One thing that makes me a little different is my height—I am 4’11” and about 100 pounds. Being petite definitely stands out, especially in a college environment where I am often surrounded by people who are much taller than me. While it has its advantages in some situations, it also comes with unique challenges in everyday life that I have had to learn how to navigate and adapt to. For example, I am a member of my school’s dance team, which is something I am very proud of and passionate about. However, one of the challenges I face is that almost all of the uniforms I am given have to be altered because none of them fit me properly off the rack. This means extra fittings, adjustments, and planning to make sure everything fits correctly so that I can perform comfortably and confidently. While it can be inconvenient at times, it has also taught me patience and how to advocate for what I need in order to feel my best. Another challenge I have experienced because of my height came when I was looking for a car. I quickly realized that many vehicles are not designed with someone my size in mind. I had a difficult time seeing over the dashboard in most cars, which made it unsafe and uncomfortable to drive. Eventually, I had to adjust by using a booster cushion so that I could see properly and drive safely. Although it felt a little awkward at first, it became something I learned to adapt to in order to ensure my safety and independence. Even in everyday situations like walking around campus, I sometimes receive strange or curious looks just because I am smaller than most people around me. In the past, this used to make me feel self-conscious, especially when I first started college and was still adjusting to a new environment. However, over time, I have learned to become much more confident and comfortable in my own skin. Instead of seeing my height as something negative, I now view it as something that makes me unique. It has taught me how to adapt, problem-solve, and advocate for myself in situations where things are not always designed with my size in mind. More importantly, it has helped me build confidence in who I am beyond my physical appearance. Overall, while being petite can create small challenges in daily life, it is also part of what makes me who I am. It has helped shape my resilience, independence, and confidence, and I have learned to embrace it as a meaningful part of my identity.

My family has been deeply affected by cancer through both of my grandmothers, and these experiences have had a lasting impact on me and my perspective on life. My nana was diagnosed with breast cancer before I was born and was in remission for several years. However, when I was in elementary school, her cancer returned and metastasized to liver cancer. During that time, I watched my mom step into the role of her primary caregiver while still managing everything at home. She made sure that my brother and I continued to attend all of our practices, complete our homework, and maintain a sense of normalcy in our daily lives. She never skipped a beat. Even in the middle of such an emotional and stressful situation, she balanced caregiving, parenting, and work with incredible strength and grace. As I watched my nana’s health gradually decline, I began to understand just how precious time truly is. I saw how quickly life can change and how important it is to cherish the moments we have with the people we love. When my nana passed away, I experienced not only my own grief but also the deep pain my mom was going through. Even in that heartbreak, our family became stronger. We leaned on each other, supported one another, and learned how to carry both grief and gratitude at the same time. More recently, my other grandmother was diagnosed with cervical cancer during my first year of college. Once again, I watched my mom immediately step into action. Without hesitation, she began helping care for her while still making sure I was supported from afar as I adjusted to college life. Despite everything she was carrying emotionally and physically, she continued to show up for all of us. Her strength, resilience, and selflessness have been a constant example in my life. Through these experiences, I have learned lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom. I have learned the importance of family, compassion, and presence. I have learned how fragile life can be, but also how strong people can become in the face of hardship. Most importantly, I have seen what true strength looks like through my mom and my family. Even in the hardest moments, we have grown closer and learned to support one another in deeper ways. These experiences have shaped me into someone who values time, relationships, and resilience above all else.

I am the youngest child in my family and the only girl. I have one older brother who recently graduated from college, and he has always been someone I look up to. My family has played a very important role in shaping who I am today. My mom is an elementary school principal, and growing up with her as a role model has given me a strong appreciation for education and leadership. I have seen firsthand how much dedication, patience, and care it takes to support both teachers and students in a school setting. My dad is a firefighter, and his commitment to serving others and staying calm under pressure has taught me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and helping others in times of need. Together, my parents have instilled in me the values of compassion, perseverance, and service. I am currently a freshman at the University of Idaho, where I am studying special education. I chose this major because I have always had a passion for working with children and helping every student reach their full potential, regardless of their abilities or challenges. I believe that every child deserves an education that meets their individual needs and allows them to feel successful and confident. At the University of Idaho, I am also a member of Delta Zeta and a Division I athlete on the university’s dance team. Being a part of the dance team has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college journey so far. It has given me the opportunity to perform at athletic events and support all sports and programs on campus. This experience has helped me grow as a leader, teammate, and individual. I have learned the importance of discipline, time management, and teamwork while balancing academics, athletics, and student life. Being involved in both Greek life and athletics has also helped me build strong relationships and become more engaged in my university community. I have learned how important it is to support others, show school spirit, and be part of something bigger than myself. My future plans are to graduate with a degree in special education and become a special education teacher. I hope to create a classroom environment where all students feel safe, supported, and valued. I want to be an educator who not only teaches academic skills but also builds confidence, encourages independence, and advocates for every student’s individual needs. Ultimately, my goal is to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children and help them believe in their own abilities and potential.

I want to be a special education teacher because I truly love working with children and believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and feel successful. I have always felt strongly that all children, including those with disabilities, deserve the right to an education that meets their individual needs and helps them reach their full potential. To me, education is not one-size-fits-all, and I am passionate about helping each student find their own path to success. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my mom’s school, and those experiences had a lasting impact on me. I remember helping in classrooms with students with autism and seeing firsthand how important patience, understanding, and encouragement are. I watched teachers take the time to connect with each student, adjusting their instruction to fit different learning styles and needs. Those moments opened my eyes to how meaningful it is to support students in ways that work best for them and to celebrate even the smallest successes. It showed me that progress looks different for every child, and that every step forward matters. In high school, I also had the opportunity to work with our special needs program, which further deepened my passion for this field. One of my favorite experiences was being a part of their prom. It was such a meaningful and joyful event, where every student was celebrated and included. Seeing their excitement, confidence, and happiness in that moment reminded me how important it is for all students to feel valued and accepted. That experience left a lasting impression on me and reinforced my desire to be someone who creates those kinds of inclusive and supportive environments every day. My passion continued to grow when I became a dance teacher. Through teaching dance, I had the opportunity to work with students both with and without disabilities. That experience taught me how to adapt my teaching, be flexible, and meet each student where they are. I learned how to break down skills into smaller steps, use different approaches when something wasn’t working, and create an environment where all students felt included and confident. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my students build confidence in themselves, express who they are, and feel proud of what they could accomplish, no matter their ability level. These experiences have shaped who I am and confirmed my desire to become a special education teacher. I want to create a classroom where every student feels seen, supported, and capable. I hope to be the kind of teacher who not only helps students academically, but also builds their confidence, advocates for their needs, and reminds them that they are valued and able to succeed. My goal is to make a lasting impact by helping every child believe in themselves and their potential.

I want to be a special education teacher because I truly love working with children and believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and feel successful. I have always felt strongly that all children, including those with disabilities, deserve the right to an education that meets their individual needs and helps them reach their full potential. To me, education is not one-size-fits-all, and I am passionate about helping each student find their own path to success. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my mom’s school, and those experiences had a lasting impact on me. I remember helping in classrooms with students with autism and seeing firsthand how important patience, understanding, and encouragement are. I watched teachers take the time to connect with each student, adjusting their instruction to fit different learning styles and needs. Those moments opened my eyes to how meaningful it is to support students in ways that work best for them and to celebrate even the smallest successes. It showed me that progress looks different for every child, and that every step forward matters. In high school, I also had the opportunity to work with our special needs program, which further deepened my passion for this field. One of my favorite experiences was being a part of their prom. It was such a meaningful and joyful event, where every student was celebrated and included. Seeing their excitement, confidence, and happiness in that moment reminded me how important it is for all students to feel valued and accepted. That experience left a lasting impression on me and reinforced my desire to be someone who creates those kinds of inclusive and supportive environments every day. My passion continued to grow when I became a dance teacher. Through teaching dance, I had the opportunity to work with students both with and without disabilities. That experience taught me how to adapt my teaching, be flexible, and meet each student where they are. I learned how to break down skills into smaller steps, use different approaches when something wasn’t working, and create an environment where all students felt included and confident. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my students build confidence in themselves, express who they are, and feel proud of what they could accomplish, no matter their ability level. These experiences have shaped who I am and confirmed my desire to become a special education teacher. I want to create a classroom where every student feels seen, supported, and capable. I hope to be the kind of teacher who not only helps students academically, but also builds their confidence, advocates for their needs, and reminds them that they are valued and able to succeed. My goal is to make a lasting impact by helping every child believe in themselves and their potential.

I want to be a special education teacher because I truly love working with children and believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and feel successful. I have always felt strongly that all children, including those with disabilities, deserve the right to an education that meets their individual needs and helps them reach their full potential. To me, education is not one-size-fits-all, and I am passionate about helping each student find their own path to success. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my mom’s school, and those experiences had a lasting impact on me. I remember helping in classrooms with students with autism and seeing firsthand how important patience, understanding, and encouragement are. I watched teachers take the time to connect with each student, adjusting their instruction to fit different learning styles and needs. Those moments opened my eyes to how meaningful it is to support students in ways that work best for them and to celebrate even the smallest successes. It showed me that progress looks different for every child, and that every step forward matters. In high school, I also had the opportunity to work with our special needs program, which further deepened my passion for this field. One of my favorite experiences was being a part of their prom. It was such a meaningful and joyful event, where every student was celebrated and included. Seeing their excitement, confidence, and happiness in that moment reminded me how important it is for all students to feel valued and accepted. That experience left a lasting impression on me and reinforced my desire to be someone who creates those kinds of inclusive and supportive environments every day. My passion continued to grow when I became a dance teacher. Through teaching dance, I had the opportunity to work with students both with and without disabilities. That experience taught me how to adapt my teaching, be flexible, and meet each student where they are. I learned how to break down skills into smaller steps, use different approaches when something wasn’t working, and create an environment where all students felt included and confident. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my students build confidence in themselves, express who they are, and feel proud of what they could accomplish, no matter their ability level. These experiences have shaped who I am and confirmed my desire to become a special education teacher. I want to create a classroom where every student feels seen, supported, and capable. I hope to be the kind of teacher who not only helps students academically, but also builds their confidence, advocates for their needs, and reminds them that they are valued and able to succeed. My goal is to make a lasting impact by helping every child believe in themselves and their potential.