Speak up, use American Sign Language, or face me so I can read your lips, but please be patient while I take a few extra seconds to respond. I am not being rude, nor am I mentally challenged; I am hard of hearing. Hearing loss is an invisible disability, which increases the importance of public awareness. Please give me an extra moment to decipher what you said so I can respond appropriately. Interpreting your words takes significantly longer than forming a reply. Being hearing-impaired has shaped my personality and life goals, but I will never let it limit me. Having a personal history with audiology has influenced my decision to make it my profession. I am entering my first year of graduate school, studying to be an audiologist. As a doctor of audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement, but as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will add extra insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then, my "would-be" disability will become my strength. My sister and I struggle with genetic progressive hearing loss. Our hearing was normal as young children, with hearing loss beginning around age seven. Now, we are both considered legally deaf. I wear hearing aids, but my sister has cochlear implants. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are beneficial but not perfect. Unlike glasses, which bring things into focus, hearing devices amplify but don't always clarify. Background noise gets amplified along with conversations, and our brains work double-time trying to pick through the noise to find the essential words. Listening fatigue is a real phenomenon. We remove our respective devices at night to recharge the batteries, but we are also resting and recharging our brains. Sometimes, silence is golden. Coping with hearing loss can be challenging, but I have occasionally turned this challenge into an advantage. I played softball for 12 years, and opposing teams always try to distract the pitcher, but when I was on the mound, their attempts literally fell on deaf ears. Coaches and pitchers communicate with hand signals, so I could still follow instructions. Now, my playing days are done, but I am still involved with the sport. I have coached two summer travel softball teams and I umpire at the local ballpark. I can't hear the crowd in the stands when I am umpiring, so I am not distracted by the noise. Also, the coaches are aware of my hearing impairment, so they know they need to approach me to get my attention, however, a coach can only approach an umpire after the play has ended. This way, I have more control over the situation and can focus on calling a fair game; concentration is key. Life lessons aren't easy and are rarely appreciated when they occur, but living with hearing loss has made me a hardworking, determined individual with the tenacity of a bulldog. I have a lengthy history with audiology as a patient, and soon, I will use my background and education to help others. Quality of life is essential to everyone, and as an audiologist, I will improve my patients' lives through hearing enhancement and keep them engaged with their families and the world. I will also provide guidance and encouragement to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students who feel that higher education is beyond their abilities. Paying for college is a challenge, but a hearing impairment will not stop a student who is determined to learn. I want to lead by example and inspire others to follow their passions.

Fixing the whole world is beyond my abilities, but I’m working hard to improve my corner of it. People have different needs, and there are various ways to help: financial assistance, physical help, or emotional support. My focus is hearing enhancement and advocacy for inclusion of the deaf community. I’m a college senior, graduating in May 2024, but I will roll seamlessly from graduation into graduate school. I want to be a doctor of audiology. Audiology is my passion. I have a nine-year history with audiology; it's personal to me. I began wearing hearing aids in middle school. I’m familiar with the challenges of hearing loss, and I want to use my background and education to help others with their challenges. As an audiologist, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement, but as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will add extra insight as I guide them toward successful coping strategies. Then my "would be" disability will become my strength. I will also encourage anyone who thinks higher education is beyond their abilities. Paying for college is challenging, but a hearing impairment will not stop a student who is determined to learn.

I plan to use advanced AI technologies to treat my future patients; I want to be a doctor of audiology. In high school, I began advocating for the inclusion of the deaf community, and I will not stop. Advocacy and education will be the cornerstones of my practice. I am hearing impaired, so advocacy is important to me. I will work hard to ensure that my patients have the latest technology to help them with their challenges. New technologies emerge constantly. I recently saw a television commercial about a football helmet designed for a deaf player. A small computer screen in the face mask displays the next play, allowing a hearing-impaired player to compete with his peers. My future audiology practice will include working in schools and if a student needs this specialized helmet, I will advocate for its purchase and organize fundraisers, if necessary. Every student deserves the equipment he or she needs. I can't predict the next great innovation, but currently, Bluetooth is my favorite technology. Many people use it every day, connecting seemingly endless devices, but the most important feature for me is it connects my phone to my hearing aids, and my hearing aids are my connection to the world. Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices were introduced in 2010, but they were bulky and required an external streaming device. My hearing aids have that technology built into the tiny devices that sit in my ears. Bluetooth connectivity has better clarity, which was extremely important during the COVID-19 quarantine. Bluetooth linked my hearing aids to my school computer so I could hear the lessons with less distortion. However, my favorite application is streaming music through the phone into my hearing aids. I listen to music when I study; it helps me focus. I listen to different genres for different subjects, but heavy metal is my late-night salvation. When I'm tired but need to continue studying, heavy metal music gets my adrenaline pumping. The pulsating rhythms make the music a cardio workout! Bluetooth streams the music directly into my ears, and I can embrace the energy while the library remains quiet. However, it would be embarrassing if I suddenly jumped up and performed an energetic air-guitar riff. Red-faced, I would be immediately escorted out the door. We welcome advancing technologies and the improvements they bring, but moderation is still needed to protect us from making fools of ourselves.

It is late at night on the last day of August. The clock strikes 12 times, and just like Cinderella's carriage, my fall beverages turn to pumpkin. Hot or cold, my palette anxiously awaits my favorite pumpkin spice drinks. If summer must end, at least it ends on a delicious note. Orange is the new black, so when fall arrives, my black coffee is replaced by my pumpkin spice latte, and the orange pumpkin decals appear everywhere. Fall is the time for football and pumpkins. I don't play football, but I enjoy watching a good game. I don't grow pumpkins in my garden, but I enjoy pumpkin flavor in absolutely everything except pumpkin pie. I don't know why I don't like the pie; maybe it is a texture issue, but I like that pumpkin flavor in rolls, muffins, pancakes, dessert bread - everything! But I especially like pumpkin-flavored drinks. When the early fall weather is still warm, I like to start my day with a Venti Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, or I might try the new iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte. I like other chai teas, so this could be my new obsession. I attend college in Grand Rapids. MI, and when the seasons change from summer to fall, the weather can turn cold quickly. Then, I will switch to the Pumpkin Spice Coffee with a splash of oat milk. When the weather is chilly, and there is a bite to the air, I occasionally add a bite to my coffee. I like to spice up my morning brew by adding a little extra wakeup call - a dash of sriracha sauce, transforming my coffee from a smooth pumpkin into a fiery jack-o-lantern. That gets my motor running, and I am ready to start a busy day. I carry 17 to 18 credits each semester, so my days are hectic, and a kick-start helps get me out of the door. I enjoy a variety of pumpkin-flavored beverages, and they are regulars in my study groups and science labs. They have become my trusted study buddies, getting me through late-night study sessions. I have a dual major in Creativity and Innovation, which emphasizes critical thinking skills, and in Pre-Physician's Assistant, which gives me the science courses I need to be successful when I study audiology in graduate school. I want to be an audiologist. I am a college senior, but I plan to roll seamlessly from graduation to graduate school. By 2028, I will be a Dr. of Audiology. Pumpkins have been a symbol of the fall harvest for a long time. Pumpkins are also considered a symbol of abundance, possibly because so many things can be made with the versatile pumpkin flavor. Hot or cold, it does not matter; as long as my morning brew has my beloved pumpkin flavor, I will be ready to tackle the day. That special fall flavor carries me away like Cinderella's carriage. Thank you for considering my application.

Over the past eight years, I have become very interested in deaf studies, advocated for other hard-of-hearing students, studied American Sign Language, and founded our high school's first ASL Club. I changed my career plans from veterinary medicine to audiology. I want to be a Dr. of Audiology. There is nothing unusual about studying audiology except that I am hearing-impaired. My sister and I struggle with progressive genetic hearing loss, and I'm so impressed by our audiologist's knowledge and compassion that she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will give extra insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability will become my strength. Eight years ago, I accidentally overheard two elementary students gossiping about my sister. They criticized her new hearing aids, saying she was using them for attention and she looked like a grandma. My sister was in the third grade and had just received her first pair of hearing aids. Those students had no idea of her struggles. I immediately went to my favorite teacher, relayed the incident, and asked if I could start a club that might help build a bridge of understanding - something fun like an American Sign Language Club. The teacher replied that it was a good idea, but she wasn't aware that I knew sign language. I said, "I don't, but I can learn." Unfortunately, our school does not offer ASL, so I had to research it online and began studying at home. In 2019, I founded our high school's first American Sign Language Club, and everyone was encouraged to join. Studying American Sign Language sparked my interest in deaf studies and started me down the path to my audiology career. When I imagine my future practice, my vision includes patients of all ages, but I want to focus on children. I want an outside practice, but I also want to work in the schools. I will volunteer my time if necessary. My goal will be to create an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know the challenges those students will face, and I want to make the next generation's path to education smoother than mine. Since that chance encounter, I have tried to educate others and encourage patience and understanding. The unexpected bonus was accidentally discovering my passion for advocacy and inclusion. I began advocating for other hard-of-hearing students in high school and will continue. I'm no longer afraid to speak up for myself and others. One of my advocacy projects has already paid off. My high school honors diploma required studying three years of a foreign language. I can barely hear English; learning Spanish was a challenge! I was already studying American Sign Language and earning college credits, but my high school would not accept them. After graduation, I had discussions with school administrators questioning why a high school would not accept college-level credits. Most colleges accept ASL as a foreign language. The school finally gave in and will begin accepting ASL credits as a foreign language. My sister and others will benefit from this decision. Advocacy and education will be the cornerstones of my practice, and I will provide guidance and encouragement to students who feel that higher education is beyond their reach. Paying for college is a challenge, but a hearing impairment will not stop a student who is determined to learn. Thank you.

I enjoy symbolism, and this 666-word contest is intriguing. The symbol 666 has several meanings, from derogatory to encouraging. I prefer the interpretation of being an encouragement to refocus, and the timeframe for this contest reinforces that thought. School is out for the summer, and my brain can momentarily refocus from serious studies to summer employment. My summer job deserves my full attention, and I work hard, but it is a welcome brain break from my Pre-Physician's Assistant coursework at school. I never knew there were so many different types of chemistry classes. My dream is to be an audiologist; to that end, my next several years are structured and planned as I study straight through to my doctorate. I want to be a Dr. of Audiology. Becoming an audiologist includes a bachelor's degree, four additional years of study and internships, and a hefty price tag. It would be easy to become overwhelmed, not by the academic work - I'm used to working hard, but by the potential size of my student loans. My immediate goal is to get a quality education while keeping my student debt under six figures. Scholarships will be my salvation. I apply to as many as time allows. My long-term goal is to open a hearing clinic in my hometown. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. Winning this scholarship would benefit my community by reducing my student debt and allowing me to open my clinic sooner and with less overhead. There is nothing unusual about studying audiology except that I am hearing-impaired. My sister and I struggle with progressive genetic hearing loss. I have hearing aids, but she underwent cochlear implant surgeries two years ago. Our audiologist is amazing, and I'm so impressed by her knowledge and compassion that she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will add insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability would become my strength. When I imagine my future practice, my vision includes patients of all ages, but I want to focus primarily on children. I want my clinic, but I also want to work in schools to help deaf and hard-of-hearing students avoid the stigma of feeling different. The goal is to create an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know the challenges those students will face, and I want to make the next generation's path to education smoother than mine. I study hard, and listening to music helps me stay focused. I use different genres for different subjects, but Heavy Metal is my late-night savior. I have always enjoyed the music, the energy, the changing tempos, and the drums, especially the drums. I played First Chair oboe in our high school concert band. I enjoyed my time in the band, learned a lot about music, and played some interesting pieces, but it was not as exciting as Heavy Metal. Playing the oboe was good exercise for my lungs, but listening to Heavy Metal music is a cardio workout. My heart pounds as fast as the music. When I am tired but need to continue studying, Heavy Metal music is my jolt of adrenalin. My music streams directly into my hearing aids so no one else in the library can hear, but it would be embarrassing if I suddenly jumped up performing an energic air-guitar riff or started singing along. Red-faced, I would be immediately escorted out of the building. Music has multiple benefits. It enriches our lives and affects our moods. It allows our souls to breathe. But Heavy Metal music works on the cardiovascular system, boosting our energy and deep breathing as we try to keep up the pace, but please control the volume. Protect your eardrums so you won’t need me until far into the future.

As an audiologist, I will improve my patients' quality of life through hearing enhancement, decreasing their feelings of isolation by keeping them engaged with their families and the world around them - a lifetime of helping others would be a life well spent.

I must have an old soul because I relate to older adults more than I do to my peers. I am extremely fond of older adults and have spent considerable time with them. Mom is the rehab manager at the local nursing home where I began volunteering in 2015. Sometimes I had specific tasks such as pushing patients' wheelchairs to the recreation room and helping them with activities. Other times, I would just sit and talk with the residents; they appreciated the attention. Many residents struggled with dementia and often told me the same story repeatedly; I smiled and followed along. I understand that when they tell their stories, they are reliving memories. It's like visiting old friends, and they feel young again. I listen to their stories and laugh at their jokes, but most importantly, I give them my time, a few hugs, and lots of smiles. Some of them thought I was their granddaughter, which was okay too. Volunteering at the nursing home became second nature for me. Before I had summer jobs, I volunteered one day every week all summer and for holiday celebrations. After I started working, my volunteering tapered off to twice a month and holidays. But now that I'm away at school, volunteering is limited to my seasonal breaks. During COVID, the facility's restrictions stopped my volunteering for over a year. Visitations were limited to window visits, where I would wave to the residents or have one-sided snowball fights. It was silly, but they laughed. Eventually, the restrictions were lifted, allowing me back inside, but I noticed several of my adopted grandparents had passed away. That is sad, but there are new faces to greet and more stories to repeat. I'm glad I have such an affinity for older adults because my future career will include caring for them. I'm studying to be an audiologist. I want to improve my patients' quality of life through hearing enhancement. The depression and feelings of isolation that come with hearing loss can accelerate dementia's progression. The goal is to keep my patients engaged with their families and the world for as long as possible. I'm familiar with the challenges of hearing loss because I'm hearing-impaired too. As an audiologist, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement, but as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will give extra insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping strategies. Then my "would be" disability will become my strength. I advocate for the deaf community and always watch for educational opportunities. Last summer, I was working as a waitress when my hearing loss gave me an opportunity to educate a young boy. He was too shy to face me when ordering, but rather than have the parents repeat his order; I decided to take advantage of a teachable moment. I asked him to please face me when ordering because I have "grandma ears" and need to read his lips. That got his attention. I told him my ears don't work as well as his; they work like my grandma's ears. I showed him one of my hearing aids and explained that it's polite to face someone when speaking, but it is especially important when someone has "grandma ears". We listen with our eyes; they catch what our ears miss. I have grandma ears, and I will be working with grandma ears, but at least I will understand the challenges. Spending so much time with seniors has given me a solid foundation for my future audiology career. Thank you.

My goal is to be an audiologist; to that end, my next several years are structured and planned as I study straight through to my doctorate. I want to be an AuD, a Dr. of Audiology. My academic career path includes a bachelor's degree and four additional years of graduate school, but I am already a sophomore/senior. Technically, I am finishing my second year of college, but I have completed enough credit hours to be considered a senior. I took multiple ACP courses in high school and earned 32 college credits before I ever set foot on campus. Now I overload my schedule with 17 to 18 credit hours each semester, and I take at least one online course every summer. I will finish my bachelor's degree a year early, thus saving approximately $35,000. Then I will have only four more years to go. I have a dual major in Creativity and Innovation, and in Pre-Physician's Assistant, which gives me the science courses I need to be successful when I study audiology in grad school. There is nothing unusual about studying audiology except that I am hearing-impaired. My sister and I both struggle with genetic, progressive hearing loss, and I am so impressed by our audiologist's knowledge and compassion that she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, perhaps my experiences will give extra insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability will become my strength. My education is much more than an investment in my future. My education will affect the lives of all my future patients. When I imagine my future practice, my vision includes patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, but I want to focus primarily on children. When an infant fails the hearing test, the parents are frequently stunned; they feel lost and don't know what to do. I want to provide them with more than just a pamphlet listing local resources. I will have the expertise to counsel the parents and guide them to the best options available for them and their child. If I could have my ideal practice, I would continue to care for those children throughout their school years. I want my own outside practice, but I also want to work in the schools to help hearing-impaired students avoid the stigma of feeling different. The goal would be to create an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know the challenges those students will face, and I want to make the next generation's path to education a little smoother than mine. I want to teach my patients more than just survival strategies. I want to teach them how to thrive in whatever challenges our world may present. I became an advocate for all hearing-impaired students in high school and college. I am no longer afraid to speak up on my behalf or for anyone else who might benefit from someone championing their cause. I genuinely believe that most people aren't intentionally uncaring; they just aren't aware that some people's needs are being overlooked. I will work to change that. Besides hearing enhancement, my goal as an audiologist is to promote the inclusion of our deaf community while advocating for increased patience and understanding. A lifetime of helping others, especially children, would be a life well spent.

I had to get tough at a young age to overcome feeling different from my classmates. I received my first pair of hearing aids at 13 years old. I should have had them sooner, but I learned to hide my deficits from my parents and teachers. I always requested a front-row seat in my classes, I learned to read lips, did extra homework to maintain my grades, and my softball coaches were always yelling, so I got by. When my younger sister developed genetic progressive hearing loss in the third grade, the doctor checked my hearing too. I couldn't hide it anymore – oops, busted! Despite my struggles with hearing loss, I want to be an audiologist. I am so impressed by our doctor's knowledge and compassion that she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will add extra insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability will become my strength. Over the past several years, I have become an advocate for other hearing-impaired students and the deaf community in general. I'm no longer afraid to speak up on my behalf or for anyone else who might benefit from someone championing their cause. I genuinely believe that most people aren't intentionally uncaring; they just aren't aware that some people's needs are being overlooked. In 2020, I tried to raise my community's awareness when I stepped outside my comfort zone and competed in our local young women's talent/educational scholarship pageant. I won nothing that evening, but my talent presentation was a crowd-pleaser. I invited the audience to stand with me for the singing and "signing" of our national anthem. A recording was played as I used my American Sign Language skills to sign the words, and my performance was well-received. I'm always motivated to promote awareness and inclusion for the deaf community, and that evening, the Star-Spangled Banner was the perfect vehicle. I will study audiology in graduate school, but my bachelor's degree will be in pre-physician's assistant. This major gives me the science courses I need to be successful in grad school. I carry 17 to 18 credits each semester. I am on the Dean's List with a 3.6 GPA, and I am a varsity softball player. I faced adversity at a young age, and by powering my way through it, I have developed a strong work ethic and the tenacity of a bulldog, which will serve me well in my studies and career. Education is an investment in my future, but my education will affect the lives of all my future patients. I want my own outside practice, but I also want to work in the schools to help deaf and hard-of-hearing students avoid the stigma of feeling different. The goal is to create an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know the challenges those students will face, and I want to make the next generation's path to education smoother than mine. I want to help others who are struggling; I want to share my motivation and determination and bolster their will to succeed. Teaching them how to survive isn't enough. I need to teach them how to thrive in our world, and a lifetime of helping others would be a life well spent. Thank you for considering my application.

"What - you want to be an audiologist? But you can hardly even hear." Well, I have heard that multiple times. Yes, I am hearing-impaired, and yes, I want to be an audiologist. My sister and I both struggle with hearing loss, and I'm so impressed by our audiologist's knowledge and compassion that she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As an audiologist, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering challenges, my experiences will give added insight as I guide my patients toward successful coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability will become my strength. I had to get tough at a young age to overcome feeling different from my classmates. I received my first pair of hearing aids at 13 years old. I should have had them sooner, but I learned to hide my deficits. I always requested a front-row seat in my classes, learned to read lips and body language, extra homework helped maintain my grades, and my softball coaches were always yelling, so I got by. When my younger sister developed genetic progressive hearing loss in the third grade, the doctor checked my hearing too, and I couldn't hide it anymore – oops, busted! The COVID mask mandates were incredibly challenging to everyone with diminished hearing. Mom bought masks with clear plastic insets for our teachers. I took them to school and passed them out, but it wasn't a perfect solution. The masks got foggy. E-learning days became easier than in-person classes. Fortunately, my teachers understood, and a small microphone would use the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems to stream the lectures directly into my hearing aids. Thankfully, the COVID restrictions were lifted, and regular classes resumed, but I continue using Wi-Fi/Bluetooth technologies to help me feel "normal". My goal is to be an audiologist; to that end, my next several years are structured and planned as I study straight through to my doctorate. My academic career path includes a bachelor's degree in pre-physician's assistant plus four years of audiology in grad school. It would be easy to become overwhelmed, not by the academic work – I'm used to working hard, but by the potential size of my student loans. My immediate goal is to get a good education while keeping my student debt under six figures. My long-term goal is to open a hearing clinic in my hometown. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. When I imagine my future practice, my vision includes patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, but I want to focus primarily on children. I want an outside practice, but I also want to work in schools to help hearing-impaired students avoid the stigma of feeling different. The goal is to create an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know the challenges those students will face, and I want to make the next generation's path to education smoother than mine. Teaching them how to survive isn't enough; I want to teach them how to thrive. After all, the word disability only has three letters saying we can't, while the remaining seven letters say we can. As an audiologist, I can improve my patients' hearing and quality of life by decreasing their feelings of isolation and helping them stay engaged with their families and the world around them. A lifetime of helping others, especially children, would be a life well spent. Thank you for considering my application.

Unconditional love, entertainment, and comfort – that’s what dogs bring to their owners. I currently have two dogs, an English Springer Spaniel and Springer/Poodle mix. My goofy dogs make me smile; there is nothing better than wet noses and puppy kisses. Our sliding glass door is usually decorated with nose and tongue prints – our version of pet-troglyphs. Do dogs think that we are part of their pack, or do they think they are short, four-legged people? Either way, they are part of the family. Nikko, our English Springer Spaniel, is our superhero dog with a thinly disguised alter ego. He is friendly and mild-mannered until someone opens the backdoor, then he becomes Super Dog. He flies around our backyard with giant leaping strides and high-velocity turns. He cannot leap tall buildings, but he has impressive speed and is very entertaining. Nikko was a rescue dog. We didn’t rescue him; he rescued us during the COVID lockdown. Staying home all day, every day, was very depressing. Nikko’s crazy antics provided the pressure release valve we desperately needed. His antics kept us laughing instead of growling at each other. Maybe he was a court jester in a previous life. Nikko is our superhero dog who swooped in and saved the day - the month - the year. Nikko was there to comfort us when our older dog, Nikkia, passed away from cancer. We had Nikkia for many years. She was unpredictable but entertaining. We should have named her Dame Nikkia because she was our resident diva, and the couch was her throne. Nikkia’s food and water dishes were always full, but she preferred people food, such as freshly baked cookies that were left unattended while cooling on the kitchen counter. When we counted the cookies, the batch seemed a little short. She had eaten a few, which was bad enough, but when mom went to bed, she found three more cookies had been stashed under the covers. Mom fussed about all the crumbs while dad slept through everything. Another time, Nikkia tried hiding pizza for a late-night snack. I found it under my pillow. She looked offended when I threw it away. Our beloved Nikkia is gone but never forgotten. Now Nikko needed a playmate - time to get a puppy. Meet Poppy, our newest member of the family. She is a Springer/Poodle mix, and her personality is as wiry as her hair. She is like a coiled spring, waiting to unleash her energy on the world. We are working on her manners, but we have only had her for one week, so she is definitely a work in progress. One of her favorite antics reminds me of the childhood game “the floor is lava.” The sofa, chairs, and end table are her preferred path from the deck door to the dining room. Usually, she leaps (almost gracefully) from one piece of furniture to the next, but one afternoon, her passage was blocked, so she walked across Nikko’s back to the next chair. We thought it was hysterical, but he was not amused. I can be glad, mad, or sad, and my dogs always know what I need to reset my gyroscope and regain my sanity. It doesn’t matter if we are laughing our heads off at their craziness or cuddling on the couch watching a movie; I love my dogs, and I can tell by their happy tails and smiling faces that they love me too. I don’t know what I would do without dogs in my world. Thank you for considering my application.

Bluetooth technology inspires, motivates, and helps me get through my day. I received my first set of hearing aids when I was 13 years old. That was only six years ago, but technology has improved tremendously in those few years. My new hearing aids have a much better sound quality, and the Bluetooth connectivity allows me to use my phone without using the speaker. There is a tremendous difference in clarity between using a speakerphone vs. having someone's voice streamed directly into my ears. During the COVID quarantine, our teachers lectured over Wi-Fi networks, and Bluetooth linked my hearing aids to my school computer so I could hear the lessons with less distortion. However, my favorite app is the Bluetooth that streams music from my cell phone into my hearing aids. Listening to music as I study helps me stay focused. The Bluetooth to hearing aid connection is silent to everyone else, so I don't disturb other students in the library. I wish my hearing aids were not a necessity, but as long as I need them, at least I have good ones. Despite my challenges with genetic hearing loss, I want to be an audiologist. Currently, I am majoring in pre-physician's assistant studies for my bachelor's degree. I will study audiology in graduate school. My immediate goal is to get a good education while keeping my cumulative student debt under six figures; my long-term goal is to return home to open a speech and hearing clinic. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. When I imagine my future practice, my vision includes infants to the more obvious older patients, but I want to focus primarily on children. I want my own practice, but I also want to work in the schools, helping hearing-impaired students avoid the stigma of feeling different. I would work on creating an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I know what it's like to face daily obstacles in the classroom, and I want to make the next generation's path to education a little smoother than mine. My education is so much more than an investment in my future. My education will affect the lives of all my future patients. I might not be on the world stage, but I will be improving my corner of the world one person at a time. Thank you.

Wow, $1000 just fell into my lap! What to do, what to do? Well, I certainly know how I would use it. I would apply it to my current semester's college expenses, then study, study, study. I know that sounds a bit mundane, but I really need some financial assistance to pay for my college. My primary goal is to get a good education while controlling my debt. My ultimate goal is to return to my hometown and open a hearing clinic. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. My academic career path will be long and comes with a hefty price tag. I am studying to be an audiologist; that includes 7 to 8 years of studies and internships. It would be easy to become overwhelmed, not by the academic work - I am used to working hard – but by the potential size of my student loans. I work during the summers, saving as much as possible for school, but I am trying to avoid working during the school year. I need to focus on my studies. This award equals the amount of money I would earn working for 101 hours in a $9.87/hour minimum wage work-study program. Winning this award would be the same as someone giving me 101 extra hours of study time. Time is a very precious gift. I would use it wisely. Thank you for considering my application.

I really enjoy older adults. I listen to their stories and laugh at their jokes (which sometimes don't even make sense), but most of all, I give them my time, a few hugs, and lots of smiles. My mother is the rehab manager at a local nursing home, and I have volunteered there many times over the years. Sometimes I am given specific tasks, and sometimes I just sit and talk with the residents. I think they just don't want to feel forgotten. A few of them were confused and thought I was their granddaughter, but that was okay; it made me feel special. Many of our residents have dementia, and they might tell me the same story a dozen times in an hour. That's okay; I just smile and follow along. I have learned that when they tell their stories, they are reliving memories; it's like visiting with old friends. Let them enjoy. The COVID restrictions stopped my volunteering for over a year, and I really missed my friends. I am allowed back in the building, now, but I have noticed that several of my adopted grandparents have passed away. That makes me sad, but there are new faces to greet and stories to repeat. I am glad that I have such an affinity for older adults because my future career will include caring for them. I am studying to be an audiologist. I want to improve my patients' quality of life through hearing enhancement. The depression and feelings of isolation that come with hearing loss can accelerate dementia's progression. My goal will be to keep my patients engaged with their families and the world around them for as long as possible. Thank you for considering my application.

My bucket runneth over with my list, but I will highlight a few goals. Winning the big game - I have been playing softball since I was eight years old, and I always dreamed of winning big. In 2019, I was the starting third baseman on our varsity softball team, and we won the Indiana Class 2A State Softball Championship. The school has a large plaque, and my championship ring fits nicely on my finger. One bucket list item accomplished, many to go. Scholarships – I was trying to get into a good college with a softball scholarship. Mission accomplished! It isn’t a large scholarship, but when it comes to financing college, every dollar helps. Now I’m working on getting outside scholarships, and I won one thanks to having the courage to step outside my comfort zone. Distinguished Young Women pageant - in the fall of 2020, I psyched myself up to enter our local DYW pageant. I’m not comfortable in long dresses and fancy shoes; my feet prefer cleats, not high heels, but I competed anyway. I didn’t win anything that evening, but my talent presentation was a crowd-pleaser. I invited the audience to stand with me as our national anthem was played. I used my American Sign Language skills to sign the Star-Spangled Banner. My performance was well received. Fast forward to Oct 2021, I submitted a photo of my DYW performance to a scholarship contest about sharing my art with the community, and I was one of 10 winners! Doctorate degree – my biggest bucket list goal is to become a Dr. of Audiology. I’m trying to control my student debt, but eight years of college will be crazy-expensive. My long-range goal includes working in the schools with hearing-impaired students. Thank you for considering my application.

Why do I deserve this scholarship? Duh, obviously, because I want it. I mean, I took the time to apply for it so why shouldn't I get it? After all, I am living here on campus, miles away from mommy and daddy, all alone (except for my roommate and friends). I usually go to most of my classes, and I haven't exactly failed anything - yet. Academic goals - I'm pretty sure that I will finish college. Career - do I really need goals? Gap years are very "in" right now. I think I will take mine after college, maybe go to Europe or somewhere, before I start looking for a job. However, I won't settle for just any old job. I will wait until I find the perfect job where my paycheck is big and my efforts are small. Obstacles? I don't need to overcome obstacles. I just bulldoze my way through them. Ok, I lied; daddy does that for me. Sometimes, he says that I need to pull myself up by my bootstraps and learn to stand on my own two feet. What does that even mean? I think the concept of overcoming challenges leading to personal growth is outdated. Somebody old said that, maybe Benjamin Franklin.

The Unfortunate Underwear Incident My photo entry is not especially amusing, but the story behind it is. This is a true story of inadequate underwear. I can laugh about it now, but it remains my most embarrassing incident in school. Fortunately, it set into motion a chain of events that ultimately worked out well for our team. I am such an overachiever! In a two short hours, I accidentally joined our junior high school track team and suffered my most embarrassing moment due to a wardrobe malfunction. It was an early spring afternoon in my 8th-grade year when my friend coerced me into skipping homeroom to sit with her at the season's first track meeting. I had never considered joining the track team. I had played many different sports over the years, but softball was my first love. Track and field events had never been on my radar, but she was my friend, so I went along to keep her company. I thought the meeting would be informational, where forms would be passed out with instructions for parental signatures. Imagine my surprise when the coach arrived and announced that everyone in the room had better be serious about joining the track team, or they would get detention for skipping class. Obviously, I didn't want detention; I had to join the team. This initial meeting evolved into an impromptu practice. We were told to go outside and jog around the track. Unfortunately, I was not properly attired and I was too embarrassed to say anything. My sneakers were in my gym locker, so no problem there, but I was not wearing the proper bra. Every female athlete knows the importance of wearing a good sports bra while exercising, especially when running. I was an "early bloomer," and a little chubby, I needed an industrial-strength sports bra. I had several at home, but I was not wearing one that day. This was not going to end well. We started jogging around the track. I tried to hold myself together, but the coach yelled at me for not swinging my arms for momentum. We were halfway around the track with me bouncing along in a tank top and the wrong bra when the inevitable happened. I bounced out of my clothing at the worst possible moment - just as a group of boys was passing us. The first boy saw everything and fell down. The second boy fell over the first, and the remaining boys played hopscotch over random arms and legs, narrowly avoiding a multi-student pile up on the backstretch. "Clean up, lane four!" I hurriedly put myself back together and finished my lap at a conservative walk. Red-faced, I left the track and went over to join the shot-put squad. The silver lining was that my right arm was very strong from pitching, and with some instruction on proper techniques, I was soon out throwing the competition even with the 12 lb. ball. The domino effect was my inadequate underwear led to a wardrobe malfunction which prompted me to join the shot-put squad and accidentally contributed to several first place ribbons for our team. Three cheers for underwear! Thank you for considering my embarrassing, but funny story.

Practice does not necessarily make perfect. Practice makes permanent. First, you must perfect your technique, then practice! Repetition creates muscle memory and consistency. I have many talents, but I have worked especially hard on two skills: softball and American Sign Language. I started playing softball when I was eight years old. I have always worked hard and tried to do my best. Coaches appreciate enthusiasm and work ethic. Our coach noticed my hard work in practice; first one there - last to leave; when he asked for ten reps, I gave him twenty. In 2019, I was the third baseman on my high school's State Championship softball team. I was the only sophomore to earn a starting position. I played on multiple summer travel teams and took hitting/pitching lessons in the winter. In my senior year, I was the starting pitcher and team captain. Also, I hit 12 home runs, tying for the conference title. All of that hard work paid off when my college coach noticed me. Fall 2021, my first at-bat in my first collegiate game resulted in a grand slam home run. That's a great way to start a college career! I love playing softball, but my true passion is deaf studies. I am hearing-impaired, and I want to be an audiologist. I have been studying American Sign Language for six years. Our school didn't offer ASL, so I taught myself through online courses. Remote learning is harder than in person, but I earned college credits. In 2019, I founded our school's first American Sign Language Club. I was honing my ASL skills as I was teaching the other students. To teach is to learn again. I was honored when our principal asked me to "sign" our national anthem before sporting events, and I performed many times.

Success makes me happy, but success comes in many forms. I am a freshman collegiate softball pitcher, and I am happy when I strike out an opposing batter. I am also a power hitter, and I caught my coach’s attention when my first at-bat in my first game on campus resulted in a grand slam home run. That made the whole team happy! Everyone was playing me deep on my next at-bat, so I bunted and squeezed out a double. Unpredictability can be successful too, and that makes me happy. One of my favorite ways to make myself happy is to bring a little sunshine into someone else’s day. I try to share my smile with everyone as I walk across campus. Sometimes the smile is returned and sometimes not, but that’s ok. Maybe that person is having a bad day, and their smiles are in short supply. They can have one of mine. I have extras. Animals make me happy. My goofy dogs make me smile, and there is nothing better than wet noses and puppy kisses. I grew up in a rural community, and someday I hope to have a hobby farm with horses, a cow, and a few chickens. That would really make me smile. My family makes me happy - my immediate family, extended family, and my friends who are the family that I got to choose. They are the village that has been raising this child, and I love being with them. I may be a broke college kid with a large student debt looming in my future, but I am rich beyond words with so many supportive people around me. All other things aside, being with my friends and family makes me happiest. Thank you for considering my application.

I’ll take Human Anatomy for two pretzels. The answer is “the body’s largest organ,” and the question is “What is skin?” Correct! I am a pre-med major, and my heavy-duty classes require heavy-duty studying. I have joined several study groups for my different classes, and we try to make the study sessions into games. Everyone brings a list of questions, snacks to share, and their favorite caffeinated beverage. We could be there for hours. It’s hard to determine a game-winner because we eat our winnings as soon as we acquire them, but if we ace the tests, there are no losers. Another excellent way to master material is to teach it. I began using this strategy in high school. Unfortunately, my sister was not interested in learning trigonometry or the periodic table. I had to find other willing participants, so I turned to the other occupants in our shared room. Behold, I found a plethora of previously overlooked students, all wide-eyed with anticipation - my stuffed animals. I felt a little crazy the first few times that I presented to my animals, but they were so attentive, it was heartwarming. I began by practicing speeches and PowerPoint presentations with my animals lined up on the bed and sitting on the floor - stadium seating. As a result, I gained confidence in my public speaking. Soon this idea progressed into teaching them the notes from my more challenging classes. As I instructed my animals, I gained a better understanding of the material. Teaching others may not be my passion, but it has helped me become a better student and more appreciative of my teachers. This practice helped me so much that when it came time to pack for college, I included some of my best students.

I am Dame Nikkia, and I’m the resident diva. The couch is my throne. My food and water dishes are always full, but I prefer more variety such as freshly baked cookies that are cooling on the counter. Last month, I ate three cookies and stashed more in the big bed. The mom human found them at bedtime and fussed about all the crumbs. The dad human slept through everything. Yesterday, I tried hiding some pizza. The younger human found it under her pillow and threw it away. Humans are so exasperating when they refuse to acknowledge my Diva-ness!

The best way to live a long life is to choose your ancestors wisely. All silliness aside, we inherit our family's genetics, and their past health history can affect ours. If my family history includes diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart disease, I should be careful. If my family has normal blood pressure and good metabolism, I should kneel down with a prayer of gratitude. Our inherited traits are important, but they aren't the only things that govern our health and longevity. We are free to make choices, good or bad, that affect how long we live. I try to make good choices that will improve on whatever traits I have inherited. For example, I exercise, eat nutritional foods, and avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking, using recreational drugs, or alcohol. I exercise daily. Some workouts are more strenuous than others, but I do something every day. My primary sport is softball, but I cross-train with swimming, and I enjoy working out in the weight room. After a workout, I'm tired, but my mind is more focused, and my stress is gone. The brain is a muscle too, and it needs proper nutrition and exercise. My major is pre-med, so my brain is stimulated with heavy-duty studying. But there are many other ways to challenge a brain and keep it healthy such as learning to play a musical instrument or studying a different language. I play the oboe, speak Spanish (not fluently yet), and I'm studying American Sign Language. I want my brain firing on all cylinders. Mental health is different. Surround yourself with positive energy; volunteer with worthy causes; be a part of something larger than yourself. Former President Jimmy Carter has dedicated his life to helping others, and he resembles that famous bunny; he just keeps going! Thank you.

Breaking news: Big sister defends little sister and accidently discovers her passion. Inspiration often comes from witnessing an act of kindness. My inspiration grew from witnessing an act of unkindness when I overheard two students gossiping about my little sister. "Did you see Cassie's stupid-looking hearing aids? She is just using them for attention. They make her look like a grandma." I was stunned by these hurtful remarks. Cassie was in the third grade and had just received her first pair of hearing aids. Those students had no idea of Cassie's daily challenges. I didn't tell my sister about this; instead, I went to my favorite teacher, relayed the incident, and asked if I could start a club that might help build a bridge of understanding - something fun like an American Sign Language Club. The teacher replied that it was a good idea, but she wasn't aware that I knew sign language. I said, "I don't, but I can learn." That was six years ago, and I have been studying American Sign Language ever since. Unfortunately, our school is small and does not offer ASL. I had to research it online and began studying at home. In 2019, I founded our high school's first American Sign Language Club, and the membership continues to grow. Six years ago, I came to my sister's defense, and since that time, I have become very interested in deaf studies. I became an advocate for other hard-of-hearing students in our school, and I switched my career plans from veterinary medicine to audiology. "What? You want to be an audiologist? But you can hardly even hear." Well, I have heard that multiple times. Yes, I am hard-of-hearing, and yes, I want to be an audiologist. Both my sister and I are hearing-impaired, and we have an amazing doctor. I am impressed by our audiologist's knowledge and compassion. She has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement. But as one who lives with these life-altering changes, perhaps my experiences can lend extra insight, and I can guide my patients toward appropriate coping skills. Then my "would-be" disability will become my strength. I will be studying counseling to help with that aspect of my mission. Student advocacy - I became an advocate for other hearing-impaired students in our school. I tried to increase the teachers' awareness of our challenges, and I offered recommendations to enhance our learning experience. Some of my suggestions were more involved, and others were quite simple such as choosing videos with the closed captioning feature and remembering to turn it on – a detail that is easily overlooked. In Oct 2020, I stepped way outside my comfort zone and competed in our local Distinguished Young Women's pageant. I used my ASL skills to perform our national anthem for my talent portion. Following that, our principal asked me to sign the national anthem before various sporting events. I was honored, and, of course, I agreed. I didn't sign before every event, but I performed so many times that my nickname became "That Sign Girl." I am always motivated to promote awareness and inclusion for the deaf community, and in this case, the Star-Spangled Banner was the perfect vehicle. I have included a link to a Facebook post where I am performing at the DYW pageant. I was not singing, only signing. It's only cell phone quality, but I think the sentiment comes through. Thank you for considering my application.

"Mr. Watson, come here. I want you." was Alexander Graham Bell's first phone call in 1876. The telephone was an important invention, but not new technology in today's world. Hearing aids, as we know them today, became popular in the 1970s. Again, it is important technology, but nothing new. My favorite new invention is the Bluetooth capability that connects my phone to my hearing aids, which has only been available since 2015. Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices were introduced in 2010, but they were bulky and required an external streaming device. My new hearing aids have that technology built into the tiny devices that sit in my ears – amazing!   Hedy Lamarr - what does she have to do with the Bluetooth in my hearing aids? The Austrian-born Hollywood beauty was an accomplished actress and an inventor. She was a pioneer in the technology that would eventually apply to today's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS systems. During WWII, Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil invented a new communication system called frequency jumping. Both the transmitter and the receiver would jump radio frequencies simultaneously. Theoretically, this would prevent the German forces from intercepting and jamming torpedo signals. The military never actually used their invention, but it has been recognized as the foundation for later technological developments in spread-spectrum radio. "Although she died in 2000, Lamarr was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for the development of her frequency hopping technology in 2014. Such achievement has led Lamarr to be dubbed "the mother of Wi-Fi" and other wireless communications like GPS and Bluetooth."  https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hedy-lamarr I received my first set of hearing aids when I was 13 years old. That was only five years ago, but technology has improved tremendously since then. My new hearing aids have a much better quality of sound, and the Bluetooth connectivity allows me to use my phone in a hands-free mode. There is a tremendous difference in clarity between using a speakerphone and having someone's voice streamed directly into my ears. During the COVID quarantine, Bluetooth linked my hearing aids to my school computer so I could hear the lesson with less distortion. However, my favorite application is streaming music through the phone into my hearing aids. I listen to music when I study; it helps me focus. I wish that hearing aids were not necessary, but as long as I need them, at least I have good ones.  I want to be an audiologist. I will be majoring in pre-med studies for my bachelor's degree, and I will study audiology in graduate school. I plan to set up practice in my hometown. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. I want to focus on hearing-impaired infants and children. When an infant fails the hearing test, parents are often stunned and feel lost. I want to provide them with more than a simple pamphlet listing local resources. I will have the expertise to counsel the parents and guide them to the best available options. If I could have my ideal practice, I would continue to care for those children up to and including their school years. I want to work in the schools, creating an optimal learning environment for hearing-impaired students while helping them avoid the stigma of feeling different. I hope to foster a culture of patience and understanding. I know what it's like to face daily obstacles in school, and I want to make the next generation's path to education a little smoother than mine.  Thank you for considering my application

OK, everyone, listen up. Whoever does not need money for college, please form a line to the right - no pushing - no crowding. Well, that will certainly be a short line! We all have dreams, and most of us need financial assistance to make those dreams come true. My career path will be long and expensive. I plan to study straight through to my doctorate; I want to be an AuD, a Dr. of Audiology. My immediate goal is to graduate and start my audiology practice with something less than a six-figure student loan. My long-term goal is to open an audiology clinic in my hometown. I want to nurture the community that nurtured me. As an Audiologist, I can help improve people’s hearing and improve their quality of life by decreasing feelings of isolation and helping them stay engaged with the world around them. When I imagine my practice, I visualize it including infants through the more obvious geriatric patients, but I want to focus on children. When an infant fails the hearing test, the parents are usually stunned and at a loss with what to do or where to turn. I want to provide them with more than just a pamphlet listing local resources. I will have the expertise to counsel the parents and guide them to the best options available. If I could have my ideal practice, I would continue caring for those children up to and including their school years. I want my own practice, but I also want to work in the schools to help hearing-impaired students avoid the stigma of feeling different. I would work towards creating an optimal learning environment while fostering a culture of patience and understanding. I am hearing-impaired. I have faced those daily challenges, and I know what it takes to get through the day. I want to make the next generation’s path to education a little smoother than mine. I wish that money were not so important, but when it comes to college tuition, unfortunately, it is. My career path includes eight years of study and internships. It would be easy to become overwhelmed. The academic workload will require a lot of studying, of course, but that isn’t nearly as frightening as the potential size of my student loans. Winning this generous scholarship would alleviate a significant amount of stress in my life. This scholarship award would roughly equal the amount of money I would earn working for 117 hours in a $7.25/hour minimum wage work-study program. Receiving this award for college expenses is the equivalent of someone giving me an extra 117 hours of study time. The gift of time is very precious. I would use it wisely. I am a very focused and determined individual. I will do whatever it takes to get my education, but this award would be helpful and very much appreciated. Thank you for considering my application.

"What? You want to study audiology? But you can hardly even hear." Well, I have heard that multiple times. Yes, I struggle with progressive genetic hearing loss, and yes, I want to be an audiologist. Helen Keller once said, "When you are blind, you are cut off from things. When you are deaf, you are cut off from people." Her words inspire me. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help my patients with the technical aspects of hearing enhancement, but I want to do more. I have personal experience in dealing with the psychological aspects of these life-altering changes. I feel that I can give added insight and guide my patients toward good coping skills. My "would be" disability will now become my strength. I plan to study counseling to help with that aspect of my mission. By improving my patients' hearing, I can improve their quality of life by decreasing their feelings of isolation and helping them stay engaged with the world around them. I am hearing-impaired, as are my dad and sister. Our hearing deficits are genetic and have followed the same pattern of development for many generations. As young children, our hearing was normal. Then hearing loss begins around seven to eight years old, and it deteriorates into adulthood. We wear hearing aids, and the devices are helpful, but they are not miracle cures. Hearing aids amplify but do not clarify the conversation. Plus, our hearing aids fit over our ears, a common style, but that makes the microphones face backward. Conversations occurring behind us are the first things amplified, literally making it background noise. Most people who struggle with hearing loss augment their understanding with lip-reading, but the COVID mask mandates have eliminated that option. My family has learned to hide our hearing loss well, but we have felt "cut off" from many conversations. Mom covers for us, but when it is really loud, we use sign language. "When you are deaf, you are cut off from people." Helen Keller's words motivate me. They help me stay focused and keep my eye on the prize, helping others who are struggling. I hope to work in the schools someday, assisting hearing-impaired students and guiding the teachers toward an optimal learning environment. I want to foster a culture of patience and understanding. I know what it's like to face daily obstacles in school, and I want to make the next generation's path to education a little smoother than mine. Thank you for your time and for considering my application.

My favorite artist and my favorite scientist are the same person, Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci’s artistic skills are well known, but not everyone is aware of his scientific innovations, such as his theories on astronomy or his engineering ideas that included flying machines and an armored tank. He also studied anatomy when dissecting was against the law. He was an architect, a scientist, an engineer, a theorist, a sculptor, and a painter. He served as an artist’s apprentice, but he never received a formal education; essentially, he skipped school.

Meet Clark Kent, our mild-mannered Springer Spaniel who becomes Superman when he flies around our backyard with leaping strides and high-velocity turns. Okay, his name is Niko, and he cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound, but he has impressive speed and is very entertaining. Niko is a rescue dog. We did not rescue him; he rescued us. The COVID lock-down was very hard on us. Our family was always very active with work, school, sports, traveling - you name it, and we tried it. We were always going and doing something. Staying home all day, every day, was a severe challenge. Niko’s crazy antics provided the pressure release valve that we so desperately needed. His antics kept us laughing instead of growling at each other. I think he was a court jester in a previous life. Niko is our Clark Kent/Superman superhero dog who swooped in and saved the day...the month...the year.

My palms are sweaty. My heart is racing. My insides are all turning to liquid and I may have just wet myself a bit. Why did I let my sister talk me into this? She is the family daredevil, not I. We were vacationing at Mammoth Cave, KY, and I don’t know why, but I let my sister talk me into rock climbing, then rappelling back down the cliff face. I don’t like heights and I don’t like being “not in control.” I was scared to death, but I’m proud of myself for stepping way outside my comfort zone.

Cats purr. Dogs wag their tails, but lizards aren’t so openly affectionate. Meet Boo, our Leopard Gecko. He doesn’t display affection like a cat or a dog, but he is affectionate in his own lizad-y way. He was very shy at first, but now he will come out of his little cave when he sees us. He likes to snuggle under mom’s chin or he will walk along our arms, climbing in/out of our shirt pockets. He might be looking for treats, but I just can’t make myself hide a meal worm or a cricket in my pocket. Sorry Boo.

Humans can be so unreasonable. 🙄🤦‍♀️

I have always wanted to study medicine, but I wasn't sure if it would be for animals or people.  The vision for my career path has finally come into focus and I have decided to study audiology. As a Dr. of Audiology, I can help improve my patients’ hearing, improve their quality of life by decreasing feelings of isolation, and help them feel engaged in the world around them. My interest in deaf studies began when I overheard two students gossiping about my younger sister.  Cassie was nine years old and had just gotten her first set of hearing aids.  The girls criticized her, saying it was just to get attention, and the hearing aids made her look like a grandma.  Their words stung me, first for my sister and secondly for me. I wear hearing aids too. What were others saying about me?  I didn’t tell Cassie about the gossip. Instead, I went directly to my favorite teacher and asked if I could start a club that might help other students understand the challenges we face every day, something fun like an American Sign Language club. My teacher said that it would be a good idea, but she wasn't aware that I knew American Sign Language. I replied, "I don't, but I can learn."            That was a five years ago, and I have been studying American Sign Language ever since. Our school is small and we don't have the resources to offer American Sign Language. I have been learning ASL through on-line courses and earning college credits. In 2019, I started the first ASL Club in our school. All age groups were encouraged to join and our membership continues to grow.   My club goals are to stimulate interest in American Sign Language, share what I have learned, and promote increased awareness of the challenges of hearing loss. Those of us with hearing impairments may be slow to respond in conversation, but we are merely processing what we think we heard. Hearing aids help, but they are not miracle cures. Hearing aids amplify but do not clarify.  Also, hearing aids that fit over the ear have microphones that face backward. Conversations occurring behind are the first things amplified.  Most of us augment our understanding with lip-reading, but the current COVID mask restrictions have eliminated that option.       What started as defending my sister has evolved into my career path. I also plan to study counseling so I can help others with the psychological aspect of dealing with hearing loss. Maybe I can lend some insight through my own experiences. My "would be" disability will now become my strength.  I feel that I could have a positive impact on my patients’ lives. Helen Keller once said “When you are blind, you are cut off from things. When you are deaf, you are cut off from people.”  I want to use my knowledge to help others bridge the gaps and stay connected to their families and the world.