I woke up May 19, 2014, overjoyed to meet my mentor, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jordyn Weiber. Today was the day, I got to do a gymnastics clinic with a famous Olympic gymnast. The day started great. Jordyn complemented my balance beam skills, she spotted my vault, and we got to eat subs and salads together. Then came the most exciting moment of my day. My best friend and I got to have a private session together on the uneven bars. I was so nervous, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I got up on the bar and started swinging, and swinging, and swinging until... I felt it. It was inevitable. I had just let it rip in the face of Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Weiber. I was stuck hanging on this bar in absolute fear. All I could think was "How did I just fart in front of my role model? This can't be real." I look down from the high bar, and there she is her face red, lips shut, trying not to laugh. She couldn't contain her laughter. She looked up at me and I dropped from the bar and turned around. There is my best friend screaming in laughter on the ground yelling "I can't believe you just farted in front of Jordyn Weiber." As a 10-year-old, I was mortified. In about 1 minute, I start laughing too. Along with Jordyn Weiber. To this day, I still laugh at this story because this moment might have been the most embarrassing moment of my life, but it made me remember every second of it. I didn't learn anything new about bars that day. But, I got to laugh and smile with my mentor. This made all the difference.

J. K. Rowling once said, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation in which I built my life.” Just like many children, I struggled with mental illness from my parent’s divorce. I was a scared child who didn’t know where I was going next. I was living every day in fear of what my new lifestyle would be like. Within a year, my mother moved far away from my siblings and I. I struggled to find happiness in my day-to-day life. I was nurtured by teachers and school staff. I remember sitting down with my teacher in elementary school and hearing her experiences as a child. She gave me the courage to grow. From that point forward I built my life upon my own challenges and triumphs. I was inspired to help other children in their own shortcomings. I aspire to become an educator and work in the lives of children. This summer I took some steps to further my future plans. I became a counselor at a summer camp that works with children of low income families. I was able to share my story and work in the lives of children who are struggling to find hope. Given the opportunity to influence these children, I was able to encourage them to grow and find their own courage. I showed children that your struggles can be the root of your own inspirations. This quote has inspired me to grow and build my life on my own experiences. This quote is special to me because it shows me that something I was once insecure about is now something I can base my future on.

J. K. Rowling once said, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation in which I built my life.” Just like many children, I struggled with mental illness from my parent’s divorce. I was a scared child who didn’t know where I was going next. I was living every day in fear of what my new lifestyle would be like. Within a year, my mother moved far away from my siblings and I. I moved in with my father in a small apartment. I struggled to find happiness in my day-to-day life. I was nurtured by teachers and school staff. I remember sitting down with my teacher in elementary school and hearing her experiences as a child. She told me about her parent’s divorce and how she was able to grow and overcome her own challenges. She gave me the courage to grow. From that point forward I built my life upon my own challenges and triumphs. I chose to make a change in my life because I was inspired to help other children in their own shortcomings. I aspire to become an educator and work in the lives of children. This summer I took some steps to further my future plans. I became a counselor at a summer camp that works with children of low income families. I was able to share my story and work in the lives of children who are struggling to find hope. Given the opportunity to influence these children, I was able to encourage them to grow and find their own courage. I showed children that your struggles can be the root of your own inspirations. At times it can be hard to see a ray of hope. Looking back at difficult times it’s the people who fought for us that we remember most. I want to be an advocate for children who are struggling. This financial assistance would assist me in continuing my goal of becoming an educator. I would be able to work in the lives of children, just like the staff from my elementary school. Years ago, I was a confused and lost girl, and my teacher inspired me and gave me courage. I plan on paying this forward by inspiring students and children in my own school, just as my teachers did for me. I hope that for generations children will be inspired by the work of others. I hope that children who I am able to mentor will also be able to make a difference in the lives of others.