"Raquel, I know you can do this." As a third grader in the Bronx, New York, I did not believe that was true. Reading and math were constant struggles for me, and I often compared myself to other students who seemed to understand things more easily. Over time, I began to see myself as someone who simply was not smart enough. Everything changed at Bronx Manhattan SDA School because of my third-grade teacher. One summer, she invited me into her classroom to work through leveled reading books with the goal of completing every level by the end of the summer. I struggled often, and each time I misread a word, I grew frustrated with myself. I wanted reading to feel natural, but instead it felt like proof that I was falling behind. In those moments, my teacher would gently ask me to pause, breathe, and start again. She reminded me that there was no rush and that I could trust myself. She helped me understand that struggling did not mean I was incapable, and that persistence made learning more meaningful than instant success. By the end of that summer, I had completed every level. More importantly, I gained confidence. For the first time, I began to see myself as someone who could grow instead of someone defined by my struggles. My journey has included challenges. One of the most defining moments came when I was given the opportunity to study abroad in London. At first, the financial cost felt impossible, and I did not think I would be able to make it happen. Still, I started a GoFundMe, reached out for support, and held onto hope. In the end, I was able to go without taking on debt, and I partook in a life-changing opportunity that I will never forget. If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her not to fear the future so much, because she is going to have many opportunities coming her way. Today, I am pursuing a degree in education because I want to give children what my teacher gave me: courage. I see children as a blueprint for how to live. Their curiosity, optimism, and ability to begin again after failure remind me to slow down and not be overwhelmed by worry. Being in a classroom is not only something I want to give to others; it is also a space where I continue to grow myself. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of my education, going into my third year of college, and bring me closer to becoming the educator I am working toward becoming. Because one teacher believed in me, I am now preparing to say the same words to my future students: I know you can do this.

When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to be an educator and inspire youth through my career by showing them what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. I want to be an elementary teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support early childhood development the way my teachers supported me. I want to create an environment that fosters creativity and adventure, allowing them to feel safe and free. I will also be taking into account diverse learners to ensure that every student is getting a quality education. Early childhood educators must inspire and guide children to realize their true potential and build their character. As the recent shortage of teachers has left many children without the guidance they need, it is more critical than ever to pursue this calling and motivate youth to overcome obstacles, become valuable members of society, and open the doors to a world of opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my future career goals to pay for a college that can help me reach my ambitions and inspire others to reach them too.

My Purpose in Helping Others Reach Their Full Potential In March 2024, I had the privilege of participating in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with my academy, Shenandoah Valley Academy. The trip was designed with two goals in mind: to share gospel music with local communities through performances at schools and to contribute to the construction of a church for a Seventh-Day Adventist school in Samana, Dominical Republic. As a member of the choir, I was part of a group that performed at several schools, where we had the opportunity to share our music and testimonies. It was incredibly fulfilling to use music as a tool to convey the love and mercy of God to children in those communities. While the music performances were meaningful, it was my time spent at the local Seventh-Day Adventist school in Samana that had the most profound impact on me. During our stay, we helped with building the church, but I also had the chance to volunteer at the school's kindergarten classroom. This experience was truly eye-opening. I found immense joy in working with the young children—singing songs with them, teaching them basic English phrases, and engaging them in classroom activities. Watching their faces light up as they learned and grew was nothing short of inspiring. It made me realize the incredible power of education, especially in the formative years of a child’s life. It was through this hands-on experience that I discovered my deep passion for early childhood education. The fulfillment I felt in helping these young learners was something I had never experienced before. I understood, more clearly than ever, the importance of providing children with a solid foundation during their early years. These early experiences in learning can shape a child’s future, and being a part of that process felt like a true calling. Since returning from the mission trip, I have become even more determined to pursue a career in early childhood education. I now see it not just as a career path, but as a purpose and a passion. My goal is to help children reach their full potential by providing them with the tools, support, and encouragement they need to succeed. Through education, I want to nurture their curiosity, foster their social and emotional development, and lay the groundwork for their future success. The mission trip helped me understand that teaching and service go hand in hand. Whether through music or education, I find joy in helping others grow and thrive. This experience has become a driving force in my life, and I am committed to continuing my education and developing my skills in early childhood education. I am excited about the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of young children, just as I did during my time in the Dominican Republic.

My career goal is to be an elementary teacher and inspire children to reach their full potential. When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to be an educator and inspire youth through my career by showing them what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. I want to be an elementary teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way my teachers supported me. I want to create an environment that fosters creativity and adventure, allowing them to feel safe and free. Early childhood educators must inspire and guide children to realize their true potential and build their character. As the recent shortage of teachers has left many children without the guidance they need, it is more critical than ever to pursue this calling and motivate youth to overcome obstacles, become valuable members of society, and open the doors to a world of opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my future career goals to pay for a college that can help me reach my ambitions and inspire others to reach them too.

My drive to become a teacher came from the teachers I had in my elementary years. When I think of early childhood education, I think of how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to pursue a career in teaching because I want to show children what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. She had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate her time to ensuring I reached my full potential. After school, I would go to her classroom and read a book out loud to her multiple times until I could read through it without difficulty. She helped me realize how much I was capable of and made sure I never doubted myself. I want to pursue a career as a teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way Mrs. Sanchez supported me. Early childhood is the most essential part of a person's life since their brains are developing, giving a critical opportunity for education. I want to be part of that venture children must take and open the world's doors to them. Especially with the recent shortage of teachers, fewer children are getting the guidance they need, giving me more reason to pursue this calling. This scholarship will enable me to pursue this career and go to a college that will aid me in reaching my ambitions.

The title of this new chapter in my life would be "Sky High." Throughout high school, until my senior year, I was at ground level. I always took the safe route and never left my comfort zone. I was stagnant, and I felt misplaced. I would get stressed when people asked me what my career would be or what college I planned on attending. All I knew was that I wanted to strive for the best and aim high. I realized I was driven, hardworking, and passionate, and I wanted to use those characteristics for a greater purpose. I slowly realized that I had a passion for teaching and loved children, so I decided that I wanted to be an elementary teacher. When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to be an educator and inspire children through my career by showing them what they can do. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. They helped me realize how much I was capable of and made sure I never doubted myself. I want to be an elementary teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way my teachers supported me. Since I realized I desired to help children flourish, I began to soar and accomplish things I never imagined I would. When I started my senior year, I had the opportunity to tutor international students in ESL, and now, going into the second semester, I am tutoring elementary students. I am now pushing myself to do things without questioning my competence. Instead of being stagnant, I am constantly evolving and changing. I am now "Sky High." This scholarship would allow me to fly even higher and never look down.

When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to pursue a career in teaching because I want to show children what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. She had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate her time to ensuring I reached my full potential. After school, I would go to her classroom and read a book out loud to her multiple times until I could read through it without difficulty. She helped me realize how much I was capable of and made sure I never doubted myself. I want to pursue a career as a teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way Mrs. Sanchez supported me. Early childhood is the most essential part of a person's life since their brains are developing, giving a critical opportunity for education. I want to be part of that venture children must take and open the world's doors to them. Especially with the recent shortage of teachers, fewer children are getting the guidance they need, giving me more reason to pursue this calling. This scholarship will enable me to pursue this career and go to a college that will aid me in reaching my ambitions.

Hi, My name is Raquel Gomez, and I am from The Bronx, New York. I am currently a senior at Shenandoah Valley Academy. I am hardworking, honest, and creative. I am a leader, and I love children. I value spirituality and depend on God. I have achieved academic success by going above and beyond to achieve my educational goals. I've come so far, and I plan on going farther. When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to pursue a career in teaching because I want to show children what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. They helped me realize how much I was capable of and made sure I never doubted myself. I want to pursue a career as a teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way my teachers supported me. Early childhood is the most essential part of a person's life since their brains are developing, giving a critical opportunity for education. I want to be part of that venture children must take and open the world's doors to them. Especially with the recent shortage of teachers, fewer children are getting the guidance they need, giving me more reason to pursue this calling. This scholarship will enable me to pursue this career and allow me to go to a college that will aid me in reaching my ambitions.

My career goal is to be an elementary teacher and inspire children to reach their full potential. When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to be an educator and inspire youth through my career by showing them what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. I want to be an elementary teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way my teachers supported me. Effective early childhood educators must inspire and guide children to realize their true potential and build their character. As the recent shortage of teachers has left many children without the guidance they need, it is more critical than ever to pursue this calling and motivate youth to overcome obstacles, become valuable members of society, and open the doors to a world of opportunity. Without this scholarship, I won't be able to aid children in this journey. College has gotten increasingly expensive, so any amount of money will help me get the education a need. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my future career goals to pay for a college that can help me reach my ambitions and inspire others to reach them, too.

When I think of early childhood education, I think of my elementary school years and how much it impacted me. Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all future learning and helps children develop the necessary skills. During the early years, children develop their personalities and learn to regulate their emotional reactions. Educators are here to guide children through the processes. I want to be an educator and inspire youth through my career by showing them what they are capable of. Children around this age tend to experience conflict with inferiority and autonomy. They start to learn and experience things that may take some children more time to develop. Because of this, they can get frustrated and feel incapable of accomplishing a task like reading a book or putting toys away. Children with slow processing speed can fall behind and form a negative connotation to learning. Often, this experience creates a feeling of inferiority, making them believe that they are not good at school. As someone who struggled with this in elementary school, I understand the frustration when you can't accomplish something your friends are doing quickly. I remember how awful I felt thinking that I would never be able to read a book or pass a math assignment. However, I also remember having excellent teachers who supported and believed in me when I did not. My teachers provided me with the tools and assistance to overcome my struggle with learning. They had the patience to sit down with me and dedicate their time to ensuring I reached my full potential. They helped me realize how much I was capable of and made sure I never doubted myself. I want to be an elementary teacher to inspire and guide children to know they are capable of much more. I want to support children the way my teachers supported me. Early childhood is the most essential part of a person's life since their brains are developing, giving a critical opportunity for education. I want to be part of that venture children must take and open the world's doors to them. Especially with the recent shortage of teachers, fewer children are getting the guidance they need, giving me more reason to pursue this calling. Throughout my career, I can inspire and motivate youth to overcome obstacles, build their character, and become valuable future members of society.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 As a spiritual individual, I have found comfort, strength, and inspiration in my relationship with God. In this essay, I will explore how my faith has evolved, helped my relationship with God, and discuss how I believe my faith will continue to assist me in my career. In 2020, during quarantine, I went through an identity crisis. Although I grew up in an Adventist home, I felt distant from God. I struggled to figure out who I was and what I would do with my future. The pandemic began; online school started halfway into my eighth-grade year; my mom got Covid and then discovered she had to have open heart surgery. Moreover, I did not know which high school I would be attending. Before all the chaos, several of my eighth-grade schoolmates and I visited the Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA), a boarding school in northwestern Virginia. The academy is part of the Adventist education system that promotes Christian education. They have a program called Academy Days, where middle school students can visit the school for a weekend. I enjoyed it, but as an only child, I didn't think my parents would have allowed me to attend, let alone cover the tuition. It would be my first time away from my parents, and we didn't have the money. For the first time, I sought God for answers. I asked God if attending this school was right for me and asked that if He wanted me to do this, He would make it possible. Believing in God's power was my first step in putting my faith to work. We prayed and applied for the school. A few weeks later, we received a proposal with financial information. I am now a senior at SVA, and it has been a journey. My faith has allowed me to grow as a person spiritually and mentally. My mom is now okay, thanks to prayers and God's never-ending love. Many obstacles have been thrown my way, and I have had moments of self-doubt, but God was always there, holding my hand no matter what. Going to SVA has been a blessing in my life. It has taught me the importance of kindness, compassion, and treating others with respect. By following the teachings of my faith, I strive to impact the world and contribute to the well-being of those around me. I've learned that God loves me and wants to see me strive for the best. He saw my potential and allowed me to attend SVA. Now in my last year of High School, College has become the next step in my life. When deciding on my future, I take every step needed to prepare for college with uncertainty and vagueness. I do not know what I want to do, but I know God has a plan for me. My spiritual journey has allowed me to confront my fears and overcome self-doubt. My faith will guide me, and God will lead me to the right college and career path. I don't see how I would have become the person I am today without faith in Him. My faith will guide me to the right college for me and my career. God has helped me have confidence in myself, my dreams, and my aspirations. As I plan for my future, my faith will continue to guide me, give me a sense of purpose, help me make a positive difference, and find fulfillment.