When I was five, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, second-grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. This was the beginning of my journey. However, nothing can be as linear as that. My mind wasn’t made up for a while, and I became confused about my future. I was clueless until I met Dr. Farrar. Everyone has a teacher they remember as someone extraordinary, but Dr. Farrar isn’t just that. She fueled my desire for chemistry and became the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She has shown me what I have known since I was eight and sparked my passion for science again. She helped me realize that my creativity, which I’ve also had from a young age, can be applied to science and can help advance it. My love for creation, inventing, and building are all aided by my passion for science. You can't have a scientific mind without thinking outside the box. Creativity and science go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the beautiful world of science, you have to be able to think outside of what is already known. My pursuit of a scientific degree is aided by my drive to help people like my grandpa, the influence of my teacher, and my creative mind. Science is the future and, consequently, a part of mine. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave and to know that I did something and helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. My ability to work with others will help me in the lab. My drive and passion for a brighter future will keep me going when the work gets difficult. Pharmaceutical science is what I plan to go into. There, I will learn how to create new medication and apply it to real-world problems. Then, I will find ways to make them more inexpensive. And finally, a way to use ample materials instead of costly, scarce resources. I intend to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create medication that is affordable and contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medicine. They should know it works and can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. I recognize that this is a difficult goal to achieve. But, I hope through my dedication to learning and scholarships I will be able to achieve my dreams, graduate with a chemical engineering degree, and help our world become a cleaner place with easy

Being a student is hard enough. There are essays to write, deadlines to meet, and homework to finish. Add a sport to that. Oh boy. I have been balancing school and sports since I was five, and it was always a difficult task. Yet, though the challenge, I learned how to balance my time, build a community, grow as a person, and learn from my mistakes. Soccer has been my sport. Through every year of my life since I can remember, I have been playing soccer. It has been the aspect of my life outside of school that I have learned the most. I used to struggle with mistakes. Not in the perfectionist kind of way, but in a "I don't want to disappoint anyone," kind of way. And that made soccer difficult for me, especially in high school. I was no longer the best player on the team when I joined in seventh grade, I was barely good enough for junior varsity. All of the sudden, I felt like I was letting everyone down. I couldn't juggle the soccer ball for more than a few seconds. I couldn't score a goal on our keeper or pass like the high school players could. I was no longer this unbeatable player I was on my rec teams. I was just a seventh grade girl who couldn't measure up to any of the players. But, that wasn't the reality. I was in a place to grow and learn. I was starting from rock bottom again. High school sports call for new tricks and abilities that I hadn't learned yet. This truth did not become evident overnight. It took time and practice. Every year, I grew as a player, I grew as a person. It became clear to me that I am not letting people down, I am growing. And that is what mattered. I want to continue to be challenged exactly how I was challenged in soccer. My chemistry classes did just that. It was difficult, but so incredibly fun. I was able to grow and learn. Mistakes were welcomed and expanded upon. Soccer taught me that it was okay to mess up as long as I kept pushing. Chemical Engineering is my future. Learning more about our world is my dedication. Helping people through the use of chemicals is my passion. Somehow, someway, I was brought to this point because of soccer. Without participating in the sport, I never would have learned how important making mistakes is. In addition to soccer, I participate in track and field, choir, and my school's drama productions. I volunteer locally through both my school and on my own. In my free time, I like reading, writing, or re-watching "The Hunger Games." My life expands past soccer, and the lessons I have learned from the sport do too.

"Music is a moral law. Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." -Plato. My earliest memory begins in the kitchen of my childhood home, mid-fall, with the sun setting. I'm wearing a pink princess dress from my Halloween costume, dancing with my father as we sing "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty. My mother stands near the stove, chuckling as my dad swings me around. I'm off key and squealing with laughter more than singing, but the music playing in the air brought me so much joy. Throughout my life, music has followed me. From singing "Moody Blue" with my grandpa in his garage to my first musical, "The Velventine Rabbit," music has always been part of my life. I come from a somewhat musical family. My mom couldn't hold a note to save her life, but my grandpa is a musician, and my dad has always had the voice of a practiced singer. Music came easy to me, like it did for them. I never passed up the opportunity to sing. From school shows and performances to car rides and concerts, even skiing down the slopes with headphones blasting a song I know every word to, I am singing. It's so freeing to be able to sing, to have music right at your fingertips. High school is a stressful time. There are tests, essays, teachers to obey, people to please, games to get to, sports to be a part of, activities to do, and so much more. Music has been my outlet. A beautiful melody can provide so much comfort. Hearing a song that explains my feelings or is upbeat helps me get through the day. Singing my heart out to a love song after a rough test helps me relax. Listening to a catchy song on my way to school motivates me to strive for a good day. My high school years would have been so different without music or my ukulele. I find so much comfort in music. Being able to create music was my escape from the crazy reality my life was. When school got to be too much, my schedule became too busy, and everything was piled on top of each other, I was able to put my headphones in, play a song, and breathe. I also found so much community in music. In choir class, I meet some of my closest friends who have seen me through all four years of high school. So many laughs and talks happened within those four walls. Those memories are the ones I'd never give away for anything. High school would not have been the same without music. Without the soft hum of blending music, the community of amazing friends, or simple joy music brings me, I don't know if I would have been able to keep my grades up and a smile on my face. Everything is better with music playing in your ear, with a song blasting in the car, or a soft melody rocking you to sleep.

I plan to make medicine. Ever since I was a little girl, my calling has been medicine. When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade "me" didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go—research, learning: it is science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave, and to know that I did something and helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. My ability to work with others will help me in the lab. My drive and passion for a brighter future will keep me going when the work gets difficult. I plan to study pharmaceutical science. I will learn how to create new medications and apply them to real-world problems. Then, I will find ways to make them more inexpensive. Finally, I will find ways to use ample materials instead of costly, scarce resources. I intend to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, and trial and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create affordable medication that contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medicine. They should know it works and be able to afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. This is my dream; to create a better future for everyone through the works of medicine. No matter what, people should be able to have the medication they need when they need it and the world shouldn't have to suffer because of it. Make things cheap. Make things right. Do a little good for our world. That's all I really want.

Medicine should be available to everyone. Yet, it isn't. How is it fair for people to be denied treatment because it costs an arm? I plan to make medicine. Ever since I was a little girl, my calling has been medicine. When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade "me" didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go—research, learning: it is science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave and to know that I did something and helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. My ability to work with others will help me in the lab. My drive and passion for a brighter future will keep me going when the work gets difficult. I plan to study pharmaceutical science. I will learn how to create new medications and apply them to real-world problems. Then, I will find ways to make them more inexpensive. Finally, I will find ways to use ample materials instead of costly, scarce resources. I intend to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create affordable medication containing abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medicine. They should know it works and can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. This is my dream: to create a better future for everyone through the works of medicine. No matter what, people should be able to have the medication they need when they need it, and the world shouldn't have to suffer because of it. Make things cheap. Make things right. Do a little good for our world. That's all I really want.

I was not in the foster care system. Medicine should be available to everyone. Yet, it isn't. How it is fair for people to be denied treatment because it costs an arm? I plan to make medicine. Ever since I was a little girl, my calling has been medicine. When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade "me" didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go—research, learning: it is science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave and to know that I did something and helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. My ability to work with others will help me in the lab. My drive and passion for a brighter future will keep me going when the work gets difficult. Pharmaceutical science is what I plan to go into. There, I will learn how to create new medication and apply it to real-world problems. Then, I will find ways to make them more inexpensive. And finally, a way to use ample materials instead of costly, scarce resources. I intend to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create medication that is affordable and contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medicine. They should know it works and can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. This is my dream; to create a better future for everyone through the works of medicine. No matter what, people should be able to have the medication they need when they need it and the world shouldn't have to suffer because of it. Make things cheap. Make things right. Do a little good for our world. That's all I really want.

When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. In the summer of 2024, I was able to participate in an internship at the South Dakota School of Mines. There, I conducted research, worked with a team of other students, and experienced performing in a lab. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go. I yearn for education. I constantly want to learn new things. One thing that will constantly grow and change is science. One thing that will always offer new knowledge and truths is science. Why would I miss the opportunity to learn every day? Albert Einstein once said, “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Research, learning: its science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that's what makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave, and to know that I did something, that I helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns, and think creatively. I plan to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create medicine that is affordable and contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medication. They should know it works and that they can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. I wish to bring hope to the world. I desire to give people hope, hope in the future of the world, medicine, and life.

My mom is the most powerful woman I know. She has been through so much, yet she keeps on pushing. When I was eight, my parents got a divorce. Just like that, my mom was now a single mother, feeding two children, making twenty dollars an hour, living with her parents, and at the age of thirty-eight. Her world was flipped in the blink of an eye. Yet, nothing came in her way. She worked towards a better life. Not just for herself but her children. We moved into a townhouse with this horrible pink carpet, but my sister and I called it cotton candy carpet and said it was perfect for our candyland-themed room. Then she remarried, and her life was suddenly back on track. I don't do her justice. Summarizing the years of my mom's life, during which she went through so much, in a simple paragraph doesn't feel right. It's simplified, but it's the quick version. It's a little story I look back on when I feel weak. I come from a bloodline of strong women who empower each other and find ways to empower themselves. When I doubt myself or need someone to lift me, I know there is another I can reach out to, no matter what time of day it may be. Empowerment is such a beautiful thing. It's not through self alone, but others. I feel most powerful when someone else tells me I can be powerful. Empowerment is the process of gaining confidence and helping others do the same. But what does it mean to me? To be empowered is to be told what you need to hear. I feel empowered when others believe in me and trust my abilities. Knowing I am enough and can do whatever I put my mind to is empowering. Every day, I am shown what empowerment can do for someone. People become confident, passionate, assertive, and proud of themselves. My life has been filled with days of empowerment and days without it. I feel best when I am empowered. I feel so feminine and beautiful when I am empowered. Nothing can stop me and my goals when I am empowered. Being a female who plans to go into a male-dominated workforce, I need to know how to empower myself and other women I may encounter. I can't go about my life shy and insecure if I plan to fulfill my dreams. I need to be confident. I need to be empowered. This is empowerment- knowing you are good enough to do what you dream to do. I wouldn't have known this without my mom. Thank you, mom, for being the powerful woman I needed. Thank you for showing me that what I want to do is possible.

Medicine should be available to everyone. Yet, it isn't. How it is fair for people to be denied treatment because it costs an arm? I plan to make medicine. Ever since I was a little girl, my calling has been medicine. When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade "me" didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go—research, learning: it is science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave and to know that I did something and helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that studying chemical engineering will teach me the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. My ability to work with others will help me in the lab. My drive and passion for a brighter future will keep me going when the work gets difficult. Pharmaceutical science is what I plan to go into. There, I will learn how to create new medication and apply it to real-world problems. Then, I will find ways to make them more inexpensive. And finally, a way to use ample materials instead of costly, scarce resources. I intend to use science to improve our world. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine—ways to create medication that is affordable and contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medicine. They should know it works and can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. This is my dream; to create a better future for everyone through the works of medicine. No matter what, people should be able to have the medication they need when they need it and the world shouldn't have to suffer because of it. Make things cheap. Make things right. Do a little good for our world. That's all I really want.

I plan to make medicine. Ever since I was a little girl, my calling has been medicine. When I was eight, I told my mom I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. It was a hard death to deal with. No one understands ALS. Even now, I barely have a grasp on it. Yet still, I told everyone I would figure it out. So then, of course, second-grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I have surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have participated in STEM-related camps nationwide through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go—research, learning: it is science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. Medicine is my calling. Helping others is my passion. I have always wanted to make an impression on the world, to leave and to know that I did something, that I helped someone. Chemical engineering will be the catalyst for this dream of mine. I know that through studying chemical engineering, I will learn the ins and outs of science. My creative mind will allow me to come up with different combinations, see patterns in chemical structures, and think outside the box. I plan to use science for the better. Our world needs better. Through studying, solving, trial, and error, I hope to find new ways to make medicine. Ways to create medicine that is affordable and contains abundant resources. People shouldn't have to worry about what is in their medication. They should know it works and that they can afford to keep it in their medicine cabinet. I wish to bring hope to the world. I desire to give people hope. Hope in the future of the world, medicine, and life.

I was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and have lived here ever since. It isn't the regular South Dakota you think of. It isn't the boring plains, but beautiful pine tree hills and wildlife at every corner. I have six younger siblings, all of who I love dearly. I have attended a private school since preschool and have met some of the best people through the system. When I'm not nose-deep in a book, I'm probably rewatching The Hunger Games, writing, playing soccer with my sister, or talking with my mom. And if I'm not doing any of those, I'm learning about science. My experience in STEM started around the summer before my 9th-grade year. I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a STEM-focused camp through Envision. From that point on, I attended another two camps, both at different university campuses around the nation. I was exposed to pre-medicine and forensic science. I learned how to read vitals and interpret blood splatters. These camps were amazing opportunities for me to learn about the world of science and explore several parts of it. The summer before my senior year, I was able to participate in an internship at the South Dakota School of Mines through NFS REM. It was the best experience of my life. I rekindled my love for chemical engineering and learned so much, about myself and science. Through my time at various STEM camps and my internship, I have realized that chemistry is my calling. I plan to study chemical engineering in college and become a pharmaceutical scientist. Helping others has always been an aspiration of mine. Chemistry is my passion. If I put those two together, I somehow get pharmaceutical science. I hope that through my time in college and the professional world, I will find ways to make medicine more affordable, effective, and sustainable. Something so present in our world is the fact that we are using up the resources we have. I hope I can find a way to use abundant resources in new medicine; cut down the costs and help the earth, just a little. Our world could use a little more hope. Perhaps, through my dedication to others and science, I could provide that hope. It's a long journey to get there, but I hope I get there. We all deserve a future, one where medicine doesn't cost a limb and we aren't worried about what is in it; we can just trust that it will work.

Faith is never a straightforward trip. It takes weird detours, long stops, and sometimes runs out of gas miles away from a station. But, that is what makes it so beautiful. Something I have struggled with since day one was understanding that my faith life isn't like anyone else's; we all go through our religious journey differently. Religion was a big part of my life very early. My grandma is one of my biggest spiritual role models. She goes to daily mass, prays the rosary on every road trip, and always shows her love for the Lord. She is the woman I look up to when my faith is shaken, which unfortunately happens a lot. Something so beautiful about faith is that you can always return to it no matter what. It will likely drift impossibly far away, but you can always return. My life's ups have risen higher through my faith, but what about the several downs? From death to divorce, friendship troubles, and personal issues, God has been there. Did I always know that? No. It was hard to feel His presence when I was at rock bottom. However, He was there. When I was ready, God picked me up, hugged me tightly, and helped me become myself again. Faith is such a powerful tool when you have nothing else to latch onto. When I was in the dark, my faith was the light that shined the way. Recently, my faith was shaken with the passing of my uncle. He took his own life. It was unexpected and damaged so much. I couldn't believe God would take someone away from me like that. So sudden. I was upset and hurt. I questioned God. How could He let my uncle do that? It took some time, but I slowly healed. Through a lot of meditation and time with God, I learned that bad things happen not because God wants them to, but because we are free people. He gave us this wonderful thing called free will so that we would choose Him. But, with this gift, we sacrifice complete goodness. I miss my uncle every day. But God never wanted to take him away like that. It was a test of my faith, and now it is stronger. Faith has also shown me the way my life should fold out. My calling. My vocation. My mission. It is so hard to know what you are supposed to do with your life. For the longest time, I couldn't figure it out. However, through deep self-reflection and prayer, I figured it out. I hope to become a pharmaceutical scientist. This is the path God has set for me. He knows my love for chemistry and desire to help others. He understands that I hope to make medicine more affordable so that everyone can take care of themselves. God gave me an immense love for science and the want to aid others. It is apart of who I am. It is my calling. It's the way I am to help the world. I don't think I would have known this with my faith.

As the eldest child, always striving to prove myself, I took AP and advanced classes the second I could. Advanced Chemistry was offered during my sophomore year. I took it and haven’t felt more satisfaction with a decision concerning school than that one. On the first day of sophomore year, the final period, I was met with a vibrant woman whose hair was thrown up into a clip, an everpresent joy about her. She introduced herself as “Dr. Farrar.” I remember thinking, “Doctor?” and being impressed. I had known the woman for less than a minute, and she’d already dazzled me. My sophomore year ended, and I wasn’t done learning. Chemistry 106 was offered to those who had taken chemistry years prior. I jumped at the chance to have Dr. Farrar as my teacher again. No matter what, I would take her course. My hunger for knowledge, my desire to learn from a professional, and my love for the subject had me waiting for the moment I would be in her class again. Dr. Farrar hadn’t only been a woman of inspiration, she was also my guidance. While moving along the earlier years of high school, my family was going through some custody battles. My father had moved out of South Dakota and started a family. I found visiting him difficult. Because of school, extracurriculars, camps, and spending time with my friend, driving eight hours down to Colorado to see him became demanding. My dad didn’t condone some of the activities I participated in. He thought spending time with him was more important than some of my choices. Hearing these words from him, the idea that my hard work wasn’t as important as his wants created doubt. I became anxious and frustrated. My wants were undermined, and I was punished for voicing my wishes. I grew weary, and despair took over my life. All of these amazing opportunities I was given, attending Pre-Med camps around the nation, participating in STEM camps at the South Dakota School of Mines, and being able to learn from so many people, began to feel like a betrayal to my dad. What I wanted was not supported by one of my biggest people: my dad. But then, Dr. Farrar came into my life. She ignited a flame I didn’t know I had. She showed me that, yes, this is what I wanted. I wanted to learn, grow, and explore the world of science. Chemistry became a huge part of my life. I went home with my chemistry binder daily, reviewing and redoing worksheets. My mom would sit at the kitchen table and listen to the daily lesson. I soon recognized my love for chemistry. I grew inspired to pursue a chemistry major after finishing high school. Researching professions in the field became a must for me. To find an aspect of chemistry in the real world that I would enjoy for my whole life was a hard task to take on as a teen. But, one day, I came across pharmaceutical science and knew what I wanted to be. This fire to be involved in pharmaceuticals has always been alive in me; I just needed to add some gas to the flames. None of this fire, passion, or desire to become a pharmaceutical chemist would have been possible without Dr. Farrar. And for that, I will always be grateful from the bottom of my soul for this beautiful, wonderful, inspiring woman who opened my eyes to the path of my future.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it," -Alan Kay. My life didn't start till I learned chemistry. Advanced Chemistry was offered during my sophomore year. I took it and haven’t felt more satisfaction with a decision concerning school than that one. On the first day of sophomore year, the final period, I was met with a vibrant woman whose hair was thrown up into a clip, an everpresent joy about her. She introduced herself as “Dr. Farrar.” I remember thinking, “Doctor?” and being impressed. I had known the woman for less than a minute, and she’d already dazzled me. My sophomore year ended, and I wasn’t done learning. Chemistry 106 was offered to those who had taken chemistry years prior. I jumped at the chance to have Dr. Farrar as my teacher again. No matter what, I would take her course. My hunger for knowledge, my desire to learn from a professional, and my love for the subject had me waiting for the moment I would be in her class again. She fueled my desire for chemistry and became the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She has shown me what I have known since I was eight and sparked my passion for science again. She helped me realize that my creativity, which I’ve also had from a young age, can be applied to science and help advance it. My love for creation, inventing, and building are all aided by my passion for science. You can't have a scientific mind without thinking outside the box. Creativity and science go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the beautiful world of science, you have to be able to think outside of what is already known. She ignited my desire for STEM and showed me what I wanted to pursue. Chemistry became my passion. All because of a teacher, I learned that chemical engineering was what I would study in college. However, it has never been that easy. Being a woman in STEM is not an easy task. I was told I was not smart or passionate enough and that my goals weren't unachievable, especially for a woman. The areas I want to study are male-dominated, competitive, and difficult. I wasn't prepared for tribulations like this. I should just go into business. My father was the root of these insecurities. He is a very traditional man and thinks women shouldn't explore masculism fields. He pushed his ideals onto me and it ruined my passion. Yet, over the summer I was able to participate in an internship that truly brought my passion back to life. Through this internship, I was reminded that I am living my life and can pursue anything I want to. I am smart and capable of doing what a man can. When I was five, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, second-grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. My passion for chemistry, for learning, will never die, and my past has proven so.

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. ALS is a fatal neurological disease caused by damage to one's nerve cells. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, 2nd grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with the same disease illness as my grandpa. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. My career path has swayed since then, but I always find myself coming back to it. For a while, I thought I would become a doctor. I didn't know what type at first. I looked into plastic surgery and then neurological surgery. But, nothing ever stuck with me. Not until I met Dr. Farrar. Dr. Farrar. What a woman she is! I could ramble on and on about how wonderful she is, and how much she has changed my life, but I won't because I would never stop. Everyone has a teacher they remember as someone extraordinary, but Dr. Farrar isn't just that. She fueled my desire for chemistry, the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She showed me what I had known since the age of 8, I was too afraid to acknowledge it as the truth. Dr. Farrar sparked the passion in me once again. Since then, I have been focused on science. From choosing rigorous courses, like Chem 106 to AP Physics, to my internship experience, I’ve surrounded myself with science. Every summer since 2021, I have also participated in STEM-related camps around the country through Envision. Science doesn’t stop at school for me, it follows me around everywhere I go. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that makes it so beautiful and desirable. I want to become a chemical engineer and work with chemicals to society's advantage. I hope to create new medicines to aid our world. I was to operate in a lab, conduct research, and have a wonderful team of like-minded people working with me, together. It's a dream. Through this push to become a chemical engineer, I will make eight-year-old me proud.

"Developing Personal and Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition." These words have been in every email, yearbook, and plaster on every wall in any classroom I have ever been in. It's my school's mission statement. Since kindergarten, I have heard these words repeated every day. However, I wasn't practicing excellence in 2nd grade, I was learning how to spell 'because' and reading "Pete the Cat." Excellence is not something you know at the age of eight. I wasn't excellent for most of my life. I thought excellence was perfection--it's not. It's reaching for perfection, knowing you can't, but doing it anyway. While in High School, you try to become a better person. Who I was in 9th grade isn't who I am now. Now, I am excellent. Through my commitment to my school's soccer team, my family, and volunteer work, I've been able to see myself as excellent. Soccer is where my journey to become excellent first began. Since the age of 4, I've been playing for a soccer team. I have been dedicated to the sport; not to become a star player, but to learn self-discipline, grow in the community, and lead. A sport centered around a team that grows together and learns to preserve as one was a community I wanted to partake in. Through my participation, I was able to develop. Self-discipline was a part of my daily life, from the runs to the games. My team was a group of girls but a community. And I learned how to be an effective leader. Soccer was how I learned to be excellent. I also see myself excelling at home. I have six siblings: four sisters and two brothers. It's a lot. I am the eldest of them. It is my responsibility to care for them- my obligation. I have not always been a good protector for my younger siblings. But, you aren't born a protector, you are born protected; I had to comprehend how to be something children aren't taught. Through trial and error, I became the older sister that my siblings needed. Of course, I am not perfect. I mess up and forget my duties as a role model, but I am continuously improving. It's a learning experience, and I have to take that with a grain of salt. I won't do it right every time, but I can improve because of the mistakes I make. Service is one of the largest ways I continue to learn how to be excellent. I sing. I love it. It is my service. I sing at masses and funerals. I sing in the shower. I sing in the kitchen. Singing for others is how I care for them. Music is an escape, it is a remedy, it is a passion that I can share with so many people at once. And by singing I can share my passion with others. You can see it on my face and hear it in my voice. My love of singing for others fosters the virtue of service. I also participate in community service through Black Hill Works (BHW). By working with performers of all abilities, and functioning with a community of performers with or without disabilities to come together and make a production, I've learned how to use my ability to serve to become excellent. Excellence is something you learn. It's something you reach for, always, no matter what, knowing that perfect excellence is impossible. To continue to try to be perfectly excellent is excellence.

When I was five, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, second-grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. This was the beginning of my journey. However, nothing can be as linear as that. My mind wasn’t made up for a while, and I became confused about my future. I was clueless until I met Dr. Farrar. Everyone has a teacher they remember as someone extraordinary, but Dr. Farrar isn’t just that. She fueled my desire for chemistry and became the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She has shown me what I have known since I was eight and sparked my passion for science again. She helped me realize that my creativity, which I’ve also had from a young age, can be applied to science and can help advance it. My love for creation, inventing, and building are all aided by my passion for science. You can't have a scientific mind without thinking outside the box. Creativity and science go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the beautiful world of science, you have to be able to think outside of what is already known. My pursuit of a chemical engineering degree is aided by my drive to help people like my grandpa, the influence of my teacher, and my creative mind. Science is the future and, consequently, a part of mine.

There is always the occasional injury story regarding high school sports. I have my fair share. From breaking my nose twice to horrible shin splints, I have been injured more than once for more than one sport. However, those were never my biggest challenges. The largest challenge I faced as a student-athlete occurred during my junior year during track and field. Spring of 2024 felt like my time to truly become the star athlete I had the potential to be. I was jumping far, finishing races with great times, doing workouts, improving my health, and seeing a big shift in my athletic ability. But, it can never be that good. I am a student-athlete and participate in my school's fine arts programs; I enjoy theater the most. Aside from science, acting is my passion, which I have been doing through my school since 8th grade. In the spring of 2024, my school was putting on Emma. I was fortunate enough to be cast as the lead, Emma, and sought to bring her to life. Every production has something called tech week. Tech week is the week before opening night when everything, lights, sound, and people, are all integrated into the performance for the first time. This is the longest week of any student-actor's life. It's late nights with little homework done, fast food for dinner, and frustration because you can't seem to remember that one sentence. When it's tech week, everything else comes after the show, including the track. My track coach believed I would be a great athlete that season. She pushed me hard and expected big things out of me. Yet, she suddenly changed her mind when I missed a morning lifting session. I was not the only student in both track and the show, there were many. We stayed committed to track by running before rehearsal, yet that wasn't enough. One day, while we were warming up at practice, my coach pulled all the high schoolers in the play to the side. The conversation we had was one-sided and horrible, and I was hyperventilating with tears streaming down my face. I was told that putting theater before track was wrong. She went on to explain that theater can't take you anywhere and that we should focus on track. She ended by telling us that we would no longer be prioritized over the other athletes since we couldn't seem to prioritize track. To see an adult act so immature toward her athletes hurt so much. I was beyond upset. I wanted to quit track so bad, but that would mean she won. Hearing that I couldn't do both track and theater broke me. Someone as passionate as me shouldn't be forced to choose between two things she loves. And the thing is, I shouldn't have to. This hardship allowed me to understand that the sport isn't about the coach but about how much I enjoy it. A coach is there to teach me, not tell me how to spend my time. I can appreciate a sport with a life outside of it. My track coach didn't understand this, but I do, and that makes me a better athlete than I have ever been.

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, 2nd grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. Now, I know that finding a cure for ALS isn't exactly my gift to the world; however, I have found a love for science and creating. That will be my gift. I want to become a chemical engineer and use chemicals to society's advantage. I hope to create new medicines to aid our world. This won't be easy, and I know that. Something that frightens every high school senior is paying for college. It's something I think about daily. Worrying about money is the worst type of worry. I tend to do it daily, especially with my mind set on college. College can cost $16,000 a year or $60,000 a year. That is a lot of money for four years of education. I plan to receive my PhD in chemical engineering. My dream is to become a doctor; however, that would mean more money to give my college of choice. Scholarships can help me reach my goals, and achieve my dreams. Even $50 can pay for a book or two. Instead of worrying about my next paycheck to cover my student loans, I can focus on my school and let the money I have received from scholarships and my job cover my tuition. I am frightened of debt. Dave Ramsey taught me that student loan debt is the worst debt for a college student. I don't want to be stressing about the money I owe to a college I attended 15 years ago. I know I will have to work hard for this hope to become my reality. Scholarships like this are for students like me who have big dreams and a means to achieve them. I know paying off college is no easy task. Yet, through a few simple words, perhaps I could make it slightly easier. My dreams are more than achievable, I just need the money to do it.

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, 2nd grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. Yet, I still convinced myself my mind wasn't made up and I became confused about my future. There were so many things I thought about doing and things I thought about becoming, but none ever truly stuck with me. I was clueless until I met Dr. Farrar. What a woman she is! I could ramble on and on about how wonderful she is, and how much she has changed my life, but I won't because I would never stop. Everyone has a teacher they remember as someone extraordinary, but Dr. Farrar isn't just that. She fueled my desire for chemistry and became the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She showed me what I had known since I was 8, but I was too afraid to acknowledge it as the truth. Dr. Farrar sparked the passion in me once again. I have been very fortunate. However, my aspiration for science doesn't stop there. I yearn for education. I constantly want to learn new things. One thing that will constantly grow and change is science. One thing that will always offer new knowledge and truths is science. Why would I miss the opportunity to learn every day? Albert Einstein once said, “If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Research, learning: its science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that's what makes it so beautiful and desirable. I want to become a chemical engineer and work with chemicals to society's advantage. I hope to create new medicines to aid our world. Making unexplored ways for our world to survive while using sustainable compounds is my dream. Working in a lab, researching, and learning are all things I hope to do in the future. From the influence of death to my teacher and personal abilities, I know that chemical engineering is the degree I will thrive in. I will be challenged in the best ways possible and will be able to learn!

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, 2nd grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. From a young age, I knew that, somehow, science would be in my life. Yet, little did I know how much it would affect me. On the first day of sophomore year, the final period, I was met with a vibrant woman whose hair was thrown up into a clip, an ever-present joy about her. She introduced herself as “Dr. Farrar.” I remember thinking, “Doctor?” and being impressed. I had known the woman for less than a minute, and she’d already dazzled me. My sophomore year ended, and I wasn’t done learning. Chemistry 106 was offered to those who had taken chemistry years prior. I jumped at the chance to have Dr. Farrar as my teacher again. No matter what, I would take her course. My hunger for knowledge, my desire to learn from a professional, and my love for the subject had me waiting for the moment I would be in her class again. Dr. Farrar hadn’t only been a woman of inspiration, she was also my guidance. While moving along the earlier years of high school, my family was going through some custody battles. My father had moved out of South Dakota and started a family. I found visiting him difficult. Because of school, extracurriculars, camps, and spending time with my friend, driving 8 hours down to Colorado to see him became demanding. My dad didn’t condone some of the activities I participated in. He thought spending time with him was more important than some of my choices. Hearing these words from him, the idea that my hard work wasn’t as important as his wants, created doubt. I became anxious and frustrated. My wants were undermined, and I was punished for voicing my wishes. I grew weary and despair took over my life. All of these amazing opportunities I was given, attending Pre-Med camps around the nation, participating in STEM camps at the South Dakota School of Mines, and being able to learn from so many people, began to feel like betrayal to my dad. What I wanted was not supported by one of my biggest people: my dad. But, then Dr. Farrar came into my life. She ignited a flame I didn’t know I had. She showed me that, yes, this is what I wanted. I wanted to learn, grow, and explore the world of science. Chemistry became a huge part of my life. I went home with my chemistry binder daily, reviewing and redoing worksheets. My mom would sit at the kitchen table and listen to the daily lesson. I soon recognized my love for chemistry. I grew inspired to pursue a chemistry major after finishing high school. Researching professions in the field became a must for me. To find an aspect of chemistry in the real world that I would enjoy for my whole life was a hard task to take on as a teen. But, one day, I came across pharmaceutical science and knew what I wanted to be. This fire to be involved in pharmaceuticals has always been alive in me; I just needed to add some gas to the flames. None of this fire, of this passion, and of wanting to become a pharmaceutical chemist would have been possible without Dr. Farrar. Dr. Farrar is one of the many reasons I want to pursue chemical engineering in the future. She was a huge contender for my passion. Yet, I know that my desire to pursue chemical engineering can't be dedicated to only her. I yearn for knowledge. I constantly want to learn new things. One thing that will constantly grow and change is science. One thing that will always offer new knowledge and truth is science. Why would I miss the opportunity to learn every day? Albert Einstein once said, “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Research, learning: its science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that's what makes it so beautiful and desirable. I don't just want to go into chemical engineering because of a teacher or because I want to learn. I also want to change the world. Through my dedication to chemistry, I hope to create new medicines to help our world and create a healthier planet. This is my passion, and it makes me who I am.

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer. Three years later, I told her I was going to cure ALS. Not much has changed since then. The shift happened after my grandpa passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, you guessed it, ALS. It's not a pretty disease for someone to have. And, of course, 2nd grade me didn't quite understand what it meant nor what I signed up for while promising my mom and grandma that I would save people with ALS. But, my passion for science started here, with passing. I guess it's true what people say--death does bring life. Yet, I still convinced myself my mind wasn't made up and I became confused about my future. There were so many things I thought about doing and things I thought about becoming, but none ever truly stuck with me. I was clueless until I met Dr. Farrar. What a woman she is! I could ramble on and on about how wonderful she is, and how much she has changed my life, but I won't because I would never stop. Everyone has a teacher they remember as someone extraordinary, but Dr. Farrar isn't just that. She fueled my desire for chemistry and became the beacon that paved my path. I was so lost about school and college before meeting her. She showed me what I had known since the age of 8, but I was too afraid to acknowledge it as the truth. Dr. Farrar sparked the passion in me once again. However, my aspiration for science doesn't stop there. I yearn for education. I constantly want to learn new things. One thing that will constantly grow and change is science. One thing that will always offer new knowledge and truths is science. Why would I miss the opportunity to learn every day? Albert Einstein once said, “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Research, learning: its science. Science is not linear or black and white. Science has so many places it can change and grow; that's what makes it so beautiful and desirable. I have always been a creative person. From a young age, I was either making movies with my little sisters, creating figurines out of clay, or writing stories for my younger cousins. Creativity has been a part of who I am. Science only powers this part of me. My love for creation, inventing, and building, are all aided by my passion for science. You can't have a scientific mind unless you can think outside the box. Creativity and science go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the beautiful world of science, you have to be able to think outside of what is already known. Science is such a beautiful thing to love. There is so much it has to offer. So many things can be found while looking into science. How could one not feel passionate about something so promising?! Chemistry can give me so much more than what I can give it. From what I can learn to what I can create, science will allow me to do things I've never dreamed of. Science is my passion. How could it not be? I will always wish to know more about the world. I will always want to create what will help the future.

You never realize how important someone can be until they are gone. We all know that we take for granted what we have until it disappears. But you don't really start to worry about losing anyone until it happens. Recently, I lost a family member in one of the worst ways. July 13th, my uncle took his own life. I was told this over the phone. Within seconds, my whole life had been flipped, distorted, and destroyed all over a few words: "Your uncle Bryce took his own life today..." Everything stops when you hear words like that. It's heartbreaking and all you can do is wish to wake up from a nightmare. But, you don't wake up. Instead, you go to the Wake, refusing to look at the casket. You attend the funeral, watching your father cry as he speaks about his brother in front of a room full of people that loved him. That love him. Nothings harder than lost. Nothing bring more tears than losing something you will never have again. Its heart-wrenching in the worst way possible. I walked around the earth for a week feeling numb. Suicide is the most complicated death-it makes sense to no one. Having to wrap your head around it is impossible. Yet, I had too. I had to learn, before I was even an adult, how to deal with the type of loss no one can explain. My uncle Bryce was always an odd ball. He was (sorry dad) the smartest brother out of four. He could understand the world in such a unique way. He had an engineering mind. Science was his jam. It's mine too. I like to think I got that from him. I know I did. Bryce and I were always close- he was my favorite uncle. His mind made sense to me. He is one of the reasons I wish to explore the world of engineering. Because of who he was to me, I've been able to learn who I want to become. And yet, I know losing him wasn't the only death I've experienced that has helped me decide my future. When I was eight, I lost my grandpa to ALS. ALS is neurological disease which affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is always fatal. I didn't know this when my grandpa was diagnosed, but now I do. My grandpa was my first loss. It happened at a point in my life that was already so hard. My parents had been going through a divorce and I was living with my grandma. I was only eight. I remember what I told my grandma after he passed. I had said, "I'll find a cure for ALS... for grandpa." Of course, I was a child and didn't know what I was saying, but to this day it reins true. I do want to work with diseases and cures. Finding ways to help the world through science by making new medicine is my calling and apparently always has been. Yes, loss is difficult. But look at what influence it can make. Without my grandfather's death, I would have never thought about finding cures for diseases or even entering the field of medicine. With the loss of my uncle, I learned that engineering is something I want my future to hold. Through death, I have been able to learn what is important to me. Through heartache, despair, and growth, my life was shaped.

Asking why a fan of Wicked is a fan of Wicked is like asking a fish why they like water. Now, maybe thats extreme, I don't need Wicked to live like a fish needs water, but I find so much joy and life behind musical theater- Wicked included. The first ever musical I was apart of when called the Velveteen Rabbit and I was Block Leader. I was around 6-8 at the time and just fell in love with performance and sining. A little under ten years later, my dad and step-mom took me to see Wicked at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colorado. It was my first real Broadway Show ever and it was the most magical thing I had ever witnessed. The music sounded from each angle. The lights added to the dramatics in the best way. The actors and actresses weren't acting, they were their part. I was utterly and completely immersed in the show. After, my step-mom had asked me what I thought of the show, yet I was speechless. My first ever true show and that was the bar that had been set. After that, not play was ever as good as Wicked. I am not just a fan of the music, but the story and characters add to the amusement of the play. Yes, the music is great. Yes, I play Defying Gravity at once a day. I love the music! But the story! The characters! Both are arranged like a thousand piece puzzle, each segment perfectly together. That's how well-done the story is. It's a true masterpiece. The lyrics, storyline, and lore all add to the overall enjoyment of the viewer. Not only are the character flawed and built upon, but they are also fun and you find yourself rooting for them, even if they are a green witch. Everything about the story of Wicked is beautifully done. Who wouldn't be a fan of something that is so well put together and enjoyable? Of course I'm a fan of something that is simply fantastic.

My family doesn't talk about mental health enough, yet it has always been present in my life. My mental stability became more noticeable when my parents split. Both my sister and I grew quite uneasy, and she was later told she most likely had anxiety after a long session with our therapist. Having divorced parents took a toll on my mind. Then, my dad moved away and we drifted. My mental health started to spiral down. I was missing influence from one of the biggest people in my life. Then, my stepdad and I grew close and I was able to fill that place. I still struggle with anxiety when my parents fight about custody, but now I have a support group: my mom and stepdad. However, my sister had a different experience. She still struggles with a high level of anxiety. She has always been closer to our dad than me. But, a lot like me, she's been finding support through family and friends. We are each other's biggest advocate. I will be with her through everything. It's a relief, mentally, to have someone who understands everything. I also believe that mental health became a less voodoo topic when my mother remarried. One of my stepsisters has severe ADHD and when she was introduced into my life, a whole new view of mental health came with her. It was no longer an inner conflict but one I was able to witness. Life was not easy with her. She fought with my mom and stepdad more than I'd want to admit. Patience was something she did not have. She struggled with concentrating. It wasn't like the anxiety my sister and I had grown up with. It was bigger, more apparent. It was such a hard contrast to my mental health. But, I still loved her and learned from her. It made me a more understanding person. It's funny how those kinds of experiences can change a person. Mental health was now front and center of my life. I watched my own while observing my sisters'. I had thought there wasn't much else to explore when it came to mental health, but then July 13th, 2024 rolled around, and my eyes were opened again. I got a call after taking the ACT that my uncle, on my dad's side, had taken his own life. I drove down to Wyoming four days later to attend the funeral. People talk about this kind of death. I hear about it on the news, stories include the concept, but I've never lived it. Then July 13th happened. I had known my uncle's mental health wasn't the greatest. He was the only one of four brothers that hadn't married yet. But he was so smart, witty, and loved. In his note, he had written that he loved us all, his nieces and nephews especially. He was my favorite uncle. The best uncle on my dad's side. He and I were more alike than different. He was a mechanical engineer and a good one at that. Maybe that is why engineering is my aspiration. Losing someone so close to me in such a horrid way was the most difficult thing I had ever experienced. It took a serious toll on my father's family. Yet, there was a bright side to it all. Before the passing of my uncle, mental health and problems hadn't ever been a topic to discuss for my father's family. Men were to be strong in every way possible and women were to obey and that was final. Yet, the death of my uncle opened up their eyes. Speaking about your feelings, and opening up to those closest to you, helps. It quite literally saves people. Perhaps it could have saved my uncle. But, through his death, my family was able to learn the importance of voicing their feelings and reaching out to others to do the same. Mental health has changed not only me but others around me. It has shown me what is truly important, connected me to my sisters, changed the beliefs of my dad's family, and even ignited my love for engineering through my uncle. Mental health needs to be a daily topic. It can effect so much.