Children are misunderstood, misrepresented, and ridiculed far too often in everyday life. My childhood highlights this far too common injustice: teachers not believing me, teachers ignoring the teasing I had to endure due to my speech impediment and awkward stature, and others using me as a point to their joke. I see it again in my little brother - my 9 year old brother who is mentally underdeveloped. His excited rambles becoming a joke to others, his inability to read only seen as an inconvenience, and his words always ignored. Witnessing and experiencing this continuous injustice ultimately led to my decision in becoming an elementary grade teacher. Providing a setting for students to be different, a place that encourages their interests and individuality. A classroom that fosters confidence and compassion, but also stresses the importance of education. An education allowing students to be the best version of themselves possible - one that will challenge themselves to grow. Growth is the most important factor of education; furthermore, I will not hold my students to the same standards as everybody else. Instead, I will focus on the specific needs of each student. Deciding which learning strategy is best, which content is harder to understand, and which setting encourages learning and self-assurance. I will also implement activities that promote growth and individuality - plans involving: recognizing different skill sets, comparative qualities of earlier work, enlisting confidence, and opportunities for teamwork and discussion. As a future teacher, I make a commitment to continuously uplift my students. Encouraging their creativity, their differences, authenticity, interests, and taking every opportunity I can to demonstrate how highly I value their words and thoughts. I will equip them not only with general knowledge needed to succeed, but also with emotional knowledge so they are properly equipped to understand their emotions and are able to succeed in all aspects of life. Students with a mindset and setting that encourage self confidence, knowledge, and compassion are better prepared for their futures. Students who fail in school usually have underlying issues; therefore, if they don't have a place to unload these issues they bring it in the classroom - hindering their ability to learn. I believe every student is capable to be the brightest in the room. Every student is equipped with their own skill sets and interests to make society thriving and diverse. It is of my utmost responsibility to encourage every student to truly believe this message as well, carry themselves with confidence and knowledge.

Success to me is being able to wake up already feeling accomplished. Success to me is finally keeping all my food in after struggling what seemed like an endless battle of insecurities. Success to me is giving my little brother a warm bed after his biological parents could only give him a tent. Success to me is being able to keep a demanding job while also maintaining my good grades just so I can avoid as much debt as possible for my education. Being able to wake up and keep pushing because I know I have succeeded. Whether that success is something small like going on a run, eating, or finally finishing a book. Or something big such as acing my test, or getting a raise. Being able to know I have done something good, knowing that I have overcome things thrown my way; not only that, but turning the bad into good. Not too many people my age think this way. My peers may think the only way to be successful is to have loads of money, having a big family, and having the best grades. Not me, I get to find simple success in everything I do. That's what life is about... finding the good in the bad and turning it all around. Perspective is key.

My name is Raeann Bollman and I am a senior attending Owensville High School. Ever since I was a little girl, I had a strong, burning passion for helping wildlife. I would relocate the insects instead of killing them, I would try to recycle as best I could, and I would try to nurture wounded animals back to health regardless of my young age. Moving onward, I plan to dedicate my life to wildlife. I am planning to be a veterinarian and am currently working towards that dream. I knew my passion was to always help animals ever since I was that little girl. My approach for my future is to go to Jefferson College for two years and gain my license to be a veterinary technician. I intend to work as a veterinarian technician as I finish my two years at a science-based college. Afterward, I would love to attend a veterinarian school for four years to get my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. I intend to earn a bachelor's in animal science or biology and a minor in microbiology. Thus far, relating to my education, I have a 3.1 GPA and have been diligent in raising that. I have taken Physical Science, Biology 1, and Chemistry. I am currently taking Biology 2 and a duel credit class in Advanced Biology. I plan on expanding my knowledge on topics relating to these classes. I am in clubs such as Art Club (4 years), in which I am now the secretary, Scholar Bowl, and Speech Team. I am the teacher’s assistant for the art teacher which made me the art studio manager. Obtaining this scholarship would allow me to live out my dreams of giving back to wildlife. With this scholarship I will be able to go to college without as much worry for finances allowing me to focus more on school and someday give back all the love nature has given me. Currently, my family does not have much money. My parents do not live comfortably enough due to the fact they did not go to high school. This can make it very difficult for me to live my dream of helping animals. Wildlife has always been a very important part of my life. I would even go as far as to say nature has saved my life. While I was battling my depression, I would sit outside and feel the sun on my skin, hear the birds chirp, and sit with my cat, who never left my side. There is nothing in this world that gives me more joy than nature. I would love to give back to nature by helping animals and in the future taking home many rescue animals. Hopefully, someday I could even open my own rescue shelter.