For me, student loan debt isn’t just something I might deal with in the future, it’s something I’m already planning my life around. As a low-income, first-generation Hispanic student, I’ve grown up seeing how financial stress affects everything. It doesn’t just impact what you can afford, it affects your decisions, your opportunities, and sometimes even your mental health. Because of that, I’ve always known that if I want a different future, I have to be intentional about how I approach money, especially when it comes to college. At 16, I made the decision to leave my home because it wasn’t a safe or healthy environment for my mental health. Since then, I’ve had to become independent in ways most people my age don’t experience. That shift forced me to understand responsibility on a deeper level, especially financially. I don’t have a safety net to fall back on, so every decision I make has to be careful and planned. That’s why avoiding unnecessary student loan debt is so important to me. One of the main ways I’m addressing this is through scholarships. I apply consistently because I know that every scholarship, no matter the amount, helps reduce the financial burden I would otherwise carry for years. To me, scholarships aren’t just opportunities, they’re a way to create freedom in my future. Every application I submit is a step toward not being overwhelmed by debt later in life. I also work part-time to start building financial independence. Having a job has changed the way I view money completely. I don’t see it as something to spend without thinking, I see it as something that has to be managed carefully. I budget my money, I prioritize what I need over what I want, and I save for long-term goals like college. Working has shown me how much effort it takes just to earn a small amount, which makes me even more careful about how I use it. Wrestling is another major part of my plan. I’ve been in the sport for nine years, and I’m working toward earning a wrestling scholarship to help cover college costs. Wrestling has taught me discipline, consistency, and resilience. It’s taught me how to push through challenges and stay focused on long-term goals, even when things are difficult. I take my training seriously because I understand that it could directly impact my ability to afford college. Academically, I’m also pushing myself to reduce future costs. I’m working to graduate early, maintaining a strong GPA, and taking extra classes when I can. I know that the stronger my academic record is, the more opportunities I’ll have for financial aid and scholarships. I’m trying to put myself in the best position possible before I even step into college. I’m also being intentional about my future college choice. I want to attend a school that supports me financially and academically, so I can focus on my education and goals instead of constantly worrying about debt. My long-term goal is to work in the mental health field, possibly as a criminal psychologist. That path requires years of education, which makes managing debt even more important. I don’t want my career to be overshadowed by financial stress before it even begins. I’ve learned that debt doesn’t just affect money, it affects freedom. It limits choices and creates pressure that can follow you for years. That’s why I’m doing everything I can now to avoid it. I may not come from financial stability, but I’m building a future where I don’t let debt control my life.

Math is one of the only things in my life that has always had an answer. No matter how confusing everything else gets, math is something I can sit down with and figure out. There’s a process, a pattern, and a solution if I’m willing to work for it. That’s what I love most about it, it makes sense, even when everything else doesn’t. I’ve had to deal with a lot of unpredictability in my life, and because of that, I’ve learned to appreciate anything that gives me structure. Math does that for me. When I’m solving a problem, it forces me to slow down, think step by step, and focus on what’s in front of me. It gives me a break from everything else and puts me in a mindset where I’m just working toward a clear goal. I also like that math challenges me. It’s not something you can fake or guess your way through, you actually have to understand it. When I first learned things like the quadratic formula, it wasn’t easy, but once I got it, it felt worth it. That feeling of finally solving something after struggling with it is one of the main reasons I enjoy math. Math has also helped me build discipline. It taught me that if I stay consistent and put in effort, I’ll eventually figure it out. That mindset has carried over into other parts of my life, like school, wrestling, and my future goals. What makes math even more important to me is how useful it is. It applies to real life, especially when it comes to things like managing money and planning for the future. As someone who has had to become independent at a young age, those skills matter to me. I love math because it’s reliable, challenging, and real. And no matter what’s going on, it’s something I know I can figure out.

One lyric from Olivia Rodrigo that has always stuck with me is from traitor: “Guess you didn’t cheat, but you’re still a traitor.” That line is simple, but it says a lot. It shows how someone can hurt you without technically doing anything “wrong,” and how feelings aren’t always as clear as right or wrong. That idea really connects to my life because a lot of what I’ve gone through hasn’t always been obvious to other people. Growing up, I’ve dealt with situations where from the outside everything looked fine, but internally, it wasn’t. I’ve had to deal with people not fully understanding what I was going through, or minimizing things because they didn’t see the full picture. That lyric reminds me of those moments, when something hurts, even if other people don’t think it should. Another song that really connects to me is making the bed, especially the idea that you have to live with the choices you make. That song talks about accountability and realizing that even when life is hard, you’re still responsible for how you move forward. That’s something I’ve had to learn at a young age. At 16, I had to become independent and start making decisions for myself in ways most people my age don’t. I didn’t have the option to avoid responsibility or rely on others. Listening to songs like that helped me understand that even if your situation isn’t your fault, your future is still in your hands. That mindset has pushed me to work harder in school, in wrestling, and in building a future for myself. What I appreciate most about Olivia Rodrigo’s music is how honest it is. She doesn’t try to make emotions sound perfect or put together. Songs like brutal show the frustration and pressure of growing up, while songs like drivers license show vulnerability in a way that feels real. That honesty makes it easier to connect, because it feels like someone understands what you’re going through, even if they’ve never met you. For me, her music has been a reminder that it’s okay to feel things deeply. It’s okay to not have everything figured out. Growing up, dealing with mental health, and trying to build a better future hasn’t been easy, but hearing those emotions reflected in music makes it feel less isolating. At the same time, her songs don’t just stay in the pain, they show growth. They show learning, reflection, and moving forward. That’s something I try to apply to my own life. No matter what I’ve been through, I focus on growing from it instead of letting it hold me back. Olivia Rodrigo’s music has impacted me because it puts complicated emotions into words. It helped me understand that just because something isn’t visible to others doesn’t mean it isn’t real. And sometimes, just hearing that feeling reflected back at you is enough to remind you that you’re not alone, and that you can keep going.

I’m a fan of Sabrina Carpenter not just because of her music or acting, but because of how real she is about growing, changing, and becoming her own person. A lot of people know her from Girl Meets World, where she played Maya Hart, and honestly, that’s where I first noticed her too. Maya wasn’t perfect, she had attitude, she struggled, and she didn’t always fit into what people expected her to be. That stuck with me, because I’ve always felt like I had to figure things out on my own too. As Sabrina grew, her music changed, and that’s what made me connect with her even more. Songs like Espresso show confidence and independence, while songs like Please Please Please have a deeper emotional side. She doesn’t stay the same, she evolves, and she’s not afraid to show different sides of herself. That’s something I really relate to. My life hasn’t been perfect or easy. I’ve had to grow up fast, become independent at a young age, and figure out who I am while dealing with things behind the scenes that most people don’t see. Watching Sabrina’s career showed me that it’s okay to change and not have everything figured out right away. You don’t have to stay in one version of yourself just because that’s what people expect. What I admire most about her is her confidence. Not the kind that means everything is perfect, but the kind where you keep going even when things aren’t. She’s built a career by staying true to herself, even as people watched her grow up in the spotlight. That takes a lot of strength, and it’s something I try to apply in my own life. As someone who wants to go into the mental health field, I also appreciate how she uses her platform to express real emotions. Her music isn’t just entertainment, it’s something people can relate to. And that’s powerful, because feeling understood, even through a song, can make a big difference. Sabrina Carpenter’s career has impacted me by showing me that growth isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s something to embrace. You can start one way and become something completely different, and that doesn’t make you fake, it makes you real. I’m a fan of her because she represents becoming who you are, even when it’s not easy. And that’s something I’m still learning how to do every day.

The Taylor Swift performance I find the most moving is her performance of “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” at the Eras Tour. What makes that performance stand out to me isn’t just the song itself, but the way she delivers it live. You can feel every emotion in it, like she’s not just singing, she’s reliving something real. The way the crowd goes completely silent at certain parts and then screams the lyrics back at her makes it feel bigger than just one person’s story. It turns into something everyone connects to in their own way. For me, that’s what makes it so powerful. I’ve always connected to music that feels honest, and that performance is one of the most raw ones she’s ever done. It’s not just about heartbreak, it’s about remembering things you wish you could forget, holding onto moments that changed you, and trying to move forward even when it’s hard. That’s something I relate to a lot. There have been times in my life where I’ve had to deal with things quietly, where from the outside everything looked fine, but internally I was struggling. Watching that performance reminded me that it’s okay to feel things deeply, even if other people don’t fully understand it. It made me feel less alone in that. Another reason that performance stands out is how much it shows her growth. That song started as something personal years ago, and now she performs it in front of thousands of people who all connect to it in different ways. It shows how something painful can turn into something meaningful over time. That idea, that you can take something that hurt you and turn it into something powerful, is something I try to carry in my own life. As someone who has gone through my own challenges and is working toward building a better future, that message means a lot to me. It reminds me that where you start doesn’t define where you end up. You can grow, you can heal, and you can turn your experiences into something that helps you move forward. What I admire most about Taylor Swift isn’t just her success, but her ability to be real in her music and performances. She doesn’t hide emotion, she uses it. And that’s what makes people connect to her on such a deep level. That performance of “All Too Well” isn’t just a song, it’s a reminder that even the hardest moments can turn into something meaningful, and sometimes, that’s exactly what people need to hear.

My new Love Island challenge is called “Truth or Temptation.” The whole point of this challenge is to test how honest the couples really are, and how strong their connections are when temptation is right in front of them. Here’s how it works: All the islanders are gathered around the fire pit. Each couple sits together, but they’re separated just enough that they can’t physically touch each other. In front of them are two buttons: one labeled “Truth” and the other labeled “Temptation.” Each round, a question is asked. These aren’t basic questions—they’re the kind that cause tension. For example: “Are you 100% physically attracted to your partner?” “Have you thought about getting to know someone else in the villa?” “Do you see this relationship lasting outside the villa?” Each islander secretly chooses either Truth or Temptation. If they choose Truth, they have to answer the question honestly in front of everyone. No avoiding it, no sugarcoating. If they hesitate or clearly lie, the group gets to call them out. If they choose Temptation, they don’t have to answer the question—but there’s a catch. They are immediately sent on a one-on-one mini date with a bombshell or another islander who has shown interest in them. During that date, their partner has to sit and watch live from the fire pit. This is where it gets intense. At the end of each round, the couple reunites, and their partner reveals what they chose—Truth or Temptation. That’s when the real reactions happen. If both chose Truth, it builds trust. If one chooses Temptation, it creates doubt. If both choose Temptation, it shows the relationship might not be as strong as they thought. The challenge continues for multiple rounds, with the questions getting deeper and more uncomfortable each time. The goal of “Truth or Temptation” is to expose what people really feel versus what they say. On Love Island, people often play it safe to stay in the villa, but this challenge forces them to either be real or risk their relationship in front of everyone. What makes this challenge exciting is the mix of honesty and pressure. It creates drama, reveals hidden feelings, and pushes couples to their limits. Viewers would get to see real emotions, not just surface-level conversations. At the end of the challenge, the public votes for the couple they think handled it best. The winning couple gets a special date, while the couple with the lowest trust score is at risk of being dumped. This challenge would bring out everything Love Island is known for, drama, honesty, tension, and unexpected twists. Because at the end of the day, love isn’t just about attraction,it’s about what you choose when things get hard.

Helping someone in need doesn’t always look like a big, obvious moment. Sometimes it’s just noticing what other people overlook, and choosing not to ignore it. One moment that really stayed with me was when I noticed a younger wrestler at my gym starting to struggle. At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal to others. She was quieter, getting frustrated more easily, and not performing the way she usually did. People around her started to assume she just wasn’t trying hard enough or had a bad attitude. But I saw something different, because I’ve been in that same position. I know what it feels like to be struggling mentally while everyone expects you to act like you’re fine. I know how easy it is for people to misunderstand you when they don’t see what’s really going on. So instead of ignoring it like everyone else, I decided to check on her. The first time I tried to talk to her, she barely said anything. You could tell she didn’t trust opening up, and honestly, I didn’t blame her. When you’re used to feeling misunderstood, you learn to keep things to yourself. But I didn’t stop there. I kept showing up. I sat next to her during practice, asked her how she was doing, and made it clear that I wasn’t judging her. I didn’t try to force her to talk, I just made sure she knew she wasn’t alone. After a while, she started to open up. She told me she was dealing with things outside of wrestling that were affecting her mentally, and it was making everything feel overwhelming. Hearing that hit me hard, because I’ve lived through that same kind of feeling, the kind where everything builds up, and no one really sees it. I didn’t have the perfect advice or a way to fix everything, but I stayed with her through it. I reminded her of how far she had come, helped her focus on small goals instead of everything at once, and worked with her during practice so she didn’t feel like she was falling behind alone. Little by little, I started to see her change. She became more confident, more focused, and more like herself again. It wasn’t overnight, and it wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. And that mattered. That experience meant a lot to me because it showed me that helping someone isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being patient, being present, and actually caring when it would be easier not to. Coming from a low-income background and going through my own struggles, I understand how much it means to have even one person who shows up for you. I didn’t always have that, which is exactly why I try to be that person for others now. That moment also confirmed what I want to do in the future. I plan to go into the mental health field because I want to help people who feel unheard, overlooked, or misunderstood. I want to be someone who notices when others don’t, someone who listens without judging, and someone who stays when things get difficult. Because sometimes, the smallest act, just showing up can be the reason someone keeps going. And if I can be that reason for even one person, then I know I’m making a real difference.

The way I plan to make a positive impact on the world is by supporting people through their struggles, especially when it comes to mental health. I know how much that kind of support matters, because I’ve lived without it,and I’ve also experienced what it feels like when someone finally shows up for you. Growing up, my environment wasn’t stable or healthy, and it affected me more than people could see. There were times where I felt completely alone in what I was dealing with. One moment that really stuck with me was when I was going through a really difficult time mentally, and instead of getting the support I needed, it was treated like something I should just move on from. That made me realize how often people’s struggles are ignored simply because they’re uncomfortable to talk about. But not everyone treated me that way. My wrestling coach did something different, he paid attention. He checked in on me, made sure I was okay, and didn’t act like what I was going through didn’t matter. That might seem small to some people, but to me, it wasn’t. It showed me how much of a difference one person can make just by caring. That experience is a big part of why I want to give back. I’ve already started through volunteering, whether it’s helping out with wrestling or giving my time at my local library. Those moments taught me that making an impact doesn’t always have to be something huge. Sometimes it’s just being present, being consistent, and helping in ways that people actually need. Even small actions can make someone feel seen. In the future, I plan to make a bigger impact by going into the mental health field. I want to study psychology and eventually work in mental health care, possibly as a criminal psychologist. I want to work with people who are struggling and help them understand what they’re going through instead of feeling judged or ignored. A lot of people don’t have someone who truly listens to them, and I want to be that person. I also want to advocate for mental health awareness, especially for younger people. There’s still a stigma around it, and too many people feel like they have to stay quiet. I want to help change that by being open and by helping create spaces where people feel safe enough to speak up. As someone who became independent at a young age, I understand how hard life can be when you don’t have strong support. That’s why I don’t take opportunities for granted. I’m working hard not just to build a future for myself, but to be in a position where I can help others build theirs too. Making an impact, to me, isn’t about being recognized. It’s about being there when it matters, even if no one else sees it. I can’t fix everything in the world, but I can be the person who listens, who shows up, and who makes someone feel like they’re not alone. And sometimes, that’s what changes everything.

My experience with finances didn’t come from being taught, it came from having to figure things out on my own. Growing up in a low-income household, money was always a source of stress, but no one really explained how to manage it. I didn’t learn about budgeting, credit, or saving in a structured way. I learned by watching what happens when money runs out, and how fast things can fall apart because of it. At 16, I made the decision to move out of my home because it wasn’t a safe or healthy place for my mental health. That moment changed everything. I didn’t just gain independence, I gained responsibility overnight. Finances were no longer something in the background. They became something I had to think about every single day. I recently got a job, and now every dollar I earn matters. I don’t spend money just because I have it. I think about where it’s going, what I need, and what I need to save for. I’m saving for college, for basic needs, and for anything unexpected, because I know how quickly things can change. When you don’t have a financial safety net, you learn fast that every decision counts. The truth is, I wasn’t given a strong financial education. Everything I know right now comes from my own effort, researching, asking questions, and learning from experience. And honestly, that’s something a lot of low-income students go through. We’re expected to figure out money on our own, even though it’s one of the most important skills we need for our future. As a first-generation student, my goal is to go to college, wrestle, and build a career in mental health care. I know that finances will be one of the biggest obstacles I face, which is why I take financial literacy seriously. I plan to use what I learn to budget effectively, avoid unnecessary debt, and stay in control of my future. I don’t want to just get by, I want to build stability that lasts. To me, financial literacy is more than just understanding money, it’s about freedom. It’s about not having to depend on situations that don’t serve you. It’s about having the ability to make choices for your future instead of feeling stuck because of your circumstances. I also want to use what I learn to help others. A lot of people grow up the same way I did, without clear guidance about money, and it keeps people stuck in the same cycles. Even basic knowledge about saving, credit, and budgeting can change someone’s life. I want to be someone who helps break that cycle, whether it’s through sharing knowledge or simply leading by example. I didn’t grow up with financial stability. I grew up seeing what happens without it and that’s exactly why I’m determined to build something different for myself. Because for me, learning about money isn’t optional, it’s survival. And it’s also my way forward.

The change I want to see in the world is a future where LGBTQ+ students don’t just survive school, they feel safe, supported, and understood while they’re there. Right now, too many students are forced to deal with their identity and their mental health at the same time, without the support they actually need. That’s something I want to change. I know what it feels like to struggle with mental health and not have a stable or safe environment to fall back on. From the outside, my life didn’t look that different, but internally, I was dealing with things that most people didn’t see. There were moments where I needed real support, but instead, I was expected to move on quickly and act like nothing had happened. That experience stayed with me. It showed me how easily people’s pain can be dismissed when it makes others uncomfortable. As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand how much harder that struggle can become. It’s not just about figuring out who you are, it’s about doing that while worrying about how people will react, whether you’ll be accepted, or if you’ll lose relationships because of it. That pressure builds up, and when there’s no safe space to talk about it, it can feel isolating. One of the biggest changes I want to see is better mental health support in schools that is actually inclusive. Not just general support, but support that understands different identities and experiences. Students should have access to counselors who don’t judge them, spaces where they can speak freely, and communities where they feel like they belong. No one should feel like they have to stay quiet just to be accepted. My own experiences are the reason I want to go into psychology and mental health care. I don’t just want to learn about it, I want to be someone who makes a difference. I want to be the person that someone can go to when they feel like no one else understands. I want to help people feel heard in a way that I didn’t always feel growing up. Wrestling has been one of the only constants in my life. It gave me structure, discipline, and a place where I could put all of my emotions into something productive. It helped me build strength, not just physically, but mentally. But I also know that not everyone has an outlet like that. Not everyone has a coach or a team that supports them. That’s why creating change outside of sports, in schools, communities, and everyday life is so important. As a first-generation, low-income student who has had to become independent at a young age, I’ve learned how to rely on myself. But I’ve also learned that no one should have to do everything alone. Support can change someone’s entire life, and I’ve seen that firsthand. The world doesn’t need small changes, it needs real ones. It needs people who are willing to speak up, challenge the way things are, and create spaces where everyone feels like they belong. In the future, I plan to use my education, my voice, and my experiences to advocate for LGBTQ+ students and better mental health resources. Because no one should feel like they have to hide who they are just to make it through the day, and no one should have to struggle in silence when support could make all the difference.

Mental health is a serious issue that should never be ignored or dismissed as just a phase. For me, it has been something I’ve dealt with for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I didn’t have a stable childhood or what people would consider “perfect” parents. However, to others, my life seemed completely fine. That disconnect made it even harder to talk about what I was actually going through. At a young age, I struggled deeply and ended up in the hospital because of my mental health. After only a short time, I was sent back home and expected to move on as if nothing had happened. That experience made me realize how often people don’t truly understand what someone is going through. For a long time, the only person I felt I could really talk to was my wrestling coach. He listened, supported me, and never made me feel like my struggles didn’t matter. My friends also know my past, but there were times when people around me became tired of hearing about it and started to treat it like it wasn’t a big deal. What many people don’t see are the quiet moments, the nights spent overwhelmed, the thoughts that come without warning, or the hesitation to open up because of how others might react. These experiences can feel isolating, especially when it seems like no one fully understands. My mental health has affected my life in both negative and positive ways. I’ve lost relationships, but I’ve also learned important lessons about trust, resilience, and who truly supports me. Over time, my struggles have helped me grow into the person I am today. They’ve taught me to be more understanding of others and to think about what someone might be going through before judging them. I was raised to believe that mental health wasn’t real, but my experiences showed me otherwise. I’ve learned that emotions matter and that support is essential. One of the biggest turning points in my life was wrestling. It gave me an outlet to release my emotions, work hard, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Over the past few years, I’ve made major changes in my life. I’ve improved academically, built goals for my future, and found motivation to keep pushing forward. While I still have difficult days, I now have found people who support me and believe in me. In the end, my mental health journey has shaped me into a stronger person. It has helped me build meaningful relationships, understand the world more deeply, and grow into a better version of myself. Mental health is important, and it deserves to be taken seriously.

A meaningful relationship in my life that has truly shaped who I am today is the one I have with my wrestling coach. I started wrestling when I was only seven years old, but for a long time, I never felt like I truly belonged anywhere. I moved from club to club, always starting over, never finding a stable team or a place that felt like home. Wrestling was always there, but the sense of connection and support I needed was missing. That all changed when I was eleven years old. When I was eleven, I attended a wrestling clinic led by the coach who would later become one of the most important people in my life. At the time, it just felt like another opportunity to train, but looking back, it was the moment that changed everything. Not long after, he opened his own facility, and I decided to join. For the first time, I felt like I had found a place where I could stay, grow, and be part of something bigger than myself. Growing up, I didn’t have a strong emotional support system. My childhood wasn’t stable, and I often felt like I had to deal with everything on my own. There were times when I struggled deeply with my mental health, and it felt like no one really understood what I was going through. On the outside, things may have seemed fine, but internally, I was dealing with a lot of pain and confusion. During one of the lowest points in my life, my coach found out that I was struggling. Instead of ignoring it or brushing it off, he took it seriously. He stepped in and made sure I got help when I needed it most. That moment meant more to me than I can fully explain. While others around me acted like nothing had happened or expected me to just move on, my coach didn’t. He checked in on me, supported me, and made it clear that I wasn’t alone. For someone who had spent so long feeling unsupported, that meant everything. He became someone I could trust, someone who actually listened, and someone who cared not just about me as an athlete, but as a person. Over the years, our relationship hasn’t been perfect. Like any meaningful relationship, we’ve had ups and downs. There were times I struggled, times I made mistakes, and times when things weren’t easy. But through all of that, he stayed consistent. He never gave up on me, even when I felt like giving up on myself. That kind of support is rare, and it’s something I will always be grateful for. Now, after five to six years of wrestling under him, I can honestly say he has helped shape me into the person I am today. Wrestling became more than just a sport, it became an outlet, a place where I could push myself, release my emotions, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Through it, I learned discipline, resilience, and how to keep going even when things feel overwhelming. Most importantly, my coach showed me what real support looks like. He gave me stability during a time in my life when I had none. He helped me believe in myself when I struggled to do so on my own. Because of him, I’ve grown stronger, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. In the end, this relationship has impacted my life in ways that go far beyond wrestling. It has taught me the importance of having people who truly care about you, and it has shown me that even during the hardest times, you are not alone. My wrestling coach didn’t just help me become a better athlete, he helped me become a stronger person, and that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Mental health is a serious issue that should never be ignored or dismissed as just a phase. For me, it has been something I’ve dealt with for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I didn’t have a stable childhood or what people would consider “perfect” parents. However, to others, my life seemed completely fine. That disconnect made it even harder to talk about what I was actually going through. At a young age, I struggled deeply and ended up in the hospital because of my mental health. After only a short time, I was sent back home and expected to move on as if nothing had happened. That experience made me realize how often people don’t truly understand what someone is going through. For a long time, the only person I felt I could really talk to was my wrestling coach. He listened, supported me, and never made me feel like my struggles didn’t matter. My friends also know my past, but there were times when people around me became tired of hearing about it and started to treat it like it wasn’t a big deal. What many people don’t see are the quiet moments, the nights spent overwhelmed, the thoughts that come without warning, or the hesitation to open up because of how others might react. These experiences can feel isolating, especially when it seems like no one fully understands. My mental health has affected my life in both negative and positive ways. I’ve lost relationships, but I’ve also learned important lessons about trust, resilience, and who truly supports me. Over time, my struggles have helped me grow into the person I am today. They’ve taught me to be more understanding of others and to think about what someone might be going through before judging them. I was raised to believe that mental health wasn’t real, but my experiences showed me otherwise. I’ve learned that emotions matter and that support is essential. One of the biggest turning points in my life was wrestling. It gave me an outlet to release my emotions, work hard, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Over the past few years, I’ve made major changes in my life. I’ve improved academically, built goals for my future, and found motivation to keep pushing forward. While I still have difficult days, I now have found people who support me and believe in me. In the end, my mental health journey has shaped me into a stronger person. It has helped me build meaningful relationships, understand the world more deeply, and grow into a better version of myself. Mental health is important, and it deserves to be taken seriously.

College for me means freedom. A goal to be accomplished. My name is Samantha Cornejo, I am a 16-year-old homeschool student athlete in the sport of wrestling, I have been wrestling for nine years and I hope to do so in college as well. I am currently taking extra classes throughout the year and in the summer to graduate a year early in 2027. I have a 4.0 GPA, I have had all my life. In college, I hope to accomplish all my goals, a few of them being: becoming an NCAA national placer in wrestling, continuing to have straight A’s in the classroom, getting my degrees to become a criminal psychologist, and work on my mental health. Going to college for me is a big milestone. I want to be the first one in my family to graduate with a degree and get a well paying job. I have been waiting to go to college all my life. As I said in the beginning college for me means freedom, like I said I am 16 years old, but I moved out of home and I am currently living with a friend due to my home situation not being safe and healthy for my mental health. I have been working hard all my life to be able to accomplish show my goals, including going to college. My daily schedule includes walking to school, going to class, walking home, working on my online classes, going to the gym, now I have a job as well at a local restaurant to start saving money, taking the bus to get to my destinations, going to wrestling practice, and repeat. I am a very hard worker as I know I can only rely on myself to accomplish my goals. I always look around to my friends and see them getting handed everything and they will ever need, I don’t have that type of luxury. So by going to college, I hope to accomplish, fixing my mental health accomplishing all my wrestling goals, graduating with high degrees, getting my dream job to get paid well, and to finally settle in a place where I can call home. I also hope going to college it gives me the opportunities to fix my life and possibly meet my future partner where I can give my future family the stability, intelligence, and unconditional love I never received. So in the end, going to college for me means freedom, and the opportunity to live and accomplish everything I want to in life.

My name is Samantha Cornejo, I am 15 years old , for me wrestling has completely changed the way I view adversity. When I started the sport at seven years old, I didn’t fully understand what I was getting into. At first, I hated it—the sweat, the exhaustion, and how physically demanding it was. But over time, I began to see those challenges differently. Wrestling didn’t just teach me how to fight through tough matches; it taught me how to handle life when it gets hard. About a year into wrestling, I reached a turning point. I stopped resisting the discomfort and started embracing it. I began to understand that adversity isn’t something to fear or avoid—it’s something to overcome. That shift in mindset shaped the person I am today. Wrestling taught me that setbacks aren’t signs of weakness but opportunities to learn and grow. Whether it was pushing through injuries, handling losses, or managing pressure, I learned how to stay calm, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. A major moment in my wrestling journey was competing at the World Team Trials in Spokane, Washington. I placed fourth, which wasn’t the result I wanted—but it opened my eyes to my potential. I realized that even when you fall short, you can use that experience to fuel your next goal. Wrestling has made me mentally tough and emotionally grounded. Now, I see adversity as something that builds me up, not something that holds me back. The people I’ve met through wrestling have also shaped how I handle challenges. Four years ago, I joined Premier Wrestling in Placentia, California, and that room has become my second home. My coach has stood by me through everything—good days, bad days, and everything in between. He taught me what it means to be a true wrestler: someone who shows up, works hard, and never gives up no matter the circumstances. His example taught me how to be resilient in all areas of life. Because of wrestling, I’ve become a responsible, determined, and self-aware person. I plan to continue that growth at William Jewell College in Kansas City, Missouri, where I’ll wrestle under a coach who already knows me well and has improved my skills tremendously. My goal is to win national titles and eventually become a coach. I want to teach young wrestlers how adversity can shape them into stronger, better people—just like it did for me.

My name is Samantha Cornejo. I started wrestling when I was just 7 years old, and now, at 15, I can confidently say this sport has completely shaped me into the person I am today. When I first began, I’ll admit—I hated it. I hated the sweat, the exhaustion, and the constant physical demands. But about a year in, everything changed. Wrestling became something I couldn't imagine living without. Today, it’s not just a part of my life; it *is* my life. A few years ago, I competed in my first major tournament—the World Team Trials in Spokane, Washington—and placed 4th. That experience opened my eyes to my potential and what I could really accomplish in this sport. People have always told me how talented I am, and I believe it too. I know I have the potential to be great—not just because of my natural ability, but because of the hard work, dedication, and passion I pour into every single practice and match. But what’s made the biggest impact on me hasn’t just been the sport itself—it’s been the people. Four years ago, I joined Premier Wrestling in Placentia, California. Since then, I’ve trained in that room almost every single day. It’s where I met the coach who completely changed my life. Through every high and low, he never gave up on me. No matter what was happening in his life or mine, he showed up and believed in me. He taught me the true meaning of being a wrestler: to be a hard worker, a fighter, and someone who never quits. Through wrestling, I’ve learned responsibility, discipline, self-awareness, resilience, and how to fight for what I want. I plan to continue that journey at William Jewell College in Kansas City, Missouri, where I plan to be recruited for wrestling. The coach there—who has trained me and drastically elevated my wrestling—is the daughter of my current coach. She means the world to me, and I know I’ll grow even more under her guidance. My goal is to win national titles for her, my school, and the coaches who made me who I am. After my competitive career, I want to give back by coaching. I want to pass on everything I’ve learned and show the next generation how wrestling can change lives. I want them to see the beauty of the grind, the fun in the fight, and the pride in never giving up.