As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” As a senior in high school, I selected this quote as my “senior quote” not only because it inspired me, but also because it was a quote I wanted to live by forever. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to study in college, but after endless days and nights of consideration, I decided to study business management. I have always been interested in business studies and knew that pursuing business as my career would help me live a life that I am proud of. It is my goal to make the necessary changes needed to create a better environment for myself and the world. I am on track to graduate in May 2023 with my Bachelor’s in General Management and a minor in dance. Through my program at Bridgewater State University, I have gained knowledge in accounting, marketing, management, and learned how to use Microsoft Office to properly set up business documents. I hope to use this developed knowledge to pursue a career as a fashion business manager. It is also a goal of mine to create my own business where people feel supported, appreciated, and valued. I would like to use my business to promote healthy living and raise awareness of mental health. Through my volunteer work at my local church, I have grown to understand the stigma behind mental illness. I hope to work to end this stigma and help people create healthy coping mechanisms. By using my developed knowledge from my undergraduate studies in business and dance, I will work to create a more understanding world. As a young woman studying business, I have found myself facing challenges such as not being taken seriously, struggling to find support systems, and not being able to find business opportunities to support my educational and professional growth. There have been many times so far in my business career that I have had limited support, as people felt my job goal was the best fit for a man. It has been difficult to find opportunities that will help meet my goals, as the business industry is extremely competitive. It is my goal to study abroad in Milan, Italy in the fall to further my education in fashion business. An experience like studying abroad and living longer term within a fashion culture that is important to my future is the best way to learn about the fashion business management field first-hand. It is my goal to become more educated and experienced in this field to help achieve my goal of making women in business feel supported, heard, and valued. Through these challenges, I have learned to remain true to myself and to find my own voice. Not only this, but I have learned the importance of perseverance and hard work even when others do not take me seriously. Through my experience in Milan, Italy and in my program at Bridgewater State University, my goals of helping to raise awareness of the problems surrounding women in business and to expand my luxury fashion knowledge and skills will be much closer to becoming complete due to the extensive coursework, the experience of being in a thriving city, and being able to experience the Italian culture.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” As a senior in high school, I selected this quote as my “senior quote” not only because it inspired me, but also because it was a quote I wanted to live by forever. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to study in college, but after endless days and nights of consideration, I decided to study business management. I have always been interested in business studies and knew that pursuing business as my career would help me live a life that I am proud of. It is my goal to make the necessary changes needed to create a better environment for myself and the world. Throughout my life, I have studied dance, and it has grown to become a passion of mine. I danced competitively for eight years, where I was awarded many dance scholarships, such as The Paula Coffey Dance Scholarship and The Beyond the Stars Dance Scholarship. Through my experience dancing, I learned the importance of persistence, teamwork, and creativity. These important characteristics have given me a foundation for my future business career. Dance is still a passion of mine, which is why I have decided to minor in dance. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my way of working to create a better world. I am on track to graduate in May 2023 with my Bachelor’s in General Management and a minor in dance. Through my program at Bridgewater State University, I have gained knowledge in accounting, marketing, management, and learned how to use Microsoft Office to properly set up business documents. Some of my goals for the future are to use my degree to work as a fashion business manager, become fluent in Italian, and help other women in the business industry who have had similar struggles as me. These struggles include not being taken seriously, struggling to find support systems, and struggling to find business opportunities to support educational and professional growth. I plan to study abroad in Milan, Italy in the Fall of 2022. My selected program in Milan, Italy will also give me the opportunity to grow as an Italian speaker, and through my diverse course load in Italy, I hope to broaden my knowledge and skills of luxury fashion and expand my perspective of modern Italian fashion. While studying abroad in Milan, Italy, and continuing my education at Bridgewater State University will be a dream come true for me, it will also not be easy. As someone who must work while going to school, I will have to save up a lot of money to make this experience happen. I have already amassed a considerable amount of financial debt due to college tuition and fees. Receiving this scholarship will take a lot of pressure off me and allow me to focus on schoolwork, rather than having to work extra hours to pay for my education. I really hope to be considered for this scholarship, as it will help my dreams come true.

I lifted myself from my bed and walked down the hallway. It was a Thursday morning in January, there was snow on the ground, and the sky was a light grey color. "I don't think I can go to school today," I said to my mom. When she asked me what was wrong, I did not know what to say, as I was not very sure myself. My head was hurting, my hands were trembling, and I could not think straight. When I explained how I felt to my mom, she agreed to let me stay home. I had been feeling this way for two weeks now, and I finally decided to go see my doctor. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, a mental illness that affects about three percent of the United States' population, yet only about forty-three percent of these people receive treatment. Through the support of my family, friends, and counselors, I have found ways to cope with my anxiety and no longer let it control me. When I was feeling at my lowest point, I had other people to lean on for support. My friends helped me realize the importance of self-care, journaling, and meditation. I practice self-care regularly, as it helps me cope with my anxiety. To do so, I read many books, talk to friends and family, meditate, exercise, eat foods that fuel my body, and allow myself to sleep when tired. This benefits my mental health by clearing my mind, helping me feel refueled, and leading me to feel connected to others. As someone who has struggled with a generalized anxiety disorder for many years, I hope to become a mental health advocate and help increase the number of people who receive treatment and who value self-care.

"When I grow up, I want to be a dance teacher, but I want my name on the sign outside," I said to my mother at just four years old. My young business-oriented and ambitious mind guided me to complete sixteen years of dance training. Throughout my training in ballet, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz dance, I developed necessary the skills that led me to become who I am today. Through my experience dancing, I learned the importance of persistence, teamwork, and creativity. These important characteristics have given me a foundation for my future business career. I truly appreciate the feeling I get when I am dancing. I feel as though I can create a story without words. It allows me to be creative, while also incorporating others into my story. My dance team is very strong, as we spend a lot of time connecting, communicating, and caring for each other. The dance environment has been the one place where I feel supported and accepted for who I am, even on my worst days. The dancers on my team help each other and make sure no person on the team is falling behind or feeling lost. Throughout my life, I have studied dance, and it has grown to become a passion of mine. I danced competitively for eight years, where I was awarded many dance scholarships, such as The Paula Coffey Dance Scholarship and The Beyond the Stars Dance Scholarship. Dance is still a passion of mine, which is why I have decided to minor in dance. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my goal to create a better world.

I lifted myself from my bed and walked down the hallway. It was a Thursday morning in January, there was snow on the ground, and the sky was a light grey color. "I don't think I can go to school today," I said to my mom. When she asked me what was wrong, I did not know what to say, as I was not very sure myself. My head was hurting, my hands were trembling, and I could not think straight. When I explained how I felt to my mom, she agreed to let me stay home. I had been feeling this way for two weeks now, and I finally decided to go see my doctor. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, a mental illness that affects about three percent of the United States' population, yet only about forty-three percent of these people receive treatment. As someone who has struggled with a generalized anxiety disorder for many years, I hope to become a mental health advocate and help increase the number of people who receive treatment. Many people do not feel supported in their mental health journey, and other people may not believe in its importance. Mental health affects how we act, feel, and think. It plays a large factor in how we make choices, relate to stress, and relate to other people. It is my goal to use my business management degree to create a business where people feel supported and valued. Mental health is not valued enough in the workplace and is the reason that many people feel dissatisfied with their work or experience burnout. By creating an environment that actively shows its appreciation to mental health days and self-care, while also maintaining a strong work performance and relationships, more people will feel satisfied with their jobs. This may also help to inspire other businesses to do the same thing. Some self-care practices that I hope to incorporate into my future business are yoga days, meditation practices, therapy options for all employees, and the option to work from home. As someone pursuing a minor in dance, I have always used dancing as a creative way of coping with my emotions. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my of working to create a better world.

I lifted myself from my bed and walked down the hallway. It was a Thursday morning in January, there was snow on the ground, and the sky was a light grey color. "I don't think I can go to school today," I said to my mom. When she asked me what was wrong, I did not know what to say, as I was not very sure myself. My head was hurting, my hands were trembling, and I could not think straight. When I explained how I felt to my mom, she agreed to let me stay home. I had been feeling this way for two weeks now, and I finally decided to go see my doctor. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, a mental illness that affects about three percent of the United States' population, yet only about forty-three percent of these people receive treatment. Through the support of my family, friends, and counselors, I have found ways to cope with my anxiety and no longer let it control me. When I was feeling at my lowest point, I had other people to lean on for support. My friends helped me realize the importance of self-care, journaling, and meditation. Having someone to go to when feeling anxious has helped me feel less alone in my mental health journey, and I hope to be that person for others. As someone who has struggled with a generalized anxiety disorder for many years, I hope to become a mental health advocate and help increase the number of people who receive treatment. Many people do not feel supported in their mental health journey, and other people may not believe in its importance. Mental health affects how we act, feel, and think. It plays a large factor in how we make choices, relate to stress, and relate to other people. It is my goal to use my business management degree to create a business where people feel supported and valued. Mental health is not valued enough in the workplace and is the reason that many people feel dissatisfied with their work or experience burnout. By creating an environment that actively shows its appreciation to mental health days and self-care, while also maintaining a strong work performance and relationships, more people will feel satisfied with their jobs. This may also help to inspire other businesses to do the same thing. Some self-care practices that I hope to incorporate into my future business are yoga days, meditation practices, therapy options for all employees, and the option to work from home. As someone pursuing a minor in dance, I have always used dancing as a creative way of coping with my emotions. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my of working to create a better world.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” As a senior in high school, I selected this quote as my “senior quote” not only because it inspired me, but also because it was a quote I wanted to live by forever. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to study in college, but after endless days and nights of consideration, I decided to study business management. I have always been interested in business studies and knew that pursuing business as my career would help me live a life that I am proud of. It is my goal to make the necessary changes needed to create a better environment for myself and the world. Throughout my life, I have studied dance, and it has grown to become a passion of mine. I danced competitively for eight years, where I was awarded many dance scholarships, such as The Paula Coffey Dance Scholarship and The Beyond the Stars Dance Scholarship. Through my experience dancing, I learned the importance of persistence, teamwork, and creativity. These important characteristics have given me a foundation for my future business career. Dance is still a passion of mine, which is why I have decided to minor in dance. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my way of working to create a better world. I am on track to graduate in May 2023 with my Bachelor’s in General Management and a minor in dance. Through my program at Bridgewater State University, I have gained knowledge in accounting, marketing, management, and learned how to use Microsoft Office to properly set up business documents. Some of my goals for the future are to use my degree to work as a fashion business manager, become fluent in Italian, and help other women in the business industry who have had similar struggles as me. These struggles include not being taken seriously, struggling to find support systems, and struggling to find business opportunities to support educational and professional growth. I plan to study abroad in Milan, Italy in the Fall of 2022. My selected program in Milan, Italy will also give me the opportunity to grow as an Italian speaker, and through my diverse course load in Italy, I hope to broaden my knowledge and skills of luxury fashion and expand my perspective of modern Italian fashion. While studying abroad in Milan, Italy, and continuing my education at Bridgewater State University will be a dream come true for me, it will also not be easy. As someone who must work while going to school, I will have to save up a lot of money to make this experience happen. I have already amassed a considerable amount of financial debt due to college tuition and fees. Receiving this scholarship will take a lot of pressure off me and allow me to focus on schoolwork, rather than having to work extra hours to pay for my education. I really hope to be considered for this scholarship, as it will help my dreams come true.

I lifted myself from my bed and walked down the hallway. It was a Thursday morning in January, there was snow on the ground, and the sky was a light grey color. "I don't think I can go to school today," I said to my mom. When she asked me what was wrong, I did not know what to say, as I was not very sure myself. My head was hurting, my hands were trembling, and I could not think straight. When I explained how I felt to my mom, she agreed to let me stay home. I had been feeling this way for two weeks now, and I finally decided to go see my doctor. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, a mental illness that affects about three percent of the United States' population, yet only about forty-three percent of these people receive treatment. As someone who has struggled with a generalized anxiety disorder for many years, I hope to become a mental health advocate and help increase the number of people who receive treatment. Many people do not feel supported in their mental health journey, and other people may not believe in its importance. Mental health affects how we act, feel, and think. It plays a large factor in how we make choices, relate to stress, and relate to other people. It is my goal to use my business management degree to create a business where people feel supported and valued. Mental health is not valued enough in the workplace and is the reason that many people feel dissatisfied with their work or experience burnout. By creating an environment that actively shows its appreciation to mental health days and self-care, while also maintaining a strong work performance and relationships, more people will feel satisfied with their jobs. This may also help to inspire other businesses to do the same thing. Some self-care practices that I hope to incorporate into my future business are yoga days, meditation practices, therapy options for all employees, and the option to work from home. As someone pursuing a minor in dance, I have always used dancing as a creative way of coping with my emotions. I hope to use my developed knowledge of dance terminology and history to instruct younger students at my local studio. Teaching younger generations to cope with their struggles in a healthy way like dancing can help them create a healthy lifestyle early on. Promoting creativity and teaching others the skills I learned through dance is my of working to create a better world.

I walked up the narrow stairwell and walked onto the stage. A man in a grey suit with a red tie announced my name as the winner of the "I Am Malala Scholarship". I felt honored to be receiving this scholarship, and my view of education changed from that moment forward. I was in seventh grade at the time, and I was shocked by the story of Malala. Before that point, I thought every country had the same opportunity to receive an education. In the book "I Am Malala", the story of Malala, a Pakistani girl who spoke out against the Taliban's oppressive rule and their ban on the education of girls, is told. Having the opportunity to get an education is a privilege, as many other people in our world do not have the same opportunity. There are times where I see people taking their education for granted. An example of this is when students complete assignments by looking up the answers online. Many people in our world do not have the opportunity to have an education and value the knowledge they may learn, rather than just the grade they receive. Having this eye-opening experience made me truly understand what a privilege my education is. From that day on, I devoted a lot of time to my studies, and I hope to one day become an advocate for education around our world. To help my community with their education, I decided to become a tutor. I have been tutoring for six years, and most recently, I have been working with a second grader who is struggling with learning how to read. It has been hard for many young students to catch up on missed work that was created due to the pandemic. I have made an active effort to help these children get back on track and feel confident in their learning abilities. I devote ten hours of my time every week to helping these students and have grown to create a strong bond with them. I tutor these students in an online environment and in person. I feel that I have made a large impact on these students' lives, as I help them realize that school is not about the grades they receive, but it is about how much they learn. Through this experience, I have grown to feel very content knowing I can help younger students succeed. My experience of education has helped me appreciate the privilege I have and helped me discover my passion for helping others do the same.

A beautiful mind full of new ideas. I use this everyday to help expand myself. I have grown to overcome many obstacles in my life, both mentally and physically. Now all that I am left with is this beautiful mind of new ideas. My name is Olivia Parsons, and I am currently in my third year of undergraduate studies at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. I hope to graduate in 2023 with my B.S. in General Management and a minor in dance. With this degree, I hope to pursue a career in fashion management.

Playlist Name: Feelings Are Temporary 1. Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo 2. Spaceman by Nick Jonas 3. Don't Stop Me Now by Queen 4. The Climb by Miley Cyrus 5. Time of Our Lives by Pitbull (Feat. Ne-Yo) 6. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson 7. Brand New Day by Sting

"La Vie En Rose" is a way of saying "to look at the world through rose-tinted glasses". Through some of the hardest parts of my life, this saying has stuck by me. It is easy to look at the negative parts of life, especially during a pandemic. Throughout the last two years, I have developed severe anxiety, and it caused me to lose interest in things I once loved. During high school, I studied French for three years. I fell in love with this language and the culture it comes from. I was fortunate enough to visit Paris in 2019. Through this experience, I developed an understanding of what “La Vie En Rose” truly means. It is something I continue to remember and remind myself of daily. This dance shows my experience with anxiety throughout the last two years, and how I have chosen to allow myself to be calm and present in my life. I have learned how to cope with my mental health challenges by using my passion for dance. I hope to carry this mindset on throughout the rest of my life and my art form. In the future, I hope to inspire others to express themselves through dance and reassure them that they are never alone in their mental health journey.