Like most people during the pandemic, my life felt as though it had been turned upside down.Having completed my undergraduate degree in December 2019, the economic impact of the pandemic dashed my hopes of finding a job in my field of study. In June 2020, I was still working as a server and wondering when I might ever find a job in my field of study. Frustrated with waiting, I seized the chance to embark on an AmeriCorps service year at a charter school in New Jersey, dedicated to preparing students in underserved areas for college success. I accepted the offer, despite having been in a school maybe 5 times in my entire life, since I had been fully homeschooled up until I started college. 3 of those times were probably just to vote. My time at the school changed my life in so many ways. It opened my eyes to the transformative power of education and instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities I had received, even if my educational background was a bit unorthodox. As I worked closely with the students, I witnessed the immense challenges they faced—circumstances I had never imagined. Throughout my 11-month tenure, I encountered students dealing with the aftermath of shootings, coping with the loss of family members to Covid-19, and persisting through repeated failures. Their determination to overcome obstacles and their unwavering resilience inspired me greatly, particularly amidst the difficulties of remote learning. As a result of my volunteer experience, my core values have evolved to prioritize gratitude and resilience. Working with my students, I saw how much I had to be grateful for in my own life, even if I felt that things weren't always working out exactly as I planned. I saw how hard my students worked to adapt to the changes of their learning environments and push past the difficulties. To this day, I am still inspired by a student who started the year failing all of her classes due to her social anxiety, but who finished the year passing each class and making As in nearly all of them. Throughout my graduate studies so far, I think of this student often and remind myself that if she can do it, so can I. This mindset has served me well both academically and in my personal life. In terms of my career and life goals, my volunteer experience has shaped my path significantly. It inspired me to return to school to learn more about how public policy affects the different facets of our lives and how I can help shape it to create a more equitable and forward-thinking world. As I continue on my journey, both personally and professionally, I strive to remember the enduring power of resilience and gratitude that was illuminated during my service year. AmeriCorps taught me invaluable lessons, and the practice of appreciating what I have and adapting to challenges, as demonstrated by my students, will remain integral to my pursuit of a career in public policy.

Let me take you on a journey through my experiences in leadership and my vision for the future. From homeschooling throughout my K-12 years to my community college days, where I dove headfirst into Phi Theta Kappa, my leadership path took shape. As I transferred to the University of North Texas (UNT) to pursue a degree in Political Science and French, my desire to create a meaningful impact became stronger. I founded the university's first human trafficking awareness student organization, and my adventures continued through AmeriCorps and supporting workforce development agencies in NYC. Now, as a Master of Public Policy (MPP) student, I'm eagerly pursuing a newfound interest in social entrepreneurship and impact investing. Let me paint a picture of my community college experience. I stepped up to the plate as the President and Vice President of Leadership in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Together, we orchestrated community service initiatives, programming to support our fellow students, and attended national and regional conferences to connect with other PTK members. It was a transformative period where I learned the power of inclusive communication, effective teamwork, and strategic planning. At UNT, I felt a deep calling to address social issues head-on. So, I took the plunge and founded Students Combatting Trafficking. We rolled up our sleeves, raising awareness, organizing impactful events, and partnering with local anti-trafficking organizations, including one that I had previously interned with. As the President, I had the privilege of cultivating a passionate team, empowering them to bring their unique skills and perspectives to the forefront. I learned so much from this experience, especially when I failed, or things went wrong. There's nothing like a plan falling flat to really challenge my ability to think quickly on my feet. As an MPP student, I dove headfirst into my coursework aimed at improving my critical thinking skills and my ability to generate unique solutions to common social and economic problems our world faces. One such challenge that has recently caught my eye is refugee lens investing. I am currently supporting the authorship of a professor's book that seeks to inform the public of the potential of refugee lens investing and how it can radically change the way refugees and other displaced persons are able to rebuild. Starting in the Fall 2023 semester, I will also be participating as part of the inaugural Tadler Fellowship, working in Appalachian impact investing. I'm eager to improve my leadership abilities and better understand the economic outlook for the poorest regions in America. After completing my graduate degree, I envision myself continuing to pursue my interest in social entrepreneurship and impact investing. I am especially excited at the prospect of pursuing ventures where I can support the development and sustainability of private-public partnerships, encouraging governments and the private sector to work in tandem to address shared goals. For me, leadership is a constant journey. It's a skill I will continue to hone and practice throughout life, not an item on my professional to-do list. I'm excited to see where that mindset and my passions will take me!

The future version of myself will be confident in herself, patient, and ever-mindful of her desire to put others first.

Reading has always been one of the greatest joys in life for me. My mom likes to joke about how her method of punishment for me as a kid was to take my books away. You didn't clean your room? Give me all the library books. Being the notorious bibliophile that I am, it's hard for me to choose just one book. After all, there are so many genres to choose from! However, there is one story that is near and dear to my heart and is one that I think every person, regardless of age, gender, race, etc. could glean something from it. That story is the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder. I first read this book in high school, and actually ended up using it as a competition piece for the speech and debate league I was in. Our Town follows two families, the Gibbs and the Webbs. The Stage Manager narrates the play and readers follow the daily activities of Grover's Corners, the small town where the two families live. A romance begins to blossom between George Gibbs and Emily Webb. The two are eventually married, although Emily dies in childbirth some years later. The play then focuses on the dead souls of Emily and other townspeople who have passed, including George's mother and Emily's younger brother. Emily is in a sort of limbo between life and death, feeling a longing to relive what she had, and convinces the Stage Manager to let her relive her twelfth birthday. Emily realizes how beautiful each tiny, seemingly mundane thing in life can be, and how much there is to be grateful for in the world. One of her most poignant lines is, "Do human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?" Each time I see or hear these lines, I remind myself to slow down and live in the moment more. As Emily notes, there is beauty and joy to be found in something as simple as a cup of coffee or a hot bath. I think we can all benefit from reading these words and taking the time to consider all that we have in our lives.

I'm a 26-year-old student who just returned to school to get my Master's degree. As an undergraduate student, I started at a community college first to save money and sort out my plans. I am a huge advocate for community colleges, and I am very fortunate to have saved so much money by not enrolling in a 4-year university immediately after high school. When I graduated high school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I felt a bit embarrassed that most of my friends were moving away to universities but I didn't want to go into debt without any clear idea of what I wanted to do. So, I spent 2 years at a community college and earned my associate's degree. Then, I enrolled in one of my city's universities to complete the last two years of my studies. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in December 2019, one of the last "normal" graduation ceremonies before the pandemic. I struggled for a while to find a job, and eventually signed up for a service year with AmeriCorps, working at a charter school. After that, I took on another service-year contract at a workforce development agency in New York City. Around that time, I started to think about going back to school. I have always loved being a student, and I began to realize that I needed to improve my quantitative skills and gain more experience in research and data analytics. My undergraduate background did not prepare me well enough for the hands-on skills I needed to be successful in the workforce; statistical software, Excel, etc. Working at the workforce development agency taught me a lot about the importance of having practical skills and learning to use tools and software programs. While my undergraduate experience helped me to cultivate a well-rounded profile for admittance to graduate schools, I didn't spend enough time focusing on what would make me a good employee. So, I decided to enroll in a public policy graduate program to address these skills gaps. In my graduate program, I'm learning economics concepts and theories, and how to use statistical software for data analysis and research. I'm learning leadership principles and how psychology plays a vital role in policy-making. Most importantly, my university has excellent career support and is committed to guiding me to select my summer internship and a full-time role after I finish my degree. I hope to work in research or government consulting upon graduating, and then one day return for a Ph.D. to fulfill my ultimate dream of becoming a professor.

When I was 10 years old, my mom found out she had Lyme's disease and passed it on to me and my 5 siblings. Our family immediately began treatments to address effects of the disease on our immune systems. Shortly after, my mom was also diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer. After undergoing many different treatments, including chemo and radiation, my mom went into remission and started to focus on her overall health more. My parents moved us to a small farm when I was 14. They still live there, growing much of their own food and maintaining livestock. As a young teenager, I saw our healthy and lifestyle as an embarrassment. We were the "weird" people who ate gluten-free before it was cool and hip. Even after moving to our small farm, I was annoyed that I had to get up early and milk goats or collect eggs. When friends went out to eat, Now that I'm older, particularly as I consider the pandemic, I'm grateful my parents put our health before everything else. They made so many sacrifices, monetarily and otherwise, to take care of us. As a busy grad student, I try to prioritize my health as much as possible. During quarantine, I completed a yoga teacher certification and have incorporated many ayurvedic practices in my lifestyle. Right now, that means drinking lemon water in the morning to help my body wake up, using a copper tongue scraper, and doing some gentle stretching. I also drink lots of water, avoid soda, and take cod liver oil each night. A healthy lifestyle also means taking care of spiritual and mental well-being. To address this, I regularly see a therapist and try to surround myself with people that add to my life in a positive way.

I have always considered myself to be an optimistic person. I am always greatly comforted by the phrase "Everything happens for a reason." Life can be hard sometimes, and I don't like to think about hardships by comparing how much worse I had it than someone else, or vice versa. Everyone has hard times, it all depends on how you handle it and what your support system looks like. For me, one of the hardest times in my life was when my mom had cancer. I am the oldest of 5 children, and I was only 11 when she was diagnosed. It was a rough time for my family; financially and emotionally. I remember that it was hard, but I also remember how wonderful it was to see our community rally around us, providing childcare for me and my siblings, meal trains, and fundraisers. Now that I'm an adult, I've had my fair share of personal struggles and tough times. I like to think that I've handled those tough times with patience and flexibility, because I've seen the silver linings that hardships can bring. So with each curveball the world throws at me, I've learned to hang on tight, take a deep breath, and remember that everything happens for a reason.

When I was a child, my parents' method of disciplining me was to take away my books. Didn't clean your room? Sorry, no library trip. Reading is an essential part of life for me, and losing myself in a book is always an incredible sensation. As an avid reader, it's hard to definitively say what my favorite book is. However, when I consider this question, I always remember that my favorite books are always the ones that include admirable characters. For me, that book is none other than "We the Living" by Ayn Rand. Rand was a Russian immigrant who fled the Soviet Union and its extremist communist policies. While she never wrote a biography, this novel is as close as it gets. "We the Living" is a fictional story based on elements of Ayn Rand's life, highlighting the struggle of the individual against the State, life under communism, and the value of an individual's life. The novel follows Kira Argounova, a brilliant young woman dedicated to her career, her love of the arts, and her desire to live a full life. Kira lives in communist Russia, so it is fascinating to read how she navigates this world as someone who does not subscribe to the collectivist mindset. Kira's determination to live as she wants is refreshing, inspiring, and bittersweet. My love for this book may seem strange. Still, I find it incredible to read how a single young woman is determined to build her life on her own terms and willing to accept the consequences, if necessary. Rand's ability to simultaneously educate and craft a realistic character makes this novel a favorite in my eyes.

At the ripe old age of 25, I've learned a lot regarding finances. While I've been given advice by people in my life and read articles and books about finance, the biggest lessons I've learned have been from firsthand experience, especially the mistakes I've made. The most important thing I have learned to date has been to live within my means. I've found this to be especially true after moving to the NYC area for work before going back for a graduate degree. NYC is a bustling and exciting place, with a lot of wealth and luxury. Living here as a young adult, eager to make friends and memories, I quickly learned that living outside of or just barely within my means would make for a stressful existence. Throughout my time in NYC, I've learned how to find affordable activities, cheap but delicious restaurants, but most of all, to determine what my priorities are when it comes to spending money. There should be no shame in wanting to enjoy your life and spend your hard-earned cash, but that doesn't mean you have to have the same priorities as everyone else. Figure out how much you can spend proportionate to your income, then determine what are, for you, the most important things to spend money on. Is travel a huge priority in your life? Then consider living in a cheaper and simpler home, or spending less on going out at home. And if it's the other way around and you don't care much for traveling but like to cultivate an enjoyable life where you live, don't feel pressured to travel or go places as frequently as others might.

I may have grown up the daughter of a practicing therapist, but I have only recently begun to pay attention to and care for my mental health. Last year, I decided to start taking yoga seriously. I had dabbled in it before the pandemic, but hadn't done much more than said dabbling. So, I decided to enroll in an online instructor course. As I started the course, I came to find that yoga is so much more than bendy poses and flexibility. I discovered that breathing in different ways can calm me when I'm anxious, help me to fall asleep, or bring my focus back. When I'm experiencing stress or anxiety, practicing yoga always helps me. Yoga has done so much to improve my mental health and help me to relax, no matter what I'm facing.

I have always been an avid reader, thinking of just one book that has inspired me is difficult. However, one of the first ones that comes to mind is actually a book I've read recently, called "My Body" by Emily Ratajkowski. When I first came across this book, I dismissed it pretty quickly. It's written by a well-known model and actress, who is particularly known for her idealistic physical features. She's referred to as having the body every woman wishes for. But, I was curious to know what goes on in the head of someone who is known for their good looks, so I picked up a copy. I expected the book to be a whiney biography of all the horrible things that happen to models. Instead, I found myself deeply connecting with the author's thoughts on female empowerment and its intersection with objectification. Even as someone who has no experience or background in modeling, I could relate to her feelings. Her story was one that all women could relate to, exploring the different ideologies around female objectification, and acknowledging the desire to be acknowleged and noticed. Ratajowski's thoughts and words were not the expected musings of a celebrity whose life is unrelatable. Rather, she crafted a masterpiece that touches on the power women hold in our sexuality, and how that shapes the way we view ourselves.

When I was about 10 years old, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis came about a year after she and my siblings and I were all diagnosed with Lyme's disease. Unfortunately, the treatments she needed weren't covered by our insurance, so I knew money was tight for us. However, for the next year and a half of treatments and recovery, our family experienced more generosity than I thought possible. I remember my mom finding money someone had left us in our mailbox, friends bringing food after surgeries, and the endless number of family members willing to babysit my siblings and me. Giving is important to me because my family and I have been blessed by others' generosity when we needed it most. I have experienced that kindness, and I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of someone's willingness to help. I have chosen to dedicate my career to serving others. After finishing college, I completed an AmeriCorps term of service, volunteering to work at a charter high school in New Jersey. I am now finishing a fellowship at a workforce development agency in New York City, designing and delivering job skills training to welfare-dependent citizens to help them re-enter the workforce. In the fall, I will be returning to school to study public policy and pursue my interest in solving poverty issues and human rights awareness. Generosity helped my family when we needed it most. Now, it's my turn to help others when they need it most.

The concept of a long and healthy life does not have a universal standard. Everyone has different ideas of what that looks like. An individual experiencing poverty may view a long and healthy life as having any sort of roof over their heads and access to food and water. Conversely, a middle class person in the Western world may think the path to a long, healthy life includes taking vitamins and supplements, following a diet rich in organic and natural foods, and engaging in various forms of exercise and stress relieving activities, such as massages and mental health days. Bearing this in mind, I think the best way to live a long and healthy life is to find joy and satisfaction in what you have in your life. There will always be someone who is living a "better" life. Life isn't fair, and despite our best efforts, there will always be someone who can afford to do more for their health; mentally, physically, and emotionally. Living a long, healthy life is hugely dependent upon how you view yourself on the ladder of life. An author I read recently said that, "People feel their own scarcity based on the rungs above, not below." The best way to live a long, healthy life is to take stock of what rung you're on, and find joy in what you have in your life.

One of the most exciting things that has happened to me this year was being accepted to several universities to study public policy as a graduate student. After lots of research and consideration, I accepted an offer to study at the University of Virginia. I was drawn to that program because of the unique curriculum that blends leadership and policy analysis. In my short term future, I hope to complete my degree with UVA. My decision to go back to school stems from my interest in working on human rights and poverty issues. I have also been curious about homelessness, in particular. As a graduate student, I hope to learn more about the way policies are written and how their effectiveness is determined. After finishing school, I plan to work as a consultant or in a think tank, researching social policy issues and working on solutions both in the private and public sector. Later on, I will return to school once more to get my Ph.D in social psychology. This degree will give me the training and knowledge to understand how human bias, stereotyping, and judgments affect the way policy is written and funded. I am specifically interested in understanding how societal attitudes towards homelessness impact the way we write policy affecting them, including housing, welfare, etc. My ultimate dream is to be part of a shift in public mindset, such that we as a society adopt a more empathetic, compassionate, and supportive mindset towards those experiencing poverty.

The simplest pleasures in my life are what may be considered a luxury for others. I find great joy and happiness in eating good food and spending time in nature. Often, I don't realize how much I love those things until I experience them. I'm living in New York City for a fellowship right now, and I have found that I am so incredibly thankful for the abundance of cuisines to be found here. Delicious coffee isn't confined to an overpriced hipster coffee shop; the street cart around the corner from my office is incredible! I can walk out my front door and have empanadas, New York-style pizza, German schnitzel, or Chinese tripe stew. Every time I eat a good meal, even food I make at home, I am thankful for the incredible ways meals can be prepared (did you know there are over 60 ways to cook potatoes?) and how many types of food and cuisines exist. I also find great joy in spending time outdoors. This is another thing I took for granted when I moved to the city. I grew up on a small farm with lots of space, a big sky with stars, and fresh air. Living in New York, I rarely see stars at night, and extra space is a significant luxury. So, whenever I head to the park to read a book or go for a walk, my mood is instantly boosted! Finding happiness in life doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate; you'd be surprised how much joy those simple pleasures can bring you.

The most significant impact I hope to have on the world is changing the state of poverty. I recognize this is a lofty goal, and I often wonder if it will make a difference. I also recognize that "changing the state of poverty" could mean anything. However, I think shifting the narrative around homelessness and what it means to be poor is an achievable goal. I have been interested in the lives, backgrounds, and circumstances of the homeless since I was young. I've read many books, attended lectures, spoken to local homeless people, and conducted academic research. I don't purport to call myself an expert. Still, one of the most important things we can do in addressing this part of poverty is to change the way we, the public, view homelessness. Our social perceptions and the stereotypes that we apply to those living on the streets affect the policies we create, which affects the way the homeless are treated both by the government and private citizens. My lifelong goal and plan is to study both policy and psychology, effectively blending my knowledge of the two to understand how I can begin changing the way we view those living in poverty. To do this, I will be starting my Master's in Public Policy at the University of Virginia this fall, where I will be trained in both leadership and policy skills. After that, I will pursue my Ph.D. in Social Psychology and pursue further research on the impact of psychological attitudes on policymaking. Once I've finished my academic pursuits, I hope to work with think tanks or research-based organizations that share my vision.

To me, a friendship is relationship between two people built on a foundation of trust, loyalty and support. The best friendships I have ever had and continue to maintain are made up primarily of those three qualities. I like to think that friendships from childhood have persisted because of our ability to trust and support one another. It may seem like a given that trust should be a part of a friendship. However, I'm not talking about the kind of trust where you know they won't slip something into your drink at the bar or steal your credit card info. That's just common decency. I'm referencing the kind of trust where you can share your deepest fears, the secrets you carry with you, and, without being too cliché, your biggest hopes and dreams. This should be a relationship where you can trust that someone has your back and will keep what you share with them. Loyalty is another aspect of friendship that I find to be entirely necessary. Again, you may be thinking, "Well, of course, I should be loyal to my friends!" But this is often easier said than done. Loyalty in a friendship means refraining from gossiping about that person, which may seem natural. True loyalty also includes standing up for your friend when someone else disparages them. Loyalty is sticking up for and with someone even when you may look "uncool." Finally, friendship means providing support to one another, in good times and in bad. Support can look like encouraging words or advice or simply being present with someone. Providing support also takes place even when you don't feel like it. Relationships take work, regardless of the romantic aspect.

When I turned eight years old, I told my mom I wanted my friends to donate food to the local homeless shelter instead of giving me birthday gifts. I'll admit I was a bit unsure whether I wanted to continue doing it. However, as the tradition persisted with each birthday, I developed a strong sense of empathy towards populations that suffer from injustice, coupled with a burning desire to break down the barriers they face. As a child, I wasn't sure what that looked like beyond canned goods for the local shelter, but that passion has been with me ever since. While in college, I sought opportunities to explore this desire to serve others. These experiences included a community service-centered honors society, founding a student organization dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking, and, most notably, a research thesis focused on understanding the rise of unsheltered homelessness. As I interviewed the homeless participants of my study, I was shocked by the dehumanizing experiences they had endured. That research thesis inspired me to build a community involvement and public service career. As I prepare to return to school, I will be learning about the impact of public policy and how it can be used as a tool for social change. This decision to return to school was inspired not only by my research thesis but also by my public service work experience. After finishing my degree, I completed a term of service with AmeriCorps, where I worked as an English tutor for a charter school that seeks to close the achievement gap in under-served communities. Currently, I am completing a fellowship in workforce development, working as a job skills trainer and policy researcher for an organization that helps low-income individuals achieve sustainable employment. Serving my community and helping others has been an integral part of my academic and professional career. In addition to my work experience, my academic career included a research thesis focused on understanding unsheltered homelessness and founding a student organization dedicated to human trafficking awareness. This is not because of a promise I made to that scholarship committee or because it makes my resume look more appealing. Instead, public service is something I have always known would be part of my life since I was eight years old, and decided I wanted donations to the local homeless shelter instead of presents. Community involvement instills a sense of empathy and selflessness in us. In a heavily consumer-driven world focused on personal gratification, it is easy to put on blinders to the plight of another person. An author of a book I am reading entitled "This Is All I Got" wrote, "People feel their own scarcity based on the rungs above, not below." Being active in our communities allows us to look beyond the scope of our problems and recognize the blessings we have when compared to the struggles of those on the rungs below. As I prepare to enter this next stage of my life, I hope to remain fully inspired by my experiences researching and serving the homeless community. I am particularly driven by the desire to shift the public narrative surrounding what it means to be homeless and encourage people to re-evaluate their judgments of those experiencing poverty. Most importantly, I hope that the empathetic 8-year-old in me finds ways to keep the sentiments of that birthday tradition alive and well throughout the rest of my life and career.

In my senior year of college, I conducted undergraduate research focused on understanding the rise in unsheltered homelessness in recent years. I wanted to know why homeless individuals chose not to stay in shelters. My research ultimately led me to understand that the dehumanizing environments of most homeless shelters today and the judgmental attitudes of those working in shelters and society, in general, are responsible for the increase in unsheltered homelessness nationwide. My research struck a chord in me, and I was deeply impacted by the stories that my study participants shared with me. I was particularly struck by how ostracized and misunderstood homeless people feel when interacting with other members of society. Since then, I have been inspired to shift the public narrative surrounding homelessness and poverty and help foster more of an empathetic response from society. To achieve this goal, I will be studying public policy this fall and hope to work with companies and organizations that are social policy-oriented.