One of the most meaningful relationships in my life has come from playing hockey. I started skating when I was about seven and a half years old, and at the time it was just something I thought would be fun to try. I never expected it would end up shaping who I am as a person and how I connect with others. Hockey is a team sport in every sense of the word. You can't succeed by yourself. Every pass, every shift, and every game depends on trusting the people around you. Over the years, my teammates became way more than just people I played with, they became some of my closest friends. We spent so many hours together at practices, games, and tournaments and those experiences created a bond that goes far beyond the rink. There was a time when my family was going through something really difficult, and it was hard to focus on all the normal things like school and sports. Even when I didn't want to talk about everything that was going on, my teammates and coaches were there for me. They checked in on me, made sure I was okay, and reminded me that I had people around me who cared. Hockey became a place where I could clear my head and just be myself for a while. That experience changed the way I think about relationships. I realized how powerful it can be when people simply show up for each other. Sometimes support doesn't have to be something big. It can be as simple as asking how someone is doing, encouraging them after a tough game, or making sure no one feels left out. Those small moments can make a huge difference. Because of that, I try to bring that same mindset into the relationships I build with others. Whether its helping a younger player feel comfortable on the team, encouraging a teammate who is frustrated, or supporting a friend who's having a rough day, I truly try to be someone people can rely on. Hockey taught me that being a good teammate also means being a good person. The relationships I've built through hockey and because of hockey have also influenced my goals for the future. I plan to major in Elementary Education because I want to have a positive impact on kids during some of the most important years of their lives. Just like teammates and coaches can make someone feel supported and confident, teacher have the ability to create an environment where students feel safe, encouraged, and capable of succeeding. Looking back hocky has given me so much more that just the ability to play a sport. It has taught me the value of truest, teamwork, and being the kind of person that is there for others. The relationships I've built through it and the friendships I have made because of it have shaped me into the person I am today and continue to influence how I connect with people in every part of my life.

Higher education is important to me because it provides the knowledge, experiences, and opportunities needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. For many, college represents the chance to grow academically and personally, but for me it also represents the opportunity to become the kind of teacher who helps young students discover their potential. Education has the power to shape confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning, and I want to be part of that process. My decision to pursue a major in Elementary Education comes from the impact teachers have had on my life and from my own experiences working with younger students. Some of my most memorable school experiences involve teachers who took the time to encourage me, support me when I struggles, and celebrate my successes. They created classrooms where students felt safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Seeing how much a caring teacher can influence a child's confidence and outlook on learning inspired me to want to do the same for others. I have also discovered how much I enjoy working with children. Whether it is helping younger students understand something new or watching them feel proud when they finally grasp a concept, those moments are so special! Elementary school is such an important stage in any kids life because it is where students start the foundation for their future education. Being a teacher during those years can truly make a difference in all the years of education that follow. Pursuing higher education will allow me to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective teacher. College will teach me how to create engaging lesson plans, understand different learning styles, and support students with diverse backgrounds and abilities. It will also give me the opportunity to gain real classroom experience and learn from experienced educators who can help guide me as I begin my own career. Beyond academics, higher education will help me grow as a person. It will challenge me to think critically, communicate effectively, and continue helping me be a leader in my community. As a future teacher, I want to be someone who not only teaches the subjects but also encourages students to believe in themselves and not to be afraid to pursue their goals. Ultimately, my goal is to create a classroom where student feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn everyday. I want to help young students realize that they are capable of achieving great things. By pursuing higher education and earning a degree in Elementary Education, I will be able to turn that goal into a reality and make a positive impact on the lives of the students I teach.

One of the most meaningful relationships in my life has come from playing hockey. I started skating when I was about seven and a half years old, and at the time it was just something I thought would be fun to try. I never expected it would end up shaping who I am as a person and how I connect with others. Hockey is a team sport in every sense of the word. You can't succeed by yourself. Every pass, every shift, and every game depends on trusting the people around you. Over the years, my teammates became way more than just people I played with, they became some of my closest friends. We spent so many hours together at practices, games, and tournaments and those experiences created a bond that goes far beyond the rink. There was a time when my family was going through something really difficult, and it was hard to focus on all the normal things like school and sports. Even when I didn't want to talk about everything that was going on, my teammates and coaches were there for me. They checked in on me, made sure I was okay, and reminded me that I had people around me who cared. Hockey became a place where I could clear my head and just be myself for a while. That experience changed the way I think about relationships. I realized how powerful it can be when people simply show up for each other. Sometimes support doesn't have to be something big. It can be as simple as asking how someone is doing, encouraging them after a tough game, or making sure no one feels left out. Those small moments can make a huge difference. Because of that, I try to bring that same mindset into the relationships I build with others. Whether its helping a younger player feel comfortable on the team, encouraging a teammate who is frustrated, or supporting a friend who's having a rough day, I truly try to be someone people can rely on. Hockey taught me that being a good teammate also means being a good person. The relationships I've built through hockey and because of hockey have also influenced my goals for the future. I plan to major in Elementary Education because I want to have a positive impact on kids during some of the most important years of their lives. Just like teammates and coaches can make someone feel supported and confident, teacher have the ability to create an environment where students feel safe, encouraged, and capable of succeeding. Looking back hocky has given me so much more that just the ability to play a sport. It has taught me the value of truest, teamwork, and being the kind of person that is there for others. The relationships I've built through it and the friendships I have made because of it have shaped me into the person I am today and continue to influence how I connect with people in every part of my life.

Higher education is important to me because t provides the knowledge, experiences, and opportunities needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. For many, college represents the chance to grow academically and personally, but for me it also represents the opportunity to become the kind of teacher who helps young students discover their potential. Education has the power to shape confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning, and I want to be part of that process. My decision to pursue a major in Elementary Education comes from the impact teachers have had on my life and from my own experiences working with younger students. Some of my most memorable school experiences involve teachers who took the time to encourage me, support me when I struggles, and celebrate my successes. They created classrooms where students felt safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Seeing how much a caring teacher can influence a child's confidence and outlook on learning inspired me to want to do the same for others. I have also discovered how much I enjoy working with children. Whether it is helping younger students understand something new or watching them feel proud when they finally grasp a concept, those moments are so special! Elementary school is such an important stage in any kids life because it is where students start the foundation for their future education. Being a teacher during those years can truly make a difference in all the years of education that follow. Pursuing higher education will allow me to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective teacher. College will teach me how to create engaging lesson plans, understand different learning styles, and support students with diverse backgrounds and abilities. It will also give me the opportunity to gain real classroom experience and learn from experienced educators who can help guide me as I begin my own career. Beyond academics, higher education will help me grow as a person. It will challenge me to think critically, communicate effectively, and continue helping me be a leader in my community. As a future teacher, I want to be someone who not only teaches the subjects but also encourages students to believe in themselves and not to be afraid to pursue their goals. Ultimately, my goal is to create a classroom where student feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn everyday. I want to help young students realize that they are capable of achieving great things. By pursuing higher education and earning a degree in Elementary Education, I will be able to turn that goal into a reality and make a positive impact on the lives of the students I teach.

People always say that change is for the best. In my case, it is the reason I am the person I am today. I was nine the first time my mom found out she had breast cancer. At the time, I did not fully understand it, but I knew it was serious. Then, just after I turned fourteen, it came back. This time, I understood too much. My mom is my best friend. She’s the person I go to for advice, the one who makes everything feel okay and the one I rely on. Hearing those words, breast cancer again, I felt like someone hit the pause button on my world. Everything kept moving on the outside but inside, everything felt uncertain. I still showed up like nothing had changed, went to school, took tests, hung out with my friends and was part of conversations that suddenly felt so small. Underneath it all, I was scared. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to feel sorry for me, so I smiled through it. Watching my mom go through treatment taught me what true strength looks like. It is not about being fearless, it is about facing fear head-on. She never pretended everything was okay and was open about her pain but still showed up. That bravery taught me to stay grounded in difficult moments by focusing on what I could control and focusing on the positive. It helped me learn to deal with anxiety in positive ways by learning to get enough sleep, focus on proper nutrition and learning deep breathing techniques. Most important, it reminded me that I can do hard things and keep going! One of the biggest things I learned was empathy. Just being there for my mom and listening and letting her know I loved her made all the difference. Knowing I didn’t need to have the right words, I just needed to be present. This changed how I saw the world. I started noticing more how people sometimes hide their pain behind a smile, how kindness can be healing. I became someone who listens more when people speak, who checks in more frequently, and who became someone who wanted to help. I carry this with me every day. That year changed me. It made me more responsible, more appreciative, and more in tune with what really matters. I now cherish all the small, ordinary moments including family dinners every night with the four of us sitting around the dinner table laughing and talking about our day, attending my brother’s hockey games and sitting in the stands with my mom cheering him on, and the mundane quiet of running errands with my mom on a Saturday morning listening to music in the car and just talking. In one second, everything can change, and that fact seeps into every decision I have made in the last two years. Going through this also helped me decide what I want to study in college and do for my career. I want to become an elementary school teacher. To be someone who kids feel safe with, someone who notices when they’re having a hard day, someone who teaches more than just reading, writing or math. I want to teach empathy and resilience by being a source of consistency in a world that can change in an instant. Going through what I experienced showed me how deeply children are affected by what’s happening at home, and how important it is to have adults who truly care.