"I have Multiple Myeloma bone marrow cancer". Those are the words that came out of my mother's mouth when I was just 14 years old. And from then on, resiliency is the aspect of these three Mr. Tindall displayed that I resonate with most. And through many struggles like these, I fought to overcome these struggles and prove to myself I am stronger. As of right now, we are lucky enough to have my mother in remission, yet the thing about any cancer is the medication given starts to cause a multitude of other health issues over time. Since beating cancer, she has developed various other health problems causing me to have to step in not only as the role of her caretaker, but my younger brother's parental figure some of the time as well. It's definitely one of those things that you think will never happen to you and you think, "I don't think I would ever be able to handle something that hard." But now that it's happened, I've learned sometimes it's just a matter of getting through it no matter how hard it is because there is another side to get to. The definition of resilience is beautifully described as "The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). It's not something where you try to change the outcomes of situations but rather you do the best with what you're given. While having a sick mother who needs help, I've been able to adapt to helping my family, while also maintaining a determined, and hard-working mindset. I've stayed pretty busy and active in high school by balancing jobs, volunteering opportunities, extra-curricular activities, playing tennis, and caretaking. I've babysat, dishwasher, been a personal assistant/media manager, and even worked in the tech department of Target. Some extra things I've participated in are the Student Council, Link Crew, Tennis, Advanced Choir, Environmental Club, and ASL and Interpersonal Communications at Pikes Peak State College. My hard work is also reflected through my Scholastic Silver Key Poetry Award and my AP Scholar, AP Seminar and Research Certificate, and Outstanding Senior awards given through Doherty. While I work hard in school, I also work hard and show my care most in my volunteering work. Some ways I’ve taken action to care for my community are volunteering at Unified Bowling and Special Olympics, helping students with disabilities enjoy competitiveness, and awarding experiences involved in sports. Another important aspect of caring for my community I’ve helped with is to help with lower income families and individuals since I’ve grown up under that category. I have been lucky enough to engage in raising money for Care & Share, a local food bank, and volunteering at Christmas Unlimited, an organization dedicated to helping lower-income families obtain gifts for their children. Overall, I’ve been lucky to experience these amazing ways to help improve the lives of others struggling in my local community and I look forward to finding opportunities to do the same at whatever college I decide to attend. So many people have helped me in my life in so many different ways when I needed it, so if I could go to college and ultimately live helping people, I would be so excited. If you, who is reading this, decide to invest in me and my future, I would be so lucky and eternally grateful. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider me for this great opportunity.

I believe that to be inclusive and thoughtful of anyone is to be open-minded to everyone. One thing I’ve learned in my life is that a lot of people have come from different backgrounds, seen different things and all struggled in different ways, and it’s important to be understanding of everybody’s opinion and realize at the end of the day we’re all human. Our differences may not be able to bring us comfort and relatability, but they make us unique and strong. IRacial struggle is a factor I see impacting so many different individuals that has impacted my moral values a lot. I’m of Native American and Caucasian descent, and I’ve grown up in the weird mix of “not being dark enough, but not being white enough.” Conversations in my home and school have also allowed me to voice my struggles and the struggles of my peers, family, and friends. Whether it’s bringing that lonely person to the lunch table, helping people who need it, or even opening up a conversation about the discrimination and judgment someone experiences. The examples I've heard and experienced prove the continued unfairnesses in our society; yes, people still face discrimination of some sort, no matter how much officials and authoritative figures try to limit it. Yet, being open-minded and small gestures can impact changes in a positive direction. One way I’ve taken action to positively engage with diverse groups and individuals is participating in a group called, Unified Bowling at my school. A group of the kids in my school who have disabilities were learning how to bowl, and Doherty invited some of us able-bodied students to help them feel more included and just enjoy doing something fun with some friends. Through mentoring and cheering these students on, we became friends and I learned how amazing and positive these students were. It inspired me by enriching my view on the small things they celebrate every day in my own life. I was also able to help student-athletes with disabilities by volunteering at Special Olympics Colorado for many years. I guided the participants through their events and cheered them on as well, which always was the best part. Another important aspect of diversity is lower-income families and individuals since I’ve grown up under that category. I have been lucky enough to engage in programs where we served the lower-income population in my local community and helped people who we didn’t know were struggling. For example, through the Student Council at my school, the month of November was dedicated to a program called Harvest of Love. By asking for money at grocery stores, organizing our school and community to bring in food to donate, and spreading awareness about our local peers who face hunger, we were able to raise over $50,000 which went to a well-known local food bank, Care and Share. I not only felt proud to be among an amazing group of kind students, but I also felt honored to help people who struggle like my family. Another local organization, Christmas Unlimited, I volunteered throughout the holiday seasons of my high school career. This organization provides toys and gifts to the children of families of Colorado Springs who cannot afford gifts. I helped check parents in, cashiered, and provided a comforting setting for people in hard situations to get a magical solution. Overall, I’ve been lucky to experience these amazing ways to help improve the issue of diversity in my local community and I look forward to finding opportunities to do the same at the school I attend, doing so with an open mind.

I believe that to be inclusive and thoughtful of anyone is to be open-minded to everyone. One thing I’ve learned in my life is that a lot of people have come from different backgrounds, seen different things and all struggled in different ways, and it’s important to be understanding of everybody’s opinion and realize at the end of the day we’re all human. Our differences may not be able to bring us comfort and relatability, but they make us unique and strong. IRacial struggle is a factor I see impacting so many different individuals that has impacted my moral values a lot. I’m of Native American and Caucasian descent, and I’ve grown up in the weird mix of “not being dark enough, but not being white enough.” Conversations in my home and school have also allowed me to voice my struggles and the struggles of my peers, family, and friends. Whether it’s bringing that lonely person to the lunch table, helping people who need it, or even opening up a conversation about the discrimination and judgment someone experiences. The examples I've heard and experienced prove the continued unfairnesses in our society; yes, people still face discrimination of some sort, no matter how much officials and authoritative figures try to limit it. Yet, being open-minded and small gestures can impact changes in a positive direction. One way I’ve taken action to positively engage with diverse groups and individuals is participating in a group called, Unified Bowling at my school. A group of the kids in my school who have disabilities were learning how to bowl, and Doherty invited some of us able-bodied students to help them feel more included and just enjoy doing something fun with some friends. Through mentoring and cheering these students on, we became friends and I learned how amazing and positive these students were. It inspired me by enriching my view on the small things they celebrate every day in my own life. I was also able to help student-athletes with disabilities by volunteering at Special Olympics Colorado for many years. I guided the participants through their events and cheered them on as well, which always was the best part. Another important aspect of diversity is lower-income families and individuals since I’ve grown up under that category. I have been lucky enough to engage in programs where we served the lower-income population in my local community and helped people who we didn’t know were struggling. For example, through the Student Council at my school, the month of November was dedicated to a program called Harvest of Love. By asking for money at grocery stores, organizing our school and community to bring in food to donate, and spreading awareness about our local peers who face hunger, we were able to raise over $50,000 which went to a well-known local food bank, Care and Share. I not only felt proud to be among an amazing group of kind students, but I also felt honored to help people who struggle like my family. Another local organization, Christmas Unlimited, I volunteered throughout the holiday seasons of my high school career. This organization provides toys and gifts to the children of families of Colorado Springs who cannot afford gifts. I helped check parents in, cashiered, and provided a comforting setting for people in hard situations to get a magical solution. Overall, I’ve been lucky to experience these amazing ways to help improve the issue of diversity in my local community and I look forward to finding opportunities to do the same at the school I attend, doing so with an open mind.