My phone is set to go off at 9:36 AM—an awkward time, yes, but it’s the way I’ve been setting alarms all year. Too anxious to wait for the blaring noise, I got up at 8:58. It’s my birthday—officially 19 years old. My excited giggles and squeals pierce through the silence of the room. I’ve planned this day ahead perfectly, each moment accounted for, each task organized in the storage binder of my brain. What could go wrong? I rise out of my comfortable twin bed and feel the tattered but smooth carpet under my feet. I brush my teeth, fill my water bottle with creatine, and select the Peloton workout for the morning—the first pleasures of the day. I complete a 45-minute Hip Hop Ride with Alex Toussaint, hop off the bike, and get in the shower. The shower is perfect: the water temperature just below scalding, sending awakening and chilling droplets down my sweaty face. So far, so good. Afterward, I heat my protein muffin in the microwave and watch it rise in delectable chocolatey glory, anticipating the moment it will reach my taste buds. Today feels good; the energy is undeniably radiant. Today, nothing will go wrong. But as I step outside and start up my mom’s old car—a white ‘97 Toyota truck—there’s this unshakable feeling that something is bound to put a damper on my plans. I dismiss this discomforting vibe and listen to Megan Thee Stallion’s new album as I travel 35 minutes to my aunt’s house. What could go wrong? For a Tuesday morning, traffic is heavier than usual, and I find myself stuck behind the slowest Kia Soul. The minutes tick away, and my perfectly planned schedule starts to feel a little constricted. I continue rapping the lyrics I’ve already seemed to memorize, willing the snail-paced vehicle to turn off at the next exit. It doesn’t. My schedule is thrown off by minutes due to this delay, but it’s just a hiccup, I think. What could go wrong? The solo listening party is cut short as I arrive at my aunt’s new house. I ring the doorbell and stand by, waiting to hear either footsteps approaching, the fun-loving pitbull, Princess barking, or the obnoxious scratching on the door by one or more of the three cats in the house. For a while, there’s nothing, and then I hear my aunt’s voice through the Ring Camera. Finally, I make my way into the house and greet my aunt and older cousin. My cousin and I head to the beauty supply store. The trip costs more than I was expecting, and I still need money to pay for dinner and the movies, but adequately deciding how to utilize my limited funds is not the end of the world. Money may be tight due to the hair supply outing, but what could go wrong? An hour passes, my hair and makeup are done, and my cousin and I head to a campus park with allegedly beautiful flowers and outdoor scenery. We get there, and it looks like a desert—dead leaves, bald bushes, and grassless grounds. The photo aesthetic is unpleasant, and this would ruin my social media pictures. Certainly a frustrating turn of events, but there’s still an entire day ahead of me. What could go wrong? I head back to my hometown all dolled up, feeling extremely pretty. I text my friends that I’m on the way to pick them up. We head to BJ’s Brewhouse and indulge in our individual meals. While there, though, my guests are not pleased with their entrees. Unfortunately, the portions and presentations are not what they were chalked up to be. Their dissatisfaction makes me unhappy, but they insist that everything is fine. Surely, nothing else will go wrong. We head to a park downtown to take more photos. These photographs turn out much better. The trio of friends returns to the car, only to find a parking ticket on the windshield. This fine costs me $50—another dent in my bank account. My friends offer to pay for their tickets due to this mishap; monetary crisis avoided. Now, what could go wrong? Before we hit the theaters, we run to the nearest grocery store to grab some candy to devour as the previews roll. We tug at the car door, but we can’t get in. One problem: the keys are locked in the car, with the slightest crack in the window. We run back into the store and find an antenna-thin stick, a bungee cord, and duct tape. We spend the next 45 minutes playing fishing in the small sliver of space, attempting to grab the keys out of the middle console. After much patience, it’s a success! We miss our showing, but there’s another one in the following hour. This derails our scheduled events the most by far, but at this rate, what else could go wrong? We arrive at the movies and meet up with others to watch the latest horror movie. An hour and 45 minutes later, the group processes the movie and concludes that it wasn’t good—it wasn’t all that it was hyped up to be, and overall it was a waste of money. We play crane games in the lobby afterward, spend more unnecessary money, and win maybe three prizes. But what else could have gone wrong after the day I have had. As I drive home in the Toyota, I reflect and realize life is complicated. It’s a disorganized jumble where anything can happen. However, there’s an odd comfort in it. I cannot control anything if everything has the potential to go wrong. Maybe I can let go of the delusion of perfection. Perhaps I can learn to adapt and move forward in life with uncertainties and detours.

My initial interest in psychology sparked when I saw the movie "Suicide Squad" in the sixth grade. I was immediately captivated by the character Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist. She had the notorious supervillain, Joker as her client. Their twisted romance story captured my attention, and I wanted to look into psychology since then. This portrayal of psychological dynamics piqued my curiosity in the field of psychology. My decision to major in psychology was cemented when I took two years of psychology courses in my final years of high school. I got an improved understanding of psychology when I took a general psychology course in my first year of college. In order to protect her clients' privacy, my professor, who is also a licensed therapist, shared with us her professional experiences. The knowledge I got from her stories, essential case studies, psychological discoveries, and research assignments confirmed my interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. Despite having completed foundational coursework in general psychology and various liberal arts subjects such as English, math, history, and human biology, my journey in psychology has only just begun. Nonetheless, I do have a distinct idea of what I want to do for a living in psychology, and I draw inspiration from both fictional and real-world examples of psychological practice. I also was a mentee turned mentor in a Peer Support Group that was in association with my uncle’s recovery organizations. I was in this program for three years. Being a participant in this support group I provided empathy to people who were facing difficult times, utilized my active listening skills constantly, and offered emotional support. By passing on the information I learned in psychology and coping mechanisms, I assisted my peers in handling stress and mental health concerns. I built connections and fostered a sense of community through facilitating discussions and providing a safe, welcoming environment. We discussed positive habits, coping mechanisms, and how to eliminate toxicity in our minds, we later scrapped this and resorted to guided meditations and discussed properly channeling and reducing negative thoughts. In addition to helping the participants, my involvement improved my leadership and communication skills, laying the blueprint for my aspiring profession in psychology and having a positive influence on others' lives and giving through mental health advocacy. My main career goal is becoming a reputable researcher with a focus on conducting and publishing case studies in the psychology profession. Case studies offer a unique opportunity to explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. They bring complex insights that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices. My goal in conducting case studies is to add to the body of psychological knowledge and improve the standard of psychological therapy and interventions for my community. These initial aspirations will serve as the cornerstone of the larger life I plan to build. My journey has been deeply influenced by my uncle, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in my pursuit of a career in psychology. My ambition to make contributions to the area motivates me whether I'm working alongside him as a mentor for recovery and peer support, advocating for mental health initiatives, or taking on a job as a professor at a prestigious university. My career path may evolve, but I'm not going to waver in my dedication to improving mental health and the psychology profession. As I progress yearly, I hope that the direction of my career will become more clear, leading to a fulfilling and impactful professional life.

My decision to major in psychology was cemented when I took two years of psychology courses in my final years of high school. I got an improved understanding of psychology when I took a general psychology course in my first year of college. In order to protect her clients' privacy, my professor, who is also a licensed therapist, shared with us her professional experiences. The knowledge I got from her stories, essential case studies, psychological discoveries, and research assignments confirmed my interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. I have a distinct idea of what I want to do for a living in psychology, and I draw inspiration from both fictional and real-world examples of psychological practice. I also was a mentee turned mentor in a Peer Support Group that was in association with my uncle’s recovery organizations. I was in this program for three years. Being a participant in this support group I provided empathy to people who were facing difficult times, utilized my active listening skills constantly, and offered emotional support. By passing on the information I learned in psychology and coping mechanisms, I assisted my peers in handling stress and mental health concerns. I built connections and fostered a sense of community through facilitating discussions and providing a safe, welcoming environment. We discussed positive habits, coping mechanisms, and how to eliminate toxicity in our minds, we later scrapped this and resorted to guided meditations and discussed properly channeling and reducing negative thoughts. In addition to helping the participants, my involvement improved my leadership and communication skills, laying the blueprint for my aspiring profession in psychology and having a positive influence on others' lives and giving through mental health advocacy. My main career goal is becoming a reputable researcher with a focus on conducting and publishing case studies in the psychology profession. Case studies offer a unique opportunity to explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. They bring complex insights that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices. My goal in conducting case studies is to add to the body of psychological knowledge and improve the standard of psychological therapy and interventions for my community. These initial aspirations will serve as the cornerstone of the larger life I plan to build. My journey has been deeply influenced by my uncle, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in my pursuit of a career in psychology. My ambition to make contributions to the area motivates me whether I'm working alongside him as a mentor for recovery and peer support, advocating for mental health initiatives, or taking on a job as a professor at a prestigious university. My career path may evolve, but I'm not going to waver in my dedication to improving mental health and the psychology profession. As I progress yearly, I hope that the direction of my career will become more clear, leading to a fulfilling and impactful professional life.

My initial interest in psychology sparked when I saw the movie "Suicide Squad" in the sixth grade. I was immediately captivated by the character Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist. She had the notorious supervillain, Joker as her client. Their twisted romance story captured my attention, and I wanted to look into psychology since then. This portrayal of psychological dynamics piqued my curiosity in the field of psychology. My decision to major in psychology was cemented when I took two years of psychology courses in my final years of high school. I got an improved understanding of psychology when I took a general psychology course in my first year of college. In order to protect her clients' privacy, my professor, who is also a licensed therapist, shared with us her professional experiences. The knowledge I got from her stories, essential case studies, psychological discoveries, and research assignments confirmed my interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. Despite having completed foundational coursework in general psychology and various liberal arts subjects such as English, math, history, and human biology, my journey in psychology has only just begun. Nonetheless, I do have a distinct idea of what I want to do for a living in psychology, and I draw inspiration from both fictional and real-world examples of psychological practice. I also was a mentee turned mentor in a Peer Support Group that was in association with my uncle’s recovery organizations. I was in this program for three years. Being a participant in this support group I provided empathy to people who were facing difficult times, utilized my active listening skills constantly, and offered emotional support. By passing on the information I learned in psychology and coping mechanisms, I assisted my peers in handling stress and mental health concerns. I built connections and fostered a sense of community through facilitating discussions and providing a safe, welcoming environment. We discussed positive habits, coping mechanisms, and how to eliminate toxicity in our minds, we later scrapped this and resorted to guided meditations and discussed properly channeling and reducing negative thoughts. In addition to helping the participants, my involvement improved my leadership and communication skills, laying the blueprint for my aspiring profession in psychology and having a positive influence on others' lives and giving through mental health advocacy. My main career goal is becoming a reputable researcher with a focus on conducting and publishing case studies in the psychology profession. Case studies offer a unique opportunity to explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. They bring complex insights that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices. My goal in conducting case studies is to add to the body of psychological knowledge and improve the standard of psychological therapy and interventions for my community. These initial aspirations will serve as the cornerstone of the larger life I plan to build. My journey has been deeply influenced by my uncle, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in my pursuit of a career in psychology. My ambition to make contributions to the area motivates me whether I'm working alongside him as a mentor for recovery and peer support, advocating for mental health initiatives, or taking on a job as a professor at a prestigious university. My career path may evolve, but I'm not going to waver in my dedication to improving mental health and the psychology profession. As I progress yearly, I hope that the direction of my career will become more clear, leading to a fulfilling and impactful professional life.

During my upperclassman years in high school, the idea of attending college started to take shape, and I started thinking about what I wanted to study after graduation. When I saw the movie "Suicide Squad" in the sixth grade of 2016, it sparked my interest in psychology. I was immediately captivated by the character Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist. She had the notorious supervillain, Joker as her client. They had numerous sessions, and Dr. Quinzel thought there was improvement until what evolved into a workplace romance went awry. Their twisted romance story captured my attention, and I wanted to look into psychology since then. This portrayal of psychological dynamics piqued my curiosity in the field of psychology. My decision to major in psychology was cemented when I took two years of psychology courses in those final years in high school. I got a deeper grasp on psychology when I took a general psychology course in my first year of college. In order to protect her clients' privacy, my professor (a licensed therapist) shared with us her professional experiences. Her tales about her work with criminals and patients on suicide watch felt too intense for me to be in that department, but the knowledge I got from important case studies, psychological discoveries, and research assignments confirmed my interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. I have a distinct idea of what I want to do for a living in psychology, and I draw inspiration from both fictional and real-world examples of psychological practice. Aside from my educational background, I also was a mentee turned mentor in a Peer Support Group that was in association with my uncle’s recovery organizations. I was in this program for three years. Being a participant in this support group I provided empathy to people who were facing difficult times, utilized my active listening skills constantly, and offered emotional support. By passing on the information I learned in psychology and coping mechanisms, I assisted my peers in handling stress and mental health concerns. I built connections and fostered a sense of community through facilitating discussions and providing a safe, welcoming environment. I encouraged peers to access more resources and provided a model of healthy conduct, which gave them the confidence to make positive changes. The mentors and mentees at first used an online software to learn more about positive habits and mechanisms and how to eliminate toxicity in our minds and about ourselves. In addition to helping the participants, my involvement improved my leadership and communication skills, laying the blueprint for my aspiring profession in psychology and having a positive influence on others' lives and giving through mental health advocacy. My main career goal is becoming a reputable researcher with a focus on conducting and publishing case studies in the psychology profession. Case studies offer a unique opportunity to explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. They bring complex insights that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices. My goal in conducting case studies is to add to the body of psychological knowledge and improve the standard of psychological therapy and interventions for my community. With this utilization of knowledge for my future endeavors, mentoring, advocating for mental health, and teaching, I aim to make meaningful contributions to psychology and support individuals in their mental health journeys.

Since sixth grade, I've been immersed in track and field, a passion that has carried me through to my upcoming sophomore year at Wingate University. Over the past eight years, this journey has been transformative not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Initially, I struggled with my mental health, anger issues, post-competition tears, and performance anxiety. Throughout my childhood, I was often labeled as an "angry" and "evil" child. Although we now joke about it, this perception became a serious issue as a preteen. As a potential outlet, I joined the track and field team, where I met a coach who profoundly influenced my journey. Diagnosed with an anger condition himself, my coach understood my struggles. Whenever I felt a surge of frustration or anger, he taught me methods to manage these emotions. This guidance extended beyond the track and has been invaluable throughout my career. Another significant challenge I faced as a youth athlete was dealing with was uncontrolling crying after disappointing competitions. When I failed to meet my expectations in throwing events, I would often cry, feeling as though I had let down not only myself but also my coaches and parents, who had made numerous sacrifices for my success. However, by my senior year of high school and freshman year of college, I had improved remarkably, crying only twice in two years compared to nearly every meet and practice before. The final hurdle I continue to work on is my performance anxiety. While this remains an ongoing challenge, I am committed to overcoming it, just as I have faced and conquered other obstacles in my journey. Overall, I am blessed to have transitioned to a healthier and happier state of mind. These experiences have further underscored the importance of mental health awareness and the need for proper support systems within sports and fitness. My journey is a testament to the transformative power of athletics and personal growth. I am committed to continuing this path of self-improvement, not only for myself but also to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. From my several years of experience, I can inspire and guide others facing similar struggles toward personal growth and success. The greatest thing I learned to tackle these challenges were to channel energy into positive outlets, seek support from mentors (they have changed over time), practice emotional management techniques (box breathing, journaling, visualization) embrace and move past setbacks constructively, celebrate small steps, address performance anxiety gradually, and focus on personal growth over perfection. With the power of commitment, consistency, and determination, the life you want to lead is within reach.

Since sixth grade, I've been immersed in track and field, a passion that has carried me through to my upcoming sophomore year at Wingate University. Over the past eight years, this journey has been transformative not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Initially, I struggled with my mental health, anger issues, post-competition tears, and performance anxiety. Throughout my childhood, I was often labeled as an "angry" and "evil" child. Although we now joke about it, this perception became a serious issue as a preteen. As a potential outlet, I joined the track and field team, where I met a coach who profoundly influenced my journey. Diagnosed with an anger condition himself, my coach understood my struggles. Whenever I felt a surge of frustration or anger, he taught me methods to manage these emotions. This guidance extended beyond the track and has been invaluable throughout my career. Another significant challenge I faced as a youth athlete was dealing with was uncontrollable crying after disappointing competitions. When I failed to meet my expectations in throwing events, I would often cry, feeling as though I had let down not only myself but also my coaches and parents, who had made numerous sacrifices for my success. However, by my senior year of high school and freshman year of college, I had improved remarkably, crying only twice in two years compared to nearly every meet and practice before. The final hurdle I continue to work on is my performance anxiety. While this remains an ongoing challenge, I am committed to overcoming it, just as I have faced and conquered other obstacles in my journey. Overall, I am blessed to have transitioned to a healthier and happier state of mind. These experiences have further underscored the importance of mental health awareness and the need for proper support systems within sports and fitness. My journey is a testament to the transformative power of athletics and personal growth. I am committed to continuing this path of self-improvement, not only for myself but also to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. From my several years of experience, the greatest thing I learned to tackle these challenges were to channel energy into positive outlets, seek support from mentors (they have changed over time), practice emotional management techniques (box breathing, journaling, visualization) embrace and move past setbacks constructively, celebrate small steps, address performance anxiety gradually, and focus on personal growth over perfection. With the power of commitment, consistency, and determination, the life you want to lead is within reach.

Henry Respert’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Scholarship “There are people in the house trying to kill me, they put invisible gas in the house, and they are trying to kill me and EB.” “Shhh, be quiet, the people in the basement put cameras in the house; they’re always listening.” These are just a couple of notes my grandma wrote in her shaky handwriting and slid silently across the kitchen counter for me and my mother to read. I was very confused by this behavior from my grandma; it was random, frightening, and made no sense. My mother sat me down and revealed the secret she and my dad had been keeping from me and my siblings for the last five months: my grandma was diagnosed with chronic dementia and paranoia. This news was conveyed to me when I was 16 years old, and unfortunately, her condition has not improved. These experiences with her altered perception and memory have been emotionally challenging for my family. Over the next few years, my mother, aunt, and uncles took time off work to stay overnight with my grandmother or visit frequently to ensure her episodes were minimal and to prevent her from calling 911 about alleged intruders in the basement or attic. However, as they are adults with full-time jobs, it became increasingly difficult and costly to take time off work while also supporting their children at home. As a result, the grandchildren stepped in. My four siblings and I would drive the hour to take turns staying with my grandmother a couple of days each month to ensure she felt safe in her home. Her episodes of paranoia were particularly challenging, and when we confronted her about these incidents and showed her the receipts of her 911 calls, she genuinely did not remember making them. Her rapid progression of memory loss not only impacted her emotionally but also had significant financial repercussions. As an 18-year-old with limited knowledge of financial responsibilities, I had to swiftly address the financial challenges my grandmother unknowingly encountered. She often paid bills multiple times and shared her personal information with individuals fraudulently claiming to be her television provider, resulting in the depletion of her bank accounts. Dementia affected numerous aspects of her life and disrupted her daily functioning. Aware of the genetic predisposition to dementia in her family, she would sometimes accuse us of calling her crazy, feeling as if we were belittling her, or treating her like a child, despite our never having done so. We learned to manage these situations with caution and care, gently redirecting her accusations with reassurance and comforting responses. It was undoubtedly clear that maintaining a calm and stable environment was essential in helping alleviate her forgetfulness and paranoia. Despite the shift in dynamics, we strive to provide her with the best possible quality of life by being patient, respectful, and honest. These efforts are designed to cherish moments of connection and offer her a sense of comfort. I have gained important insight about versatility, perseverance, and the value of loving every moment through my grandmother's experience. I now have an immense admiration for the fortitude and devotion of those who provide steadfast support to their loved ones as they face the difficulties of dementia. Seeing their unbreakable dedication has motivated me to think about a career in the STEM field, where I can explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. Research and advocacy can bring awareness that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices to light. In summary, the effect that my grandmother’s internal battle has had on my family members and me has been an emotional whirlwind. We have to take into account that they are feeling that these things are real and they don’t see why we are not taking them seriously, but at the same time work their reality with them. Nonetheless, this experience and these challenges have been instrumental in my understanding and appreciation for these moments in life.

Game Name: "Tropical Truths" Objective: - To uncover hidden facts and test the islanders' ability to discern truth from lies, enhancing drama and deepening connections. Setup: - A designated area in the villa is set up with a long booth for the panelist and comfy tiki themed individual seats for the contestants to sit in. - The host, former Islander Cely Vasquez of Season 2, uses her playful and bubbly sense of humor to guide the game. - Each round focuses on the islanders answering questions based around an assumed truth and attempting to find the islander the statement really applies to. Rules: 1. Introduction of the Contestants: Each round starts with a basic and repeated “I am” statement of the three “Truth” Tellers aka contestants. 2. Presentation of Biography: The host reads aloud the person’s story in their own words that introduces how the truth came to be. 3. Interrogation Round: The other islanders (panelist) have a limited time (2-3 minutes) to ask the contestants questions to discern which islander’s are lying. The authentic Truth Teller is sworn to tell the truth. 4. Voting: After the interrogation concludes, the panelists vote for which of the three islanders that truth applies to. 5. Reveal: The contestant that the truth applies to takes a stand and admits to their truth. Points System: - Islanders who correctly identify the right Truth Teller receive 2 points. - The Truth Teller earns a point for each islander they successfully deceive. Winning: - The islander with the most points at the end of the game wins a date with the islander of their choosing. Example Statements: 1. Statement 1: "This islander cheated on their partner in their previous relationship." 2. Statement 2: "This islander spent $700 on a date” 3. Statement 3: "This islander got a tattoo of their former significant other after only 2 weeks of talking." Excitement Factor: - Revealing Secrets: Uncovering hidden facts about the islanders adds depth to their personalities and relationships. - Mind Games: The challenge tests islanders' ability to read each other, fostering bonds and rivalries. - Drama and Humor: The blend of serious and funny truths keeps the atmosphere lively and unpredictable. "Tropical Truths" brings an engaging mix of revelation and deception, perfectly blending with the dynamics and intrigue of "Love Island."

My decision to major in psychology was cemented when I took two years of psychology courses in high school. Additionally, I took a general psychology course in my first year of college. My professor, a licensed therapist, shared with us her professional experiences. Her tales about her work with criminals and patients on suicide watch felt too intense for me to be in that department, but the knowledge I got confirmed my interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. I have a distinct idea of what I want to do for a living in psychology, and I draw inspiration from both fictional and real-world examples of psychological practice. Aside from my educational background, I also was a mentee turned mentor in a Peer Support Group that was in association with my uncle’s recovery organizations. I was in this program for three years. Being a participant in this support group I provided empathy to people who were facing difficult times, utilized my active listening skills constantly, and offered emotional support. By passing on the information I learned in psychology and coping mechanisms, I assisted my peers in handling stress and mental health concerns. I built connections and fostered a sense of community through facilitating discussions and providing a safe, welcoming environment. I encouraged peers to access more resources and provided a model of healthy conduct, which gave them the confidence to make positive changes. The mentors and mentees at first used an online software to learn more about positive habits and mechanisms and how to eliminate toxicity in our minds, we later scrapped this and resorted to guided meditations and discussed properly channeling and reducing negative thoughts. In addition to helping the participants, my involvement improved my leadership and communication skills, laying the blueprint for my aspiring profession in psychology and having a positive influence on others' lives and giving through mental health advocacy. My career goal is becoming a researcher with a focus on conducting and publishing case studies in the psychology profession. Case studies offer a unique opportunity to explore complex or rare psychological conditions, treatment outcomes, and individual experiences in depth. They bring complex insights that can guide more general psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and clinical practices. My goal in conducting case studies is to add to the body of psychological knowledge and improve the standard of psychological therapy and interventions for my community.

Since sixth grade, I've been immersed in track and field, a passion that has carried me through to my upcoming sophomore year at Wingate University. Over the past eight years, this journey has been transformative not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Initially, I struggled with my mental health, experiencing anger issues, post-competition tears, and performance anxiety. Throughout my childhood, I was often labeled as an "angry" and "evil" child. Although we now joke about it, this perception became a serious issue as a preteen. As a potential outlet, I joined the track and field team, where I met a coach who profoundly influenced my journey. Diagnosed with an anger condition himself, my coach understood my struggles. Whenever I felt a surge of frustration or anger, he taught me methods to manage these emotions. This guidance extended beyond the track and has been invaluable throughout my career. Another significant challenge I faced as a youth athlete was dealing with tears after disappointing competitions. When I failed to meet my expectations in throwing events, I would often cry, feeling as though I had let down not only myself but also my coaches and parents, who had made numerous sacrifices for my success. However, by my senior year of high school and freshman year of college, I had improved remarkably, crying only twice in two years compared to nearly every meet and practice before. The final hurdle I continue to work on is my performance anxiety. While this remains an ongoing challenge, I am committed to overcoming it, just as I have faced and conquered other obstacles in my journey. Overall, I am blessed to have transitioned to a healthier and happier state of mind. These experiences have further underscored the importance of mental health awareness and the need for proper support systems within sports and fitness. My journey is a testament to the transformative power of athletics and personal growth. I am committed to continuing this path of self-improvement, not only for myself but also to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. From my several years of experience, the best advice to tackle these things would be to channel energy into positive outlets, seek support from mentors (they can and will change over time), practice emotional management techniques (box breathing, journaling, visualization) embrace and move past setbacks constructively, celebrate small steps, address performance anxiety gradually, and focus on personal growth over perfection (consistency is key). Create affirmations or words to live by and alter your attitude.

I have a passion for helping others within and around the community of Durham, North Carolina. Due to my passion, I joined a program called "StrongHER Together." StrongHER Together promotes female empowerment, embracing your identity, unity as girls and women, and rising above stereotypes that are meant to deter us and make us feel isolated from society. I have taken on a leadership role in this program serving as a mentor to 9th-grade girls. My past experiences and knowledge as a young woman and Track and Field athlete serve as tools to guide my girls toward the path of empowerment through bonding and mentoring opportunities. Outside of community hours, I speak with the young ladies about feeling welcomed and comfortable in high school and how those experiences are preparation for adolescence and adulthood. As mentioned, I am a Track & Field athlete. I throw Discus, Shot Put, and Javelin. I have been throwing and competing year-round for six years. Even though I have been competing for a long time, I still face disappointment and suffer from low self-esteem. Disappointment is something I hate feeling, but I know the only method to progression is to experience and move forward with a changed mindset. Living in a constant state of negativity poisons my mind, but I have an intention with every passion I pursue, and I believe I have a purpose. I do not walk away from what my family and I have invested in. I am the middle child of five, and my father has been an educator since I was born. Because of how we were raised, I have become a scholar student. I did not start gaining respect toward my academics until my Junior year of high school when I was informed that I was in the top 3% of my class. I had a general idea of what direction I wanted my future to go, but I did not solidify it until I took an introductory course in 2022. I have been fascinated with Psychology since “Suicide Squad” was released in 2016. Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, had the notorious supervillain, Joker as her client. They had numerous sessions, and Dr. Quinzel thought there was improvement until the workplace romance went awry. Their twisted romance story captured my attention, and I wanted to look into Psychology since then. I researched correlations with my passions and landed on Sports Psychology. I plan to reach the Doctorate level and become a Sports Psychologist. This level of education will prevent mental health crises like that of the young Stanford soccer player, Katie Meyer. My overlapping passion for helping young women, being a Track & Field athlete, and my career goal of becoming a Sports Psychologist will be achievable when I maintain a steady mindset. A motto I must always remember is that you cannot persevere through success and triumph; only failure and adversity build character.