Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this scholarship and explore this fascinating idea. Creating this video allowed me to engage with the topic by fleshing out a fictional story I have had on my mind for quite a while. My brother is an author, and I often hear his stories, so this is meant to be the poetic beginning to one of mine. I am grateful for the time and effort your organization has invested in creating this opportunity for students to be creative and share their perspectives, maybe even creating villains in their spare time. Regardless of the outcome, I appreciate being considered for this scholarship. Thank you again!

Not only have we poured into our communities, but our communities have also poured into us. The number of lessons I have gained from where I live is immeasurable. Therefore, the following should be viewed both as a detailed essay about my contributions to the community and as an account of how the community has offered many opportunities to develop my calling toward serving others. At the time of writing this essay, I am completing my training for LifeWise Academy, where I will volunteer at Jersey Church to provide religious character education to elementary school children, and I plan to assist in serving meals to the community through Stowe Mission. Furthermore, my current work, although a paid position, at Jersey Church heavily involves the community, both to encourage the congregation to serve the community and to create interactions in various environments throughout Columbus, Ohio. In the past, I was involved in establishing the local culture of my high school marching band, serving as a leader, as well as participating as a worship leader in the local church. In addition, at Greenwood Christian Church, I served community meals and participated in several opportunities of non-profit local outreach, such as F.A.M.E. and Tear Down the Walls Ministries. During my time as a student, I even assisted my youth pastors in designing a mission trip to Indianapolis during the pandemic to intentionally create connections with the urban community. At college, I served as a mentor for Kids Hope, an organization that provides adult role models to elementary school children, and I expanded my leadership capacities through initiating several Bible studies on campus, mentoring many of them individually. Although I had left Greenwood Christian Church, I continued to participate in the church through worship, providing my skills as a musician to one of the chapel bands for Taylor University, cultivating lifelong friendships. Although I could continue to list the efforts I have made in the past to establish my community, I am even more excited for the future. In addition to praying weekly for those in my community by name, I am excited to partner with local businesses such as Sgt. Coffee or Fox in the Snow Cafe to host small groups, to provide opportunities for local outreach to the congregation in both New Albany and Pataskala, and to continue to meet church leaders throughout the county through the state convention of Southern Baptists to discuss how we can benefit our communities. Jesus Christ has called us to serve others as a witness, and I am grateful for the many opportunities God has provided for me to love others in my community. I hope you will consider me for receiving the J&Y Law Yahouda Yahoudai Service Scholarship. Thank you for your consideration.

What does it mean to be a hero? It seems that, in the modern world, heroes abound in the media, yet many of these celebrities lack the characteristic of historic folk tales: selflessness. Michael Rudometkin was a primary example of selflessness, the very nature of heroism; it is evident that Rudometkin was willing to sacrifice much to benefit others. Despite his death, there is much to learn from his example, so I will share three stories from my life that relate to his heroic character. When I started high school, I served meals to our community at Greenwood Christian Church. Although I started by volunteering in the kitchen, I soon began to create relationships with the impoverished in our community. As we ate together, I would hear many stories, many revealing that this meal of green beans and cornbread served as a glimpse of hope. The closest friend I made was a man named Jimmy, and his father, Arthur. Despite Jimmy’s want for relational connection, I would claim that he was more selfless than me, sacrificing his own wants and desires to celebrate others, in addition to taking care of his diabetic father, who had both of his legs amputated. Through Jimmy, I learned that, while many could volunteer their time and resources, it was a greater act of selflessness to provide genuine connection. When I started in college, I became friends with Kaeden, an elementary schooler, through Kids Hope. As a volunteer, I sacrificed my time once a week to mentor Kaeden, providing him with a place to learn and reflect outside of the classroom. Although much of my work required preparation, the greatest thing I could provide for Kaeden was listening. Many of the children in the program offered by Kids Hope do not have proper adult role models, so I would often listen to Kaeden’s complaints about his life. Over the course of two years, he and I began to see past his negative perspective and into a solution-oriented mindset. Through this experience, I continued to learn that selflessness is not about what I can give, but about being willing to give what another person truly needs. Lastly, now that I have graduated from college, I continue to practice selflessness through my work in the ministry. As a resident at Jersey Church, I have begun not only to encourage others to serve in the community but also have begun to volunteer as well with LifeWise Academy, Stowe Mission, and teach to various ages within the church. It has been both draining and rewarding, yet each time I step out in faith, I am often poured back into by the selflessness of others, many of whom are themselves in need. Through these experiences, I have continued to see the same heroic character that I saw in Rudometkin: a willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of others. In short, I am still learning how to be selfless. As I consider the life of Michael Rudometkin, I am grateful for his heroic example of selflessness; however, I am even more grateful that selflessness is more of a practice than a natural characteristic or talent. I am certain that Rudometkin was not always willing to sacrifice on behalf of others, yet by the end of his life, many attested to his greatness not because of what he had achieved but because of who he was. Let us all strive to be like his example!

When I entered my sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with depression. After the consistent fracturing of many romantic relationships, I lost sight of my value and even considered taking my life. However, despite the depth of that pain, I was able to rediscover my worth in the community, especially in the church. I believe it was by God’s grace, through the community, that I recovered from these haunting thoughts. Therefore, as a student who consistently experiences stressful conditions through detailed assignments and deadlines, I feel called to advocate for mental health in the community. The first method for this advocacy is through volunteer work. Although my involvement has waned in recent years, I have often met with people who are homeless or experiencing poverty due to mental illness. While my purpose in having conversations with these groups varies, I am happy to provide each individual with community resources, such as health clinics or therapists, to address their needs. Furthermore, often the conversation in itself is valuable for addressing mental issues, especially those that lead to isolation or self-harm. Many simply need to talk, and a place of belonging, however small, solves several problems. The second method of advocating for mental health in the community is through the church. The concept of “care ministry” has become more prevalent due to the rise of mental illness, in addition to the growing discussion of psychology. By providing a space where people can share their challenges, receive encouragement, and gain practical coping strategies, mental illness recedes. With loneliness rates rising and social activity declining, these groups provide belonging within a range of topics, from grief sharing to specific interests like board games. The third and final method of advocating for mental health in the community is through previously established friendships. Although I would like to believe that I can transform the life of a stranger, it is more likely that I can encourage and love someone I already know, especially considering that many of these friends suffer from mental illness. As we experience the stressful days of college together, we can rely on one another. Nurturing mental health evolves from an individual pursuit into a shared outcome through these meaningful connections. Overall, there are many ways that the community can participate in advocating for mental health. Although it is easier to believe that our circumstances will improve over time, it is more reasonable to establish a stronger community for days of trouble. If people discover a place to belong, their health is guaranteed. With my life and experience as a witness, I pray that many more come to advocate for mental health in this community and around the world.

I am a goal-oriented person. As I have been reading through The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player by John C. Maxwell, I have been reminded of how important it is to focus our ambitions. In an effort to be competent in biblical studies and religion, as well as in my personal life, I aim to accomplish the following three goals over the next year: to complete the first year of my Master’s of Divinity program with no debt, to increase time spent in spiritual practices, and to plan a wedding with no unnecessary expenditure. First, to complete the first year of my Master’s of Divinity program with no debt (a total cost of around $8,000), I need to maintain a high GPA. Since my work is affiliated with the church, I am receiving aid from my employers as long as I succeed in my education, in addition to the scholarship I was offered by the institution I am attending. Second, I need to apply to more scholarships. While discovering another line of work is possible, it limits my capacity as a student. Therefore, being awarded scholarships subsidizes my education most effectively. Lastly, I need to review my budget weekly and simplify my spending. Currently, I spend an average of $206 per week. If I were to limit my spending to $150 per week, I would have an increase of $952 in savings in 2026, or $2,352 after the first year of my program. To do this, I need to emphasize home-cooked meals, limit excursions, and refrain from excess purchases. To increase time spent in spiritual practices, I need to create a Personal Rule of Life that lists expectations over various frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). Once I have completed this list, I will budget for expected purchases for these disciplines. For example, while sharing the gospel itself is free, the transportation and gas necessary should be accounted for. In total, based on the nine spiritual disciplines I listed, I will need to budget an additional $670, most of which is for establishing community or personal retreats. However, I would also save money through consistent fasting and simplicity, limiting spending. Outside of the financial perspective, I need a mentor or peer who can check on my progress, ensuring accountability. In order to plan a successful wedding, there are several required steps, especially if it is cost-efficient. Within a budget of only $4,000, the first preparation I made was to create a wedding checklist not only to ensure we planned for each detail but also to record our purchases. We are saving almost 30% through strategic cost avoidance: no additional wedding planner, no alcohol, no reception music, no additional transportation, limited attendees, the wedding dress was previously purchased, hair and makeup will be discounted, and several costs are included in the rental. While many resources are still necessary, we have called upon several friends and family to complete necessary tasks at limited cost. In addition, scholarships for my education ensure that any unexpected costs can be accommodated through personal savings. In conclusion, through necessary strategic planning and consistent evaluation of all angles, my goals become reality. As I consider the path to success, I see the need for discipline, reflection, and personal accountability surface. I hope that, through this scholarship, I will be able to achieve my goals and pursue excellence for the future.

I was lost and then I was found; God has transformed my life. My relationship with Jesus has ignited my passion to serve my community and study vocational ministry to become a pastor as my full-time career. I represent this passion in several ways: music, discipleship, and volunteering. I have performed for years, both in my high school and my church; I have led my student worship team in prayer and dedicated time to teaching my LifeGroup more about the gospel; and I have volunteered for community meals and other opportunities such as in a local nursing home and non-profit medical organization. Before I found my calling, I felt useless. It was only through my church, which was part of a much larger community, that I understood my purpose. My new-founded relationship with my community brought me closer to my greatest desires: to love God and love others. I want others to experience that same belonging that I did once I found my calling, and I believe that God alone will bring them toward a calling even if it is not within the ministry. I have faced failure again and again, but I know I have what it takes to achieve my goals because of the community that supports me and the God who has granted me wisdom and strength. During my senior year, I plan to start visiting a local nursing home and begin a prayer group as well as continue my previous volunteer commitments and extracurricular activities. I have already begun to donate money to those in need both through monthly giving and direct connection. I will continue growing personally by meeting with my mentors and maintaining my faith through study and prayer. To serve those in need, I will also be focusing my future studies on leadership development, communication, and outreach. Therefore, I plan to attend a university and obtain a degree in Christian ministry. I will be able to fulfill my purpose of helping others, inspired by the Bible and those around me, by pursuing post-secondary education. As I see the needs of people in my community and around the world, my passion to aid them grows. Indeed, many who have less are more sacrificial than those who have more and I want to live that lifestyle of faith. Since I have been inspired by the poor, the ordinary, and the sacrificial lambs of the world, I must serve the lost and teach others more about Jesus who saved me. This, in total, will give back to those less fortunate than myself.

Over the past year, I have grown significantly in my relationships and my ability to love others. The pandemic had increased my skill of writing and the will to accept Zoom calls, but I felt distant from most of my classmates and peers. Sure, I interacted with others I would never have prior to 2020, but I still was focused on my own goals throughout the year of social distance. Unfortunately, my life had been exactly that: socially distanced. I had accumlated a number of reasons to distrust people, including my family and friends. My thoughts became an internal monologue of judgement and irrationality. My musing made me uncomfortable as if it were not part of my nature because I upheld myself on a temporary throne claiming I was better. Suddenly, like a wailing train horn, I heard a whisper, a voice that could only be described as supernatural. "Love God and love others," whispered the voice. When I graduate, I plan on studying ministry and biblical literature. Who knew that the Golden Rule, as it is called in the church, would be my social revival? At that moment, I realized that my goal in life is not to be above others, for I have hope for something much larger than myself. My goal is to love God and love others, not to be judgemental but instead to accept others for who they are and raise them up. I had changed from an average modern Christian to an empathetic friend to many. I became like those I sat with and learned with, investing in them with all I could. I had forgiven myself of my numerous problems and pushed forward toward my goal. I remained a follower of Christ, and I was much more interested in what God considered to be His "inheritance." Through this whisper, I was inspired to open up my heart and allow others to join me on my journey. There are several ways I have wished to improve over the past year, and I would be close to perfect if I had achieved every single one of my goals, however, the beauty of life is that we may "try and try again" to grow. I have learned many lessons; that friends are only as committed as we are to them, that self-respect is only gained through reflection, and to be content with what you have. I would be honored to be considered as a candidate for this scholarship, yet I have finally understood that God has provided me with everything I need. No matter the result, I will continue to be a testimony to the greatness of both forgiveness and encouragement: the power of building others up in love.

I struggled with depression for my first two years of high school. I was consistently tired, unmotivated, and apathetic toward others. However, it was during this season of my life that my relationship with God improved due to a friend of mine and an emphasis on kindness, positivity, and hard work was being established. On one fateful day in PE class, I met Julian. He was a year behind me but was much more athletic and passionate about basketball than I was. His charismatic insight led him to meet me, an uninterested upperclassman who just wanted to be at peace. I believe God knew I needed a wake-up call because Julian was interested in Jesus. He had a list of difficult and personal questions for me every time we walked on the track for gym class, and it forced me to open my Bible daily to research and answer his questions. Some of those questions were direct attacks on the church and my community, but because I continued to not only answer his questions but also live out the Christian lifestyle by taming my apathy, he became more and more interested due to my responses. I was still in the pit of depression. It felt like an inescapable hole of torment and anger directed at myself. My depression was bad enough that suicidal thoughts were regular. One night, I took the only gun in our house to my head and was ready to die as tears ran down my face. Do you know what made me stop? God had given me a purpose: to disciple Julian and then more after him. And so I put down the gun, and I went to school the next day filled with determination to make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Due to my discussions with Julian, he became a follower of Christ. His fateful appearance in my life brought me closer to God enough to realize my purpose and I was able to show him the truth of salvation. Today, I take Julian to church weekly and we discuss more about God together in our small group after student service. My friend in PE class allowed me the opportunity to see the problem, grab God's hand, and begin walking toward a life of vocational ministry. Thanks to Julian, I relearned how to apply my kindness, positivity, and hard work through my season of depression and come out on top filled with determination to achieve my goals in both academics and my spiritual life.

I have owned a couple dogs throughout my youth, and their impact on my mental and emotion wellbeing will never be overlooked, hence the essay for this scholarship. My first dog ever was a black Labrador mix named Paradise. She had these beautiful blue eyes that pierced the soul and a tail that swung so happily I was knocked over several times as a toddler. She was only about a month older than I was. I have several videos on my school iPad that reveal our relationship of outdoor fun and comedic sketches. Of course, Paradise had no idea what was going in my head, but these videos show how calm and caring she was. I remember several instances of resting against her chest while on the kitchen floor as we both waited for dinner to be served. Paradise never felt uncomfortable around me, and we had the best time together. She inspired me to be unconditionally loving to others as she had been to me. My second and third dogs came as a pair: Oreo and Luna. In comparison to Paradise, they were incredibly small. Oreo was the dominant, exploratory, protector dog of the household and Luna was the submissive, energetic, non-verbal therapist for the family. I was tasked with the responsibility of raising both of them in their youth, and once again, I have several videos and photos proving their life-changing personalities. They fought all of the time as puppies, but eventually they became sisters, taking care of one another and filling in their weaknesses with their strengths. For example, Oreo had a difficult time understanding the significance of a bell that signaled going to the bathroom. Luna, however, also grabbed her sister before they went out together. I learned from them how I should treat my brothers with more respect and how I can support others in a small way. Sugar is a new addition to the family, a black and white Shichon. She acts very similar to Luna, but she is much more prideful. No matter what happens though, she always seems to lighten the mood. While she understands our emotions, she does not act differently around us depending on how we feel. Her constant joy and love for our family is a lesson I am still applying to my own life. I could tell you a montage of stories about my dogs, and I am so grateful that I have gotten to learn from them not just as pets but as members of our family.

I believe my mental health is important because the mind impacts the rest of the body. If my emotional state is compromised, the chemicals produced in the brain can have negative consequences on the rest of the body including the spiritual body, which is a key part of my life. Thankfully, due to our modern culture and society, I have researched and discovered several ways to combat stress and negative emotions in order to maintain mental wellness. Like many people in school, I have struggled with maintaining mental wellness. However, I have discovered personally that prayer has been a way of processing and expressing my emotions. I have gotten to intimately know a God who hears my struggles and guides my own therapeutical practices with my given talents and skills. For example, I have been able to write out my feelings through journaling, short stories, and even songs. I have also meditated and fasted in order to establish my connection with God even further, presenting my faith in Him by not relying on my own mind or body to keep me healthy. I have also been given an emphatic community through the church. Each of my friends from church is more than capable of listening to my problems, allowing my negative emotions to be released instead of bottling them up into depression and anxiety as I have done in the past. In addition, my mentors have benefited my mental wellness by providing practical examples of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle both spiritually and mentally. I also maintain my mental wellness by keeping my body healthy physically. Exercise is claimed to be stress-relieving and a method of removing negative feelings from the mind. I try to perform simple calisthenics such as push-ups and sit-ups on a regular basis. During my marching band and indoor percussion seasons, I have several other ways of burning calories and building muscle aside from my workouts. I do not personally march on the field because I am part of the front ensemble (which is always stationary), but pushing instruments and equipment that can weigh up to 300 pounds on difficult terrain in a timely manner allows me to stay in shape. Percussion in of itself requires muscle training and stretching, both of which have progressed my physical health. My section of the front ensemble also conditions with running and timed workouts over the season. Mental wellness is incredibly important because the mind impacts the entire body. My thoughts and emotions can impact not just my mental health but also other's wellbeing. If I remain positive and rely on what God has given me, I can benefit others who struggle with mental health through solutions I have personally used in my experience.

I maintain my mental, physical, and nutritional health while being in school by expressing my feelings through writing, performing in extracurricular activities such as marching band, and by following a specific diet along with my workouts. Like many people in school, I have struggled with depression and anxiety as a student. Prayer has been a way of processing and expressing my emotions. Thankfully, I have gotten to intimately know a God who hears my struggles and guides my own therapeutical practices with my given talents and skills. For example, I have been able to write out my feelings through journaling, short stories, and even songs. I have also been given an emphatic community through the church. Each of my friends from church is more than capable of listening to my problems, allowing me the opportunity to vent my negative emotions instead of bottling them up into depression and anxiety as I have done in the past. I am thankful that my physical health has been less of a problem. However, the body requires constant exercise in order to stay healthy. I try to perform simple calisthenics such as push-ups and sit-ups on a regular basis. However, during my marching band and indoor percussion season, I have several other ways of burning calories and building muscle aside from my workouts. I do not personally march on the field because I am part of the front ensemble (which is always stationary), but pushing instruments and equipment that can weigh up to 300 pounds on difficult terrain in a timely manner allows me to stay in shape. Percussion in of itself requires muscle training and stretching, both of which have progressed my physical health. My section of the front ensemble also conditions with running and timed workouts over the season. The upkeep on my nutritional health is mostly thanks to the staff at my school and my parents at home. Our school keeps a system of requiring fruits, vegetables, and grains on a weekly basis through several different and delicious meals. At home, my entire family has a desire to stay healthy and has impacted my nutritional health through our modified meals. Healthy ingredients have become a natural substitute in many recipes. I also have occasional gone on a carb cycling diet when I am working out more consistently. This diet consists of having varied amounts of carbohydrates each day in order to cause the body to decrease in fat more efficiently. I am able to maintain a healthy lifestyle while being in school through processing my feelings by myself or with others, through performing physically-challenging tasks on a regular basis, and through managing what I eat both at home and at school.

The evening sun runs through her hair Extraordinary long, bright blonde hair braided to resemble a decorated purple royal horse's mane She attracts the city to her with those gifted flowers in her hair This city yet to be called home magically affected to aid her promoting a secret heritage His eyes now view her with ease insightful yet curious of every movement His intent watch does not distract her from her intent of basking flaunting, really, as he would jab in the golden sun enjoying the city's festival with their banners of order flying high Soon, the city gathers around her and the festival truly begins the thought of treats, games, or conversation vanishes as the fiddle plays amidst the murmurs of dance Her fear, overridden with excitement, encourages others to join her There is joy in this dance and the history of sweat, blood, and tears to build the city around them is forgotten when children laugh People no longer pass as the festival dance truly begins The dance pulses with life Their feet as one Except for one who stands on the side The city does not attract him but her glances with her green eyes, the flowers blooming in her hair, Her extraordinary long, bright blonde hair, pulls him into the festival under the evening sun

When I first played the marimba, I felt an instant connection. That was over 7 years ago, and now, I am the top of my class and co-section leader of the front ensemble at Center Grove High School. I have dedicated thousands of hours to practicing and polishing my musical skills ever since my middle school audition. It was through this dedication that I improved both my musicianship but also my development as a person. There are several moments in time that I can remember clearly as character development. When I had chosen not to perform in indoor percussion my freshman year, I was disappointed. I had shown my talent as a vibraphone player and yet I felt that I was not prepared enough. As a result, I practiced instead of performing. I remember that it was hard to go to sleep at night because I had so much left to learn. Every day I spent hours focusing on my solo music and technique. That next year, I was promoted to the marimba line. As I continued to grow in my musical skills at school, I branched out to other forms of music. I became a vocalist, an acoustic guitar player, and I can even play some piano. As my variety of skills increased, so did my opportunities. I became a leadership member for the marching band and co-section leader of the front ensemble. I also became a student leader at my church. The musical arts has pushed me to the edge at times. With all the hard work everyone puts into the activity or the ensemble, people have to learn time management quickly. I can say that my grades have never be hindered by my musical activities, and that I managed to keep straight A's for almost 5 years. It has helped me with prioritizing my tasks, including writing this essay. The band program has allowed me to meet hundreds of high schoolers with similar interests. I can say that I used to be a selfish person, but after my involvement in activities like marching band, my focus has shifted to the collective. I have gotten the opportunity to learn from several people who have developed my perspectives about teamwork and how important it is for music. Music, however, did not stop affecting my life there. It has also developed my character. My dedication and determination was caused by the hard work ethic instilled in me by my directors and peers. My opportunities in leadership allowed me to pursue an internship at Emmanuel Church as well as lead others in my small group. Even my willingness to do physical labor has a connection to music. I have grown more friendly, more insightful, and more excited about my life all thanks to the band program and the people I have met through it. My life would never be the same without performing with my friends, some I would consider to be family, in legendary locations such as Lucas Oil Stadium and Dayton Arena. I hope that music will continue to shape parts of my life, and I hope I ca continue welcoming others to do the same before I graduate.

Baymax from Big Hero 6 has to be my favorite Disney character. This healthcare companion robot is so adorable throughout the movie and in the new Disney+ series Baymax! Baymax showed everyone that robots did not have to be angular and metallic in nature. And while he may have also packed quite a punch after his fighting upgrades, his moments of cuteness overwhelm the audience. Baymax is my favorite Disney character because of his origins, his caring personality, and his ability to learn from his experiences. Baymax's origins are perhaps one of my favorite parts about him. Built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax was meant to help people from the beginning. His first interaction with Hiro is both of moment of testing and a blossoming friendship. Once Hiro loses his brother to a fire, Baymax slowly loses his purpose. However, on one fateful morning, Hiro stubs his toe and activates Baymax by sending a "signal of distress." Baymax is my favorite Disney character because his programming causes him to care for others no matter the cost. Baymax constantly puts himself in harm's way to protect Hiro. Baymax fights and learns to fly for Hiro to benefit his mental health. Baymax contacts all of Hiro's friends to help stabilize his mood swings and help seek justice against Professor Callaghan. This type of sacrifice is uncommon. Finally, Baymax is my favorite Disney character because he learns from his experiences with others. At first, Baymax is a healthcare robot with no information about who humans were. Through several interactions, however, Baymax learns the team's different individual personalities and adjusts to them. In a way, he becomes the new Tadashi, becoming a friend to all of Big Hero 6. Baymax from Big Hero 6 is my favorite Disney character. Baymax has amazing moments in combat, but his role as the team's healthcare companion is much more important. He showed everyone that being open and sacrificial was not a weakness but instead a strength that supported others. Baymax is an unspoken hero.

Let It Be Done by CCV Worship has the most important message for me: give everything to God. The song was inspired by one of the band members who recently had a close friend pass away. Of course, he did not understand why God had allowed this to happen. Suddenly, there is a shift from God has betrayed me to God has a plan for me. As stated in Jeremiah 29:11, "' For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" God has a plan for all of us. The songwriter sees the beauty in God's plan, but still feels hurt. However, even though his heart is in pain from the loss of his friend, he trusts in God to be a guiding light in a valley of darkness. I have been in my own valleys of darkness where I have felt trapped. In the same way, God has become my guiding light out of darkness. The world is cruel and life was never meant to be easy, yet with Jesus by my side, He holds my burdens and gives me overwhelming peace. God's grace and love for people that have wronged Him for millennia still does not make sense to me, but even when darkness fills the valley, I can trust in Him to provide.

I was introduced to pain at an early age. After my Grandma Patterson had passed, my mom came into my room one night to see me throwing my pillow against the wall, screaming and wailing. She swiftly calmed me down and asked me what was wrong. “Why did grandma have to die?” was what I asked in return. As a child, I did not understand why people had to die. For this reason, I originally wanted to study medicine. It was a well-chosen career path: I was passionate, detail-oriented, and academically inclined, especially in science. It was almost intimidating how much there was to learn, yet I was not afraid. In fact, I had my whole “high school” chapter already written inside my head. At first, my motivation to serve the community was the praise I received from adults and my peers who unknowingly filled my prideful ego. I was involved with the church and participated in serving, but I honestly did not like it. I had forgotten about my grandma and the impact she had on me to help others. My volunteering became an obligation to those whom I sought to please. I wanted to quit. In the summer of 2019, my plan for studying medicine was forever changed. During a youth conference, I felt once again called to serve others. Simply put, I committed myself to vocational ministry. The one phrase that will never leave my mind from that significant summer is Build The Church. I felt like I had a new understanding of why serving the community matters so much. People have lost their homes, their jobs, and so much more because the world is cruel. Material poverty as well as spiritual poverty pollutes the earth. I have learned that by serving others with the love of Christ, I can contribute to clearing that pollution. Throughout my journey I have interacted with many people: the poor in Indianapolis, the impoverished in Appalachia, and the youth in Greenwood as well as Northern Ireland. In 2021, a mission trip to Northern Ireland was postponed, so I proposed a week of local community service to my youth pastors. Soon, we had 20 students come to volunteer at Tear Down the Walls Ministry. I have served meals and listened to individuals’ stories. I have led others in worship by singing and playing guitar. I have prayed over hundreds of students and have grown alongside them. Each experience has given me an appreciation for the diversity of people and the variety of needs in the community. Fortunately, I have realized my obligation to serve is a privilege, and the outcome I seek is for others, not me. I have learned that love is a universal language. I no longer plan to pursue the medical field; however, as a minister, I want to see people healed. I will use my talents and skills to benefit others because I know how much people matter to God. This is my heart and my pursuit.

Rosalyn. Taylor. Isabel. Kailey. The list goes on of how many girls I have been in a relationship with throughout my school years. Some lasted months, many only lasted days. It was this constant rejection and lack of compassion from my significant others that led to my depression during my freshman year. I consider myself to be sociable, but conversations started to feel uninteresting and I found myself not responding to messages on my phone. I was a hard-working kid, but after my most recent breakup that year, my grades started to drop. I thought I was a forgiving person yet the only person I could not seem to forgive was myself. Every action I considered to be wrong either because of my own morals or my religious affiliation put more weight on my shoulders. I realize in hindsight how self-righteous I thought I was. I felt like I was constantly repeating the phrase "I can do it by myself" but the reality was that I was crumbling in a state of decay. Eventually, I broke. I regret every time I recall walking silently to the garage that night, grabbing my dad's pistol, and sobbing as I wanted to kill myself. But for some reason, I did not pull the trigger. I entirely believe Jesus prevented me from death because there was a moment not of fear but of tremendous love for me that I had prevented myself from remembering. Not just from Jesus, but from representations of Him too. My family and friends (my brother who suffered from depression and my church in particular) brought me back from the edge. I never received therapy or treatment for my depression, but I am happy to say that my life looks much different now that my life is not founded on my relationship status and my past mistakes. As someone interested in going into vocational ministry, I plan to normalize mental health as well as provide for my community in any way possible through the church. Many mental illnesses are treated similar to physical health problems in the United States where there is an obvious symptom or solution. I believe that Jesus, He who saved me from death in more ways than one, can cure mental health issues through the church. I also believe that God has allowed medicine to advance in order to alleviate mental health problems. Even still, I plan to encourage and inspire church members to take action in mental health through advertising counseling and providing small groups where people can pray and provide for one another as well as participating in these groups myself. As a leader, I will have many follow Jesus' example in the way of loving others and, in a way, curing others of mental health through community.