Throughout high school and through my personal challenges, I've learned that self-advocacy is one of the most important skills to have, and that speaking up for yourself can take you farther than you can ever imagine. I've always wanted to work in education, but since high school I've focused on special education and inclusion services. I believe its important for children to get the help and support they need as soon as possible, especially in a school setting. In my junior year, I was part of my school's Rising Educators program, which gave us the chance to intern at other schools and help in classrooms while also interacting with students. I chose to return to my old elementary school and volunteered in one of the special education classrooms. I had prior experience working at summer camps and collaborating with the inclusion services they provided for children with special needs. These two experiences taught me incredible life lessons and gave me insight into how to show up better for people with special needs. I learned how valuable patience is, and how slowing down, even for just a second, can really make someone's day and help them feel more seen. Not only has it taught me about myself but its also incredible to watch children learn and grow with their peers despite their differences. I have never needed special education services myself, but I have gone through school with accommodations for my ADHD, and although they may seem small, they have helped me immensely. I want to make a difference in a child's life by making the social, emotional, and educational aspects of school more enjoyable and welcoming. In the future, I hope to work in elementary special education and support children and families so they can get as much out of school as a neurotypical child in a general education setting would. I plan to attend DePaul University in the fall of 2026, and I have a younger sister with learning differences who attends a private school to receive the educational support she needs. Because of that, my family cannot afford the cost of college without financial assistance. I will likely need to take on student loan debt to continue my education, and I am working very hard to find scholarships and resources to support my higher education goals. This scholarship would be a significant help as I work toward my dream of becoming an elementary special education teacher.