Music echoing through the old, rickety gym at school, kids jumping up and down to the beat of "Apple Bottom Jeans," beautiful dresses and guys in tuxes, and an outlier dancing on the side alone, trying to be one with the crowd of intimidating "friends" from school. One golden crown and one golden tiara glimmered into the dark. That tiara happened to be atop my head. I'd won prom queen that week and had the opportunity to represent my class as the 2025 homecoming queen and have opportunities to spread the love that I feel for all. Action was ever-circulating throughout the night. From a drive to eat out with friends at Olive Garden to watching those at the center of the dance circle showing off the worm, I made sure that my actions were those of pure kindness. I was bobbing in and out between the crowds, laughing and singing with the members of my tiny high school, when, looking to the corners of the gym, I noticed a girl dancing alone, trying to fit in. Challenged with mental delays and one who struggles with social interactions, I made it my mission to make the night as memorable for her as it had been for myself. I broke from the rush of the dance floor and made my way to the girl who couldn't do more than stand to the side and watch. I made sure to let her know how pretty she had looked and asked her about her evening up to that point. After connecting with a little small talk, I took her hand and we made our way back to the dance floor. She was all smiles and began to move her body to the beat of the music, along with the rest of us. Anyone in high school should attend their homecoming dance and feel the joy of the night, even if it takes place at the old gymnasium with the group consisting of a mere 100 kids. No matter the size of the crowd or the feelings of those within it who deliberate that those belonging must be up to certain standards, I'll always look for the opportunity to ensure that all are included. As I reflect on one of my favorite acts of love and tie it to the themes of kindness in action and creating connection, I realize how powerful small moments of inclusion can be. A simple conversation and an invitation to dance transformed a night that could have felt lonely into one brimming with joy. That experience reminded me that kindness is not always about grand gestures, but about noticing those who may feel unseen and taking the time to bring them in. Creating connections within a community begins with recognizing that everyone deserves to feel like they belong. In a small high school gym filled with music and laughter, that moment showed me how meaningful it can be to step outside of my own circle and make space for someone else. Whether it is on a crowded dance floor or in everyday life, I will continue looking for opportunities to include others and remind them that they have a place here, too. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can make someone feel right at home.

At the age of six, my life went a little sideways. My parents divorced, and in the wake of this change, my mother became an anchor for my siblings and me. She balanced a full-time job as a nurse, managed our hobby farm, and ensured that our home remained filled with love. While I wish life had been easier, I am grateful for all that I've learned from growing up in these circumstances. My mom encouraged us to work together, and when not in school, our time was often spent on our farm doing chores. After the work was done, Mom would have a home-cooked meal for us, always with homemade bread. We live in an old farmhouse that isn't the nicest or fanciest, and money is tight; however, I've never felt that we were poor because our home was filled with love, kindness, and compassion. I watched my mom make sacrifices for us - picking up extra shifts, and working weekends and holidays. This was difficult for me, as I wished I could spend those moments with her, but I understood that her work was helping others who needed care, and that she always loved us and never forgot about us. Seeing her make sacrifices for others while still providing for us taught me that dedication and compassion can take many forms. When I was fifteen, I faced yet another life-altering challenge; I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This disease often feels overwhelming- checking blood sugars multiple times per hour, balancing food intake with giving insulin, appointments, and mental fatigue from all of this, sometimes it feels like too much. Through this all, my mom has been there - at all of my appointments, getting up with me in the middle of the night for low blood sugars, working more to pay for supplies, and most importantly: supporting me with love, reassurance, empathy, and encouragement. Sometimes I feel isolated with this disease; however, my mom has made sure I am never alone. Aside from helping me cope with diabetes, she has also shown up for every band concert, sporting event, and other activities that I have. She is always cheering me on, reminding me that challenges can be met with determination and resilience. Watching how my mom has handled life and helped me with my challenges has shaped the way I approach life. She has instilled good work ethics in us kids, and I will be graduating valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. I love chemistry and the sciences; they challenge me to problem solve and think critically- something that I have seen my mom do for as long as I can remember. Having overcome challenges posed by being raised under difficult circumstances, I feel called to help others and make the world a better place. My upbringing taught me that resilience, gratitude, and compassion can help carry us through difficult times. Watching my mom care for our family, our farm, and her patients has shown me what dedication looks like. No matter what path I choose, I'll carry those lessons forward, using them to make a difference for others. My mom still lives in that old farmhouse, and despite her own challenges, has nevertheless persisted. She has a picture hanging in the dining room called "Grace," in which a man is bowing his head in gratitude. I feel like this is the perfect reflection of her life, and our lives, and all that we have to be grateful for. I am thankful for this life, and look forward to making the world a kinder place for all.

Matthew 7:7 tells us this: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." As I find my calling and push through the difficulties that senior year can bring while deciding on my future, I have made it a priority to grow closer to Jesus and lean heavily into my faith. Matthew 7:7 shows us how we can do this and encourages us to keep going strong. To have faith when direction is unclear. Not only has my relationship with Jesus affected my faith, but my faith has also affected my relationship with Jesus! When I am thrown on a track that seems to have no rails, I lean into faith and trust that the Lord knows where I'm going. As I see the results come through and the good that can come from pure belief, I forge a connection closer and closer to my savior. This goes to show how important faith is to this integral relationship that all believers encompass. With time and experience, it becomes clear how and why belief in something you cannot see really amounts to our everything. I am at such a pivotal point in my life and it seems as though what I decide to do with my capabilities now will determine the course of my future and influence the ways in which I share the love of Jesus with others. How stressful! Nonetheless, the closer that I have grown to Jesus and the expanding faith that I have in Him will no doubt carry me through my next stage of learning. I will learn the typical subjects of math and science and english, the concepts to my degree in chemistry, time management, social skills, living independently and so much more! In these wonderful opportunities provided by our gracious Lord, challenges will undoubtedly be there as well. But no matter the mound or mountain to climb, I have this relationship built up on faith with Jesus to use as footholds. To guide me on this educational journey. To use as my steadfast rock. I currently plan to major in environmental chemistry, a field where I can give back to the earth that we have so graciously been provided with. Relying on faith in Him and my relationship to Him, I will successfully understand the ways in which the world runs down to the very atoms. I will aid in providing resources to areas where people can get a second chance to know Jesus with. I will implement plans to protect the astounding wildlife that God made to live on earth. With the knowledge I receive in college and the relationship with Jesus that will get me through, I can come back and ensure that the planet He has given us is restored to health. As we know, our omniscient God has a plan for us all. For our every action. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't it good news to have faith in the one who saved me to walk with me every step of the way on campus? He who holds me in His hands is TRUE. He is RIGHTEOUS. He knows me and He LOVES me! Though I may stumble left and right, I will soar and flourish because of my beautiful relationship with Jesus and my faith for Him.

How does leadership and science shape our future? Well, isn't it obvious? It has already shaped our present. Famous historical scientists such as Dmitri Mendeleev created the foundations for our current periodic table. An essential use of daily life, we use the periodic table to structure tools, to ensure the reactivity of a chemical in a lab won't be harmful to its scientists, to study and observe the way that hydrogen forms acids, to much more. Now what about Neils Bohr with his model or Gregor Mendel who pioneered the understanding of genes? Taking a look around the environment, wherever you are, science is EVERYWHERE. As for leadership, this is the key concept to any type of forward movement! Lets observe nature for a moment... in a wolf pack, the crew travels in a single file line towards their destination. Among themselves, they place the strongest individuals at the front and rear, with weaker members in the middle. Seemingly backwards, we see the leader at the very back, overseeing his pack from a standpoint that gives him eyes on all. Now if we look up to the sky, a flock of geese from the infamous "V" shape as they soar to their destination. Science tells us that this formation pattern creates air flow and lift for them to use at an advantage during migration. It is also seen that there is not one goose who leads the whole time. Rather, they take turns sharing the opportunity and responsibility. With time, age, location, climate and more, leadership in any role is passed on and driven by grit. Just like the field of science, leadership is ever-changing and pivotal to the outcome of the future. As once stated by Søren Kierkegaard, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Recognized by science and conducted by leaders, our future depends on that of which we already know and by who or what is to be the pilot. A leader can break the loop of present cycles using science to innovate a path forward. They take charge and not just hope and aspire for the best future, but instead create it. The definition of science is this: "knowledge of any kind." Our future is shaped and constructed by the leaders who use their grasp of understanding and throw it towards the time to come.