Anxiety has posed significant challenges in my life, yet it also made me an extremely strong person. Growing up, I was always an anxious soul- whether that be anxious about money, anxious about family, or anxious about my grades. As the years went by, it only got worse, the anxiety growing stronger and stronger. While I progressed throughout school, as the years went by, my anxiety only worsened. When I was in fifth grade, I believed that everyone was talking about me behind my back, and it came to the point where I would barely talk at all, in fear of someone making fun of me, or someone hating me. I always kept to myself, so that no one would judge me for how I talked, or what I talked about. This feeling made me feel almost paralyzed, and it made me feel powerless, so I became silent. I eventually developed gut issues because of my anxiety, anytime I would get too anxious, my stomach would start hurting, and I would feel like I had to vomit. By the time I reached the end of my 8th grade year, I missed about 10% of the school year, because I was out due to stomach aches from my anxiety, as well as panic attacks. My anxiety got so bad at one point, that I was consistently out at least once a week during the school year because I was afraid to go to school, I was afraid of harassment and people talking about me behind my back. I had myself fully convinced that everyone hated me, everyone was out to get me, and no one was on my side. This was truly the darkest point of my life. However, I eventually met with my therapist, Luke. Luke didn't treat me like a client, he treated me as a friend, as a family member. We worked on ways to conquer my anxiety, together, so that I felt safe in public spaces, and so I wouldn't always keep to myself in social situations. He made me realize that my anxiety shouldn't be something I should suffer from, rather than learn and grow from. This made me a stronger person and ultimately shaped me into the person I am today. Of course, I still struggle with pretty severe anxiety, but it's much more manageable now. Pursuing a college degree, despite my mental health, is important to me because I want to prove my anxiety wrong. I want to prove to myself that I can work through my anxiety and that I am capable and worthy of doing things as hard as college. I know I can do it, it's now just a matter of proving it to my anxiety.

Growing up, I was always around animals. I grew up in a trailer park with 3 cats and 1 dog, which wasn't the most ideal living situation, but we made it work. One of my cats, Snots, whom I loved dearly, grew up with me from when I was 4 until I was 13. Snots wasn't like the rest of the cats I had- Snots was my cat, my best friend, and my companion. He helped me when I struggled to cope with the several housing changes I had to endure, he purred in my lap while I cried because of the bullies at school, and he even stopped me from committing suicide, by rubbing up against my leg during one of my episodes when I was struggling with suicidal ideations. One simple action that he had done, was the beacon of light I needed to help, and pull myself out of the dark times I endured. He was the perfect cat that I could ask for, the sweetest and most loving cat I have ever had. When I was 13, I noticed that Snots wasn't the cat he once was. He was lethargic, distant, and not responding to affection. My family and I took him to the vet, not knowing what to expect. Snots was diagnosed with cancer, and he was ultimately suffering. After he was diagnosed, my family and I made the decision to euthanize him so he was not in pain anymore. I was devastated because Snots was one of the few beings in my life who didn't judge me for how I looked, how much money I had, or what I liked to do, he loved me because I loved him. I sobbed as he took his final breath in my arms, all of the memories of him flooding through my head. As heartbreaking as this experience was, it made me realize something- what if there was something I could do? Even if Snots had passed on already, what if I could help other people in the same situation that I am in? It made me realize that I wanted to help other animals, and other pet owners, that were in the same situation that I was. It came to me that I could help- I could treat animals, and give them the long life that they deserved. Snots may not be here physically, but his spirit and memories are a continuous source of inspiration to me to learn the ways of veterinary medicine. I strive to not only pay tribute to the impact Snots had on me, but also to share his love and compassion with other people and animals who may need it.