I know that I have the capacity to improve the lives of those with all disabilities because I have already begun doing so. As a person with a physical and mental disability I am aware of the struggles humanity faces, and I have used my experience to better gauge what change my community needs. If awarded this scholarship I would be able to continue my work in behavior analysis by getting a degree from Montana State University. During the pandemic I was unable to meet with friends and family even after quarantine ended due to disabilities that compromised my health. To fill the endless amount of time I found on my hands, I began pursuing higher education while still in high school. I took psychology classes, communication classes, and art classes remotely. This really deepened my love for learning and when it came time to enter society again I decided to help my fellow community members by using what I had learned. I used my knowledge of psychology to conduct a study of people's perception of food allergies in 2021. I gave students in the 4-6th grade the same prompt “draw what comes to mind when I say food allergy.” the results of my research were fascinating. younger kids drew foods like bread and milk with smiling faces and tables for everyone. The next grade drew food rashes, separate tables, and scary foods. The oldest kids depicted people with allergies looking sad and having boring food. I concluded that food allergen stigma is a learned behavior. With this information I created an awareness campaign that targeted younger kids because they were the most accepting of people's differences. I aimed to help young kids maintain their positive view of those with disabilities. During 2022 I was delighted to meet with some of the students I had influenced on a school trip. One student in particular discussed how the service project and research I conducted had helped alleviate her sense of isolation. I planned this project around my own struggles with inclusion and to see that the results had actually made a difference in my community solidified that I should study the social sciences. I want to continue to improve the lives of those with struggles both similar and different to my own, and with the help of this scholarship I will be able to pursue my passion. I get the feeling that there is more work to be done in the world when it comes to teaching people about how to be accommodating to those with all sorts of disabilities, and on the days where I’m at my lowest I remember just how good it felt to know that change has already begun. By identifying a struggle I experienced, I was better able to analyze the problems in my school, and by using the knowledge I had gained through higher education, I made a positive behavioral change in young students. Now they support one another even through their differences. I will strive to continue to improve the quality of life for all disabled members of society even if I don’t receive the funding for my education. I am determined to make sure no child has to feel the way I was made to feel when I was diagnosed. Understanding one another is both the most pleasurable and most challenging aspect of being a human. I aim to make it a little easier for everyone.

"I'm so glad you told me, I've known for a while but I feel honored that you shared this with me. Aurora is a beautiful name and I'll start calling you that." It's a blessing to know that my dear friend felt safe enough to tell me she wasn't born into the right body. To help her transition I went shopping and bought all the pinkest girliest stuff I could find and wrapped it in brown paper for Christmas so her family wouldn't know what was inside. The joy it brought them filled my heart with a sense of accomplishment and inspiration. The experience we shared was so meaningful. The only way I'm able to truly understand the world around me is through my art, and when difficult moments happen in my life I process them with paints and canvas. The beauty of this transitional moment with my friend evoked complex feelings I'm still unable to put words to. But I can translate it into color, which is exactly what I did. I was deeply inspired by the concept of change, being hidden, and being seen as beautiful. I created a series of painted clothes to help me better emphasize my dear friends' experience. The color palette was that of the transgender flag and the artwork is centered around change. The denim jacket I painted is like a shell, a tough exterior to protect the person inside. Chemicals cover the sky to remind me that empathy means being kind to those with different combinations of life experiences. The sunrise was my friend's idea to really symbolize the end of an era and a new beginning. The overalls have a lava lamp-esque depiction of a seal emerging from the wax that comprises the light up bubbles. The flow and beauty is inspired by my friend. Allyship can be difficult for me to grasp at times because I don't always know how to best support those around me. I've grown up in such a small rural isolated area that I've had so many negative ideas instilled within me. To check those concepts and challenge myself to have new realizations about those around me is something I believe I meant to do. I work everyday to be kind to those around me who are experiencing change, and the way I ensure I best support them is by processing my own feelings through my art. I hope that one day the work I create to help myself process and understand the world may help somebody else feel more secure in their own identity. I know I will never be the perfect ally, I will always have the capacity to say something or do something that negatively impacts those who are different from me. But it is this relationship with my reality that will prevent me from failing to make progress. I am honored everyday that my friends have chosen to share their experiences with me. I want to make those in the LGBTQIA community feel as safe and welcome as they've made me.

(Read in a deranged southern accent) Why hello good people of earth, my name is Susie and I am definitely from Earth and not the moon. I am a human person who wants to go to college for business law. I deserve this scholarship because as a human I have earned the right to an education. If I do receive your help, I will use my business law degree to help other people because I am not 7,622 caterpillars stuffed into fake a human suit. Therefore my allegiance is to the good people of the USA. Not a secret colony of caterpillars who make up the moon. The greatest obstacle I've had to overcome is living in my body. My back always hurts and I have never had a first date go successfully. I believe this is due to a lack of education. I think if I learn more about the human experience I'll be able to better blend in with those around me. I mean I already blend in with those around me because I'm not 7,622 caterpillars. Please help me. I mean please help me my dreams come true and just remember kids reach for the Moon and if you miss you'll be in the Stars.

A storm of unfinished thoughts cloud my judgment as I stand in line to order food. I'm so confused and stressed out that I can't comprehend what the words on the menu mean. What even is a mushroom burger and why is it $25? Am I holding up the line? Am I having an anxiety attack over what size fry I should order? The answer was yes, yes I was that confused and upset by fried potatoes. But why did this flummoxed me so much? I have known for a long time that my anxiety disorder can be problematic, but I didn't realize the extent of it until I couldn't read a meanie due to the spiking cortisol levels in my brain. When I got home I knew I needed to figure out something that could help me. That train of thought brought me back to my time in quarantine where I did my best to stay sane as the world that tried very hard to end. One of the greatest tools I had was getting the thoughts out of my brain. Since I was unable to see people in person I started filling up a journal with the thoughts and ideas I couldn't contain in my own head anymore. As the world got back to normal however, I was able to talk to people in person and forgot how useful of a tool journaling was. Sometimes there are so many thoughts and ideas in my brain that my internal monologue can't finish one sentence before another begins, that's how I know things are getting bad. But after my rude awakening in a Naps Bar and Grill I remembered just how useful it could be to take all the energy in my head and form it into something linear and concrete. As I took out my journal and began writing down my thoughts one by one I was hit with a sense of nostalgia for when all of my days were filled with such activities. When I looked to my personal bookshelf I see quite a few texts about meditation, obscure teas, and artists guides. But the top row is filled exclusively with journals that I have poured my heart into. I found that watching his thoughts arise in my head, riding them down without judgment, and analyzing how to improve my current state is the best process for dealing with my anxiety. I know quite a few people who struggle with the same issues that I do and when they ask for suggestions I tell them about how these tools have helped me. It is my hope that the struggles I have faced in life will be able to teach me what path I should be on and how best to improve the lives of those around me. All the tools I've mentioned are very personal things that I find myself doing when alone, but perhaps the most helpful thing I can do for my own mental health is to share my story with others. In return I hope that others can share there experience with me. The greatest tool I have come across is finding out that I'm not alone in what I experience. When I share my struggles with others, and they tell me how they can sympathize I know that we've done something good for each other and the world. As I learn more about myself and the own facets of my human existence, I urge others to be sympathetic to those who are doing the same. The journey to know thyself is difficult but rewarding.

I am passionate about receiving higher education in both art and biology from Montana State University Bozeman because I know I can make a real difference in the lives of people like me and my fellow community members. I have always been curious about the plants and animals around me and have explored this passion through art. My fascination with life sets me apart from my peers at the school I attend. Sometimes I find myself being the only person who asks questions in my classroom. Throughout my high school career this has been the case more often than not. I love expanding my understanding of a topic, and connecting that back to my life as a young woman pursuing a career in STEAM. Now that I am becoming an adult, I realize that it is my responsibility to continue educating myself. I want to know as much as I can about the biology of this world, and growing up in a place that doesn't have all of the necessary resources has actually made me more driven to pursue higher education. In college I want to ask questions, be challenged, and surpass the obstacles that have previously prevented me from getting the education I need. My love for biology is evident in how I spend my time. One of the greatest experiences I've had recently has been teaching the 8th grade class at Victor high School how to operate the greenhouse. Every day I volunteer to teach them how to plant seeds, watch out for diseases in the leaves, and enjoy participating in the cultivation of life. My hope is that by expressing my love for the sciences I can help my young community members attend college as well. I want more people to ask questions in class, and become passionate about important subjects! However, without the help of scholarships I won't be able to achieve this goal. It is my hope that by expressing my authentic desire to study biology I will be able to prove that funding my education is a worthwhile investment. I care so deeply about these passions, and by getting a degree I will be able to help other people pursue what they care about as well. I want to use my knowledge of biology to conduct research projects and aid in community service wherever I live. I want to foster the same tenacious and curious spirit that drives me to become educated in other young people as well. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as a woman going into STEM!

I am a high-school senior struggling to figure out how I will finance my college education while dealing with a disability. When I signed up for my classes I realized it was my job to teach myself how to make it in this world, and luckily I was able to utilize the knowledge of my computer science teacher by taking her personal finance class. We had this amazing interactive workshop where we got to invest fake money into an accurate model of the stock market. In addition, our school was allocated the necessary funds to buy a program produced by Dave Ramsey that focused on how to be financially stable. One of the biggest lessons was to graduate from college debt free, which admittedly is going to be an extremely challenging task. However, I am dedicated to living my life without unnecessary debt. I've become determined to earn all the scholarships that I can so I can get an education, and as I sit here writing this essay at 1:00 in the morning I am realizing that my devotion to this task is extreme. My previous experience with personal finance was watching my parents attempt to get out of debt. Dave Ramsey teaches five foundations of a debt-free life which I have implemented to the best of my ability. 1.) Save an emergency fund (500-1000) ● I understand that this is to be used for unforeseen challenges not for everyday expenses. These principles allow me to create a stable and better future for myself because I can maintain the same level of comfort and safety I have right now even if an emergency occurs. 2.) Get out/ stay out of debt ● I currently have no outstanding debt. ● College will be a challenge but hopefully scholarships will cover my expenses. By maintaining a debt-free life to the best of my ability I will be able to work towards my future without having to pay off my past. 3.) Pay cash for transportation ● I paid cash for a car that was built in the same year that I was born, and will continue to take good care of it until I need to sell. This principle will prevent me from paying unnecessary interest on a car which helps me maintain a debt free life! 4.) Pay for college in (renewable) scholarships I've known since the day that I decided to go to Montana State University Bozeman that I would need the help of generous scholarship donors to help pay for my education. It is my hope that by presenting my authentic self scholarship committees will understand the genuine nature of my need and be willing to help further my education. Which leads me into the last foundation. 5.) Build generational wealth, and SHARE. ● the wealth I have is not in the form of a tangible currency, but I have learned that money is not a synonym for wealth. Wealth is love, wealth is friends, wealth is the change I can make in this world. I truly believe that if I'm given the opportunity to get the education I desire from Montana State University bozeman, I will be able to return the favor to future generations. But for now, the wealth I can share will be in the form of kindness and knowledge in the hopes that if I am unable to attend higher education due to financial struggles I will able to improve the lives of those around me.

Education is more than what's written in the text books, and one teacher in particular taught me this. The first time I entered the home ec room at my highschool I had no confidence. I was too nervous to raise my hand, or ask for help. First person to greet me was Ms. Tintzman who would later become one of the most influential people in my life. Her teaching goes beyond agriculture and FFA, she has shown me what real leadership looks like and why it's vital to implement those skills in a post COVID world. I've had the honor of being enrolled in Future Farmers of America since I was in eighth grade and that has shaped every aspect of my life. I initially joined the public speaking competitions, but I stayed for the friends that I made. One of those friends was unexpected but welcome. Ms. Tintzman has always been there for me when I need help with assignments or a competition. Her virtues should be celebrated because she has changed so many lives. As a kid I learned the-Tenets of Taekwondo- Courage, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and the Indomitable spirit. Ms. Tintzman has shown me these principles in action. I never knew what integrity looked like in action until I met her. I could define it in words but I didn't have any concrete memories of people showing integrity. Staying truthful to oneself and others is one of her greatest strengths and I see her extend this virtue to her students every day. In addition her peers and staff revere her as a deeply influential member of the community who deserves recognition for her achievements. Her role as FFA club advisor involves so much hard work. Perseverance is undoubtedly ingrained in who she is. She shows this by pushing through long days at school and believing in students when they don't believe in themselves. At the National FFA convention 2018 she had just started to recover from having a leg amputation, and she should persevere everyday when we walked around the city of Indianapolis. Her perseverance allowed me to form some of the most meaningful memories I have to this day. Variance and integrity require immense amounts of self-control. She has taught me that practicing diligence in all my tasks is the best way to build the future I want. In a world of instant gratification provided by social media, her brick flip phone has always been a symbol of her discipline. So who is she to me? Ms. Tintzman is single-handedly the most influential person in my life and will continue to positively affect my future even if we lose touch. She has become my role model for all the things I've never seen in action. Especially when it comes to the concept of courage. I remember a time when I was too scared to raise my hand in class, but that's not who I am anymore. She taught me what courage looks like, how we answer a question even when I'm not sure it's correct. She showed me what true education is. The last and arguably most important virtue is the Indomitable human spirit. I've had to learn that it's not that she's never knocked down, she just gets back up. The most difficult hurdle of my journey as a leader is learning what a role model is. The answer is, don't try to copy your role model, learn from both their virtues and their shortcomings. In this case I've learned Courage, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and the indomitable human spirit.

Oh god I'm running late again, I still need to wash my face before going to.... To.... What? I can't remember where I need to be in 20 minutes. That's right school starts at 8:00am and I can't be late! But how do I turn the sink on to wash my face, I can't remember. Is the left side hot or cold? Things like this happen to me every day, all of the sudden I'm standing in my classroom and I don't know if I'm enrolled in that course or not. People see me as a highly functional individual but the truth is however, there was something deeply wrong with my mind. Explaining my experience to others is heartbreakingly difficult, since no one else seems to know what I'm talking about. Or worse yet doesn't believe me. I still don't have a formal diagnosis, but after 6 years of hospitalization and doctors appointments I'm finally receiving treatment. It's been too difficult to handle my illness at times and I've contemplated how to stop this pain on more than one occasion. I've come a long way since times in my life when I felt like I was a burden. I remember turning 16 and realizing that I never expected to make it that far in life. And just last month when I turned 18 it hit me that I couldn't keep feeling surprised that I was still around. There was one moment in particular when I had a choice to make, I chose between breaking down completely or getting better. Because I'm writing this essay it's clear that I chose to get better instead of letting my mental illness win. I came to the realization that I am not responsible for the bad things that have happened to me, but I am responsible for my own healing. Since the day I chose to get better I've learned that I have a passion for creativity, and a passion for helping those with similar issues. I have learned that I can experience love, health, joy, and true happiness even in the darkest of times. I've had to find light in my life to cope with the panic attacks, depressive episodes, dissociation, and memory loss associated with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. I am most proud of how I've healed the relationships between myself and my family. I can say in confidence that the people in my life now are the most quality individuals out there. I know I will continue to work on myself for the rest of my life and I am so excited for that challenge.

Bread is a staple food around the world, from traditional bannock breads to our modern wonder bread. However people like me can't consume one of the most readily available food sources due to celiac disease. What if there was a new exciting way to solve this problem that would allow over 3 million Americans more affordable options for the food they medically need, and in addition sustain a new agricultural business that could produce millions of pounds of food per year. Well there is! Gluten-free wheat is a possibility today and a reality tomorrow thanks to Dr. Francisco Barro, a plant biotechnologist at the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture in Spain. Dr. Barro and his partners worked with a revolutionary genetic editing system called CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. This is a simple acronym for a complex and revolutionary method. With this, we can remove or add genetic attributes. This scientific process can be difficult to understand so let’s break this down. RNA is a single strand of coding information while DNA is a two strand structure. Both carry information that determines things like blue eyes, blond hair, and other phenotypic traits. But in wheat we aren’t worried about how the grains appear, it's what’s inside them that counts. Wheat cells that contain the DNA with instructions for gluten formation are what Dr. Barro focused on. Wheat’s allergentic properties are determined by 45 bundles of protein called alpha-gliadins. 35 of which Dr. Barro managed to eliminate by splicing RNA from a gluten free grain with traditional wheat. This technology of Gene editing opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Examples like the golden rice project prove that changing the food we eat can be life saving. Scientists used GMO’s to splice 4 different grains together to solve the deadly vitamin A deficiency in eastern countries. The potential for GMO splicing methods like CRISPR to improve the health and well being of the world is almost as certain as the need for gluten free wheat. I wholeheartedly believe in the potential of this new technology to solve some of our worlds most pressing issues. My dedication to the field of STEM research means that I too will be involved in this change. I hope to inspire virtuous endeavors that improve the lives of others just as science and technology has improved mine.

By the year 2050 the world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion people. Combined with the fact that the United States is losing 150 acres of farmland every hour due to urbanization means that Agriculturalists need to come up with creative solutions to help feed a world with 2 billion more people in it. Especially because we already have around 795 million people who are undernourished in the world. Imagine, as far as the eye can see, flourishing, bright green, heads of romaine, arugula, and red leaf lettuce. These heads of lettuce are growing under strips of purple and blue LED lights. This isn't a scene from a sci-fi show, this is real life inside a vertical farm. Vertical farming is the practice of producing food in a vertical building, from skyscrapers to warehouses. Vertical farming conserves space and increases production. The vertical farming company Plenty is dedicated to making this concept of urban farming a reality. By focusing on having locally grown food will help reduce the carbon emissions caused by shipping plants that could be produced hydroponically across the Nation. Many traditional Farmers argue that vertical farms use way too much energy. Companies like plenty have to control the climate and artificially light the entire building. However, vertical farms have the ability to grow year round, so they don't need to worry about when growing seasons traditionally end. They can also create an entire harvest with one percent of the water that outdoor farming practices use. Even with these innovations there is still a problem with hunger in our world and we need to prevent this from becoming a larger problem in the future. I know my generation will continue furthering research into vertical farming and the world of agriculture as a whole.

Have you ever walked into the lunch room at your high school, stood in line to get your food, and realized that there was nowhere you wanted to sit? No where that you feel comfortable. Education, especially in the United States, is a flawed system. I think one of its greatest failings is teaching people about mental health. As a senior in high school who attended through the pandemic, I have a unique perspective on the flaws and strengths of public school. In my personal finance class I was taught how to file taxes, and in biology I was taught basic nutrition. But teaching students about mental health was above even tenured professors' pay grade. I have watched my underfunded School completely disregard the needs of its students. I saw people of all ages become completely isolated even before the pandemic. I always wondered if it would be so hard to teach young students about how to be inclusive. I care a lot about my community and I always want to have a positive influence on people that are younger than me. I was asking my friend what she thought I could do to help spread the message of mental health awareness to my school. She told me heartbreaking story about how when she was in high school she made an attempt on her life, and when she tried to hold an assembly at the school to warn other kids about the signs of depression the administration shut her down and said if she told her story it would only make kids suicidal. I thought a lot about her story, and how I could bring the message she tried to send to my own school. How to teach kids inclusion, the warning signs of mental illness, and the importance of reaching out to their friends. I looked at my own life and thought about what would have been helpful on my journey. I came up with a plan for a food allergen awareness campaign. I used my knowledge of psychology to conduct a study of people's perception of food allergies. I gave student from fourth to 6th grade the same prompt “draw what comes to mind when i say food allergy.'' The results were fascinating. 4th grade kids drew foods like bread and milk with smiling faces and tables for everyone. 5th grade drew food rashes, separate tables, and scary foods. The oldest kids depicted people with allergies looking sad and having boring food. This shows that food alergine stigma is a learned behavior. With this information I created an awareness campaign that targeted younger kids because they were the most accepting of people's differences. I wish that the school I attend would have put more effort into maintaining the mental health of its students. But I'm glad that I took my struggles into my own hands and created a service project that helped teach kids to include one another at the table.

Walking through the woods has always been one of my favorite activities. When I was younger my brother was a boyscout and my dad would spend every weekend backpacking into the Rocky mountains with him. I remember feeling so jealous when they would come home smelling like campfires and reminiscing about beautiful waterfalls or trees taller than the clouds. When I was finally old enough to go on these great adventures, my dad's knees were too weak and my brother was too busy. For years I was crushed by how little time I could spend enjoying nature, but when I was 16 I took matters into my own hands. I hopped on my dad's old bike, plugged in my headphones, and set off. After biking for 15 miles into the Sapphire mountains I came upon an old forest service trail. "This is where I'm meant to be." For the first time since quarantine started, I was completely at peace. I parked my bike, hiked deep into the woods, and marveled at the moss, the trees, the river, the mushrooms, and the silent sky full of clouds. I'll never forget that feeling, I chase that sense of peace and oneness with the world every time I enter the outdoors. On my way back to the trailhead I noticed all the bottles and shotgun shells littering the forest floor. With the remaining daylight, I picked up as much as I could. It felt good to give back to the place that had provided me with such a spiritual moment. I love nature because of how it makes me feel, and I appreciate it by trying to maintain its ecosystems. Even if it's in a small and inconsequential way. I appreciate it through a constant reverence and love for its beauty and purpose.

I feel that I have developed a great inner strength and have learned to lead using subtle influence rather than overpowering ideas that I don't agree with. Part of this strength and compassion comes from growing up with financial difficulties after the great recession of 2008. My family lost a lot. This taught me that money is not wealth. Wealth is love, wealth is friends you can trust, wealth is the artwork I create. Maybe I can turn this into a lucrative business, or maybe it will bring me joy and enrichment in a way I haven't even imagined yet. I've struggled with chronic illness in my lifetime. Celiac disease and brain inflammation me apart from the people in my life. I used to let external pressure weigh me down. At every turn I was doubting my ability and censoring myself to make sure that I didn't seem too different. I didn't think collaborations were my thing, I believed I had to do everything on my own to prove I didn't need other people. Perhaps my greatest flaw is believing wholeheartedly that I could only ever express myself to myself. After spending a year and a half working on who I am as a person during the heat of the pandemic, I came to some realizations. I learned that I can't do everything by myself, and life is a thousand times more enriching when I involve others. I've learned to favor stability while maintaining flexibility. Change, growth, and the expansion of my mind require the discipline to do so. I'm in a state of transition now as I move from my hometown into college life. I have to leave my limiting beliefs behind to move into the next step of my life, into the next stage of the unknown.

Making a painting starts with an idea or inspiration, then a sketch, followed by a detailed drawing, and some color theory. Even before paint hits the canvas an artist has to connect deeply with the subject to capture it on paper. I understand my world through art and this process has allowed me to appreciate even the most difficult parts of life. I took the isolation of chronic illness and painted what it felt like to be disconnected from the world. In quarantine I took feelings of calm, anxiety, hope, and detachment to paint unconventional canvases and process what I experienced. Although I enjoy public speaking there are some feelings that are too complex to put into words, and so I am deeply appreciative for the paints and brushes that allow me to conceptualize the thoughts that don’t have accominang words. I am fully aware that not everyone has the pleasure of being able to do this, which makes me endlessly grateful for the tools and knowledge that allow me to paint. By using these tools I can take any difficulty or pleasure in life and appreciate the most minute details. Even the things that seem boring to other people fill me with gratitude for this life. I see how beautiful it is to be reading the book my English teacher assigned. I can understand the importance of helping others. I stay grounded in purpose through my appreciation of the small moments in life that make up the bigger picture. Not everyone has the things that I do, and by painting and sketching both the great and mundane moments I can appreciate all aspects of life.

Growing up in an underfunded rural community means that college is a near unattainable dream for me at the moment. If I was handed $1,000 right now, I know for a fact I would use this money to continue my service project. I am so endlessly thankful for the community that I grew up in, even if it's challenges hindered my education at certain points. I would put $700 into my college fund, and use the remaining money to purchase non-perishable allergen free foods and donate them to my local food bank. I feel lucky to have been accepted into Montana State University bozeman, I have dreamed of studying there since I was in 7th grade. I would love nothing more than two educate myself on important subjects and bring that knowledge back to my hometown. I hope that I will be able to the funds necessary to achieve my goal of higher education. If I was given $1,000 right now, I would use it to make the changes I want to see in this world. However, without scholarships like this it will be difficult to make these lifelong dreams come true. Thank you for your consideration, I hope that one day I will be able to help other people pursue their passion of higher education as well.

I firmly believe that all people have the power to create their purpose in life. For me it's always been easy to deeply understand those around me. I love teaching younger people the skills that I have learned in life. In 2020 I began conducting a research project with the knowledge I had gained in my dual enrollment psychology class. I asked kids of different age groups to respond to the prompt "draw what comes to mind when I say food allergies." I concluded that a stigma against people with food allergies is a learned behavior. I used this knowledge to have constructive conversations, changing students' minds and helping people be more empathetic to those who are different from them. I have first had knowledge about how difficult ableism can be, especially for students growing up in a rural area during today's online era. I'm passionate about understanding other people's experiences, because for much of my life I felt that no one was empathetic towards me. I do my best to support people that are different from me even if I don't always agree with their opinions. While conducting my service project some students told me they didn't understand what my message was about. By empathizing with their perspective, I was better able to express being inclusive is important. Empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have today, and through the conscious effort of trying to understand our peers we can make the world a better place.

I am passionate about receiving higher education from Montana State University Bozeman because I know I can make a real difference in the lives of people like me and my fellow community members. I have always been curious about the plants and animals around me. My fascination with life sets me apart from my peers at the school I attend. Sometimes I find myself being the only person who asks questions in my classroom. Throughout my high school career this has been the case more often than not. I love expanding my understanding of a topic, and connecting that back to my life as a young woman pursuing a career in STEM. Now that I am becoming an adult, I realize that it is my responsibility to continue educating myself. I want to know as much as I can about the biology of this world, and growing up in a place that doesn't have all of the necessary resources has actually made me more driven to pursue higher education. In college I want to ask questions, be challenged, and surpass the obstacles that have previously prevented me from getting the education I need. My love for biology is evident in how I spend my time. One of the greatest experiences I've had recently has been teaching the 8th grade class at Victor high School how to operate the greenhouse. Every day I volunteer to teach them how to plant seeds, watch out for diseases in the leaves, and enjoy participating in the cultivation of life. My hope is that by expressing my love for the sciences I can help my young community members attend college as well. I want more people to ask questions in class, and become passionate about important subjects! However, without the help of scholarships I won't be able to achieve this goal. It is my hope that by expressing my authentic desire to study biology I will be able to prove that funding my education is a worthwhile investment. I care so deeply about these passions, and by getting a degree I will be able to help other people pursue what they care about as well. I want to use my knowledge of biology to conduct research projects and aid in community service wherever I live. I want to foster the same tenacious and curious spirit that drives me to become educated in other young people as well. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as a woman going into STEM!