Those who possess an allergy to anything others find edible can require themselves to live their life with caution, and I am no different in these silent battles. I am Riley Hurley. Since the day I was born, I have been afflicted with food allergies of soy and peanuts. My allergies have granted me countless struggles when it comes to both dietary and opportunities. First, my soy allergy has affected me throughout my life. Luckily, this allergy of mine had never turned lethal. However, if I eat too much then the results are so disgusting that I do not wish to further elaborate. Regardless, my diet is often very restricted from many cultures' dishes entirely and many common food products here in the United States because of their widespread usage. Next, my peanut allergy has affected me and my career opportunities. Unfortunately, this allergy of mine became life-threatening. So much as an ingestion of the smallest chunk of a peanut shell requires me to take an Epi-pen to the thigh for the chance to delay damage to my body and survive. Due to the allergy, jobs related to food products are outside the realm of possibility for me out of fear that either my allergy worsens one day to a degree where I cannot be in the kitchen or I catch a cross-contamination case in my lunch, and this is simply one example of how my allergies influence my options in life. Another would be how I am randomly, yet naturally, excluded from certain social opportunities; after all, the entire social structure in the United States might as well be completely built around food and eating considering how many conversations with friends a person may have with their loved ones while a meal is present. Finally, granting me this scholarship would allow me to help others. As I had written in my “bio” on bold.org, I wish to spend my time at college helping others where I can. Mainly, I am currently planning on hosting a lot of community service projects related to things such as climate change, free animal adoptions, supporting the underprivileged, and then much more before openly being open about my neurological conditions once I build the reputation. Reading the advertisement for this scholarship has actually opened my eyes to the fact that humans’ allergies can often be a disadvantage in life; I think I am even getting inspired to advocate for safer food options for those who have a food allergy one day, should the situation on my college campus worsen in this aspect and I grow enough to get enough people to listen to me to cause these sorts of change, among others. With this scholarship, I will have to worry much less about how I can pay for my education and I will have much more space to focus on my goals. In conclusion, I have food allergies to soy and peanuts that have impacted me and my future career choices. For example, I have chosen to never work any food-related job because of fear that my allergies may worsen or I catch cross contamination in my food. As I progress in my college career, I wish to help others, and getting this scholarship would greatly help me allow myself to do that more and worry less regarding how I can pay for the academic experiences of college.