“Always remember you’re BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, and SMARTER than you think, and LOVED more than you know.” This is the inscription on a necklace my SPED teacher gave to me in 4th grade. I may not wear it everyday but what it says is always in my mind. The part about “being smarter than you think” is probably the one I struggle with the most. Learning doesn’t come easy for me. It never has and it probably never will…and that is o.k. I don’t know what grade I was in when I realized I had learning challenges. It’s not like my parents sat me down and told me. I just knew that I got pulled out of class for speech. I would take my tests in small groups and my homework didn’t look the same as others. When my classmates were stressing out about the STAAR testing, my mom was assuring me that I did not have to worry. The fact is, I did not pass a standardized test until I was a freshman in high school. Maybe that is the silver lining of having a learning difference: not having the stress of being at the top of my class, getting perfect grades or performing well on the SAT. These things may not be expected of me yet I always strive to do my very best. Speaking of the “very best”, I have to give credit to the amazing teachers I have had all along my journey. When I think of all my Special Education teachers, Mrs O’Connor is one I will never forget. She was my math inclusion teacher in 7th and 8th grade. Math is an absolute struggle for me. Basic addition and subtraction can mess me up. And don’t even get me started on word problems! Mrs O’Connor never gave up on me. She worked tirelessly with me and would meet with me before school, answer my parents texts when they were trying to help me with my homework, and she would even FaceTime with me to walk me through math problems. I will never forget the kindness, patience and compassion she showed me. She truly changed my life. I have no doubt that my experience with all my amazing teachers, especially my SPED teachers, has made me want to become a teacher myself. I want to be a Mrs. O’Connor to future generations of students. I want to let young kids know that it’s ok if they aren’t a star athlete on the field, or in the top 5% of their class. I want my future students to know that they are smarter than they think and capable of so much more. I know that my personal challenges will serve me in becoming a better teacher and perhaps a role model for kids who struggle with learning differences. I am attending Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas this fall where I will major in Education. While I am excited to begin my journey of becoming an educator, I am also sad to close this chapter of my life. I will never forget all the time, understanding, concern and love shown to me. You might even say that my learning disability has actually become my greatest blessing, my real life silver lining. I am braver, stronger, and smarter because of my challenges and I am grateful for the perspective it has given me. Thank you for your time and consideration.

How often do you think of those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or yourHow often do you think of those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or your church? I think about the needs of others all the time. You might even say that I am driven to give back. Volunteering and helping others is a passion of mine and I always strive to help others. Selfless acts of kindness, compassion and good will are vital in our community and have guided me to become the person I am today. A little more than five years ago, when I was just starting 7th grade, my mom told me that we were joining this organization called National Charity League. I really had no idea what it was but my mom said we were doing it so that was that. She said to me “Your grandma and I did this same thing when I was your age and trust me, you will appreciate this opportunity.” Was she ever right. My mom and I have spent hundreds of hours together and for that, I am truly blessed. But to share time with those that I love the most in this world while helping others, that has been the most profound lesson of my life so far. There is something about helping others that you cannot really define or explain. It’s a feeling. It’s a sense of contentment even if it breaks one’s heart. Recently, my mom and I spent a few hours at the memory care unit at Morningside here in Boerne. We sat and colored pictures with three lovely ladies who all had varying degrees of dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to sit and try to have conversations with someone who doesn’t really recall much of their life. It’s actually heartbreaking. On this day, I walked Anne back to her room and there was a little biography about her life written and framed on the wall outside of her room. Anne lived a wonderful life and enjoyed 53 years of marriage to her husband and was a school teacher for 35 years. I told Anne that I wanted to be a school teacher too and it was as if I had unlocked a piece of her. She told me how much she loved being a teacher and said that she was even a librarian for several years. Moments like this with Anne, seeing the smile on her face as a memory entered her thoughts, it is what volunteering is all about. During the past five years, I have found my passion for life and that is helping others. I have wanted to be a school teacher since I was in the second grade. Helping others while volunteering has solidified my career choice. I will attend Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas this fall and major in education. My goal is to teach at the middle school level. I have been blessed by so many incredible teachers, especially those that go the extra mile to help me overcome my learning differences. One should never take for granted what helping those in need can actually add to your own life. Being involved with local charities, reaching out to a nursing home or memory care facility, and donating your time at a local food bank event. These are some of the things that you won’t regret doing. And it might actually transform your life like it has mine.

How often do you think of those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or your church? I think about the needs of others all the time. You might even say that I am driven to give back. Volunteering and helping others is a passion of mine and I always strive to help others. Selfless acts of kindness, compassion and good will are vital in our community and have guided me to become the person I am today. A little more than five years ago, when I was just starting 7th grade, my mom told me that we were joining this organization called National Charity League. I really had no idea what it was but my mom said we were doing it so that was that. She said to me “Your grandma and I did this same thing when I was your age and trust me, you will appreciate this opportunity.” Was she ever right. My mom and I have spent hundreds of hours together and for that, I am truly blessed. But to share time with those that I love the most in this world while helping others, that has been the most profound lesson of my life so far. There is something about helping others that you cannot really define or explain. It’s a feeling. It’s a sense of contentment even if it breaks one’s heart. Recently, my mom and I spent a few hours at the memory care unit at Morningside here in Boerne. We sat and colored pictures with three lovely ladies who all had varying degrees of dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to sit and try to have conversations with someone who doesn’t really recall much of their life. It’s actually heartbreaking. On this day, I walked Anne back to her room and there was a little biography about her life written and framed on the wall outside of her room. Anne lived a wonderful life and enjoyed 53 years of marriage to her husband and was a school teacher for 35 years. I told Anne that I wanted to be a school teacher too and it was as if I had unlocked a piece of her. She told me how much she loved being a teacher and said that she was even a librarian for several years. Moments like this with Anne, seeing the smile on her face as a memory entered her thoughts, it is what volunteering is all about. During the past five years, I have found my passion for life and that is helping others. I have wanted to be a school teacher since I was in the second grade. Helping others while volunteering has solidified my career choice. I will attend Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas this fall and major in education. My goal is to teach at the middle school level. I have been blessed by so many incredible teachers, especially those that go the extra mile to help me overcome my learning differences. One never takes for granted what helping those in need can actually add to your own life. Being involved with local charities, reaching out to a nursing home or memory care facility, and donating your time at a local food bank event. These are some of the things that you won’t regret doing. And it might actually transform your life like it has mine. I want to be a kind and compassionate educator who is always there to cheer on my students and support their dreams. Thank you for your time and consideration.

How often do you think of those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or your church? I think about the needs of others all the time. You might even say that I am driven to give back. Volunteering and helping others is a passion of mine. Selfless acts of kindness, compassion, and good will are vital in our community and have guided me to become the person I am today. A little more than five years ago, when I was just starting 7th grade, my mom told me that we were joining an organization called National Charity League. I really had no idea what it was but my mom said we were doing it so that was that. She said to me “Your grandma and ai did this same thing when ai was your age and trust me, you will appreciate this opportunity.” Was she ever right. National Charity League is a mother-daughter philanthropic organization that is dedicated to serving those in need in our local community. My mom and I have volunteered hundreds of hours together and for that, I am truly blessed. But to share time with her while helping other, that has been the most profound lesson of my life thus far. There is something about helping others that you cannot really define or explain. It’s a feeling. It’s a sense of contentment even if the circumstances break your heart. Recently, my mom and I spent a few hours at a memory care unit here in Boerne, Texas. We sat and colored pictures with three lovely ladies who all had varying degrees of Alzheimer’s. It’s difficult to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t really recall much of their life. It’s actually heartbreaking. On this day, I walked Anne back to her room and there was a little biography about her life written and framed on the wall outside of her room. Anne lived a wonderful like and enjoyed 53 years of marriage and was a school teacher for 35 years. I told Anne that I wanted to be a school teacher too and it was as if I had unlocked a piece of her. She told me how much she loved being a teacher and she said that she was even a librarian for several years. Moments like this, with Anne, seeing the smile on her face as a memory flooded her thoughts, it is what volunteering and helping others is all about. During the past five years, I have found my passion and that is helping others. I have wanted to be a school teacher since I was in the second grade. Helping others while volunteering has solidified my career choice. Learning is not easy for me however. I have a general learning disability and receive extra support through special education. I know I have been blessed with some incredible teachers who have poured so much time, effort and compassion into my educational journey and I hope to provide the same to future generations of students. I plan to attend Schreiner University in the Fall as my first step in becoming a teacher. I want to “pay it forward” and be the same kind of educator that I have personally been blessed with.

It wasn’t love at first sight. Not even close. Even today, I feel like math and my abilities are like oil and water: we don’t mix that well. But with enough work, the oil and water do blend…somewhat. To be completely transparent I have to say that math is an absolute struggle for me. It is, by far, the most difficult subject in school for me. My transcript may illustrate that I am an all A’s and B’s student with those B’s coming from my math classes. Often times, people shy away from things that present a challenge. Not me. Since the second grade, I have wanted to become a school teacher. I have never wavered in that decision. I know my choice has a lot to do with the incredible teachers that I have been blessed with. Collectively, they have poured so much time, effort, and compassion into my educational journey. There is one teacher, in particular, who truly stood behind me. Mrs O’Connor was my special education math inclusion teacher in 7th and 8th grade. What a blessing she was. She knew that I absolutely struggled with even the most basic math skills and that didn’t detour her from helping me. While most students in my grade level could easily compute simple word problems in math, I just couldn’t comprehend them. Combined with the fact that fractions had me utterly lost, and simple addition and subtraction could throw me off, I am surprised she never gave up on me. There were countless mornings when my mom would take me to school early so that Mrs. O’Connor and I could work together. There were evening texts between her and my parents to get clarification on a math problem or two from that days homework. There were even phone calls and FaceTime sessions to help guide me. All the while, she always expressed her confidence in me. Her faith changed me. Her belief in my abilities propelled me and challenged me in ways I didn’t even know were possible. I want to be a math teacher. As crazy as it sounds, and for a senior who is just now completing Algebra 2, I know some might even find my ambitions preposterous. How can I possibly teach math when I have struggled myself? What I say to that is this: There are thousands and thousands of students who struggle like I do and I want to be their Mrs. O’Connor. I want to be a champion for future generations of students and to give those who struggle with math the confidence to tackle it. I plan to attend Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas this Fall where I will major in Education with a minor in math or science. One day, I’ll be that teacher in middle school who might just spark a new found love for math in her students. Thank you for your time and your consideration.

Since the second grade, I have wanted to become a school teacher. I have never wavered in that decision. I know it has to do with the incredible teachers that I have been blessed with. Collectively, they have poured so much time, effort, and compassion into my educational journey. Each and every classroom teacher, instructional aid, inclusion teacher and administrator that has worked with me has further reinforced my dream of becoming a teacher. Learning does not come easy for me however. It is a real struggle to be honest. I have a learning disability in math, along with a “general learning delay”. What might be considered my biggest area of struggle, math, is the area that gifted me with the incredible Mrs O’Connor. She was my math inclusion teacher in the 7th and 8th grades. What a blessing she was. She knew that I absolutely struggled with even the most basic math skills and that did not detour her from helping me. While most students in my grade level could easily compute simple word problems in math, I just couldn’t comprehend them. Combined with the fact that fractions had me utterly lost, and simple addition and subtraction could throw me off, I am surprised she never gave up on me. There were countless mornings when my mom would take me to school early so that Mrs. O’Connor and I could work together. There were evening texts between her and my parents to get clarification on a math problem from that days homework. There were even calls and FaceTime sessions to help guide me. All the while, she only ever expressed her absolute confidence in me. Her faith changed me. I want to be a teacher, perhaps even a math teacher. As crazy as it sounds, and for a senior who is just completing Algebra 2, I know some might find it preposterous. How can I possibly teach at the middle school level when learning has been a struggle for me? What I say to that question is this: There are thousands and thousands of students who struggle like I do and I want to be their Mrs. O’Connor. I am not going to abandon my dreams because learning is a challenge for me. I am going to embrace what makes me unique and help future generations of students who struggle. I plan to attend Schreiner University in the Fall to start my journey of being a kind and compassionate teacher. I appreciate your time and consideration.

How often do you think of those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or your church? I think about the needs of others all the time. You might even say that I am driven to give back. Volunteering and helping others is a passion of mine. Selfless acts of kindness, compassion and good will are vital in our community and have guided me to become the person I am today. A little more than 5 years ago, when I was just starting 7th grade, my mom told me that we were joining this organization called National Charity League. I really had no idea what it was but my mom said we were doing it so that was that. She said to me “Your grandma and I did this same thing when I was your age and trust me, you will appreciate the opportunity.” Was she ever right. My mom and I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering together, and for that, I am truly blessed. But to share time with her and help others, that has been the most profound lesson of my life so far. There is something about helping others that you cannot really define or explain. It’s a feeling. It’s a sense of contentment even if it breaks your heart. Recently, my mom and I spent a few hours at a memory care unit here in Boerne, Texas. We sat and colored pictures with three lovely ladies who all had varying degrees of Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to sit and try to have conversations with someone who doesn’t really recall much of their life. It’s actually heartbreaking. On this day, I walked Anne back to her room and there was a little biography about her life written and framed on the wall outside of her room. Anne lived a wonderful life and was married for 53 years. She was also a school teacher for 35 years. I told Anne that I wanted to be a school teacher too and it was as if I had unlocked a piece of her. She told me how much she loved being a teacher and said that she had even been a librarian for several years. Moments like this with Anne, seeing the smile on her face as a memory filled her thoughts, it is what volunteering and helping others is all about. During the past five years, I have found my passion in life and that is helping others. I have wanted to be a school teacher since I was in the second grade. School has been a struggle for me and I fall under the special education department as I have a learning disability in math. But that has not deterred me from pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher. I want to help future generations of students. Helping others while volunteering has solidified my career choice. One should never take for granted what helping those in need can actually add to your own life.

Math is hard for me. And when I say hard, I actually mean it’s incredibly daunting. As far back as I can remember, math has been a struggle. School in general has always been a struggle for me. Yes, I have all A’s….and always a B in each of my math classes, but I have had to work very hard. Often times, people shy away from things that present a challenge. Not me. Since the second grade, I have wanted to become a school teacher. I have never wavered in that decision. I know it has to do with the incredible teachers that I have been blessed with. Collectively, they have poured so much time, effort, and compassion into my educational journey. There is one teacher, in particular, who truly stood by me. Mrs O’Connor was my special education math inclusion teacher in 7th and 8th grade. What a blessing she was. She knew that I absolutely struggled with even the most basic math skills and that didn’t detour her from helping me. While most students my grade level could easily compute simple word problems in math, I just couldn’t comprehend them. Combined with the fact that fractions had me utterly lost, and simple addition and subtraction could through me off, I am surprised she never gave up on me. There were countless mornings when my mom would take me to school early so that Mrs O’Connor and I could work together. There were evening texts between her and my parents to get clarification on a math problem from that days homework. There were even calls and FaceTime sessions to help guide me. All the while, she always expressed her confidence in me. Even when I didn’t pass our states required standardized test, she believed in me. Her faith changed me. Her confidence in me gave me my own purpose. I want to be a math teacher. As crazy as it sounds, and for a senior who is just completing Algebra 2, I know some might find it preposterous. How can I possible teach math to future generations when I don’t really understand it well myself? What I say to that is this: There are thousands and thousands of students who struggle like I do and I am here to be their Mrs O’Connor. I am not going to shy away from my dreams. I plan to attend Schreiner University in the Fall. This is the beginning of my journey to become a middle school math teacher. I want to be the same compassionate and supportive teacher to future students.

How often do you think about those in need? Do you stop and consider how you can help your community, your school, or your church? I think about the needs of others all the time. You might even say that I am driven to give back. Volunteering and helping others is a passion of mine and I always strive to help others. Selfless acts of kindness, compassion and good will are vital in our community and have guided me to become the person I am today. A little more than five years ago, when I was just starting 7th grade, my mom told me that we were joining an organization called National Charity League. I really had no idea what it was but my mom said we were doing it so that was that. She said to me “Your grandma and I did this same thing when I was your age and trust me, you will appreciate the opportunity.” Was she ever right. My mom and I have spent hundreds of hours together and for that, I am truly blessed. But to share time with those that I love most in the world while helping others, that has been the most profound lesson of my life so far. There is something about helping others that you cannot really define or explain. It’s a feeling. It’s a sense of contentment even if it breaks one’s heart. Recently, my mom and I spent a few hours at the memory care unit at Morningside here in Boerne, Texas. We sat and colored pictures with three lovely ladies who all had varying degrees of Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to sit and try to have conversations with someone who doesn’t really recall much of their life. It’s actually heartbreaking. On this day, I walked Anne back to her room and there was a little biography about her life written and framed on the wall outside of her room. Anne lived a wonderful life and enjoyed 53 years of marriage to her husband and was a school teacher for 35 years. I told Anne that I wanted to be a school teacher too and it was as if I had unlocked a piece of her. She told me how much she loved being a teacher and said that she was even a librarian for several years. Moments like this with Anne, seeing the smile on her face as a memory entered her thoughts, it is what volunteering is all about. During the past five years, I have found my passion for life and that is helping others. I have wanted to be a school teacher since I was in the second grade. Helping others while volunteering has solidified my career choice. One should never take for granted what helping those in need can actually add to your own life. Being involved with local charities, reaching out to a nursing home or memory care facility, and donating your time at a local food bank event…these are just some of the things you won’t regret doing. I know I haven’t. And it just might actually transform your life like it has mine.

You Have To Be Kidding Me! By Shea Svendsen Senior year. The awkward struggles of the previous three years forgotten. It’s what we all look forward to as we enter high school. The promise of a less grueling schedule, off campus lunch, prom and graduation. These are just a few of the magical ideals surrounding senior year. What I did not expect was the enormous black cloud that was about to descend over my family and my home. Junior year. Man, was it difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I love school. I honestly love it. I even want to be a middle school teacher…that’s how much I love school. But back to the finale of junior year. Sleeping in that first morning of summer was glorious. I’ll never forget it. Nor will I forget the information my parents shared with my brother and I that afternoon: my dad was just diagnosed 10 days earlier with stage 3 throat cancer. This is the stuff of nightmares but even in my worst nightmares, I never imagined this. My dad and my brother (who is 20 months younger than I) found humor in joking about the very large tumor. Did it have hair? Should they name it? I get it, they are boys and humor is their coping mechanism. I, on the other hand, turned to my mom with tears streaming down my face. She said “Are you scared?” And all I could do was nod my head. She nodded her head and said “That’s ok Shea, I am scared too.” It’s funny now, in hindsight, how four people living under the same roof could have such different reactions to the worst news of your life. This summer was going to be far different from any I had envisioned for myself. Gone were the careless days of sleeping in and just relaxing. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of just “hanging out” for my brother and I as my parents navigated biopsies, PET scans, oncology appointments, speech therapy lessons, dental surgery, daily radiation visits, and a host of other tests, appointments, and procedures. Phrases like “we have a great team of doctors helping your dad” quickly replaced the now mundane conversations of what we should have for supper or ideas for a day trip. Our lives were immersed in all things cancer. Well, until our house flooded a month later. Seriously. Over 200 gallons of water poured from our water heaters into our house. You cannot make this up. You have to be kidding me! And that saying about things happen in threes. Yep. That is a fact. Our sweet dog, Tito, let out a strange cry one morning. My mom and I walked out to the sofa where he was curled up in “his spot” to find my dad holding him and telling him “it’s okay boy, it’s okay” but it was not okay. He was gone. In the blink of an eye. I said to myself “You have to be kidding me!” My dad has cancer, our house flooded, my sweet dog is gone. How is this happening and why? This is supposed to be the beginning of my senior year, the promised year of magical wonderment. Fast forward to today, the final semester of my senior year, and I can honestly say that 2024 was a year of grief, worry, and incredible sadness but it was also a year when my family was shown incredible kindness and compassion. Those dark clouds that rolled in managed to have a silver lining. We had so many friends drop off meals, which my mom really appreciated since our kitchen was in complete disarray. It still is, 7 months later, but in the scheme of things, I’ll take my dad’s health over anything else. I plan to attend Schreiner University in the Fall and start my journey of becoming a teacher. I want to stay close to home because if there is one thing this last year taught me it is that family truly is everything. As I am handed my diploma in a few short months, I will smile knowing how many hurdles I have overcome. I may even dance at my prom with carefree abandon. We will see.