My name is Ruby Knight, and I am currently a sophomore-classified college student attending Missouri State University. It is no secret that I am a recipient of MSU’s premier academic scholarship, which I secured via my wits alone. However, this aid is not enough to cover the entire cost of attending one of the top institutions in my state, which is why I continue to apply for additional, smaller scholarships each year. In this economy, and with little available assistance from my parents, it is imperative I secure additional aid so that I may continue to further my education. One of my defining characteristics is that I am a hard worker. From the summer after my junior year of high school to my graduation the following May, my main focus was making sure my parents would not go into debt to send me to college. I spent countless hours researching, selecting, and applying to scholarships. I interviewed for top-tier academic scholarships at three different universities. Ultimately, Missouri State was my best offer and my chosen commitment. In my pursuit to keep financial aid flowing in, it has also been recommended to me by many university affiliates that I build my resume. My favorite way to do this is community service, which is a very relaxing way for me to spend my spare time. I spend my Sundays serving on either the Digital Ministry or Worship Team at Monett Community Church. During my time on campus, I serve as a Copy Editor and Reporter for MSU’s campus newspaper, The Standard. I am also an At-Large Student Body Representative in MSU’s Student Government Association. Despite everything I have going on in my busy schedule, one passion remains central to it all. My dream is to teach and provide guidance to children and young adults. I hope to do this by becoming a high school business educator, and slowly working my way up in the field of education to advance reforms nationwide. Ultimately, after obtaining my masters and doctorate, I would like to become the U.S. Secretary of Education, or perhaps the president of a college or university. I do all I can to acquire career-related experience. I often visit my high school business teacher and assist her with classroom tasks. My mom is an elementary teacher, so she always has something I can work on, and is also helpful for learning more about procedures such as grading and standardized testing. In fact, I have done much graphic design work for her classroom. My best classroom experience was when I was given the opportunity to lead an ACT Prep program during my senior year of high school. The program attracted roughly 30 students per session, an excellent showing for my small, rural high school. I consider myself an advocate for educational reform to the benefit of students. I recently wrote a 10-page paper overviewing the education industry, its current issues, and solutions to those issues. I also entered MSU’s Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase with a speech on general education courses’ effects on college students. To sum up, I am extremely passionate about my career, but to get there, I must get through college, which I cannot do without the help of generous people like you. I thank you for your consideration and hope you will allow me the honor of being a recipient of your prestigious scholarship.

My name is Ruby Knight, and I am currently a sophomore-classified college student attending Missouri State University. It is no secret that I am a recipient of MSU’s premier academic scholarship, which I secured via my wits alone. However, this aid is not enough to cover the entire cost of attending one of the top institutions in my state, which is why I continue to apply for additional, smaller scholarships each year. In this economy, and with little available assistance from my parents, it is imperative I secure additional aid so that I may continue to further my education. In my pursuit to keep financial aid flowing in, it has been recommended to me by many university affiliates that I build my resume. My favorite way to do this is community service, which is a very relaxing way for me to spend my spare time. I spend my Sundays serving on either the Digital Ministry or Worship Team at Monett Community Church. During my time on campus, I serve as a Copy Editor and Reporter for MSU’s campus newspaper, The Standard. I am also an At-Large Student Body Representative in MSU’s Student Government Association. Despite everything I have going on in my busy schedule, one passion remains central to it all. My dream is to teach and provide guidance to children and young adults. I hope to do this by becoming a high school business educator, and slowly working my way up in the field of education to advance reforms nationwide. Ultimately, after obtaining my masters and doctorate, I would like to become the U.S. Secretary of Education, or perhaps the president of a college or university. I do all I can to acquire career-related experience. I often visit my high school business teacher and assist her with classroom tasks. My mom is an elementary teacher, so she always has something I can work on, and is also helpful for learning more about procedures such as grading and standardized testing. In fact, I have done much graphic design work for her classroom. My best classroom experience was when I was given the opportunity to lead an ACT Prep program during my senior year of high school. The program attracted roughly 30 students per session, an excellent showing for my small, rural high school. I consider myself an advocate for educational reform to the benefit of students. I recently wrote a 10-page paper overviewing the education industry, its current issues, and solutions to those issues. I also entered MSU’s Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase with a speech on general education courses’ effects on college students. To sum up, I am extremely passionate about my career, but to get there, I must get through college, which I cannot do without the help of generous people like you. I thank you for your consideration and hope you will allow me the honor of being a recipient of your prestigious scholarship.

My name is Ruby Knight, and I am currently a sophomore-classified college student attending Missouri State University. It is no secret that I am a recipient of MSU’s premier academic scholarship, which I secured via my wits alone. However, this aid is not enough to cover the entire cost of attending one of the top institutions in my state, which is why I continue to apply for additional, smaller scholarships each year. In this economy, and with little available assistance from my parents, it is imperative I secure additional aid so that I may continue to further my education. One of my defining characteristics is that I am a hard worker. From the summer after my junior year of high school to my graduation the following May, my main focus was making sure my parents would not go into debt to send me to college. I spent countless hours researching, selecting, and applying to scholarships. I interviewed for top-tier academic scholarships at three different universities. Ultimately, Missouri State was my best offer and my chosen commitment. My first year of college was completely covered by additional local scholarships, however, many of these same awards will not be available to me this year as I will no longer have the buzz that comes with being a senior in high school. To prepare for this lack of funds, I have taken up a variety of side hustles. My primary focus as of late has been freelance graphic design, a field which I have four years of unpaid experience in. For the spring semester, I will be picking up a babysitting gig which I will work on Fridays, when I do not have class. Despite everything I have going on in my busy schedule, one passion remains central to it all. My dream is to teach and provide guidance to children and young adults. I hope to do this by becoming a high school business educator, and slowly working my way up in the field of education to advance reforms nationwide. Ultimately, after obtaining my masters and doctorate, I would like to become the U.S. Secretary of Education, or perhaps the president of a college or university. I do all I can to acquire career-related experience. I often visit my high school business teacher and assist her with classroom tasks. My mom is an elementary teacher, so she always has something I can work on, and is also helpful for learning more about procedures such as grading and standardized testing. In fact, I have done much graphic design work for her classroom. My best classroom experience was when I was given the opportunity to lead an ACT Prep program during my senior year of high school. The program attracted roughly 30 students per session, an excellent showing for my small, rural high school. I consider myself an advocate for educational reform to the benefit of students. I recently wrote a 10-page paper overviewing the education industry, its current issues, and solutions to those issues. I also entered MSU’s Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase with a speech on general education courses’ effects on college students. To sum up, I am extremely passionate about my career, but to get there, I must get through college, which I cannot do without the help of generous people like you. I thank you for your consideration and hope you will allow me the honor of being a recipient of your prestigious scholarship.

When I was tasked with the creation of a Connections puzzle inspired by The New York Times' famous word game, I thought about how the categories can sometimes seem absurd to the average reader, and how easy it is to misplace a word into the wrong category. This reminded me of the confusing jargon or slang used often in college, and that is the inspiration for my puzzle. Enjoy! The words in my puzzle are essay, student union, fees, points, library, application, enrollment, dining hall, discussion post, tuition, registration, recruitment, grant, grade, scholarship, and dorm. The first category is Financial Aid, which includes the words tuition, fees, scholarship, and grant. However, you will notice that "essay" could also easily fit into this category. What's interesting about higher education is that although there is such overlap between Admissions and Financial Aid, the offices are kept very separate. The next category in my Connections is Admissions, with the four terms being essay, application, recruitment, and enrollment. The word "application" could also fit in to the category of Financial Aid, considering that you have to apply to scholarships as well. Why all these applications? Isn't this a huge waste of time for young people? The third category is Classes, with registration, grade, points, and discussion post. As far as a Connections category goes, this one is pretty straightforward. However, you would sort of assume that "registration," would fit into the Admissions category, and it does, but that is not where it goes. This is the beauty of my grid, it is extremely confusing. The final category is Places on Campus. Student union, dorm, library, and dining hall were the four words for this one. The real kicker here is that some adults have no idea what "student union" means, so that could easily trip them up. My aim with this Connections puzzle was to convey the struggle of college students today. There is so much to handle with little help from those affiliated with higher education institutions. Hopefully sometime soon, colleges and universities will see our plight and actively try to make things simpler. I thank you for your time and consideration of my essay, and hope I am fortunate enough to be a recipient of this scholarship.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I believe in people-focused leadership. While you can never please everyone, it is important to try as best you can to fulfill the needs of the people you lead. I brought this philosophy to all of my many leadership roles during high school, such as President of FBLA, President of my class, Captain of the Scholar Bowl Team, and Chief Editor of the yearbook. Additionally, I believe that a good leader is always willing to help others. I am always looking for ways to assist my peers. Oftentimes that looks like working a math problem on a whiteboard when asked, or prepping my peers for standardized tests such as the ACT. It also means helping the faculty in my school community by taking on extra tasks they may offer me at any given time, or simply asking if there’s any way I can be of service. Lastly, I believe that being a leader means setting a good example of honesty and integrity. While part of this is respecting my leaders by following rules they give, it doesn’t always mean being a by-the-book “rule follower.” It can also mean honestly and politely expressing things that should be changed or improved. I do this through participating in my high school’s Student Ambassador program, which aims to give the student body a voice to communicate with the administration about possible improvements within the school. Being willing to speak out about things that could be changed for the better is arguably the most important component of leadership. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

One of my defining characteristics is that I am an extremely dedicated student. I have worked hard every day of my high school career to make sure my grades are as high as possible. My hope was that my excellent grades, which made for an equally excellent GPA, would provide a way for me to graduate college debt free. I have “put myself out there,” so to speak, in the higher education community. I have signed up for several college networking sites which provide colleges with my information. My ACT score, by virtue of my hard work, has increased to a 32. In addition to all these actions, I have also been writing an exceptional amount of scholarship essays, applying for just about every scholarship that I can find and am eligible for. I have spent most of my life dreaming of being a teacher. Not only do I have aspirations of becoming a certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree, I also hope to obtain more degrees in the future, such as a master’s and doctorate. Education is a field which has a significant shortage of certified personnel today, and I am eager to help. Ultimately, my career goal is to become a school administrator. Throughout my average day I spend ample time preparing myself for my future profession. I spend an hour with one of my school district’s Kindergarten classes tutoring students who are struggling. This opportunity was provided to me as part of my A+ Program Certification. Additionally, I host a monthly seminar which focuses on preparing my fellow high school students for the ACT. Some of my allotted time is spent teaching the material while the other portion is spent putting new skills into practice via sample questions. Along with spending time in the classroom, I have also been improving my leadership skills by holding several leadership positions within my high school. My favorite of these is Chief Editor of the Purdy Yearbook Staff. Working closely with my adviser to make the annual yearbook publication a success, I use both my business and design skills to the community's benefit. My unique brand of people-focused leadership has won me the respect of the other yearbook staffers as we make the yearbook the best it can be. Everyone who knows me can attest that my search for financial aid has been a nonstop effort since the summer after my junior year. The only way I can hope to make it out of college debt free is through the generosity of benevolent institutions who are willing to assist young students like me in their journey to a degree.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long-term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to start in education. My current goal is to become a high school business teacher. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, specifically Business Education, and as such, these are the types of majors I plan to pursue in college. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long-term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions, and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective Secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? As a high school student, I see a lot of teens needing extra support outside of the traditional teaching role of passing out assignments and recording grades. I hope to be the kind of educator that not only positively affects a student's learning, but their life as well. As someone aiming to specialize in Business Education, I plan to be interacting with high schoolers on a daily basis. High school can be a very difficult time for teens as they transition from childhood into adulthood, and I want to help students through this transition. A few specific ways I could achieve this are offering ACT tutoring and guiding students through college and scholarship applications. High school students are also impressionable and in need of good influences. Through my unique brand of leadership and charisma, I hope to be a role model and mentor for teens looking for guidance. Not only do I want to model quality leadership for my students, I also want to give them opportunities to develop leadership skills. These, as well as soft skills, can help make young adults more marketable as they enter the workforce. I would provide these leadership development opportunities by accompanying students to conferences and offering them extracurricular leadership positions. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. Finally, I hope to teach youth in my classroom the value of community service and volunteering. Public schools present many excellent opportunities to positively affect communities, and my classes and clubs would take advantage of this. Some examples of this include organizing food drives, fundraising for good causes, and volunteering for non-profits in the area such as churches and animal shelters. Through a career in education, I can inspire students and grow the next generation of high schoolers into successful young adults.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions, and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective Secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? As a high school student, I see a lot of teens needing extra support outside of the traditional teaching role of passing out assignments and recording grades. I hope to be the kind of educator that not only positively affects a student's learning, but their life as well. As someone aiming to specialize in Business Education, I plan to be interacting with high schoolers on a daily basis. High school can be a very difficult time for teens as they transition from childhood into adulthood, and I want to help students through this transition. A few specific ways I could achieve this are offering ACT tutoring and guiding students through college and scholarship applications. High school students are also impressionable and in need of good influences. Through my unique brand of leadership and charisma, I hope to be a role model and mentor for teens looking for guidance. Not only do I want to model quality leadership for my students, I also want to give them opportunities to develop leadership skills. These, as well as soft skills, can help make young adults more marketable as they enter the workforce. I would provide these leadership development opportunities by accompanying students to conferences and offering them extracurricular leadership positions. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. Finally, I hope to teach youth in my classroom the value of community service and volunteering. Public schools present many excellent opportunities to positively affect communities, and my classes and clubs would take advantage of this. Some examples of this include organizing food drives, fundraising for good causes, and volunteering for non-profits in the area such as churches and animal shelters. Through a career in education, I can inspire students and grow the next generation of high schoolers into successful young adults.

One of my defining characteristics is that I am an extremely dedicated student. I have worked hard every day of my high school career to make sure my grades are as high as possible. My hope was that my excellent grades, which made for an equally excellent GPA, would provide a way for me to graduate college debt free. I have “put myself out there,” so to speak, in the higher education community. I have signed up for several college networking sites which provide colleges with my information. My ACT score, by virtue of my hard work, has increased to a 32. I have spent most of my life dreaming of being a teacher. Not only do I have aspirations of becoming a certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree, I also hope to obtain more degrees in the future, such as a master’s and doctorate. Education is a field which has a significant shortage of certified personnel today, and I am eager to help. Ultimately, my career goal is to become a school administrator. Throughout my average day I spend ample time preparing myself for my future profession. I spend an hour with one of my school district’s Kindergarten classes tutoring students who are struggling. This opportunity was provided to me as part of my A+ Program Certification. I am fulfilling my A+ hours in a Kindergarten classroom this year. One of my favorite students is Ricky. Ricky just started coming to school at the beginning of Kindergarten, and it has been a challenge for him. When he first arrived, he could not write, read, and was quite confused with the names of basic numbers and shapes. Now, Ricky is thriving. Every day brings new accomplishments. He can write his name legibly, read many sight words, write numbers to one hundred, and identify all of his colors and shapes. He inspires me each day to achieve new things. Additionally, I host a monthly seminar which focuses on preparing my fellow high school students for the ACT. Some of my allotted time is spent teaching the material while the other portion is spent putting new skills into practice via sample questions. Having achieved a 32 on my fourth attempt at the ACT, I felt that I had enough experience with the test to educate others on how to succeed at it. I composed five sessions of material to teach and was able to help prepare thirty different students. This has been one of my proudest achievements, as I was able to take a lot of ownership over my efforts. I saw a gap in my school and was able to help close it. Another project I undertake in the summers is helping my mom, who teaches second grade, prepare her classroom for the upcoming school year. I clean, decorate, plan, and do whatever else is needed, which sometimes includes making graphic designs. This experience has been an excellent one to prepare me for my future career in education, which I am looking forward to more every day. It is a goal I work towards consistently through all my efforts, and I know all my hard work is giving me the patience I will need to be a successful educator someday. Along with spending time in the classroom, I have also been improving my leadership skills by holding several leadership positions within my high school. My favorite of these is Chief Editor of the Purdy Yearbook Staff. Working closely with my adviser to make the annual yearbook publication a success, I use both my business and design skills to the community's benefit. My unique brand of people-focused leadership has won me the respect of the other yearbook staffers as we make the yearbook the best it can be. Everyone who knows me can attest that I am a hard worker who does not give up. I have been working to graduate from college debt free since the summer after my junior year. I know that it is only through the generosity of institutions like the Ozark Electric Cooperative that I can achieve this.

Community service has always been a central part of my lifestyle. My parents have set a good example for me in regards to volunteerism, and since I have recently entered young adulthood I have been offered some great opportunities to serve others in all aspects of my life. Helping others has become very important to me and will remain central to my career as I earn my degree and certification to become a teacher. Purdy High School, where I have been fortunate enough to spend my whole high school career, has provided me with ample resources to take up my own efforts in community service. A great example of this is the ACT Prep program I was able to lead in fall 2023. Having achieved a 32 on my fourth attempt at the ACT, I felt that I had enough experience with the test to educate others on how to succeed at it. I was able to help prepare thirty different students. I saw a gap in my school and was able to help close it. Another project I embarked on during my sophomore year was a series of videos to help my school secure funding for much needed renovations to our facilities. By encouraging Purdy’s citizens to vote on the issue, we caused it to pass and ended up receiving millions of dollars for our district. Purdy also fosters multiple programs to help students in need, such as the Backpack and A+ Programs. Our Backpack Program assists families in filling any food gaps they may have on the weekends, since students won’t be at school and receive food during the day. Non-perishables such as pudding cups, canned proteins, and juices are sent home to ensure local children have as nutritious meals as possible when they are in need. This effort is one of my favorites to help with. Packing bags of food brings me joy. On the extracurricular side of things, there are many ways I am able to contribute. One of the primary ways I serve a larger area is through my church. I attend Monett Community Church in Monett, MO. Last fall, the church hosted a Back to School Bash which I volunteered for. At this event, which is structured like a carnival, we were able to give away a large amount of free school supplies to local students who were about to begin their school year. During my summers, I keep busy by serving others, mostly with childcare efforts. For the past two summers I have been able to babysit three children I am close to whose caregiver is going through a messy divorce that has been battled in court for over a year. It is a challenge for sure, but I am always happy to help. I also help with children’s ministries at Vacation Bible Schools in the area. A few summers ago I helped with the three and four year old class at my grandma’s church, which was a great time. Another service project I undertake in the summers is helping my mom, who teaches second grade, prepare her classroom for the upcoming school year. I clean, decorate, plan, and do whatever else is needed, which sometimes includes making graphic designs. This experience has been an excellent one to prepare me for my future career in education, which I am looking forward to more every day. It is a goal I work towards consistently through all my efforts, and I know all my hard work is giving me the patience I will need to be a successful educator someday.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions, and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective Secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? As a high school student, I see a lot of teens needing extra support outside of the traditional teaching role of passing out assignments and recording grades. I hope to be the kind of educator that not only positively affects a student's learning, but their life as well. As someone aiming to specialize in Business Education, I plan to be interacting with high schoolers on a daily basis. High school can be a very difficult time for teens as they transition from childhood into adulthood, and I want to help students through this transition. A few specific ways I could achieve this are offering ACT tutoring and guiding students through college and scholarship applications. High school students are also impressionable and in need of good influences. Through my unique brand of leadership and charisma, I hope to be a role model and mentor for teens looking for guidance. Not only do I want to model quality leadership for my students, I also want to give them opportunities to develop leadership skills. These, as well as soft skills, can help make young adults more marketable as they enter the workforce. I would provide these leadership development opportunities by accompanying students to conferences and offering them extracurricular leadership positions. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. Finally, I hope to teach youth in my classroom the value of community service and volunteering. Public schools present many excellent opportunities to positively affect communities, and my classes and clubs would take advantage of this. Some examples of this include organizing food drives, fundraising for good causes, and volunteering for non-profits in the area such as churches and animal shelters. Through a career in education, I can inspire students and grow the next generation of high schoolers into successful young adults.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? One day at my high school, during second period, there was a soft lockdown. Everyone wondered what was going on until we heard the drug dogs barking outside in the hall. After that it was all too obvious. They were looking to bust someone–and during Red Ribbon Week, too. As soon as the soft lockdown was lifted, the rumors started swirling. A certain student on the yearbook staff was the most popular topic of conversation. Everybody said he got arrested, but later that day he was back in class. He dropped out a week later, never to be seen again. I was always concerned about this student, but felt that it was not my business to try to figure out what his struggles were or how I could help. As a future high school teacher, something I look forward to is being able to help in situations like this. Another thing I hope to better when I become a teacher is the material students are being taught. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. While what students are being taught could be improved, it’s also about how they’re being taught. In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the fact that not all students learn the same. Standardized test scores are going down, but are tests an accurate measure of a student’s proficiency in a given subject? How can I create an environment that gives all students the opportunity to learn at their full potential? Is the current systematic approach to education hurting students? These are questions I would like to find the answers to. By the time I start my own career in education, I want to be prepared to have a positive impact on the field.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman determined to make an impact in whatever field I choose to pursue. Currently, I feel a calling towards a career in Secondary Education, and as such, this is the major I plan to pursue in college. I like to spend my free time experimenting with and gathering knowledge of multimedia. I have a passion for videography, graphic design, music, and storytelling, and love to experiment with combining these to create entertaining content. I have attended Purdy R-II Schools, which is situated in a small Southwest Missouri town of about 1,500 people, since my freshman year. Having attended preschool through eighth grade at a private Christian school in another small town called Freistatt, I was not used to the ample opportunity that Purdy had to offer. My eagerness to take advantage of these opportunities has blossomed into a fulfilling high school experience, filled with many awards and leadership positions. Some of these positions include President of Purdy’s FBLA Chapter, President of the Senior Class, and Chief Editor of the yearbook, just to name a few. As I have grown older and more experienced, I have found it a joy to educate each Freshman class about all that high school has to offer. I have formed relationships with these freshmen that have lasted my entire high school career. I get many younger students coming to me for help on tests, assignments, and hurdles such as college applications and ACT tests. Because of the amount of interest in receiving ACT tutoring, my high school’s administration has permitted me to host a series of ACT seminars during scheduled flex periods at the end of the day. I have hosted two sessions so far with an average of twenty-seven attendees per session. In addition to all I do at school, I have also been given chances to lead and teach at my church. The main way I serve is on Sunday mornings when I direct the weekly live stream of church services. My job involves quick thinking, as once we go on the air, I can’t yell “cut” and attempt another take. I have to choose between camera angles on the fly, deciding which one looks best, and deal with technical difficulties along the way. One of my favorite parts of my directing job is getting to train new camera operators. It gives me the opportunity to teach all ages of people, as we have everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged signing up to operate a camera. I teach them how I pick shots as well as how to set up shots I am more likely to pick. I also am able to communicate with them through a wireless headset, so they know when their camera is and isn’t on the live feed. All these experiences have led me to develop an intense passion for teaching. While I do not know where my career will take me long term, I know that I want to work in education as my first job. High school can be a difficult time for teenagers as they grow more mature and prepare for the major life change that is the shift into adulthood. My dream is to be a positive influence on young people and aid them in this transition into college, the workforce, or wherever they may be headed. Through a quality college education, I can achieve this, and this scholarship would help me greatly in that regard.

If I had to choose only one film to watch for the rest of my life, the answer is clearly "The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." Released in 2022 and written and directed by Rian Johnson, the movie earned a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. It stars Daniel Craig in his charisma-oozing role of Detective Benoit Blanc, the sleuth assigned to investigate the murder in the original Knives Out film. By building on the success of the franchise founder, this piece creates one of the most thrilling mysteries of the modern age. My first reason for "The Glass Onion" being my choice is the man behind the movie himself, Rian Johnson. I love Johnson's work, especially on "The Last Jedi," the eighth installment of the Star Wars franchise. A lot of people on the internet seemed to hate Johnson's take on a Star Wars story, but I loved it. Luke Skywalker's arc was amazing, very true to his character. Kylo Ren and Rey's arc and the throne room scene were both some of the best pieces of Star Wars to date. The Canto Bight arc I could do without (if you know you know) but all in all, you can really see Johnson's artistic touch shine through in the film's characters. This is one of the things that makes "The Glass Onion" excellent. Each character is a standout. It is a diverse group of characters that align with your common mystery stereotypes just enough that it feels like the audience has met these people before. It's brilliant. Janelle Monáe's performance as heroine Andi Brand is by far the most artistically striking in the film. Yet every heavy performance needs a lighter balance, and the audience is treated to this through Daniel Craig's Detective Blanc. Imagine James Bond, but funny. That's what this is like, except he also has a lovely southern accent that makes for a beloved, memorable Blanc rather than the gravely serious sleuths we are given in other mystery films. Another reason "The Glass Onion" is my favorite film is the smashing plot twist about halfway through the story. Out of respect for the scholarship committee, I won't spoil it, and I highly recommend you find it out for yourself. Not only is the plot twist itself genius, though, it also has a different kind of brilliance altogether in its execution. By the end of Act One, the twist is revealed, shocking the audience. Then, in Act Two, Johnson takes the time to explain to the audience how the twist affects every aspect of the plot, blowing their minds afresh at every turn. Finally, there are always new things to notice about my film of choice. It is clear that those in the cast and crew paid extreme attention to detail. Everyone behind the scenes did excellent work. I love the editing and shooting style. The cinematography is on point, and with the film being set on a tropical island, it is a beautiful watch with stunning visuals. I could go on and on about Rian Johnson's "The Glass Onion," but out of respect for the scholarship committee's time, I will end my gushing here. With a vivid and lovable cast of characters and breathtaking visuals, "The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" is a movie that is sure to entertain anyone for a lifetime.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions, and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective Secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? One day at my high school, during second period, there was a soft lockdown. Everyone wondered what was going on until we heard the drug dogs barking outside in the hall. After that it was all too obvious. They were looking to bust someone–and during Red Ribbon Week too. As soon as the soft lockdown was lifted, the rumors started swirling. A certain student on the yearbook staff was the most popular topic of conversation. Everybody said he got arrested, but later that day he was back in class. He dropped out a week later, never to be seen again. I was always concerned about this student, but felt that it was not my business to try to figure out what his struggles were or how I could help. As a future high school teacher, something I look forward to is being able to help in situations like this. Another thing I hope to better when I become a teacher is the material students are being taught. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. While what students are being taught could be improved, it’s also about how they’re being taught. In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the fact that not all students learn the same. Standardized test scores are going down, but are tests an accurate measure of a student’s proficiency in a given subject? How can I create an environment that gives all students the opportunity to learn at their full potential? Is the current systematic approach to education hurting students? These are questions I would like to research. By the time I start my own career in education, I want to be prepared to have a positive impact on the field.

Throughout my high school career, I have seen a great many things. I have seen some of my peers fail classes and others pass them with flying colors. There have been a great deal of suspensions, and detentions logged. Vape detectors have been installed in the bathrooms. In order to leave the classroom for any reason and for any amount of time, you have to have a digital hall pass called a SmartPass. I see one common thread throughout these circumstances. Students are being treated as a problem to be dealt with instead of impressionable young people who are the future of society. My question is, as a prospective Secondary educator, how can I positively impact my students? How can I help them best? One day at my high school, during second period, there was a soft lockdown. Everyone wondered what was going on until we heard the drug dogs barking outside in the hall. After that it was all too obvious. They were looking to bust someone–and during Red Ribbon Week too. As soon as the soft lockdown was lifted, the rumors started swirling. A certain student on the yearbook staff was the most popular topic of conversation. Everybody said he got arrested, but later that day he was back in class. He dropped out a week later, never to be seen again. I was always concerned about this student, but felt that it was not my business to try to figure out what his struggles were or how I could help. As a future high school teacher, something I look forward to is being able to help in situations like this. Another thing I hope to better when I become a teacher is the material students are being taught. While I know that what students are learning is controlled mostly by state and national standards, I would like to place an emphasis on life skills in my classroom. Most states require a personal finance course to graduate high school, and health education is either encouraged or required in all states. I want to build on the knowledge high schoolers are gaining in these classes and communicate very clearly to my pupils how what they are learning can be useful in their adult life. I have been experiencing the transition from childhood to adulthood as of late, and it is truly frightening to realize all the things I have no idea how to do. As an educator, I want to make sure that my students are prepared to live independently once they graduate. While what students are being taught could be improved, it’s also about how they’re being taught. In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the fact that not all students learn the same. Standardized test scores are going down, but are tests an accurate measure of a student’s proficiency in a given subject? How can I create an environment that gives all students the opportunity to learn at their full potential? Is the current systematic approach to education hurting students? These are questions I would like to research. By the time I start my own career in education, I want to be prepared to have a positive impact on the field.

As a high school student, I see a lot of teens needing extra support outside of the traditional teaching role of passing out assignments and recording grades. I hope to be the kind of educator that not only positively affects a student's learning, but their life as well. As someone aiming to specialize in Business Education, I plan to be interacting with high schoolers on a daily basis. High school can be a very difficult time for teens as they transition from childhood into adulthood, and I want to help students through this transition. A few specific ways I could achieve this are offering ACT tutoring and guiding students through college and scholarship applications. High school students are also impressionable and in need of good influences. Through my unique brand of leadership and charisma, I hope to be a role model and mentor for teens looking for guidance. Not only to I want to model quality leadership for my students, I also want to give them opportunities to develop leadership skills. These, as well as soft skills, can help make young adults more marketable as they enter the workforce. I would provide these leadership development opportunities by accompanying students to conferences and offering them extracurricular leadership positions. Finally, I hope to teach youth in my classroom the value of community service and volunteering. Public schools present many excellent opportunities to positively affect communities, and my classes and clubs would take advantage of this. Some examples of this include organizing food drives, fundraising for good causes, and volunteering for non-profits in the area such as churches and animal shelters. Through a career in education, I can inspire students and grow the next generation of high schoolers into successful young adults.

I believe it was a very wise X (formerly known as Twitter) user called @Merman_Melville who once said, "kind of a bummer to have been born at the very end of the [expletive] Around century just to live the rest of my life in the Find Out century." This is a grim reality for Millennials and Gen Z, as they face a world that has been very near ruined. Climate change and all its spiraling effects, overpopulation, the depletion of natural resources, and other problems of the like present very real threats to the human race as we know it. Gen Z-ers and Millenials have now been tasked with facing this problem that previous generations created, causing these younger individuals to harbor resentment towards these "Boomers." The conflict between these two people groups has caused major controversy across all forms of media. In addition, the older generations seem to have left the younger with a failing economy, which they seem to blame on the government--a government being run by the same elderly folks. While it's clear that the whole ordeal seems to be the fault of the Baby Boomers, a lot can be said for the notion that they just didn't know. Nobody during the Boomers' prime knew what they were doing to the Earth, government, economy, and so on. They were mostly just focused on making a good life for themselves and their families; living out the then-thriving "American dream." So ultimately, seeking revenge on the generations that caused this mess is not the answer. the "Ode To Millennials-Gen Z" text mentions a so-called "rendezvous with destiny" that the young are heading towards. I believe this is accurate. If these two generations and the generations that come after can successfully remedy enough of the Earth's problems to keep things going, they will become the new "Greatest Generation."

When I had my nervous breakdown in September 2022, it was one of the hardest times of my life. Before that point, I had been at the peak of my high school career. I had just come off my first talent show win in February, and had finished my one P.E. credit by taking a weight-lifting class, which was an extremely difficult endeavor that we won’t get into right now. After winning many awards, such as three medals at District-level FBLA competitions, and a Silver Rating at the MSHSAA State Music competition, I was ready for a Junior year of rest and relaxation. Those plans did not come to fruition. At least, not in the way that I planned. Instead of my career peaking, my anxiety was now peaking. I struggled with simple things, even so simple as getting myself to eat a full meal. In the early days I had trouble sitting still in class without wanting to puke up my guts. Having a social life was out of the question, because I couldn’t stand to eat in a restaurant with everyone looking at me. One of the main things I struggled with was being watched, judged, or criticized, especially in relation to my difficulty recovering. On my first day back to school after my breakdown, I “hid” in my music teacher’s room to try to eat lunch because I didn’t want anyone in the cafeteria to ask me why I wasn’t eating as much as usual. I told her what had been going on, and her genuine concern warmed my heart. It was a big factor helping me get through those first few weeks. I thought that when I switched schools and started attending Purdy for high school, that that was when I changed the most. I was very wrong. That was nothing compared to how my breakdown changed me. It has altered the way I think, in good ways and bad. I am still left with some of the same triggers from the beginning, such as eating in a restaurant, but I can now sit calmly and enjoy my food. Even if there’s some inner turmoil, I can usually get calmed down and finish my meal. I now enjoy an active social life and have a large network of friends and acquaintances. I am now even more successful in my high school career than I was previously. I am able to actively contribute in many ways to my school and church community. I am well known for my intelligence, leadership skills, confidence, and willingness to help others. Ultimately, I think the whole experience of this hardship and my subsequent comeback changed me for the better.

In the fall of 2022, what I now know to be my anxiety and depression took a turn for the worse. One day in September, I showed up at my aunt's house unannounced, having a major panic attack. I felt like I couldn’t even go home to my parents because it was so intense. My aunt Erin calmed me down and helped me through the months of intense, chronic anxiety that would follow. Before that point, I had been at the peak of my high school career. I had just come off my first talent show win in February and had finished my one P.E. credit by taking a weight-lifting class, which was an extremely difficult endeavor that we won’t get into right now. After winning many awards, such as three medals at District-level FBLA competitions, and a Silver Rating at the MSHSAA State Music competition, I was ready for a Junior year of rest and relaxation. Those plans did not come to fruition. At least, not in the way that I planned. Instead of my career peaking, my anxiety was now peaking. I struggled with simple things, even so simple as getting myself to eat a full meal. In the early days, I had trouble sitting still in class without wanting to puke up my guts. Having a social life was out of the question because I couldn’t stand to eat in a restaurant with everyone looking at me. One of the main things I struggled with was being watched, judged, or criticized, especially in relation to my difficulty recovering. On my first day back to school after my breakdown, I “hid” in my music teacher’s room to try to eat lunch because I didn’t want anyone in the cafeteria to ask me why I wasn’t eating as much as usual. I told her what had been going on, and her genuine concern warmed my heart. It was a big factor in helping me get through those first few weeks. While my parents were always loving, they didn’t quite understand the severity of the condition I was in because of the current stigma surrounding mental health. I had struggled with worry and nervousness my whole life, but my parents couldn't seem to grasp that this was on a whole new level. This wasn't something I could easily come back from. My aunt Erin and her husband, John, have been my biggest cheerleaders throughout my mental health struggles, pushing for me to receive the help I needed. There were many times when I was suicidal because I saw no way out of the constant state of fear I was in. Because of Erin and John’s help, I am now on medication and in my second year of therapy. I have seen tremendous improvements since seeking help. I am now even more successful in my high school career than I was previously. I can actively contribute in many ways to my school and church community. I am well known for my intelligence, leadership skills, confidence, and willingness to help others. My long-term plans are to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and help young adults like me through the same things I struggled with.

I believe in people-focused leadership. While you can never please everyone, it is important to try as best you can to fulfill the needs of the people you lead. I bring this philosophy to all of my many leadership roles, such as President of FBLA, President of my class, Captain of the Academic Team, Chief Editor of the yearbook, and a member of the FCA leadership team. Additionally, I believe that a good leader is always willing to help others. I am always looking for ways to assist my peers. Oftentimes that looks like working a math problem on a whiteboard when asked, or prepping my peers for standardized tests such as the ACT. It also means helping the faculty in my school community by taking on extra tasks they may offer me at any given time, or simply asking if there’s any way I can be of service. Lastly, I believe that being a leader means setting a good example of honesty and integrity. While part of this is respecting my leaders by following rules they give, it doesn’t always mean being a by-the-book “rule follower.” It can also mean honestly and politely expressing things that should be changed or improved. I do this through participating in my high school’s Student Ambassador program, which aims to give the student body a voice to communicate with the administration about possible improvements within the school. Being willing to speak out about things that could be changed for the better is arguably the most important component of leadership. After dedicating several months to preparing for the ACT, I managed to score a 31 and recently took the test again hoping to get my score even higher. Following this most recent attempt, I have asked my school's administration for permission to give a presentation to prepare my peers for the ACT so they can enjoy the same success I have. I do my best to give back to my community through my church. I am a member of Monett Community Church in Monett, Missouri. I volunteer in the church's Online and Youth Ministries, directing the online stream of church services and playing piano in the Youth Band on Sunday nights. Additionally, I recently assisted in putting on the church's annual Back to School Bash, an event that provided free school supplies to hundreds of students in my community. Lately, I have been finding myself called towards a career in Education. I hope to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and be a positive influence on young adults transitioning into adulthood.

After dedicating several months to preparing for the ACT, I managed to score a 31 and recently took the test again hoping to get my score even higher. Following this most recent attempt, I have asked my school's administration for permission to give a presentation to prepare my peers for the ACT so they can enjoy the same success I have. In addition to my academic excellence, I hold many leadership positions in my school, applying a unique brand of people-focused leadership that has become popular with the student body. I serve as President of the Senior Class, President of FBLA, Chief Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the FCA Leadership Team. I have also been cast in a leading role in three of the high school's annual musicals. I do my best to give back to my community through my church. I am a member of Monett Community Church in Monett, Missouri. I volunteer in the church's Online and Youth Ministries, directing the online stream of church services and playing piano in the Youth Band on Sunday nights. Additionally, I recently assisted in putting on the church's annual Back to School Bash, an event that provided free school supplies to hundreds of students in my community. During the summers, when I'm not busy with academics, I busy myself with hobbies and helping people. My mom has a cousin who went through a difficult divorce and is now a single mother. She works a part-time job and usually needs a babysitter for her three children, so I always offer to help when I have ample time during the summer months. I also have an aunt who likes to have a night out with her husband now and then, so I keep myself available on the weekends to babysit her four children. These four, my cousins, are pretty much my favorite people. We spend our summers together making home movies and TV shows. We have made two seasons of our TV show, two music videos, and two movies since 2020. We also have another two films currently in production. Not only do these endeavors create memories to last a lifetime, but they also keep our brains sharp when we're not in school. Lately, I have been finding myself called towards a career in Education. I hope to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and be a positive influence on young adults transitioning into adulthood.

Ever since I began my high school career, I have strived to keep up a 4.0 GPA, earning As in all my classes to date. I did this in the hopes that it would pave the way for a debt-free higher education. After dedicating several months to preparing for the ACT, I managed to score a 31 and recently took the test again hoping to get my score even higher. Following this most recent attempt, I have asked my school's administration for permission to give a presentation to prepare my peers for the ACT so they can enjoy the same success I have. In addition to my academic excellence, I hold many leadership positions in my school, applying a unique brand of people-focused leadership that has become popular with the student body. I serve as President of the Senior Class, President of FBLA, Chief Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the FCA Leadership Team. I have also been cast in a leading role in three of the high school's annual musicals. I do my best to give back to my community through my church. I am a member of Monett Community Church in Monett, Missouri. I volunteer in the church's Online and Youth Ministries, directing the online stream of church services and playing piano in the Youth Band on Sunday nights. Additionally, I recently assisted in putting on the church's annual Back to School Bash, an event that provided free school supplies to hundreds of students in my community. During the summers, when I'm not busy with academics, I busy myself with hobbies and helping people. My mom has a cousin who went through a difficult divorce and is now a single mother. She works a part-time job and usually needs a babysitter for her three children, so I always offer to help when I have ample time during the summer months. I also have an aunt who likes to have a night out with her husband now and then, so I keep myself available on the weekends to babysit her four children. These four, my cousins, are pretty much my favorite people. We spend our summers together making home movies and TV shows. We have made two seasons of our TV show, two music videos, and two movies since 2020. We also have another two films currently in production. Not only do these endeavors create memories to last a lifetime, but they also keep our brains sharp when we're not in school. Lately, I have been finding myself called towards a career in Education. I hope to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and be a positive influence on young adults transitioning into adulthood.

My hope for my future self is that she will become a respected, successful, impactful well-loved community figure, wherever her community is; and that she will have a loving husband, children, extended family and friends to support her in these endeavors.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman who is eager to succeed and make an impact in whatever career I choose to pursue. Ever since I began my high school career, I have strived to keep up a 4.0 GPA, earning As in all my classes to date. I did this in the hopes that it would pave the way for a debt-free higher education. After dedicating several months to preparing for the ACT, I managed to score a 31 and recently took the test again hoping to get my score even higher. Following this most recent attempt, I have asked my school's administration for permission to give a presentation to prepare my peers for the ACT so they can enjoy the same success I have. In addition to my academic excellence, I hold many leadership positions in my school, applying a unique brand of people-focused leadership that has become popular with the student body. I serve as President of the Senior Class, President of FBLA, Chief Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the FCA Leadership Team. My central focus in these roles is helping the students under my leadership succeed. Jesus lead by serving, and I try to embody this when I participate in all these activities. I do my best to give back to my community through my church. I am a member of Monett Community Church in Monett, Missouri. I volunteer in the church's Online and Youth Ministries, directing the online stream of church services and playing piano in the Youth Band on Sunday nights. Additionally, I recently assisted in putting on the church's annual Back to School Bash, an event that provided free school supplies to hundreds of students in my community. During the summers, when I'm not busy with academics, I busy myself with hobbies and helping people. My mom has a cousin who went through a difficult divorce and is now a single mother. She works a part-time job and usually needs a babysitter for her three children, so I always offer to help when I have ample time during the summer months. I also have an aunt who likes to have a night out with her husband now and then, so I keep myself available on the weekends to babysit her four children. Lately, I feel that God is calling me toward a career in Education. While being a teacher in America is a somewhat unappealing job right now, I plan to follow God's guidance. Teaching is a job that I think speaks very well to my skillset. I love preparing presentations and doing clerical work, and I enjoy helping my classmates with their assignments when asked. I hope to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and be a positive Christian influence on young adults transitioning into adulthood.

In the fall of 2022, what I now know to be my anxiety and depression took a turn for the worse. One day in September, I showed up at my aunt's house unannounced, having a major panic attack. I felt like I couldn’t even go home to my parents because it was so intense. My aunt Erin calmed me down and helped me through the months of intense, chronic anxiety that would follow. Before that point, I had been at the peak of my high school career. I had just come off my first talent show win in February and had finished my one P.E. credit by taking a weight-lifting class, which was an extremely difficult endeavor that we won’t get into right now. After winning many awards, such as three medals at District-level FBLA competitions, and a Silver Rating at the MSHSAA State Music competition, I was ready for a Junior year of rest and relaxation. Those plans did not come to fruition. At least, not in the way that I planned. Instead of my career peaking, my anxiety was now peaking. I struggled with simple things, even so simple as getting myself to eat a full meal. In the early days, I had trouble sitting still in class without wanting to puke up my guts. Having a social life was out of the question because I couldn’t stand to eat in a restaurant with everyone looking at me. One of the main things I struggled with was being watched, judged, or criticized, especially in relation to my difficulty recovering. On my first day back to school after my breakdown, I “hid” in my music teacher’s room to try to eat lunch because I didn’t want anyone in the cafeteria to ask me why I wasn’t eating as much as usual. I told her what had been going on, and her genuine concern warmed my heart. It was a big factor in helping me get through those first few weeks. While my parents were always loving, they didn’t quite understand the severity of the condition I was in because of the current stigma surrounding mental health. I had struggled with worry and nervousness my whole life, but my parents couldn't seem to grasp that this was on a whole new level. This wasn't something I could easily come back from. My aunt Erin and her husband, John, have been my biggest cheerleaders throughout my mental health struggles, pushing for me to receive the help I needed. There were many times when I was suicidal because I saw no way out of the constant state of fear I was in. Because of Erin and John’s help, I am now on medication and in my second year of therapy. I have seen tremendous improvements since seeking help. I am now even more successful in my high school career than I was previously. I can actively contribute in many ways to my school and church community. I am well known for my intelligence, leadership skills, confidence, and willingness to help others. My long-term plans are to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and help young adults like me through the same things I struggled with.

Ever since I began my high school career, I have strived to keep up a 4.0 GPA, earning As in all my classes to date. I did this in the hopes that it would pave the way for a debt-free higher education. After dedicating several months to preparing for the ACT, I managed to score a 31 and recently took the test again hoping to get my score even higher. Following this most recent attempt, I have asked my school's administration for permission to give a presentation to prepare my peers for the ACT so they can enjoy the same success I have. In addition to my academic excellence, I hold many leadership positions in my school, applying a unique brand of people-focused leadership that has become popular with the student body. I serve as President of the Senior Class, President of FBLA, Chief Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the FCA Leadership Team. I have also been cast in a leading role in three of the high school's annual musicals. I do my best to give back to my community through my church. I am a member of Monett Community Church in Monett, Missouri. I volunteer in the church's Online and Youth Ministries, directing the online stream of church services and playing piano in the Youth Band on Sunday nights. Additionally, I recently assisted in putting on the church's annual Back to School Bash, an event that provided free school supplies to hundreds of students in my community. During the summers, when I'm not busy with academics, I busy myself with hobbies and helping people. My mom has a cousin who went through a difficult divorce and is now a single mother. She works a part-time job and usually needs a babysitter for her three children, so I always offer to help when I have ample time during the summer months. I also have an aunt who likes to have a night out with her husband now and then, so I keep myself available on the weekends to babysit her four children. These four, my cousins, are pretty much my favorite people. We spend our summers together making home movies and TV shows. We have made two seasons of our TV show, two music videos, and two movies since 2020. We also have another two films currently in production. Not only do these endeavors create memories to last a lifetime, but they also keep our brains sharp when we're not in school. Lately, I have been finding myself called towards a career in Education. I hope to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and be a positive influence on young adults transitioning into adulthood.

In the fall of 2022, what I now know to be my anxiety and depression took a turn for the worse. One day in September, I showed up at my aunt's house unannounced, having a major panic attack. I felt like I couldn’t even go home to my parents because it was so intense. My aunt Erin calmed me down and helped me through the months of intense, chronic anxiety that would follow. Before that point, I had been at the peak of my high school career. I had just come off my first talent show win in February and had finished my one P.E. credit by taking a weight-lifting class, which was an extremely difficult endeavor that we won’t get into right now. After winning many awards, such as three medals at District-level FBLA competitions, and a Silver Rating at the MSHSAA State Music competition, I was ready for a Junior year of rest and relaxation. Those plans did not come to fruition. At least, not in the way that I planned. Instead of my career peaking, my anxiety was now peaking. I struggled with simple things, even so simple as getting myself to eat a full meal. In the early days, I had trouble sitting still in class without wanting to puke up my guts. Having a social life was out of the question because I couldn’t stand to eat in a restaurant with everyone looking at me. One of the main things I struggled with was being watched, judged, or criticized, especially in relation to my difficulty recovering. On my first day back to school after my breakdown, I “hid” in my music teacher’s room to try to eat lunch because I didn’t want anyone in the cafeteria to ask me why I wasn’t eating as much as usual. I told her what had been going on, and her genuine concern warmed my heart. It was a big factor in helping me get through those first few weeks. While my parents were always loving, they didn’t quite understand the severity of the condition I was in because of the current stigma surrounding mental health. I had struggled with worry and nervousness my whole life, but my parents couldn't seem to grasp that this was on a whole new level. This wasn't something I could easily come back from. My aunt Erin and her husband, John, have been my biggest cheerleaders throughout my mental health struggles, pushing for me to receive the help I needed. There were many times when I was suicidal because I saw no way out of the constant state of fear I was in. Because of Erin and John’s help, I am now on medication and in my second year of therapy. I have seen tremendous improvements since seeking help. I am now even more successful in my high school career than I was previously. I can actively contribute in many ways to my school and church community. I am well known for my intelligence, leadership skills, confidence, and willingness to help others. My long-term plans are to graduate college with a double major in Business Education and Multimedia. That way, I can become a high school Business teacher and help young adults like me through the same things I struggled with.

I am a driven, multi-talented Christian woman who is eager to succeed and make an impact in whatever career I choose to pursue. I believe that success means making a positive impact on your peers as well as your community. I bring this philosophy to all of my many leadership roles in high school, such as President of FBLA, President of my class, Captain of the Academic Team, Chief Editor of the yearbook, and a member of the FCA leadership team. Additionally, I believe that a willingness to help others is essential to climb the ladder of success. I am always looking for ways to assist my peers. Oftentimes that looks like working a math problem on a whiteboard when asked or prepping my peers for standardized tests such as the ACT. Additionally, I feel that one who hopes to be successful should hold values of honesty and integrity. While part of this is respecting those in authority by following the rules they give, it doesn’t always mean being a by-the-book “rule follower.” It can also mean honestly and politely expressing things that should be changed or improved. I do this through participating in my high school’s Student Ambassador program, which aims to give the student body a voice to communicate with the administration about possible improvements within the school. While some of my peers are only out for their own success, I think that to truly be successful, one must also value the success of others.

Music has been a prominent entity in my life ever since I was born. My family has a rich history in gospel music specifically. My grandma Janie (then Morlan) Knight was recruited by a group called the Messengers when she was just a teenager and played gigs across southwest Missouri throughout the 1970s. It was no secret that a musical ear ran in her family. Her siblings, Dale, Clara, and Darrel Morlan sang with the Morlan Family Quartet during the same period. Later, Darrel was an active member of the Gospel Lads for many years. My father, Jackson Knight, sang with a group called the Signature Quartet during the early years of his marriage to my mother. Darrel also joined the "Sigs" as a replacement for a tenor who had left the group in the 2000s. Almost everyone on my father's side of the family is musically talented in some capacity, so it's no surprise that I am proficient in that area. I can sing pretty well and am also pretty good at the piano, an instrument in which my grandma Janie is an expert. During my high school career, I have put these talents to use in both musical theatre and the annual school Talent Show. Freshman year, Grandma Janie was set to accompany my performance of "How Great Thou Art" on the piano but fell ill at the last minute. In a rush of adrenaline, I decided that the show had to go on and sang the song a capella. The crowd was awed. While I only won the High School Division that year, I have taken home Overall Winner in the two talent shows since then. I've figured out a simple model for an act that's a surefire win every time. First, I pick a well-known ballad from the 1970s. Next, I key it to my vocal range so I can learn to sing it while accompanying myself on the piano. Then, I come up with a concept for a music video that I will produce, direct, film, and edit. To finish, I record a backing track with the band at my church, sync it to the music video, and voila. A complete talent show experience, with vocal, piano, and video elements. This formula has yet to fail me, and since I only have one talent show remaining, I doubt it ever will. Music shapes my worldview in many different ways. When I'm performing music for talent shows or musicals, I see the world as a battlefield to be conquered. Music is an outlet for my drive to be the best. Other times music is a comfort during times of trouble, such as one about a year ago. I've had anxiety all my life, but in the fall of 2022, I experienced what I now know was a nervous breakdown. Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, my parents refused to medicate me until nine months after my initial breakdown. During those months, music was a huge factor in my survival. Additionally, music for me will always be tied to my religious beliefs. It makes me feel more connected to God and this world, His creation. Without my vocal and piano abilities, I would not have made many friendships with teachers and students that have gotten me through my high school experience. My God-given musical talents and heritage have been a huge part of my success thus far in life, and I believe they will continue to play into my college career as well.

In the summer of 2020, my cousins and I were playing a game on my grandma’s playset. Upon listening to them closely, I observed that their dialogue seemed almost scripted. After a brief interview with one cousin, I learned that they were pretending to be on a television show. Naturally, I offered to film them with my iPhone 6. This is what sparked my love of videography. Today, in 2023, myself, my sister and our four cousins are still making videos. We have gotten better and better at it. We have also upgraded our camera to an iPhone 12 with a camera app that requires a yearly membership fee. I am the sole writer, director, producer, and editor of all our projects. From getting out and filming with my actors to sitting behind my MacBook Air combing through footage, I love the whole process. Our second Christmas film, which was released in December 2022, has developed somewhat of a cult-like following due to its quirky and niche style of humor. I am currently in the process of writing our first feature-length venture, which we hope to begin shooting as soon as possible. Eventually, my fame grew, and I was asked to direct projects for my school and church. I wasn’t always responsible for the whole process during these exploits, which was a nice change of pace. Oftentimes I was executing someone else’s vision. One of my most notable projects was a series of videos promoting a no-tax-increase Bond Issue, which was eventually passed and secured approximately $3 million in funding to improve my school. As my local audiences grew larger and more impressed, I wondered if this hobby could become my career. My dad urged me to pursue a more general degree in Multimedia or Communications, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I went all out. That’s when I decided to try my hand at getting a degree in Film because while I am a sucker for office supplies and would love a desk job, it would pain me if I didn’t at least try to stand out and make a difference. Ultimately, the why behind my passion for this art is using it to create change and make people's lives better, whether that's simply entertaining them or fostering something even deeper. With the advent of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, this is possible on an entirely new level. While some artists may feel threatened by these innovations, I think that they will only serve to enhance the arts. However, we can't let this technology replace artists, because what artificial intelligence lacks is emotion. Without emotion, is art really art? I think not. Additionally, I think we as a society are entering a new era of storytelling. We can see this in the increasing amount of remakes being produced, whether of films, TV shows, or otherwise. While stories of the past should be honored, I think they are better used as source material rather than being reproduced exactly. This is one of the inspirations behind the film I am currently writing, which is titled Open the Gate. I would best describe it as Moses and the Israelites meets the Oregon Trail. Using the Bible books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as source material, I am hoping to retell the story of Moses leading his people through the wilderness in a comedy/drama context, conveying the same themes through a set of just 5 characters. I hope that the film will get people interested in the source material, leading them to read the Bible for themselves.