One day in 5th grade I woke up feeling unwell. My stomach was twisting and turning, but I powered through and my dad drove me to school. As I was about to be dropped off, I told my dad my stomach hurt and asked him if I could take a sick day. My dad, thinking I was lying, said "No, get out of the car and go to school." I groaned and got out of the car to go to my first class, chorus. Chorus class was with Mr. Morrison, a very stern and strict teacher. We sang most of the class and the pit in my stomach did not go away. Soon, the pit in my stomach traveled up to my mouth and I raised my hand to go to the bathroom in alarm. I worried that I would get in trouble if I didn't ask permission. Mr. Morrison saw my hand and looked away, continuing to talk. The pain and traveling of the fluid to my mouth increased until I could not hold it in anymore. I puked. All over my sleeve. "Why did you not go to the nurse?" Mr. Morrison asked right away. I stared at him. Shortly after, I went to the nurse feeling unwell and was sent home. I tried to block that memory of chorus class in 5th grade. Seven years later, I was at my friend's house talking with her little sisters who went to the elementary school I went to. I asked them about teachers I use to have and what they thought about them. Then, a teacher I preferred to forget, I mentioned to the sisters. Mr. Morrison. I asked them what they thought of him. "Eh, he's okay." I mustered up my courage and told them the story of the morning in 5th grade in chorus class. I told them the story of how I raised my hand to ask to go to the nurse since I felt sick, and he ignored me, causing me to throw up on my sleeve. The sister's faces lit up and they asked, "you're the kid he talks about every year? He tells us the story of a kid throwing up and to always go to the nurse without permission if you feel like you're going to throw up." My mouth opened in shock. My friend, her mom, the sisters, and I all burst out in laughter. I was a legacy in my old elementary school and I hadn't even known it. My story to this day is told every year to the new elementary school kids. My story that I tried to block out all these years. Now, I look back at the story and laugh. I feel special to be a lesson of not raising your hand when you're about to throw up. To this day, my dad lets me stay home from school whenever I feel unwell. Especially if I have a stomach ache.

Connections are what make me happy. My connection with my family. Spending every holiday together and going on our annual beach trip every summer. My dad bringing me Dunkin when I have had a rough morning. Watching my little brother play basketball and cheering him on. Moving my older brother into college. My connection with my friends. Going on adventures with them such as beach trips and Hershey Park. Experiencing life together and growing up together. My friends are there for me whenever I need them whether it be because I'm sad or happy. My friends taught me what real love is and how to enjoy life again. My connection with California. My dream to move to California is what keeps me motivated and happy. I've been to California twice in my life and each time I feel bliss. The beaches, the weather, the diversity, the culture, the mountains, and the adventures. The thought of living in California makes me happy. My connection with helping others and achieving my goals. The thought of becoming an occupational therapist makes me happy. I want to help others achieve their own goals and improve the world by becoming an occupational therapist. Knowing that my future job's role is to improve other people's mental and physical well-being makes me happy to work hard and become an occupational therapist. My connection with hope. Having hope for the future keeps me moving forward and excited for the experiences I have yet to experience.

My favorite book is "The Weight of the Stars" by K. Ancrum. The story revolves around the main character, Ryann Bird who has dreams of traveling across the stars. She feels her dream is unattainable since she "lives on the wrong side of town". Her parents died in a crash and she is raising her little brother along with a baby. Through her hardships, she stays strong for herself and her brother. Even with her own hardships, Ryann is a caring and empathetic person who looks out for her friends more than for herself. She is never once selfish. Then, one day, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happens. Ryann's friend, Alexandria, is given the opportunity to fly across space. Alexandria knowing Ryann's dreams gives the chance to Ryann who is doubtful about what to do. Eventually, Ryann decides to follow her dreams and travel across space. Throughout the ending, Ryann and Alexandria became very close and romantically involved. "The Weight of the Stars" is my favorite book since throughout the book, all the characters grow and evolve in their own ways. Ryann Bird at the beginning had dreams of going to space and by the end actually accomplished her dream. This showed me anything is possible and to always believe in myself. I love the dynamic of Ryann Bird and her friends. They always support each other in their struggles and make memories along the way. Ryann and Alexandria's relationship is also one of my favorite aspects of the book since I am female and bisexual. Reading "The Weight of the Stars" motivated me to enjoy books again and start my habit of reading again.

My goals for the future are to go to a college with an accelerated occupational therapy program and obtain my doctorate to become an occupational therapist. Being able to be in an accelerated occupational therapy program attracts me as I want to be able to start taking occupational therapy classes and be exposed to the field as soon as I begin my undergraduate classes. I was initially exposed to the occupational therapy field by my grandparents receiving help from occupational therapists. An occupational therapist came into my grandma’s house and helped her complete daily tasks. The personal connection the occupational therapist made with my grandma while helping her physically accomplish her goals inspired me to one day do the same for others. I began researching the career and found it to be my perfect fit. Since then, I have signed up for multiple shadowing opportunities involving occupational therapy to experience the field firsthand. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher helping students achieve their goals. Growing up and discovering the field of occupational therapy made me realize another more personal way of impacting others’ lives positively. Occupational therapy is a career that requires a person to have sensitivity, understanding, and compassion. I value all these characteristics immensely. My goal in life is to help contribute to the improvement of others and the world through becoming an occupational therapist.