Everybody meets somebody who changes their opinion at least once. For me, it was my junior year history teacher, Mrs. Downey. She wasn't just a teacher that made class fun. She allowed for discussion and debate while still staying profesional and respectful. Her classroom felt like an educational history museum, decorations on the wall going from soldier uniforms from the Vietnam War to political newspapers from the early 2000s. Mrs. Downey created an atmosphere that brought out the student's creativity and desire for knowledge. During junior year, I started losing trust in teachers due to past experiences where they were unprofessional or rude to students. But those experiences allowed me to realize the greatness in Mrs. Downey's teaching. I remember multiple instances where she would remind students about all the opportunities out there. She would not only encourage how students expressed their ideas and concepts regarding social studies. But also motivate our plans for the future even if they had nothing to do with the field of history. Our class became so comfortable with each other that at the end of the year we all became friends and trusted each other like no other class. My junior year history class felt like a big family with Mrs. Downey as our mentor. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have made such life changing friendships, found life altering opportunities, or learned so much about the history of our country in such deep detail. Mrs. Downey changed the way I expressed myself to others, how I looked out for others and why it is important to get out of your comfort zone because only then will you be able to see the world in the real scale that it is. Now that I think back as a senior, I feel the small changes I made in my life after meeting her and the other students in that class. I have grown into a confident and motivated person that will not back down when facing adversity. The main parts of her lessons that I will take with me are to not limit myself, to open myself up to new opportunities and ideas, and to support my own journey to success as much as I do for others. I felt so grateful towards my teacher, she lit our passion to learn and showed us how far we can reach. I will always remember her and all the knowledge we all acquired thanks to her.

The art of cooking has always been something that I thoroughly respect. Ever since I was young, I would love to be in the kitchen and watch cooking shows. The moment I really started to think of it as a career was when the high school I go to offered a culinary arts academy. I immediately signed up for it and now I am in my fourth year in it. Food is one of the things that people take for granted. But I feel like it should not be even if it is accessible to many. I believe that neither the quantity nor quality of food can affect a good dish. Meaning that a good dish can be made even from ingredients that are seen as not suitable for each other. These four years in the academy have been full of learning and experiencing new culinary adventures. We would cook in the kitchen and plan for our future in the classroom with fellow classmates that have similar interest. I have unforgettable memories in that class that I will cherish forever. Not only has culinary arts brought me happiness but it has also helped me make many friends that love the same interests. I feel like the art of cooking should be taken seriously and respected more as it is not easy to master. Thanks to my culinary academy, I had the opportunity to take the Servsafe Food Handler certification test during my junior year and pass it. With this certification I plan to get a job after graduating high school this year in a bakery and working my way up to better places. I have a passion for cooking especially baking and enjoy making pastries for my family in my free time. I am also part of key club which is a student led organization that volunteers around communities. This is also my fourth year in it and ever since sophomore year I have been appointed the class representative. I enjoy the activities we do, from making letters for nursing homes to painting schools and houses. However, my favorite part of Key Club is that we are able to give back to the people that built the beautiful communities that we live in. I intend to combine my love for culinary arts and community service by volunteering in cafeterias and other facilities. I hope to be able to inspire other people to do what they love and to always give back to the people that are always there for them.

Sabrina's musical career has inspired many people regardless of age. My journey as a fan of Sabrina Carpenter started when I was eleven years old. I started listening to her music after my sister played it every single day while we had fun in her room. We would play with dolls while Sabrina's music played in the background. Sabrina has an angelic voice that touches people's heart. Not only her voice but the various musical techniques that she uses. I became a fan when I realized how talented she really is. Another reason I love Sabrina; is how versatile she is. Sabrina does not let people cage her into one specific mold. She wants to show herself and her talents in different ways, allowing her to show her fans that it is okay to be yourself. Her career impacted my life with multiple life lessons. She never lets people define who she is, she will do it herself. Sabrina is not afraid of showing the world who she is and when the world rejects her, she will not let that defeat her. She will use that criticism and turn it into a masterpiece that will allow others to realize the importance of not letting somebody tear you apart. I see myself in her values and I hope that one day I will be able to inspire those around me to be themselves and work hard without ever giving up, just like her.