Thinking about leaving a legacy almost sounds like I am thinking of my eulogy. However, thinking about how I want to be remembered helps keep me task and goal oriented. I want to be remembered while I am alive for my impact on others. My mom would say, “Remember it is not your intentions, but your impact that matters.” I want to be remembered for the person who really listens to you and what affects you. I want to be remembered not only for someone who listens for gossip, but for how the things I do impact others. One of the things I have learned while in vocational training is that it is very difficult for some people to go to the salon because they have different physical needs and or they react to things differently. I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children," planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts who have developed and executed a sustainable project within their communities. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park. Part of this project was educating recreational hikers and park users in the principles of "Leave No Trace" wilderness usage. A large portion of the education was while I was actively working on the trail and reseeding the area with native seed. I was an active team member of the Florence Teen Council. The Florence Teen Council was actively involved on a weekly basis with the seniors center, community events including water games for the Fourth of July, as well as creating and running a haunted house for “Scare Fest” on Main Street. We produced fashion shows and auctions that help promote local businesses in town. I learned more about my community from working with those in it. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chair would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

1. I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. 2. I admire Juliette Gordon Low is one of the best examples of a feminist I can think of. She has inspired me and many generations of girls for over 100 years. I know most people think of an abrasive person when they hear a woman is a feminist, but that is not what I believe. I believe it is the ability to become an autonomous person who does not let the problems of their spouse dominate their life. Juliette learned skills that were typically reserved for men and used them to help people through her service to others. She learned things like hunting, metalwork, and riding horses bareback. She did not accept the fact that other youth groups did not like to promote hobbies and skills that were considered inappropriate to their gender. So in 1912 she personally founded, financed, and promoted Girl Guides, now known as Girl Scouts. One of the most impressive things she did was sell her rare pearl necklace and matching earrings to help fund the movement. Juliette said, “ Jewels are not important but my Girl Scouts are. They need the money more than I need pearls.” She not only believed in service to others, but she put her money where her mouth was. Juliette started the idea of women and girls supporting women and girls; that makes her my hero. 3. If I could change one thing in this world it would be high school education requirements. I am very good accademically and do well in high level classes. However, many are not. Course work should have more of a life skills approach because the students are about to be adults and need to learn basic skills like how to file taxes, registering to vote, how to use basic tools, and how to make a realistic budget to live on. School should prepare you for life. For some that is college, for some that is vocational school, and others it is getting a job and paying the bills. You should be able to graduate and feel like you know where to turn to for answers.

A healthy lifestyle is important to me because my health affects the people around me and the people who depend on me. If I am not functioning well then I become the week link in the chain and the whole team suffers. A healthy lifestyle includes both physical and mental health. When I am healthy I can also help others recognize signs and symptoms in thier health as well. This is important because their health affects me and others too. Eating, being active, choosing good choices make me a better person. I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. This plan I have is about how I can make an impact in other people’s lives through the use of empathy, mental health, and advocacy. Ten years from now I see myself making a difference in my clients and employees lives by owning and operating a salon that embraces diversity and makes sure everyone can regularly access these services. I have spent the last two years in cosmetology classes through my high school’s vocational programs. I have seen the struggles clients face when they come into the salon and everything is designed for able bodied customers. I feel their dread when it is time to transfer from their walker or wheelchair to the salon chair. I also see just how difficult it is for them to try and stand up from a chair that turns. I know that anxiety keeps people from coming in for self care at the salon. On a personal level I have seen my family struggle from trying to fit into the standard. My father became seriously ill when I was just a toddler and that left him permanently disabled. For years he had to use a wheelchair. I saw just how much effort it takes to transfer in and out of the chair for him. My grandmother has also had to use a power wheelchair for most of my life. Her stability when transferring is problematic for her. Finally, all of my family is over 6 feet tall. That causes problems for hair stylists when they can’t lower them enough in the chair to do the job right. My experiences are not that unusual as many people have these struggles, I just want to do something about it. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. It also helps to provide a normalcy to their lives. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Hair, makeup, and skin care are a great way to express yourself and build your confidence. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. My reward is in the ability to connect with my customers.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away. I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. This plan I have is about how I can make an impact in other people’s lives through the use of empathy, mental health, and advocacy. Ten years from now I see myself making a difference in my clients and employees lives by owning and operating a salon that embraces diversity and makes sure everyone can regularly access these services. I have spent the last two years in cosmetology classes through my high school’s vocational programs. I have seen the struggles clients face when they come into the salon and everything is designed for able bodied customers. I feel their dread when it is time to transfer from their walker or wheelchair to the salon chair. I also see just how difficult it is for them to try and stand up from a chair that turns. I know that anxiety keeps people from coming in for self care at the salon. On a personal level I have seen my family struggle from trying to fit into the standard. My father became seriously ill when I was just a toddler and that left him permanently disabled. For years he had to use a wheelchair. I saw just how much effort it takes to transfer in and out of the chair for him. My grandmother has also had to use a power wheelchair for most of my life. Her stability when transferring is problematic for her. Finally, all of my family is over 6 feet tall. That causes problems for hair stylists when they can’t lower them enough in the chair to do the job right. My experiences are not that unusual as many people have these struggles, I just want to do something about it. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. It also helps to provide a normalcy to their lives. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Hair, makeup, and skin care are a great way to express yourself and build your confidence. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. My reward is in the ability to connect with my customers.

I live in Florence, Arizona, it’s a pretty small town. it’s the classic small town with a Main street, some small businesses, and a couple of farms. Our main street used to be lively with shops, events, and people able to enjoy the town. I think our Main street has been severely neglected. The bureaucracy of a small town has prevented new small businesses from being able to move in and give the town some life. I would like to see Florence stay relatively small, but reopen opportunities for new people to see what the town could be if they let it grow to what it once was. In the seven or so years that I have lived in Florence Proper, I have seen more and more shops on and around Main street have to move out or close down. I think that bringing back small businesses would also create revenue for the people already on Main street. The town neighboring us has managed to keep businesses across its three major streets open and able to make money. It’s not impossible to do in our own town. It would also benefit the youth in our town to have a place to be after school, and not just the places where they smoke. Our town is safe and shows no signs of becoming dangerous. We could find part time jobs in town, which would be within walking distance for younger students. Florence would be a great place for teens if there was a place for us. Now we really only have a small market, a Circle K, a hardware store, and a small thrift store. There are other businesses, but no one knows they’re open, and opening new stores creates an opportunity for us to go somewhere. Now, teens have to travel at least thirty minutes to see a movie, shop for clothes, or to find anything to do at all. Florence is becoming a town for old people rather than a town for families. I know that opening stores can’t solve all of the problems of being a teen, but it could make the town less bleak for us. In turn, I think it will benefit us, but we can only get out of the town what we put into it, when we are allowed to. For any of this to happen we have to let new people in, there are enough people in the town who would like to open a business. A lot of these people can’t because of the extra hoops they are given to jump through. We also have to make people aware that there are places for us to go, and try to find businesses who are open late enough in the day for us to actually see the town when all of the businesses we do have are open. And once main street fills up, we still have a lot of space to grow within the streets we already have. Today I had the chance to see the town before all of the stores close. I visited the hardware store, the tailor, and the ice cream shop in town. I enjoyed getting to patronize small businesses, which are on the rise recently. I want Florence to be a town that I get to enjoy coming home to. It could be what it used to be, more than a state route, a prison, and more than a high school.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" and planning and executing a "World Thinking Day,” I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts who have developed and executed a sustainable project within their communities. I personally worked 70 hours on this project over the course of 4 months. I was an active team member of the Florence Teen Council. The Florence Teen Council was actively involved on a weekly basis with the seniors center, community events including water games for the Fourth of July, as well as creating and running a haunted house for “Scare Fest” on Main Street, and a teen lock-in. We produced a fashion show and auctions that help promote local businesses in town. At school I have been an active member of the Green Club, National Honor Society and served as my class president of SkillsUSA. I chose these activities because I was able to serve my educational community and gain confidence in my leadership skills. I was the girls basketball team manager filming all games and assisting at practices. I set new personal records each week while on JV Track and Field. I attended the Cosmetology Vocational course for two years while in high school. This summer I will test with the State Board of Cosmetology for my licensure. I have also been working at a local fast food restaurant this last year. I have done all of this while maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.0 (unweighted 3.7). Often my days would start at 5:30 AM and end at Midnight. I had to find a way to manage my time and the technique I used was time blocking. I would sit down weekly and review my lists of things to do, assignments, and work schedule. By blocking in the “have to” tasks I was able to schedule in the “want to” activities. These last several years have not been easy, but they have been rewarding. I have had to decide on the activities that would allow me to gain experience, maintain my personal standard of grades, and have some recreation. I look forward to the many new experiences I will have in college.

When I was 13 I was in the car with my mom and grandma and played the song, “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It.” Even though I was singing it they did not get that I was trying to tell them something, or rather, see how they would respond. Neither one reacted. After a while I carefully said that I like both girls and boys. To my surprise both of them were not phased. It wasn’t so easy when it came to my extended family. In fact my cousins and I were discussing it and when it got heated my Aunt told us to just quit talking about it. That is because she believes if you don’t talk about something then it does not exist. Oftentimes I will let things go when it only affects me, but when I was in high school I started to see how many people were isolated while trying to figure out their sexuality or even gender. That lit a fire under me, I could not stand by while people were isolating just to avoid the bullying. I started to connect with fellow students in the LGBTQ community. I arranged for one of our teachers to let us use her classroom to meet together so everyone could feel safe and accepted. I became known as the LGBTQ advocate at my school. I believe I was able to do this because my mom, dad, and grandma were supportive of me. I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. This plan I have is about how I can make an impact in other people’s lives through the use of empathy, mental health, and advocacy. Ten years from now I see myself making a difference in my clients and employees lives by owning and operating a salon that embraces diversity and makes sure everyone can regularly access these services. I have spent the last two years in cosmetology classes through my high school’s vocational programs. I have seen the struggles clients face when they come into the salon and everything is designed for able bodied customers. I feel their dread when it is time to transfer from their walker or wheelchair to the salon chair. I also see just how difficult it is for them to try and stand up from a chair that turns. I know that anxiety keeps people from coming in for self care at the salon. On a personal level I have seen my family struggle from trying to fit into the standard. My father became seriously ill when I was just a toddler and that left him permanently disabled. For years he had to use a wheelchair. I saw just how much effort it takes to transfer in and out of the chair for him. My grandmother has also had to use a power wheelchair for most of my life. Her stability when transferring is problematic for her. Finally, all of my family is over 6 feet tall. That causes problems for hair stylists when they can’t lower them enough in the chair to do the job right. My experiences are not that unusual as many people have these struggles, I just want to do something about it. I am tired of everyone having to fit in a box of “normal” to be considered accepted. I want to continue to create safe spaces for everyone and that includes at the salon.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which food items were assembled and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts who have developed and executed a sustainable project within their communities. I personally worked 70 hours on this project over the course of 4 months. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park, here in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Part of this project was educating recreational hikers and park users in the principles of "Leave No Trace" wilderness usage. A large portion of the education was while I was actively working on the trail and reseeding the area with native seed. This project has left an indelible impression on my own philosophy of land usage and care for our environment. I was an active team member of the Florence Teen Council. The Florence Teen Council was actively involved on a weekly basis with the seniors center, community events including water games for the Fourth of July, as well as creating and running a haunted house for “Scare Fest” on Main Street. We produced fashion shows and auctions that help promote local businesses in town. And through all of our activities we learned things we were good at as well as what other teens working with us were good at. I probably learned more about my community from working with those in it. While serving on the Florence Teen Council I helped plan a lock-in for the local teens. We had to budget for and buy dinner, snacks, drinks, and breakfast. We also planned multiple activities which covered a span of 12 hours. I personally created an escape room activity that challenged the participants to solve several clues in order to “escape.” We monitored the participants through the use of a baby monitor to make sure nothing went wrong. I was so tired at the end of the lock-in, but I knew I contributed to a memorable night for the kids in my small town. As a member of the National Honor Society, I have served the student body of my high school and community at large by organizing and participating in several service activities including blood drive events throughout the year. Not only did I donate blood, but I actively recruited donors from the community, Arizona Department of Corrections officers, and assisted the bloodmobile staff during the event. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

Confidence is when you can share your internal struggles and introspection with others, allowing them to see your vulnerabilities, and feeling stronger for it. I know deep down that I am a complex and bright person, even knowing that, I still don’t see myself that way. I have used my artwork to really explore the sensitive side of me. In the past my artwork was only for me to see, but recently I gathered my strenght to share four pieces at an Art Exhibition. I believe that it has been an advantage for me to not know that I was going to share my work when I created them, I probably would not allowed it to be so personal if I did. Now I can say that I expressed myself in a very raw and authenic way. Sharing my personal artwork is scary, but this has been about trying new mediums and styles. I suppose trying to express myself truly has been an important part of the process that I didn’t see before. The pieces I created and shared are representative of the way I see myself. Now I know the sharing experience has connected me to others. I have always been passionate about my art, but it was very personal. Now I have learned that it is my way of expressing myself and how I can connect with others. I am now working on showing others the parts of me that are more vulnerable and through that I am building confidence.

Most people learn how to relate to and care about others by having siblings. Not me, I learned from having my dogs. I learned so much more though. I have seen the miracle of birth, and suffered the loss when passed. I learned how to read non verbal communication, how to take care of another being, and that they would be there unconditionally when I was having a tough day. My pets have guided me through my life. Since I was a baby I have had dogs. My dad loves to remind me of my first best friend, Twyla. She was my parents Rottweiler and when they had me the dog looked after me like I was hers to protect. From me chewing on her ear, to holding onto her while I learned to walk, and even her cleaning up after my food messes. We were a team. I laugh so much when my parents tell me these stories. Later in life we adopted a Boxer named Panda. I was about 7 and she was about 2. I had to learn to speak with authority, give clear directions, and respect her personal space. She was an anxious dog when we first got her, we will never know why. However, she turned into the most loyal companion you can have. When she sensed danger she would get between me and the danger. This is when I really started to pay attention to the non verbal cues. Today I read non verbal cues all the time to determine someone's intentions which still keeps me safe. Then, two years later, we brought a puppy in and I named her Katniss. I named her after a character in my favorite book, and soon I started calling her Katniss Ever-Pees. I had a large part in feeding her and making sure she went out to the yard to pee often enough. Looking back it wasn’t but a few weeks and we had her crate and potty trained. At the time though, it was a tough job. I learned that she counted on me. I also learned the importance of doing my job, because if I didn’t I had “stinky” consequences. My pets have taught me the circle of life, the good and the bad. Panda eventually passed over the “Rainbow Bridge.” I was only about 11 years old. This was hard because it was the first time I really lost someone in my life. I knew she had been getting slower and playing less. I somehow understood that she was better off, but still had to learn how to process the loss of someone I cared about. Katniss got pregnant the next year. I learned about the “facts of life” and witnessed the miracle of birth. In fact, we had to help her in the birthing process as some of the puppies seemed to be stuck. I distinctly remember my mom explaining that everything was okay, but I was so worried because it took her several hours to give birth to all 7 puppies. While watching over them to make sure they were growing healthy, I knew we could not keep them all. We simply did not have the space for a brood that large. Which was my final lesson so far. I had to learn to say goodbye because I knew that it was better for them to find another home. My pets have been there for me to show me the essence of life. There is no better way to learn than through experience, and experience is what they have given me.

Failing something in school has changed how I look at the world. I failed in my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

My family is working hard to help me go to college. Mom is looking at getting a second job. Dad is trying to find something he can do, although that is limited as he is disabled and we live rural. I am working as much as I can in order to maintain my groceries and basic needs while in school. I am also trying to get enough to pay the $4500 balance for tuition and books for next semester. So if given $1000 right now, I would take that and pay down the amount I owe for next semester. That will take some of the burden off of the entire family. This will give a jumpstart to being able to earn enough money to pay for my second semester of school. I would also say thank you, because of the blessing provided by someone who wants to invest in my success. I have big plans for opening my own salon that serves people who have disabilities. Everyone deserves care that takes into account their needs like how to get into the salon chair when you have difficulty standing or transitioning from seat to seat. So by investing in my future you would be investing in the future of humanity.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items were collected and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts who have developed and executed a sustainable project within their communities. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park, here in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Part of this project was educating recreational hikers and park users in the principles of "Leave No Trace" wilderness usage. This project has left an indelible impression on my own philosophy of land usage and care for our environment. As a member of the National Honor Society, I have served the student body of my high school and community at large by organizing and participating in several blood drive events throughout the year. Not only did I donate blood, but I actively recruited donors from the community, Arizona Department of Corrections officers, and assisted the blood mobile staff during the event. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items were collected and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts who have developed and executed a sustainable project within their communities. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park, here in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Part of this project was educating recreational hikers and park users in the principles of "Leave No Trace" wilderness usage. This project has left an indelible impression on my own philosophy of land usage and care for our environment. As a member of the National Honor Society, I have served the student body of my high school and community at large by organizing and participating in several blood drive events throughout the year. Not only did I donate blood, but I actively recruited donors from the community, Arizona Department of Corrections officers, and assisted the blood mobile staff during the event. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

What do you do to have a positive impact on the climate? I may seem strange but what I do that has the most positive impact on the climate is drink water. I use a filter in my reusable water bottle and almost exclusively drink water. This has a positive impact by eliminating waste, and reduces emissions. I have learned that the production of plastic bottles uses about 3 times as much water to produce as the volume it holds. This is extremely wasteful of drinkable water, a precious resource. We need water to drink, to grow food, and to produce the cooling effect that is caused by lakes and streams. By reusing the same container over and over water is saved and the climate will not be affected by the rising temperatures. Additionally, avoiding one time use of bottles of beverages reduces the amount of vehicles transporting product on the highways. Less vehicles traveling means less emissions in the air. This will help protect our ozone layer which protects everything on Earth from solar radiation and keeps our temperatures down. My actions daily add up. I use my refillable bottle, run my car on eco-mode, and try to keep my driving trips to a minimum. If everyone did one or two things every day to protect our eco-system we could keep our impact on the climate to a minimum.

Nicolaus Copernicus studied math and astronomy. Through his studies he discovered that everything revolves around the Sun, not Earth. His heliocentric system of the universe gave order and reason to the stars and planets seen in the night sky. He laid the foundation for future scientists to begin to understand gravity. His work was not taken seriously at the time by other mathematicians because it did not support their biblical sense of the world. He did not publish his work until the last year of his life which was probably calculated as the Copernican theory became known as heresy. Nonetheless it was published and helped future scientists like Galileo and Newton to build on his work. It took two centuries for his work to become the accepted view of the solar system. That is why it is not only one of my favorite scientific discoveries, but why I named my first vehicle Copernicus. It is a reminder that not everyone will understand the same things you do and I may be long after you're gone before you are truly appreciated, but the work you do is still important and will affect the future.

My favorite piece of art is one I created called Stranger, for when I do take the time to look in, I don’t like what I see. It’s not only about how I view myself physically, but about the walls I’ve put up to avoid introspection. I sewed the mouth shut because I don’t want to talk about how I feel inside. I covered up my body with the handprints to show the anger at myself and my attempts to cover my imperfections. I began this piece with the goal of making a self portrait. I didn’t like it, and I punched a hole in it. I thought about it for a while and decided to finish it. I sewed the hole and painted the rest with handprints to show the frustration I had with this piece and myself. I could then call the piece finished and enjoy it now.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items were collected and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my parents who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever.

I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. When I am feeling creative I try something bold or theatrical. Other times I work on natural beauty looks that I can incorporate into my everyday life. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and that is why I currently attend cosmetology school. I take my creative looks and style and can apply them to others. I intend on opening my own salon that fosters creativity for all people. Next week I will complete my cosmetology courses and test for the State Exam. This fall I am going to Grand Canyon University so I can obtain my business degree. I know that I have to balance creativity with a sound business foundation. This way my creativity can help be a vehicle for others as well.

I'm not very close with my grandfather, but one he said something that struck a chord with me. "It is not how much you make, but how you spend it." At first that did not make sense to me, you have to have money to survive in this world. It was when we started making a budget for our Girl Scout trip that it all clicked. Our troop wanted to attend a Female Stem conference in Las Vegas one weekend. Through careful choices 8 people were able to drive to Vegas, stay 3 days, go to the conference, zipline on Fremont Street, and see “Las Vegas the Show '' while we were there. We did this by choosing to take breakfast foods, snacks and drinks with us in a cooler, use coupon codes at fast food places for lunch, and plan a nice dinner out each night. The total cost of our trip had to be under $1500. I learned that we could have a great time without blowing the bank. The group planned ahead so we knew what to expect. I learned about deposits at hotels and how long it takes for the money to be returned to the account. I learned how to figure out how much fuel it would cost in each of the two vehicles based on miles per gallon. I learned that vacations are fun when you plan them out, because you make your choices ahead of time and spend your time enjoying the moment, not thinking about money. This scholarship would help me with my educational costs. I will be working while in school to cover my basic needs like food and health care. I also have to balance how much I can work while performing academically. Financial peace in life is my goal.

When life takes a dip, I take a dip in the chip dip. The worst part is it might be my weight that has me down, and yet I continue to make a terrible choice and seek comfort or junk food. Mom has bad news from the doctor about her cholesterol, so I ate cake to feel better about it. I know this is all something I can control, what I put in my mouth, but this is how I was raised to deal with things. I am now 6’2” and over 300 pounds. This is not healthy and I have had to actively tell my parents to not offer me food as consolation. Food has been the source of a lot of my health issues. I have an autoimmune illness that affects my Thyroid. That does not help. After research I have found out that what I am eating exacerbates the illness. I have had to learn to not eat any dairy or gluten in order to help my thyroid function. By doing this I have learned that I do have control over how my body feels. When I feel better I can be more active. I have also found that by being more active I deal with my emotions better. Therefore, I do not comfort myself with food as often. I also don’t eat out of boredom or habit, but more when I need fuel. I have supplemented this progress with having regular counselor visits and taking my medications properly. It is a whole systems approach, not just a quick fix. I have also learned to listen to how my body responds to what I eat. I acknowledge that the pain I am in is in direct relation to a poor food choice. My “engine” runs more efficiently when I put in quality fuel, not junk fuel. I also figured out our bodies were made to move. The sedentary lifestyle is too easy to fall into. Sitting at my desk for long periods of time doing work, or playing computer games does not help me feel better. I have a fitness tracker to ensure I am getting enough physical activity everyday, usually at work as I am on my feet and moving several hours a day. I also have an alarm which reminds me to get up and move every 45 minutes. This keeps my muscles and joints turned up and ready to move. I also love to be in the pool. The issue I had is in my small town the pool is only open 2 ½ months a year. Now I have an above ground pool in my backyard where I go almost daily. I get to be active with water resistance and it is low impact when I am having a tough day. I find that I get in additional exercise on a regular basis this way and will be in the pool almost year round. Which is possible because I live in Arizona. I have chosen a college that has multiple pools that I can use year round. I have to have this activity in my life. Slowly I have been dropping weight and I am rapidly feeling better. The more I do the more I want to do. I have found ways to say no to food when I am not hungry, be active to feel better physically, and address my mental health through therapy. I am making a lifestyle change, not partaking in a fad diet or gimmick. This is my life and I am not making any excuses.

Most people learn how to relate to and care about others by having siblings. Not me, I learned from having my dogs. I learned so much more though. I have seen the miracle of birth, and suffered the loss when passed. I learned how to read non verbal communication, how to take care of another being, and that they would be there unconditionally when I was having a tough day. My pets have guided me through my life. Since I was a baby I have had dogs. My dad loves to remind me of my first best friend, Twyla. She was my parents Rottweiler and when they had me the dog looked after me like I was hers to protect. From me chewing on her ear, to holding onto her while I learned to walk, and even her cleaning up after my food messes. We were a team. I laugh so much when my parents tell me these stories. Later in life we adopted a Boxer named Panda. I was about 7 and she was about 2. I had to learn to speak with authority, give clear directions, and respect her personal space. She was an anxious dog when we first got her, we will never know why. However, she turned into the most loyal companion you can have. When she sensed danger she would get between me and the danger. This is when I really started to pay attention to the non verbal cues. Today I read non verbal cues all the time to determine someone's intentions which still keeps me safe. Then, two years later, we brought a puppy in and I named her Katniss. I named her after a character in my favorite book, and soon I started calling her Katniss Ever-Pees. I had a large part in feeding her and making sure she went out to the yard to pee often enough. Looking back it wasn’t but a few weeks and we had her crate and potty trained. At the time though, it was a tough job. I learned that she counted on me. I also learned the importance of doing my job, because if I didn’t I had “stinky” consequences. My pets have taught me the circle of life, the good and the bad. Panda eventually passed over the “Rainbow Bridge.” I was only about 11 years old. This was hard because it was the first time I really lost someone in my life. I knew she had been getting slower and playing less. I somehow understood that she was better off, but still had to learn how to process the loss of someone I cared about. Katniss got pregnant the next year. I learned about the “facts of life” and witnessed the miracle of birth. In fact, we had to help her in the birthing process as some of the puppies seemed to be stuck. I distinctly remember my mom explaining that everything was okay, but I was so worried because it took her several hours to give birth to all 7 puppies. While watching over them to make sure they were growing healthy, I knew we could not keep them all. We simply did not have the space for a brood that large. Which was my final lesson so far. I had to learn to say goodbye because I knew that it was better for them to find another home. My pets have been there for me to show me the essence of life. There is no better way to learn than through experience, and experience is what they have given me.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. I have been working in customer service for a year now, and have moved up to shift manager. That is a good real world experience. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

1. My mom has been in prison for 15 years, granted she works there. The job does not pay much and I want to go to school so I don’t end up in prison too. This would help supplement the student loans I have and help me to afford college. 2. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. 3. I failed my high school basic psychology class. Well, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. This taugh me a few things. first I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school., to speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now.

I have found that my personal passion for art has taught me how to connect with others. My recent exhibition deals with my internal struggles and introspection. I know deep down that I am a complex and bright person, even knowing that, I still don’t see myself that way. This exhibition is meant to show the sensitive side of me and let me really explore that. As I tried to look deep in, it was hard because of the walls I’ve built around myself. I can’t be vulnerable with myself, and truly didn’t think that I would have to share my art with everyone when I began. I thought I could put it up, get my oohs and ahhs and move on. I believe that it has been an advantage for me to not know this, and now I can say that I did express myself the way I should have. Knowing now that I have to share this is scary, but this class has been about trying new mediums and styles. I suppose trying to express myself truly has been an important part of the class that I didn’t see before. Each piece I have chosen to share is representative of the way I see myself. My main piece is Mirror. In this piece I try to see the pieces of myself. During the process of making this I punched a hole in it, and then decided to sew it up and finish it. The handprints are obscuring myself and showing my frustration with the work and my inability to paint the way I want to. I learned that I truly connect with other people when I share my personal art. It opens conversations and gives you a chance to really get to know what is going on with other people. It has inspired me to keep working on and keep sharing my art. In doing this I will change my world and others one conversation at a time.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

My whole life I have been harassed about not eating certain foods. Mostly fruit, some nuts, and celery. I was told I was a picky eater, but I had real reactions to them. My throat itches and I was really uncomfortable, some food like bananas caused severe heartburn. However, not one really thought twice about it and I was not tested until last year. Turns out all the foods I complained about are on my sensitivity panel, and I am so allergic to celery that I should carry an epi-pen. Now at first glance it may not appear that my career choice has been impacted by my food allergies and sensitivities, but it has. You see, understanding that every person is different and has different needs is part of my business model. No two people are exactly alike, so we must have different options available when working with the public. I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. I have a great plan and have the passion. Now I need assistance in paying for business school. This scholarship will help me pay for business school and be able to afford to eat the specific foods that I can eat. It will allow me to not have to compromise my health for my education.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. The students who were cheating still don’t like me, and wouldn’t have liked me anymore if they knew that I chose not to say anything. I also can’t say if telling my teacher would have changed anything. Sometimes people don’t believe you. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I’ve gotten a C before then, but the class was advanced, so I thought it evened out. Truthfully, if I would have flunked that class, I would still be on my way to college now. My gpa is still high, and in ten years, it won’t matter that I got a C in high school, It won’t matter if I got an A either. I’m still going to do my best in the future, but I can try my best knowing that sometimes things still don’t work out. I would much rather have that realization in high school, where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do bad in a class. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

I have found that my personal passion for art has taught me how to connect with others. recently I had an exhibition that deals with my internal struggles and introspection. I know deep down that I am a complex and bright person, even knowing that, I still don’t see myself that way. This exhibition is meant to show the sensitive side of me and let me really explore that. As I tried to look deep in, it was hard because of the walls I’ve built around myself. I can’t be vulnerable with myself, and truly didn’t think that I would have to share my art with everyone when I began. I thought I could put it up, get my oohs and ahhs and move on. I believe that it has been an advantage for me to not know this, and now I can say that I did express myself the way I should have. Knowing now that I have to share this is scary, but this class has been about trying new mediums and styles. I suppose trying to express myself truly has been an important part of the class that I didn’t see before. Each piece I have chosen to share is representative of the way I see myself. My first piece is Stranger, it is a linoleum stamp inspired by art by Andy Warhol's Marilyn Diptych. That’s how I chose the different colors and repeated style. The art on the piece itself is representative of me being an unfinished and undefined person. The details behind me are clear because I see what’s around me and pay attention. The next piece is Mirror. It's a continuation of the last piece, where I do bring myself to the forefront and try to see the pieces of myself. During the process of making this I punched a hole in it, and then decided to sew it up and finish it. The handprints are obscuring myself and showing my frustration with the work and my inability to paint the way I want to. The sculpture I made is about the spiraling that self reflection can cause. The piece is aptly named Spiraling. I made it to spin and freely move, this is a piece that is meant to be touched. It shows little wire people spinning, moving, and even tangling. When you spiral, it’s pointless and gets you nowhere. The last piece is another linoleum stamp that I made showing the different pills that I take in a day, it’s called Pills. I take Lexapro, Levothyroxine, and two Meformins every day. These pills are a part of my day, but I do forget, and it can cause the feelings seen in my previous works. I think these four pieces were the best pieces I could have chosen to show. I think they all complement each other and connect to each other. The way that my feelings and the things around me do. This exhibit is true self reflection.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. This plan I have is about fashion, mental health, and advocacy. Ten years from now I see myself making a difference in my clients and employees lives by owning and operating a salon that embraces diversity. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community.

I live in Florence, Arizona, it’s a pretty small town . Our main street used to be lively with shops, events, and people able to enjoy the town. Main street has been severely neglected. The bureaucracy of a small town has prevented new small businesses from being able to move in and give the town some life. I would like to see Florence stay relatively small, but reopen opportunities for new people to see what the town could be if they let it grow to what it once was. It would also benefit the youth in our town to have a place to be after school, and not just the places where they smoke. Our town is safe and shows no signs of becoming dangerous. We could find part time jobs in town, which would be within walking distance for younger students. Florence would be a great place for teens if there was a place for us. Now we really only have a small market, a Circle K, a hardware store, and a small thrift store. Opening new stores creates an opportunity for us to go somewhere. For any of this to happen we have to let new people in, there are enough people in the town who would like to open a business. A lot of these people can’t because of the extra hoops they are given to jump through. We also have to make people aware that there are places for us to go, and try to find businesses who are open late enough in the day for us to actually see the town when all of the businesses we do have are open. And once main street fills up, we still have a lot of space to grow within the streets we already have.

While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As we age simple tasks get harder and harder to do, and unfortunaltey self care starts to decline. So far the community has not adjusted much in they way they run salons to accomodate the elderly. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

I show people feel loved by actively reaching out and connecting fellow students to a community that they feel safe in. There were several students at my high school who needed to find their circle. At first I created a Dungeons and Dragons club that allowed a group of students to come together at lunch and meet in a classroom for an "activity" rather than sitting somewhere solo on campus and eating alone. Together we set up a club and ran a book donation drive to take the books to a used book store to sell for credit. With that credit we bought the books we needed for Dungeons and Dragons. We learned about each other and became a group of people that turned out to have similar reasons as to why we all were seeking "our" people. Unfortunately through the Covid Pandemic we had a break from in person school, but that didn't stop us from connecting. Soon we organized playing a virtual game called "Amoung Us" Once again finding our safe space and connection with others. When in person school resumed the teach who was our sponsor was no longer at the school and we no longer had a place to meet. However, we have developed a group of students who have common interests and eat together, in the cafeteria.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. This plan I have is about fashion, retail, mental health, and advocacy. Ten years from now I see myself making a difference in my clients and employees lives by owning and operating a salon that embraces diversity. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Part of running a salon is the retail side of things. In order to help my clients the best I need to use the right products for my clients and have them available to buy. Retail is just as important in a successful salon as the services the clients get. Keeping things easily accessible to my customers can help them use the products. Carrying the products in my business shows them I believe in them enough to invest my money in inventory. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout and a National Honor Society Member, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" ,planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event, and by organizing and participating in several blood drive events throughout the year. I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park. This project has left an indelible impression on my own philosophy of land usage and care for our environment. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my parents who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to use standard salon chairs. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in.

The most difficult thing to do is speak your mind when it clashes with people you care about. Speaking my mind helped me to break up with my best friend of 10 years, but free myself from the toxic friendship. Today I am a stronger woman for it. As Freshman we were both on the Town’s Teen Council and were representing the Town at a symposium. Our Council’s leader asked me to lead a session, and my friend used all of her mental games on me to try to let me give in to her wish to lead. For years I have always been the one to give in, let her call me things names that were mean so she could have a laugh with our peers. This was the last straw. I did not give in. I led the activity, I was great at it. She quit talking to me and it was a long ride home. In the past I would always apologize for things that were not my fault to mend our relationship. Not this time. This time I waited for her, and she never came to apologize. It is several years later now and I have a great group of friends, not including her. We support each other and I have learned to speak up about things I want and work with others so they can get what they want too. I learned a lot from speaking my mind, and sticking to it that day. I have more confidence than ever before.

Confidence is when you can share your internal struggles and introspection with others, allowing them to see your vulnerabilities, and feeling stronger for it. I know deep down that I am a complex and bright person, even knowing that, I still don’t see myself that way. I have used my artwork to really explore the sensitive side of me. In the past my artwork was only for me to see, but recently I shared four pieces at an Art Exhibition. I believe that it was an advantage for me to not know that I was going to share my work, and now I can say that I did express myself the way I should have. Sharing my personal artwork is scary, but this has been about trying new mediums and styles. I suppose trying to express myself truly has been an important part of the process that I didn’t see before. The pieces I have created and shared are representative of the way I see myself. Now I know the sharing experience has connected me to others. I have always been passionate about my art, but it was very personal. Now I have learned that it is my way of expressing myself and how I can connect with others. I am now working on showing others the parts of me that are more vulnerable and through that I am building confidence.

I admire Juliette Gordon Low is one of the best examples of a feminist I can think of. She has inspired me and many generations of girls for over 100 years. I know most people think of an abrasive person when they hear a woman is a feminist, but that is not what I believe. I believe it is the ability to become an autonomous person who does not let the problems of their spouse dominate their life. Juliette learned skills that were typically reserved for men and used them to help people through her service to others. She learned things like hunting, metalwork, and riding horses bareback. She did not accept the fact that other youth groups did not like to promote hobbies and skills that were considered inappropriate to their gender. So in 1912 she personally founded, financed, and promoted Girl Guides, now known as Girl Scouts. One of the most impressive things she did was sell her rare pearl necklace and matching earrings to help fund the movement. Juliette said, “ Jewels are not important but my Girl Scouts are. They need the money more than I need pearls.” She not only believed in service to others, but she put her money where her mouth was. Juliette started the idea of women and girls supporting women and girls. Recently I read an article about a high school robotics team at Farmington High School building a robotic wheelchair for a child with cerebral palsy. Their family could not afford one, their insurance did not cover the cost, so the team took on the challenge. What makes this so touching is usually robotics teams build things to compete in competitions for glory. Instead this team built something that will truly make an impact on another person’s life. People like Juliette and this team give me hope for the future. What this woman did has caused a butterfly effect on millions of girls and the adult volunteers that lead them. The team made life changing equipment on this one student rather than just completing a task. Knowing this gives me hope that my work, and the work of my peers today will make a lasting impression for the future.

Empathy is my natural skill set. How I use this skill of empathy in two very specific ways and both of which help me to connect with others creating a lasting impact for them. I use drawing and teaching because I can do something positive with my empathetic nature, rather than wallowing in it. I feel what other people around me are going through. If they are happy, I am. If they are worried, I am. If they are mad, well, I am too. It could be a handicap because I could get drawn into other people's chaos. However, I actively look for ways to use that talent of understanding and feeling other people's emotions to cause a positive impact for them and for me. Since I was young I have enjoyed drawing and other creative tasks. Now I draw both with pen and paper and digitally I can describe feelings, situations, and create a story. That allows me to connect with someone when words are not working. Through drawings I can say more without saying a word at all. I draw daily, often it helps me settle my own thoughts and ideas as well. Teaching others comes naturally to me as well. I have learned many skills about home maintenance and car care from my parents over the years. I have now taught my friends how to change a tire and a battery. I have shown a coworker how to unclogged drain pipes at work who was worried they were going to be in trouble for causing the clog. My empathy lets me see the root causes of other people's plights. How I use it draws from my other talents and skills that I have cultivated over the years.

It might be terrible to say but I have watched people around me give up and quit doing things that they love because something bad has happened. They refuse to put the work in to get past the obstacles in their way. In a way I am grateful because I have seen great examples of what not to do, and in a way it is sad to see someone give up. So I have taken the initiative to help others get past their hurdles. As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items were collected and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. I have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award which is an award for Girl Scouts. The project which I tackled was the rehabilitation and cleanup of natural areas where people had left established trails and caused damage to the fragile desert ecosystem within San Tan Regional Park, here in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Part of this project was educating recreational hikers and park users in the principles of "Leave No Trace" wilderness usage. This project has left an indelible impression on my own philosophy of land usage and care for our environment. As a member of the National Honor Society, I have served the student body of my high school and community at large by organizing and participating in several blood drive events throughout the year. Not only did I donate blood, but I actively recruited donors from the community, Arizona Department of Corrections officers, and assisted the bloodmobile staff during the event. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. My eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chair would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

I have found that my personal passion for art has taught me how to connect with others. My exhibition deals with my internal struggles and introspection. I know deep down that I am a complex and bright person, even knowing that, I still don’t see myself that way. This exhibition is meant to show the sensitive side of me and let me really explore that. As I tried to look deep in, it was hard because of the walls I’ve built around myself. I can’t be vulnerable with myself, and truly didn’t think that I would have to share my art with everyone when I began. I thought I could put it up, get my oohs and ahhs and move on. I believe that it has been an advantage for me to not know this, and now I can say that I did express myself the way I should have. Knowing now that I have to share this is scary, but this class has been about trying new mediums and styles. I suppose trying to express myself truly has been an important part of the class that I didn’t see before. Each piece I have chosen to share is representative of the way I see myself. My first piece is Stranger, it is a linoleum stamp inspired by art by Andy Warhol's Marilyn Diptych. That’s how I chose the different colors and repeated style. The art on the piece itself is representative of me being an unfinished and undefined person. The details behind me are clear because I see what’s around me and pay attention. The next piece is Mirror. It's a continuation of the last piece, where I do bring myself to the forefront and try to see the pieces of myself. During the process of making this I punched a hole in it, and then decided to sew it up and finish it. The handprints are obscuring myself and showing my frustration with the work and my inability to paint the way I want to. The sculpture I made is about the spiraling that self reflection can cause. The piece is aptly named Spiraling. I made it to spin and freely move, this is a piece that is meant to be touched. It shows little wire people spinning, moving, and even tangling. When you spiral, it’s pointless and gets you nowhere. The last piece is another linoleum stamp that I made showing the different pills that I take in a day, it’s called Pills. I take Lexapro, Levothyroxine, and two Meformins every day. These pills are a part of my day, but I do forget, and it can cause the feelings seen in my previous works. I think these four pieces were the best pieces I could have chosen to show. I think they all complement each other and connect to each other. The way that my feelings and the things around me do. This exhibit is true self reflection.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. I have been working in customer service for a year now, and have moved up to shift manager. That is a good real world experience. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

Most people learn how to relate to and care about others by having siblings. Not me, I learned from having my dogs. I learned so much more though. I have seen the miracle of birth, and suffered the loss when passed. I learned how to read non verbal communication, how to take care of another being, and that they would be there unconditionally when I was having a tough day. My pets have guided me through my life. Since I was a baby I have had dogs. My dad loves to remind me of my first best friend, Twyla. She was my parents Rottweiler and when they had me the dog looked after me like I was hers to protect. From me chewing on her ear, to holding onto her while I learned to walk, and even her cleaning up after my food messes. We were a team. I laugh so much when my parents tell me these stories. Later in life we adopted a Boxer named Panda. I was about 7 and she was about 2. I had to learn to speak with authority, give clear directions, and respect her personal space. She was an anxious dog when we first got her, we will never know why. However, she turned into the most loyal companion you can have. When she sensed danger she would get between me and the danger. This is when I really started to pay attention to the non verbal cues. Today I read non verbal cues all the time to determine someone's intentions which still keeps me safe. Then, two years later, we brought a puppy in and I named her Katniss. I named her after a character in my favorite book, and soon I started calling her Katniss Ever-Pees. I had a large part in feeding her and making sure she went out to the yard to pee often enough. Looking back it wasn’t but a few weeks and we had her crate and potty trained. At the time though, it was a tough job. I learned that she counted on me. I also learned the importance of doing my job, because if I didn’t I had “stinky” consequences. My pets have taught me the circle of life, the good and the bad. Panda eventually passed over the “Rainbow Bridge.” I was only about 11 years old. This was hard because it was the first time I really lost someone in my life. I knew she had been getting slower and playing less. I somehow understood that she was better off, but still had to learn how to process the loss of someone I cared about. Katniss got pregnant the next year. I learned about the “facts of life” and witnessed the miracle of birth. In fact, we had to help her in the birthing process as some of the puppies seemed to be stuck. I distinctly remember my mom explaining that everything was okay, but I was so worried because it took her several hours to give birth to all 7 puppies. While watching over them to make sure they were growing healthy, I knew we could not keep them all. We simply did not have the space for a brood that large. Which was my final lesson so far. I had to learn to say goodbye because I knew that it was better for them to find another home. My pets have been there for me to show me the essence of life. There is no better way to learn than through experience, and experience is what they have given me.

Most people learn how to relate to and care about others by having siblings. Not me, I learned from having my dogs. I learned so much more though. I have seen the miracle of birth, and suffered the loss when passed. I learned how to read non verbal communication, how to take care of another being, and that they would be there unconditionally when I was having a tough day. My pets have guided me through my life. Since I was a baby I have had dogs. My dad loves to remind me of my first best friend, Twyla. She was my parents Rottweiler and when they had me the dog looked after me like I was hers to protect. From me chewing on her ear, to holding onto her while I learned to walk, and even her cleaning up after my food messes. We were a team. I laugh so much when my parents tell me these stories. Later in life we adopted a Boxer named Panda. I was about 7 and she was about 2. I had to learn to speak with authority, give clear directions, and respect her personal space. She was an anxious dog when we first got her, we will never know why. However, she turned into the most loyal companion you can have. When she sensed danger she would get between me and the danger. This is when I really started to pay attention to the non verbal cues. Today I read non verbal cues all the time to determine someone's intentions which still keeps me safe. Then, two years later, we brought a puppy in and I named her Katniss. I named her after a character in my favorite book, and soon I started calling her Katniss Ever-Pees. I had a large part in feeding her and making sure she went out to the yard to pee often enough. Looking back it wasn’t but a few weeks and we had her crate and potty trained. At the time though, it was a tough job. I learned that she counted on me. I also learned the importance of doing my job, because if I didn’t I had “stinky” consequences. My pets have taught me the circle of life, the good and the bad. Panda eventually passed over the “Rainbow Bridge.” I was only about 11 years old. This was hard because it was the first time I really lost someone in my life. I knew she had been getting slower and playing less. I somehow understood that she was better off, but still had to learn how to process the loss of someone I cared about. Katniss got pregnant the next year. I learned about the “facts of life” and witnessed the miracle of birth. In fact, we had to help her in the birthing process as some of the puppies seemed to be stuck. I distinctly remember my mom explaining that everything was okay, but I was so worried because it took her several hours to give birth to all 7 puppies. While watching over them to make sure they were growing healthy, I knew we could not keep them all. We simply did not have the space for a brood that large. Which was my final lesson so far. I had to learn to say goodbye because I knew that it was better for them to find another home. My pets have been there for me to show me the essence of life. There is no better way to learn than through experience, and experience is what they have given me.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. I will lead the way for inclusivness in the industry. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. I have been working in customer service for a year now, and have moved up to shift manager. That is a good real world experience. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Many people overlook the importance of skin and hair when they think of fashion. However, good clothes only take you so far. You have to feel like you are properly groomed and taken care of in order to be considered fashionable. In Arizona skin care is a fashion statement. Gone are the days of tan leathery skin being in style. Keeping your skin supple and glowing is fashion and makes a statement that you care about yourself. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. I know it is easy to get in funk, but I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. Cosmetology is a way to express yourself. A creative person might try something bold and feel great, where someone else feels safe with a good quality style. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, and it is a treat to go to the salon. You feel good when you leave. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. I have been working in customer service for a year now, and have moved up to shift manager. That is a good real world experience. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

Mental health is not only something I have struggled with but my friends have too. Personally I experience anxiety which can be crippling at times and most people don't realize it because I'm usually a very bold person. My boldness hides my anxiety usually but it's also the downfall because people don't understand that this is actually a problem for me. When I was 12 I noticed one of had been cutting her wrists. She was very upset when I noticed and even threatened me to not tell her mother. However I did because I loved her and I loved her family and I knew if I didn't speak up things could be very bad. Fortunately she did not take her life. In the last several years I've had two friends attempt to commit suicide by overdose one of them twice. My best friend has struggled with this body dysmorphia and his cut himself multiple times before he finally got some mental health help. The common thing I find with my friends that have struggled with mental health issues is they don't have a good support network at home. So when they're struggling with issues they don't have somebody to turn to. I have actively worked to understand them and be there for them when they just need somebody to listen. I have learned that most people struggle on a day-to-day basis. Some are more aware of it than others, and sometimes it leads to drastic situations. Our basic function is human beings is to connect with one another that's what a relationship is. It's not about what somebody can give you but it's about what you can give them. If you can give them an ear, your time, and empathy you can change their life. The other thing I've learned is you would never know that some people are struggling. Some will silently suffered knowing you're suffering. Some will suffer unaware that they're actually dealing with them to health issues. Being open about my own experiences has helped others figure out not only they may have mental health issues but that it's normal. Mental health is important and it's just as important as your physical health if not more important. Our mind can affect us physically and a physical body can affect our mind. When we are struggling with internal thoughts and feelings it is hard to take care of our body. To the point some people actually harm their body because of mental health issues. It is important to have conversations about mental health and internal struggles. This will not only normalize the topic but it will also make it easier for people to reach out for help when they need it. Make resources readily available and not shameful to use. Personally I would like to see mental health providers become more available for teenage students. I live in a rural area and when I needed to go speak to somebody my two choices were telehealth or drive an hour one way. In fact I didn't qualify for the group sessions because I had private insurance and not public assistance. I would love to see mental health providers for the youth be available for after school groups. Most adults do not understand that my peers are struggling, and it's not just the kids who are in public access healthcare.

I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. I have participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children," I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day," I helped me organize blood drives at my my high school. Through these experiences I found one of the skills I have is helping others. I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people with disabilities and those who are aging. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. I have been working in customer service for a year now, and have moved up to shift manager. That is a good real world experience. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know that whatever I choose to do in life, I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. What I should have done was say something, instead I only told him that I was struggling. This teacher believed a C was okay and that I was doing okay. I chose not to speak up about the students cheating because I wanted to be liked and I didn’t want to be a snitch. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now.

I show people feel loved by actively reaching out and connected fellow students to a community that they feel safe in. There were several students at my high school who needed to find their friend circle. At first I created a Dungeons and Dragons club that allowed a group of students to come together at lunch and meet in a classroom for an "activity" rather than sitting somewhere solo on campus and eating alone. Together we set up a club and ran a book donation drive to take the books to a used book store to sell for credit. With that credit we bought the books we needed for Dungeons and Dragons. We learned about each other and became a group of people that turned out to have similar reasons as to why we all were seeking "our" people. Unfortunately through the Covid Pandemic we had a break from in person school, but that didn't stop us from connecting. Soon we organized playing a virtual game called "Amoung Us" Once again finding our safe space and connection with others. When in person school resumed the teach who was our sponsor was no longer at the school and we no longer had a place to meet. However, we have developed a group of students who have common interests and eat together, in the cafeteria.

I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my teen years. It is easy get stuck in the doldrums of our day to day life. Go to school, go to work, pay the bills, feed the dogs and then forget you need some attention too. Taking time to care for your physical self can help improve your mental self. It is like a physical manifestation of your self worth. You can project how you want to be percieved through your physical appearance. I have found that just the act of trying a new hairstyle, or makeup trick at home, with nowhere to go, can change my perspective. When I am feeling creative I might try something bold to feel great. And when I am feeling a bit more sheek I might try to complete a look that is more streamlined and professional. Taking care of yourself is a basic need, but adding a little spice or change to your routine can be a real treat.

As a lifelong and current Girl Scout, I was taught the value of service to my community at a very young age. In the last thirteen years I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items were collected and distributed to starving children in immediate need, with the goal of seeing that they were fed for a year. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. My favorite way to help other is using what I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever.

I have been told my empathy can be my downfall, but I think it is quite the opposite. I honestly can feel what others are feeling, when they are sad I am sad, when they are happy I am happy. Recently I have watched no one really encourage my friends to make decisions beyond high school. I have plans and I can feel their jealousy of my ability to make these plans when we talk. I have started to encourage them to make plans, even when their families don’t. I have encouraged two friends to get their driver's license. Even if they do not drive regularly this skill and ability to drive is like having new found freedom. They were scared of asking and their parents were not offering. So I found out that they were scared of being criticized and ound an adult who is patient with them to teach them. Another thing I have done to encourage them is to show them opportunities that are with in their reach and something they are interested in. My friend has watched me go through cosmetology school while in high school. I have asked her to come in and be a hair model so she can see what we do and make it less intimidating for her. I have also invited her to the information nights. I have encouraged her by taking away the fear of the unknown. I use my trait of being empathetic in a positive way. I know they want more, just are too afraid to ask or take the first step. I take those steps with them.

It might be terrible to say but I have watched people around me give up and quit doing things that they love because something bad has happened. They refuse to put the work in to get past the obstacles in their way. In a way I am grateful because I have seen great examples of what not to do, and in a way it is sad to see someone give up. My mother would say to me you can lay around and not feel well or you can get up and get moving to see if you can shake the rust off. I now know she says that because she has seen the same people lay around too. I watch her constantly set goals and work towards them. She has been able to move past the things that physically hurt her and build strength by trying. I see how she does this and how she is different from the people around us who just accept defeat. I will not be defeated. I will not let my chronic illness stop me. I will be better.

It is easy to live my life and not stop to think about the things I am so fortunate to have. My did did not work due to his disability and health conditions, and I thought the lack of income meant we had less than others. As I grew I realized I had more than other kids. I had more time with my Dad, he got to raise me and not a daycare person. I had more time with my mom, because she was creative in how we spent our time together. I had more opportunities to know my family and learn life skills and how to do things for ourselves. As a family we built our own deck, fixed our own cars and home, canned our own food, and looked up the “how to guide” on almost everything. I am very grateful for these experiences. I use my skills to not only help people, but to teach them how to do things too. I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever.

Thinking about leaving a legacy almost sounds like I am thinking of my eulogy. However, thinking about how I want to be remembered helps keep me task and goal oriented. I want to be remembered while I am alive for my impact on others. My mom would say, “Remember it is not your intentions, but your impact that matters.” I want to be remembered for the person who really listens to you and what affects you. I want to be remembered not only for someone who listens for gossip, but for how the things I do impact others. One of the things I have learned while in vocational training is that it is very difficult for some people to go to the salon because they have different physical needs and or they react to things differently. Once I have completed business school I plan on opening my own salon. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. I aim for my legacy to be my use of my creativity, empathy, and love for people.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

In a world where we have so many possessions, I learned that having opportunity was more valuable than “things.” When I was young my mother would give me an allotted amount of money to go do something with my friends. When I came home I had money left over and was going to give it back. She did not take it back, but told me that that money was for me to use and since I was responsible with it and saved some, that it was mine to keep. That lesson stuck with me. I learned that I did not need to spend all the money I had, just because I could. I learned to get things if I needed them or really thought they were worth having. I became judicious with my spending because I knew if I didn’t spend it, the money was there for me later if something came up that was not planned for.

I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. These skills have allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. It is an axiom that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

I am pursuing my dream of opening a hair salon that serves people are aging and those with disabilities. I intend on doing this by getting my cosmetologist license, earning my bachelors degree in business, and working with innovators to create salon equipment that works for a wider variety of needs. Most salons do not cater to our aging and disabled population. It is hard for them to get in the chairs, so they don't go. I want to have my salon with equipment that allows the arm rest to come off for easier access, hand holds, and better sinks for washing hair. It is important that these services not come at a higher cost. Good grooming is a basic need that can transform someone's personal outlook on life. My guiding principle when designing my salon will be accessibility. Not only in my salon, but I plan on creating innovative new equipment that other salons can use too. It is important that other salons know how hard it is for someone in a wheelchair to get into the salon chair, but a salon chair with a removable arm can let them slide right in. There are so many things that the aging and disable population need, but many salons do not consider. They are missing out on an opportunity to connect with people in their community. All in all I want to run my salon and business to feed my creativity, empathy, and love for people. However I know that I must learn the principles of running a successful business. That includes customer service, managing people, and finances. A Bachelor's degree coupled with my Cosmetology license will give me a foundation for success.

“You don’t know what you don’t know” These words are so true to the teenage experience. We think we know things, but it never fails that we learn through mistakes. I try to remember this as I am a shift manager at work, and have to lead a team. For many fast food jobs are the first jobs we get. When we start we try so hard to do things right, but we can not anticipate the things that might happen the way we can after we have been there a while. So when I lead my team I try to remember to give my thought process to my staff when time allows. I want to teach them to think like a problem solver and solve problems before they are a problem. I want to remember as I age these feelings of what it is like to “not know what I don’t know.” I want to remember that we learn through experience and that grace is given when you can remember what that feels like.

I think the most important thing that I failed was my high school basic psychology class, while I didn’t actually fail the course, I failed to get the grade that I wanted. School has always come to me naturally, and as long as I do the work and turn it in, I will get an A. My teacher taught us at a level that I wasn’t ready for, and I didn’t understand how to study. In this class I passed with a C. I made the flashcards, studied, and did my homework and was average. The class was an elective so I was a sophomore mixed with juniors, seniors, and in a group of kids who performed differently academically. What the teacher saw was that the students who were failing were not turning in their work, or not trying to do a good job on it, and three students who all had As. He didn’t see that I was trying hard and the students around me were cheating. I learned a few things from that class. The first thing that I learned is that I can’t be naturally good at everything I try in school, and I had to learn it again the next year in chemistry. I learned that speaking up even if it would make me a “snitch” might’ve made the teacher assess the level of difficulty in his class. Now I realize that the C I got doesn’t truly affect me now. I plan on owning my own salon one day, and I know that I will try my hardest and things still may not work. Instead of whining, I’m going to have to pick up and start over when trying my best isn’t good enough. I know I will be successful, just maybe not right away.

I admire Juliette Gordon Low is one of the best examples of a feminist I can think of. She has inspired me and many generations of girls for over 100 years. I know most people think of an abrasive person when they hear a woman is a feminist, but that is not what I believe. I believe it is the ability to become an autonomous person who does not let the problems of their spouse dominate their life. Juliette learned skills that were typically reserved for men and used them to help people through her service to others. She learned things like hunting, metalwork, and riding horses bareback. She did not accept the fact that other youth groups did not like to promote hobbies and skills that were considered inappropriate to their gender. So in 1912 she personally founded, financed, and promoted Girl Guides, now known as Girl Scouts. One of the most impressive things she did was sell her rare pearl necklace and matching earrings to help fund the movement. Juliette said, “ Jewels are not important but my Girl Scouts are. They need the money more than I need pearls.” She not only believed in service to others, but she put her money where her mouth was. Juliette started the idea of women and girls supporting women and girls

I value service to my community. I have organized and participated in many community service projects including "Feed My Starving Children" in which donations of food items packaged and distributed to starving children in immediate need. Further, I planned and executed a "World Thinking Day" event where Girl Scouts from many areas gathered to celebrate the similarities and diversity of many cultures and to find opportunities in which we could make a difference in the lives of one another and gain an understanding of how our service goals could intersect. On a more personal level, I have learned and passed on many life skills from my mother and my father who always believed it was crucial that I learned self sufficiency in basic building, repair, and automotive maintenance. This has allowed me to assist friends from school when batteries had died, or tires had become flat. I was able to teach them how to perform these repairs as well. By passing on this knowledge to friends who would otherwise have no one to teach them, I have given them skills that will be with them forever. While I plan to major in business, I have been working toward earning my certificate in cosmetology while still in high school. In this way, I can earn a living while pursuing my eventual goal of opening my own salon. My plan is for an inclusive setting where people with disabilities who would normally not be able to get to, or fit into a standard salon chairs would have access to the self care that fully able bodied people can. As a part of my cosmetology training, I make myself available to help the disabled people who come on our clinical days to feel better, and to have a sense of normalcy and acceptance.