“Boldly, Unapologetically me” Coming from a rural town in southwest Missouri, it’s easy to fall to conformity, and for a while, I was no different from my peers. However, I was fortunate enough to have parents that encouraged me to branch out from the normality and to find myself and who I wanted to be. I realized soon that who I wanted to be did not fit the status quo. While I was a Christian girl that prayed before every meal and never missed Sunday church, I eventually realized that for me, religion was not something I aligned with. I kept this a secret out of fear for being judged. To my middle schooler mind, that was what mattered. The awkward tension was always present when I was invited to church by those around me, and when my peers realized we were different, I was out-casted and called a devil worshiper. It still is something you can’t make people understand, but through it all, I’ve found friends that have similar stories or do not care about my lack of faith. That experience made me realize that it is not faith that fosters community, it’s understanding and empathy. I forgive those who did not understand me, and I’m not angry at them for the feelings they hurt. I have dedicated myself to expand my knowledge and always look for more information, never stopping until I have all the answers, and now, I choose to keep an open mind when someone has questions, and I approach those around me who I do not understand with curiosity and sincerity. I am able to confidently be me, because I realized that I am all that should matter to myself. “Kindness in Action” Since my high school career started, I’ve had a solid group of friends. While there’s a lot of us and it’s difficult to plan events, we enjoy each other’s company and have monthly “movie nights” where we hang out for hours after school, playing games and watching movies. My sophomore year of high school was one to remember, and one to loathe. In May, 2024, my friend since elementary school passed away in a home propane explosion. The loss tore our hearts apart and had us in shambles for months, but the night we found out was when our bond strengthened. The moment we got the call of what happened, a friend of mine offered sanctuary at her home, and we all stayed the night. We were all in our most vulnerable states, entrusting each other with our emotions and coping mechanisms. Though I was hurting as much as they were, mostly numb and in disbelief, I was able to be a rock for my friends. I made snack and water trips. I gave hugs and encouraging words when they needed it. I made sure they were all taken care of and felt safe before I made advances towards my own emotions. At 3 in the morning, I finally decided to try and sleep while they played Monopoly, and before I went, they all asked me if I needed anything from them. They offered to return the same kindness I had been giving them during the night, and while I declined, I appreciated the offer more than they’ll know. I think about that night often, and I sometimes wonder how I ever survived, but it was because of the kindness I offered to them that brought my attention from a horrific event to supporting the ones I love. That act of kindness supported them, but it supported me as well.

“It doesn’t matter what they did to you. What matters is how you react,” this is the sentence that has haunted my mind since I was a little girl. Though it played in my head endlessly every time I was reprimanded by my father, I never knew how to apply it to my life. At every irritation, I would blow up in a rage that was unimaginable for a seven year old, and the fallback was always on me for not controlling my temper. In an attempt to manage my reactions, I started to approach situations more carefully. I try to see where a person is coming from before I judge why they think or feel something. This has caused me to become very independent. Taking an outsider's opinion would taint my true feelings, and I will not accept myself to be anything but honest. This year, I am taking Chemistry. Through every lesson, I breeze through and understand the content easily. I’m a quick learner. My table-mate has not had the same experience. He often struggles with concepts being taught. After seeing his confusion, I was able to help him and reinforce the lesson being taught in class. Seeing the expression on his face of “I get it now,” is always rewarding. Rather than brushing off his struggle and ignoring him, I used empathy to see things from his perspective and found intrinsic value from seeing him succeed with my help. This experience has reinforced my desire to help and educate people in my future career. I plan to attend OTC and complete their Radiography program. After I graduate with my A.A.S, I will attend MSU to obtain a higher education and degree, and soon become an MRI Technologist. Helping patients understand what is wrong and why it’s wrong is something I know will be challenging and rewarding knowing they have peace of mind about their health. Empathy is not a trait everyone learns. I, however, am lucky enough to be one who values it. Benefiting from food stamps the entirety of my childhood has contributed significantly to fostering my empathy for others and understanding what it’s like for others to be going through financial hardship. It’s provided me with the mindset to be grateful for what I have now, and show gratitude to those who are trying their best to be their best. I’ve come to appreciate others more, and try to put myself in their shoes as much as I can. As I’ve grown as a person, I’ve realized that it isn’t the adversity one has faced that defines them, but rather the steps they’ve taken to conquer it. I am not defined by my academics, my mental health, or my childhood. I am defined as a person with patience who seeks to understand others with sincerity. I am defined as one with integrity, who is independent and resilient, able to provide for herself and those around her. Character is about an individual’s moral and ethical qualities, and I believe that the ones I showcase are essential to being a good human being, and it will aid me in my future endeavors in the medical field.

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.