I am going to be the U.S. Secretary of State. It's a big dream, but it will happen. As a child, I always knew I wanted to make a difference in the world, and it wasn't until my freshmen year of high school that I realized how. My Global Studies class awakened me to the idea of working in foreign policy and discovering new cultures all while relating them to our Nation and protecting them. As I began to research this idea, I learned of the difficulties I will entail on this path, but the dream was far bigger than any of the deterrents could ever be. Throughout high school, I have continued to research for and develop this dream by taking as many history courses as I could, by applying to as many government internship programs there were available and truly discovering all the possibilities that lie within the sphere of global politics. But, it all came back to being the Secretary of State. Now, I sit here as a Senior in high school, at the edge of my future still holding tight to my dream. I plan to attend a University with a major in International Affairs and a Minor in Communications, which will allow me to discover my path more deeply. I plan to then further my education into a Master's and even a Doctorate degree. This idea has become nearly all-consuming. I spend my free time learning about politics, discovering new Spanish Reality Shows to better my language skills, and dreaming of traveling abroad where I can truly discover firsthand what lies beyond America, and how I can aid in making a more peaceful community.

For My Brother: "Make me food. Abby, please make me food. Abby, I'll pay you two dollars." Two dollars. I burst out a laugh at your dilemma. One a nineteen year old boy would surely, No. No. Should surely, know how to fix himself. But you come back, and rely, on me. You always bug me, or annoy me. And yet you're always there. If I cry, you tell me "I'm over reacting" yet somehow it's reassuring. Only a brother, like you, could be so seemingly horrible, yet the best thing to happen to me. If it took you leaving home, and making me an only child to find out how much I missed your nagging and your bragging and your harrsament. Then I'm glad your gone. Truley I am. I mean that in the nicest way possible. "Make me food." You say as you walk back through the door With a pleading look and laundry bag in hand. While I pretend I'm annoyed, and I roll my eyes. I smile on the inside. Glad to finally have someone to pick on me. So, I'll make you food. As lame as it will be. No fancy sauces or pastas or flambés, But quesadillas and mac and cheese will always be waiting. For when you walk back through the door, it feels like life is more normal. A hole in the house, an empty room. No drums to fill the silence. No music late into the night. No one on the other side of my wall, just me in the corner of the house. None of your friends around to crack a joke about how our faces match, or call me a stupid nickname. Just Mom, Dad, and Me. And the empty room. I drive the truck to school on my own, I'm old enough now. But the music feels quieter, than the concerts you held, every morning on the way to school. So I turn up the dial, all the way. I boost the bass and turn on some rap. Scavenging to find music, that I know you would listen to. You may not feel the same, I know you're off having fun. But, I never realized how much I'd miss that simply four word statement. Until you were gone. Now, I make myself food. A serving for one. Still quesadillas and mac and cheese. But there's something different when there's one bowl instead of two. So make fun of me. I beg you. And thank you somehow. For I know I wouldn't go where I'm going, or be who I am, as strong as I am, without you to show me how. From the smothering you gave me when I was born, to the ignoring in high school, you are forever the one to change my life. Maybe one day I'll ask "Tyler, make me food." and you'll probably say "No." But I'll smirk, and roll my eyes. Knowing how much that silly question truly means to me.

Meet my best buds! My lazy and fiesty kitten Penny won't show it, but she loves food-oriented and very barky pup Murphy! #blacklab #calico @abbylsmart