Alzheimer’s disease has impacted my life because my grandfather lived with the disease for nearly a decade. My grandfather, Tony, began struggling to remember everyday things when he was in his early sixties. This was extremely problematic because my dad’s family is very large and cared for many children, including foster children. My grandparents have 12 children, the majority of them adopted. Because of this the youngest of my dad’s siblings were still very young when my grandfather began to lose his ability to remember. This impacted me because I was and am very close to my family and I have trouble remembering him ever remembering me. My relationship with my grandfather was never fully established because by the time I was old enough to remember things he didn’t remember who I was most of the time. Despite this he was an important part of family life and watching him fade away was painful for everyone. My grandmother cared for my grandfather at their home for a long time and was able to help him to get by with the deteriorating mind that he was working with. This showed me resilience and the selflessness needed to care for your family. As my grandfather got more and more confused he would leave the house and wander off without understanding how to get back home. A few times strangers would call us to pick him up or even drop him off at his home and this really showed me the goodness that can come from a community. Because he became a danger to himself and my grandmother could no longer keep him confined to the safety of her home he moved into an assisted living facility for veterans. Despite living separately my grandparents continued to show up for each other, especially my grandmother who visited him often and encouraged the entire family to do so too. This taught me how sometimes love has to adapt to the situation at hand. Even in times of hardship or when someone you care for is struggling you show up and meet them where they are. As my grandfather neared the end of his life,he did not even know who we were but it was helpful for him to have company and engage as much as he could with his family. This has taught me to show up even if I am not sure my presence is fully understood. Knowing he was never alone and had his family by his side makes the tragedy of Alzheimer's more bearable. Some of my family members and I are in a band. My band called Dear Friend released a song recently on all streaming platforms (apple music, spotify, etc.) entitled Tony. This song, written by my aunt and performed by myself, my aunt, my uncle, and my dad honors my grandfather’s life and tells the story of his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. This song is so relatable for many of our friends and has opened up communication about the disease. In fact, my aunt’s friend was brought to tears and recounted his own grandfather’s battle with this disease. I hope that through our music we are able to raise awareness and let people know they are not alone in their feelings about Alzheimer’s and the sadness of watching their loved one forget themselves and the people they love. Though he is no longer with us, I believe the love my grandfather gave to his family continues on in the world through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

I give back in two very different ways. My first experiences with volunteering were in trash and stream clean up. I volunteer with the local parks departments as well as the local watershed conservancy to clean up our parks and streams. This benefits everyone in that the public shared spaces are more beautiful and fosters getting people into nature. These efforts also benefit the environment and native wildlife. I plan to work in the area of environmental sustainability because I do feel these efforts are worthwhile and have such a positive impact on the community at large. Another, very different, way that I give back is in the world of type 1 diabetes fundraising and awareness . I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at fourteen and one way to cope was to get involved. I try to focus on others through fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I first started fundraising with JDRF through their bike ride fundraiser. I found that people were very generous, and in response to this positive feedback, I decided to raise money by having my own fundraiser for the JDRF. My family and I organized and hosted two small benefit concerts in which my band performed along with local bands. I plan to continue fundraising in this way because it makes me feel that I am giving back and making a difference as a part of the community. When I am able to see the bigger picture I feel more hopeful and I would recommend that to anyone in similar circumstances. I know that these fundraising efforts help the world in funding research for an incurable disease. Raising awareness and compassion through education and community involvement helps to alleviate people feeling alone. Something that surprised me is that the benefit concert creates a kind of compassion in those participating and coming to the event as guests that I think positively impacts the world as well. They feel they are doing something worthwhile and helpful and I hope this inspires them to find other ways to incorporate giving and charity into their lives. Sometimes just seeing someone else take on a small fundraiser or giving their time is enough to compel someone who otherwise wouldn't think they could to make a difference and get involved. I hope to continue to help through these types of seemingly small acts. It seems that if we collectively do small acts and continue to give to the community through volunteering we could make the world better for our neighbors and others who are going through similar experiences. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and surfing and have found nature to be such an important part of my life I would like to care for the planet for everyone. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals tremendously. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the common good of saving our planet. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well. This scholarship would help me to achieve my goals as I am not from a family with a lot of financial resources and the school I am attending, while it offers so much more time in the lab and opportunities in the field, is expensive. I am commuting to save on room and board but I still have a significant gap in funding for the next four years. I would love to be considered for this scholarship to ease the financial burden of pursuing my dreams.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. I am a member of the National Honor Society which has helped me to get involved volunteering in my community. I particularly enjoy volunteering in various clean ups through organizations such as the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to make our community a more beautiful place. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals tremendously. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the common good of saving our planet. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well. This scholarship will help me to graduate without such a huge financial burden. I am going to have to take out loans and I feel that being in debt will limit which jobs I can pursue. Being more financially free will allow me to take a career path in a field where I am making a difference in the areas of sustainability and conservation.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. I am a member of the National Honor Society which has helped me to get involved volunteering in my community. I particularly enjoy volunteering in various clean ups through organizations such as the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to make our community a more beautiful place. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals tremendously. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the common good of saving our planet. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well. This scholarship will help me to graduate without the burden of excessive debt. Being in less debt means being able to choose a job that might be lower paying but more inline with my goals of sustainability and conservation. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. I am a member of the National Honor Society which has helped me to get involved volunteering in my community. I particularly enjoy volunteering in various clean ups through organizations such as the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to make our community a more beautiful place. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals tremendously. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the common good of saving our planet. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well.

Being diagnosed with an incurable disease changed my life in a myriad of ways. Not only was I faced with the challenge of keeping myself alive on a daily basis, but I also had to grapple with some existential feelings. Coming to terms with my diagnosis meant letting go of my expectations of what my life would look like. Having diabetes has made me more resilient in that I am more adaptive to life changes. I chose to be resilient in the face of this disease because to not would mean giving up. Giving up on my goals and aspirations is not an option as I have a lot of life ahead of me. One of the most important lessons that this adversity has taught me is that often it is important to live in the moment. Realizing that the future and my own health is not guaranteed solidified the once abstract idea that right now is all we have. Overall, being diagnosed with an incurable disease has fostered resilience that I may not have developed otherwise and created opportunities for altruistic growth. I find resilience sometimes requires you to look outside of yourself. I can focus on others through fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I first started fundraising with JDRF through their bike ride fundraiser. I found that people were very generous, and in response to this positive feedback, I decided to raise money by having my own fundraiser for the JDRF. My family and I organized and hosted a small benefit concert in which my band performed along with local bands. I plan to continue fundraising in this way because it makes me feel that I am giving back and making a difference as a part of the community. When I am able to see the bigger picture I feel more hopeful and I would recommend that to anyone in similar circumstances. My advice would be to take one day at a time and to remember to look outside of yourself. In a perfect world I wouldn't be dealing with major health issues but I am grateful to be able to use this challenge to advocate, raise awareness, and fundraise for the diabetic community. Working towards a better future for those with chronic health issues is important to me and has been crucial to my growth as a person. This sense of purpose spills over into how I treat friends and family in that I don’t take them for granted. Knowing the days aren’t guaranteed helps me to be a more involved and caring friend. I believe adversity can make you a better person and I would encourage anyone struggling with major obstacles to look for the silver linings and to see what you can do for others. While it is important to process negative events it is so important to be able to see past them and to keep moving. One way I have found to facilitate that is simply looking to help other people in similar circumstances.

I have been able to make a positive impact on my community and the diabetes community through love and acts of kindness, specifically through volunteer work. I live with type one diabetes and one way that I make something positive out of that is fundraising and awareness. I am also passionate about the planet and maintaining a planet that is beneficial to everyone. Through trash clean ups and stream clean ups with my local parks departments and watershed conservancy I am able to make the world a cleaner and more beautiful place for everyone. It seems that green spaces are disappearing and this disproportionately impacts those who do not have money, time, and resources so I hope to continue to work to conserve and maintain the earth for those who do not have the luxury. It is important for me to be kind in my interactions with others because kindness makes interactions more pleasant and productive. Furthermore, kindness in general is necessary to facilitate positive change. When people are combative or mean to one another the conflicts are often not resolved and worsened. In my experience kindness can be used to defuse tense situations. When one party is angry or upset often being kind towards them helps them to see things in a different perspective. Another reason kindness is crucial is because we have no way of knowing what others are going through. People are going through all different types and degrees of hardship so it’s best to try to be a bright spot in their day. By being kind and empathetic in your day to day life others may be more likely to seek you out and share when they are struggling. Overall, it’s always better to err on the side of being too nice than to be someone who creates more drama or hardship in the world. I have shown kindness in action through community service both locally and more broadly. Locally, I have participated in events such as the Royersford halloween parade and Farmer’s Market clean up. These events allow me to show direct kindness to members of the community by serving them. For example, when I clean up after the market, that means that the other volunteers who have been out all morning don’t have to worry about putting everything away. This helps everyone actually because when volunteering is spread out amongst more people it makes it more manageable as well as more fun. More broadly, fundraising for diabetes research is a form of indirect kindness. I fundraise for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and they use those funds for a diverse range of outreach and community focused events. One really impactful but seemingly small outreach JDRF facilitates are called “bags of hope”. The bag of hope is a gift bag that includes things like a cute diabetic bear, books, and information for newly diagnosed children. While funding research and ultimately working towards a cure is definitely kind, these more personal endeavors show kindness in a more tangible way. I feel thankful to have the privilege to be able to spend time and energy showing kindness through volunteering.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut. I would have everyone read this book because I believe that it teaches important lessons about humanity through Vonnegut's humour and wit. I believe that a lot of people who are stuck feeling anxious, stressed, and like they aren't productive enough would benefit from reading this book. Vonnegut draws attention to the silliness of human life and how absolutely insignificant and meaningless it all really is. After reading Galapagos, I feel like I gained a new perspective on life and it reinforced my perspective on society. Not only is it insightful, but it is funny and genuinely entertaining. I was never bored reading this book. For fans of Vonnegut's other works, there are sneaky references to his other stories within this one, and I greatly enjoyed that. It is also a nice, short novel, in that it doesn't drag on for long and it's not too short either. For people who need a book on the smaller side, this is a great choice. I was able to bring this book with me everywhere. All in all, Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut is truly one of his best books, and I think the whole world would benefit from reading it. No matter what your religion, where you come from, your culture, beliefs, race, gender, or sexuality, this book is a great read. Everyone is sure to gain some kind of insight, and relate in one way or another to Vonnegut's words.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. I spend a lot of my time outdoors and I am fascinated by the natural world. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical but also passionate about protecting the planet. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the outdoors and environmental conservation. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am so interested and passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Last year I planned and performed in a benefit show that brought in over 800 dollars for JDRF. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. I am a member of the National Honor Society which has helped me to get involved volunteering in my community. I particularly enjoy volunteering in various clean ups through organizations such as the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to make our community a more beautiful place. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the outdoors and environmental conservation. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well.

My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the outdoors and environmental conservation. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. I would really benefit from a scholarship because I do not come from a family that had the ability to put away money for college. My dad is a teacher. While teaching is a fulfilling career in that he is able to be a positive force in many student’s lives, teachers do not make a lot of money. My mom, also a type 1 diabetic, runs a small soap shop from our home. We simply do not have extra money for college tuition. My dad is also a first generation college graduate from a family with 12 biological and adopted siblings, and many, many foster siblings. His parents spent their income on raising children and providing a home for children with nowhere else to go and so they are not in a position to help me financially with my education. My mother’s family is also unable to help me to finance my education as they are squarely working class and do not have the resources to send me, my brother, or my cousins on to higher education. I am going to be relying on a combination of the award money from the college I attend, student loans, work study, grants, and, hopefully, a full time summer job to finance my education and any scholarship would be so appreciated. My school of choice is a small, private college that is close to home. I prefer this over the large state school because I feel more safe and comfortable in a more personal setting. Currently I go to a high school that is relatively large. My class alone is over 600 students and sometimes I feel lost in the vastness of the student body. I try to get involved through clubs and recently flag football but I would prefer my next educational experience to be more individualized and afford me opportunities that I might not otherwise have access to. The smaller school is more costly but I believe the benefits outweigh the financial burden. Thank you for considering me for the scholarships. I am looking forward to college and am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the outdoors and environmental conservation. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. I would really benefit from a scholarship because I do not come from a family that had the ability to put away money for college. My dad is a teacher. While teaching is a fulfilling career in that he is able to be a positive force in many student’s lives, teachers do not make a lot of money. My mom, also a type 1 diabetic, runs a small soap shop from our home. We simply do not have extra money for college tuition. My dad is also a first generation college graduate from a family with 12 biological and adopted siblings, and many, many foster siblings. His parents spent their income on raising children and providing a home for children with nowhere else to go and so they are not in a position to help me financially with my education. My mother’s family is also unable to help me to finance my education as they are squarely working class and do not have the resources to send me, my brother, or my cousins on to higher education. I am going to be relying on a combination of the award money from the college I attend, student loans, work study, grants, and, hopefully, a full time summer job to finance my education and any scholarship would be so appreciated. My school of choice is a small, private college that is close to home. I prefer this over the large state school because I feel more safe and comfortable in a more personal setting. Currently I go to a high school that is relatively large. My class alone is over 600 students and sometimes I feel lost in the vastness of the student body. I try to get involved through clubs and recently flag football but I would prefer my next educational experience to be more individualized and afford me opportunities that I might not otherwise have access to. The smaller school is more costly but I believe the benefits outweigh the financial burden. Thank you for considering me for your scholarships. I am looking forward to college and am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

My name is Taylor and I hope to pursue an education in the field of environmental biology. In my personal life I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing guitar in my band. Something a little different about me is that I live with an incurable disease, type 1 diabetes. I feel this has created a sense of gratitude for each day and drives me to make the most of my life. I work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise money for diabetes research and education. Fundraising allows me to make something positive out of something not so great. I am a member of the National Honor Society which has helped me to get involved volunteering in my community. I particularly enjoy volunteering in various clean ups through organizations such as the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to make our community a more beautiful place. My educational goals are to study biology and environmental science. I have always been interested in science and feel I am well suited to the field because I am detail oriented and logical. I am hopeful to pursue a career in the environmental sciences. A career in environmental science and biology is important to me because the earth is a vital resource that needs to be studied and protected. Working with my local parks and recreation and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy on various clean up assignments has influenced my career goals tremendously. I previously wanted to study biochemistry with the hopes of working in a lab but found myself drawn to the common good of saving our planet. Seeing the impact of those conservationists, park rangers, and environmental scientists has inspired me. Protecting and caring for the earth and more specifically humanity’s need for a functioning ecosystem will continue well into the future ensuring that I will not only be employed but be a useful member of society. One career path I am gravitating towards is field research. A field researcher spends their time researching plants and animals in their natural habitats and providing education to the public. I would be working to better understand our environment and to educate the public on the importance of the environment, specifically how to best conserve and protect it. I feel working with the public in this field is crucial to the end goal of conservation because many people are inadequately informed. I am passionate about science, the earth, and creating a better future for our planet and hope to lead others to a similar mindset. I plan to give back to society by caring for our planet and teaching others how to as well.

As an LGBTQ+ youth, I have experienced many challenges and hardships due to my identity. As a lesbian, I have often been excluded by girls my age because I am seen as "different" or "the odd one out". Due to my naturally androgynous appearance, I have often felt unsafe in female spaces, like the girls locker room or the women's restroom. In fact, during my middle school years, I completely avoided the restrooms at my school because girls would constantly give me weird and, at times, hostile looks whenever I went in. Not only have I felt unsafe around people of my own gender, I have also been bullied and picked on by boys my age. I have been called slurs and insults just for existing. I have even been barked at. Despite the hardships I have faced for simply existing, I have pulled through and made the choice not to let other people control how I live my life. I also have decided to be a supportive person to other people, even if I don't personally agree with their choices and behaviours. I believe that it is best to respect others, even if I don't understand them or agree with them. I have been a member of my school's LGBTQ+ support group for about three years. In this support group, I see myself as a good example and role model for the other LGBTQ+ youth. Now that I am more confident in myself and my identity, I can be a helpful example for those who are struggling to accept themselves and find their place in the world. I provide advice and support to those who need it, until they are comfortable being themself, and they in turn can support the younger generation after I graduate and am no longer as involved at my school. I believe that this is a cycle that can continue until LGBTQ+ youth no longer need support groups and are accepted by all of society. After I graduate, I have fulfilling aspirations for my higher education and future career. I hope to attend college, Ursinus College, and get my bachelor's degree in Biology, with a minor in Environment and Sustainability. This will allow me to get a career in a field that will benefit society as a whole. I hope to engage in field research, studying the environment and monitoring the conditions of our planet. I hope that by collecting data about the environment, we can enact change in environmental law and protect the earth for good. I hope to be a supportive person and perhaps an LGBTQ+ icon in the future. I want people to see me as an example of a gay person doing something for the good of society. Most of all, I hope to be able to support the next generation of LGBTQ youths through the challenges that I'm sure they will face in this digital world. With social media being accessible to such a young demographic, I am sure that kids in the future will be experiencing unprecedented hardships, and I hope to help people navigate the coming uncertainties of a digital world. I also want to show people that it is okay to be gay, and that being gay doesn't stop you from being a good person. I believe that pursuing a higher education will allow me to do this, by providing me with knowledge, resources, and experiences that I otherwise wouldn't have.

I have been living with type one diabetes and Hashimoto's for three years and it has taught me many valuable life lessons. I have realized that life should not be taken for granted. Being diagnosed and hospitalized with a major disease was very eye opening. I went from being relatively healthy to requiring constant medication and medical intervention. Though this was challenging, I was able to stay on top of my academic and personal life. I feel that dealing with such a tremendous event at a young age has shaped me for the better. After the initial shock of diagnosis faded I was tasked with having to keep myself alive on a daily basis. This has created a sense of gratitude for each day that I feel will help me to be a better person and student. I do not take my education lightly and apply the same mindset needed when caring for myself. A lot of hard work and dedication is needed in both my personal life and my academic life. Another enlightening aspect of diabetes management is that things sometimes go terribly wrong. Often, even when going through the proper motions, diabetes can be unpredictable and disruptive. I have no choice but to try and try again. I feel this has created resilience that I apply to other aspects of my life. This resiliency is an asset when it comes to learning new things and studying challenging materials. Living with a disease has made me a more responsible person. Having to keep up with the constant demands of this disease requires me to be very responsible and vigilant. My actual life is contingent on me being dependable. I must always be prepared for medical emergencies, which helps me with planning and problem solving. Being a college student requires this type of dependability and responsibility. The perspective I have gained from living with my disability has and will help me with my academic endeavors and well into the future. College life as well as my future career path will inevitably mean working with others. I believe that living with an incurable illness has helped me to be a more compassionate and understanding peer. I realize we cannot always see what other people are dealing with behind the scenes. I participate in research studies, some through Stanford University, and feel my time engaging with different people from all walks of life has fostered an ability to work with many different types of people. Managing my health also requires ongoing meetings with my care team. I have learned to get along with various professionals in this capacity. One unexpected benefit of diabetes has been meeting and working alongside a diverse group of individuals. I feel I have turned my struggle into a strength by becoming involved in the diabetic community and leading the way with fundraising efforts. Last year I was able to put together a fundraiser show for the JDRF and bring in over eight dollars. Not only has my chronic illness helped me to become a more reliable and resilient person it has caused me to value the greater good and attempt to be a part of the change I would like to see in my community. I feel there are more important things to take part in, from fundraising to outreach, and this perspective helps me to use my chronic illness in a positive way.