Jack Terry’s story really inspires me because of how much he went through and how strong he stayed. Being taken from his family and surviving a Nazi concentration camp as a teenager is something I honestly can’t even imagine. Even after all that pain and loss, he chose to move forward, build a life, and help others by sharing his story. That kind of strength shows that even when life is really hard, you can still turn your pain into something meaningful. Reading about Jack Terry made me think about a tough time in my own life—when my mom had a serious health crisis because of high blood pressure. I was scared and confused. Seeing her in pain and not knowing what would happen was honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through. I remember sitting in the hospital and wishing I could do something to help. It felt like everything was out of my control. But in the middle of all that, there was a physician assistant who really stood out. She was calm, kind, and took the time to explain everything to us. She didn’t just help my mom medically—she helped us emotionally, too. That experience stuck with me, and it made me realize that I want to become a physician assistant one day. I want to be there for people the way that PA was there for us. Going through that with my mom taught me a lot. It showed me how scary health problems can be and how important it is to have someone who truly cares. I want to be that person for others—especially for families who might not always have access to the best care or don’t understand what’s happening with their health. Just like Jack Terry used his experience to teach and help others, I want to use what I’ve been through to make a difference. I know I can’t fix everything, but if I can be there for someone during their worst moments and help them feel a little less scared, then I’ll know I’ve done something good. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m motivated by what I’ve been through and inspired by stories like Jack Terry’s. His strength helps me remember that even when life feels overwhelming, there’s always a way to move forward and make a difference. I hope to carry that same mindset with me as I continue my education and eventually become a physician assistant. My goal is to not only help people feel better physically, but to also support them emotionally—just like that PA did for my family. I want to take what I’ve learned from hard times and turn it into something positive that helps others.

One time that really stands out to me when I helped someone in need was during my junior year of high school. It wasn’t anything huge or life-changing, but it made a real impact on someone, and it reminded me how powerful small acts of kindness can be. There was a student in my chemistry class named Jordan. He was pretty quiet and kept to himself, and I had noticed that he always sat in the back and never really participated in class. One day, we had a lab that required partners, and when everyone paired up, Jordan was left sitting alone. I had already been working with my usual lab partner, but I felt kind of bad seeing him sitting there awkwardly, so I asked my teacher if I could switch and work with Jordan instead. She said yes, so I moved to his table and introduced myself. At first, he seemed surprised that someone wanted to work with him. He was a little shy, but as we got started on the lab, he started to open up a bit. I realized he was actually really smart—he just didn’t feel confident enough to speak up in class. Over the next few weeks, we started working together more, and I learned that his family was going through a tough time financially. He mentioned quietly one day that his parents were both working multiple jobs and still struggling to make ends meet. That explained a lot—why he didn’t have some of the required materials for class, like a calculator or lab notebook, and why he always seemed a little stressed out. I wanted to do something to help without making him feel uncomfortable or like a charity case. So one weekend, I picked up some extra school supplies—things I knew he needed, like notebooks, pens, and even a basic calculator—and I gave them to him the next week. I told him I had some extras lying around at home and figured he could use them. He was really thankful, and I could tell it meant a lot to him, even if he didn’t say much about it. Outside of class, I started saying hi to him in the hallways and inviting him to sit with me and my friends at lunch. He didn’t always join us, but I could tell he appreciated the offer. Over time, he got more comfortable, and I noticed that he started raising his hand more in class and talking to other people. One day he told me that he used to feel invisible at school and that having someone actually notice and talk to him made a big difference. That experience taught me a lot about empathy and how small actions can go a long way. It’s easy to get caught up in your own world in high school—focusing on grades, sports, or friends—but helping Jordan showed me that kindness and looking out for others is just as important. I’m really glad I was able to help, and even more grateful for what I learned from it.