Childhood did not come easily for me. When I look back on my younger years, there are few memories I recall with fondness. By the time I was a teenager, I had spent many of my days witnessing drug addiction and domestic abuse firsthand. I did not grow up feeling protected from the hardships of life; instead, I was exposed early to instability, chaos, and fear. Because of that environment, I made a quiet but firm decision: I would choose a different path. As soon as I discovered my own autonomy and gained the power to make my own decisions, I began intentionally moving in a new direction — one far removed from the life I had known. Without the support system many of my peers had, I learned to rely on my own perseverance. Over time, I transformed painful experiences into motivation for a better life, and I have worked very hard to become the woman I needed as a girl. Today, I channel that growth into the work I do with teenagers who face challenges similar to those I once navigated alone. Supporting them is not only my profession, but also my personal passion. I see pieces of my younger self in many of the students I serve, and I strive to offer them stability, encouragement, and the reassurance that their circumstances do not define their potential. In short, I strive to provide them with the things I wish someone had given me during my teenage years. As a college student, employee, and mother, I carefully balance my responsibilities. Much of my income supports my family, and pursuing higher education often comes with financial strain and personal sacrifice. This scholarship would significantly ease that burden, allowing me to continue my education with less financial stress and guilt, while allowing me to focus on positively impacting the teens I work with. Stamp collecting has played a role in shaping who I am. What began as a hobby has become a way for me to connect with history and storytelling. My most impactful experience with stamps occurred a few weeks ago. After introducing the teens at our academy to the joys of stamp collecting, a coworker surprised me with nearly 500 vintage stamps dating back to World War II. As I fought back tears of gratitude, I invited my students to explore the collection with me. Together, we examined stamps featuring figures such as Igor Stravinsky, Johnny Appleseed, Martin Luther King Jr., George Patton, and the artwork of John James Audubon. Watching the students hold history in their hands and ask thoughtful questions reminded me why I love sharing this hobby! Stamp collecting may seem like a small hobby, but for me it has become a way to connect with others. Sharing my collection with my students showed them that learning does not have to occur only while seated in a classroom; it can happen in everyday moments, and it can be hands-on, surprising, and joyful. In the time we spent exploring those vintage stamps, we weren’t just looking at pieces of paper; we were sharing stories, asking questions, and discovering history. Now, I have over 30 teens interested in sharing their stamps collectively so we can build our own community stamp collection, and that fills my heart with joy!

Like many people, my life has not been easy. I was born to addict parents who put me in situations no child should experience, no matter what their age. Thankfully, I was raised by my loving grandparents from the age of four until I was 13 years old. However, whenever I spent time with either one of my parents, I was placed in questionable situations. At times I rummaged through empty cabinets for something to ease my hunger pains. Other times I would shield my eyes from adult images that continuously played on the tv in one of my parent's rooms, and many times I witnessed my parents being arrested. Over the years I saw a great deal of abuse, both substance abuse and physical abuse. One parent was often abused or acting as the abuser. As a teenager one of my parents would not allow me to return home, and I found myself quasi-homeless. Then as an adult I faced one of my parents, high on drugs, as they screamed in my face saying they wished I would die. After such difficult experiences, many people expected I would become an addict like my parents, but I am proud to say, I overcame that expectation! I knew what my life would look like if I chose a life of substance abuse like my parents did. Instead, I chose a different path! The funds from this scholarship will help me ease the financial stress associated with college education and allow me to pursue my bachelor's degree in English. Upon competition of my degree, it's my plan to enter into the world of book publishing where I can work with books and share my love of literature with children in my community and the world! Currently, work with at-risk teens who reside at our academy. A large part of my job is to teach teens life-skills and life coping skills. It's a huge blessing that my role permits me to share my passion for books permitting me to run a teen-based book club! Not only am I able to read to them and with them, but I also facilitate meaningful discussions around the sometimes-challenging themes of the books we are read. Another passion of mine is stamp collecting. I've been collecting stamps since I was 10 years old, and while I do not know how many stamps I have, I do have some really special stamps that once belonged to my great-grandparents. Recently, I added stamps to my collection from my grandmother's trip to Italy, as well as a beautiful vintage three-cent Edgar Allan Poe stamp that I believe to be from 1949. As a literature lover, this is by far my favorite stamp in my collection! I'm excited to say that I'm able to also incorporate teaching teens about the joys of stamp collecting while teaching them about life skills. While distributing mail to the teens at our academy, I often comment on the beautiful stamps and let them know how neat they are. This is a simple way of opening up the conversation to stamp collecting and the history behind stamps. Stamp collecting is a wholesome activity and a great way for these teens who are coming to us from some very rough backgrounds to focus their thoughts on something they can enjoy that's not screen related. Joy is contagious! I love sharing the things that bring me happiness- especially books and collecting stamps, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share both with the teens I work with!

From the cycle of the moon to the setting of the sun, the universe is an intricate masterpiece that guides not only the rhythms of nature but also the appointed times of worship for Torah-observant believers like me. In the beginning of the Torah, it is written, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let there be lights in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs and will mark religious festivals, days, and years,’” Genesis 1:14 (Names of God Translation). From the very start of the text, it is clear that the universe plays an essential role in the worship of Yahweh and in our daily lives. We are told to look to the lights in the sky—the sun, moon, and stars—for important signs. Just as one knows spring is coming based on the tender shoots of daffodil and tulip bulbs bursting out of the snow, Torah-observant believers look to the sky to determine the beginning of important feasts and festivals. Searching for the new moon each month with the naked eye is always exciting but not always fruitful. Modern tools, such as astronomy apps, aid in this task by guiding moon watchers to the correct part of the sky or confirming whether the moon is visible or not. These tools blend ancient practices with contemporary technology, assisting worshipers in their mission to spot the monthly new moon. Similarly, understanding the timing of the sun’s setting is essential for observing the Sabbath, as its start and end shift with the seasons. A deeper understanding of the universe begins to reveal the multiple layers of Yahweh’s word, enriching both worship and faith. Psalm 33:7 (NLT) says, “[Yahweh] breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” As humans, we are aware that the universe is vast—so vast that we are unable to measure it, yet this verse tells us that Yahweh breathed, and the stars were created. It’s hard to fathom the size of our universe, let alone the grandness of a God who can breathe starts out as effortlessly as humans expel used breath. Many may not find religious significance in learning about the universe, but as it is a common space we all share, and understanding more about the place and time we live in is also important. For instance, ancient cultures like the Egyptians and Mayans aligned their pyramids with celestial events demonstrating how deeply they valued the cosmos. Studying these connections not only sheds light on the significance of the universe in ancient civilizations but also highlights its long-standing impact on our world today. The cosmos connects us across time, linking ancient civilizations to modern humanity while giving us a glimpse of our future. Understanding the universe not only enriches my faith but also connects me to the shared pursuit of knowledge. Whether through ancient structures mimicking the stars above or modern tools that unveil the cosmos’ mysteries, exploring the universe and its impact on civilizations bridges the gap between past and present and the dead and the living.

I write to think, to feel, and to heal. Writing helps me process my thoughts and emotions about past events, which, in turn helps me heal from adverse experiences. In an academic setting, I love to write both analytically and argumentatively. Analyzing literature and formatting arguments allows me to flex my creativity while challenging my mind. Writing analytically also helps me to connect more deeply with what I've read and uncover the deeper meanings of the text I may have missed otherwise. When writing argumentatively I often challenge myself by taking an opposing stance to that my professors and my own personal beliefs. Writing in such a manner allows me to work on removing any preconceived bias I may be harboring as well as helping me expand my ideas and view them from a different point of view. I find this type of writing to be a great way to get me out of my comfort zone. When it comes to creative writing, I've found much inspiration from my personal life when it comes to writing short stories. By tapping into my childhood trauma as an inspiration, I can tell my story creatively without explicitly revealing personal details. I feel that I can heal from the inside-out by sharing what I've been through and allowing others to get a glimpse of my experiences through a slightly fictional lens. I want to further my education for many reasons. I crave knowledge and wish to immerse myself in the study of English Literature. I love to read and hope to be able to read thousands more books in my lifetime, but it's my greatest hope that at least a few dozen of those books can be read in an academic setting with professors able to guide me in understanding deeper meanings, and many layers of the texts. I also wish to earn a higher degree so that I may enter into a career I am passionate about and so that every day I can feel a daily dose of joy and purpose for the job I hold. Additionally, I desire a higher education so that while I am homeschooling my children, I can provide them with a richer and more bountiful education, which is greater than I can provide with my current education level. Lastly, I thirst to further my education for personal growth. For far too many years I believed the lie that I had aged out of the education system, and that there was no point of me trying to return to school. However, furthering my education even at this stage in life is proof that it's never too late to learn, it's never too late to change, and it's never too late to achieve your dreams!

In today's world, many people believe truth is subjective, that it can be whatever they wish it to be, as if truth is something that can be manipulated. However, that's not the case. Truth is defined by God's word, His Torah. There are also many who believe that the "truth" of the New Testament washes away God's Word in the "Old Testament." Unfortunately, these people are mistaken in their understanding of truth according to only the New Testament. Without a firm understanding of God's Torah, the truth of the New Testament is incomplete and potentially misrepresented. For example, in Matthew 5:17 (NIV), Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." If someone were to read this without understanding God's Torah, they might believe that by fulfilling the Law, Jesus is saying that it is no longer in effect or valid. However, consider a marriage covenant: when a man and a woman fulfill their covenant by consummating the marriage, their marriage is not ended, nor does it become invalid. In the same way, Jesus' actions did not abolish the Law; He fulfilled it. This example highlights the importance of understanding God's truth and not taking portions of the New Testament out of context, claiming them as truth without a complete knowledge of God's word. There are many examples of this type of thinking. Another instance is the idea that although God told His people not to eat pork, some believe He later declared all food clean. However, God never called pigs "food," so He did not declare them clean for consumption. Many Christians cite Peter's vision in the book of Acts: "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean" (Acts 10:15). Without reading the rest of the passage in context, it can be difficult to understand what the voice was referring to. Initially, Peter doesn't understand the vision—Acts 10:19-20 describes him as being "puzzled"—but he eventually realizes the vision pertains to men, not animals or food. Peter explains, "God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean" (Acts 10:28). The explanation is right there in the text, yet often overlooked. Peter's vision does not concern transforming pigs from unclean animals into clean food, nor does Jesus' declaration in Mark 7:19 indicate that pigs are food. Instead of claiming that eating pork or that Jesus did away with the Law are "Biblical truths," Christians should test such ideas against God's Word, His Torah, to see if they align with the true standard of God's Word.

Books have always been a part of my life, though I didn’t realize their impact until I was older. As a child, I struggled to read. While I loved the idea of books and reading, it became such a challenge that I began to avoid it at all costs. I vividly recall the first book I read all the way through by myself: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, when I was about eight years old. I attended special reading classes until I entered middle school, though I most likely should have continued attending those classes into high school. While I hated reading, I secretly loved being read to and going on trips to the library. I can recall checking out oodles of books to sit with and thumb through. The unique, warm scent of a book brought me joy, and I craved the pleasure reading brought to others, along with the knowledge found within the pages of those books. But without the skill to read—and read well—I knew I'd never be able to gain that knowledge on my own. It wasn't until I was a junior in high school that my English teacher read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald to our class. My teacher took the time to explain the symbolism in the story and showed us the depth of the characters. That experience watered a small seed that began to take root, although I didn't realize it at the time. After I finished high school, I entered the workforce. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my first baby that I began reading for pleasure. I had heard somewhere that reading to your unborn baby had many benefits, so I started reading to my baby every day. During that time, I also began reading to myself and discovered that my love of reading had finally caught up with my reading skills. From that point on, reading and collecting books became my hobby. Over the years, I have read many books that have shaped my perspective. Books like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki tore my heart out and showed me what life was like for Americans who were treated poorly simply because of the color of their skin. As a mother, I read aloud to my children daily and require them to read independently, too. I knew from a very young age that I wanted them to develop a deep love of books, the desire to read, and the skills I didn't have. I’m pleased to say that my children's favorite place is the library! They love to read as much as I do. After 16 years of collecting books and knowledge, reading and books became more than just a pastime. When I decided to go back to school to work on my AA, I chose to major in what I love: English. I hope to eventually earn an MA in English Literature and work for a publishing company, where I can work with the words and books I adore. Maybe someday, when I retire, I'll be able to have a bookstore of my own and help provide books to my community—a community that currently doesn't have a bookstore. In the meantime, I passionately share my love of books and all the benefits they bring with anyone who is willing to listen.

The very first concert memory I have was from when I was about 11 years old. It was a sticky summer afternoon in 1997 when my friends and I took the familiar walk to the park. Instead of the usual green grass waiting for us we were met with what looked like thousands of people each floating on a life raft! Every person sitting on their blanket was facing the same direction toward the park's bandstand. I remember the momentary jarring feeling when the band began to play, but that feeling soon subsided as I soaked in the sounds and the joy that it brought to all those around me. I wasn't familiar with the band, and I didn't recognize the name when I asked, but that experience with live music at an outdoor event stuck with me. A few weeks later I was watching tv when I recognized a song that was playing, and the name of the band! I had seen this band live and now here they were, The Dixie Chicks (now called The Chicks), and I was watching their music video on tv! This first concert experience instilled a love of live music in me and I loved going to concerts. Over the years, my taste in music changed greatly. In middle school, high school, and right after high school graduation, I spent a lot of time going to many hard rock concerts such as Korn, Poppa Roach, Dredge, Floater, and Hank III. I'm glad I had those experiences, but I wouldn't attend such concerts today. As I grew older, my taste in music changed for the better, and it was my personal goal to attend every Christan concert that was held in my area. A few concerts I experienced were Lauren Daigle, Hillsong, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jordan Feliz, Bethel Music, Jeremy Riddle, Urban Rescue, All Sons and Daughters, I Am They, Rend Collective, Kristene DiMarco, and Jenn Johnson. My very favorite concert was by far when I traveled across the country, solo, to Washington D.C. to the Musuem of the Bible to attend a Gala, listen to Lysa Terkeurst speak and Kelly Minter lead worship in an all-day semi-formal event! It was an absolutely wonderful experience! Picture this if you will, hundreds of women from all over the country, coming together to sing songs of worship inside a giant concert hall inside the beautiful Museum of the Bible! The music wasn't the only wonderful thing about that concert experience. I met a couple of women who are sisters, that became my very good friends. I only met them in person that one time, but we have kept in contact the old fashion way, by being pen pals. It's been 6 years since I've seen them, but I hope that one day we will be able to meet up again at another life changing concert! In the attached file you will find an image of me on the left and my good friend Kim on the right. This was taken while we were at the Big Daddy Weave and We are Messengers Concert a few years ago.

I cannot count how many times I’ve heard, “I don’t know how you do it,” when it comes to my life. Whenever those words are spoken, I respond with a shrug and the simple truth: “It’s not easy, but I don’t know how to do it any other way.” I’m Rosie, a full-time college student and a mother of four children whom I homeschool. We live off-grid in the high desert of Nevada, where I grow a garden, raise chickens, and keep honeybees. We moved here three years ago after buying raw land sight-unseen, and we’ve been developing it from the ground up with little more than our calloused hands and big dreams. Leaving our entire family a state away wasn’t easy, and raising children with the closest family support over 500 miles away is a challenge, but we feel this life is best for our little family. Over the years, my husband and I have spent countless hours volunteering with our local church, running the AWANA Sparks program each week. We have also volunteered in the nursery, cared for preschoolers, and taught engaging Sunday School lessons to elementary-aged children. This has been a meaningful way for us to give back to our community. Unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with a lung disease that is affecting his heart. We are concerned that he may not be able to work much longer, and I fear I may be forced to return to the workforce before completing my degrees. I am committed to using my future degrees to volunteer in tutoring children and adults in reading and literature analysis. I struggled with reading as a child and missed out on the joy books can bring. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my first child that I fully grasped the importance and influence books can have on a life. Now, as an avid reader and book lover, I hope to help others discover the transformative power of books, just as I have. If I am awarded this $1,000 scholarship, I would be extremely honored and exceedingly grateful. The funds will play a vital role in alleviating financial pressures, allowing me to stay focused on my studies and bring me that much closer to earning my degrees. This support will also help equip me with the qualifications needed to reenter the competitive workforce and pursue my dream career in publishing. Thank you very much for considering my application.

As a child, I was a thinker, but thinking about my life made me sad. As a child of addicts, my life looked nothing like the lives of my friends at school. Early on, I learned to suppress my emotions in an effort to protect and preserve myself. I never understood why my friends or, especially, adults cried when pets or loved ones died in movies or in real life. I grew so emotionless that my mother began calling me "The Ice Queen" because there was very little that could bring me to tears. To understand where I was coming from, you have to understand that my mother was suffering from bipolar disorder, and she was an addict. Her emotional state was very fragile. When she would add drugs and/or alcohol to her system, she could quickly spin out of control spewing hatred from her mouth onto anyone and everyone in her path, but within a few hours and ask what's wrong and want to hug everyone. Sadly, even after a stay in the psych ward, her behavior didn't improve. I am no psychologist, but I truly believe that the emotional trauma my mother endured after she terminated her pregnancy when she was very young was the root of her mental health issues. The loss of her first child had a severely negative effect on her mental health, and it continues to do so to this day. I wish with all my might that she would have reached out to a medical professional to get the help she needs for this specific trauma, but she has yet to do so. I was so afraid of being hurt by my mother's erratic behavior that I continued to build a wall around my mind and my heart in an attempt to not feel such stinging pain. My young mind thought that being numb and feeling nothing was safer than experiencing the deep wounds of a mother's words. Over the years, I have recognized that feeling numb is unhealthy. By trying to avoid pain, I was also missing out on feeling joy. With the birth of my own children, I discovered how important it was to be there emotionally for them in ways that my mother wasn't able to be there for me. It took me a long time to learn how to break down my emotional barriers. I have had to learn how to be emotionally vulnerable, but my husband has been patient with me. If I'm being honest, there are times when I want to start building emotional barriers again because it was my default for so long. However, I know that is not what is best for me or my family. When I was a child, I felt like I was the only child whose life was messy, but these days, more and more people are speaking openly about their less-than-perfect childhood experiences. I have found friends that had a similar upbringing to mine, and we have been able to bond over those experiences that almost broke us. It's my hope that this generation, and the generations to come, will understand that mental health is as important as physical health and how much one person's mental health can deeply affect their loved ones for years to come.

Eleanor Anderson-Miles and I share the common belief that the power of equal access to education, emphasizing the need for support, access, funding, and drive are essential when it comes to pursing a higher education. Over the last 20 years, I have faced and overcome adversity to pursue my educational dreams. I didn't experience a typical childhood. For many years, the supportive adults in my life were more focused on ensuring my basic needs were met than supporting my education. When I graduated high school, my family saw my education as complete and much of my family discouraged me from pursuing a college degree. After a 16-year break from school, I decided it was time to focus on my education and work towards my deferred dream. My father, older and wiser, offered to purchase my laptop, and in doing so offered his support towards education. However, support from my immediate family has not always been consistent. My husband, initially unsupportive of my educational pursuits, has undergone a significant change in perspective over the past few months. His newfound support has been a welcome change, providing me with emotional stability and encouragement that I need. Access to educational resources has been a critical factor in my academic success. Without the laptop from my father availability of and online classes, there is no way I would be able to work on my degree at this point in my life. With four children that I homeschool, trying to attend classes in person is not a possibility. A laptop has opened up a world of online resources, enabling me to participate in virtual classes, access scholarly articles, and collaborate with peers. Financial support has been another cornerstone of my educational journey. My father’s and grandmother’s small contributions have eased the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of how to afford the necessary and recommended tools and materials for my courses. While support, access, and funding have been crucial aspects of my education, my drive has been the thing that moves me forward. This inner drive, fueled by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education, has kept me pushing forward even when the path was, and is, challenging. Coming to see the importance of education took me years. After wasting much of the education I was given in my teens, I have such a greater appreciation for education now that I'm older. My journey to higher education has been marked by significant challenges, but with the support, access, funding, and drive, I have risen above them. This scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it symbolizes a belief in my potential and hard work. With this support, I am confident that I can achieve my academic goals, and I would be honored to be chosen to steward these funds faithfully and in a way that brings glory to Eleanor Anderson-Miles' legacy.

As I chart the course of my future, I envision crafting a legacy that transcends mere success to leave a lasting impact on those around me. At the heart of this vision lies my aspiration to create a bookstore that not only sells books but also serves as a sanctuary—a place where individuals can find solace, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. In addition to books, this haven will offer an assortment of plants and cherished items, each carefully selected to uplift the spirits of visitors and foster a sense of community. My dream bookstore embodies more than just a business venture; it is a manifestation of my deep-seated commitment to spreading love and nurturing minds. Since financial stability is undoubtedly a consideration, my plans for opening a bookstore may need to wait a few years or until I reach retirement age. However, this delay does not deter my enthusiasm for the project; rather, it fuels my determination to ensure that every aspect of the bookstore reflects my values and goals. From the cozy reading nooks adorned with lush greenery, every detail will be meticulously crafted to create an environment conducive to growth, connection, and exploration. My primary passion lies in promoting literacy and sharing the transformative power of books with others. I am driven by the belief that access to literature can ignite imaginations, broaden perspectives, and empower individuals to heal. As such, my bookstore will not only serve as a retail space but also as a hub for educational workshops, author readings, and community events aimed at fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning. Through my bookstore, I will aim to cultivate a space where individuals from all walks of life feel welcomed and valued. Whether it's recommending a favorite novel, hosting book clubs and author events, or simply providing a listening ear, I seek to shine my light by spreading kindness, empathy, and encouragement to all who cross my path. In doing so, I hope to inspire others to embrace the joys of reading, connect with their communities, and embark on journeys of personal growth and self-discovery. As I eventually embark on this entrepreneurial endeavor, my ultimate goal is not just to leave a mark on the world but to leave it a little brighter, a little more compassionate, and a little more enlightened, and a little more well-read than how I found it. Through my bookstore and the love within its walls, I hope to create a legacy that resonates with the hearts and minds of generations to come.

Books have shaped me into the woman I am today. From a young age, I loved books, but ironically, I hated reading as it did not come easy for me. After a childhood of special reading classes and refusing to read assigned texts, it wasn't until my junior year of high school that a book was finally able to grip me and inspire me to begin a lifelong journey of reading. I will never forget how my English teacher used The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald to ignite my interest in reading. That year, my English professor read the novel aloud in class with such passion that it ignited my own love for literature. More high school English teachers should consider reading aloud to their classes because people of all ages love to be read to; the popularity of audiobooks is a testament to this. Even though F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel was written over 100 years ago, it resonated with me as a brooding teen and guided me toward an adult life passionate about reading. While I have read so many books that have impacted me and shaped my goals, two that stand out are, Little Women and Frankenstein. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott broke my heart, inspired me, and encouraged me not to give up on my dreams. The story of the March sisters taught me the importance of perseverance, family, and pursuing one's passions, lessons that have been extremely useful in my own life over the past six years. Frankenstein forced me to look deep within myself and evaluate my views on difficult topics such as death, the creation of life, love, loss, responsibility, power, and guilt. It's my goal to read all the books I missed out on over the years. At times, I mourn the time I wasted, but I also understand that reading them now means I have a much greater understanding of many of the works and a deeper appreciation for classic literature. I know the word "classic" tends to turn people off, but my feelings are this: There is a reason they are classics, and many of them have played a pivotal role in shaping our culture. Some references to classic works are out in the open, while others are subtly hidden, and only those who have read the works can uncover them. Drawing these connections encourages me to learn more and share such discoveries with my children that I homeschool. With the close reading skills I've acquired, I've been able to delve deeper into the pages of God's word, uncovering treasures that had previously eluded me. Now, armed with the tools of analysis and interpretation, I can uncover layers of meaning and insight that I had previously glossed over. The nuances of language, historical context, and cultural backdrop all come alive as I immerse myself in the text! I aspire to work for professional publishing company, tutor children, and continue to homeschool my children, passing on my love of reading and learning to the next generation. By fostering a love of literature in others, I hope to make a positive impact on my community and inspire others to explore the world of books. These are only a few of the books that have profoundly shaped my goals and aspirations. They have taught me empathy, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Through my education, I plan to continue this journey of literary discovery and make a positive impact on the world by sharing the transformative power of books with all who are willing to listen!

It's amazing to think that some popular TV shows, songs, movies, and books from just a few years ago have completely fallen out of fashion and become virtually unrelatable, yet one book written over 200 years ago remains both relevant to the human condition and has never been out of print. I am, of course, speaking of the enduring work of Mary Shelley and her groundbreaking novel Frankenstein. This beloved book explores difficult themes such as death, the creation of life, love, loss, responsibility, power, guilt, and many other topics that most of us will wrestle with at some point in our lives. The story is about a young European man named Victor Frankenstein, who pieces together body parts of the dead to bring to life a nameless creature unlike anything the world has ever seen before. This story may sound unrelatable at first—let's hope there aren't many people in the world with plans similar to those of Victor Frankenstein—but upon reading deeper and peeling back the layers within the literature, the reader will see that both the man and the monster are struggling with the same thoughts, ideas, and feelings as any other human who has lived on this earth. In our American culture, we herald the novel as the first science fiction novel, and Frankenstein's monster is a popular Halloween icon that graces most homes and businesses during the month of October. However, our culture has twisted and tainted the true image and message of Frankenstein's creation by doing so. To right this wrong, a reading of the original work is in order. Those who read the text will be able to put the holiday caricature aside and explore the deeper themes and questions posed in the story. In doing so, the reader will be urged to reflect on their own choices, both past and present. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is more than just a story about a man and his monstrous creation. The novel is a profound exploration of the human experience. In an ever-changing world, the enduring lessons of Frankenstein remind us of the importance of understanding, empathy, and responsibility. It is a literary masterpiece that all should explore, not only for its historical significance but for its ability to illuminate the deepest and darkest corners of our shared humanity throughout history and into the future.

I remember the day she was born; I was 10 years old, and it was a rainy day in December when I called the hospital from a pay phone. "Faith, I named her Faith," my mom whispered into the phone, and the name sounded unfamiliar in my ear. Little did I know that that 3 lb 3 oz, 8-weeks-premature baby girl would grow to be a woman I sincerely admire today. My tiny sister has grown to be one of the most independent, confident, and capable women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and it's an honor to call her my sister. Faith and I share the same mother but have different fathers, although you'd never know it. While we are technically half-sisters, we always say: "There is no such thing as 'half' in our family!" The two of us grew up with a very challenging childhood. Even so, my sister, unlike me, chose to make informed choices about her future as soon as she was old enough to do so. From a very young age, she knew what she wanted, set her goals, and worked hard to achieve each one! She supported herself during high school and continued to work multiple jobs while attending college full-time. She pursued her education when no one in my family, not even me, supported her dream. When I was considering returning to college after 16 years in the workforce, it was my sister's soothing words that encouraged me and gave me the confidence to re-enroll in college and pursue my dream of finally earning a degree of my own. My sister continues to be my support system and my biggest cheerleader as I navigate the challenges of balancing my studies and family life. Last semester, I enrolled in a course on Public Speaking to refine my public speaking skills for the benefit of my academic, professional, and personal life. Learning to convey my message and explain my thought process with evidence is not only an important life skill but also a way to gain the skills needed to be an active and engaged listener and audience member. I enjoyed the Public Speaking class immensely, and I learned so much that I actively applied to my academic speeches and other areas of my life. It was then that my professor invited me to compete in the end-of-semester Speech Tournament! I wrote a persuasive speech titled "Organic Fruits & Veggies: What’s Best for Pollinators, People, and the Planet," and I practiced for weeks. My children and my husband became my audience, and it's safe to say they knew the speech as well as I did. I am happy to report that after weeks of hard work, and out of over 300 students, I came in 3rd place in the championships! While I'm not a communications major, I am an English major, and I understand the importance of being able to convey my message clearly and in a way that will keep the recipient of my message interested and engaged. Thanks to my English background, I approached Public Speaking much like I do writing, but from a slightly different perspective, which made the experience even more enjoyable! I highly recommend Public Speaking courses to any college student; the skills acquired from these classes would be beneficial to college students of any major!

We've all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Unfortunately, this saying is far from the truth. Words are powerful; they can be wielded like swords to wound or used as salves to heal. Words have the power to stay with a person long after they have left the mouth of the speaker. Words can also inspire, encourage, and motivate, which is exactly what they did for me. My journey back to college was deeply influenced by the power of words. When I was on the fence about pursuing my education, it was the kind words of my younger sister that solidified my decision: “You can do it, Rosie! You’re smart enough, and you know what? The time is going to pass by anyway.” Her words moved me profoundly, inspiring me to pursue my long-deferred dream of earning a degree. I love to read and collect books, but I didn't always feel this way. I struggled to read when I was a child and avoiding reading at all costs as a teen. Over the years, I learned how powerful reading can be and each day share this passion with my children in hopes of cultivating a love of literature in their young lives. I currently homeschool my four children, and literature plays a huge role in their schooling. Each month, we read a classic novel together and analyze and discuss the themes. My daughter and I hope to start a Classic Literature book club for middle school and high school students as soon as I earn my degree! My passion for English was significantly nurtured by my English professor, Lauren Hollingsworth, whose enthusiasm for teaching English made it inevitable that my love of literature would blossom under her influence. I desire to create an impact in my community and the world by tutoring children to read and helping them discover the power of literature. Literacy is not just about the ability to read; it's also about learning to think critically, analyze literature, and see things from another person's perspective, which is something this world needs more of. My personal goal is to work for a publishing company where I can engage with the words and books that I love so very much. My choice to pursue a degree in English literature is driven by my belief in the power of words to heal, inspire, and transform. I am committed to using my education to make a positive impact on my community and hopefully the world by promoting literacy and a love for literature. I hope to inspire this generation and the next to appreciate the beauty and power of words and to use that power to create a more compassionate world for us all!

As a child, I wasn't a great reader; in fact, I was a terrible reader. I had a very hard time reading in general, and comprehending what I was reading was also a problem. I went to special reading classes from kindergarten until 5th grade, and if I'm being honest, I probably should have continued those classes for a few more years. I was the kid who had crippling anxiety every time we took turns reading aloud in class. I would count the kids ahead of me and then count which paragraph I would be called on to read. Instead of listening to the story or trying to understand the non-fiction text, I would practice reading my paragraph over and over again until it was my turn to read. I wasn't a confident reader, and being forced to read aloud and show everyone my insecurities made me despise reading, both aloud and independently. "Popcorn" reading was especially traumatic. In high school, I flat out refused to read much of the assigned readings. Although I did try to skim them to get the gist of the story so I could somewhat follow what was going on in class, it wasn't a very successful way of approaching reading. It wasn't until I was 21 years old and pregnant with my first baby that I finally fell in love with reading. Once I learned that babies could hear their mother's voice in the womb, I knew that this was the perfect time to start reading to my baby so that he would have a love for reading that I never had. I read children's books like Little Critter and Berenstain Bears to him every day, and as I did, my love of reading blossomed. That was 16 years ago, and today, I read each and every day! My love of English has bloomed over the years, and I love literature so much that I'm currently majoring in English with the end goal of earning an MA in English literature. It took me years to develop my reading skills, much longer than most, but that extra time gave me a great appreciation for the written word. I homeschool my four children, and a major part of our homeschool revolves around great literature. Each month, we read aloud, discuss, and analyze a classic novel. It's my goal for my children to love literature and have the skills I was lacking at their age to be able to enjoy and understand what we are reading. With millions of people in the US alone who cannot read or write above an elementary school level, there is a huge need for people like me who want to share their love of reading with others! I hope to be able to volunteer and tutor children and adults alike in reading and literary analysis. Many people only see books as paper and ink, but books contain so much more than just bland words on a page. Books are transformative! After earning my degree, my professional goal is to work for a publishing company where I can work with the books and words that I love so much. I hope one day I will be able to be able to share literacy with both my local community and the world!

In recent years, my unstable financial situation has endangered my education. In January 2021, I began my college journey, nearly a year after the COVID pandemic shook the world. During the pandemic, I lost my job at my local preschool but soon secured another job with great flexibility, allowing me to continue attending college and working towards my AA degree. Sadly, the company I worked for shut down just over a year later. I spent the next nine months job hunting with no success. Most employers want their applicants to hold a BA or, at minimum, an AA. My husband hadn’t been the most supportive of my schooling, and when he began to feel the financial squeeze, he suggested that I begin working again at whatever job I could find. A great fear swept over me. The last thing I want to do is go back to work for minimum wage before I have completed the degree that I've been working so hard to earn. This scholarship would be immensely helpful by easing the financial burden of attending college, allowing me to focus on my studies without the fear of returning to the workforce prematurely. Being awarded this scholarship will not only help monetarily but also be an enormous encouragement to know that someone other than myself believes in me and my dreams. My dream is to achieve an MA in English Literature. A degree in English Literature would mean that I can share my love of books and words with the world. Many people today underestimate the power of books. Books are more than just words on a page; they can be held, smelled, felt, and loved, providing a unique experience. Millions of children and adults in the US cannot read or write above an elementary level, and there is a huge need for people to learn to see books as more than paper and ink. Reading a book doesn’t cost a thing! Anyone of any socioeconomic level can visit a public library and discover a new book that can change the way they see themselves, the people around them, and the world. The beauty of reading is that anyone can learn anything they want just by opening up a book. Knowledge is free for those who seek it! When I achieve my degree, I plan on tutoring children in reading, literary analysis, and much more. I currently homeschool my four children, and my goal is to share my love of literature with them so that they can carry a love of books throughout their lives as well. I'm not sure what the future holds for my family, but I’m determined not to give up on my dreams. My husband was just diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema this month, and he can no longer work in the field he has been in for the last 12 years as a wood sawyer and small business owner. Even though this is a heavy hit for our family both financially and physically, I will continue to pursue my education until there is no other option and I must return to the workforce or until I have earned my degrees. With this scholarship, I can remain focused on my studies and continue to strive towards my goal of earning an MA in English Literature, which will help me inspire others to love literature and literacy. I want to help those who struggle with literacy and show them the boundless opportunities that reading books can offer. I hope to make an impact in this way in both my community and the world!

I know this isn't exactly following the essay prompt, but I decided to write this anyway. Unfortunately, my mother hasn't always impacted my life in a positive way, and I have become the person I am today because I wanted to choose a different life than she has. So, instead of writing about my mother, I would like to write about my two grandmothers and their impact and influence in my life. When I was four years old my own mother couldn't care for me properly and my paternal grandparents took me in. My grandparents spent the next 9 years caring for me, making sure I had everything I needed and then some. My grandma Pam, whom I called, Grammie Pammie, is an introvert and never liked to travel or do many spontaneous things, but she always made our home a stable environment. She would often invite me into the kitchen to make dinner with her, giving me my own tiny paring knife where taught me how to cut tomatoes and tear lettuce for our dinner salads. I remember feeling wrapped in love as I wore beautiful dresses, that she lovingly handmade for me. Looking at my grandma Pam's life I can honestly say she is one of the least selfish people I've ever met. In addition to raising me, her granddaughter, my grandmother raised her younger sister when she herself was a new bride, and she cared for her dying husband, in her older age, and now, while she's in her 80's she is currently caring for her son who has congestive heart failure. While I didn't live with my maternal grandmother Diane whom I still call "Grammie Sweetheart," she has also played a major part in my upbringing. Unlike my Grammie Pammie, my Grammie Sweetheart was single for most of my life and spent much of her time working long hours to cover her bills, but she always had enough time for me. My Grandma Sweetheart didn't live far from me, and as an extrovert, she would not only attend my school field trips, but she also took me on many outings of our own. She introduced me to so much wonderful culture over the years. Pumpkin patches, plays in San Fransico, local farmer's markets, China Town, Disneyland, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara were just some of the wonderful adventures we had together. The biggest trip we took together was when I graduated from high school and she took me on a trip to Paris, France. As a little girl, she promised to take me to Paris, and though I now realize it must have been a significant expense for her, she honored her word. My Grandma Sweetheart has always loved me as if I was her only grandchild, although I am one of seven, you would never know it. Both of my grandmothers have been constant pillars in my life up until this very day. I talk to them weekly, and they still send me care packages multiple times per month. I may be nearly 40 years old, but to them, I'm still their little granddaughter. My grandmothers are getting older and thinking about losing them breaks my heart. I honestly do not know what I will do once they are gone. When that time comes, a little part of me will be lost with them. Both of them have given me what I never received from my own mother, and I am eternally grateful for the role both of these women have played in my life!

For me, the one person who has shown me an overwhelming amount of kindness would be my neighbor Jen. She and her husband Roy are the most selfless people I have ever met. From the very first time they stopped by to introduce themselves they have been offering to fill any need we had or may have come up in the future. They've gifted us bottles of oregano oil to aid us when feeling under the weather and gave us a 30-pound box of locally raised beef, brought us a dump-trailer full of manure for our garden, surprised us with a generator for our well when our generator malfunctioned, and so many things in-between! Jen never expects, nor does she want anything in return. Their kindness is absolutely unprecedented. In December of 2022 my husband, my four children, and I were on our way to drop me off at a shuttle to the airport so I could visit my 80-year-old grandmother, when my husband's truck began to overheat and shut down leaving us stranded on the side of the road. Where I live, December can be very cold, and that year was the coldest winter I'd ever experienced. It was only 3 degrees Fahrenheit outside in the sun! I immediately called Jen and asked if she could come help. We were told the tow truck would be there in 30 minutes, but 30 minutes turned into 2 hours. With four kids in three-degree weather, Jen welcomed us into her truck and out of the frigid temperatures and happily sat there with us until the tow truck arrived. Jen and Roy's kindness has changed my perspective on how I can help others. While I often volunteer and help where I can, Jen's actions have shown me that kindness can be contagious! Her selfless acts have inspired me to be more observant of the needs of others that they may not express. I try to fill those needs as I see them and build relationships with the kindness and compassion that I've seen in Jen. You never know what someone is going through or how what you may think is a small act of kindness may impact them. Being kind doesn't cost a penny, but the person on the receiving end gains something priceless, something money can't buy. I hope that through kindness I am able to make other people feel the way that she has made me feel over the years!

I'm not a traditional college student. I am a mother of four children that I homeschool while I attend college. My kids' ages range from preschool to high school, so trying to juggle their schooling and mine can be rather challenging, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I live off-grid where my family and I raise chickens for eggs and donate the surplus to friends and members of our community who are in need. We love to grow huge gardens with a surplus of food for canning, freezing, drying, and also like the eggs, we give the extras to those in need. Although we have been growing gardens for over 18 years, we are learning how to garden all over again since we moved to a drastically different climate than what we were used to gardening in. Last summer we learned potatoes grow very well in our soil and with well over 30 pounds of seed potatoes in red, Russett, Yukon gold and blue, they are actually purple (they are called blue for some reason) we are hoping for a bumper crop of potatoes this year. We recently decided to add bees to what I like to call our micro-farm. Our bees are due to arrive in a few weeks so my entire family is studying up on the history of bees and beekeeping and learning how to be the best beekeepers we can be as soon as our bees arrive. I'm sure there will be much trial and error, but I am a firm believer that hands-on learning is the best kind of learning. My husband is an artist who works with wood, and I help him run his small business on top of everything else. In the very little bit of down time I have, I love to read, collect books, visit the thrift store, snuggling my chickens, and spending time in my garden and greenhouse. I'm currently attending a community college where I'm majoring in English. I absolutely love words and books and the power that they hold. I hope to finish my AA by December of 2024 and transfer to a local state college where I can begin working on my BA, also in English, in January of 2025. Eventually, my end goal is to achieve a MA in English Literature and go on to work for a publishing company where I can work with the books that I love so much. Last year I lost my job when the company I was working for shut down. The last 11 months have been challenging to say the least. The funds from this scholarship would not only help ease the financial burden of attending school, but it would also help to build my confidence and motivation and allow me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies. In short, this scholarship would mean a lot to me! It's not just about the funds; it's about others believing in my dreams and cheering me on, even though we've never met. Knowing there are people out there that I've never met who care about my educational goals is truly amazing.

Movies have played an integral part in my life. As a child of the 90's the tv was always on in our house and watching movies quickly became one of my favorite pastimes. I remember watching movies that I found comforting like The Wizard of Oz, awe-inspiring like Terminator 2, and hilarious like Ace Ventura. I had what most would call an unconventional childhood, to say the least, and my childhood experiences caused me to be emotionally calloused. When most kids would cry at a movie, I didn't. The saddest parts of Black Beauty, Old Yeller, and The Secret Garden had no effect on me emotionally, and my mother thought it was funny to call me "The Ice Queen" because of my lack of emotion during these films. The only times I remember tearing up while watching a movie was when I watched The Little Mermaid and The Lion King with my dad. At the end of The Little Mermaid when Ariel leaves her father and family for her love, Eric, and when Simba is desperately trying to get his father to "wake-up" after being killed, it brought me to tears. I also recall looking over at my dad during those parts to find him sleeping and totally unaware of the cinematic heart wrenching events unfolding before him. These days my go to type of movie is a period piece drama that is full of love and loss. A movie that can move me to tears is a successful film. My husband can't quite seem to understand why I gravitate towards movies that break my heart and make me want to ugly cry. The explanation isn't difficult to understand. I've held in my emotions for so many years, both throughout both my childhood and as an adult, that I find a tearjerking, heartbreaking, soul crushing, movie is just what I need to cleanse myself of pent-up emotions. My favorite movie that I run to when I want to feel all the feels and the one movie that I would watch for the rest of my life if I could only choose one movie would be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. While the movie is what some would call a "chick flick" it's not only focused on romance. There are elements of love, loss, literature, war, death, Nazis, and more. Instead of stuffing down my emotions day in and day out, I can watch The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society and privately experience and express the feelings of heartbreak, excitement, suspense, and empathy as I relate to the many complex characters in the film. I find The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society a source of comfort as well as a way to purge my emotions and keep my mental health feeling refreshed.   Every time I think I've seen every bit of the movie, something else is revealed to me, such as a quote from a classic book, a book title I've read or I'd like to read, or even a reference to a moment in history. As an English major and history buff I absolutely love how much literature and history is jam-packed into this two-hour film. I recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to anyone who is looking to find comfort in a film and to anyone who is looking for an emotional release.

While there are many significant differences between the religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, they all claim to worship the same god, the God of Abraham. Whether it's the god of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob is up for debate, as Islam believes that Ishmael was the chosen child of Abraham, not Issac, as Christianity and Judaism agree upon. Even though there is much strife between the religions of Judaism and Islam there is at least one thing that they agree upon that Christianity does not. Jews and Muslims believe that God calls it an abomination to consume or touch the carcass of a dead pig. Most Christians, however, eat pigs regularly and some even on their religious holidays of Christmas and Easter. For many Christians they see eating pork as no longer being an abomination because Jesus and God have declared all food clean. However, with some close reading the reader will discover that the biblical text does not support the idea that pigs are clean animals for consumption. Many modern Christians eat pork because they believe that when Jesus said, "'Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.' (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes)" (Mark 7:19) He means to say that all food is clean as the words in the parentheses state. However, nowhere does the Bible say pigs are unclean food because they are simply not food. Leviticus 11 is titled "Clean and Unclean Food" and goes on to list what animals are deemed clean and what animals are not, yet nowhere does it say pigs are unclean food because pigs are not for consumption. The issue is not if pigs are unclean food because they are not to be used for food at all. According to the Trinitarian Bible Society, it wasn't until 1551 A.D./C.E. that the biblical text was split into chapters and the verse numbers were added. Robert Estienne (Stephanus) was the one to add these chapter titles and verse numbers which are convenient, but some titles, such as the one mentioned in Leviticus 11, may cause readers much confusion. Readers who are not familiar with the history of the Bible may not know this fact and may take those words added by Stephanus as words spoken by God. Many Christians also reference what they call Peter's vision (included at the end of this essay) when justifying their consumption of pork products. Upon reading Acts 10:9-15 the reader may understand the passage to mean all food is clean, however when Peter declines killing an eating something that the Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean, the voice replies by saying "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean" (Acts 10:15). Once again, this text does not declare pigs clean food to eat; it says "do not call something unclean if God has made it clean." Without reading the rest of the text in context, it may be challenging to understand what that something is that the voice was talking about. By reading on and reading the passages in context the reader will understand that Peter's vision is not about unclean animals being deemed clean for consumption, or about food at all, on the contrary, the vision is actually about men. Close reading reveals that while at first Peter doesn't understand the vision, Acts 10:19-20 actually describes him as being "puzzled," he eventually comes to the conclusion that the vision has to do with men and animals or food. Peter explains by saying, "God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean" (Acts 10:28). The explanation of the vision is right there within the text, but often overlooked. Peter's vision does not concern transforming pigs from unclean animals to clean animals for consumption, nor does Jesus' declaration in Mark 7:19 declare pigs as food. Instead of Christians just believing that they may eat pigs as a clean food because they have been told so by someone else or just skimming over these Bible verses they should try digging deeper into the text and close reading these passages and others to gain a greater understanding of what the ancient text is actually saying. In Mark 5, two chapters before Jesus' declaration of "Food doesn’t go into your heart..." in Mark 7, Jesus drives out multiple demons from within a man. The demons request something of Jesus that he grants them. The demons ask the following of Jesus, "'Send us into those pigs,' the spirits begged. 'Let us enter them'" (Mark 5:12). For a long time, I wondered why pigs, but now I believe I understand. According to the article "Importance of the pig as a human biomedical model" by Science.org, "The similarity of pigs to humans in anatomical size and structure, physiology, immunology, and genome enhances their potential as models for humans." A pig's body is very similar to a human's body on levels and because of this pig parts being used to replace human parts, such as intestines, skin grafting, and pigs are used to make insulin and there is even talk of pig blood being used in humans. According to the website ScienceFriday.com and their article "Smell That? It’s Forensic Entomology At The Body Farm" pig carcasses are used as a replacement for human bodies on body farms due to their "similarity in size and composition to humans." Knowing what we know now about the similarities between pigs and humans and that the demons in Mark 5 requested to be sent into pigs when they were driven out of the man, it seems even less likely that Jesus would have declared pigs as a clean animal for food only two chapters after driving demons into a herd of pigs. One more thing to think about. If Jesus had declared all animals clean to eat in Mark 7 then Peter would not have said, “No, Lord... I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean” in Acts 10. Peter, who spent massive amounts of time with Jesus, would have understood what Jesus meant when he spoke in Mark 7. If Jesus declared pigs as food, Peter's response would have been vastly different than it was when the sheet was lowered with the animals on it. Many Christians believe that abstaining from eating pork is only a Jewish or Muslim thing, but if Christians would read the biblical text a little closer, they may find that not to be entirely true. Just as the three religions all claim to worship the same god, the God of Abraham, all three religions could also be in agreement about abstaining from eating pork if they would only read the text more closely. Close reading of the Bible can be extremely eye-opening for believers. There is so much more in the text than meets the eye of the reader who only reads the Bible for the plot line. ................................................................................................................................................................ Acts 10:9-15 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” Acts 10:19-20 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” Acts 10: 28-29 Peter told [Cornelius and company], “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” ................................................................................................................................................................ Worked Cited “Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024. Lunney, Joan K, and et all. “Importance of the Pig as a Human Biomedical Model.” Science.Org, Science Translational Medicine, 24 Nov. 2021, www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abd5758. O’Brein, Jennifer. “Smell That? It’s Forensic Entomology At The Body Farm.” ScienceFriday.Com, 29 Sept. 2017, www.sciencefriday.com/educational-resources/forensic-entomology-body-farm/#:~:text=While%20most%20body%20farms%20rely%20on%20human%20remains,their%20similarity%20in%20size%20and%20composition%20to%20humans.

I spent years silent. It took me a very long time to find my voice. As a child I thought my opinion didn't matter, and I never wanted to disagree with anyone and cause ripples. For years I went with the flow and never spoke up for what I wanted or even asked questions when I didn't understand something. As time went by, I began to find my voice and use it. Although I was taught to stand up for myself even if I was standing alone, it took me until I was an adult to put the idea into practice. I am now a question asker and a double checker. I speak up when I feel like something isn't right, and I am motivated to action when I believe I need to move. Free speech is the cornerstone of our country and our communities, college communities included. Free speech on college campuses allows students of all ages to discover who they are and find their voice and empower them to learn that their opinion does in fact matter. Each and every person is entitled to their opinion, and each of them has the right to express it, even if it's not the popular opinion. Preserving freedom of speech is preserving freedom of thought. If our freedom of speech is reduced, manipulated, or revoked it results in the erosion of free thinking. Without the right to outwardly express oneself the next slippery step may be to control what people are allowed to think or believe. That is a truly terrifying idea. Anyone who has read 1984 by Geroge Orwell can tell explain what our society could look like if there were true thought police enforcing laws that required people to think or believe a standard set of beliefs. As an English major and book lover, critical thinking and freedom of speech are important parts of what I am studying both academically as well as in my personal life. After spending 18 months reading as many banned books as I could get my hands on, I can say from personal experience that no one, other than a parent deciding what their own underage child should be able to read, should have the power over another person to decide what they are allowed to read. Freedom of speech is more than just speaking; it is personal expression which includes written words of literature. Words have power and weight. Our words can wound, and words can heal. Many people have been deeply wounded by harsh words haphazardly spewed out of the mouth of someone they've deeply cared for while others have found healing in the words of a stranger. Some words have the power to sooth those old wounds. Words hold the potential to change our perspective, to make us new, and make this world a better place for generations to come.

I think of goals like checkpoints in a race. As soon as you've reached one there is another one you begin running towards. My most immediate goal is to achieve my AA in English by December this year then transfer to my local state college where I can continue working towards my next goal of a BA in English. My long-term goals are to earn an MA in English Literature and finally find a position with a publishing company where I can work with some of my favorite things: words and books! When I graduated from high school in 2004, I enrolled at my community college, but I immediately dropped out. In the spring of 2005, I enrolled again but quickly became overwhelmed with working full-time, learning how to adult, and paying for and attending college. Unfortunately, I stopped attending my college classes that same semester and my failing grades reflected my lack of effort. I didn't have a heart for learning at the time, nor did I have support from my family to continue my education, so I dropped out again that semester. For the next 16 years I worked steadily. I became a wife, and a mother of four. All that time I spent wishing I had gone back to school to complete my college degree. Then in January 2021, I finally decided it was time for me to work on my dreams, so I re-enrolled in my community college part-time. I knew it would be a big change and my family would need to adjust, but the time had come for me to take action. During the last three years I've been juggling raising and homeschooling my kids, moving to another state, learning to live off-grid, and working, all while trying to pursue my education. It hasn't been easy, but I have been able to earn an "A" in every class I've taken since January 2021. Then in 2023 I lost my job. I spent 9 months applying to over 100 positions, but I wasn't able to secure a single interview. This has been a new experience for me. The last two positions I held came after both companies sought me out and offered me a position with their company. After much prayer, I decided that if I hadn't found work by January 2024, I would attend school full-time. January came and I enrolled in full time classes but with a new concern. My husband hadn't been the most supportive of my education up to this point, and I knew that me being out of work and enrolling school full-time would put even more pressure on him to make up the difference financially as well as in the other areas of life where I would be less present due to the additional units I enrolled in. While things have been tight financially, I feel like my husband can now finally see how much a degree means to me and the opportunities a degree will provide. I hope that if I work hard enough and take summer classes I will be able to have my BA by December of 2026. If necessary, maybe I can find a new career so I can begin contributing to my family's financial needs once again while I simultaneously pursue my ultimate goal of a master's degree in English Literature. How ever it works out, I need to remember to keep my eye on the prize and not give up regardless of what hardships I face.

I'm a tired homeschool mom of four kids whose ages range from preschool to high school. I'm also slowly but surely working towards my degree goals. I'm currently working towards my AA in English, and I hope to have it completed by December 2024. After which, I plan on transferring to a state college and beginning my BA in English in January 2025. My end goal is to achieve a MA in English Literature with a minor in Horticulture, but honestly, that may take me quite a while. Trying to balance college, homeschool, and parenting, is no easy feat. Many people ask me how I do it all. The answer is simple. I don't sleep very much. I also have an amazing husband who is extremely helpful when it comes to meal preparation. Since I've been attending school full-time, he has happily taken on the responsibility of cooking dinner each night, and I feel very blessed to have such a husband. I was born to addict parents and I saw many things that a child should never have to witness. My parents' drug & alcohol use and abuse as well as them either being physically abused or acting as the abuser became common events of my childhood. Thankfully my loving grandparents stepped in and raised me, but whenever I spent time with either one of my parents there was some situation or event would occur that shouldn't have. To be clear, I knew then and I know now that my parents love me, but I've never been their top priority. Adversity taught me to never give up. I know that God will be there for me, and I know I have to keep my faith strong by obeying Him and I must keep moving forward one step and one day at a time. Adversity showed me what my life would look like if I choose the same path as my parents that that's not what I wanted for myself. Sometimes I feel bad that I'm not where I want to be yet, but then I have to remind myself that I didn't have the best start and things could have ended up a whole lot worse than where I am today. Instead, I should be proud of the adversity I've overcome, by living a life free of drugs and alcohol. I need not compare myself to others who were able to get their degree right out of high school, because at that time in my life, I had no support from any family to continue my education. While it's taken my husband three years to support me in my college pursuit, he's finally, for the most part, on board. It hasn't been an easy row to hoe, but I'm making progress and I need to be proud of myself right now. I hope that my children can look at my life one day say, "Even though mom didn't have the easiest life, and at times I know she wanted to give up, she never did, and that's inspiring!"

The most influential person in my life has been my grandpa. I was born to addict parents, and when they ended their disastrous relationship and filed for divorce, neither could care for me properly. Instead of entering the foster care system at the age of four, I was lovingly cared for by my grandparents. From four to 13 years old, I lived with my dad's parents. While my dad occasionally lived with us, he didn't fulfill the role of a father figure to me. Instead, my grandparents acted as parents to both of us. At a stage in my grandpa's life when he should have been focusing on retirement, he took on the immense responsibility of raising me, his grandchild. Not only was he already supporting my dad by allowing him to live there whenever he didn't have a place elsewhere, but also my dad's brother, who lived in my grandparents' other home without contributing to the mortgage for years and years. Despite his modest means, my grandfather believed it was essential to care for me. Let me be clear, my grandfather was not wealthy. He dropped out of school at only 14 years old and began working as a truck driver. After serving in the Navy for four years during the Korean War, he returned to driving semi-trucks until his retirement only a few years before he died from Parkinson's disease. My grandfather taught me invaluable lessons about love and life through his actions. He worked endlessly, never once collecting unemployment or complaining about work. Despite his demanding schedule of 14 to 16-hour days, he always made time for me. He had no problem coming home after working from sunup to sundown to start a 2-hour game of Monopoly with me. My grandpa loved golfing and he taught me how to play so I could be his golfing buddy. Golfing with me was a way for him to do something he loved with someone he loved dearly. He also loved riding his motorcycle, and we took many memorable trips around California together. When I was thirteen, I moved in with my mother in another state, which presented numerous challenges... Despite his demanding job as a truck driver, my grandfather made time for me whenever he drove through my town. He'd stop for lunch or simply for a hug, regardless of his schedule. On the day before he passed away, he was no longer eating or drinking, and he wasn't responding when spoken to. My grandma held the phone to his ear as I spoke to him, telling him I would miss him dearly and that it was okay for him to go now. I was told he smiled in response to my words, and he passed away the following day. In a stage of life where he should have been able to relax and retire, my grandfather took on the responsibility of raising me. His lifetime of selflessness and kindness taught me that loving people is more valuable than any possessions, fame, or wealth. Because of the example my grandfather set for me, I am inspired to live this life with a focus on loving my four children and husband well, especially as I try to balance pursuing my degree and homeschooling my children at the same time, which can be very challenging. When I miss my grandpa's love and influence, I remind myself of his tremendous love for me and I find solace in knowing that his love is just a fraction of the love God has for me and that warms my heart.

Success looks like never giving up! I never imagined I would earn a college degree because I didn't think I was smart enough. As a child I struggled to read and attended special reading classes until I was 10 years old, but I honestly should have continued attending well into my teens. As a teen reading was still a challenge and I refused to read the required books while in high school, and as a result, my grades suffered severely. But now, as an adult, I absolutely love reading! Success looks like reading all the books that I passed over while I was younger and reading all the books I've discovered as an adult! Success means proving to myself that I can earn a degree despite starting my college education later in life. It means showing my children that you are never too old to learn or to pursue your dreams! My first English professor, Lauren Hollingsworth, helped me build the confidence I needed as a student. Lauren showed me that literature is more than just words on a page, but that the words are alive and can be analyzed and interpreted. She helped me build my writing skills and taught me critical thinking and so much more. Thanks to her I realized that even though I had an outward aversion to reading, but deep down I really loved the written word, it just took some time and the right person to help me develop it! I feel a little like the character in Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham that keeps saying he doesn't like green eggs and ham, but once he finally tries them, he finds out that the loves them! I have a while to go, but my end goal is to obtain a master's degree in English Literature. I hope to be able to secure a job with a publishing company such as Penguin Random House where I can work with words and books and share the wonderful world of literature with the reluctant readers of the world. Success looks like a simple life. My idea of success in my personal life isn't anything extravagant. I'm not the kind of person that buys into the idea that a huge house, the newest car, trendy clothes, and a huge bank account is what will make me successful. Success comes from how I see myself and my own life, not how I think others may or may not view me. My vision of success is much less about outwardly appearances and more about the inward quality of each day of my life. Having my bills paid on time, paying off my debt, and living debt-free is my idea of success. For me, success means having more than two weeks' worth of food in my home and owning vehicles that, while older, run reliably. Success also looks like growing a huge garden full of vegetables that I can feed my family, give away to those in need, and preserve any surplus for leaner months. Raising my own animals for meat is successful in my eyes. Collecting two dozen eggs from my chickens each day during the summer and sharing them with those in need in my community brings me joy and feels like success to me. Raising healthy, happy, self-sufficient kids who love to learn is what I would consider being successful in my life. I currently homeschool my four children preschool to high school, and each day share my passion for literature with them in hopes that they will also learn to love books and the words contained within them! Success is persevering. Success is facing challenging situations and working through them while preserving and growing my faith in God. Like many other people, my life has not been easy. Being the daughter of addict parents means that my childhood wasn't conventional and my relationships with my parents as an adult are left wanting. Raising children without involved grandparents or much assistance from extended family members has been extremely challenging. We have faced many situations over the years where a grandparent could have eased our burden but without them, we have simply had to trust God's plan for us. This opportunity would help me move closer to my vision of success by preventing us from acquiring additional debt while my husband and I work diligently to pay off existing debts. When the company I was working for closed last year, our finances took a turn for the worst, but this opportunity would ease the financial stress of me not working while I work towards my degree! This opportunity would allow me to continue focusing on my dream of continuing my education without the fear of having to return to the work force before I have finished my degree.

I don't like to think about where I would be without my faith. I was born to addict parents and I faced many situations a child should never have to experience. I was often left in dangerous situations. Once when I was 11 years old, I was brought to an abortion clinic to wait while a family friend had an abortion, another time, I was left in the care of a family friend who had AIDS. By the grace of God alone, I was never physically or sexually abused in any of the unsafe situations I found myself in. Extended family members had always told me, "Jesus loves you," but at the time, Jesus just felt far away. I didn't have a personal relationship with God until one day I was standing in my bathroom doorway thinking, "I'm missing something. I really wish someone would invite me to Bible study," and that very day my friend did! My life changed substantially from that point onward. I drove headfirst into God's word each and every day. I attended church, volunteered for Awana's clubs, nursery, and to teach at Sunday School. I attended all the women's gatherings, soaking up and sharing the love of the Father with all who were around me. Life continued this way for years, but then 2018 happened, and we had our faith put to the test. In September received a 60-day notice to vacate our home because the owner wanted his to dwell in his home once again. My daughter was involved in an accident that required stitches. In October my four-year-old son broke his arm, and later that month I was hit with the biggest surprise of my life. I had already had three children and I was finished having babies, or at least I thought I was, but God apparently had different plans for me because even though I had an IUD I was also pregnant. Doctors said that they could remove the IUD or leave it in, either way would risk a miscarriage and possible deformities to the baby. After a week spent in prayer asking God for his wisdom and direction, we had the IUD removed and we waited to see what would come of the baby. All of this was a lot to take in, especially while trying to find a home. Wildfires had devastated our area the housing options were few and the prices were high. In November my mother-in-law moved, leaving us her home to clean, repair, sell, and then pay her for. That was a huge project to undertake at that time in our lives, but we thanked God for our temporary home. In December my older son fell, resulting in more stitches and possible long-term damage to one of his adult teeth. During the most difficult times in my life my Father has been there guiding me through each step I've taken, and he's held me when I couldn't take another. I'm happy to report after having my IUD removed, I gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy and my older son's tooth healed fine! Last year the company I was working for closed. Despite applying for over 105 positions, I have yet to have an interview. However bleak the present, I choose to view this as God's best plan my family. Despite financial constraints, I am grateful for the opportunity to focus on my education and work hard towards the degree that I need to secure a stable career. Each day I chose to remain hopeful that God will continue to provide, as He always has.

Traveling is an experience like nothing else! Immersing yourself in another culture is not only exhilarating but it can deeply shift your perspective of that culture. When I was 12 years old, I was invited to travel to Mexico with my aunt on a missionary trip. Because we were going on a mission, we were not visiting the beautiful beaches or resort areas of Mexico, but instead we spent our days in the orphanages, and in the poorest neighborhoods distributing rice, beans and bottled water. These people were living in such a different situation than I was, and it was one of the most eye-opening events I've ever personally experienced. I never understood the challenges of trying to communicate with others who don't speak your language until I spent that week in Mexico. On returning home I was much more empathetic to those who are living in the United States as non-native English language speakers. My time in Mexico inspired me to take classes in Spanish and explore Mexican culture to a greater extent. When I graduated from high school, I was blessed to be able to travel to France with my grandmother. I had remembered the challenges of the language barrier and prepared by taking French classes prior to visiting. I found my experience in France to be vastly different from that in Mexico. We visited the Louvre and spent an entire day viewing thousands of breathtaking paintings like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, The Four Seasons by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, and statues like the headless Nike and many ancient Egyptian artifacts. Even though I had taken French classes before the trip, I still struggled with the language barrier while in France. Once again, I returned home with a renewed appreciation for non-native English language speakers living in an English-speaking country. Since these personal experiences I haven't been able to travel as much as I would like. I have four children that I homeschool while attending college, which makes for a very busy time of my life. Even though we currently do not have the time or the funds to travel as a family, I am proud to say that my children and I often deep dive into studying other countries and cultures so we can glean all that we can have a greater appreciation for cultures that are different than ours. Not only have we learned so much about many countries, but we have also found some cultural activities from other countries that have become the norm in our own home! Maybe when my children are grown, I can travel once more. If I had the chance to travel and experience any culture of my choice I'd like to go to Turkey. Turkish culture is so different than American culture in traditions, values, food, and language. The geographical area of Turkey is so intriguing to me with their ancient ruins, beautiful architecture, and deep-seated culture.

As a full-time online student, I know first-hand how important and helpful online resources are for those of us who are learning outside of the classroom. My top useful online resources that I would recommend to any student taking online classes would be Audible, YouTube, and the [ctrl + f ] search feature. One thing that I find extremely helpful when prepping for an online class is to do some research and gain some background knowledge prior the course's start date. To do this I hop onto Audible and listen to a Great Courses lecture on the subject of my upcoming class. This semester I listened to English Grammar Boot Camp to prepare for linguistics, How to Read and Understand Shakespeare in preparation for Intro to Shakespeare, and The Lives and Works of the English Poets to familiarize myself with the Romantic poets prior to my Survey of English Lit: The Romantics course. While many of the Great Courses contain multiple lectures and they can be extremely long, sometimes between 12-34 hours total, for me it's well worth the time investment. I find that familiarizing myself with new concepts this way makes the actual online course so much easier because I already have some background knowledge on the subject, and I feel much more confident in the online setting with that knowledge. Another must have resource for any online learner is YouTube. I use YouTube to help speed up my reading, learn more about a subject being covered, or to gain study or note taking tips. If I have been assigned a large amount of reading from a classic novel, I will often search for a LibriVox recording on YouTube to listen to as I read along in my physical copy of the book. I can personally gain so much more from reading a long or complicated passage when I can hear it being read aloud while I'm reading it as well. YouTube is also great for learning more about a subject I'm not super confident in or familiar with. Khan Academy has so many useful videos on English, and SmartHistory is full of rich videos on art history that I have found to be exceedingly helpful when I am looking to clear up some confusion or if I want to dig deeper into a subject I'm studying. A very simple, but massively useful tool for the online student is the [Ctrl + F] search feature. When reading massive online articles or ebooks the search feature can be a lifesaver. Instead of scrolling for what feels like an eternity trying to find the quote I need, I can simply hit [Ctrl + F], type in my keyword, press enter, and voila! I have just saved myself from endless scrolling and I can continue writing my essay thanks to the [Ctrl + F] search feature. Without having access to these resources online learning at a college level would be much more difficult for me. I'm so thankful that every one of these resources is free, with the exception of Audible, but the knowledge I gain from using their Great courses makes the cost worth every cent I've paid and then some!

Like many people, my life has not been easy. I've faced many adversities from the time I was born until this present day. I was born to two addict parents who put me in situations no child should ever experience, no matter what their age. Thankfully, I was raised by my loving grandparents from the age of four until I was 13 years old. However, whenever I spent time with either one of my parents, I was continuously placed in questionable situations. At times I was left with strangers that I didn't know or left in a vehicle, at night, outside of an apartment complex where I cried myself to sleep while one of my parents went inside to meet a friend. Over the years I witnessed a great deal of abuse; substance abuse in the form of drugs and alcohol, as well as my parents either being physically abused or acting as the abuser. As a teenager one of my parents would not allow me to come home, and I found myself quasi-homeless. As an adult I faced my parent, high on drugs, as they screamed in my face saying they wished I would die. After such difficult experiences, many people expected I would become an addict like my parents, but I am happy to say, I overcame that expectation! I saw what my life would look like if I choose to abuse substances like my parents, and I decided to take a different path and live a life free from drugs and alcohol. The funds from this scholarship will help me give back to the community by easing the financial stress of my education and allow me to pursue my degree in English. Once I've obtained my English degree, I plan on pursuing a career in book publishing, but I would also like to share the love of books with children by tutoring young children in reading and tutoring middle and high school children in literary analysis. I currently homeschool my own four children and often teach them the very things I'm learning about in college, hoping that a deep love of literature will grow with them from a very young age. I currently give back to my community by donating farm fresh eggs to families, friends, and even strangers in my area who are in need. I love stamps! I've been collecting stamps since I was 10 years old, and while I do not know how many stamps I have, I do have some really special stamps that once belonged to my great-grandparents. I would encourage young people to pursue philately by sharing unique or vintage stamps with them and ask them to explore the interesting history behind the stamps. Just the other day I found some unused forever postcards from the early 1980's! I'm so excited for my children to use them and send them to their pen pals in hopes that they will also cultivate a love of stamps.

I'm a homeschooling mother to four children. My children's ages range from preschool to high school. Homeschooling my children takes a huge amount of time, investing in their education is extremely important to me while I'm also investing in my own education. Going back to school with four children at home hasn't been the easiest thing I have ever done, but it has been extremely rewarding. I graduated from high school in 2004 and spent 16 years in the workforce, never having an issue obtaining a position in the career field of my choice. During that time, I thought I didn't need a degree because I was where I wanted to be in my career, however deep down I had always wanted a degree, even if it was just to say that I had one, but I wasn't sure how I could balance my family, work, and college all at the same time. It wasn't until I was a mother of four that I decided to return to school. In 2021 my younger sister encouraged me to return to school after 16 years of yearning for a degree. So, in January 2021 I faced my fears and reenrolled in college beginning my journey towards my degree. Some of the most rewarding moments of attending college while raising my children and homeschooling them occurs when something we are learning about at home is something I'm learning about in college. Just this week in my Introduction to Romanticism course, we were learning about William Blake's poem "The Tyger," and it just so happened that my preschool aged son brought home a book titled "Fear the Bunny" which is a play on Blake's poem! These moments are the cross-pollinating moments of my schooling and their schooling that I love. I like to think that my children benefit from me being in school because they are learning about things at a young age that I didn't learn about until I was in my late 30's. I hope that they will take in as much information as they can, so they are able to achieve their degrees at a younger age that I did with less struggling than I have experienced. My children and my husband are truly what continues to motivate me to continue my education. I want to show my children that you are never too old to old to achieve your dreams, and lifelong learning is the right frame of mind to carry throughout life. I'm also motived to continue my degree so I can enter the career field so I can contribute financially to my family.

I am a non-traditional student for sure. I graduated from high school twenty years ago, in 2004. My high school grades were terrible, due to many factors which included an unstable home life, lack of support from extended family members, and a very basic dislike of learning. I enrolled in community college in the fall of 2004 but dropped my classes immediately. I reenrolled in spring of 2005 and after attending classes for most of the semester, I simply stopped attending classes. I just did not have a heart for learning at that time in my life. Fast forward 16 years. Spring 2021, my younger sister encouraged me to go back to school. For years I had a deep desire to earn a degree. However, I was afraid I wasn't smart enough. I thought I couldn't balance school while working and that I couldn't work on my education while I had young children who required a lot of me. Most of all, I was afraid that I would fail at college just like I had failed at high school. Once I got past my fears, I enrolled in my local community part-time where they told me it would take me a minimum of three and a half years to complete my general education classes. I had waited 16 years to go back to school, so for me, the time frame wasn't a deal breaker in any way. I've been attending community college for three years as of now, January 2024, and I am on track to finally make my deferred dream of a degree come true! Unlike my experience with high school, I have loved every moment of my college education. Since returning to school, I have given my all to every class and I am pleased to say that I have earned an "A" in each class, bringing out my .57 GPA from those 2005 classes to a 3.3! Until last semester, I took part-time classes in order to balance my school, work and home life. However, in May 2023 the company I was working for shut down. I decided that if I hadn't found a new job by the start of the spring semester, I would enroll in school full-time. I'm sorry to say I haven't been able to find work, one reason being that most employers want to see applicants with what I am lacking... a degree. With major sacrifices from my husband and my family, I am currently able to focus on my college education full-time. If I am able to continue taking full-time classes spring, summer, and fall semesters, I will finally achieve my associate degree at 38 years of age. My long-term goal is to continue my education until I achieve my end goal of a master's degree in English literature, even though I know that will take me years to finally earn it. My husband and my family are what motivates me to continue my education. I want to show my children that you are never too old to work towards your dreams, and I need a degree to enter into the career field once again, and financially contribute to my family.

Learning never came easy for me. Being the daughter of two addict parents, I was mostly raised by my grandparents who worked hard to raise me the best they could. However, my education wasn’t on the top of their priority list. Although my grandmother was an avid reader herself, I struggled with reading. I attended special reading classes throughout elementary school, and during high school, I only skimmed most of the assigned readings but never fully read them. I graduated high school but with a very low GPA. After graduation, I attempted to take two college classes, but I dropped out. I tried again in the spring but simply stopped attending. I spent the next 16 years in the workforce, raising a family, and regretting that I had never even started working towards a degree. All those years I told myself I wasn’t smart enough when I was in school, and I surely wasn’t smart enough now. One day in December 2020, I was telling my sister, the only person in my family to have gone to college and successfully earned a BA degree, about my regrets, and she said the words that would forever change my outlook: “You can do it, Rosie! You’re smart enough, and you know what? The time is going to pass by anyway.” I enrolled in our local community college as soon as I could. I spoke with a counselor and let them know I wanted to take an English class, so I had the very basic skills to be successful in college. They suggested I take English 1A with Lauren Hollingsworth, and I wish I remembered that counselor's name because that suggestion would change my life. From the very first day of class, Lauren gave me skills, encouragement, and feedback that I desperately needed to build my confidence as a student. Instead of finding English overwhelming, I absorbed every word she had to say, and with every assigned reading she gave, I poured into it craving even more. Lauren’s teaching style was full of joy, grace, and a sincere drive to show her students how exciting English actually is. Seeing how she felt about English genuinely changed my perspective, and I began to see that reading literature is so much more than just reading dry words on a white page. Lauren showed me the depth of analyzing literature, the basics of logic and rhetoric, and pushed me to improve my writing. Since her classes were online, her office hours were also online, and sometimes her office hours didn’t line up with her personal life perfectly. Lauren’s passion for her students being successful is so great that she was selfless enough to help me work through some questions I had while she was waiting at the hospital for her husband’s first chemotherapy treatment. Not only has Lauren Hollingsworth completely changed my views on reading and learning as a whole, but she has also inspired me to take my newfound love even further and earn a degree in English. I’m currently working towards my AA in English, and I hope to eventually achieve a master’s degree in English Literature all thanks to the influence, support, and inspiration of Lauren Hollingsworth.

My ideal bookshelf inspired by #BookTok would be sure to include Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Jane Eyre satisfies a reader's desire for romance without having to trudge through a raunchy romance novel, but if the reader is skilled enough, they can pick up on the suppressed bits of sexuality throughout the novel. Frankenstein is a fairly short novel that deep dives into the human condition in just a few hundred pages. Reading this book provoked me to think critically about humanity as a whole and how one person's choices can have drastic changes to the lives of others. Last, but certainly not least, when I read Little Women, I was transported into the world of the March sisters and found myself connecting with each one on some level. What stood out most to me was my connection with Meg and my sister's likeness to Amy. Like Meg, I married young and started a family and now that I'm in my late 30's I'm returning to pursue my education. My sister like Amy, was an artist from a young age and put her schooling first and after achieving her degree married a man that fit in her high standards. That connection between the March sisters and me and my sister really drew my heart into the story. Seeing myself in the characters in Little Women actually gave me a clearer perspective of what I want out of life. Little Women is a great book to read if someone is looking to unpack their bottled-up emotions. The story explores poverty, joy, love, marriage, sickness, death, mourning, and longing making it a story that readers regardless of age can connect to in one way or another as they laugh and cry as they get to know the March sisters. I loved to read this book quietly to myself, and it was also a wonderful book for me to read aloud to my four children. Little Women has introduced book lovers who are nervous to explore the genre of classic literature to the lighter side of things! Louisa May Alcott's writing style is very contemporary, making the book is easily understood even by those who haven't adventured into the realm of the classics. Little Women has inspired many avid readers to dip their toes in and see just how wonderful classical literature really is!

When I was a little girl, I didn't live with my mother. My father was my custodial parent, but he basically gave me to his parents to raise me from the time I was four until I was 13 years old. I didn't know how much of an impact that had on me at the time but by the time I was in middle school depression hit me hard. I missed almost all of 7th grade because I just couldn't get off the couch, get up and get dressed, and go to school. My heart was so sad, but I didn't understand why. After months of doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me, they eventually put me on Zoloft and eventually Paxil for about a year. When I was in 8th grade, I was old enough to decide who I wanted to live with, and my mother seemed stable enough for me to move in with her. For the next four years I lived with my mother and endured the harsh reality of living with an addict suffering from bipolar disorder. At times my mother didn't leave the room for days and stopped cooking meals or providing food for me and my baby sister. I watched my mother almost overdose on our bathroom floor when I was only 16 years old. I stood by holding my baby sister while my mother, under the influence of drugs, assaulted her sister. I've also witnessed my mother being arrested two separate times due to her irrational behavior. There were times when my mother's husband wouldn't allow me to come home saying that my mother didn't want me there, and I had to find places to stay the night. In a nutshell, at 16 years old I was quasi-homeless. Watching my mother spiral out of control due to her mental health issues put an enormous burden on me. I was no longer able to focus on being a kid; I had to grow up very fast. My mother encouraged me to participate in unscrupulous activities from a very young age, which had a terrible impact on my own mental health. I had a skewed view of how a teenage girl should behave and how I should allow boys to treat me. My grades dropped majorly, but I had no one to hold me accountable. When I graduated from high school I wanted to go away to college or join the military so I could get far away from all the chaos I had lived through. My mother had no problem voicing her very strong opinion on the matter. She told me she wanted me to stay close to home and close to her. At the time, I thought that if I left, she would completely fall apart, and I was worried about what would happen to my baby sister if she did. I made many choices from that moment on with my mother's mental health in mind. I didn't go away to college but instead I entered the workforce, got married and started a family, but my mother's fell apart anyway. That was 19 years ago, but my mother's mental health still continues to weigh on me almost every day. Recently she screamed in my face saying she wished I were dead, but she says it never happened. Despite my mother's mental health issues, I finally did move away and enroll in college. I'm 37 with a daughter of my own and I'm working very hard to achieve the degree that I gave up on so many years ago.