It's a hot, humid summer day. My hands are dry from the chalk that graces my fingers, the cicadas are louder than usual, and my juice box is tepid from the heat. I hear the whistle, signaling that a kickball game is about to begin. I run over in excitement; this is my favorite part of the whole day! After the game is finished and my team wins, I am sweaty and tired, heading back to the building in search of air conditioning, but before I can, I am stopped by a few girls that I once considered my friends. After rubbing dirt on my shirt and filling my head with new insecurities, I decided to skip the air conditioning and sit on the “Buddy Bench” alone outside. The next day when the whistle was blown, indicating a game of dodgeball, another one my favorites, I decided to skip it, and instead watch the match because I “didn’t feel good.” In elementary school I was a courageous child that was always ready for a challenge and dreamed big dreams and I had a love for sports. However, I lost my fire during my middle school years when I experienced psychological bullying from a few girls, one in particular, that I considered a friend for many years. This really stopped me in my tracks. I internalized everything and was left without any self-confidence and tons of anxiety. I stopped trying new things and putting myself in any situation that I might fail. I made a point to start finding myself again in high school. I joined my school’s orchestra and learned how to play the violin. I pushed myself to audition for my county and region orchestras. I was selected to be a member for both at least once each. I even started my own fundraising event to raise money and awareness for greyhound rescue, called Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. This was a project close to my heart thanks to our own beloved greyhound, Gamma Ray. I also created my own service project to fulfill volunteer requirements for my honor societies. I learned to sew and have made dozens of mastectomy pillows to donate to the local cancer center. The patients are given the pillows to use in their recovery after having mastectomy surgeries. Through clubs and community service projects, I learned that I like to help people and my community. Slowly my self-confidence began to improve, but I still often felt doubt. I am now in my sophomore year of college. Being away from home and living in a small city was a challenge at first, but again I surprised myself with successfully learning to be independent, make new friends that are dependable, and grow in ways that I didn’t think possible. I completed my first year on the Dean’s list. I also made an unexpected friend outside of my classes through a mentoring program that I volunteered with for students in the life skills program at the college. I even had the opportunity to volunteer to help rebuild an oyster bed. I didn’t know that it would be such a dirty and physically demanding task, but it was a great opportunity and I learned so much. Self-doubt is still a constant companion that sits on my shoulder but I am working hard to keep proving it wrong and keep it in its place. I am majoring in psychology. I plan to continue on to graduate school to earn a PhD or a PsyD degree following my undergraduate degree. I want to help others through their rough times so that they can live their best lives too. I would not be where I am today without the support of my family and excellent counselors. They have helped me to reignited my fire and grow stronger every day despite frequent setbacks. I also plan to continue to be active in my school and community as a volunteer since this has really helped me to make connections with others, to learn new skills, learn about myself, and make a difference in the lives of others.

It's a hot, humid summer day. My hands are dry from the chalk that graces my fingers, the cicadas are louder than usual, and my juice box is tepid from the heat. I hear the whistle, signaling that a kickball game is about to begin. I run over in excitement; this is my favorite part of the whole day! After the game is finished and my team wins, I am sweaty and tired, heading back to the building in search of air conditioning, but before I can, I am stopped by a few girls that I once considered my friends. After rubbing dirt on my shirt and filling my head with new insecurities, I decided to skip the air conditioning and sit on the “Buddy Bench” alone outside. The next day when the whistle was blown, indicating a game of dodgeball, another one my favorites, I decided to skip it, and instead watch the match because I “didn’t feel good.” In elementary school I was a courageous child that was always ready for a challenge and dreamed big dreams and I had a love for sports. However, I lost my fire during my middle school years when I experienced psychological bullying from a few girls, one in particular, that I considered a friend for many years. This really stopped me in my tracks. I internalized everything and was left without any self-confidence and tons of anxiety. I stopped trying new things and putting myself in any situation that I might fail. I made a point to start finding myself again in high school. I joined my school’s orchestra and learned how to play the violin. I pushed myself to audition for my county and region orchestras. I was selected to be a member for both at least once each. I even started my own fundraising event to raise money and awareness for greyhound rescue, called Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. This was a project close to my heart thanks to our own beloved greyhound, Gamma Ray. I also created my own service project to fulfill volunteer requirements for my honor societies. I learned to sew and have made dozens of mastectomy pillows to donate to the local cancer center. The patients are given the pillows to use in their recovery after having mastectomy surgeries. Through clubs and community service projects, I learned that I like to help people and my community. Slowly my self-confidence began to improve, but I still often felt doubt. I just finished a successful freshman year of college. Being away from home and living in a small city was a challenge at first, but again I surprised myself with successfully learning to be independent, make new friends that are dependable, and grow in ways that I didn’t think possible. I completed my first year on the Dean’s list. I also made an unexpected friend outside of my classes through a mentoring program that I volunteered with for students in the life skills program at the college. I even had the opportunity to volunteer to help rebuild an oyster bed. I didn’t know that it would be such a dirty and physically demanding task, but it was a great opportunity and I learned so much. My fire is reignited and growing stronger every day! I am glad that I made a decision to be active in my community and school. Volunteer work has really helped me to make connections with others, to learn new skills, learn about myself, and make a difference in the lives of others.

It's a hot, humid summer day. My hands are dry from the chalk that graces my fingers, the cicadas are louder than usual, and my juice box is tepid from the heat. I hear the whistle, signaling that a kickball game is about to begin. I run over in excitement; this is my favorite part of the whole day! After the game is finished and my team wins, I am sweaty and tired, heading back to the building in search of air conditioning, but before I can, I am stopped by a few girls that I once considered my friends. After rubbing dirt on my shirt and filling my head with new insecurities, I decided to skip the air conditioning and sit on the “Buddy Bench” alone outside. The next day when the whistle was blown, indicating a game of dodgeball, another one my favorites, I decided to skip it, and instead watch the match because I “didn’t feel good.” In elementary school I was a courageous child that was always ready for a challenge and dreamed big dreams and I had a love for sports. However, I lost my fire during my middle school years when I experienced psychological bullying from a few girls, one in particular, that I considered a friend for many years. This really stopped me in my tracks. I internalized everything and was left without any self-confidence and tons of anxiety. I stopped trying new things and putting myself in any situation that I might fail. I made a point to start finding myself again in high school. I joined my school’s orchestra and learned how to play the violin. I pushed myself to audition for my county and region orchestras. I was selected to be a member for both at least once each. I even started my own fundraising event to raise money and awareness for greyhound rescue, called Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. This was a project close to my heart thanks to our own beloved greyhound, Gamma Ray. I also created my own service project to fulfill volunteer requirements for my honor societies. I learned to sew and have made dozens of mastectomy pillows to donate to the local cancer center. The patients are given the pillows to use in their recovery after having mastectomy surgeries. Through clubs and community service projects, I learned that I like to help people and my community. Slowly my self-confidence began to improve, but I still often felt doubt. I just finished a successful freshman year of college. Being away from home and living in a small city was a challenge at first, but again I surprised myself with successfully learning to be independent, make new friends that are dependable, and grow in ways that I didn’t think possible. I completed my first year on the Dean’s list. I also made an unexpected friend outside of my classes through a mentoring program that I volunteered with for students in the life skills program at the college. My fire is reignited and growing stronger every day! I am glad that I decided to put my own health and mental wellbeing first and make a conscious effort to take strides to move forward. I won’t let other people’s thoughts and opinions of me hold be back from achieving my dreams and goals again.

In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. After that day, my relationship with my friend had changed forever. We grew apart and found new experiences on our own. This core memory has not only changed our friendship, it also was the foundation for finding myself and my future career goals. As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. Thus, situations like my friends will be less prevalent among society. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I can create a healthier and happier future for the people who are overlooked for their mental health. I may have not been able to save my friend in her time of need, however, in my future career I can be an anchor and a sign of hope for those who are silently struggling.

Throughout high school, my schedule has been built upon honors and AP classes. I am in the top twenty in my class and have an outstanding GPA. As a member of three honors societies, I have created my own community service project to fulfill the required service hours. I sew mastectomy pillows for women to use after having mastectomy surgeries and donate these pillows to a local Breast Cancer Center. Other than my academic and community service work, I have also shown musical excellence. I have been playing the violin for about seven years now and have had many opportunities to perform in different ensembles. I am concertmaster in a local symphony orchestra called The Symphony Orchestra Project. Through all of these experiences and achievements, I have been able to grow as a student, musician, and person. Everything I have been working for thus far has contributed to my educational aspirations. During my adolescence, I had begged my parents for a dog, but my dad said no every time as he was allergic. However, I was never good at accepting the answer “no.” I spent days researching hypoallergenic dogs. While looking through the list of breeds and carefully researching them all, one stuck out: greyhounds. I specifically felt drawn to greyhounds when I learned they were rescue dogs and could be adopted after their racing careers were over. After doing more research I confirmed that the greyhound was the right dog for us! So I brought the topic up to my parents one night, and while they were skeptical they listened. My mom found a site where you could foster the dogs before you adopted them. Finally giving in, my parents agreed to let us foster our first greyhound: Gamma Ray. Our family not only fell in love with Gamma, we fell in love with greyhounds. Our family got involved in the fostering and rescue agency that we got Gamma from and kept in contact with the people within that community. I had gotten information from one of the members that the Florida race tracks were closing down and many had concerns about the well-being and future of these dogs afterwards. Knowing how much I loved Gamma, I couldn’t let other dogs like him be stranded. So I decided to start a fundraising project for the greyhounds. I founded Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project which I created to spread awareness and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. I collected donations from local businesses to create a raffle basket. The basket was filled with gift cards and brand items. The local businesses were more than happy to help out for a good cause! I then raffled the basket off in a local festival, The Surfside Beach Barbecue Festival. Many people came to show their support, I felt humbled by the generosity and aid of my community. I also was able to tap into my creative side and designed t-shirts and stickers to sell. I improved my communication and social skills by collaborating with the local business owners, as well as appearing on local television and radio stations to promote the cause. I was interviewed by a local, live news channel and on two live radio station shows. I was able to use these resources to reach out to people across the region. The day of the festival my booth was a success, so many people came to show their support! At the end of the event, I had raised about two thousand dollars and was able to offer aid to those greyhounds who were seeking their forever homes after retirement.

Throughout my life, my successes have been built upon the fact that I am determined and passionate. In high school, my schedule has been built upon honors and Advanced Placement classes. I am in the top twenty in my class and have an outstanding GPA. As a member of three different honors societies, I have created my own community service project to fulfill the required service hours. I sew mastectomy pillows for women to use after having mastectomy surgeries and donate these pillows to a local Breast Cancer Center. Other than my academic and community service work, I have also shown musical excellence. I have been playing the violin for about seven years now and have had many opportunities to perform in different ensembles. I am concertmaster in a local symphony orchestra called The Symphony Orchestra Project and participated in All Region and County Orchestra. Through all of these experiences and achievements, I have been able to grow as a student, musician, and person. Everything I have been working for thus far has contributed to my aspirations and personal growth. While I have had many accomplishments and opportunities, one sets me apart from others. Through grit and determination, I was able to create my own fundraising project. During my adolescence, I had begged my parents for a dog, but my dad said no every time as he was allergic. However, I was never good at accepting the answer “no.” I spent days researching hypoallergenic dogs. While looking through the list of breeds and carefully researching them all, one stuck out: greyhounds. I specifically felt drawn to greyhounds when I learned they were rescue dogs and could be adopted after their racing careers were over. After doing more research I confirmed that the greyhound was the right dog for us! So I brought the topic up to my parents one night, and while they were skeptical they listened. My mom found a site where you could foster the dogs before you adopted them. Finally giving in, my parents agreed to let us foster our first greyhound: Gamma Ray. Our family not only fell in love with Gamma, we fell in love with greyhounds. Our family got involved in the fostering and rescue agency that we got Gamma from and kept in contact with the people within that community. I had gotten information from one of the members that the Florida race tracks were closing down and many had concerns about the well-being and future of these dogs afterwards. Knowing how much I loved Gamma, I couldn’t let other dogs like him be stranded. So I decided to start a fundraising project for the greyhounds. I founded Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project which I created to spread awareness and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. I collected donations from local businesses to create a raffle basket. The basket was filled with gift cards and brand items. The local businesses were more than happy to help out for a good cause! I then raffled the basket off in a local festival, The Surfside Beach Barbecue Festival. Many people came to show their support, I felt humbled by the generosity and aid of my community. I also was able to tap into my creative side and designed t-shirts and stickers to sell. I improved my communication and social skills by collaborating with the local business owners, as well as appearing on local television and radio stations to promote the cause. I was interviewed by a local, live news channel and on two live radio station shows. I was able to use these resources to reach out to people across the region. The day of the festival my booth was a success, so many people came to show their support! At the end of the event, I had raised about two thousand dollars and was able to offer aid to those greyhounds who were seeking their forever homes after retirement. To have such an impact on others and putting others needs before your own is an enriching feeling. I hope to continue making a difference in others lives and improving the world through determination and passion.

I have had many opportunities to create change and make an impact in my community, by grasping these opportunities, I have embodied selflessness. I have the grit and determination that allows me to be successful in helping others. I have participated in many different community service projects, one in particular I created myself. I was informed that in a local breast center there was a need for something to help women recover from mastectomies without rubbing their incisions. I had the time and dedication necessary to help these women. I decided to make heart shaped mastectomy pillows that the women could put under their arms after surgeries to help with the rubbing of incisions. I hand sewed all of the pillows and made around fifty pillows that were donated to the center. I received good feedback from the women who used the pillows, it was enriching to know that I had made a difference in so many people's lives. Additionally, I created my own fundraising project. My family decided to adopt our first greyhound when I was fifteen years old. After adopting a greyhound, my family got involved in the fostering and rescue agency that we got our dog from and kept in contact with the people within that community. I had gotten information from one of the members that the Florida race tracks were closing down and many had concerns about the well-being and future of these dogs afterwards. Knowing how much I loved my dog, I couldn’t let other dogs like him be stranded. So I decided to start a fundraising project for the greyhounds. I founded Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project which I created to spread awareness and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. I collected donations from local businesses to create a raffle basket. The basket was filled with gift cards and brand items. The local businesses were more than happy to help out for a good cause! I then raffled the basket off in a local festival, The Surfside Beach Barbecue Festival. Many people came to show their support, I felt humbled by the generosity and aid of my community. I also was able to tap into my creative side and designed t-shirts and stickers to sell. I improved my communication and social skills by collaborating with the local business owners, as well as appearing on local television and radio stations to promote the cause. I was interviewed by a local, live news channel and on two live radio station shows. I was able to use these resources to reach out to people across the region. The day of the festival my booth was a success, so many people came to show their support! At the end of the event, I had raised about two thousand dollars and was able to offer aid to those greyhounds who were seeking their forever homes after retirement. I believe the true meaning of selflessness is putting others' needs before your own. In both of these instances, I consider myself to put others' needs above my own. I decided to use my free time to sew pillows for the women who needed them after surgery, and I also dedicated a lot of time and effort to raise money for greyhounds who were going to lose their homes. My needs did not compare to the needs of those who I helped. I hope to continue making a difference in others lives and improving the world through my selflessness.

In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. After that day, my relationship with my friend had changed forever. We grew apart and found new experiences on our own. This core memory has not only changed our friendship, it also was the foundation for finding myself and my future career goals. As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. Thus, situations like my friends will be less prevalent among society. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I can create a healthier and happier future for the people who are overlooked for their mental health. I may have not been able to save my friend in her time of need, however, in my future career I can be an anchor and a sign of hope for those who are silently struggling.

One morning, I entered my AP Language class in my junior year of high school. I sat down at my usual spot, and on my desk, there was a memoir The Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls. I started flipping through the pages as my teacher informed us that this was the next written work we would begin reading. That night we were to read the first five chapters. Agitated that I had to add that to my list of homework, I placed the book in my bag and continued with the rest of class. That night I sat down and started reading, impatient to quickly get it over with. However, I didn’t read five chapters that night, I read almost half the memoir. This piece ended up connecting with me in a way I had never felt before with another writing. The memoir follows Jeannette Walls’ childhood and the challenges she had to overcome when living with her family and their insufficient living conditions. The layout was so mesmerizing, each event led into the other in chronological order. She described significant moments of her childhood in which she grew up impoverished, homeless, starving, etc. With everything Jeannette had endured during her adolescence, she was able to overcome her challenges and become successful, achieving her goals of becoming an author. She not only accomplished her dreams, but she was able to find peace with herself and her surroundings. She was able to forgive her parents and create a life that was the opposite of what they gave her. She is an inspiration and a perfect representation that your past does not define who you are. With passion and determination you are able to achieve your desires. Jeannette's story helped me realize that I determine my own identity and my success. Despite my challenges in life, I am going to go to college and will apply for medical school. With a mindset like Jeannette's, hopefully, I too can find peace and success in my future.

In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. After that day, my relationship with my friend had changed forever. We grew apart and found new experiences on our own. This core memory has not only changed our friendship, it also was the foundation for finding myself and my future career goals. As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. Thus, situations like my friends will be less prevalent among society. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I can create a healthier and happier future for the people who are overlooked for their mental health. I may have not been able to save my friend in her time of need, however, in my future career I can be an anchor and a sign of hope for those who are silently struggling.

Throughout high school, my schedule has been built upon honors and AP classes. I am in the top twenty in my class and have an outstanding GPA. As a member of three honors societies, I have created my own community service project to fulfill the required service hours. I sew mastectomy pillows for women to use after having mastectomy surgeries and donate these pillows to a local Breast Cancer Center. Other than my academic and community service work, I have also shown musical excellence. I have been playing the violin for about seven years now and have had many opportunities to perform in different ensembles. I am concertmaster in a local symphony orchestra called The Symphony Orchestra Project. Through all of these experiences and achievements, I have been able to grow as a student, musician, and person. Everything I have been working for thus far has contributed to my educational aspirations. During my adolescence, I had begged my parents for a dog, but my dad said no every time as he was allergic. However, I was never good at accepting the answer “no.” I spent days researching hypoallergenic dogs. While looking through the list of breeds and carefully researching them all, one stuck out: greyhounds. I specifically felt drawn to greyhounds when I learned they were rescue dogs and could be adopted after their racing careers were over. After doing more research I confirmed that the greyhound was the right dog for us! So I brought the topic up to my parents one night, and while they were skeptical they listened. My mom found a site where you could foster the dogs before you adopted them. Finally giving in, my parents agreed to let us foster our first greyhound: Gamma Ray. Our family not only fell in love with Gamma, we fell in love with greyhounds. Our family got involved in the fostering and rescue agency that we got Gamma from and kept in contact with the people within that community. I had gotten information from one of the members that the Florida race tracks were closing down and many had concerns about the well-being and future of these dogs afterwards. Knowing how much I loved Gamma, I couldn’t let other dogs like him be stranded. So I decided to start a fundraising project for the greyhounds. I founded Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project which I created to spread awareness and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. I collected donations from local businesses to create a raffle basket. The basket was filled with gift cards and brand items. The local businesses were more than happy to help out for a good cause! I then raffled the basket off in a local festival, The Surfside Beach Barbecue Festival. Many people came to show their support, I felt humbled by the generosity and aid of my community. I also was able to tap into my creative side and designed t-shirts and stickers to sell. I improved my communication and social skills by collaborating with the local business owners, as well as appearing on local television and radio stations to promote the cause. I was interviewed by a local, live news channel and on two live radio station shows. I was able to use these resources to reach out to people across the region. The day of the festival my booth was a success, so many people came to show their support! At the end of the event, I had raised about two thousand dollars and was able to offer aid to those greyhounds who were seeking their forever homes after retirement.

In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. After that day, my relationship with my friend had changed forever. We grew apart and found new experiences on our own. This core memory has not only changed our friendship, it also was the foundation for finding myself and my future career goals. As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. Thus, situations like my friends will be less prevalent among society. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I can create a healthier and happier future for the people who are overlooked for their mental health. I may have not been able to save my friend in her time of need, however, in my future career I can be an anchor and a sign of hope for those who are silently struggling.

It was a hot, humid summer day, my hands were dry from the chalk that graced my fingers and the cicadas were louder than usual. I heard the whistle, signaling that a kickball game was about to begin. I ran over in excitement; this was my favorite part of the whole day! After the game was finished and my team won, sweaty and tired I headed back to the building in search of air conditioning, but before I could, I was stopped by a few girls. These girls were never nice to me. Over the course of a few years, they slowly chipped away all the enthusiasm and self confidence that I possessed and left an empty shell of self-doubt and insecurity. For a long time, I felt helpless and unsatisfied, like there was a piece missing from my puzzle. I decided I wasn’t going to drown any longer, I was going to take a new approach to life: instead of cowering in the shadows, I would stand in the spotlight. Step one in my new approach was to bring change to my community. My family and I had fostered greyhounds throughout my childhood. Through this process we learned that a lot of greyhounds were struggling to find homes with the closings of race tracks. I founded a fundraiser, Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project, which I created to spread awareness and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. At first it was difficult to step out of my comfort zone. But I did, and I spoke with many local business owners, local residents, on live, local TV and live, local radio. As the camera panned towards my face, I could feel the warmth of the spotlight engulfing me because this was my change, my fundraiser and I felt a small glimmer of myself returning. The next step was to find a new passion. I joined my school orchestra, and participated in many different orchestra programs in and out of school. Not only did I learn a new instrument, but I became more confident, formed new friendships, and for the first time in a long time felt like I truly belonged. Sure, I had a lot of doubts and shed some tears, but on concert nights when the spotlight hits me and the audience cheers, I gain yet another notch in my growing confidence and self-worth. Step three was to get involved. I joined multiple honors societies and clubs in school that allowed me to expand my interests and meet new people. I have created my own service project to fulfill volunteer requirements for my honor societies. I learned to sew and have made dozens of mastectomy pillows to donate to the local cancer center. I have found that it feels good to help others and no matter what I am going through, others are going through worse. Through my journey of involvement, I have learned many life lessons and have become an improved version of myself. It has been a difficult process to decide to put myself in positions in which I might fail or be rejected. The insecurities planted in me by others are still there, however, I am really glad that I have challenged myself to push forward. The little girl who is full of ideas and enthusiasm has been reawakened and rejuvenated. I have learned that with hard work I can achieve my goals and I can make a difference in my community, school, and other people’s lives. I now know my worth and I will work hard to achieve all my goals and dreams.

In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. After that day, my relationship with my friend had changed forever. We grew apart and found new experiences on our own. This core memory has not only changed our friendship, it also was the foundation for finding myself and my future career goals. As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. Thus, situations like my friends will be less prevalent among society. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I can create a healthier and happier future for the people who are overlooked for their mental health. I may have not been able to save my friend in her time of need, however, in my future career I can be an anchor and a sign of hope for those who are silently struggling.

As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. In my earlier years of high school, I had a friend who was silently struggling under the weight of society and her mental illness. Because of a lack of support from those around her and professional help, she tried to take her own life. She was hospitalized and taken care of only after the fact that she had attempted to take her life. As a psychiatrist, I would like to make mental health services available to people before, during, and after their crises. America has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Critics may argue that mental health is not a serious illness; however, the increasing suicide rates and rising drug epidemic across the globe would say otherwise. Mental health has been overlooked for too long and so have the lives that have been jeopardized or taken because of it. By studying biology I will gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others.

As a student, employee, and member of the community, I am surrounded by mental health issues. I have seen mental health affect my peers, coworkers, and the people closest to me. I want to further my education by attending undergraduate school for four years to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and then continue to medical school to become a psychiatrist. The process of getting into medical school is rigorous, however, I am prepared to put in the work and dedication necessary. Studying biology will help me gain knowledge of biological organization. Furthermore, I can utilize my newfound awareness and education to then contribute to the health of others. I will grow as an individual, not only with knowledge, but with experience. I will have opportunities to perform in labs, research, and internships. These will all work together to help prepare me for medical school and make me an overall well-rounded student. Many people do not have access to mental health professionals, medicine, or treatments that they need. Without help, many are falling victim to their minds and often other devices such as drugs that only worsen their situation. As someone who sees the mental struggles of others in my community, I want to aid those who have not had sufficient access to proper care and give meaning to their lives by going to medical school for psychiatry. Studying biology will prepare me for medical school and further my understanding of human life and health to which I can create a better future for myself and others. I am passionate about everything I do and I have the determination to follow through. For example, I have created an educational and fundraising project to educate others and raise money for retired greyhound rescue. My organization was called Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. I gathered donations from local business owners to create raffle baskets which were raffled off in a local festival. I am passionate about helping others in need and with determination I was able to raise the money to support them. In addition, I am passionate about music, specifically the violin. With grit, I have been able to perform in many different ensembles after challenging auditions. I have had the opportunity to grow as a musician throughout my high school career and it has led me to the person I am today.

From an early age, I have always been fascinated by the mind. As a curious kid, I spent a lot of my free time reading about and investigating psychological cases. The story of Phineas Gage is a particularly interesting psychological case which depicts the functions of various parts of the brain. Additional cases of lobotomies also highlight the intricacy of the human brain. The mind has so many complexities that have yet to be evaluated and explored. My interest in the mind has led me to the path of wanting to become a psychiatrist. It will be a long path of getting a Bachelor of Science degree and then going to medical school, but it is one worth taking. For several years starting at the end of elementary school, I have struggled with mental health issues. Luckily enough, my struggle is mild compared to some, but it has still taken a toll on my life. For several years I had let my mental health struggles dictate my life, however, recently I started to see a therapist who has changed my life for the better and has helped me overcome these issues. The freedom that I feel now is something I want to share with others, but I want to take it a step further. I want to be able to prescribe medications and become trained in more specialized treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. It would also be great to be able to be involved in development and research for new procedures and medications that have yet to be developed. I would love to have the opportunity to open up new options for patients that may manage their symptoms better with fewer or less severe side effects. Once I started considering becoming a psychiatrist, I decided to take an AP psychology class and a dual enrollment sociology course to further deepen my understanding of psychology and human behavior. I knew I had an interest in this area but wanted to broaden my understanding of this content to further confirm that this would be a good career path for me. I have only been in these classes for a few months, but the content has been captivating. These classes have motivated me even more to continue my studies in this area for a career in which I can have a deep understanding of the mind and human behavior to help people to live their best lives despite debilitating mental illness.

Throughout high school I have challenged myself and developed character skills with committed involvement in activities, employment, and rigorous academics; including several dual enrollment and AP courses. As I prepare for the next stage in my life, I am prepared to continue to broaden my knowledge and ideas as well as continue to pursue personal growth. I learned to play the violin and dedicated myself to the challenge of playing professional level music in various local ensembles, symphonies and region orchestra. It took perseverance, determination, and resilience to get to the level of playing required by these groups. Additionally, I have learned teamwork, dedication, and dependability in my employment of over two years with the same employer. I have improved my communication skills while interacting with a variety of people. I utilized my creativity, ambition, and leadership skills to develop and execute two humanitarian projects in my community. The first one that I developed was the Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. I created this fundraiser and educational project to inform the community about greyhounds as pets and the need for their adoption and raised over three thousand dollars for the cause. For my second humanitarian project, I learned how to sew and made mastectomy pillows to donate to a local cancer center for women to use during their recovery after having mastectomies. These experiences helped me to make a difference in my community while also helping me to learn more about myself. I completed these things, as well as many others, while struggling with mental health issues stemming from a few years of a bullying situation. Luckily enough, my struggles are mild compared to some; however, it still has taken a toll on my life. For several years, I allowed my mental health struggles to dictate my life. I missed out on many opportunities and doubted myself all the time. However, I recently started to see a therapist and to take steps to take back control of my life. The freedom that I now feel is something that I want to share with others. It has helped guide me to wanting to be a psychiatrist. I want to help others with debilitating mental health issues through counseling, medication, and other treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Once I realized this possible career path, I signed up for an AP psychology course. The class has been exciting and interesting and has further confirmed that this is a path that I want to continue to pursue.

Throughout high school I have challenged myself and developed character skills with committed involvement in activities, employment, and rigorous academics; including several dual enrollment and AP courses. As I prepare for the next stage in my life, I am prepared to continue to broaden my knowledge and ideas as well as continue to pursue personal growth. I learned to play the violin and dedicated myself to the challenge of playing professional level music in various local ensembles, symphonies and region orchestra. It took perseverance, determination, and resilience to get to the level of playing required by these groups. Additionally, I have learned teamwork, dedication, and dependability in my employment of over two years with the same employer. I have improved my communication skills while interacting with a variety of people. I utilized my creativity, ambition, and leadership skills to develop and execute two humanitarian projects in my community. The first one that I developed was the Saige Smith’s Save the Greyhound Project. I created this fundraiser and educational project to inform the community about greyhounds as pets and the need for their adoption and raised over three thousand dollars for the cause. For my second humanitarian project, I learned how to sew and made mastectomy pillows to donate to a local cancer center for women to use during their recovery after having mastectomies. These experiences helped me to make a difference in my community while also helping me to learn more about myself. I completed these things, as well as many others, while struggling with mental health issues stemming from a few years of a bullying situation. Luckily enough, my struggles are mild compared to some; however, it still has taken a toll on my life. For several years, I allowed my mental health struggles to dictate my life. I misssed out on many opportunities and doubted myself all the time. However, I recently started to see a therapist and started to take steps to take back control of my life. The freedom that I now feel is something that I want to share with others. It has helped guide me to wanting to be a psychiatrist. I want to help others with debilitating mental health issues through counseling, medication, and other treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Once I realized this interest, I signed up for an AP psychology course to explore this interest and possible career path. This class has been exciting and interesting. It has further confirmed for me that this is a path that I am interested in continuing to explore.

From an early age, I have always been fascinated by the mind. As a curious kid, I spent a lot of my free time reading and investigating psychological cases. The story of Phineas Gage is a particularly interesting psychological case that depicts the functions of various parts of the brain. Additional cases of lobotomies also highlight the intricacy of the human brain. The mind has so many complexities that have yet to be evaluated and explored. My interest in the mind has led me to the path of wanting to become a psychiatrist. It will be a long path of getting a Bachelor of Science degree and then going to medical school, but it is one worth taking. Not only will this career path require a lot of time and hard work, but it will also require a lot of money. Scholarships like this one are imperative for me to achieve my goal. In my younger years, I was a very outgoing and enthusiastic kid, but a bullying situation that happened on and off for about 3 years chipped away at my self-worth and self-confidence. Luckily enough, my mental health struggle is mild compared to some, but it has still taken a toll on my life. For several years I had let my mental health struggles dictate my life, however, recently I started to see a therapist who has changed my life for the better and has helped me overcome these issues. The freedom that I feel now is something I want to share with others, but I want to take it a step further. I want to be able to prescribe medications and become trained in more specialized treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Once I started considering becoming a psychiatrist, I decided to take an AP psychology class and a dual enrollment sociology course to further deepen my understanding of psychology and human behavior. I knew I had an interest in this area but wanted to broaden my understanding of this content to further confirm that this would be a good career path for me. I have only been in these classes for a few months, but the content has been captivating. These classes have motivated me even more to continue my studies in this area for a career in which I can have a deep understanding of the mind and human behavior to help people to live their best lives despite debilitating mental illness.

From an early age, I have always been fascinated by the mind. As a curious kid, I spent a lot of my free time investigating psychological cases in books and on television. The story of Phineas Gage is a particularly interesting psychological case that depicts the functions of various parts of the brain. Additional cases of lobotomies also highlight the intricacy of the human brain. The mind has so many complexities that have yet to be evaluated and explored. My interest in the mind has led me to the path of wanting to become a psychiatrist. It will be a long path to get a Bachelor of Science degree and then go on to medical school, but it is one worth taking. Not only will it take a long time and a lot of work, but it will also require a lot of money. It is imperative that I obtain as much scholarship money as I can so that I can obtain my goal. For my entire life, I have struggled with mental health issues. Luckily enough, my struggle is mild compared to some, but it has still taken a toll on my life. For several years I had let my mental health struggles dictate my life, however, recently I started to see a therapist who has taught me skills and given me insight that has changed my life for the better and has helped me overcome these issues. The freedom that I feel now is something I want to share with others, but I want to take it a step further. I want to be able to prescribe medications and become trained in more specialized treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Once I started considering becoming a psychiatrist, I decided to take an AP psychology class and a dual enrollment sociology course to further deepen my understanding of psychology and human behavior. I knew I had an interest in this area but wanted to broaden my understanding of this content to further confirm that this would be a good career path for me. I have only been in these classes for a few months, but the content has been captivating. These classes have further motivated me to continue my studies in this area and move forward with this career goal. I look forward to deepening my understanding of the mind and human behavior so that I can help people live their best lives despite debilitating mental illness.