The movie The Shack had a profound impact on my life because it challenged the way I viewed pain, forgiveness, and my relationship with a higher power. More than just a film, it became a deeply personal experience that helped me confront emotions I had long avoided and questions I struggled to answer. Through its story, The Shack offered comfort, understanding, and a new perspective on suffering that stayed with me long after the movie ended, not to mention the attention grabbing beginning made me never want to stray from my parents view ever! At the center of The Shack is the story of Mack, a father overwhelmed by grief after the tragic loss of his daughter. Watching his pain felt gutwrenching and raw, and it resonated with me because it reflected how unresolved pain can quietly shape a person’s life. I to experienced this after the loss of my grandfather. The movie does not shy away from the reality of suffering; instead, it acknowledges how deeply loss can affect faith, trust, and emotional well-being. Seeing Mack wrestle with anger, guilt, and despair helped me recognize similar emotions within myself. It made me realize that ignoring pain does not make it disappear but allows it to grow heavier. One of the most powerful aspects of The Shack is how it portrays a higher power and in regard to this movie specifically, how it portrays "God". Rather than presenting God as distant or judgmental, the movie shows Him as loving, patient, and deeply personal. This portrayal challenged my previous assumptions and helped me understand faith in a new way. The idea that God meets people where they are, even in their brokenness, was incredibly meaningful to me. It reminded me that doubt and questions do not push God away; instead, they can be part of a deeper, more honest relationship with Him. That you do not have to be perfect, in fact, quite the opposite as it's in your deepest moments of dispair that he wants your more than ever! Forgiveness is another central theme that deeply impacted my life. In the movie, Mack is asked to forgive the man responsible for his daughter’s death, an idea that initially feels impossible. Through this struggle, the film illustrates that forgiveness is not about excusing wrongdoing but about freeing oneself from the burden of hatred and bitterness. This message resonated with me because it made me reflect on grudges I had been holding onto. The Shack taught me that forgiveness is often a painful process, but it is also a necessary step toward healing and peace. The setting of the shack itself is symbolic and meaningful. It represents a place of deep pain but also a place of transformation. For me, it served as a reminder that the areas of life we avoid the most are often where the most growth can occur. The movie encouraged me to confront my own emotional “shacks” rather than running from them. It showed me that healing begins when we are willing to face our pain honestly. Ultimately, The Shack had such a big impact on my life because it offered hope. It showed that even in the darkest moments, love and grace are still present. The movie helped me understand that pain does not define a person’s life, and suffering does not mean abandonment. Instead, it can become a pathway to deeper understanding, compassion, and faith. The Shack changed the way I view grief, forgiveness, and it spoke to me on a deeply emotional and spiritual level, helping me grow in ways I did not expect.

“Boldly, Unapologetically Me.” I have to giggle at this one because right from the start, I was living up to it—my birth name was Pixie, after all. I may have only weighed five and a half pounds, but according to my mom, I was full of sass from my very first breath. I started life bold and unapologetic, and I’ve never backed down since. During my freshman year of high school, I fell in with the wrong group of friends, and things spiraled quickly. I ended that year with a ten-day stay in a mental health hospital, determined to reclaim the spark I felt slipping away. When I left, I made a promise to myself: no matter what, I would never look back. I chose to start over at a brand-new school and truly live as Pixie—the small but mighty girl I came into this world as. I joined the wrestling team as one of the only girls, tried out for soccer, and became involved in student council. Eventually, I served as Director of Clubs and, ultimately, Student Body President. Along the way, I helped increase student engagement at home sporting events and worked to create a school culture where everyone felt seen, included, and excited to belong. “Creating Connection” One of my proudest examples of creating connection comes from my high school’s Unified program, an incredible initiative that supports and celebrates our special education students. Our program has earned numerous accolades for its commitment to inclusion and community. Last year, our Unified students shared that they wanted a prom of their own—a space to celebrate, belong, and experience the same milestones as their peers. As the 2025–2026 Student Body President, making this vision a reality became one of my first priorities. When I initially presented the idea to our principals, it was declined due to district “red tape.” Rather than accepting that outcome, I knew our students deserved more and better from us. I collaborated closely with our special education teachers to draft a thoughtful, well-informed letter to district leaders, advocating for a reconsideration of existing policies so they would include ALL students. While we are still awaiting a final decision, I am incredibly proud to have stood up for our Unified students and to have taken meaningful action toward ensuring they receive the same opportunities and experiences as every other student on our campus. I truly hope to continue this same energy as I move into my education journey to become a teacher.

I am passionate about becoming a teacher, specifically a special education teacher, because education has the power to change lives. Teachers do more than share knowledge; they inspire students, build confidence, and help shape their futures. I want to be someone who encourages students to believe in themselves and reach their full potential, even in the face of a disability. One of the main reasons I want to become a teacher is the impact educators have beyond academics. A great teacher not only explains lessons but also inspires curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and supports students through challenges that extend into real-life situations. Many students look up to their teachers as role models, and having the opportunity to guide and motivate young people—especially those who begin their journey with a disability—is a true honor. Knowing that my words and actions could help a student believe in themselves strongly motivates me to pursue this career. Teaching also offers personal growth and continuous learning. Every classroom is different, and each student brings unique perspectives, experiences, and challenges. This diversity pushes teachers to adapt, strengthen their methods, and remain lifelong learners. The profession encourages creativity, patience, and strong communication skills, all of which are valuable in every aspect of life. Ultimately, teaching allows me to make a positive impact by creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. I am motivated by the idea of helping students grow academically and personally while fostering a love for learning. This passion to guide, support, and inspire others is why I am committed to pursuing a career in teaching. The teacher in my life that inspired me to want to teach was Mr Gibbons, my 10th grad Physical Science teacher. I guess you could say I wasn't ever the definition of an incredible student academically speaking. I have good grades, a's, b's some c's occasionally. I would show up to classes, get my work done and move on. I do have ADHD so learning was always a little more challenging. I didn't always feel safe to ask questions if I didn't understand and retention was even tougher on more difficult subjects. All of that changed though when I walked into Mr Gibbons class. He was goofy, unconventional, inclusive, safe and all the sudden, a subject I never really cared about, became one of my favorites! Mr Gibbons ability to make each student feel like a human and not just a number on the attendance roster is what made him so safe. Additionally, he took time to learn about each one of his students, myself and my ADHD included, and cared enough to follow up and ask questions to make sure we always felt his unending support. His classroom became an extended family to me and made it so much easier to learn when you are surrounded by safe people with an even more inspiring leader. Beyond learning science from him, I learned about how to look at each person different and see them for who they are, accept them, support them, and as such watch them become their most authentic self. I only hope to be half the teacher Mr. Gibbons was!