From a young age, I developed a strong will and a desire to do things on my own, especially when it came to sewing. I would spend hours at my mother’s side, determined to create projects my way without her help. As I grew older, my mother enrolled me in a kids' sewing camp at a fabric store, where I learned to operate my very own sewing machine. That experience sparked my love for quilting, and each year, until I turned 16, I returned to the Panguitch Quilt Walk Retreat for new classes. These classes, taught by talented instructors from Dave’s Bernina, allowed me to expand my skills and creativity as I made quilts, bags, pillows, and even bean bag chairs. After that I enrolled in adult classes. As I continued to grow in my quilting journey, I was fortunate to receive guidance from my mom’s friends who were seasoned quilters themselves. One taught me how to quilt with a long arm machine, while another introduced me to the art of machine embroidery. With each new lesson, my skills deepened, and my passion for quilting flourished. At one point, I decided to enter the Garfield County, Utah Fair’s talent contest. I did a trunk show featuring the quilts, pillows, and bags I had made, and even showcased my hand-pieced English Paper Piecing work. To my delight, I won in my age category. Over the years, I continued to enter my quilts in the fair, and I even organized a trunk show to display my work at my school’s Homecoming Pageant. The culmination of these experiences led me to enter the Miss Garfield County competition, where I was honored to be crowned Miss Garfield, a moment that further fueled my desire to use my quilting talent to connect with others. Recently, I completed a quilt called Farm Fresh, which is entirely machine embroidered. I’m currently preparing to take it to a friend’s house to quilt it. Along with that, I am making a quilted jacket for the Miss Utah competition and preparing quilted shoes for a decorated shoe contest. Each of these projects reflects my dedication to perfecting my craft and my excitement to showcase the endless possibilities within quilting. My mom also plays an integral role in our local quilting community. She volunteers at the Quilt Walk, an annual retreat held every June. The people I’ve met there have been a tremendous source of support and inspiration, generously sharing their tips, knowledge, and fabrics. The quilting community is one of kindness, encouragement, and deep camaraderie. I have been fortunate to learn from quilters much older than me, and they have not only helped me grow as an artist but have also become lifelong friends. Quilting has brought me peace, joy, and an opportunity to connect with others who share my passion. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and encouragement I’ve received along the way. Without their help, I know I would not be where I am today. I am committed to continuing my quilting journey, stitching both beautiful quilts and meaningful friendships, as I continue to learn and grow in this incredible craft. I look forward to exploring new techniques, learning from experienced instructors, and discovering how my passion for quilting can evolve and grow. College will offer me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the art while also challenging me to push the boundaries of my creativity. I am excited to continue learning and to bring new skills into my quilting practice, as I weave together the lessons of the past with the opportunities of the future.