Myla Farmer Alex Haro Memorial Scholarship As a junior, you’re setting yourself up for your future. Most would say it’s “the most important year of your high school career,” as it has the most significant impact on your college applications. After all, it’s the last full year of coursework and grades that admissions officers review. However, for me, it’s been difficult for a plethora of reasons. I’ve grieved three people in the last year, one being one of my best friends, and figuring out what I want to do with my life after graduation has been a laborious task. Though it’s been hard, I’ve narrowed it down to a few options; one in particular speaks out to me the most. Becoming an astronomer or cosmologist has recently been the most interesting career path for me, it'd be a dream to study astrophysics in a classroom with others who share the same passion. Not only would being an astronomer give me a deeper look into our universe and the stars and galaxies within it, but having a STEM degree would provide me with a vast and diverse array of career options, if I ever choose to reconsider my profession. As someone with an insatiable need for knowledge, this path gives me the chance to fuel my curiosities. Since I turned fourteen, I’ve worked nearly every weekend I’ve had, so getting to spend time with the people I love is something I cherish. More specifically, monthly movie nights with my friends. On January 17, 2025, I was on my way to a movie night at around 9 o’clock after a basketball game. I had to leave by 9:30 so I could drive my brother and I to our mom’s house, and I thought about just not going because I’d barely have any time to hang out with my friends. However, I chose to go anyway after thinking back to last May, and how I’d give anything to have 10 more minutes with Alex, knowing that any amount of time with them would be worth it. As I was reaching my destination, I saw my friend standing up through the sunroof of her Jeep, pulled off to the side of the road. I thought that she was lost and needed directions to our friend's house, but when she looked my way, the blood streaming down her face revealed a much more horrific truth. She’d been in a terrible accident and needed medical attention immediately. I pulled into the church parking lot and ran to her vehicle, calling an ambulance to our location. I stayed with her alone in the cold rain for 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived, and watched as they sawed her out of the car and left for the hospital. She got the help she needed, but that night affected me in ways that I’ll never forget, and gave me a greater sense of appreciation towards my loved ones who won’t always be here. That experience for me ties into my morals, and how I believe that compassion and empathy are significant to society. Those two values foster a greater well-being to people who carry them, creating an overall better and more just environment for the masses. I believe that those specific morals for me have also played a role in my career choice, as compassion and education both encourage more inclusive environments, which is extremely important to me. Everything I’ve gone through has played an important role in shaping who I am today, and I’m more grateful than ever to say I’m proud of the person that I’ve become.