I have dealt with adversity throughout my life. Whether it's injuries during sports or struggling with difficult classes, challenges are a part of my journey in life. My greatest adversity was being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Before it happened, I was recovering from a nagging hamstring injury that I had to go to physical therapy for and was starting to catch my stride during the track season. Everything was going well. However, in the following weeks, COVID-19 made its appearance, and everyone had to adapt to being isolated from friends and family members who lived close by. During that time, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I experienced changes that I wasn't ready for, and going out became a challenge. I had to endure the looks people gave me; even if they didn't say anything, their expressions conveyed all the words I needed to know. It was already difficult enough with COVID-19 making it hard to meet friends, but my condition made me isolate myself further. I was uncomfortable with my appearance, which I couldn't change at the time. I reached a low point in my life, isolating myself due to the discomfort with the changes I was going through. I was able to overcome this adversity with the help of my family, who provided constant support when I was down. They gave me the confidence and encouragement to move forward. Ultimately, while it doesn't get easier when people look my way, change begins with my mindset. I learned to be comfortable with myself and not worry about what others think of me. This allowed me to keep moving forward in life, continuing to pursue my goals and dreams. This experience shaped me by teaching me the importance of self-acceptance and the power of a positive mindset. It reinforced the value of having a strong support system. I learned that it's crucial to rely on family and friends during tough times instead of suffering alone. Facing big changes alone can be incredibly miserable, but with support, it's possible to navigate through adversity. My advice to anyone facing similar circumstances is to lean on your family and friends for support. Don't suffer in silence. Keep a positive mindset and don't let other people's views stop you from pursuing what you want in life. Remember, change starts with your own mindset and your acceptance of yourself. By embracing this, you can overcome adversity and continue to move forward toward your dreams and goals.

I believe that it is essential for businesses to implement sustainable practices because it is necessary for their survival. Much like get-rich-quick schemes or fast weight loss fads, unsustainable practices will give a false sense of success and fade away quickly, leaving behind the very problem it was attempting to avoid. Many may celebrate the immediate success however the effort that went into achieving the success may not be something that can be sustained over time, whether it be manpower hours, loans or leases. Unsustainable practices ultimately exhaust resources that may otherwise be an asset and more effectively used in a long-term sustainable plan or practice. It is important to implement sustainable practices because it is something that the company can build on. They can also utilize the practice long-term and grow the company in various directions. These sustainable practices are also something that the company can implement over an extended period without suffering negative long-term implications. Sustainable practices are methods that can be used long-term which means they can help maintain the company's existence. There are many eco-friendly practices that businesses can use to reduce their carbon footprint. A few of the most eco-friendly ones that will not only reduce the footprint but also minimize cost are utilizing eco-friendly vehicles for the company in addition to carpooling to meetings that are off-site, green space and consumption moderation. By utilizing eco-friendly vehicles and ride shares, you will not only you less fuel, but also reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Making the workplace a green workplace will also reduce the carbon footprint. Individual households consume a massive amount of energy by using highly energy-consuming items. If a business were to utilize energy-efficient bulbs and equipment, it could reduce the energy needed to maintain the company. It will also reduce the electrical bill for the company. Although sending emails can be seen as minimizing your digital footprint, it can also be a method of reducing your carbon footprint. Utilizing digital mail instead of post can also help to reduce the carbon footprint. This will eliminate the need to hand deliver mail, which will also reduce time on the road. By sending encrypted mail time-sensitive mail a business can save time and money while also receiving a much quicker response as well as confirmation of delivered mail. Recycling and using recycled material is also a way a company can reduce its carbon footprint as well as save money. I believe that implementing these business practices is a sustainable way for the business to minimize expenses while also reducing its carbon footprint.

I believe education is important because it is the key to a better quality of life. Education can open doors that lead to growth and opportunities. I'm a firm believer in the phrase "knowledge is power." The more you know, the more you can understand the world around you, how things work and how to incorporate change when necessary to promote advancements in society. A good education can be the difference between an individual knowing their rights vs unknowingly surrendering them. It can be the difference between signing an unfair contract with high-interest rates versus refusing to sign a contract while pointing out the unlawful components. We need an education to survive, live and thrive. Without education, there are often more challenges. This does not mean life is void of challenges with an education. It means that those without an education often have more hurdles to cross. Obtaining an education is one way to minimize those challenges that we face. Education is our foundation of understanding. The more we have, the more we understand and can adjust to life's events. Furthering my education is important because it is my way of giving myself a chance to develop beyond the basics. I want to learn how to be a great accountant while also learning how to improve my accounts. The education that I have received has been of significant value to me. My first level of education was in my home. I was taught by my parents how to be respectful, how to solve problems and how to communicate with others, these skills have taught me how to survive, and how to get along well with others in society, they have taught me how to family life, to respect myself, and to respect others. This education has proven to be the most valuable. As a member of society, I have learned to use this knowledge to improve the world around me. In addition to my foundational education, I have also learned many academic things that have served me as I have grown into the person that I am today. I have discovered that even the most challenging classes have served to help me in society. Everything that I've learned from home to school has sought to empower me so that I can make the best moral and educated choices. They are valuable and serve to add value to my quality of life.

The dream version of myself is a successful person who is confident and bold and lives life to the fullest.

I am interested in becoming an accountant because I have a passion for numbers. My interest in Accounting is rooted in my youthful life lessons. As a young child, I was often reminded by my parents that preparation is key. These conversations often stemmed from me and my younger siblings' constantly asking for things, that they often deemed unnecessary. We wondered why they told us no so often, although they could afford it. I didn't understand why such a simple request warranted such long conversations about poverty, being responsible, planning, and saving. I eventually began to question whether or not the request was worth the long lessons on managing money, budgeting, and preparation. The ending of the conversations often led to the subject of me getting a job, doing a chore, and earning money for myself. My mother often referenced biblical texts such as 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If any man would not work, neither should he eat.” She often asked, “If a man doesn’t work?” and waited for our response. Needless to say, as soon as I was able to earn money, I did. Oddly enough, I found it hard to spend money carelessly after working so hard for it. After asking my parents to purchase something for me, they pointed toward my bank account. I decided to develop a budget of my own. From those experiences, I got better at accounting and budgeting. I figured out how to budget and value the fruits of my labor. While in high school, I was registered in the accounting endorsement to further my knowledge. I also had an opportunity to encourage others and educate them on balancing their spending. Crunching numbers and being attentive to my spending habits became a norm and something that I enjoyed. After high school, I decided to further my studies and get a degree in accounting, with the intent to become a CPA. I believe that accountants are important to all businesses. Without accountants, it is nearly impossible for any business to function properly or to thrive financially. Accountants play a major role in an individual's overall quality of life. This applies to businesses as well. It may sound strange to others that accounting affects the quality of life and business but it is something that I deem a reality. Without accounting in a business, there will be no planning. Without planning, there will be no budget. Without a budget, there may be no growth. The accounting department is critical. They are directly connected to the expenses to run the company, including salaries, future investments, and potential liabilities, which directly impact the companies, ability to grow on a larger scale while many departments are required to run a company. The accounting department may be the one unit that could cause it to grow or shut down. This can also be applied to the general public as well. Without proper accounting of finances, an individual's or family's lives will either welcome growth or strive to overcome a crisis.

When I started high school, I also started my academic journey down the accounting path. I decided to make it my focus in high school. It was challenging but it also allowed me to learn and gain experience in the accounting world. My freshmen through junior year went by with ease, however, I wasn’t so fortunate during my senior year. The world was impacted by covid, and I was also diagnosed with a medical condition that would change my life. I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder, known as graves disease, as well as thyroid eye disease. My life changes and so did my appearance. Due to the severity of my condition, I was placed on low activity which was the equivalent of bed rest and I subsequently had to undergo multiple surgeries and treatment. Along with the physical complications, I also endured emotion struggles. These conditions made things significantly harder for me emotionally. I was forced to give up track and field as well as football. I operated remotely due to my recovery requirements, even after society tried to return to normal. This impacted my ability to physically interact with my peers and teachers. My motivation level declined significantly. This was the greatest adversity I had ever experienced. I was a high school student who had been isolated due to Covid, who had also received a medical diagnosis that couldn't be erased. My family support system and motivation including my teachers gave me the strength I needed to pull myself together and keep fighting to achieve my goals. My situation had changed but my dream never did. Due to ongoing medical appointments and procedures, I started classes at the community college that was near my home. I decided that small steps were still steps and I would take them no matter what. After two years of treatments and surges, I am proud to say I was ready to take an even bigger step. I started classes at the university this month. Prior to leaving for school, there were moments when fear of the unknown stared me in the face. I wasn't sure what would happen or what obstacle would arise. It was nearly paralyzing. During those moments, I am great full that my mother was there to remind me to have a little faith. I grabbed the hand that was held out to me and it walked with me through the dorm doors. Some days were harder, but I chose to keep pushing forward. I learned that we all experience hard times but what we do in the face of it will determine the outcome.

I believe that mental health is important because it is the very core of who we are. Mental health plays a significant role in every area of our lives including our daily functioning. It affects how we communicate with others, how we care for ourselves, how we care for others, and how we live. I understand that many people focus on an individual's overall physical health however, I believe that mental health has just as much significance as individuals physical health. An individual's mental health could lead to physical symptoms. If a person's overall mental health is not properly cared for, other parts of their lives could potentially deteriorate. My mother works with individuals who are struggling with mental health issues. She does regular check-ins with me and my siblings. She often looks us in the eyes asking if we're okay. At times it felt as though she was trying to see through our words. Initially, it was awkward but she later explained why. She stated, "It is easy to conceal internal pain. Your body or eyes can reveal what your words attempt to conceal." She explained to me how deceptive one's mind can be when they're in it dark place. If an individual is convinced that they are alone, they act as if they are. They will not communicate their hurt because they believe that they are in the fight by themselves. For quite some time there was a stigma on going to therapy, which made others more apprehensive about it. Today more people are going to get help and take care of their mental health. I believe this is important and most certainly progress because our mental health can affect our overall quality of life. After having many of those moments, I began to understand things more clearly. Without realizing it, I was allowed to release things that were weighing on me. I was able to talk about casual things and stressful things and get support often through funny banter. I began to understand how to do better for myself, and possibly help other people. The question was asked how do I maintain my mental wellness. My response is simple, I communicate. I talk when I need to talk. I express my concerns if I have them. I let others know when things are making me anxious or nervous. I ask questions if I have questions. The key to maintaining my overall mental wellness is communicating.

My family and I are all Starbucks customers. To us, every season is a good season for either hot or cold drinks. I enjoy most of them however, my favorite season is fall. It time when holiday breaks and family visits begin. The drink that holds a special place in my heart is the pumpkin spice latte. I honestly believe I have tried all of the seasonal drinks but this one is my favorite. The drink that I enjoy the most during the fall season is pumpkin spice latte because it's usually an indicator of the holiday season if I had to you the strength of character role in my life it would most certainly be named tagalong because whenever I am out with my mom or my family, this is the go-to drink for mental preparation. Before we go to a grocery store or to the mall, there is a stop for this drink. For me, the reappearance of pumpkin at Starbucks is the true indicator that, winter and Christmas are coming. On a cold evening out my tagalong, pumpkin spice latte is with me to keep me warm. On the early morning trips for a quick bite to eat tagalong is never left behind at Starbucks. It may sound peculiar to many, however, the pumpkin spice latte not only serves as a reminder of the season that is upon us, but it also brings warmth during that season. When I drink the pumpkin spice latte, I am reminded that it is fall and that my mother will soon start baking pumpkin pies and pumpkin cookies. I am also reminded that it's time to relax and enjoy family. My pumpkin spice latte also helps during the busiest time when things become a bit too much. One sip and I remember this is the season to smile and relax. The moments are fleeting, much like the season. Im reminded to enjoy it. My latte, Mr. Tagalog, is truly a cherished drink while I sit and wait or while I shop. It also brings me joy because I enjoy all things pumpkin and who wouldn't love a little spice or pumpkin scone with it? Its arrival serves as an indicator of a season and its departure, sadly sets a reminder that the season is over. For now, I am happy that his departure is only temporary send it it's return o will be during the season it's needed most. .

One of my favorite anime's is My Hero Academia. The series is one of the most unique and motivating ones I've seen. The thing that makes this series so captivating is the fact that it celebrates the very thing that most people attempt to hide or are embarrassed by. That thing is called a quirk or as I like to call it, our stamp of uniqueness. The society in which we live today sadly causes many to feel embarrassed about the things that make them different or make them feel alone or rejected. This series displays what I wish we as a society could do, and that is to celebrate each other's differences, whether it is an individual who has great hearing, the ability to jump high or read a novel in an hour. The fact that the series celebrates individuals who have quirks makes it much more enjoyable. Oddly enough, an individual who has no quirk can feel left out. It is the exact opposite of what it's like for many people today. In this series having a quirk is a great attribute while not having one is an indicator of a weakness. The society we live in today often singles out individuals who have quirks or differences and for those who don't, they are included. This series can easily captivate anyone, but I believe that it has captivated me because of its ability to help real people in the real world accept their unique attributes. It encourages them to see it as something special and quite possibly a strength. My Hero Academia is captivating and helpful and I'm sure if given the opportunity, can captivate and encourage many others.