As a kid, my brothers and I had a Nintendo Gamecube. Our father grew up in the age of arcade and insisted that we stay up to date with the latest gaming technology. The three of us kids would fight for our turns with the controller, playing games ranging from the original Super Smash Brothers to Luigis Mansion. Video games were a major part of my childhood, but as my brothers and I grew older, we began playing more solo adventures and stopped playing group games. My eldest sibling went on to PlayStation consoles, the second eldest turned to Xbox, and I stayed with my Nintendo consoles. I dropped video games out of my life for a while, attempting to focus on school as my eldest brother moved out and my parents pursued their pending divorce. I never realized how much I treasured video games, and how much they helped me with my mental health. Around the 2020 quarantine crisis, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released for the Nintendo Switch. I begged and begged to get this console and game; Animal Crossing: City Folk was one of my favorite solo games to play as a child. I eventually bought a Switch from a friend of mine with three games on the side, and my eldest brother got me Animal Crossing: New Horizons. To put my time with that game simply, 5 stars is not an easy achievement without 500 hours in the game to boot. I did this same game grind with The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and I intend to do the same with The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom. Before I moved to college, I asked my siblings if we could spend some quality time together. They agreed, and when we all came together, we sat in silence. We had grown into our own people and hardly knew what to do with one another because we thrive on independence. "What should we do?", my eldest brother asks, to which I simply suggest: "Video Games?". I distributed the controllers and turned on the TV. My switch homepage showed my recently installed purchase, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, and I entered the game before even asking if they wanted to play. Immediately, we fell back into our old habits. I played Kirby, My eldest sibling played Samus and my second eldest sibling chose the Pokemon Trainer. We enabled all fight items, unlimited time, and unlimited lives. I believe we sat there for three hours just fighting, fighting, and fighting. I hate fighting with my siblings, but this is the only way I will accept a brawl from them. At the end of the night, we sat in satisfaction after reliving our childhoods. The bittersweetness of me moving to college bit hard that night, and I wish I could go back to it all every day.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

I believe that at least once in everyone's lives, they should read "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. The way the poet describes the relationship between the young boy and the tree in as few words as possible is incredibly inspiring, and portrays a beautiful lesson for anyone to learn at any age; the gift of giving. Yes, it's a children's story, but that's another reason why this book is all the better. It starts off with our youth who have just embarked on their reading journey on what I consider to be the right foot, teaching them to provide for others. Not only does it teach children to give what they can, but it also teaches them how to avoid being stingy, ensuring our future generations have the potential to gain a sense of loyalty, responsibility, and self-accountability. As mentioned, anyone of any age can learn from this book. I didn't read it until I was 15, and I was reading aloud to a kindergarten class at my old elementary school. As I read it, I almost began to tear up because of how profound it was. How could such a simple-worded text portray such an impactful message, yet only do so by using characters as common as a boy and a tree? When I finished reading, I asked the children what they thought of the story. One girl raised her hand and asked what made the tree want to give the boy all these things for nothing in return, which made me ponder. I took a moment, then answered her question with another question, asking if she feels good after making someone smile. She shrugged, so I modified the question and asked if she feels good when someone makes her smile, to which she said yes without hesitation. I explained to the class that providing smiles to people would later become a lifelong skill and that the tree felt happy to provide opportunities for satisfaction to the boy. While this book was intended for children, it is easily one of the most profound pieces of literature to this day.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

The holiday season means a lot to millions of people across the world. However, for me, seeing my home decked down in Christmas decorations and listening to Christmas music while admiring the gleam of the tree is something I cherish far more than anyone I know. Not necessarily because I wanted to give and receive gifts or drink hot apple cider, but because it was always the one time a year as a child that my family got along. No yelling, no pouting, no punishments, and no fear, just smiles and warmth. However, after all eighteen December 25ths I've lived through came to a close, and we were right back at square one, with my father going out and inevitably coming home drunk, to my mother manipulating me like a puppet. My parents should've divorced the day they got married because they were never truly happy together. I used to think it was normal for parents to never spend time together and spark arguments over the stupidest of things, but as I got older I realized how emotionally cruel my home was as my parents began to fight for my love. I would be ridiculed for wanting to spend time with the other parent and would be yelled at for staying in my room. My father, as hardworking and home-bound as he was, was very absent. He worked graveyard shifts, so he slept through the day and left after I went to bed. I hung out with him on the weekends, and when I got older, would sit in his room as he got ready for work and tell him how my day went. However, he often forgot the important details I would tell him, and never once came to my birthdays or school events - one time, he even had to ask me how old I was, seeming as though I was a total stranger. My mother always called me her "Mini Me", given that we look alike and share a few similar hobbies. I couldn't feel the pain of this innocent phrase until I moved into middle school, which was when my parents actually got a divorce. After the divorce, my mother changed for the worse. Anything I did couldn’t please her, and she took any mention of my father as a stab to the gut. I became her closest and greatest enemy. She mastered the art of twisting my words and digging her claws into my mind, making me hate the person I saw in the mirror because they not only looked like her but were the result of mental manipulation, broken and frightened. Around the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I was at my lowest mental health. I remember having to grip the railings of the bridge I walked to go home to keep myself from doing something I regret, and that's when I decided that I was no longer going to let my parents occupy my mind. Of course, this decision being made with me making little to no confrontation due to fear didn't go as intended, but I managed to scrounge up the courage to ask for therapy. With the help of a professional, being mindful of my words and choices, all while maintaining my successes, I'm soon off to college free from the hell of my childhood home. I hope my independence can serve as a message to my father to watch his little girl grow, not just hear about it, and can serve as a thank you to my mother, for teaching me who I didn't want to be.

I believe the character I resonate with most would be Jim Halpert. Jim, as wise and determined as he is, ensures that every day has a good laugh or two for myself and those around me. I get along well with everyone on my team and make sure no man is left behind. I may not put staplers in jello or trade magic beans for telescopes, but I'm quick with a joke and always there for those I care for (even if I tease them). I'm a fairly level-headed individual, a little scatterbrained, but overall pretty organized in my own fashion. I can hold meaningful relationships with people I've been around for ages or even people I bump into on the street, and I tend to make a mark no matter where I go. Whilst adapting fairly well to whatever challenge life (or Dwight) throws at me, I find it easy to smile, carry on, and accept the chaos of my wonderful world for what it is. In the bright words of Andy "Nard Dog" Bernard, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them", because even the darkest of days could be the ones you hold onto most. My humor definitely changed after I watched this show, and it helped my mental health incredibly. I used to be a fairly angry and moody person and didn't often laugh at others' jokes because they were generally jests at me. However, after this show, I learned that not everything that is said needs to be taken with a grain of salt. A lot of Michael's "That's what she said" jokes seemed inappropriate, but when you remember that this is just a television show, there is no reason to think twice about what the characters say and just move on to the next scene. Much like how if someone jokes about the spot on my nose or the hole in my shirt, there's no reason to think twice about it. It's said and done, simple as that, cry a river, build a bridge, and get over it. If I spend too long wondering why someone said something, I'll never make it to the next scene of my life and move on. So what if someone said I looked chubby in elementary school, It doesn't change the fact that I am happy, active, and healthy now. The ways a lot of these characters act on screen reminded me of the way my thoughts tend to clash in my head. The Office oddly enough felt like my mind, and I don't know if that's a good thing for me to admit given that I have oddballs like Creed and Meredith in the back of my mind, but at the end of the day, it gave me a good perspective on what my mentality is like. The Angela in my mind that made me so judgemental had to back off a bit so the goofy Erin and Andy in my mind could shine, but then Phyllis and Dwight may need to step in to reinforce my productive mindset. It helped me understand the unique harmony of my mind and learn how to overcome tough challenges like professional rejection, team efforts, tough love, and pulling my own weight. As silly as it is, The Office has been one of the most impactful and inspirational shows of my life.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me to aid the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

I strongly believe that I belong in the Gryffindor house solely for my resilience, empathy, and never-ending positivity. Much like Ron, I always do what's best for those around me, whether it is giving someone a laugh or hearing them out. Resembling Hermione, I use my sharp mind and quick-thinking skills to persevere through any given task. Lastly, in the character of Harry, I always find a way to look at the positive and never let any battle faced weigh me down. Similar to the golden trio, I am an academic and compassionate individual who strives to make this world a better place and intends to go into a career in which I can use my fine-tuned skills to do so (Environmental Governance & Analysis). As anyone would be, I get knocked off my feet quite a lot. Many things in my life like school, work, and family all play a role in bringing me daily issues. However, regardless of these persistent issues arising, I use them to my advantage. The emotions that I get from these (mostly) negative scenarios bring me bountiful amounts of stress, which I have taught myself how to rework into productive behaviors which allow me to accomplish more in a given day. My compassion toward others is both my biggest fault and my best attribute. I never let a friend go unheard or upset, and always support people through what they believe in (given, that I call them out if they're out of line). However, in this reign of love, I tend to put myself in a position where I neglect my own needs and never acknowledge how exhausted or mentally distraught I am. Currently, I am working on being able to be there for my loved ones while also making sure that I'm not falling behind because, in reality, I can't be there for anyone if I'm not there for me first. As mentioned, I live a life full of many negatives. Thankfully, the rule of multiplying negatives to create positives exists, because now I can find the good in nearly every given situation. Let's say I'm having a bad day at work. Well, I'm getting out of the house and experiencing new things all while getting paid. Or maybe I drop a $20 bill on accident on my way home. While I may be short $20 now, someone who finds the money may really need it, and I'd rather focus on someone's unintentional positive as opposed to my honest mistake. As a Gryffindor, no obstacle or bump in the road will be enough to throw us off track. Determined and goal-oriented, I work hard to become not only a world-renowned sorcerer but a peaceful soul who is here to do good by the deeds I perform.

As a young child, I developed early signs of OCD and Anxiety, which my parents overlooked because they assumed that our family's long line of intellectuals was shining through my 6-year-old self. However, it made me feel incredibly frustrated as I grew up. Those around me didn't have the same standards that I did, and I didn't know why I felt scared if something wasn't done the exact way I needed them to be done. I always told myself I had to keep myself busy and productive at all times, and what I didn't realize was that it was because I was trying to avoid the depths of my mind. As I progressed into my teenage years, my life got very dark. My parents split, and from my pre-established self-hatred alongside the inane need to please both my mother and my father during the divorce, I began to descend into a very deep depression. I look back on my old self and see a stranger because the anger and confusion I portrayed were so painfully obvious as a cry for help, and yet I denied anything was wrong with me. Eventually, the repression of my emotions snowballed into an unbearable weight upon my shoulders, and I came so, incredibly close to letting my story end right there. Every day on the way to school I crossed a bridge, and I would consistently fight my darkest thoughts as I took each step across. I caved. I begged, cried, and demanded help from my family. I was sent to therapy and used my winter break from school to recover from my episode of disparity. I remember one day sitting in my room wondering how I let things get this bad, and then I decided I didn't want to live like this anymore. In some odd way, I feel like I died that day but was brought back into a new, stable state of mind. I was going to live each day happily, and I didn't care what those around me thought of it. I existed for a reason, and I still needed to find it - I wasn't going to let my undiagnosed issues get in the way. I began to show more empathy to those around me and I engaged more in the news to try and help the world I was so cruel to for so many years. Sadly, as I entered high school, COVID-19 hit and it became incredibly difficult to give back emotionally. I decided to channel my give-back energy into my mother's gardens and backyards since she was the one I hurt the most with my confession about my mental health. I spent hours, days, weeks, and months in that yard making it beautifully perfect, and it was then I realized my purpose. I was meant to help the planet. Now, as an avid therapy attendee, recovered mental health survivor, and active environmentalist, I hope to create a positive, influential impact on our planet. I just want to make people happy and avoid letting people suffer as I did - alone and scared. By helping the planet, and its residents, I believe I can create a very bright future for everyone.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

Something that sets me apart from the crowd is my experience and learning practices. As a shy child, I never pushed myself out of my comfort zone and engaged in many social activities. When I did, they were never anything too significant, or anything that could be considered mainstream or publically favorable. I never went to parties, did any internships, or made an effort to be a part of any clubs - I just existed in my own world of academic excellence and books, with occasional hangouts with friends. Most of my days growing up I can recall hanging out with my great-grandmother (if not my grandmother, if not my parents), and what I considered "hanging out" could now be considered caregiving since most of my time was spent doing chores or helping my elders in some sort of personal care task. I never paid any mind to it, thinking that as long as I did something good for someone else I was going to succeed. Given that this was what I took away from my childhood, I can't imagine growing up any other way, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I hear all the time that my friends are driving, or being in relationships, or getting job after job with all the spending money in the world, and I can't help but feel like I'm falling behind. I don't have the luxury of the confidence for these types of things because I spent so much time sheltering in what I called my own success. I didn't know and still don't know how to experience things as a "normal" teenager, and it makes me feel incredibly indifferent to everyone around me. Despite having the same interest, academic goals, and intelligence as my colleagues I feel like a complete stranger because everyone is prepared for what's to come to them, but I'm standing like a deer in headlights not knowing how to drive something as simple as a Prius. However, as I think about these things I begin to reflect on everything I've accomplished thus far. I take care of those around me (and have been since I was 5), Im my family cooks and go-to advice giver, and I'm a compassionate friend, Im an A-Grade scholar on her way to getting her Master's in Environmental Studies on 22, and yet I can't face something as common as high school drama. But wait- cant I? Im lacking in where everyone else thrives, but when my friends come to me for advice, I thrive in where they lack. How did things get so flipped? That alone was enough to prove to me how I could give back. I could provide people with what they didn't have, which in my mind is a role model of unusual experience. I can prove to people that success comes in many different forms, and I intend to prove my success by providing for our planet, studying every fiber of its interworkings, and discovering new ways to preserve this existence. Instead of dwelling on what I can't do, I will focus on what I can do, and find ways to adapt my sheltered mindset to best fit my ideology of prosperity.

I intend to be a selfless, compassionate individual who strives to maintain the satisfaction of those around me while maintaining my own, primarily because I was raised to make those around me smile and leave things better than I found them, so I intend to do so with my community and the planet.

Growing up, my parents were very heavy smokers. My mother would smoke upwards of 3 packs a week, and it would often interfere with my education. She would smoke for an hour in one sitting every morning, and then continue this hour-long practice about 5 times a day. In 8th grade, I was late to school every morning, and thankfully my 1st block teacher was gracious enough to stop counting my absences and understood my situation. I expressed my concerns to my mother regarding her health and time management interferences with her smoking, to which she would claim that I was unsupportive of her stress relief practices. To be fair, I was not supportive, but I didn't deserve to be scolded over something so detrimental to our family. As for my father, he didn't smoke nearly as much, but he was a fairly heavy drinker. Shortly before my parent's divorce, he would show up drunk almost every night after work. He would trip the house alarm every night coming in, so much to the point where I would sleep through it and not think twice as to whether someone was breaking in or not. He totaled two cars under the influence and was arrested twice in my lifetime, and both times I remember thinking "He's just stressed", not fully aware of the severity of his addiction. After my parents separated, he cut back an awful lot on both smoking and drinking, and he seems like a much happier and healthier person, I can't say the same for my mother though. Around 15 years old, my eldest brother moved out to live with my grandmother for educational purposes. I never saw him much, no one did, so we never got to know what he was doing with his time. Sometimes when I would spend the night at my grandmother's, I would smell this strong, skunk-like smell emitting from his room. I thought nothing of it, thinking that he was just a smelly person (because growing up, siblings naturally tease one another). As he grew up, we began to notice a trend of him being in and out of jobs, and not being able to sustain himself properly. My grandmother and mother eventually lost hope in him, begrudgingly fisting over money when he begged so he could make rent or buy gas. I was the only person my brother felt comfortable being honest with, and he eventually told me why he never had a penny to spare; he had become a functioning alcoholic and drug addict by the age of 23. I didn't understand why this was so terrible because I was 12 at the time, but I just nodded and told him id support him as long as he agreed to do better at keeping a job. He did do a bit better and eventually was able to move out on his own, but soon found himself homeless and jobless because he got caught up with even more terribly influential people. Hes lost a lot of friends, and now that I'm grown I realize I'm one of his only confidants. I love my brother, and will always be there to support him when he needs me, but I also know now how terrible addictions can be. I've seen it in my mother, my father, and now him, and I want nothing more than to redirect anyone who finds themselves in a position of addiction to a better state of mind and help them see why change must happen. Money can buy happiness, but it shouldn't be a continuous investment.

I believe that at least once in everyone's lives, they should read "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. The way the poet describes the relationship between the young boy and the tree in as few words as possible is incredibly inspiring, and portrays a beautiful lesson for anyone to learn at any age; the gift of giving. Yes, it's a children's story, but that's another reason why this book is all the better. It starts off with our youth who have just embarked on their reading journey on what I consider to be the right foot, teaching them to provide for others. Not only does it teach children to give what they can, but it also teaches them how to avoid being stingy, ensuring our future generations have the potential to gain a sense of loyalty, responsibility, and self-accountability. As mentioned, anyone of any age can learn from this book. I didn't read it until I was 15, and I was reading aloud to a kindergarten class at my old elementary school. As I read it, I almost began to tear up because of how profound it was. How could such a simple-worded text portray such an impactful message, yet only do so by using characters as common as a boy and a tree? When I finished reading, I asked the children what they thought of the story. One girl raised her hand and asked what made the tree want to give the boy all these things for nothing in return, which made me ponder. I took a moment, then answered her question with another question, asking if she feels good after making someone smile. She shrugged, so I modified the question and asked if she feels good when someone makes her smile, to which she said yes without hesitation. I explained to the class that providing smiles to people would later become a lifelong skill and that the tree felt happy to provide opportunities for satisfaction to the boy. While this book was intended for children, it is easily one of the most profound pieces of literature to this day.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

I intend to uphold the honor of this scholarship through resolute determination. Throughout my public school life, I strove to uphold a 3.7+ GPA and maintain the grades that best reflected my overall passion, intelligence, and efforts toward my education. I never felt afraid to ask for help as needed, and refused to allow myself to accept a mark I felt was unfair. That being said, I set myself some very high, and sometimes stressful, standards for myself. I’ve crafted myself into an incredibly hard worker, and I’m often told to step back and take a break. While time off does sound nice, I’ve learned that my energy is best spent being put forth to what I love most; success. I say that in the least egotistical way possible, but I enjoy seeing my hard efforts pay off as I like to assume most individuals do. While I find myself spending upwards of 30+ hours a week on my studies outside of school, I tend to find that the time I spend dedicating myself to my education is simply me expressing my passion for my work. I love writing, and school has given me opportunities to strengthen my talent in challenging ways over the years. In junior year, I signed up for the Running Start Program so I could take college classes at an early age. I personally felt that I wasn't gaining as much knowledge as I should have been in my regular high school classes, so I figured college courses would be a good challenge for me. My Junior year was spent doing online learning during the course of the COVID-19 quarantine, and despite highly enjoying the social aspects of public education, I was very satisfied with taking my advanced courses in the comfort of my own home. There were no schedules to hold me back, and no limit on what I could research and learn. I’ve upheld this desire for learning throughout my senior year, and I fully intend to put my best foot forward with my devotion to education. Many people in my position expressed deep frustration with maintaining their academic excellence through the triumphs of online learning, and while I felt it too, I did my best to persevere. Not many people get to say that they managed to come out of it untarnished, but I wear my above-average grades and hardy efforts with pride.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Science because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist.

I grew up in a white family, despite being Half White (on my mother's side) and Half Indian (on my father's side). I was surrounded by my mother's side of the family most of my life, with my father's family all scattered across the Caribbean. I was never given the opportunity to embrace my Indian heritage, so I complied with living as a predominantly white individual. At every family function, I was one of the two people of color in the room (the other being my brother). In Elementary school, I was one of 10 Indian students across a 700+ student body. I didn't understand what being Indian meant, and I didn't understand why my tan skin and curly hair set me apart from my friends. If I said I was Indian, people's initial reaction was disbelief. If I said I was white, same response. I became frustrated with my own existence knowing that for some I would never be colored enough to be considered Indian, and for others, I wouldn't be light enough to be considered white. I hated not understanding my identity, so I suppressed it until the age of 14 when I decided to pierce my left nostril. Piercing the nose may seem like a common trend for many teenagers to participate in, but in India, it's a common cultural practice for women to pierce their left nostrils as an expression of female empowerment. Nervously, I chose the piece of jewelry I wanted and got my nose pierced. Afterward, I looked in the mirror and saw a shimmering stone sitting on my nose. Somehow, the moment I saw that jewelry, that frustrated girl in the mirror became the most liberated and proud woman I've ever seen. I didn't feel the need to hide myself or my culture due to my own frustration. I felt encouraged to embrace my Indian features and let it be known who I was. Maybe it was a heat of the moment type of thing, but something changed in me that day. That was the first true experience I've ever had with my culture. Sure, cooking traditionally Indian meals at home helped me connect with my heritage, but nothing ever spiked my pride like this nose piercing. I never want anyone to feel the same pain I did as I hid due to simply being misunderstood, so I want to work on encouraging others to embrace their culture, no matter how much of it they've lived through or not. Embracing diversity can be a difficult battle for everyone as they worry about being called out, so I want to support those who are afraid to take that first step. Embracing diversity can be a scary thing, so I want to make an example of myself and show people that once you get the ball rolling, the pride and love for your cultural background will only grow. I show interest in AAPI organizations within my community because as someone who was often left out of activities or potential upbringings due to my cultural background, I believe it is important to shed light onto those who were once or are in my position and motivate people to embrace their cultures to the highest capacity.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. Small actions like this may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Since I couldn't make a large impact as a single individual, I decided to do something small yet environmental, so poured my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I even managed to grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. Those days of wondering if the things I could do to help would be beneficial were behind me because now I could physically see that they would. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. I decided to major in Environmental Studies because I know that I possess the potential to make an impact on our planet. My family raised me with the ideology that I leave something better than I found it, and that is what I intend to do with our planet. I could discover a new trick to saving energy in a home, or I could discover the next most effective strategy to aid the coral reef pollution issue. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do a lot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of the earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefits. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by becoming an environmental activist. I would encourage my loved ones to follow in my path and apply a green thumb to their hobbies and interests, considering that everyone's skill set revolves around their keen liking and general/regular practices.

After extensive contemplation and several periods of wondering if what I could do would make a difference, I became conscious of the concept that even the smallest grain of sand could tip the scale. What I mean is that even if all I had to offer to someone in need was a friendly smile, that smile could make all the difference. If all I had in terms of providing my support for BLM and AAPI support groups is to spread the word about the issues they're facing, then my voice could amplify the crowd. If all I had in terms of supporting those in need of supplies while stores are empty shelved was a closet full of things I know I won't use, I can find organizations to which I can donate those goods. If all I had in terms of supporting the pollution issue were my own two hands and a conscience, I can be mindful of how much of a product I'm using and recycle as instructed. These small things may seem insignificant to what people with a social platform or an ample amount of money could do, but they were a good start. And in my mind, a good start is better than no start at all. Along with those things I mentioned I had done before to aid various global issues, I decided to pour my heart and soul into my garden. I spent seven consecutive months working outside day by day to completely transform my yard. I got rid of invasive foliage and planted several easy-to-grow plants that I could call my own. I spent several days studying the science behind plant propagation, growth, and effective upcycling of common food scraps. I managed to even grow my own watermelon plants from seeds I pulled from a store-bought melon! I worked day in and day out, burying my hands in the soil and monitoring the behavior of my plants until one day when I decided to go read a book in my nearly-pristine backyard. I took a seat in the shade, and before I could even open my book, all of my efforts became incredibly evident. I was shocked by how much I was able to do on my own. My yard went from a complete mess to a sanctuary in a matter of months all because I put in 2-3 hours every day to achieve it. I wanted to cry, because without me knowing I managed to fully apply myself to a cause and produce a successful outcome. As an individual, it is my responsibility to be mindful of the world around me. As someone who harnesses the ability to make a valuable difference, no matter how big or small, it is my responsibility to do my best every day to make that difference happen. As a leader, I feel that I have the power to motivate those around me into aiding the climate crisis as well. I feel like with the right words and proper evidence, I can show that every little thing we do has an effect. Whether it be negative or positive, we can do alot with just a minor amount of effort. Given the 8 billion human population of earth, the ultimate culmination of all of our efforts can provide a lot of benefit. I want to lead our planet to a better place, and that all starts by connecting with my communities and putting my foot down in the name of activism.