“Why be a dandelion when you could be an orchid?” Some children thrive no matter where they are planted, while others need the right mix of sunlight, soil, and care to reach their full potential. The Orchid and Dandelion Hypothesis captures this idea beautifully: dandelion children are adaptable and low-maintenance no matter the context, while orchid children, though more sensitive, can blossom magnificently when nurtured in the right environment. I see gifted children as orchids. In settings that overlook or misunderstand them, they can wilt. They may be labeled as “too sensitive” or “difficult,” but in reality, they often feel the world more intensely, think more creatively, and struggle to fit into conventional educational or social molds. However, when supported and given space to grow, these same children blossom into leaders, artists, and lyricists, just like Lieba. That is why I have made it my life’s mission to create environments where orchid children can thrive, not despite their sensitivity, but because of it. As a psychology major with a deep interest in developmental psychology, I’ve been especially drawn to understanding children whose emotional and intellectual depth sets them apart. In the future, my goal is to become a licensed psychologist, or possibly a psychiatrist, who specializes in caring for gifted and exceptional children. Lieba Joran’s legacy speaks directly to this mission. Her courage, compassion, and fierce sense of justice remind me of the power of seeing people clearly, especially those the world tends to overlook. Like Lieba, I want to stand up for the misunderstood. I want to be the adult who tells the sensitive, gifted child, “you are not too much, you are exactly enough.” I have already begun this work through my volunteer roles with Friendship Circle and Crisis Text Line. At Friendship Circle, I’ve worked directly with neurodiverse children who are often intellectually advanced yet emotionally overwhelmed by environments that fail to understand them. These children, true orchids, often experience loneliness not because they lack capability, but because they sense and feel everything more profoundly. Through my work with Crisis Text Line, I’ve supported individuals of all ages, including gifted teens in emotional distress. My training taught me how to de-escalate, empathize, and most importantly, listen. These experiences have deepened my understanding of mental health, and they’ve shown me how transformative it can be to have someone there to say, “I hear you. You’re not alone.” In the future, I hope to work directly with gifted and neurodiverse individuals in a clinical or counseling setting, where I can offer the kind of support that creates space for them to be fully seen. Whether as a psychologist or psychiatrist, I want to bring kindness, openness, and deep understanding into every interaction by creating environments where gifted children and teens feel heard, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. This isn’t just a career path for me: it’s a purpose. I know what it’s like to be the orchid, to feel out of place in environments that don’t quite understand you. I’ve had to work hard to find my voice, and I want to help other children find theirs earlier with more support and less struggle. Receiving Lieba’s Legacy Scholarship would empower me to move forward with this mission. Your goal - to support students who are committed to the socio-emotional needs of gifted children - is not just something I admire: it is something I live for and something I want to build a career around.

To me, success is a reciprocal process of overcoming challenges and, in turn, using the knowledge and experiences gained to help others do the same. It is not just about personal achievement but also about fostering growth in others through shared learning. I believe that true success is never static. It manifests on multiple levels and reflects a deep commitment to improvement, resilience, and empathy. You can make progress in achieving success in one domain while leaving another domain untouched. For instance, a seemingly simple skill, tying one’s shoes, is not merely about the individual mastery of the task but also about the ability to teach that skill to someone else, ensuring they can also overcome that challenge independently. Furthermore, on a deeper level, success in grief is not merely about learning to cope with loss but also about finding ways to help others who are navigating their own grief. In this sense, true success is woven within the well-being of others, creating a cycle where personal progress fuels collective growth. It is about transforming our struggles into sources of strength that can then be passed on to others. However, success in a different domain, such as academic success, may look different. My own life has been shaped by a variety of adverse situations, including unique medical challenges, anxiety, and depression. I do not view these experiences as setbacks but as opportunities that have shaped my resilience, empathy, and most importantly, my drive to help others. They are integral parts of the person I have become, which have helped me learn that success is not about achieving perfection or completely overcoming difficulty; rather, it is about how we navigate these challenges and, in doing so, grow stronger. In pursuit of my success in this domain, I have found ways to give back to others. As a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals facing intense struggles with mental health. This experience has been transformative for me, as I have been able to assist others in crisis while also allowing me to process my own challenges. Every conversation has been a reminder that helping others is not a one-way act; it is a mutual process where both parties heal and grow together. My desire to help others, particularly those struggling with mental health, has driven me to pursue a career as a clinical therapist or psychiatrist. This scholarship will provide me with the resources and opportunities I need to finish my undergraduate degree in psychology and become a registered behavioral analyst before applying to PsyD, Ph.D, or medical school programs. Through my undergraduate/graduate education and training, I believe that I will gain the tools necessary to build the sensitivity and growth essential for making a profound impact on others. Overall, I believe that success is not about reaching a final destination - it is about continuously evolving in your knowledge and skills and using that progress to uplift others. The more you overcome your own challenges, and the more you help others do so, the more successful you become. This opportunity represents a vital step in that journey, as it will help me move closer to a life where I can thrive while helping others thrive as well. I will continue to uphold the belief that success is not a single achievement but rather a thread that connects through numerous domains in our lives, connecting individuals through shared experiences and novel perspectives. With this scholarship, I believe that while helping myself pursue higher education, I will also be making a long-term commitment to help others feel okay and reach their versions of success in the future.

An Open Letter to Procrastination Dear Procrastination, I have become aware that you are burdened with shattering sleep cycles and causing vigorous, unforgiving tear storms. Much to your dismay, I have no empathy for you anymore. I truly hope you know who you have lost. Over the years, I would ponder about your destructive abilities, but I never conceded and rather argued that you were a glimpse of rebellion and a world without looming responsibilities. I dreamed about the relaxing time we would have. Believe me, it is all you (definitely not me, anymore) would ever want. That’s until you left footprints. You don’t know this, but when I started middle school, many of my classmates would describe their love/hate relationship with someone that sounded exactly like you. I thought it was an intriguing coincidence that many people fell for someone with the same captivating qualities. One day, though, three of my classmates mentioned you by name. I felt like I was hit by a bus. Maybe someone else was named Procrastination. Right? I know your toxic self would attempt those bold-faced lies. Again, much to your dismay, I came with receipts. The next week, your name was mentioned again. My interest piqued. My teacher displayed your picture and name (with your weird, unnecessarily long spelling), and a condemning red X through your face. At that moment, I knew. Knew our twelve-year relationship was coming to an end. Even still, with all my attempts to brush you off and keep my distance, you somehow managed to wiggle your way back. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Maybe it was the bittersweet feeling or the solace your presence gave me; I truly don’t know. You drove me to insanity. I tried to strangle, suffocate, stab, (basically every torture tactic out there) in order to get you away from me. But you returned. Again, and again, and AGAIN. With this on-and-off relationship (albeit more off than on recently), I can say your visits will diminish until you aren’t there anymore. By the way, WebMD says you are an egotistical loser! Hah! Loser, Lame-o, Wannabe. See you never! Okay, maybe you did wiggle your way through when writing this, but still! Adios, muchacho! P.S. Do not read this too late, or you might get a taste of your own medicine :), Your number one prey, Simone

Lighting a match is a precise art. First, you must strike the match at a perfect angle to birth the flame. Once the flame is alive, you must operate with incredible care and tact to not extinguish the delicate fire. Lastly, if you desire, you can tend to the flame until it dies out. Over the past four months as a Crisis Text Line Counselor, the three steps of lighting a match have become the center of my daily life. ONE. Birth the flame. I see the neon green "Help another texter" button begin to flash. With a sharp inhale, I click the button and dive head-first into the conversation. "Hi I'm Simone, thank you for reaching out. Can you tell me more about what is going on?" The texter's name is Molly, a girl who suffers from cutting and burn-based self-harm activities. She had recently been bullied at school and was reaching out to calm down. In scenarios like this, birthing the flame is essential. The counselor needs to build trust and comfort with the texter. "Molly, I'm here for you. I know it may seem out of sight now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I am here to listen." The fire has ignited. TWO. Keep the flame alive. The minutes a texter does not respond are some of the most tense moments one can experience. As the last text burns into the screen, my mind wanders to all of the possible bad outcomes. "Molly, I just want to send a follow-up text to see if you are still with me. I am still here to listen." After three minutes, Molly replied. "Hi. Sorry for the delay. Your words resonated with me and I needed a second to process them. But it's hard for me to take it deeply because you are a stranger." In this moment, I am analyzing her words, scanning through different strategies I have in my mind. "Hey Molly, I know it is difficult to understand my words as deeply, especially as I am a person behind a screen. I want you to know that I thoroughly enjoy talking to you here, and I want to assure you that none of my words are untrue. I care about this situation, and I am here as long as you need." The flame is still alive. THREE. Let the flame die out with minimal residue. Conversations can last upwards of two hours, and it is difficult to wrap up when you are counseling a challenging conversation. However, equipping the texter with the skills to self-soothe is essential. "Molly, your safety plan sounds awesome. You are incredibly creative. As we wrap up here, I want to ask if you would be open to some resources I have gathered for you." When a conversation has ended well, the texter's responses are incredibly appreciative, and those moments are truly the most riveting. "Yes. Thank you so much for your help. You have no idea how much this means to me. I wish I could thank you more than just through words." The flame died cleanly. With my guidance, Molly and I lit the match. The match was sustained to serve its purpose until a more fulfilling light source came along, and by the end of the conversation, the remaining embers ignited into her own flame, allowing her to strongly move forward with a lifted spirit and strength. Everyone can light their own fire, but sometimes a match is needed to kick-start the glow someone already has within.