What began as a simple elective two years ago evolved into a transformative journey, reshaping my career goals and my heart. Upon entering my junior year of high school, I became a peer tutor and, above all, a friend to many extraordinary people. As a peer tutor, I had the privilege of supporting and growing alongside students in the special-needs community. The friendships I have built and the memories I have made while a part of this program are ones I will cherish forever. It did not take long for me to realize the impact my presence had on their lives. Simply showing up, cheering them on, or giving them a hug went such a long way. The joy these students emulated day after day motivated me to do the same. No matter how difficult my week was, walking into this class took my mind off the problems I was facing. My perspective shifted, and I was able to see things in a more positive light. While in class, my role was to motivate and encourage my peers through daily tasks. Being a support system that my peers could lean on truly opened my eyes to my love of helping others. In the fall, I will be attending James Madison University, where I hope to obtain my Nursing degree. I have not fully decided what specialty of nursing I want to pursue, but as of right now, I am interested in becoming a NICU nurse or a Developmental Disability Nurse. Above all, my main goal is to assist and encourage people no matter the profession. I am drawn to nursing because it offers the opportunity to build lasting and meaningful relationships with patients, similar to the ones I have made while a part of peer tutoring. While working to obtain this degree, I also plan on serving and volunteering for local organizations in my college community. My hope is to volunteer for Young Life Capernaum, which is a ministry that focuses mainly on teens and young adults with disabilities. Over this past summer, I was given the chance to volunteer with this organization at a summer camp. Throughout the week, I served as a "Buddy" to peers with disabilities, creating an environment where they felt included, supported, and truly valued. Serving both at school and summer camp opened my eyes to one of the greatest joys in my life, and I could not be more thankful. Although my time as a peer tutor is soon coming to an end, the friends I have made and the lessons they have each taught me will forever hold a significant place in my heart. The immense joy, unconditional support, and endless enthusiasm each one of these individuals possesses every single day has made me a better person. They have taught me so much about myself, and continue to inspire so many others. My hope is that during my time as a peer tutor, I was able to influence them in a positive way, and that they will remember how important they are.