Since I was a child, I have loved to read. Books have always been one of my favorite things, as they have allowed me to go to a new place in my mind. I have always been able to imagine the story and see it in my head, giving me a deeper connection with the characters, and drawing me into the story more. Throughout different stages of my life- childhood, middle school, teenage years, and now my freshman year of college, books have taught me much more than people could have, and in turn, shaped my goals. Going all the way back to my early childhood, my mom used to read me "The Kissing Hand"; a book about a little boy raccoon who doesn't want to go to school, so his mom kisses his hand- a way to carry her love through the day and help him not be so afraid. This book let me know that it was ok to be scared, but I would have to do things anyway, with my family supporting me. From then, I've made it a goal to do things that I am afraid of, even if it is hard. Currently, that means moving off to college to further my education, even if I'm scared in the beginning. During my elementary school years, I was very into reading "the Magic Treehouse", I was exposed to history in an age appropriate way. The series sparked an interest in historical elements, such as the eruption of Pompeii, Egyptian mummies, the sinking of the Titanic, and more. It made me want to know more about world history, and motivated me to learn and memorize more about humanity's past. Those books remind me to never lose my curiosity of things I want to know more about, and has stuck with me till now. In my middle school years, I was reading John Grisham books- specifically "Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer". In the first book of the series, Theo finds a witness to a murder, and convinces them to come forward. While it is a kid's fiction book, it made me realize that I was interested in law and justice, and seeing Theo tell the witness it was ok to come forward inspired me to make it a goal to always be supportive of witnesses who come forward for anything. Just recently, in high school, I read "Behind Closed Doors", a book about a woman who is dating this wonderful guy, and once they get married he is crazy and controlling. This book was one of my favorite thrillers I've ever read, and gave me a new perspective in that I really have know idea what someone's home life is like, or what is going on behind closed doors. It showed my that is important not to judge without knowing everything, and I may never know everything. Going into law and justice, I may not know what is going on behind both victims' and criminals' outward presentation. My goal is to keep an open mind, and not make premature judgements in my college experience, and eventually my career. Literature has had an immense impact on me, shaping my goals, and even greater- my life. Books have taught me countless lessons, and set outlines and goals for how I should act and live my life.

Simple things, such as reposting a pro life instagram post, explaining my viewpoint, and taking the time to spread awareness about pro life are all ways that I show my support of pro life movements and organizations. Being a christian and growing up in the church, I have always been on the pro life side, but didn't fully understand the gravity of abortion until a year or two ago, when the "women's bodily rights" movements starting rapidly growing, especially on social media. I am very passionate about being pro life, and will not shy away from talking about it, even if it changes some people's perspective of me. I am a first year student at Florida State University, and even here on campus I've already seen a lot about "saving a woman's right to chose." I was recently asked to sign a petition to make sure women have the right to choose, and upon turning it down, got judgmental looks. The thing that has bothered me the most is the fact that it has been proven time and time again that the child inside a pregnant women is its own human being, made in the image of God, yet pro choicers continue to argue "my body, my choice". Even after being told that life begins at conception, most individuals stick with the argument that women shouldn't be forced to carry a child she doesn't want. They will argue that in the case of rape, a woman should not have to have a constant reminder of the trauma she was put through. While I whole heartedly agree that rape is awful, and a terribly traumatic situation that no one should ever be subjected to, killing the infant that happened to be conceived from it does not make anything better. However, the number of abortions because of rape is an extremely small percentage of cases. Most reasons for getting an abortion is because of an accidental pregnancy, and no one wants the responsibility of becoming a parent. I believe that there are other solutions to unwanted pregnancies, humane ones that spare the innocent child's life. Every woman who goes to consider getting an abortion should be given information of somewhere she can go to get help with her pregnancy instead of terminating it. If she wants to keep the baby, there are organizations that will provide her support throughout her pregnancy, and after the baby is born; donating items and standing by her side. If she does not want to keep the child, there are thousands and thousands of families who are looking to adopt. Families who cannot conceive naturally, and who would love to take care of and adopt a child. Because I am so passionate about this, I will be able to use my interest in law to make change surrounding abortion restrictions. My faith has made my pro life stance even stronger, as well as driven me to want to make change in this area, and what better way to do that than to use my education. I plan on becoming a lawyer, and going from there, while actively participating in the March for Life movements and supporting pro life organizations. I hope to ban abortions and reduce access to it, while also increasing resources available to pregnant women, in hopes that they will choose to ask for help instead. I want them to know that they are welcomed with open arms, and that they have people who want to help and support them through their pregnancy, and steer them away from abortion.

My favorite athlete to cheer on for Team USA is Tara Davis-Woodhall, the track and field athlete who specializes in the long jump. She is the one I enjoy watching and cheering for the most, because of many things. For one, she is determined. In her trials to go to the Olmypics, she had three chances to make her qualifying distance. Her first jump, she fouled, and then fouled again on her second jump, leaving her one last try to make it to Paris. Instead of letting the nerves and two failed jumps freak her out, she took a deep breath, and made her third attempt, which was a great jump, and qualified her for the team. Secondly, Davis-Woodhall is real. After her third jump, she realizes she made it, and goes over to celebrate with her husband. He congratulates her, and she tells him how hard it was. For a professional athlete to admit that she struggled and had a hard time shows her humility and honesty. She didn't try to say that it was no big deal, she admitted that she struggled to get it. Another reason she is my favorite athlete to cheer on is because of how supported and loved she is. Seeing her win is so exciting, but seeing her husband get anxious for her, and then elated when she performs is so fun to watch. It is evident how much he cares about her, and how well they work together as a team.

One of the simplest, yet most meaningful ways I show kindness is by praying for someone. Not only is it easy, but it is powerful. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." comes from James 5:16. This verse tells us that prayer is beneficial, and when we pray, it helps us. Something that only takes a minute or two, yet shows how much you care, is my favorite way to portray kindness to someone in need. After hearing a friend is going through a rough time, whether it's illness, loss, or any struggle, my first instinct is to pray for them. Telling them that I'm thinking about them, and praying for them positively impacts them in many ways. The first being, knowing that someone cares about them. When I am having a hard time, sometimes just realizing that other people are there for me lightens my load a little bit, and makes everything a little easier. I'm sure that when a friend of mine, or even someone I just met sees that I care about their struggles brings them some comfort. Letting them know I'm praying for them reassures them that I'm looking out for them. Secondly, it shows them that they aren't alone. Sometimes people don't want others to know what they are struggling with, or going through, so if they do tell me, I want them to understand that even if they have no one else, they have me supporting them, and when I take it to God, Him as well. Another positive impact is knowing that God is there for them as well. When people come together and ask God for something, he listens. My prayer for them to just be comforted or for things to get better gives them hope. Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." So along with me praying for them alone, if we pray together, He is there with us. We are also assured that if we have faith, our prayers will be answered in Mark 11:24; "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when your pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." This verse is so comforting, and by sharing that with whomever I am praying for, I am hoping that it reassures them too that things will get better. By showing kindness in this way, it is positively impacting the person I am praying for, along with whomever else knows about it. This could lead to me spreading my faith, and telling people about God, or even just praying for someone else who may need it, even if they are not in the faith. It's like planting a seed; you never know where it may grow. One prayer may lead to someone becoming a christian, or opening up to God and learning more about him. I believe that prayer is one of the best ways to show kindess, and it only takes a little bit of time and faith.

I am a senior in high school, in Camden County, Georgia. I am going to attend Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida, to get a degree in criminal justice. I have been set on going to FSU ever since I was a little girl, as my grandpa and mom both graduated from there. My family has been football season ticket holders and boosters since before I was born, and even though that isn't the reason I chose FSU, it is definitely a bonus. It just happened to be that FSU is a great school for law and criminal justice, and I've known I wanted to do that since I was young. When asked the questions "what do you want to be when you grow up?" as a kid, I always said I wanted to be a police officer. Even now, that has only changed slightly. I have opened up my options from police officer, to different opportunities in criminal justice careers, while still considering becoming a cop. I am considering becoming a special agent in one of the three letter organizations, a police officer, a criminal psychologist, or something along the law path. Florida State is the best place for me to pursue my dream career in criminal justice, and it isn't too far away from family, and everything I know. I was born in Florida, and spent a number of years in Middleburg before moving to Texas, and then back to Florida, only in Orlando. After living there for a few years, we moved to Kingsland, Georgia, which is where I finished 8th grade, and spent all four years of high school. So, while I am a resident of Georgia, Florida has really been my home state. Because I spent the years directly before college in Georgia, I am considered an out of state student at FSU, and therefore, have to pay out of state tuition. While this is a bump in the road, I am fortunate enough that it is not stopping me from going to the school I've always wanted to attend. I will have to take out student loans, and I've been applying to countless scholarships, hoping that I will be able to lighten the load of out of state tuition costs. I am very blesses that I am able to attend Florida State, and will not be taking it for granted. While I am not sure exactly what career field I will end up in after graduating college, I know that I am passionate about criminal justice, and will be working somewhere along that path.

My name is Rylie, and I am an 18 year old senior in high school. I am going to Florida State University to pursue a degree in criminal justice, and earn a spot in a corresponding career field. Even though I know that I was to study criminal justice, I am still unsure what career I want to go in to, whether that be the police force, the FBI, CIA, or law. These careers have been at the top of my list since I was a child, being asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?". My answer was always the same; a police officer. I knew that I wanted to be in law enforcement, because of the image I had of those who were. I always saw them as a safe place, and someone I could go to if I was in trouble. As a kid, having it instilled in me that if I was lost or in danger, find a cop. If there was an emergency, call 911 and the police would be there shortly to help. From a child's perspective, they were heroes and the "good guys". So, even though I am not sure if I want to be a cop anymore, while that is still a strong contender, I know that I will end up in law enforcement, and hopefully I can be that safe person for a young child in the next generation. I know that I will use my future job to support women's empowerment, as men greatly outnumber women in all of these fields, except law school. Male special agents in the FBI and CIA make up well over 70% of the population compared to female agents, while the police force is almost all male. Enrollment in law schools is just barely dominated by women, being made up of not even 10% more than men. When I obtain a career in criminal justice, I am representing a minority of the population in these jobs, and carry significant responsibility when doing so. I know that young girls will be looking up to be, and seeing a women in this work force may inspire them to join as well. I hope that as a women, whether I end up in one of these fields, or a similar one, that I am able to show younger generations that they can do whatever they dream of, whether they are the majority or not.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is the common questions asked in elementary school, when kids are just beginning on the path to find their career interest. My answer was always the same: a vet or a cop. While the real answer was always a cop, the vet part was added by my dad, who was always scared of what could happen to me if I became a police officer. However, over the years, it changed from police officer and vet, to just police officer, and then it was police officer or special agent. Now, as I am coming to the end of my high school career, it has changed to criminal justice. I am going to Florida State University, starting in the fall of 2024, to pursue and degree relating to criminal justice. I know that I want to be apart of the justice system, because I want to better our communities, and help those in need. Growing up, it was instilled in me that if I was ever in trouble, a police officer was a safe person to go to. I knew that if I was lost, or in danger, the first cop I saw would be able to help me, and I knew I wanted to be that person for kids when I was grown. My parents repeatedly told me that if there was an emergency, to call 911, and law enforcement would be on the way to take care of it. All throughout my childhood years, I felt safer when cops were around, and knew that if something happened, there were people who would put their lives in the way to protect strangers who might not even notice them. I always felt as thought that were one of the greatest things you could do it life, and I want to use the degree I gain at FSU to become one of the role models I looked up to so much as a kid. Growing up watching tv shows such as Criminal Minds, Alias, CSI, NCIS, and more, I saw agencies with employees who were sent on secret missions, and hard cases for the US government, or the public, to keep the country safe. While I know that it is not exactly like tv in real life, the principles behind those shows are what has kept me interested in the criminal justice pathway since I was a little girl. Any way that I am able to help the community is a way that I can give back to the men and women who are in that career field, and show my appreciation and pride for those who serve the public. So, whether I may end up as a police officer, an agent for a three letter organization, a lawyer, or something else along those lines, I know that I want to pursue criminal justice, and that will never change- along with the reasons that I am so passionate to improve the community and make our country a better place.

Hi, my name is Rylie, and psychology has impacted my life everyday. I am a high school senior, going to FSU in the fall of this year. Just because I am growing up does not mean that my struggle with mental health is getting any easier. Although I could be worse off, I battle anxiety everyday. I am fortunate to not have it as bad as some, but it affects just about everything I do. I constantly have stomach aches, unwanted thoughts, and uneasy feelings. It is hard to do things alone sometimes, and I am stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself by moving away from everything I know, and going to college. While I am not perfect, I am trying to deal with my anxiety through growing my relationship with God, and relying on family and friends when I am having a rough time. Not only does psychology impact me, it affects the people around me everyday. I have seen my cousin struggle with severe depression, and have watched my friends go through their battles with it as well. While I understand it is a personal thing, I try my best to be there in any way I can to support them, and let them know I'm in their corner. Even simple, small things, like helping one of them clean their room, or offering to talk, or bring some food, since sometimes it's hard to do the little things (eating and cleaning). These struggles with mental health that I see in my friends and family only give me more of a reason to advocate for it, and educate when I can. Being around those who struggle with mental health, I have talked to friends who also feel the same way. Going to a public school is never easy to begin with, but having anxiety only intensifies all the worries that come along with school. "What if I am in the bathroom too long and people talk about me??", "What if I have to present?", "Can people tell I'm blushing?", "Am I red?", "What if I start sweating?", "What if no one I know is there?", "What if I have to ask a question and they think I'm dumb?", "What if I get called on and get the answer wrong?"- all things that we struggle with daily. Along with, "What if my stomach makes noise?", "What if I trip?", "Are they all looking at me?". Even though I know that there are others that have the same worries and thoughts, it is still hard to push them out and not dwell on them. I am passionate about psychology because I know the gravity of it, and the effect that it has on our everyday lives. I've seen it firsthand, I've experienced it, and I want to spread awareness and ways to help those who are struggling with mental health.

If I could have everyone in the world read one book, I am certain that I would choose Out of My Mind, by Sharon M Draper. This novel has been my favorite since I was a freshman in high school, 4 years ago. It is written about a young girl, with a disability, who cannot talk on her own. She is brilliant, and the best way she can communicate is through her computer. Melody, the main character, is judged by everyone around her just off of first glance. She is in a wheelchair, and cannot move well at all. She spends her life, trapped inside her head, and can barely communicate through typing. She is bright, and feels deep connections to her emotions, and music, and although her body is hindered, her mind is working at full force. I would have everyone read this book, because it presents a whole new perspective, one that most people will never get a chance to try to understand. Those who are fully able, and have control of their bodies, and speech, will never truly grasp what is like to be in your head all the time, but I think this book comes as close as it can to offering that understanding up to everyone who reads it. It is so important that everyone who comes into contact with someone who is confined to a wheelchair, or has to use a computer to communicate does not judge off of first impressions, as there is much more than meets the eye. Melody perfectly shows this throughout the book, and helps to spread the word that she is much more than her disability. Out of My Mind is not only a great read, but a life lesson that impacts the reader, and reminds them not to judge appearances, and everyone should read it.