I am passionate about horses and large animal medicine. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and my dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen, I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable that has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued him and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse, and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in the hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that will come my way because of my work ethic and stubbornness. Everyone who has ever met me knows how hard I work at my local stables and how stubborn I can be. I won't back down from hard work and don't mind getting dirty. I am willing to spend countless hours in any weather to get the job done. No matter what or where I do them, I always give my jobs my all and put in maximum effort. I am not afraid to ask for help or admit that I don’t know how to do things. I will never shy away from a challenge and will always work to better myself and others around me. I will always work as hard as I can to give these gorgeous animals the happiness, love, care, and life they deserve. My grandmother always told me that everyone was born with specific qualities that help them become the person they were meant to be. I was born with dedication and a love for animals, which is what I will do with my veterinary career. I will continue to show my love for animals by loving them forever.

I am passionate about horses and large animal medicine. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and my dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen, I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable that has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued him and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse, and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in the hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that will come my way because of my work ethic and stubbornness. Everyone who has ever met me knows how hard I work at my local stables and how stubborn I can be. I won't back down from hard work and don't mind getting dirty. I am willing to spend countless hours in any weather to get the job done. No matter what or where I do them, I always give my jobs my all and put in maximum effort. I am not afraid to ask for help or admit that I don’t know how to do things. I will never shy away from a challenge and will always work to better myself and others around me. I will always work as hard as I can to give these gorgeous animals the happiness, love, care, and life they deserve. My grandmother always told me that everyone was born with specific qualities that help them become the person they were meant to be. I was born with dedication and a love for animals, which is what I will do with my veterinary career. I will continue to show my love for animals by loving them forever.

Ever since I was little, I have been obsessed with animals. I find it incredible the type of bond a person can form with something that doesn’t speak the same language as them. When I was thirteen, I started horseback riding and working at a local barn. When I ride and jump the horses, it feels incredible that these gentle and gorgeous giants allow me onto their backs and allow us to go over two-foot jumps with ease because they have enough trust in me to keep them safe. The feeling and emotion I get from a thousand-pound animal listening to me just because my leg is in the correct position is a truly freeing feeling. Being able to feel the wind in my hair going over thirty miles an hour on a horse is amazing because we have turned these poor animals into loyal and trusting creatures. It's incredible how people and animals communicate even when no words are spoken. When I first started riding and working, I was nervous to be around horses and to work with them, but now they bring me so much joy. These horses are kind enough to teach people of all ages how to ride and to allow us to make mistakes and learn from them.I want to start my own horse rescue in order to have a positive influence on the animal community. This concept originated with a horse at the barn where I work. He is a sixteen-year-old dun pony by the name of Wesley, and Leslie, the owner of my barn, saved him. Leslie rescued Wesley from a Texas barn where he had spent seven years being mistreated by males in his confinement. Wesley was saved by Leslie and transformed from a horse that bit and kicked because he was afraid of humans into a kid-safe lesson pony that is used for beginning riders. I was genuinely motivated to start my own horse rescue and assist troubled horses by Wesley's story. My major is pre-vet with an emphasis in equine sciences. I plan to become an equine veterinarian so I can help my horses not only with behavior but also with their health. My grandma has had the most influence on my life because of the lessons she gave me both during her lifetime and after she passed away. She battled lupus for more than twenty years and never allowed her illness to get the better of her. She never let anyone or her health stand in the way of what she wanted to do. She taught me to never let someone pull me down and to constantly pursue my aspirations. When my grandmother's body failed, her soul never did. She taught me what it meant to persevere and fight until one's dying breath. I learned to concentrate on my goals and enjoy life to the fullest when she passed away. Her passing made me realize that if I never do anything, I will regret everything. She was always a strong woman who did not let others dictate her life or make decisions for her, which is why I too am an independent person. The loss of my grandmother has caused me to focus on myself. She made me realize that I need to be happy with the person I am because I am the only one who has to spend my entire life with me. I will stop at nothing to achieve my plans because my grandmother never stopped striving to achieve her goals, and I will do the same.

I have had a strong love for animals since I was little and have always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, so I have volunteered at many shelters. This work meant so much to me because I was helping animals and doing what I loved. Volunteering at shelters allowed me to help animals, even if it was just for one day. It made me feel as though I was helping make their lives better. My love for animals grew rather than diminished. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen, I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms, where I started as a working student who tacked up horses and worked my way up to becoming a counselor in summer camp and a riding instructor. What truly makes me passionate about owning a horse rescue is that some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued him and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB (off-the-track thoroughbred), and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse, and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in the hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that will come my way because of my work ethic and stubbornness. Everyone who has ever met me knows how hard I work at my local stables and how stubborn I can be. I won't back down from hard work and don't mind getting dirty. I am willing to spend countless hours in any and all weather to get the job done. No matter what or where I do them, I always give my jobs my all and put in maximum effort. I am not afraid to ask for help or admit that I don’t know how to do things. I will never shy away from a challenge and will always work to better myself and others around me.

I have had a strong love for animals since I was little and have always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Ever since I was little, I have cared about all animal life, so I have volunteered at many shelters. I volunteered at an organization called Take PAWs. I helped care for the dogs by cleaning their facility, cleaning kennels, playing with the dogs, and taking them for walks. This work meant so much to me because I was helping animals and doing what I loved. I was able to spend my days surrounded by dogs and puppy love. Volunteering at shelters allowed me to help animals, even if it was just for one day. It made me feel as though I was helping make their lives better. My love for animals never lessened, but grew. I started horseback riding in my eighth-grade year and plan to continue to ride horses for the rest of my life. Starting horseback riding made me realize my true love for horses, my appreciation for animals, and my ability to work hard. I then started working at Equest Farms in New Orleans, La. I was first a working student who helped tack up horses for lessons and helped run the barn. I then spent my summer as a junior counselor at a summer and winter camp, where I tacked up the horses for the campers. As I gained experience and knowledge, I became an instructor and a camp counselor. Being an instructor and camp counselor meant I was teaching lessons to people. The amount of time I have spent at the barn is crazy, but I love it. I do not mind getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the barn, and I do not mind working long, twelve-hour days where I am constantly on my feet. These long days I have spent in the sun and the heat has made me realize that the "horse girl phase" is never going to pass and that I will continue to be a "horse girl," which is why I am pursuing an animal science major. I was able to decide what I wanted to do with my future at the ripe old age of thirteen when I started working at Equest Farms. I knew that I wanted to become an equine veterinarian and open my horse rescue. Working in a barn is arduous, physically demanding, difficult, and filthy work. This job has taught me that I do not mind being dirty and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done promptly so that the horses have the best life possible. I have learned that I truly care about horses and their well-being. The only reason I knew I wanted to open a horse rescue was because of two of the horses at Equest Farms. The first horse is named Wesley. Wesley was a rehabilitated horse who was abused in his stall by men. The owner of my barn rescued him and rehabilitated him into a lesson horse. He is now no longer scared of men and is an amazing lesson horse. He is a great horse for the children to gain riding experience on. The realization that Wesley had overcome so much trauma and was still a great lesson horse is what made me realize how special horses truly are. The life lessons and experiences I have gained from my work at Equest Farms have made me realize that the animal phase and horse girl phase were not just a phase, but what my life would become.

An obstacle I have overcome in my life is my mental health. Ever since I was little, my father has had a drinking problem. He likes to drink heavily and gets drunk. My father is a great man when he is sober. He is funny, fun to be around, and a kind man. When my father is intoxicated, he is a liar, a hurtful man, and a scary man. It is hard to recognize and believe that he is the same man. When my father is intoxicated, he likes to bother my sister, my mother, and me until an argument starts. My father has anger issues, which manifest themselves most visibly when he gets drunk and starts an argument. A conversation can quickly escalate into an argument because of his rage and anger issues. When we were little, my sister and I used to go upstairs and sit in our room because he would punch a wall and throw things around the house. As I grew up and sitting in our room to be left alone was no longer an option, I started to fight back. I am a very strong person who can easily stand up to a man with no care for my safety, even if I cannot win the fight. When intoxicated, my father will start an argument with anyone he sees, so I make sure to intervene in an argument if my mother and sister are in one with him. Being the oldest sibling, I have the responsibility of protecting my little sister, so when my father is drunk and tries to start an argument with someone, I make sure that someone is me. I know I can handle being yelled at and that he does not scare me, but he scares my little sister and my mother. This has caused me to have mental health issues. When my father was drunk, he would say terrible things that not only caused me to have a difficult time at home but also caused me to dislike myself as a person. For a long time, I was able to conceal my mental illness and pretend that everything was fine at home and that I was a happy person, so much so that I became known as the happy and bubbly friend. I always blamed myself for my father's drinking and blamed myself for not being able to fix it. Ever since I was little, I had always wanted to be a veterinarian until my issues with my dad started, and I changed my job choice to therapist because I wanted to help people who had the same problems as me. I knew how broken someone could be and how easily they could hide it behind a mask. Until my eighth grade year, my plan was to be a family therapist—that is, until I was given horseback riding lessons for Christmas. Since then, I have continued to ride horses, gotten multiple types of jobs at the stables I ride at, and improved my mental health. Working with horses has brought me so much happiness and such an escape from my family life that I realized that being a family therapist would not make me happy. I now want to be an equine veterinarian who owns her own horse rescue. This will allow me to resume working with horses and give them the life they deserve. It also allows me to help people with their horses and find their "heart horse."

A healthy habit I will adopt to manage my mental and emotional health in school is to focus on the good and be grateful. I will do this when I feel myself spiraling. I name five good things that I have in my life or that have happened in the past, present, or future. I will be sure to list the five things to help me see that I do have good in my life, I have something to live for, and I have at least one person who cares for me or needs me in their life. I will also focus on gratitude, meaning that when I am spiraling, I will think of three things I am grateful for. I will then think about the five things that are good and the three things I am grateful for to see that I have good things in my life and that I will get better. Times may be hard, but there will always be at least one moment of goodness and one moment of happiness. This habit will allow me to take a minute and see the good I have in my life, and once I become more habitual with it, I will start to do it every morning when I wake up and see what I have to live for. This habit will make it clear that I am supposed to be here and that I have at least one thing to look forward to. I will see that I want to continue to experience these good and happy moments and continue to walk around this earth. It will show me that something may be hard at the moment, but I will get stronger from it, I will learn from it, and I will grow because of it. I will have a new experience to see how strong I truly am because no one is broken; everyone is just scuffed up a little. I will create a safe space for my friends and other students to manage their mental and emotional health by showing that it is ok to have feelings and not always be happy. I will share my own story of mental health and show that having issues does not make you weak; it makes you stronger because you are fighting a battle every day, and as long as you wake up, you will always be winning that battle. I will encourage them to seek help, whether it be from a professional, a close friend, or myself. I will make sure that they know they always have at least one person to talk to and a safe place for them to go. A place for them to relax and be able to shut all of their thoughts out and have a moment of calm and peace. I will show them that they have something to live for and that they need to live for themselves, allow themselves to have fun, and see the true beauty in life. I want them to remember that no one is broken; people are just a little scuffed up but never broken beyond repair; there is always a little hope.

What excites me the most about college is the freedom I will have from my parents' control. I will finally be able to work as hard as I want and do as many shifts at my job as I want. I will no longer worry about taking my sister to and from soccer practice or making sure that all of her homework is done. I will finally be able to focus on myself and what I want to do. In order to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul amidst the challenges I will face in school, I will take care of my mental health, I will continue to get exercise, and I will continue to practice my faith. I struggle with my mental health, so while in college I will make sure to not overwork myself and will have time for myself to relax. I will make certain that I have a job that is both enjoyable and enjoyable to work at. I will take me time and focus on the healing I must do from my childhood. To take care of my body, I will continue to be an active person. I will continue to take walks through parks and see nature. With the stress that comes from school, I will make sure I eat proper meals every day and not just skip a meal or just eat junk food. I will make sure I get a proper diet to keep my body feeling healthy. In order to take care of my soul when facing challenges in school, I will take the time to pray and think about who I am as a person. Being able to take the time to sit in silence and talk to something greater than myself will allow me to open up and face all challenges with the knowledge that everything will be OK. I will also be able to use that quiet time to evaluate how good of a person I have become and if I am acting the way I wish to act. When facing challenges during my time in school, I will face them head on and will continue to work until I have achieved my goals. I will continue to do my best in school and achieve high grades and a high grade point average. I will make sure that I take care of myself in college no matter the challenges and no matter what I am going through. I will put my health above all else and make sure that I continue to be healthy in all aspects of my mind, body, and soul.

I love math because of my grandmother and the certainty there is in the numbers. My grandmother was a number person the entire time I knew her. She loved doing small math problems and loved competing with me on small basic math problems. We used to have competitions on who could multiply, add, or subtract numbers the fastest without a calculator. My grandmother passed away when I was a child, but I continued to love numbers. Another reason I love math is certainly in numbers and problems. When doing a math problem, there is a certain specific way to do it and there is a specific answer, which is the part I love. The certainty that the answer will never change and the certainty there is in doing the problem correctly. This assurance that the answer will not change makes me feel very confident in myself. It also feels very accomplished when completing a difficult math problem incorrectly. When I complete a difficult math problem, the confidence I get in myself and my abilities is unimaginable. The joy and pride I feel when completing a problem correctly is incredible. The stability a math problem provides and the influence my grandmother had with numbers during my childhood is why I love math.

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life is "The Blind Side" because of the message and life lessons it has taught me. Ever since I was seven years old, I have watched this movie at least once a week, and it is one of the first movies I watched with my mom. I have always disliked watching movies with my mother, but this is one of the only movies I love watching with her. This movie has taught me so much, and every time I watch it, I seem to get a new perspective and lesson from it. It has taught me that kindness is important, even if no one else agrees with what you are doing. Just like when Leigh Anne Tuohy took Michael Oher in, she was kind to him even though no one approved of her decision to bring him into her home and family. Her kindness changed Michael’s life for the better and very possibly saved his life. This movie taught me that family does not have to be blood-related. Michael Oher was a member of the Tuohy family, and he was not blood-related; they even adopted him and provided him with an education. What it means to be a family is to always be there for each other and to care for them. It means supporting their decisions and allowing them to be themselves without judgment, which is exactly what Michael did for the Tuohy family and what the Tuohy family did for Michael. It always taught me to be loyal and to protect those I love and those who are around me. As famously stated in the movie, when Michael and Leigh Anne are in the Projects, Michael tells Leigh Anne, "I’ve got your back." Even though he isn’t blood-related, Michael will protect Leigh Anne and still consider her his mother, even though he did not grow up with her. Another main message from this movie is that hard work prevails. Michael worked hard in school and football to get to where he is today, and the Tuohy family worked hard to give Michael a better life by going against other people and their opinions and following their hearts. S.J. Michael’s brother worked hard at teaching him football and becoming his brother; S.J. accepted Michael right away and always made him feel included. Collins even went against the high school norm and spent time with Michael in public settings such as school and during his football games, which she cheered at. This movie has also taught me that it is okay to accept help from others. If Michael had never accepted Tuohy's help, he may never have become a football player or made it to the NFL; he may have never even made it through high school. This movie shows that accepting help from other people may be the one thing you need to turn your life around. Overall, this movie has so many messages that are obvious and hidden that every time I watch it, I learn something new that I can apply to my life. It has made me the person I am today because it has had a big influence on what my core values and beliefs are in today’s cruel world. It has made me believe that kindness is important, hard work pays off, accepting help from other people is ok, and that family does not have to be blood-related.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I would have everyone in the world read this children’s book because of the message it sends to people of all ages. When I was little, I loved the book because of how nice the tree was, but as I grew older, I realized the symbolism and irony in this book. The book shows that it is human nature to take things for granted and not be grateful until it is too late. In the book, the tree is kind enough to give herself fully to the boy, but as he grew older, he became more cunning and worried about himself. This shows that as we grow older, we become more self-concerned. Throughout his life, the boy continued to use the tree for his own benefit and never thanked the tree for everything she gave and did for him. On one of the last pages of the book, the boy comes back as an old man, and all that was left of the tree was a small stump, and even then the man used the tree for his benefit. It was then that he realized the destruction he caused and his greed, but it was too late to make up for his destruction. The man finally realized all the tree did for him and how much of his life he truly owed to the tree. This shows the relationship people in today’s world have with each other; they continue to use each other for their own benefit without thinking about the other person’s feelings. It also shows the relationship people have with the environment in today’s world. In today’s world, we use the environment in any way we can to benefit ourselves and earn money, rather than cherishing it and seeing its beauty, and we only see the opportunities and things it can give us. It also symbolizes the world when people take it for granted and treat it as something to benefit from rather than enjoy its beauty. This book can teach people of all ages to appreciate all they have and to be considerate of others, the environment, and the world. It teaches us to be grateful, responsible, and respectful of what we have, rather than just of our wealth and opportunities.

I have had a strong love for animals since I was little and have always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, so I have volunteered at many shelters. This work meant so much to me because I was helping animals and doing what I loved. Volunteering at shelters allowed me to help animals, even if it was just for one day. It made me feel as though I was helping make their lives better. My love for animals grew rather than diminished. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen, I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms, where I started as a working student who tacked up horses and worked my way up to becoming a counselor in summer camp and a riding instructor. What truly makes me passionate about owning a horse rescue is that some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued him and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB (off-the-track thoroughbred), and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse, and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in the hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that will come my way because of my work ethic and stubbornness. Everyone who has ever met me knows how hard I work at my local stables and how stubborn I can be. I won't back down from hard work and don't mind getting dirty. I am willing to spend countless hours in any and all weather to get the job done. No matter what or where I do them, I always give my jobs my all and put in maximum effort. I am not afraid to ask for help or admit that I don’t know how to do things. I will never shy away from a challenge and will always work to better myself and others around me.

Ever since I was little, I have been obsessed with animals. I used to always try to save the ants crossing the sidewalk in their little line, and if they dropped a piece of their food, I would try my best to give it back to them as gently as I could. My love for animals came from my grandmother. She has been my role model ever since I was little, and even after she died, she continued to be my role model. She always taught me that how people treat an animal is very telling about the type of person they are, which is very true. The way someone treats an animal, which cannot always defend itself, is very telling of the type of person they are. My grandmother used animals as a way to teach me life lessons, and I have always loved them. Ever since my grandmother passed away, my love for animals grew because they remind me of the lessons I have learned and how many more they will show me throughout my life. I find it incredible the type of bond a person can form with something that doesn’t speak the same language as them. When I was thirteen, I started horseback riding and working at a local barn. When I ride and jump the horses, it feels incredible that these gentle and gorgeous giants allow me onto their backs and allow us to go over two-foot jumps with ease because they have enough trust in me to keep them safe. The feeling and emotion I get from a thousand-pound animal listening to me just because my leg is in the correct position is a truly freeing feeling. Being able to feel the wind in my hair going over thirty miles an hour on a horse is amazing because we have turned these poor animals into loyal and trusting creatures. It's incredible how people and animals communicate even when no words are spoken. When I first started riding and working, I was nervous to be around horses and to work with them, but now they bring me so much joy. These horses are kind enough to teach people of all ages how to ride and to allow us to make mistakes and learn from them. I plan to make a positive impact in the animal world by creating my own horse rescue. I got this idea from a horse at the barn I work at. His name is Wesley, and he is a sixteen-year-old dun pony who was rescued by the owner of my barn, Leslie. Leslie rescued Wesley from a barn in Texas, where he was abused in his stall by men for seven years. Leslie rescued Wesley and turned him from a pony that was scared of people, which caused him to bite and kick, into a kid-safe lesson pony that is used for beginner riders. Wesley’s story is what truly inspired me to open my horse rescue and help problem horses. I want to be able to give horses a second chance at life, find their forever homes, and hopefully help people with their horses that have problems. My major is pre-vet with an emphasis on equine sciences. I plan to become an equine veterinarian so I can help my horses not only with behavior but also with their health.

An obstacle I have overcome in my life that has affected my career choices is my mental health. Ever since I was little, my father has had a drinking problem. He likes to drink heavily and gets drunk. My father is a great man when he is sober. He is funny, fun to be around, and a kind man. When my father is intoxicated, he is a liar, a hurtful man, and a scary man. It is hard to recognize and believe that he is the same man. When my father is intoxicated, he likes to bother my sister, my mother, and me until an argument starts. My father has anger issues, which manifest themselves most visibly when he gets drunk and starts an argument. A conversation can quickly escalate into an argument because of his rage and anger issues. When we were little, my sister and I used to go upstairs and sit in our room because he would punch a wall and throw things around the house. As I grew up and sitting in our room to be left alone was no longer an option, I started to fight back. I am a very strong person who can easily stand up to a man with no care for my safety, even if I cannot win the fight. When intoxicated, my father will start an argument with anyone he sees, so I make sure to intervene in an argument if my mother and sister are in one with him. Being the oldest sibling, I have the responsibility of protecting my little sister, so when my father is drunk and tries to start an argument with someone, I make sure that someone is me. I know I can handle being yelled at and that he does not scare me, but he scared my little sister and my mother. This has caused me to have mental health issues. When my father was drunk, he would say terrible things that not only caused me to have a difficult time at home but also caused me to dislike myself as a person. For a long time, I was able to conceal my mental illness and pretend that everything was fine at home and that I was a happy person, so much so that I became known as the happy and bubbly friend. I always blamed myself for my father's drinking and blamed myself for not being able to fix it. Ever since I was little, I had always wanted to be a veterinarian until my issues with my dad started, and I changed my job choice to therapist because I wanted to help people who had the same problems as me. I knew how broken someone could be and how easily they could hide it behind a mask. Until my eighth grade year, my plan was to be a family therapist—that is, until I was given horseback riding lessons for Christmas. Since then, I have continued to ride horses, gotten multiple types of jobs at the stables I ride at, and improved my mental health. Working with horses has brought me so much happiness and such an escape from my family life that I realized that being a family therapist would not make me happy. I now want to be an equine veterinarian who owns her own horse rescue. This will allow me to resume working with horses and give them the life they deserve. It also allows me to help people with their horses and find their "heart horse."

I am passionate about horses and large animal medicine. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and my dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen, I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable that has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued him and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse, and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in the hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that will come my way because of my work ethic and stubbornness. Everyone who has ever met me knows how hard I work at my local stables and how stubborn I can be. I won't back down from hard work and don't mind getting dirty. I am willing to spend countless hours in any and all weather to get the job done. No matter what or where I do them, I always give my jobs my all and put in maximum effort. I am not afraid to ask for help or admit that I don’t know how to do things. I will never shy away from a challenge and will always work to better myself and others around me.

I was not in the foster care system. I have had a strong love for animals since I was little and have always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Ever since I was little, I have cared about all animal life, so I have volunteered at many shelters. This work meant so much to me because I was helping animals and doing what I loved. Volunteering at shelters allowed me to help animals, even if it was just for one day. It made me feel as though I was helping make their lives better. My love for animals grew rather than diminished. I started horseback riding in my eighth-grade year and plan to continue to ride horses for the rest of my life. Starting horseback riding made me realize my true love for horses, my appreciation for animals, and my ability to work hard. I then started working at Equest Farms in New Orleans, La. I was first a working student who helped tack up horses for lessons and helped run the barn. I then spent my summer as a junior counselor at a summer and winter camp, where I tacked up the horses for the campers. As I gained experience and knowledge, I became an instructor and a camp counselor. As an instructor and camp counselor, I was responsible for instructing others. The amount of time I have spent at the barn is crazy, but I love it. These long days I have spent in the sun and in the heat have made me realize that the "horse girl phase" is never going to pass and that I will continue to be a "horse girl," which is why I am pursuing an animal science major. I was able to decide what I wanted to do with my future at the ripe old age of thirteen when I started working at Equest Farms. I knew that I wanted to become an equine veterinarian and open a horse rescue. Working in a barn is arduous, physically demanding, difficult, and filthy work. This job has taught me that I do not mind being dirty and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done promptly so that the horses have the best life possible. I have learned that I truly care about horses and their well-being. The only reason I knew I wanted to open a horse rescue was because of the story of one of the horses at Equest Farms. Wesley was a rehabilitated horse who was abused in his stall by men. The owner of my barn rescued him and rehabilitated him into a lesson horse. He is now no longer scared of men and is an amazing lesson horse. He is a great horse for the children to gain riding experience on. Another horse that inspired me is Grayson; he is the most special horse to me at Equest Farms because of how incredibly sweet he is. It was because of Grayson that I fell in love with horses. Knowing that I can go to the barn and see Grayson is what keeps me going and is what made me realize how much I care about horses. The life lessons and experiences I have gained from my work at Equest Farms have made me realize that the animal phase and horse girl phase were not just a phase, but what my life would become. I plan to help my community through my volunteer work and by helping the animals in my community.

I have had a strong love for animals since I was little and have always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Ever since I was little, I have cared about all animal life, so I have volunteered at many shelters. This work meant so much to me because I was helping animals and doing what I loved. Volunteering at shelters allowed me to help animals, even if it was just for one day. It made me feel as though I was helping make their lives better. My love for animals grew rather than diminished. I started horseback riding in my eighth-grade year and plan to continue to ride horses for the rest of my life. Starting horseback riding made me realize my true love for horses, my appreciation for animals, and my ability to work hard. I then started working at Equest Farms in New Orleans, La. I was first a working student who helped tack up horses for lessons and helped run the barn. I then spent my summer as a junior counselor at a summer and winter camp, where I tacked up the horses for the campers. As I gained experience and knowledge, I became an instructor and a camp counselor. As an instructor and camp counselor, I was responsible for instructing others. The amount of time I have spent at the barn is crazy, but I love it. These long days I have spent in the sun and in the heat have made me realize that the "horse girl phase" is never going to pass and that I will continue to be a "horse girl," which is why I am pursuing an animal science major. I was able to decide what I wanted to do with my future at the ripe old age of thirteen when I started working at Equest Farms. I knew that I wanted to become an equine veterinarian and open my horse rescue. Working in a barn is arduous, physically demanding, difficult, and filthy work. This job has taught me that I do not mind being dirty and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done promptly so that the horses have the best life possible. I have learned that I truly care about horses and their well-being. The only reason I knew I wanted to open a horse rescue was because of the story of one of the horses at Equest Farms. Wesley was a rehabilitated horse who was abused in his stall by men. The owner of my barn rescued him and rehabilitated him into a lesson horse. He is now no longer scared of men and is an amazing lesson horse. He is a great horse for the children to gain riding experience on. Another horse that inspired me is Grayson; he is the most special horse to me at Equest Farms because of how incredibly sweet he is. Grayson broke his leg a long time ago in a jumping accident. By some miracle, Grayson was able to survive the broken leg and was also able to become a lesson horse. It was because of Grayson that I fell in love with horses. Knowing that I can go to the barn and see Grayson is what keeps me going and is what made me realize how much I care about horses. The life lessons and experiences I have gained from my work at Equest Farms have made me realize that the animal phase and horse girl phase were not just a phase, but what my life would become.

I have struggled with my own mental health since I was seven years old, after the loss of my grandmother. I had watched her be sick, hooked up to an oxygen machine since as long as I could remember, and watched lupus take her from me slowly and painfully. The next time I truly struggled with my mental health was when I was twelve and had to move away from all of my friends. So far, the last time I have struggled with mental health has been since the start of my eighth grade year, which is the beginning of high school where I am from. I am a suffering in silence type of person who works till they drop and works to distract themselves from the reality that they are not OK. I will continue to work myself as hard as possible so I do not have to think about how broken I truly am. I suffered from mental health issues my entire time in high school, but two things made it better. The first thing that made my mental health better was my friends. With my struggles, I pushed my friends away and continued to distance myself from them, but my friends never gave up on me. They continued to be my friends and made sure I was OK. My mental health issues almost made me lose my closest friendships. The second thing that improved my mental health was finding my love for horses. I had always loved animals, but when I started riding horses I truly felt my mental health disappear. When I get on a horse, I only think about what we are doing and can hear my mind be quiet. When I get on a horse, I can pretend that I am not broken and that everything is OK, just for a moment. The joy I get from being around the horses has not ‘fixed’ me or made my mental health disappear, but it has helped me with finding who I am and has helped make my mental health just a little bit better. It is because of the change I saw in myself when around horses that I decided I wanted to be an equine veterinarian and open my own horse rescue. The horses gave me my purpose in life and are why I continue to work hard and push myself to accomplish my goals. Without the horses or my friends, I do not think I would be in this world today. My friends and the horses are why I continue to fight and continue to work on myself and better my mental health.

The career path I am interested in pursuing is a horse rescuer and equine veterinarian. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and a dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion and love for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable and has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued Wesley and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very common for people to buy a horse and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I plan to pursue a this career to help animals in need and to give them a second chance at life that is better than their first was.

I lost my grandmother when I was seven years old. She was my role model. I watched this woman fight lupus for years, and sadly, she was not able to win that fight. I remember how strong she truly was. She never let that sickness bring her down; she always did whatever she wanted, and did not let her health or anyone stop her. She taught me to always follow my dreams and never let anyone bring me down. My grandmother’s spirit never gave up, but her body did. She showed me what it meant to fight until your last breath and to never give up. Her passing is what taught me to focus on my dreams and live life to the fullest. Her passing made me realize that if I never do anything, I will regret everything. My grandmother always told me crazy stories about her in her twenties and how she never had any regrets because she did everything she wanted. When I could no longer hear her crazy stories, I realized I too wanted crazy stories, so I could show my grandmother that I listened to her every time she told me a story and that it is because of her that I have become the adventurous person I am today. My grandmother was always a strong woman who did not let others dictate her life or make decisions for her, which is why I too am an independent person. The loss of my grandmother has caused me to focus on myself. She made me realize that I need to be happy with the person I am because I am the only one who has to spend my entire life with me. I now focus on who I am as a person and make sure I am the person I want to be. I am also a strong and independent woman who has big goals and plans for her life. I will stop at nothing to achieve those plans because my grandmother never stopped striving to achieve her goals, and I will do the same.

Ever since I was born, I have had a dog. When I was seven, my grandmother passed away, so we took her dog, Dexter, with us. He had bells that he would ring to let us know he had to go to the bathroom, and he would eat all of our socks. The passing of my grandmother was extremely difficult for me because I was really close to her, but taking Dexter home with us made it feel like we still had a piece of my grandmother. Every time I looked at Dexter, I would remember my grandmother. It felt like Dexter was an extension of my grandmother and was there to make sure we were OK after her passing. Dexter was a one hundred and ten pound red golden retriever with the kindest heart and the sweetest face. Dexter was a big, cuddly dog who loved his people. When I was little, Dexter lived with my grandmother, so I only got to see him a few times a year, but he always greeted me with a dog hug and kiss. After my grandmother passed away, my family and I took Dexter, and he lived with us for the next seven years. Dexter was the biggest part of my life and my best friend for those seven years. He was always there to listen to me, he was there for me to hug when I cried, and he was there for me when my parents fought. When I was home, he would always follow me around the house and sit at my feet when I sat at the desk doing my homework; he sat at my feet when I sat on the sofa watching television; and he sat at my feet when I was at the dinner table, hoping I would slip him some food, which I always did. I loved Dexter with my heart and soul, and he loved us with his heart and soul. We would take Dexter on daily walks, and he was so well trained that he did not need a leash. He would stay by our side and would sit at every street corner and make sure it was OK to cross the street before crossing. Dexter was then diagnosed with cancer, which started with a tumor in his mouth, then spread to his lungs and stomach, which ended up killing him. Even with a tumor growing on the front of his bottom jaw, Dexter still had high energy and made sure we were OK. Even through all of his pain and suffering from cancer, Dexter cared about us until his last breath. I will never forget October 31, 2012. It was the worst Halloween of my life when my best friend died.

The STEM major I am pursuing is an animal science major. The STEM major I am pursuing is an animal science major. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and a dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion and love for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable and has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued Wesley and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very common for people to buy a horse and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what the good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I plan to pursue a STEM career to help animals in need and to give them a second chance at life that is better than their first chance at life was. I think science is important because it increases our fundamental knowledge. The greatest communal effort is science. It helps us live longer and healthier lives; keeps track of our health; provides medicine to treat diseases; eases aches and pains; aids in the provision of water for our basic needs, including our food; gives us energy; and makes life more enjoyable through sports, music, entertainment, and cutting-edge communication technology. Not to mention, it feeds our spirit. Science is also important in society because it allows people to come together and share their ideas. It allows people to work together to research and improve whatever they wish.

The STEM major I am pursuing is an animal science major. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and a dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion and love for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable and has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued Wesley and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very common for people to buy a horse and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. I plan to pursue a STEM career to help animals in need and to give them a second chance at life that is better than their first was.

The STEM major I am pursuing is an animal science major. I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and a dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion and love for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable and has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued Wesley and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very common for people to buy a horse and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what the good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like.

I want to enter large animal medicine because of my love for horses and a dream to have my own horse rescue. I have always had a passion and love for animals. I always planned on being a veterinarian, but when I was thirteen I started riding and working with horses. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and work with horses for the rest of my life. I work at a stable in New Orleans called Equest Farms. This is a riding stable and has a working student program and lesson horses. Some of the backstories of these lesson horses are awful. For example, a pony named Wesley was abused in his stall by men, and the owner of Equest Farms rescued Wesley and was able to turn him into a quiet and sound pony for children to ride. Another horse named Rocket is a rescue OTTB, and she was able to work with him and turn him into a great horse for advanced riders to jump with. Seeing and hearing the difference between these horses' past lives and the lives they have now is what made me decide I wanted to rescue horses. I plan to have my own farm where I can travel to kill pens and auctions and rescue these horses. I will then rehabilitate them and find them their forever home, whether it be with me or with another family. I also wish to help horse owners with horses they have issues with. It is very often that people buy a horse and when the horse has a problem, those people will sell the horse, so I wish to be available to help people with the problems their horses have in hopes that I can help them and the horse. I want to study large animal medicine to help horses and give them a second chance at life. A lot of horses are labeled as dangerous and unpredictable because people mishandle them and do not understand how horses react to things. I plan to give these mislabeled horses a better life and show them that not all humans are bad. I want to show them what a good life is like. I want to show these horses what freedom and happiness look and feel like. My farm plan is to have a three hundred acre farm, a stable for the rescued horses, a herd of cattle, another stable of a few horses to possibly teach horse riding lessons, I plan to have my own bee hives to produce my own honey, and I plan to have my own garden to have my own fruits and vegetables and so I can make my own jams and preservatives.

I have impacted and continue to impact the lives of myself, my mother, and my younger sister, which comes from my bravery and courage. Ever since I was little, my father has had a drinking problem. He likes to drink heavily and gets drunk. My father is a great man when he is sober. He is funny, fun to be around, and is a kind man. When my father is intoxicated, he is a liar, a hurtful man, and a scary man. It is hard to recognize and believe that he is the same man. When my father is intoxicated, he likes to bother my sister, mother, and I until an argument starts. My father has anger issues, which greatly show up when he is intoxicated and starts an argument. A conversation can quickly escalate into an argument because of his rage and anger issues. When we were little, my sister and I used to go upstairs and sit in our room because he would punch a wall and throw things around the house. When my little sister and I were younger, I was helpless in this situation, and the best thing to do was go into our room because my mother did not want us to get yelled at. As I grew up and sitting in our room to be left alone was no longer an option, I started to fight back. When we were younger, my father targeted my mother to start arguments because my sister and I were always in our room. I am now older, so I can finally give my mother a break and be the one he targets. I am a very strong person who can easily stand up to a man with no care for my safety, even if I cannot win the fight. When intoxicated, my father will start an argument with anyone he sees, so I make sure to intervene in an argument if my mother and sister are in an argument with him. I also try to make sure my father stays away from my mother and sister so he cannot start an argument with them. Being the oldest sibling, I have the responsibility of protecting my little sister, so when my father is drunk and tries to start an argument with someone, I make sure that someone is me. I know I can handle being yelled at and that he does not scare me, but he scared my little sister and my mother. My father knows that I can stand up to him and will not back down. This allows me to occupy him, so he does not bother or argue with my sister and mother. He once started an argument with my sister and threatened to choke her, so I stepped in between them and made sure my father's focus was on me, so my little sister could go upstairs to her room. There was another time when my father was arguing with my mother and had backed her into a corner, so I poked him in the shoulder with my finger, so he turned his attention towards me and started yelling at me instead. This allowed my mother to stop being yelled at and go into her room. The courage and bravery I have to stand up to my father when he is intoxicated allows me to protect my sister and mother from the terrible words he says.

My life has been full of hard work and proving everyone that they are wrong. I have worked the hardest I can at Equest Farms in New Orleans, La. I have been a working student at this barn since I was fifteen years old. I am now seventeen years old. I help run the working student program, and I am a lesson instructor. As a working student, I tack up horses, help everyone who has lessons get tacked up and on their horses in time for their lesson, and take care of anything that needs to be done around the barn. I have gone above and beyond in the work and time I have put into this barn as a working student. I have spent countless hours grooming and tacking horses for lessons. I have spent countless hours showing children how to tack and properly take care of horses. I have spent countless hours cleaning the cuts and fungus on the horses. I have also spent countless twelve-hour days at the barn, from being a camp counselor from seven a.m. to three p.m. to teaching lessons starting at three-thirty p.m. to seven-thirty p.m. As a camp counselor, I have a one-hour lesson with all of my children, then we take care of our horses, and then we do the activity for the day. As an instructor, I run lessons and teach people while on horseback. I have spent considerable time and have worked hard to the best of my ability to become the best horsewoman I can be. All of this hard work has made me realize what I want to do with my life and has made me have a vision for myself as a person and for my future. The vision I have for my future is to have my own horse rescue farm, where I will have a lesson program for people wanting to learn to ride. I will rescue horses from kill pens, rehabilitate them, and find them their forever home. I will also have my own cows, garden, and bees. The vision I have is that I will be a successful business woman that runs a successful barn where I help not only animals but also people. The vision I have for myself as a person is to be a kind, smart, strong, and independent woman. I hope to have a loving family to go home to every day and one that supports me in my farm endeavors. I would love to be a person who is kind to animals, other people, and myself. In the future, I would like to achieve all of my goals and dreams and have no regrets in my life.

I plan on pursuing a college degree to accomplish all of my goals in life and to prove to everyone that they were wrong about me and that I will make it. I plan to graduate from college with animal science and business degrees and move on to veterinary school. I will open my own horse rescue and will rehabilitate as many horses as I can. I will prove to people that just because I am a woman does not mean I cannot handle a twelve hundred pound animal. I will show people that my determination and hard work will pay off and I will accomplish everything I set my mind to. Many people have told me throughout my life that my love for animals is just a phase, but pursuing a college degree will show them that my love for animals is my life, not just a phase in my life. I have also been told that my love for horses is normal: "All girls have their ‘horse girl’ phase, but eventually grow out of it." I am pursuing a college degree to prove to everyone that the ‘horse girl phase’ never ends and I will continue to pursue my dreams no matter what other people say about me. People have told me that rescuing horses is weird and that being a "horse girl" will lead to a terrible life. I am pursuing a college degree to show people that my dreams are my own and not for them to judge. I have been told countless times that my dreams are unrealistic because veterinarians are poor and opening my own farm is impossible. Everyone has doubts that I will not be willing to put in the work and will not be able to handle running my own business. Their doubt in my abilities and criticism of my determination have pushed me to want to get a college degree. I wish to prove to everyone that a woman can have her own business, have a happy life, can accomplish all of her dreams, and can handle a twelve hundred pound animal without the help of a man. I have been told that because I am a woman and shorter, I am not tough enough or scary enough to run a business or control horses. I am pursuing my planned college degrees to show people that if a thirteen-year old could control a twelve-hundred-pound animal, so can an adult woman while also running her own business.

Higher education is important to me because of the goals I want to achieve in my life, because of the professors I've known, and because education is important to me. Higher education is critical to my life goals because I would never be able to achieve them without it. I need a higher education to be able to open my own business and to become an equine veterinarian. I have known many professors in my life, all of which have affected my idea of higher education. It has made me appreciate all of the things professors and teachers do. The importance education has to me comes from my childhood and grandmother's. When I was a child, I used to hate school up until the sixth grade. Once sixth grade hit, I fell in love with the idea of homework, school, and learning. I love the mental stimulation school gives me, which is why it is important for me to complete my higher education. Two of my grandmothers were college professors, so growing up with them as my role models made my love for higher education grow. One of my grandmothers was an English professor in college, so she has helped me through my English education. My other grandmother has passed on, but she was a math professor, who challenged me to math competitions every time I saw her. The role professors played in my childhood is what nurtured my love for education and desire to attend college. Higher education will also expand my career opportunities and will teach me new and important things. This will provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge about the world and how to live in it successfully. Many people do not realize the importance of education in their everyday lives. Some skills can only be taught in a classroom and can only be learned in a classroom setting. It is important to understand the importance of education and realize that it is there to help you. Higher education will brighten the future you will have and allow you to build friendships. The friendships you gain when in higher education are like no other. The bond two young adults form when going through the same situations and suffering in the same higher education classes is unsurpassed by any other bond. The life-long friendships, the goal I wish to achieve, the influence of my grandmother, and the opportunities higher education will provide all contribute to the importance higher education has to me.

I love math because of my grandmother and the certainty there is in the numbers. My grandmother was a number person the entire time I knew her. She loved doing small math problems and loved competing with me on small basic math problems. We used to have competitions on who could multiply, add, or subtract numbers the fastest without a calculator. My grandmother passed away when I was a child, but I continued to love numbers. Another reason I love math is the certainty in numbers and problems. When doing a math problem, there is a certain specific way to do it and there is a specific answer, which is the part I love. The certainty that the answer will never change and the certainty there is in doing the problem correctly. This assurance that the answer will not change makes me feel very confident in myself. It also feels very accomplished when completing a difficult math problem incorrectly. When I complete a difficult math problem, the confidence I get in myself and my abilities is unimaginable. The joy and pride I feel when completing a problem correctly is incredible. The stability a math problem provides and the influence my grandmother had with numbers during my childhood is why I love math.

What excites me the most about college is the freedom I will have from my parents' control. I will finally be able to work as hard as I want and do as many shifts at my job as I want. I will no longer worry about taking my sister to and from soccer practice or making sure that all of her homework is done. I will finally be able to focus on myself and what I want to do. In order to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul amidst the challenges I will face in school, I will take care of my mental health, I will continue to get exercise, and I will continue to practice my faith. I struggle with my mental health, so while in college I will make sure to not overwork myself and will have time for myself to relax. I will make certain that I have a job that is both enjoyable and enjoyable to work at. I will take me time and focus on the healing I must do from my childhood. To take care of my body, I will continue to be an active person. I will continue to take walks through parks and see nature. With the stress that comes from school, I will make sure I eat proper meals every day and not just skip a meal or just eat junk food. I will make sure I get a proper diet to keep my body feeling healthy. In order to take care of my soul when facing challenges in school, I will take the time to pray and think about who I am as a person. Being able to take the time to sit in silence and talk to something greater than myself will allow me to open up and face all challenges with the knowledge that everything will be OK. I will also be able to use that quiet time to evaluate how good of a person I have become and if I am acting the way I wish to act. When facing challenges during my time in school, I will face them head on and will continue to work until I have achieved my goals. I will continue to do my best in school and achieve high grades and a high grade point average. I will make sure that I take care of myself in college no matter the challenges and no matter what I am going through. I will put my health above all else and make sure that I continue to be healthy in all aspects of my mind, body, and soul.

Learning is important to me because it allows me to broaden my knowledge of specific topics and improve my abilities in specific areas. The ability to learn comes from the ability to understand new information and be able to apply it to things throughout your life. As a student, I learn new things in school every day. Learning a new topic in science is important to me because I am learning about life and about the world around me. When learning a new topic in math that challenges me, I can have a mental stimulus that pushes me to work harder so I can easily do the math. Learning is important to me in a school setting because it teaches me how to overcome stressful situations, how to use my resources to understand information, and it teaches me that there is always room for improvement. As a person, I continue to learn life lessons every day. Life lessons appear in every form and are teaching moments for someone. This allows you to grow as a person and understand how to be successful in the world. I plan to continue to be a student for many more years with my desire to become a veterinarian. When I achieve this goal, I will continue to learn new things while on the job and will learn things that cannot be taught from a textbook. I also plan on having my own horse rescue, which will teach me new things every day. I will learn how to deal with horses that have traumatic pasts and how to break through the trauma so they can live happy lives. I plan to continue to learn until the day I have learned everything, which I hope will never come. Learning new things keeps my brain working and allows me to mentally stimulate myself. Learning is important to me because it teaches me that just because I know something does not mean I know everything. It has also taught me that a student is also a teacher. A student can show a teacher new things while the teacher shows a student new things. This teacher can be an actual school teacher, a manager, a parent, or a friend. Learning is important because it never stops. There is never a point in someone's life where they know everything and cannot learn anymore. I plan to continue to learn until the end of my time because of the importance of learning in my life.

I have struggled with my own mental health since I was seven years old, after the loss of my grandmother. I had watched her be sick, hooked up to an oxygen machine since as long as I could remember, and watched lupus take her from me slowly and painfully. The next time I truly struggled with my mental health was when I was twelve and had to move away from all of my friends. So far, the last time I have struggled with mental health has been since the start of my eighth grade year, which is the beginning of high school where I am from. I am a suffering in silence type of person who works till they drop and works to distract themselves from the reality that they are not OK. I will continue to work myself as hard as possible so I do not have to think about how broken I truly am. I suffered from mental health issues my entire time in high school, but two things made it better. The first thing that made my mental health better was my friends. With my struggles, I pushed my friends away and continued to distance myself from them, but my friends never gave up on me. They continued to be my friends and made sure I was OK. My mental health issues almost made me lose my closest friendships. The second thing that improved my mental health was finding my love for horses. I had always loved animals, but when I started riding horses I truly felt my mental health disappear. When I get on a horse, I only think about what we are doing and can hear my mind be quiet. When I get on a horse, I can pretend that I am not broken and that everything is OK, just for a moment. The joy I get from being around the horses has not ‘fixed’ me or made my mental health disappear, but it has helped me with finding who I am and has helped make my mental health just a little bit better. It is because of the change I saw in myself when around horses that I decided I wanted to be an equine veterinarian and open my own horse rescue. The horses gave me my purpose in life and are why I continue to work hard and push myself to accomplish my goals. Without the horses or my friends, I do not think I would be in this world today. My friends and the horses are why I continue to fight and continue to work on myself and better my mental health.