Currently, I demonstrate leadership in my community through my volunteer work at Hope Therapy, a barn near my house. This unique setting allows volunteers to work with patients, horses, and occupational therapists to improve the physical or mental conditions the patient is experiencing. I have been part of numerous lessons with children and adults, using hippotherapy to enhance mobility and foster personal connections. Working alongside the therapist, I assist the patient through various obstacles and movements, often leading the horse to allow the therapist to focus on the patient. I also contribute 'behind the scenes' as a stablehand, ensuring the barn and horses are clean and well-maintained for the patient's comfort and enjoyment. I have worked with a specific patient often, whom I am not allowed to name. She is a 20-year-old woman with limited mobility issues who comes out every week to bond with her horse. The therapist works with the patient through many exercises, including riding while reaching her arms in the air to work on balance and flexibility and tossing balls or rings into hoops to practice hand-eye coordination. It is truly heartwarming to witness the remarkable progress of this patient over the months. She has learned to navigate challenging situations, such as when her sister went into labor, and she had to provide encouragement over the phone. Her journey from being led on a horse to riding independently is a testament to her growing confidence. Her resilience and determination in overcoming her struggles with unwavering patience and hard work are truly inspiring. Yet, she isn't the only one who has grown and strengthened during my time volunteering at Hope Therapy. Since I work directly with the horses and take care of their daily needs, the therapists are able to focus on helping more patients. Being a part of this fantastic organization is an incredible experience I will remember for the rest of my life. Further, I plan on helping others throughout my life. While I will not be able to continue my work with Hope Therapy during college, I will join clubs or programs that work to support others. I thoroughly enjoy helping others, and volunteer work is a great way to do so in college. To be a good leader, one must work hard in the community and truly understand their needs. This service is also present in other areas of my life, including my commitment to my school's National Art Honor Society, in which I have helped many different organizations and schools with decorations, plays, and murals, and the National Spanish Honor Society, in which I tutor and encourage students on their path to learning a secondary language. These experiences have taught me what is required to be a leader and, most importantly, shown me the effect of good leadership in a community: a prosperous, peaceful, close-knit community.

Currently, I find immense joy and fulfillment in supporting others through my volunteer work at Hope Therapy, a barn near my house. This unique setting allows volunteers to work with patients, horses, and occupational therapists to improve the physical or mental conditions the patient is experiencing. I have been part of numerous lessons with children and adults, using hippotherapy to enhance mobility and foster personal connections. Working alongside the therapist, I assist the patient through various obstacles and movements, often leading the horse to allow the therapist to focus on the patient. I also contribute 'behind the scenes' as a stablehand, ensuring the barn and horses are clean and well-maintained for the patient's comfort and enjoyment. I have often worked with a specific patient whom I am not allowed to name. She is a 20-year-old woman with limited mobility issues who comes out weekly to bond with her horse. The therapist works with the patient through many exercises, including riding while reaching her arms in the air to work on balance and flexibility and tossing balls or rings into hoops to practice hand-eye coordination. It is truly heartwarming to witness the remarkable progress of this patient over the months. She has learned to navigate challenging situations, such as when her sister went into labor, and she had to provide encouragement over the phone. Her journey from being led on a horse to riding independently is a testament to her growing confidence. Her resilience and determination in overcoming her struggles with unwavering patience and hard work are truly inspiring. Yet, she isn't the only one who has grown and strengthened during my time volunteering at Hope Therapy. Since I work directly with the horses and take care of their daily needs, the therapists are able to focus on helping more patients. Being a part of this fantastic organization is an incredible experience I will remember for the rest of my life. Further, I plan on helping others throughout my life. While I will not be able to continue my work with Hope Therapy during college, I will join clubs or programs that work to support others. I thoroughly enjoy helping others, and volunteer work is a great way to do so in college. As for my future career, I am considering options that directly benefit people around me, such as becoming a doctor or veterinarian. These are both options that I am favoring, as they allow me to continue my commitment to helping others in a professional capacity.

One part of my character that inspires others is my lighthearted and genuine personality. I am naturally silly and goofy; I always say exactly what I am thinking, and typically, it's hilarious. I am like this around everyone I meet, always showing my 'overflowing personality,' as my friends call it. My goofiness inspires many people, making them more comfortable being themselves. If someone drops a glass in Biology class, I don't call them out. We laugh it off and forget it ever happened. If someone needs help with math homework, I kindly talk them through it and then check on them after class to see if they understood the lesson. However, I understand that not everything can be turned into a joke; some things must be taken seriously. Sometimes, what a person needs is a shoulder to cry on or somebody to listen to them. And I will be there for this person, too. If my friend tells me she's been struggling at night, I'll turn my alerts on full volume so I will wake up to her calls. If someone wants to stay up late to talk through something, I will be there for them, providing comfort and reassurance in their serious moments. While I will never know the full impact of my character on someone else, I always try my best to make a positive impact, knowing that a simple smile can brighten someone's entire week. My quote is: "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." -Oscar Wilde. I strongly connect with this quote. While there are multiple interpretations of this quote, I believe it means that most people go through life without enjoying every small moment. However, to live is to embrace every moment, the good and the bad, and find joy in everything you do. If one 'goes with the flow,' doesn't find passion in their work and home lives, and doesn't make a difference in someone else's life, then they aren't living. This quote makes a difference in my life. When I do something, I always try to 'live' it, not just complete it. For example, I am an upcoming senior in high school, and I needed to get a job to prepare for college. I didn't apply to whatever grocery store was close by; I looked for someplace that would challenge me and that I would enjoy. Now, I work at a barn, cleaning stalls and loving on horses. This job lets me enjoy the Florida sun, physically challenge myself, and fulfill my dream of working with horses. This quote can be seen throughout my life as I strive to live life to the fullest, never missing an opportunity to find joy in everything. It's a reminder not just to exist but to truly live and make the most of every moment.