships: A Fight for Recognition By Melody Henry As a High School Senior, I have found that scholarships are extremely important if one wants to financially support their college expedition. I started applying for scholarships in the summer of 2022, and to no avail, I have not won any of them. Over fifty scholarship applications and none of them announcing you the winner can be extremely demotivating. However, the scholarships have not been pointless. There are always hidden truths in scholarships and what their goals may be. Applying for scholarships can influence someone's perception of the world around them. From my journey of applying to different scholarships, I have seen that some scholarships will have different eligibility requirements. Most of the scholarships that I have looked at will lean toward minority groups to increase their ratio. As someone who is not in any minority group, applying for scholarships has actually become harder for me. Instead of simply applying to every scholarship I find online, the prejudiced requirements that some of these scholarships require will not accept someone such as myself. I understand what the scholarships that lean toward minority groups are trying to accomplish, but I personally feel that I have less of a chance than the rest of the world, even as someone who is not a "minority." Applying over and over again may seem discouraging, but I still push forward on my quest to get scholarships. Some would say that I am following a blind ambition, but I truly feel that I am learning from the overall experience. Every scholarship that I have applied to usually presents different questions that require essays. These questions can either be simple or very in-depth. Whatever the topic may be, I find myself learning new aspects about myself and the world. For example, a major scholarship that I applied for asked the question, "what is your definition of failure?" This question made me think of all of the failures that I endured during my time. I realized that each failure I had overcome taught me to keep pressing forward. This discovery has helped me with my quest of applying for scholarships. Instead of feeling down and giving up, I press forward with the hope of improvement. The main lesson that applying to a wide variety of scholarships has taught me is that there is always room for improvement. One simply cannot be ready, for they have to learn the principles of the unknown. After weeks and months of applying over and over again, I improve with every essay I write, and every question I answer. Instead of the fear of failure pushing me down to never try again, I find the improvement within every ideal. Scholarships are not just free money to give to students. They are meant to expand the horizons of students' perspectives and help them develop in this rapid-growing world. With the world pressing down on you, it can be hard to figure out how to get out. My experience with applying for scholarships has taught me so much information that I can use in the future. With every scholarship there is, I am growing into someone who can grow from failure, someone who can look toward a brighter future. The knowledge of this world is endless; an ocean of wisdom unexplored.

Don't Be Afraid to Show the Real You By Melody Henry Every child that watches Disney films has a favorite character that they look up to. My favorite Disney character growing up, which still is today, would be a swashbuckling, notorious thief named Flynn Rider. I recall watching Tangled as a 5-year-old and seeing a dangerous yet fascinating man who was running from the law with a stolen crown. As a child, I got to see the story unfold through the love between two unexpected people: a lost princess who longed for the outside world and a thief who was afraid to let his guard down. Flynn Rider has been a favorite of mine ever since I was a child, and the reason for this is because of the lesson he taught me. The story of Tangled progresses through an adventure between two people who team up because of their current circumstances. At first, Flynn is hesitant to trust Rapunzel and just wants his stolen crown back. But as the story progresses, Flynn and Rapunzel grow closer through the trials they face together. After a near-death experience, Flynn decides to open up, tired of hiding his true self. He tells Rapunzel his real name is Eugene Fitzherbert and explains to her why he made up an alias. Instead of disregarding Flynn as he expected, Rapunzel was accepting and kind. The story of Flynn Rider teaches us a lesson that no one should be afraid to let people know their true selves. In the past, I felt that I had to live up to expectations and hide my true self. Flynn Rider's story helped me overcome my struggles and made me realize the truth. I do not have to pretend to be someone else just to succeed in life. Being proud of who you are can help you overcome the trials that this world inflicts. My favorite Disney character, Flynn Rider, has taught me a lesson that I will not forget; to not be afraid to show the real me.

Mental Wellness: A Significance to Humanity By Melody Henry Maintaining a healthy mentality is a difficult task that many find themselves struggling with in this day and age. The prospect of allowing the body's metal-wellness while battling the pressures that the world may inflict is a difficult task to overcome. Many people will live out their days attaining mental illnesses or losing the healthy habits they may have once had. With the habits that people will start to create, their health overall starts to decrease rapidly. This can be seen throughout the world in this day and age. The question is, how can we better ourselves? Humanity can better themselves by bettering their mental wellness by taking care of their bodies. Mental health has become very popular in recent years as mental illnesses are sprouting up faster than doctors can count. A major reason for this is that mental health is affected by nutritional and physical health. By using better practices of the two components such as working out or watching what you eat, mental health can maintain a steady level. While this is an adequate response to bettering mental health, some people have gone so far down the road of mental illness that simple practices will not help them. Instead, these special circumstances require an extensive amount of help such as training or counseling to bring these individuals back into the light. Mentality changes how one can view the world, so it is of uttermost importance that one maintains a stress-free mentality. People can better their mental health by keeping their eyes on the brighter things in the world. For example, I used to view the bad things of this world instead of the good. By focusing on the bad things, my mental health decreased as I was not focusing on my body's wellness. Once I found that looking toward the bad side of the world gets me nowhere, I started to look at the brighter aspect of the world. Instead of sulking with the rest of humanity, I know that I have the power to change things, even if it is the smallest ripple in an ocean far and wide. Bettering the well-being of my soul comes from the health of my body and mind. I take care of my mental wellness not because I am forced to, but because I choose to. It not only affects how I view the world but also gives me a sense of peace while trials in the world will spontaneously appear. I not only want to maintain a healthy mentality for myself but also for those around me. I can show those around me that the world is not only the dreary things but also the joy that life provides. The importance of mentality can change someone's perspective completely. Maintaining healthy mental wellness is a choice that anyone can make for themselves. They simply have to start the journey.

A Balanced Life By Melody Henry Maintaining a balanced life is difficult, but maintaining a balanced life while in school is on another level. The prospect of allowing the body's well-being while battling the pressures that school may inflict is a difficult task to overcome. Many students in their school journey will live out their days attaining mental illnesses or losing the healthy habits they may have once had. With the habits that students will start to create, their health overall starts to decrease rapidly. This can be seen throughout all schools in this day and age. The question is, how can we better ourselves? Students can better themselves by bettering their mental, physical, and nutritional health by taking care of their bodies. While maintaining the bettering of health comes through different methods, all of the methods have one thing in common. These methods all include taking care of the body. The first type of health we should first look at is nutrition. Children tend to be unhealthy in their days of glee, but every child must soon grow up. These children become the students we are today that learn to take care of their needs by becoming independent. Nutritionally speaking, watching what I intake into my body is the first step to a healthier lifestyle. While I used to have the freedom to eat whatever I wanted, I no longer have the body for that as I have unfortunately grown up from the days of glee. While eating unhealthy food may seem more fun, eating healthier foods has changed my perspective. By eating healthier food, mentally, I strive toward healthier motives as I can see a change happening within me. Physical health has similar components to nutritional health as it affects the lifestyle I try to achieve. Practicing physical activities such as yoga or working out, I find that it calms my soul. While people may view the exercise of the body as intense or extreme, I view it as the empowerment of the body I was given. By giving myself practices that I have to keep every day, I find solace in my pattern as a part of me that stands fast in this world. As everything changes around me, I know that I can stand still in the midst of chaos. The last type of health component, mental health, is affected by nutritional and physical health. Mentality changes how one can view the world, so it is of uttermost importance that I maintain a stress-free mentality. I can better my mental health by keeping my eyes on the brighter things in the world. Instead of sulking with the rest of humanity, I know that I have the power to change things, even if it is the smallest ripple in an ocean far and wide. Bettering the well-being of my soul comes from the health of my body and mind. I take care of my body not because I am forced to, but because I choose to. It not only affects how I view the world but also gives me a sense of peace while trials in school will spontaneously appear. I not only want to maintain a healthy lifestyle for myself but also for those around me. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a choice that anyone can make for themselves. They simply have to start the journey.

Pointing a Career Toward a Better Future By Melody Henry One of the significant worries in this world comes from a group of individuals entering into the aspect of their future. Many teenagers facing their futures may struggle with the thought of “what should I do for my future?” or “what job makes more money?”. These people struggle ever to find a position suitable for their needs and end up going to a disappointing job where they are not happy, but they make ends meet. A person who found herself falling into the same category of worried people finds herself writing to a scholarship program today. Figuring out my future was one of the many hardships that I had to balance during my time in high school. For those who know me, they would have guessed the problem would have arisen during my Junior year in high school when many fall prey to their future’s hunger. However, my worries started to take hold of me during my sophomore year when I decided to take on a full year of high school and dual enrollment. I had to balance everything equally or fall prey to one of my other fears at the time, losing a 4.0 GPA. Reputation in a small school was not going to get you anywhere, but a good grade would earn you some form of respect, or so I thought. For a scared girl growing up in a world where everything means something, she had to find solace in the prospect that she would find a career. Assuming to find meaning, I looked towards what my parents had gone to college for. My mother went to be a teacher, and my father attended looking for a marketing degree. Both of them continued their studies and took the jobs they went in for. As cute as some children may be, I did not want to be a teacher. Maybe I could pursue a business degree and look for meaning there. So that became the game plan from then on. Building people up and organizing clutter to turn it into new ideas is something I have found myself better at doing than other things. Leading people to not only get the job done but also encourage them to rise above gives me a sense that business management is the way to go. There are so many ideas that the people of this world have to offer, but how can their ideas take hold if no one is willing to help build them up? If business management is the career that I am pursuing, the game plan needs to help me achieve the goal. Finding a group of individuals with an idea is the first part. Building that idea to reach newer heights is what I am there for, being the builder but also the glue. Who said that it would stop at one great idea? Many people have fantastic ideas for businesses and more significant futures but have no way of realizing them. Instead of stopping with one company, I can help multiple people achieve their goals and dreams by building ranks and gathering strength for these brilliant individuals. Managing their dreams can turn into managing a better future for the entirety of humanity. Mostly, I chose this goal simply because I get to see the joy on people’s faces when they achieve their dreams. Achieving greatness is one thing, but achieving something greater that will last for a lifetime is worth every moment.

Why College? By Melody Henry Graduating High School is a monumental moment for individuals all around the world. All of the hard work that they put into for four years pays off in the end when they can finally graduate and move on to the real world. The future, however, can be relentless. Many who graduate high school find themselves wondering what to do with their lives. Now that they have responsibilities they did not have before they feel the need to find a job as soon as possible. As a senior in high school, I often find myself wondering about the same thing, constantly at war with the ever-present aspect of our future. So why am I pursuing college? Many pursue college to get a degree for a better job, simply going to college for a better payday. I used to fall into that same category until I found a purpose in life. Leading others is something that I enjoy doing, not because I feel the need to yell at others, but to encourage others to pursue their goals. In this growing world, many ideas are left behind with the thought, "I can never get to where the big companies are." I believe that within each individual a purpose is present. Someone just needs to give these individuals the push that they need to pursue their purpose. Leading others is something that I am pursuing in college, therefore striving for a business management degree. This degree will help my skills in building businesses and managing ideas that people have. There are many who strive for greatness, but few who reach the goal. Not only do I wish to lead businesses, but also lead others through the use of music. Music is an important part of my life that I intend to take to higher heights, helping people believe in themselves through meaningful lyrics and notes. Because of my love for music and leading others, I plan to also minor in music. Using both of my talents to encourage people is what I am striving for in this vast world of multiple talents and different ideas. College is important to me as I plan to take the knowledge I gain from my major and minor to better the future of our world. With so much tension spreading through the world, giving encouragement to one another is just what this world needs to enter a new age of progress. Therefore, I pledge to take my knowledge gained from college as well as outside sources to better the future of our world. Even if things do not go to plan in the end, I will still use my leadership and musical abilities to bring harmony to a world divided.

Taking Faith to the Next Level By Melody Henry Finding purpose in one's life is a goal many strive to find. A girl who finds herself writing for this scholarship once found herself struggling with this same goal. It was not until my sophomore year in high school that I learned how to have an actual relationship with God instead of a religion-based faith. Drawing closer to a deeper relationship with Jesus is what truly set my heart on fire for the passion of spreading the Gospel. The Great Commission is what Jesus called those of the faith to accomplish as His last request before ascending to heaven. It has become a heaviness on my heart for those who do not know what their purpose is in life as they wander the earth surrounded by confusion. I plan to take my faith and apply it to a future career, spreading the Gospel with me as I go. My future is looking toward a degree in business management. Leading people is something that I have felt become a major part of my life. By leading others to pursue their dreams and expand their ideas, I can use my faith to encourage them along the way. Many people have ideas with no way to achieve them, so I plan to use my future degree to guide them to greatness. Utilizing my faith and relationship with Christ will not only help me overcome the troubles of this world but also allow me to be a light in the darkness. Business can be a scary place where many strive simply for money or the popularity this world has to offer. Using my faith to shine a light within the darkness of businesses can help lead this darkened world into a brighter future. As business management will be my main position, I am currently using the talent that God gave me to help others as well. Music is a major part of my life, and it is a gift I am extremely grateful for. God's gift of music is a beautiful sound to behold. The faith I have in Jesus allows me to understand the importance of sharing my gift with the world. Matthew 5:15 speaks of Christians not hiding their light under a bushel but instead sharing it for the world to see. The relationship I have with Christ has allowed me to see that my music can affect the hearts of every individual that I share it with. Many who strive for greatness within the music industry may become lost in drugs, depression, or the many sins this world has to offer. My faith in Jesus has allowed me to stay focused on the main ministry of my music, which is to further the Gospel of Christ. Ultimately, both my positions in business management and musical arts are gifts that God has given me to use to further the Kingdom of God. My faith in Jesus will help me stay focused on the task at hand, giving me the focus and peace that I need. The personal relationship I have with my Saviour has helped me overcome the struggles of this current day and age, so I plan to repay the favor by using my talents for the Lord. I am taking my faith to the next level to spread the Gospel not just to those I encounter, but to the world.

The Gift of Music: By Melody Henry Have you ever heard a song so amazing that it changed your perspective on life? Have you ever heard an instrument so amazing you decided to try it out? Music has changed many people's lives for the better as it is scientifically proven that music affects the brain. How the music affects the brain depends on the person, which results in some people being able to smell music, connect with the emotions of music, or even see the music visually. Personally, music affects the way my mind works. As I am writing this, I am currently listening to music. The music that is playing is affecting my brain to think emotionally about the question at hand. Music has made huge impacts on people, and it made an impact on my life that changed my perspective of life forever. From the age of three, performing music has become a monument in my lifestyle. My family is very invested in music as my father was in a family band. Passing down the love of music to me, my parents taught me to utilize my gifts and harness them to higher levels than average. From the influence on my life, the aspect of singing has been an amazing experience that I have embarked on. The fact that words can be put to song and connect with the audience is a beautiful and poetic ability that I love using. Words affect people every day, and by combining words with the aspect of music, differences are made in people's lives through meaningful lyrics in the music. Not only do I enjoy the aspect of putting words to music, but also the instrumental sensation that symphonies and concertos contain. Remembering when this passion was first born is a funny memory to look at, considering it was born from a Disney show called "The Little Einsteins." From that moment on, playing the violin became a hobby I soon enjoyed doing. Currently, with 12 years of violin, I now use my talent to let others experience the sensation of instruments. The passion for music did not stop with just singing and violin but instead expanded to an orchestral knowledge of instruments. I now play the violin, mandolin, guitar, lyre, kalimba, ukulele, and many more thanks to my "ear" as music professionals call it. Hearing music and transferring it to an instrument is something that I was born with, and I utilize this talent to show other people the beauty music has to offer. Recently, composing became my major hobby of mine through music. The intricate design that songs have is an aspect that I love creating. The real joy that music brings me is when others get to hear what I have created. When a child draws a picture, they are usually apt to show their parents, wanting someone to see the masterpiece they have made. In the same way, I love seeing people enjoy my music, not only because it brings them smiles, but also because it means that my knowledge of music allows me to do the thing I love; perform. Music has been with us from the end of time to our current day and age. I plan to utilize the gift of music to create a better future for the world, allowing people to envision new dreams simply through the sound of music.

Change: A Progressive Action By Melody Henry Change is a concept that many individuals believe to be a terrible circumstance. These individuals are led to believe this statement due to outside sources such as the internet, social media, and even close friends. The main factor for the fear of change, however, is the fear of the unknown. Change brings new aspects in the midst of chaos. Those who fear change often see it as just another burden they have to carry along the long road called "life." I have learned over the years that while change can be terrifying, it also brings new life and new opportunities. The question many find themselves asking is "what can I do for my future?" or "how can I make a difference?" I used to ask myself the same questions until I finally figured out what I wanted to change about my seemingly dull life. Life can often come across as repetitive with the everyday actions of waking up, going to work, going back to sleep, and repeating it all over again. The change that I have dedicated my life to is to reach the fullness of life, appreciating every aspect of life instead of the repetition most of the world is under. I used to find myself doing the same repetitive actions every day: waking up, going to school, and then going back to bed. Once the repetition got so bad, I simply did not want to endure it anymore. Things had to change. However, the change came in and turned my perspective around. My family's financial stability took a turn for the worse, and our family was left struggling for three torturous months. Once both of my parents found jobs that could support our family, I was put into a private school. This environment was foreign to me, having been homeschooled seven years prior. It was this change that let me realize the depth of the problem of repetition. Many kids at the new school I attended were living the same way I was; repetitive. Changing the standard of life would become my new goal in life. Not only for my own life but also for the lives of others. From then on, I have strived to uplift kids at my school by encouraging them through their workload or even the rough times in their lives. Bringing innovation to the people around me made me realize that I could pursue this goal as an actual career. Managing things has always come naturally to me, so I devised a plan to attend college in order to assist individuals in turning their ideas into reality. By striving for innovation within my work field, I believe that I can change the environment of the current business world. This scholarship can help me accomplish these goals by allowing me the funds I need to further my mission. Gathering more knowledge about building businesses is what I am going to college for, and I plan to use the knowledge to lift society up from the ashes it stands in. Many people are struggling in the darkness, unable to find even a glimpse of the light. This scholarship can not only help me achieve my goal but also allow me to change the normality of repetition in life. The future has the potential to be bright, and I plan to use my talents to strengthen those around me to pursue greatness.

Furthering the Great Adventure By Melody Henry What is my place in the vast deepness of this beautiful universe? Where do I belong in a world that is too big for any one individual? These are questions everyone has asked at least once in their lifetime. Comprehension of the great unknown is utterly impossible for any one individual to contain that much knowledge. And yet, we strive to know more. New discoveries are a constant with cooperations such as NASA or SpaceX, striving to reach new knowledge of the vast amount the universe has to offer. What ideas can we as a society offer to civilization to better our understanding of the great unknown? Many people can simply start with the funding of exploration organizations. By simply providing a fund of money, an individual can influence a major company to make incredible discoveries. Those who wish to further the understanding of the nature of our universe can often feel the need to go the distance and do more for a better understanding. In this vast nature of the universe, there are many things to be discerned and acknowledged in the grand scheme of things. Understanding the importance of this research can further the goals of our society to maintain the nature of the universe. Civilization is starting to learn about the needs of our world by raising awareness of the economic and agricultural state of the Earth. By striving for the improvement of the world, people can move on to the next big thing: the universe. The start can begin with small groups forming an organization dedicated to the study of the nature of our universe. This entails not just the mission of space exploration, but the improvement of the universe. Instead of looking for different planets or space aspects to utilize for our benefit, the organization's dedication would be turned towards protecting the universe and improving it at the same time. For example, if a major space company plans to initiate a vision that ultimately harms the universe or pollutes the vastness of space, this organization would be extremely against it. Maintaining the universe in order to study it is important to focus on ensuring the health of our universe. The planet Earth is just one piece of the puzzle, but we have been gifted with the materials and resources to become the defenders of the universe. Creating this organization not only leads to the protection and understanding of the nature of our universe but also leads to better the environment of our own planet. Because of the organization's focus on the protection of the universe, individuals on Earth can be influenced to make a difference in their communities. Whether that entails simply spreading kindness to people or discovering new things about our own planet, it is the fact that this organization can better our understanding of the universe while we can keep sight of our home planet. So where is our place in this vast universe? Everyone has their own purpose, but the vast amount of discoveries that our universe has to offer can lead society to come together and truly understand the nature of our universe.