During high school, I volunteered at Gentiva Hospice from January 2024 to March 2025. My responsibilities included answering phone calls from families, sending care packages to patients, calling patients to check in, and helping file records, including documenting deaths. At first, some of these tasks felt routine or administrative, but I quickly realized that even small actions could have a big impact. A simple phone call could bring comfort to a patient who felt isolated, and a care package could brighten someone’s day. These experiences taught me that volunteering isn’t just about giving time: it’s about being present, listening, and showing compassion. I learned how much a thoughtful gesture or a few minutes of attention can mean to someone facing a difficult situation. Now, I continue volunteering with Belong, teaching English to Hispanic migrants most Wednesday nights. Many of my students are adults who are trying to navigate a new country while facing language barriers, social isolation, and limited resources. I help them practice English, build confidence, and gain skills they can use in work, school, and everyday life. Teaching these classes has been challenging but rewarding. I’ve learned to adjust lessons to meet individual needs, encourage participation, and create a welcoming environment where students feel safe to make mistakes and grow. Watching these women gain confidence and independence has shown me that service isn’t just about helping its about empowering others to succeed. These experiences have also shaped my understanding of leadership. Leadership isn’t about holding a title or giving orders: it's about noticing the need around you and stepping in to make a positive difference. At Gentiva, leadership meant supporting patients and staff wherever I was needed. At Belong, leadership means guiding women patiently and encouraging them to believe in themselves. Service and leadership go hand in hand because leading through empathy and action can create real, meaningful change. Volunteering at Gentiva Hospice and Belong has not only allowed me to give back but also helped me grow personally. These experiences influence my goal of becoming a child custody lawyer, where I hope to advocate for children in difficult family situations with empathy and understanding. I also volunteer 15 hours every semester to varying organizations on top of my regular volunteer work. This has taught me that true leadership comes through service, and when we lead by serving others, we can help people feel safe, supported, and heard.

One issue I have focused on is the increase in discrimination toward Hispanic migrants in the recent political climate. In particular, I wrote a research paper examining how national rhetoric and policy debates during the presidency of Donald Trump contributed to heightened social tensions and challenges for immigrant communities. In my paper, I explored how discrimination affects not only adults but also children and families. The evidence was taken from a study of Venezuealan migrants in the United States. Many migrant families face fear, uncertainty, and limited access to resources such as education, health care, and legal representation. From a political science perspective, I discussed how experiences of discrimination can lead to increased anxiety, trauma, and feelings of isolation. This research connected closely to my academic interests because I am majoring in political science and hope to become a child custody lawyer. Understanding how social and political environments affect children’s well-being is essential for the type of legal advocacy I want to provide in the future. Writing this paper allowed me to engage deeply with a real-world issue and develop a stronger sense of responsibility as a student and future professional. I used credible sources, analyzed policy impacts, and considered the human consequences of public discourse. Through this process, I realized that addressing social problems often begins with education and awareness. By sharing my research in class discussions and group projects, I contributed to meaningful conversations about fairness, inclusion, and the importance of protecting vulnerable populations with my professor, Beyond academics, this work has influenced how I view my long-term goals. I want to use my future legal career to support children and families who may feel marginalized or unheard within the justice system. Issues like discrimination against migrants can intersect with custody disputes, access to legal services, and child welfare outcomes. By building cultural awareness and empathy now, I am preparing myself to advocate more effectively for diverse families later. Overall, I am working to address this important social issue by using my education as a platform for research, discussion, and personal growth. My paper on discrimination toward Hispanic migrants is one example of how I am learning to connect social awareness with my career path. I also teach hispanic migrant women English on Wednesday nights. I believe that informed, compassionate professionals can help create a more just society, and I am committed to continuing this work throughout my college experience and beyond.

I am currently a sophomore in college with a strong interest in psychology and law, especially child custody law. My passion for this career path comes from my own life experiences. Growing up, I faced a difficult situation in my family when my mother struggled with drug addiction. Because of this, I had to go to court many times while my father fought for full custody. As a child, the legal process felt confusing, stressful, and overwhelming. However, it also showed me how important it is for children to have someone who will truly advocate for their safety and well-being. It was difficult finding a lawyer who wanted to represent a man for full custody as it isn't a common occurance. These experiences shaped who I am today and motivated me to pursue a career where I can make a positive difference. I want to become a child custody lawyer so I can help children who are facing the same fear and uncertainty that I once felt. I understand firsthand how much family instability and court involvement can affect a child’s mental health, academic performance, and sense of security. Because of this, I am committed to becoming not only a knowledgeable attorney but also a compassionate one. I want the children and families I work with to feel heard, supported, and protected. In addition to my personal experiences, my minor in psychology is helping me better understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in high-conflict family situations. I also teach hispanic migrants english and want to focus on helping minorities. I believe that combining legal knowledge with psychological awareness will allow me to advocate more effectively for outcomes that truly serve a child’s best interests. My goal is to help create stable, safe environments where children can grow and succeed despite difficult circumstances. Through my future career, I hope to make a lasting positive impact by giving vulnerable children a stronger voice in the legal system. I want to turn my past challenges into a source of purpose and use my education and determination to support families in crisis. Ultimately, I believe that helping even one child feel safer and more secure can change the course of their life, just as strong advocacy helped change mine. I am forever grateful for the lawyer who represented my dad and I hope I can be that person for another little girl one day.

As someone who has been diagnosed with anxiety and is minoring in psychology , I have become especially aware of how government decisions can affect people’s mental health. One issue that concerns me is the impact of a United States federal government shutdown on individuals who live with mental illness. While shutdowns are often discussed in terms of politics or finances, I believe their consequences are deeply personal and can be both emotionally and psychologically damaging. From my own experience with anxiety, I understand how important stability and routine can be in managing symptoms. Government shutdowns can disrupt access to mental-health services such as counseling programs, community clinics, housing support, and insurance assistance. For many people, including children involved in custody disputes or families already under stress, these services are essential. When funding is delayed or agencies are short-staffed, therapy appointments may be canceled, caseworkers may become unavailable, and medication coverage may be uncertain. These interruptions can increase fear, uncertainty, and emotional strain, which may worsen existing mental-health conditions. Although financial hardship is one of the most visible effects of a shutdown, the impact goes far beyond money. Losing a paycheck or worrying about benefits can create intense psychological pressure. For individuals who already struggle with anxiety or depression, this stress can make it more difficult to function academically, socially, and professionally. As someone studying psychology, I have learned that chronic stress can affect brain function, decision-making, and overall well-being. This means that even short-term disruptions can have longer-lasting mental-health consequences. In addition, the effects of a shutdown can be especially significant in legal and family contexts. In child custody cases, for example, delays in court proceedings, social-service evaluations, or family support programs can prolong uncertainty for both parents and children. This uncertainty can heighten anxiety and emotional conflict, making it harder to reach stable and healthy outcomes. My interest in custody law has helped me see how mental health and legal systems are closely connected. When public systems are disrupted, vulnerable families may struggle to receive the guidance and protection they need. In my opinion, the impact of a government shutdown is not only financial and not always temporary. Interruptions in treatment, increased stress, and reduced trust in public support systems can affect individuals long after the shutdown ends. For students like me who are balancing academic responsibilities with personal mental-health challenges, these disruptions can influence performance, motivation, and long-term goals. To reduce these harmful effects, I believe several solutions should be considered. Essential mental-health services should be protected during shutdowns so that therapy, crisis hotlines, and medication programs continue without interruption. Expanding tele-health options could also help maintain access to care when in-person services are limited. Finally, policymakers should work toward more consistent budget agreements that prevent shutdowns from occurring in the first place. Prioritizing mental health in public policy would demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Overall, my academic interests and personal experiences have shown me that government shutdowns can create serious challenges for those living with mental illness. By addressing both the financial and emotional impacts, society can take meaningful steps toward protecting vulnerable populations and promoting long-term mental-health stability.