Service became meaningful to me when I realized that deliberate, thoughtful actions, no matter how small, can profoundly influence the lives of others, and as a high school senior, officer in National Honor Society, DECA leader, and captain of my cross country and track teams, I have consistently embraced leadership through service by designing, organizing, and executing initiatives that benefit students, teachers, and the broader school community. I led Mental Health Awareness Week as my most important project, which ran for a week across the entire school and operated as a completely voluntary event that reached hundreds of students and staff members to build campus-wide wellness, connection, and resilience. I handled every aspect of the event, including obtaining donations and buying various items such as stress balls, journals, wellness kits, snacks, and motivational products, while also managing volunteer teams and building different interactive areas that combined mindfulness practices with artistic activities and peaceful environments for contemplation. We distributed student materials that people could bring home to maintain their educational value after school hours. Our program included peer-led workshops and staff-led informational sessions which taught students about effective stress management techniques and mental health support methods. A particularly meaningful feature was our Gratitude Tree, where students and staff shared messages of appreciation and encouragement. The tree remained visible for several weeks after the event, allowing me to observe how a simple, purposeful platform could generate ongoing positive interactions and strengthen our school community. I also established Teacher Help Day by recruiting volunteers and collecting donations to assist teachers with classroom setup, organizational needs, and project work. I wanted to recognize the staff who dedicate so much time to supporting students, often without acknowledgment. During SAT testing, I created stress-relief bags containing candy, personalized notes, and soothing items to help students reduce anxiety and feel encouraged during stressful testing periods. I designed this system based on my own experiences, understanding how meaningful it can be to know someone is rooting for you in high-pressure moments. Serving as captain of my teams allowed me to apply these leadership principles daily. I managed social media platforms, organized senior nights and team-building events, and provided guidance to new team members to ensure they felt included and supported. I intentionally built an environment where trust and inclusion were priorities because leadership requires ongoing attention to the needs of the people you lead. Through DECA, I also developed mental health-focused service projects that advanced to state-level competitions, demonstrating how well-executed ideas can expand beyond their original scope when leaders maintain commitment, vision, and follow-through. These experiences taught me that leadership through service is not defined by recognition or authority, but by attentiveness, initiative, and the ability to create enduring positive results—whether through event management, educational support, or daily interactions. I learned that executing meaningful ideas requires determination, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, and that real impact comes from both envisioning significant projects and carrying them out fully. My commitment to serving others aligns perfectly with this scholarship because it celebrates the kind of leadership I strive to embody one rooted in voluntary service, empathy, and tangible contributions to the community. True leadership is measured by the positive effects we create for others and our ability to foster strong, supportive communities, rather than by personal accolades.

My name is Sharapat Kenzhegazy, and this fall I will begin my senior year at Auburn High School. I plan to study architecture at the University of Washington, where I hope to combine my passion for design with a commitment to creating spaces that nurture both the mind and spirit. As a first-generation immigrant, I've learned the value of resilience, hard work, and leading with purpose. These qualities have shaped my approach to challenges and my desire to make a difference in my community. One of the most meaningful experiences of my high school career was organizing our school's Mental Health Awareness Week. I realized early on that many students were silently struggling but felt invisible or too vulnerable to share what they were going through. Mental Health wasn't a topic I had ever truly considered before. It wasn't because it wasn't important, but because I was raised in a culture that emphasized pushing through hardships without a pause. Mental health simply wasn't part of that conversation. Yet, as I began this project, I saw how essential it was because it wasn't just an issue, but a foundation for well-being. What started as a small idea grew into a campus-wide initiative that sparked honest conversations and provided vital resources for students who needed support. Organizing events, facilitating discussions, and encouraging openness helped create a safer, more compassionate space for everyone. Through DECA, I was able to transform this project into a competitive event, which qualified me for the state level. While the recognition was exciting, what truly mattered were the moments when some of the students and staff thanked me for creating a platform where the students felt heard and less alone. their stories reminded me how many of us carry silent struggles and how deeply people need empathy, connection, and safe places to heal. I learned that mental health is not something that can be solved with a single event or conversation. It requires ongoing care, a supportive community, and the courage to keep speaking out even when it's difficult. As I look ahead to college and my future as an architecture student, I want to build on this foundation by designing spaces that promote calm, inclusion, and healing which support both emotional and physical well-beings. I believe that mental health awareness should not be an afterthought but woven into every aspect of our lives and our surroundings. This experience has taught me to lead with empathy, to speak up even when it feels uncomfortable, and to believe that real change is possible. No matter how small you start. Even as one person, I am committed to sparking that change and making a lasting impact wherever I go.

I am a first-generation immigrant and the second oldest daughter in a family that moved to this country with nothing but faith, savings, and the hope for a better life. My mother poured everything into raising us, holding our family together with love, patience, and quiet strength. Her sacrifices were not loud, but they were powerful. She taught me that impact doesn't always come from money or titles. It comes from presence, care, and unwavering belief in your children. My sisters and I grew up close, and I've always felt a deep sense of responsibility to be someone they could look up to. I may not be the oldest, but I've stepped up as a steady example. I want them to see that being an immigrant girl doesn't mean starting from behind. It means using the strength of your story to build something meaningful. Faith has been the foundation of everything for me. When my family faced hard times (whether financially, emotionally, or just trying to adjust to a new life) I turned to God. There were moments when I felt lost or unsure of my place, but prayer gave me peace and reminded me I was never alone. I've grown up in the church, but my relationship with God truly deepened during the moments when I needed Him the most. He met me in my fears and gave me clarity in my doubts. Church was more than just a building for me. It was where I learned what it means to live with purpose and serve with love. I volunteered in the children's ministry, ran donation drives, helped give out Christmas presents, and organized events. I found joy in giving back and strength in helping others, especially during times when I didn't feel strong myself. Through church, I learned how to lead out of faith and compassion. I learned that God uses even the quietest voices to make the biggest difference. I plan to pursue a career in architecture because I believe that space can shape lives. I've always been fascinated by how buildings influence how people feel and connect. I want to design homes that bring comfort and safety, schools that inspire, and public spaces that reflect beauty, peace, and belonging. Architecture is my way of creating something lasting and something that serves people the way I was taught to serve through faith. Being a first-generation student hasn't been easy. I've had to navigate a new life, school, leadership, and college applications without a guide. But I've leaned on my faith to get through uncertainty. I've asked God for strength when I felt overwhelmed and courage when I doubted myself. I've led my cross-country team, helped run events for school clubs, and stayed focused in the classroom, because I know I carry more than my own dreams. I carry the love and trust of my family and the quiet strength my mama gave me. I don't just want a career. I want to create a legacy of faith, leadership and impact. I want to use my skills to serve people and create spaces where others feel seen and safe. I want to show girls like me, immigrants, believers, dreamers, that our stories matter and that our faith can carry us through anything. This scholarship would not only help fund my education. It would be a reminder that our stories rooted in love, sacrifice, and faith are worth investing in. It would honor my mom's courage and persistence, my family's journey, and God's guidance every step of our way.