I struggled with anxiety and depression from a very young age. However it greatly increased during Covid. During these years my depression grew worse and worse until eventually I would not leave my bed for days on end. I suffered through a mentally abusive coach who frequently threatened me and manipulated me which only worsened my state. It wasn’t until I found a sense of purpose when I started getting better. When I first started volunteering I was reluctant. It was something my mom forced me into to get me out of bed. However, it changed my life. I volunteered at a horse stable for therapeutic riding for those with special needs. This was the place where I realized that I was not alone and that everyone has different things going on. This quote from my favorite band Mt. Joy reminds me of my realization “maybe we are all alone together” this made me realize that others are feeling the same way as I am and that although it wasn’t normal, it wasn’t abnormal. Throughout my mental health journey I have realized that due to my struggles I want to help others like myself realize they too are not alone. I would like to become a teacher for special needs students or a social worker for children that would specialize in mental health studies. This way I could directly give back to this community that I have been apart of for many years.

I first started photography after my grandfather died. In a way it was how I paid my respects to him. But over time it has become a part of me. It is an escape from the world, a way to slow down and appreciate the little things in life that most people may miss. Through photography I have grown much closer to my father. I have taken three photography courses at my high school so my father comes with me for all of the assignments. I really enjoy going to places/capturing things that other people don't have the opportunity to see and/or things that are typically seen as ugly. I want to give viewers a way to see the beauty in the unknown. I shoot both digital and film, but my favorite is film photography. My high school has a dark room so I do everything from developing the film to enlarging it to burning and dodging. Photography has given me a sense of purpose and it has brought me closer to many people. My favorite part of my photography is showing my grandma it. She has dementia but whenever I show her the camera she can talk on and on about how her and my grandfather used to use it. When I show her my photos it creates a sense of pride in me. She isn't able to see the world so I bring it to her. I hope to show many other people the unseen beauty of our world.

I resonate the most with Micael because of his need to be loved. Michael frequently shows how he feels the need to be loved. when given the choice between being feared or loved, Michael said "both, I want people to fear how much they love me" I feel like I follow a similar ideology. I am a people pleaser and get really down on myself when I feel like someone dislikes me. Another reason that I resonate with Michael is how he holds onto his love for Holly and does not give up on her. I am the same way. If I truly love someone I will do anything to be with them. Michael is also very goofy and I am the same way, sometimes making jokes at the wrong times as well. This show has shown me the importance of being close with your coworkers. It has shown me that work can be a place of fun. I hope that one day I can experience a tight knit community like Dunder Mifflin. The Office has also shown me that work does not have to be all serious all the time and that humor brings a sense of light into life.

I have played with many Team USA field hockey players, but one stands out above the rest. She is kind, smart and extremely good at what she does. This is why Kelsey Bing was my favorite athlete to cheer for on Team USA. She has always been someone that I have looked up to. As a field hockey goalie myself it is extremely inspiring watching someone as good at Kelsey. I don't think gets the full recognition that she deserves. At the Paris olympics this year she made several amazing saves including multiple diving saves. She held down the defensive end of the field and had great communication with her defensive line as well as upper attack. Kelsey is also an extremely smart person. She went to Stanford University which is very impressive. She is inspiring on both an athletic and academic field. I think it is really important that she is a well rounded person. She represents what the United States stands for:peak excellence. Because of how impressive she is on both an academic and athletic standpoint Kelsey Bing is my favorite person from Team USA to cheer on. She is agile, decisive, and skilled with everything she does.

1.)How do you give back to your community or others around you? I give back to my community in multiple ways. I participate in lots of volunteering, whether it be field hockey coaching, or at the food pantry. On top of volunteering I am sure to clean up trash around my town whenever I see it. In school, I frequently tutor other students and teach them things they may be struggling with. In school I am also known as the "therapist" and others feel like they can come to me if they have problems in their lives. At my job I am also giving back to the community. I work for the YMCA which is a non-profit organization with the goal of giving back. I work with children there, and I feel like I have a positive impact on their lives, by teaching the importance of kindness and sharing as well as safety. I love being able to help others because it gives my life a sense of meaning. 2.)Please share about a mentor or teacher who has impacted you and how you plan to pay it forward through your own teaching and mentoring experiences. My health teacher, Mr. Maldonado has greatly impacted me as a person. He was kind, understanding, and patient. He wanted to know everyone in the class on a personal level so our class was always filled with discussions about life, and really anything that came into our minds. He was really special because it was not one of those classes where you came in, took notes, and left. It gave you something to look forward to during the day. He always gave us Fridays off and mandated a screen free period, filled with board games and puzzles. On top of being so much fun, he also always knew when I was going through something and was always available as a listening ear. He truly showed me that there are kind people in this world that are willing to help, and I would like to be one of those people that children feel like they can talk to. 3.)How do you plan to impart your own love of learning into the next generation? My love of learning has always come from the teachers that do things differently. Whether that be hands on projects, games, or a flipped classroom. I want to give everyone the experience of being in a classroom that is fun and different than the rest of their day. I will get to know my students on a personal level so I can find out how they learn best and what will help them love learning as much as I do! I will teach my students that its ok to not be at 100% everyday.

1.) idontwannabeyouanymore This song resonates with me deeply because I have struggled with my appearance and how others perceive my body. This song made me realize that I'm not the only person that feels this way, and that even models who are beautiful are sad as-well. It also taught me how many people feel this pressure to look perfect for others. Listening to it was a calming escape from the panic I would feel when looking at myself. It made me feel less alone knowing that I am not the only person who struggles with my appearance. 2.)my strange addiction This song resonates with me because I used to be in an extremely toxic relationship but I was too attached to leave at the time, out of a fear of being alone. This song gave me the confidence to break it off because it made me realize how much my significant other was hurting me. Billie uses phrases like "Bite my glass, set myself on fire" which shows the physical pain of this addiction. This made me realize that my addiction to my significant other was although not physically hurting me, but mentally hurting me. 3.)Halley's Comet This song resonates with me because it is so beautiful. It reminds me of when my boyfriend and I took a break. This break made me realize how I was in love with him. I didn't want to be in love, but I was. Billie says "I don't want it, And I don't want to want you" This was how I was feeling at the time the song came out. "I feel more and more like I was made for you" This sentence really resonated with me because it was truly what I realized on this break, and after getting back together I fell deeper and deeper in love. Now it is almost our 2 year anniversary!