Dear For the Love of Pinot Memorial Scholarship Review Committee, I have always had a deep passion for all animals and knew I wanted to help them at a very early age, though I was unsure of what I wanted to be when I grew older. My name is Alana J. Clack, and I am currently a dual-enrolled Junior at East Village Middle College High School. As I have the opportunity to be a high school student and college student simultaneously, attending this school has further encouraged my dreams of earning a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine. Attributing to this, I strongly believe that this scholarship can greatly contribute to my overall academic and professional success in becoming a strong, influential Veterinarian when I’m older. I lost my best friend in April of 2022. I adopted a beautiful baby cockatiel who I named Earl Gray in November of 2021. Earl Gray was loved by many as he made everyone's day, especially mine. He was the something special I looked forward to seeing everyday after school, as he was a great listener and always knew how to make me laugh. Though his life was cut way too short, he taught me so many valuable life lessons during that short period, especially as a first time pet owner. With the task of taking care of someone other than myself, he made me want to be a mature and responsible teenager as he taught me patience, priorities, and time management. He taught me more things than I could’ve ever taught him, a significant one being who I wanted to be. Earl Gray’s passing was very sudden, as he passed away from an unknown illness. As a first time pet owner, I was unaware of the significance small changes can have when our animal friends get sick and this unfortunately was the case with Earl Gray. The guilt of losing him is something that I have had to work through and I’m so glad that I have overcome. The life experience of losing my best friend opened my eyes to learning about many other animals out there and he is the reason why I chose to learn and grow from being a first-time pet parent. This has further encouraged me to want to dedicate my life and make a huge difference by continuing to learn how to help save and take care of various different animals, especially our exotic animal friends. His death helped me come to the realization that I wanted to be a veterinarian and continue to celebrate and honor his life through giving back to all animals. With this I can say, though losing him was sad for me, it has been positively turned around into helping save so many other animals. Having the ability to form bonds with animals, advocate for their needs, and help them live healthier, happier lives is what drives my ambition to keep thriving in my education and as a person in general. Though I often create ‘what-ifs,’ I believe that everything happens for a reason and I know I wouldn’t have grown as a pet owner or human-being in general if it wasn’t for my first pet and best friend, Earl Gray and his life. He is the reason why I am the person I am today and the reason why I want to be a veterinarian and advocate for animals. Thank you for your consideration, Alana J. Clack