I grew up in Berks County, Pennslyvaina and used to think this area was boring. Farmland was what you could see for miles, and "Amish Country" was a jump and a skip away. My family immigrated from Canada, Venezuela, and Italy. As a first-generation American in a middle-lower-class family, this state seemed ordinary, unimportant. When people think of Pennsylvania, they think of milk, Mountain-Laurel flowers, and White-tailed deer, nothing "fun" or "exciting." I would complain to my mother when I was younger about the lack of exhilaration in this state, and she would say, "Don't you realize how lucky we are? One day, you will understand when you are older." I never really understood why people said we were lucky to live in Berks County, Pennsylvania, until this year. As I entered my junior year of high school, I found the beauty of my hometown. Berks County is an hour and a half away from Philly, an hour away from Hershey, and three and a half hours away from Pittsburgh. As I drove my family across the state on roadtrips through the Appalachian Mountains, I saw the beautiful nature through all four seasons, the deer and doe prancing in an open field, and the shimmering stars across the night sky. My family and friends traveled, moving across the Keystone State and I never realized how close we are to all of these places and can obtain resources or travel to them within a few hours of a day, while many travel from far and wide to experience Hershey's Chocolate, the Liberty Bell, Gettysburg battlefields, and many other tourist attractions. I experienced adventures and new places, such as Crystal Cave and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, met new people, and discussed how important this state is to the United States of America. As my relationships with my family and friends grew from hundreds of miles away, the realization of those attractions that I took advantage of are irreplaceable as they hold some of the nation's greatest memories, some of the nation's darkest, and created the creation of the United States, making me proud to live in such a history-rich area. I grew to appreciate the lifestyles of the hardworking farmers and how agriculture is still a very valuable resource today. I have always been interested in climate change and how to protect vegetation from the increasing heat of our planet. Through my exploration of my future, I grew a new respect for the farmers who bring fresh produce to my local grocery stores, which led me to want to further explore my love for environmental science, biology, and meteorology. Today, I have decided to major in Biology and minor in Environmental Sciences/Meteorology in college to further my appreciation for the beautiful and historic land I call home. I chuckle sometimes when I hear my peers and people and my generation say similar comments about their "stomping grounds." I can not judge them, I once felt the same, but I now remind them of how lucky we are. It is not every day that I can "stop and smell the flowers" due to life being so fast-paced, but when I get the chance, I look at the beautiful sky with Pennsylvania under me, realizing this world is filled with beautiful things.

***TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide I was in 4th grade. My experience with bullying was detrimental to my well-being, as it is to all. I was in 4th grade, and I had a group of 3 friends. Two of the girls ended up turning away and started severely bullying me to the point where I had a suicide attempt at 9 years old. It was so bad that I was writing letters to my family saying I'm so sorry for leaving them. The two young girls made me feel worthless, called me fat, a loser, told me I was ugly, and that I was not wanted. I am a first-generation American, as my family is from Venezuela, Sicily (Italy), and Canada. They would talk about my family, saying we should "go back to where we came from." I went to many trusted adults in my school, but nothing was done. I felt unwanted, they made me feel that I did not deserve to be here anymore. I would come home crying every day from school, feeling that I was scum of the earth, that I didn't belong. My self-esteem was borderline gone, I would beg to stay home from school, I wouldn't eat as they teased me for eating a cupcake, saying a salad was what I should have been eating. They would trip me in the halls, spread rumors, and turn my peers against me. This went on for an entire year with no repercussions. That alone also made me feel I was not worth protecting, as my teachers felt that I was "exaggerating." That experience is something I never wanted ANYONE else to ever feel. Since that day, I have been very vocal about my experience. I have been a part of many Anti-Bullying Campaigns at my school through social media and clubs. I have spoken to underclassmen about the purpose of speaking up and how beautiful kindness is. I have also gone with some of my closest friends to report bullying behaviors in my school. Writing was a form of non-harmful release for me. I would write poetry and short stories and share them with family, friends, and teachers. In 6th grade, I submitted my bullying story to my first writing competition, and I won first place. By 8th grade, I was the winner of a writing competition where I was first in the state of Pennsylvania. I would share my story with my community, my peers, and my loved ones to show that one rocky chapter is not the entire book; it is a moment that will pass. I wish that I could hug little me now and show her how strong we have become. We are not only channeling our pain into something creative and healthy, but are helping people by showing them no one is alone. Today, I am involved in the National Honor Society, Theatre, Select Choirs, Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, Runway Club, Link Crew, Standing Up Against Racism Club, Student Government, and many other after-school activities at my school. I also work at Giant as a cashier and love my job. My financial situation is rocky; I work, which does help, however, I will need a student loan as I do not have enough money, as my parents are separated, one of them being retired and the other working full-time in the medical field. I am very thankful for what I have in my life and for what has made me stronger in the past. I will never stop advocating for those who have been victims of bullying/cyberbullying, as everyone deserves to be here.