Hello, my is Virginia Brown. I am a 17 year old senior at Academy for Classical Education in Macon, Georgia. I have some goals I would like to share with you. First of all, I'm the type of girl that will not let any barriers get in the way of my future. After I graduate from high school, I will be attending Georgia Southern University to earn my bachelor of business administration along with journalism. After graduation, my goal is to own a coffee shop and also give back to my community. My coffee shop will be a little different than any other cafe. I want to give people with disabilities a place to work and socialize. It is important to me to make this dream come true. I have an older brother that struggles with autism and epilepsy. It has been a hard life for him to adjust as a young adult living with fear when the next episode will happen. I want to help him and others grow self-esteem and assist with a better quality of life. My goal is for him is to be as independent as possible. I came up with the idea of owning a coffee shop called On The Spectrum. It would be a safe work environment where my brother and other people with ability challenges could work. Along with the best coffee, I would even have a borrow book section and free Wi-Fi. One of the neatest things that this shop will also have is sensory objects. People who are on the spectrum and others will like that we do offer this while they shop, read or drink their freshly brewed coffee. Sensory objects can be very comforting to many. Part of my vision would be a bulletin board full of resources and connections for other ability-related organizations in the local area. I know On The Spectrum coffee cafe will be successful. There is not a lot of organizations in our area that cater to people with ability needs. This scholarship will help me with achieving my passion to help others and make a difference in the world. It means everything to me. I just need to get my advanced education going and earn my business degree. I will have a better mindset on starting up a business and running it properly. I want to reach for those stars and make it happen for my brother and others.

Whenever I have time to myself, I have several hobbies I like to engage in. A very small hobby I like to participate in from time to time is drawing. It’s not something I do very often admittedly, because I’m not very good at it, but something very consuming about starting to draw something you want to make. That’s the best part about drawing too, if you’ve ever had something in your brain that you just want to show on paper, then drawing is one of my favorite methods. No one can tell you otherwise either, that’s your creation and you have the freedom to do whatever you want. One of the hobbies I adore is writing. My emotions are written into tense situations between characters where their conversations weigh the story and not only that have a kind of power dynamic in play. There’s just something so satisfying about exploring these deeper connections that exist between people, and the way they interact with one another. I also get the chance to explore topics that are so much harder for me to talk about and explain in words without the judgment of peers, it’s just refreshing! Something else I like to do in my free time is playing video games. Not only is it stress-relieving, but it also allows me to analyze deeper stories through a visual medium. Sometimes these stories in the game also give me a deeper release for my issues that I can’t out to the world. Video games offer me entertainment and freedom that no other hobby of mine can compare with because sometimes the biggest issues in my life aren’t the things I can put into words, but the ones I need others' help to express.

I'm the type of girl that will not let any barriers get in the way of my future. After I graduate from high school, I will be attending Georgia Southern University to earn my bachelor of business administration along with journalism. My goal is to own a coffee shop and give back to the community. My coffee shop will be a little different than any other shop. I want to give people with disabilities a place to work and socialize. I have an older brother that struggles with autism and epilepsy. It has been a hard life for him. So, I came up with the idea of a coffee shop called On The Spectrum. It would be a safe place where other people with ability challenges could work. One of the neatest things that this shop will have is sensory objects. There would also be a bulletin board with resources to other ability-related organizations local to the area. My passion to help others and make a difference in the world. It means everything to me. I just need to get my advanced education going and earn my degree. I want to reach for those stars and make it happen for my brother and others.

I'm the type of girl that will not let any barriers get in the way of my future. After I graduate from high school, I will be attending Georgia Southern University to earn my bachelor of business administration along with journalism. My goal is to own a coffee shop and give back to the community. My coffee shop will be a little different than any other shop. I want to give people with disabilities a place to work and socialize. I have an older brother that struggles with autism and epilepsy. It has been a hard life for him. So, I came up with the idea of a coffee shop called On The Spectrum. It would be a safe place where other people with ability challenges could work. One of the neatest things that this shop will have is sensory objects. There would also be a bulletin board with resources to other ability-related organizations local to the area. My passion to help others and make a difference in the world. It means everything to me. I just need to get my advanced education going and earn my degree. I want to reach for those stars and make it happen for my brother and others.

Want to make a serious impact to benefit our planet? I believe I have a solution. Every major city in the United States has a landfill. Every time I drive by one, I always think that in 10 years these man-made trash mountains will be taller than the Himalayas. They are growing by the minute. Every time it rains, I am sure the ground that the landfill sits on is toxic. The impact it has on the environment affects wildlife and the human population. We need to make a change in the way we handle trash. To change our view, we have got to treat the trash as an opportunity to make useful products out of the materials. Most landfills can recycle plastics, paper, and metal cans, but we need to make more options for recycling. This concept thinking I can see workers taking the old rubber tires and turning them into roofing shingles. They can be clipped up and melted into sidewalks. There are always to combine recycled plastic and rubber and possibly turn the material into bricks. Since we are reusing existing materials, the cost per brick should be less than traditional bricks. Another excellent candidate for recycling material at the landfill is glass. It is so versatile. Glass can be melted down into any decoration. The glass can be collected and melted into recycled light bulbs. Everyone uses light bulbs. This should not be hard to convert and sell the recycled glass into a profit. Food waste can also be repurposed. We should start collecting from grocery stores and restaurants. They should be required to use a composting bin. Each week, landfill collectors will pick up the waste and turn it into composting material. This recycled compost can be sold as fertilizer for farms and gardening. Marketing this idea is the key to being successful. I plan on getting my voice heard with these solutions to all social media platforms. The biggest challenge is to get people interested in your cause. I would create a business plan to show potential investors that we need this and why. I have to show what are some of the possibilities that could come from a profitable landfill. I would grab their attention with a catchy slogan such as "Upcycle, your recycle & More." Another angle I would present to them is a portion of the profits will be given back to local charities for a better environment. That money could be used to help clean up our waterways and wildlife parks. With help, I believe anything is possible as long as people are willing to contribute.

When I have passed, I want people to remember me. I am going to leave a phenomenal legacy. I have already started to lay down my foundation for a brighter future. I want others to be inspired and follow my similar path. First of all, don't be afraid to get yourself out there. You see an issue that needs addressing, make the change happen. We have families here in my hometown that goes without food. They do not know when their next meal will be available. I have been volunteering at our local food bank. With my participation, I inspired my family and friends to help out. We have been volunteering for a few years now. Changing the lives of families in need has given me a purpose. I get pure joy in making others smile. I want my legacy spread like a wildfire. It would be included as part of my obituary. Even if I didn't personally know you, someone may read it and be inspired as well.

Hello, my name is Virginia Brown. I am seventeen years old. Currently, I am a senior at Academy For Classical Education. This May, I will be graduating with honors. My goal is to do everything I can to have a solid foundation for my education and future life. I was recently accepted at Georgia Southern University for the fall semester. While there, I will be studying dual majors of Business Administration and Journalism. I want to understand the fundamentals of running a business along with sharpening my writing skills. If I was given $1,000 right now, I would use it for my tuition and other college expenses. Living in a dorm for approximately four years is going to be costly. I am hoping to offset some of my expenses with scholarships and grants. My parents can only do some much. They are taking care of my older brother who is autistic and elliptical. Once I get settled at college, I will also look into getting a part-time job to help with some of the expenses. A $1,000 would mean everything to me. It will be a part of my foundation for a better future. Please consider me, I will not let you down.

Call me a sappy empathetic person. From my earliest memories, I have always cared for others. I get upset if I see anyone get hurt, even in fictional characters in the movies. Remember Disney's Bambi? I get extremely emotional and I want to make everything better. For as long as I can remember, I have always been like this I grew up with an older brother with autism and epilepsy. I would be the little sister that would protect him. Whenever he had an episode, I would console him. Holding his hand would help him ease his fears and anxieties. He has coped with many challenges and I have always put myself in his shoes. Recently, I have been worrying about my mother's health. She has a rare heart disorder. The medicine and irregular heartbeats make her feel like she has no energy. She is struggling with it every day. I feel for my mother and try to help out more around the house. I am trying to make life easier for her. Having empathy comes easy for me. I follow my heart. It makes you more human. It will always be a part of me.

I am currently building my foundation for my future life. Right now, I am in my last few months of high school and at the same time, I am keeping myself always trying to better myself. I will not accept failure because of reckless mistakes. I consider myself to be brave. I have to fight for what I believe. A strong education, financial support, and a desire to reach for the top. I have educational and financial goals that I want to achieve. I am doing everything to prepare myself for my next chapter in life. I have been accepted into Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia for the fall semester. I want to complete a bachelor's in Business Administration and Journalism. I know I have applied for over 100 scholarships and grants. I will not stop applying. I'm like a train. I stick to the rail and climb that mountain. I will make it. Only the brave will succeed.

I am sitting here and daydreaming about what life would be like if I was in Ukraine right now. A seventeen-year-old young woman fleeing from bombs and Russian soldiers. Praying that my family is safe and wondering if I will ever return home. I would be in shock, terrified, and desperate. Will I be hungry? I realize how grateful I am to have been born in a country where I am free to be who I am. It is hard for me to fathom the pain and hardship of what the Ukrainian citizens are going through. Children are suffering. It is horrible to think innocent lives are in the crosshairs of war. For this, I do appreciate the opportunities for a better life. It humbles me. I thank God every day. I look around my room and see that I am safe. I do not have to worry about the vital necessities. I am truly thankful for everything I have.

I believe in paying it forward to one another without looking for a thank you or any recognition. I was raised to be this way. As a kid, I would always share or be conscious of others in need. Even if it was to hold the door open for someone or to share an umbrella in the pouring rain, it didn't matter how small the gesture was. The littlest acts of kindness do matter. I will continue to do these acts of kindness because I enjoy the smiles and positive reactions. If I can make someone's life a little brighter, I will continue to do so. Recently, I was in the Chic-Fil-A drive-through waiting for my food order. I noticed a lady behind me with a car full of kids. I decided to pay it forward and buy their meal. I didn't stick around to see her reaction, but I could only imagine it would make her happy. Being selfless is all about being kind to others. I hope that this will start a positive chain reaction. Who knows what one person could do and make an awesome impact on many others.

The meaning of life is creating memories so you can reflect on what you have accomplished. It isn't just simply living. It is more than that. You'll have to get out and do something. It can be exploring new places, experiencing new cultures and foods to starting your own family. The more experiences you achieve, the broader definition of the meaning of life. I am currently working towards building my foundation, so I can experience all the things that life has to offer. By going to school and working towards a degree, it will give me opportunities to get a career in what I love to do. I want to work in a field that includes journalism. I have recently obtained my passport, so the possibilities of visiting another country are greater than before. I can not wait until I can travel outside the United States. I am saving up for my newest adventure. This is how I will achieve my meaning in life.

My bucket list is never-ending. First of all, I want to travel to many different countries and experience different foods and customs. The good news is that I have already obtained my passport. This summer, I will be going to my first country outside the United States. We are visiting the Bahamas. I am super excited. Plus, I'll get a chance to swim with the dolphins. So, it is a start to my ever-changing bucket list. I have already achieved some of my bucket list experiences. One of them was my visit Yellowstone National Park. It was amazing. Bison and antelope were everywhere. Of course, a trip to Yellowstone isn't complete unless you visit Old Faithful geyser. I have always heard about it, but to see it for myself was phenomenal. We stayed inside the park and took tons of videos and pictures. I can always look back at them and reflex on what I had accomplished from my bucket list.

I love to take little moments just relax and doing something to enjoy life. One thing I do for my mental escapes is to take frequent trips to the spa. Once I pick out my favorite nail color, I relax in one of those massage chairs with a remote control. As they are pampering my feet with essential oils and creams, I close my eyes and clear my mind. Sometimes, I'll put in my ear buds and listen to soft music or nature sounds. I love listening to the ocean. I feel like I'm in heaven. I have to admit, I do try out every massage option that the remote offers. You have to try it. I always make time for myself at least once a week. It is the best way to help reduce your stress level. By putting it on your calender and setting up reminders it will help keep your commitment going.

From my earliest memories there's one thing I loved more than anything else. It may sound rather simple and easy, but I love doing small tasks for people. This can range from cleaning up trash around the house to just feeding the pets or even just helping with dinner, but if you ask me to, I'll make sure I get it done. One might wonder why that's the case, but it's mostly because of how I often feel out of energy to do anything at all. When I am asked to do something for someone, I know it's rather important to them, and I'm able to prioritize it over other leisure activities I might've done instead. That's the best part of every little task I do for others, knowing that what I did made their life easier. This is why I love doing these small favors for people, because it lets me help them in a way that not only do I know is incredibly useful to them, but gives me the emotional satisfaction of knowing that I was able to help them the best way I could.

The more I get myself out there to try new experiences, the better off I am at learning new things. I love to travel and taste unique foods. I have discovered by talking to the local people you can get a sense of why they love where they live. This has helped me be more open-minded. For instance, we recently visited Charleston, South Carolina. Even though, I live in the south, visiting this area has made me appreciate other cultures. Charleston is known for its low country living. The way they prepare their fresh seafood and the variety of spices is mouth-watering. Did you know that the pineapple decoration originated from here? It is a symbol of hospitality. There is even a large pineapple water fountain in the city to welcome any visitors. I have found that getting yourself out there has changed me for the better. It has made me more knowledgeable. I find this to be incredibly valuable to my life. I am a better person because of it.

Just being there for your friendship makes all the difference in the world. It shows that they are loved, and you support them. I would do just about anything to make sure everything was okay. For the past few years, my grandmother was fighting a long, hard battle of cancer. On her good days, she loved to take me to the hair and nail salon. Afterwards, if she still had the energy, we would always grab a milkshake and shop at our favorite stores. We would call this our glam days. In other times, when she wasn't doing so well, we would spend hours together sitting on the back porch talking about anything and everything. She was frail, but you could tell that me being there was all she needed. During the start of the pandemic, my grandmother passed. It was the hardest moment of my life. Therefore, it is important to take the time to focus on your friends and family. You never know when it is too late to tell them how special they are until it is too late.

The best way to live a long, healthy life is to be optimistic and be open to trying new things. I focus on what I can do instead of what I can not do. I love to travel. Anytime I visit a new place, I always check out any historical markers, museums, and state parks. Don't be shy. Talking to someone who lives locally, that can give you insight into the area. This is how I have discovered where some cultural traditions and inventions have originated. I live for road trips and adventures. Discovering new things and being open-minded has helped me to live my best life. It creates memories. You should never stop getting educated. Keeping the right mindset makes you look forward to the next day. Just when you think you know everything, you will discover there is often more. Use a calendar and make plans. This gives you something to look forward to and discover new adventures.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a memoir of the author's own life, told from the perspective of who Jeannette was at that moment. This story inspires me the most out of anything else I've ever read because of how much it took for her to get out of the poverty she and the rest of her family have gone through throughout the story. It is Jeannette's ability to survive and make it through these strange challenges of life that are put onto her by the people around her, even including her parents, that makes the fact she was able to brave them and live to tell the tale all that greater in my eyes. I don't think there's any sort of lesson to be learned from the text, and truth be told, I don't think there has to be a lesson in it. If I took anything away from the book, I'd say that I took from it a sort of inspiration that fuels me to try as hard as I can to best whatever circumstances come my way.

Swish, splash! I am surround by rescued sea turtles. These turtles are getting a second chance at life. Some of their flippers and shells looks like they went to battle with sharks and boats. I was given the opportunity to assist on a rescue for some sickly sea turtles. The rescue center opened my eyes to what these turtles go through and how the odds of survival are stacked against them. What gives me joy? When I see sea turtles heal and returned to the ocean. We celebrate their strength and courage for them to live a long life. To monitor their travels, the turtles are tagged. They can travel many miles away. Baby sea turtle hatchlings are also a wonderful site to see, especially when you can witness all the eggs are viable. The babies all head towards the ocean. It is an amazing experience. It gives me hope for the future.

My motto I follow in life is to do my own thing. I was raised to not be afraid and always try new things. I love that I am unique in my own way. I was raised to have good values. My family is means everything to me. They are my backbone. Staying true myself is easy. I pray in the mornings for a blessed day and thank the man above. I play my most upbeat music at the start of the day. My calendar has daily inspirational messages that makes me ponder their meaning. When I head off to school and I check in with my friends. We make fun of each other and laugh at our silly jokes. My focus is observing what the teacher is trying to convey and take notes. In the evenings, I prioritize my studies first. Afterwards, I help with dinner. We still have dinner together as a family and do the blessing before we eat. I am fortunate to have a support system that makes being myself feel valued.

If I was a highly influential person, I would want people to stand up with me and make a positive change. All it takes is for one person to start up the chain reaction. I would get excited to see how many people I could get to volunteer at their local food banks. We need more people to care about each other. In the last few years, I have volunteered at the local food bank. This has influenced my family and friends to volunteer as well. The food bank has taught me how to inventory and ship out donations. I was even able to get a large corporation to sponsor a can food drive. It was a huge success. Volunteering has caused me to reflect on my life. I am more appreciative of the life I was If I was a highly influential person, I would want people to stand up with me and make a positive change.

I am a huge animal lover. All of my pets have been rescues. So, it would be no surprise to say that I am an adoring fan of the late Betty White. She was a big supporter of animal rights. She was one of the few people who made a true friendship with Koko, the gorilla. They would communicate with sign language. Some of her other advocates included the Los Angeles zoo and IFAW (International Fund for Animal Wellfare). She would sponsor the animal conservation work. She was passionate about protecting endangered species. But, there was more to Betty White than an activist. She lived a long legacy of kindness, laughter, and love. Growing up, we would watch reruns of the Golden Girls. She was cast as Rose Nylund, an innocent but charming character. You could not help but fall in love with her. There wasn't an episode that Betty White was in that did not make me laugh. She was America's grandmother. Although she never had kids of her own, I felt that she had adopted her audience as part of her family. She loved to entertain us all. Betty had the option to retire, but that wasn't for her. Betty continued to work well in her 90s. She never used age as an accuse to stop living and have fun. Sadly, just before what would have been her 100th birthday on January 17th, 2022. We lost a legend. Betty White passed on December 31st, 2021. She will be remembered. I would have loved to have met her.

I start each day with the positive attitude. As I freshen up and I play my favorite upbeat songs. The better the beat, the most likely you'll hear me catch a tune. They always put me in a great mood. I love to sing. Singing in the shower makes my voice sound like I'm on stage. Once I'm finished, I check out my desk calendar. It has inspiration quotes for each day. I love to read them and see if I can recognize the authors. Living my life with a positive attitude towards the world has helped me get through the pandemic. It has been a struggle to have a social life, but I know in time, everything will get better. Keeping a positive frame of mind is the best way to get through stresses of life. It keeps the depression at bay. I believe my attitude spreads to others. This is why I love myself.

We produce too much trash. The landfills only have so much room. There are recycling programs, but it isn't enough. I believe we should look into more repurposing our trash. The plastic, wood, and metal products can be changed into cheaper housing and building materials. One of the ways to help the landfill problem is to make bricks. Bricks can be made out of anything. We just need to melt the plastic and metal materials. Next, it can be poured into molds shaped as bricks. The best part is they can be made into different sizes and textures. Just think of the roofing shingles that are made out of recycled materials. If an owner needed to replace their roof, it would cost them a fraction of the price for the replacement. No new resources would be used. Everything would be cheaper to make. Also, just about every city has a landfill. Mass production of this can save money and the environment at the same time. Just think of the jobs it would create. If someone is throwing away old wooden furniture, it can be reclaimed and repurposed into something else. The wood can be chipped down and made into a plywood. This could be made into walls, floors, shelves, and cabinets for any building structure. I believe this would make a more substanable future and help solve the overfilled landfill issues. Trees would be saved. Forests would start to flourish. Wildlife would have a better chance and a brighter future for the next generation.

The more I get myself out there to try new experiences, the better off I am at learning new things. I love to travel and try new foods and observe how people live in other areas. One particular experience stands out from all the rest. We recently visited Charleston, South Carolina. Even though I do live in the south, it opened my eyes to a different culture. Charleston is known for their low country living, fresh seafood, spices, and fashion with a flare.  I never knew that just visiting this place would change my perspective of the South. Along roadways, you would see advertisements from local vendors selling sweetgrass baskets. These baskets can only be found in the Charleston area. They are traditionally made by the citizens of the Gallah community. One of the things I picked up instantly was that they have a unique southern accent. It almost like you're talking to someone from the New Orleans area, but not as strong. It was music to my ears, and I could listen to them talk forever. From this experience, I realize that I need to get myself out there more and try new things. I never knew I could love a culture so much.

I have an incredible knack for writing. I thoroughly enjoy conveying my thoughts into words. In a little corner of my room, I have kept many journals stuffed full of my thoughts. A thesaurus has been my companion when I want to learn other ways to express myself. I have learned so much by just using it as a resource. It has certainly expanded my vocabulary as well. Another way I have improved my writing skills is observing other author's writing techniques. When I read, I have a tendency to judge whether or not I could have written it better. I have had many of my works get entered into contests. Recently, a poem that I wrote has won an award on the high school level and is now being sent to be judged on the state level. Writing skill comes from the heart and soul of me. I am planning on publishing my first book soon.

It is the simplest things that makes me happy. I get pure enjoyment with being surrounded by puppies in a playpen. Who wouldn't? Soft, happy-go-lucky, snuggles and kisses everywhere. The more the merrier. I would have every bouncy ball and chew toy at my reach. You would see me laying on the floor with them. Floppy ear rubs and tummy kisses galore would be given every minute. I love to scratch their backs to see if I could get just in the right spot to make their legs run in place. What would make it even better though, is if there were also little kittens with me. Kittens are some of the funniest little pets you'll ever see in your life, they're just as cute as puppies! I drag string around and it stirs interest within the kitties, they start chasing it with a playfulness that's unparcelled to anything else I've ever seen. If I could be with animals, that would truly be my happy place.

I never go to bed anger or upset. So, when the next day starts, I want my mood to have a positive outlook. Every morning, I set myself a goal to do something that motivates me to do better. It can be just eating right, exercising or just writing a short story in my journal. In the last few years, I have been doing even more. One of the biggest motivators that I have enjoyed is volunteering at the local food bank. It is rewarding and I get a sense of making a difference in other people's lives. I love seeing people get the help that they need. Doing more than just the norm is my motivation. I thrive on it. Of course, I want to be successful in my future career. But there is more to that I want. My goal is to do more for the communities where there is a need and get others motivated just like me.

1. Why do I deserve this scholarship? Isn't it obvious? You all want to fund the best gosh dang hunter the world has ever seen. 2. When I'm out in the world, my main career goal would be to become a professional redneck. Not like any of those losers who just hunt deer and quail. No, that's stupid. I'm going to disappear for several years to hunt for the legendary Bigfoot, because that's the only way you can TRULY be a redneck. To be a redneck, you must be better than everyone else at standing in nature and stalking animals. I'll be the king of rednecks 3. One time when I was just a wee child of seven years old, my father took a rifle away from me and told me not to play with guns. He did not know I was fully serious about using that gun, and I still blame him for that. We don't talk anymore, but that's not the point. I climbed on that dumb city-folk "telly-vision" he bought and got the rifle down from the shelf he put it on. To show him I was REALLY serious, I shot that darned machine I was standing on to show him who's boss.

I opened my eyes early on and realized we need to help our communities. I have been volunteering at Middle Georgia Food Bank for many years. I've learned so much about community service while I was there. This organization collects donated food from major store chains, churches and other food drives. Then, essentially the food gets portioned back out to the local communities in need. As a volunteer, I would sort the food from the expiration date and food type. Each small cardboard box would be made, and each of them would contain equal portions of food. We would stack the boxes onto a crate and wrap them so they wouldn't fall off. Nothing will go to waste. Any food that is not for human consumption will be donated to the local pig farmers. As I start my life in college in the next few months, I will continue to volunteer at the local food bank. I have already gotten my family involved in assisting for the one here. My plans are to get my friends and roommates involved. It is a wonderful feeling and a sense of appreciation when you do something for someone else. Even one person can make a difference.

Do not limit yourself to what you cannot do. I have had many challenges in my life. The fear of the unknown and not having complete control of situations makes my anxiety go through the roof. I have learned to take a deep breath and just go for it. I may need some internal coaching to pep myself along the way, but I have learned from my experiences. One of my fears that I overcame was learning to drive. I had a lot of anxiety. I was scared that I would make a mistake. After getting in the driver's seat and just doing it, after a few months, I overcame my fear of driving. It took practice, but I was able to pass my driver's test. I look back at what I have learned and how I faced my challenge. Now, my friends and family call me "Little Miss Independent".

Whenever I have time to myself, I have several hobbies I like to engage in. A very small hobby I like to participate in from time to time is drawing. It’s not something I do very often admittedly, because I’m not very good at it, but something very consuming about starting to draw something you want to make. That’s the best part about drawing too, if you’ve ever had something in your brain that you just want to show on paper, then drawing is one of my favorite methods. No one can tell you otherwise either, that’s your creation and you have the freedom to do whatever you want. One of my biggest hobbies though is reading and writing. I absolutely adore writing tense situations between characters where their conversations have weight in the story and not only that, have a kind of power dynamic in play. There’s just something so satisfying about exploring these deeper connections that exist between people, and the way they interact with one another because of them. I also get the chance to explore topics that are so much harder for me to talk about and explain in words without the judgment of peers, it’s just refreshing! Something else I like to do in my free time is play video games. Not only is it stress relieving, but it also allows me to analyze deeper stories through a visual medium that can only be told through a medium just like that. Sometimes these stories in the game also give me a deeper release for my own issues that I can’t out to the world. Video games offer me an entertainment and freedom that no other hobby of mine can compare with, because sometimes the biggest issues in my life aren’t the things I can put into words, but the ones I need others' help to express.

After a long week, I call my escapes from reality Ginny's Weekend Getaways. I love to go to the beach and just listen to the waves crashing onto the sand. The salty air mixed in with my coconut smelling sunscreen is hypnotic. I grab my biggest umbrella, an oversized beach towel and a cozy reclining chair. I take glances of kids making sandcastles and splashing in the water. The seagulls make me laugh. They dive bomb anyone with a morsel of food in their hands. They are truly comical and relentless. Their squalls are taunting at anyone that would give them a handout. On the other end of the spectrum of sea birds are the calm and quiet sandpipers. They are the ones that play a game with the waves. The rules are simple. Whoever doesn't get knocked over by a wave, wins. Weekend trips are my simple pleasures. It is a chance for me recharge my soul. This is what the beach therapy does for me.

For the last couple of years, I have focused on being optimistic. Even though, the pandemic has really changed everything including my social life. I have found ways to adapt. At first, it was hard not to be able to see my friends, extended family and teachers every day. I realized that I could make lite of the situation by being connected to everyone through live video chats and other social meeting platforms. I am truly thankful to be born during a time where the current technology was able to keep everyone connected. As time continued with the pandemic, I have noticed that life is slowly starting to return to a new normal. It felt great to go back to school and seeing everyone. Some precautions are still needed, but I am willing to do what is needed to get life back to normal. I am very optimistic for a better future.

This fall will change everything. I will be living two hours away from my parents in a college dorm. I have been preparing for this for some time now. It is a tremendous step for me. I will have my first taste of what it is like to be independent. One of the advantages of being independent is I will make my own decisions. My parents won't be there to make dinner in the evenings. I will have to figure it out myself. If I need something from the store, I'll have to get it myself. One of my top priorities this fall is to get a part-time job. This will allow me buy things that I want and more. I won't have to rely on my parents for an income. Independence for me is all about becoming a young adult and less of a kid. Thanks to my parents, they have gotten me this far. I know I am ready for this.

All media in the world whether it be written, painted, filmed, or even sung, has left a lasting impact on the people who experience it or even know someone who has witnessed it. That is where I come in. When I’m older, I want to be an author who has a positive impact on everyone who has read my stories. I want them to give a voice to the silenced and bring light to people lost in the dark, so that I leave this world better than I found it. The impact I want to leave might seem subtle, but if Jaws and IT can leave people scared of sharks and clowns, then I have the power to bring joy and comfort to those who read my stories. If my work can put a smile on someone’s face, then I’d have done my job and done it well, because there is nothing more we need in the world right now than joy.

My dream life would be a place where I could be who I am without fear of what others would think about it. To be a writer and not fear the audience.To be a daughter and not fear disappointment. To be free without the strain of chains against my wrists. I dream of a world where my biggest concern would be what I’m eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, not how I could possibly screw all of this up with one misstep. No looming deadlines, no inescapable laziness, no controlling fear. In fact, I’d argue that my dream world is one where we wouldn’t be concerned with what our dream worlds are, because we’d already be there. That’s the kind of world I want to dream of, a world where there is no need to dream of a better one. A world where there is no need for people like us to work hard and make it better.

Seeing a homeless person for the first time changed my view on making a positive impact on another person's life. I knew then I wanted to make a difference. My high school advertised volunteer jobs. I felt the most compelled to volunteer at the local food bank. Soon I learned how rewarding it is to help others. I was quickly introduced to Tom at Middle Georgia Food Bank. He was the head manager there. I discovered that all food was accepted. Nothing went to waste. Anything that was rejected went to farmers for fertilizer and pig food. We would box up equal portions place in each handmade cardboard box canned and dry foods. The boxes then would be wrapped and placed on a pallet. Churches and other charitable organizations would come by and pick up the pallets to be distributed to the local families in need. During the holidays, we would even create seasonal food boxes. It was fun doing those. The boxes would be filled traditional holiday foods like cranberry sauce and stuffing. It felt good knowing that these families would be a little more at ease. With me volunteering, it has inspired my friends and family members to help as well. Together, we have put in many hours collecting donated foods and working through the process of getting it to the families in need. I will continue to inspire others.

Seeing a homeless person for the first time changed my view on making a positive impact on another person's life. I knew then I wanted to make a difference. My high school advertised volunteer jobs. I felt the most compelled to volunteer at the local food bank. Soon I learned how rewarding it is to help others. I was quickly introduced to Tom at Middle Georgia Food Bank. He was the head manager there. I discovered that all food was accepted. Nothing went to waste. Anything that was rejected went to farmers for fertilizer and pig food. We would box up equal portions place in each handmade cardboard box canned and dry foods. The boxes then would be wrapped and placed on a pallet. Churches and other charitable organizations would come by and pick up the pallets to be distributed to the local families in need. During the holidays, we would even create seasonal food boxes. It was fun doing those. The boxes would be filled traditional holiday foods like cranberry sauce and stuffing. It felt good knowing that these families would be a little more at ease. With me volunteering, it has inspired my friends and family members to help as well. Together, we have put in many hours collecting donated foods and working through the process of getting it to the families in need. I will continue to inspire others.

Out of all the great books I’ve read over the course of my short life, I have to say that The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is the best book I’ve ever read. Most stories with war as a central focus often make the war much more glamorous or horrifying to try and sway the reader one way or the other about war but this book is different. It doesn’t dress war up or strip it down, it just shows you how it is. This sentiment becomes ironic however, when you learn that a lot of the stories are possibly made up. That’s not to say O’Brien is lying either though, because he has absolutely been to Vietnam and based his stories off the experiences he's had there, but the truth of it is, you don’t need honesty to make a point. When O’Brien lies about a story or a detail in his life, he’s doing it to get a point across about war and the things he has actually experienced in Vietnam. It’s at that point that Tim O’Brien becomes a fictional character in his own story, because if this isn’t the truth, then that means that he, the author, really isn’t the one speaking here. It’s a characterization of O’Brien instead. That’s what makes The Things They Carried so special to me, the way that it tackles truth and war in ways I’d never seen before, and packages it all in a fashion I would’ve never expected.

From the moment someone directs my attention, I ignore everything around me and focus on what they are trying to convey to me. Actively listening is not having your cell phone anywhere insight. Better yet, if possible, turn off the any device that may distract you. When you are actively listening, you are receiving the message clear and concise. There is a relationship between the communicator and the active listener. Communicator has a sense of making sure their audience is following what they are conveying. The active listener is attentive and focused on the communicator. It is extremely important to actively listen in classes, at work and other assemblies. For example, when I start my class, I make sure that I have everything put away that could distract me. I watch and listen to my teacher. I even listen for subtle tone and emphasis on certain words. If I don't understand something, I will then ask. This will give a good indication that I am actively listening and making sure the message is clear. With all of this together, I am learning. If people would actively listening more, we would have less confusion and more productive outcomes. It is something people should do more of and have self discipline of doing it. I believe life, in general, would be easier if we had more people actively listening.

Early in my high school years, I had an epiphany that I want to make a difference in this world. I was given the opportunity to volunteer at Middle Georgia Food Bank. I could not drive yet, so I relied on my family to take me to the local food bank. I quickly learned how to sort the expired and unusable food from the store quality food. Nothing went to waste. Even the inedible food would be donated to the local pig farmers. Each heavy-duty cardboard box had to be built up and made. After they were put together, I would fill them up with food and stack them on large pallets. During the holiday season, we would even create and fill traditional food boxes. It was an awesome experience to see how many families we were actually helping. One pallet of food can feed up to about 50 families. It gave me a sense of pride. I would recommend to anyone to donate sometime at a food bank. It truly makes you feel like you are making a difference.

I'm currently attending high school on campus, and we have to social distance. The pandemic has changed everything. Everyone wears a mask, so learning takes extra attention. Adapting to change, even affected my first job. This pass holiday season, I got my first job as a Santa's elf. We had to continuously wear masks and sanitize everything. It was my first experience with working with a large corporation. During my other spare time, I would volunteer at Middle Georgia Food Bank. They require masks to be worn and social distancing as we packed boxes of food for the community. As time goes on, my hope is that things will change for the better and we will go to a "new normal". I want to make a difference in this world for the better. Next fall, I have plans to attend Wesleyan College and achieve a degree in Business with a minor in Journalism. I will also continue my volunteering and hopefully make the right connections for my future career.

Even Mother Nature could not hold down the empowerment of women. We have always been there. Generations before us built the building blocks that make us be heard. Our voice will resonate. Education is the corner stone for the empower of women. Without it, we would have a harder hill to climb. We must convince others that we are worth it. One way to be heard is to apply yourself. Look for opportunities such as volunteering, be an under-study to women owned businesses or create your own business. Working and volunteering gives an internal point of view of the raw dedication of women and their struggle to succeed. Do not let opportunity come and go. Make a difference. Experience with working with other women is vital. When you get to know women through your own life, people like your mother, your sister, or even a co-worker, you can come to appreciate the deeper complexities each woman has in her. In my life I’ve met many wonderful women who have bested the odds, women who have survived decades of cancer, women who have graduated top of their classes, and even women who work tirelessly everyday to provide her family with what they need everyday to survive. Only a fool would look to a woman and say that they are weak, because they are some of the strongest people in the world. Acknowledging the strength of women in all their capacity is one of the greatest steps we can take. Inspiring others to accept women and their emotions becomes more integral as time goes on. After all, without emotions, we wouldn’t be able to connect with one another as human beings. This is where the argument that women are inherently weaker because they’re more in tune with their emotions fall flat, as those who believe that aren’t acknowledging of the advancements in the world that have been possible with someone who was emotional enough work on making the world a better place. Right now, there is a constant battle to save the planet against pollution. Without a love for the planet and its inhabitants, whether it be human or not, we could not have made the advancements that we have today. People like Dr. Shelly Miller, Vicki Buck, and Angela Merkel, leaders against climate change, are changing the world for the better, and without their contributions made because of their love for the planet, we might not have a future. By accepting the emotions of women, we can place down the building blocks for not only a better future for women, but for everyone.