My father plays golf. His father before him played golf. His brother, his cousins, his uncles, his aunts, the whole family; we all play golf. When I was 5 years old, my dad took me into our front yard in the country, put a golf club in my hand for the first time and told me to swing. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride of learning and growing, both in and out of the game. From playing Captain's Choice and watching and sucking up all of the information provided to me, to drills at practice for the high school team, I have made great strides over the years and it's all been thanks to my dad. Entering high school, things began to change. It was no longer just a leisurely weekend activity, it was a competition. What made it even more intense was that my dad was the high school team's coach. Not only did I have my dad watching me, but I had my coach as well. Walking into my first match, the only freshman on the Varsity team, I was a nervous wreck. That was until I realized that this was still golf. The game had not changed just because my score was being compared to others, and I decided that I could play this sport, have fun, and make friends all at the same time. And I made so many lasting memories over the four years I played on the team; making friends, watching people grow and seeing my own score improve my freshman year, playing with the boys because there were no other girls my sophomore year, becoming a part of the top tier of golfers and creating a permanent threesome with two girls from other schools my junior year, and then becoming captain and going not only to Regionals but to States my senior year. And through it all, I had the support of all of my golfing family and learned to love the game so much more than just some competition. This game has changed my life in so many ways and I have grown so much, both in the sense of the game and myself. On the golf side of my growth, I have improved in technique and ability, as well as my score. I learned how to manufacture different types of shots and play with strategy and confidence. And for all of my hard work, I ended up going to the States Competition and playing with two much younger and much better golfers. But on the more personal side of my growth, I learned how to control my emotions, including my fiery temper. I learned to accept, adapt, and overcome any situation life has to throw at me. I learned to be more attentive to others, becoming more caring and compassionate. I learned to be a leader and to use my knowledge and confidence to help others. I built a better relationship with my dad and learned to communicate effectively. Through struggles, growth, and every experience, I formed a love for this game. Golf brought me closer to people, knowing I had support in unexpected places and that I could provide support to others. And if any lesson my dad has taught me has been true, it is this; "Golf is a lifelong game". I know I can play golf with my family on the weekend, and I know that I have become a better person because of this unique game.

My father plays golf. His father before him played golf. His brother, his cousins, his uncles, his aunts, the whole family; we all play golf. When I was 5 years old, my dad took me into our front yard in the country, put a golf club in my hand for the first time and told me to swing. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride of learning and growing, both in and out of the game. From playing Captain's Choice and watching and sucking up all of the information provided to me, to drills at practice for the high school team, I have made great strides over the years and it's all been thanks to my dad. Entering high school, things began to change. It was no longer just a leisurely weekend activity, it was a competition. What made it even more intense was that my dad was the high school team's coach. Not only did I have my dad watching me, but I had my coach as well. Walking into my first match, the only freshman on the Varsity team, I was a nervous wreck. That was until I realized that this was still golf. The game had not changed just because my score was being compared to others, and I decided that I could play this sport, have fun, and make friends all at the same time. And I made so many lasting memories over the four years I played on the team; making friends, watching people grow and seeing my own score improve my freshman year, playing with the boys because there were no other girls my sophomore year, becoming a part of the top tier of golfers and creating a permanent threesome with two girls from other schools my junior year, and then becoming captain and going not only to Regionals but to States my senior year. And through it all, I had the support of all of my golfing family and learned to love the game so much more than just some competition. This game has changed my life in so many ways and I have grown so much, both in the sense of the game and myself. On the golf side of my growth, I have improved in technique and ability, as well as my score. I learned how to manufacture different types of shots and play with strategy and confidence. And for all of my hard work, I ended up going to the States Competition and playing with two much younger and much better golfers. But on the more personal side of my growth, I learned how to control my emotions, including my fiery temper. I learned to accept, adapt, and overcome any situation life has to throw at me. I learned to be more attentive to others, becoming more caring and compassionate. I learned to be a leader and to use my knowledge and confidence to help others. I built a better relationship with my dad and learned to communicate effectively. Through struggles, growth, and every experience, I formed a love for this game. Golf brought me closer to people, knowing I had support in unexpected places and that I could provide support to others. And if any lesson my dad has taught me has been true, it is this; "Golf is a lifelong game". I know I can play golf with my family on the weekend, and I know that I have become a better person because of this unique game.

Last school year, 2021, I walked into yearbook class for the first time. This class, unlike any other, takes the events and people in our school and encapsulates them, so that years down the road we can pull out our school annual and look back at all the people they knew and things they did. I was what is generally known as a latecomer to the class, starting as a general staffer with only one more year of potential since I was a junior. Despite the setback this caused me, I turned toward the editors and the advisor and sought guidance. Then, without reason and with unimaginable amounts of chaos, the editors quit, taking the entire yearbook they had planned over the summer with them. And the rest of us, with practically no experience, were left to start from scratch. We hobbled together a plan and ended up with a rough draft of what our yearbook that year would look like, and the advisor, Mrs. Newsom, began looking for people who were capable enough to do the work. I stepped out, working above and beyond what was expected, taking on way too much work, and decided it was time to sink or swim, and Newsom happily began to rely on me. This year, I became editor, with only one year's experience under my belt, and designed the entire yearbook for this year. Through struggle, and amid turmoil, I stepped up to the challenge and did everything I could for the sake of others. I went out of my way to help, to ease the burden, and that is something I deeply value about myself. Whether it is helping a friend do their school work, or if they are having a bad day and simply need a shoulder to cry on, I stop what I am doing and help. I take time for others, and try my hardest to leave a positive impact on the people around me and brighten dark days. When I have been in times of desperation, on the verge of simply sitting down and never getting up again, drowning in a river of tears, I have never had the luxury of getting support from others. I learned to suck it up and continue with my head held high. And I am determined to be that person for others so that they never have to experience the pain of not having someone to turn to. Bring me a real-world problem, give me a task that seems too hard to do alone, and let me carry it with you. I strive to be a solid rock, a shoulder to cry on, a beacon of light in all that I do and everywhere I go so that people can feel safe enough to ask me for help, and so that I can provide that help they seek. Supporting others, being a leader and friend, and leaving a permanent positive impact; these qualities that I try to embody every day are the qualities that will bring me happiness and success in all that I attempt. Practically, I will and am a good leader, giving me an edge in a competitive job-centered world. Along with that, I can form and maintain meaningful relationships that last for a lifetime and change the world other than in just material ways. I want to leave this world having made a difference for the good. And this ability, this care, this mission to help others in any and every way I possibly can allows me to do that.

My first memory was from when I was three years old. I was at Mrs. Jeana's, the at-home daycare my mother sent my sister and me to before we were old enough to go to elementary school. I was sitting on the color-speckled carpet playing with a children's veterinary play kit, complete with a stethoscope, plastic needle, and stuffed dog. Since I was just a toddler, for as far back as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to heal animals. Only later did I learn that exactly what I wanted to be was called a veterinarian. I grew up on a cattle farm in a small town, and I liked to imagine that the cows were my friends and I would make them feel better. I played doctor to my stuffed animals and watched Doctor Pol, a documentary-style show that tracked the veterinary clinic of Dr. Jan Pol, a vet in Michigan. No matter how gross or bizarre the case was, I was invested in learning as much as I could and in making my dreams a reality. Despite my humble upbringing in the country in a rented farmhouse, and initially going to school in an underachieving area, I worked as hard as I could to do my best in school and obtain my dreams. Even while combating bullying and moving to a different, more advanced school in the middle of the school year, I did as much as I could to make certain that reaching my goals was possible, making all A's in school for as long as I can remember, continuing to watch shows that I could collect veterinary medical knowledge through, and simply overachieving in all I put my mind to. After facing many troubles throughout my childhood, I redirected my sadness, bitterness, and worry and turned that negative energy into the motivation I needed to keep on keeping on. I learned to focus my attention not on what could bring me down, but to overcome that and be the best version of myself that I can be. Growing up surrounded by animals and desperately reaching for information about helping them fueled my passion and calling to become a veterinarian. Through schooling and hard work, I hope to one day work at a clinic or zoo and be able to make animals better as a living. I can't imagine a better or more satisfying job than to be surrounded by animals all day and know that I did everything I possibly could to keep them healthy, and to see the smiles that I bring their owners. My dream is to work at a Christian facility, with a focus on extending grace and mercy not only to the animals we serve but their owners, through financial accommodation and a job well done when it comes to their fuzzy (or feathered or scaled) friend's well-being. I want to be able to provide relief to both pets and people, making a stressful situation like an injured loved pet a little easier on all those involved. As I know what it is like to be worried about my furry friends, as well as how we were going to pay to take care of them, I wish to work at a place that will provide that comfort and relief to those that are in the same situation I had once been in, and I wish to be able to help provide that support through giving the exact funding I hope my workplace supports. That way I can not only help animals but the people in my community.

My first memory was from when I was three years old. I was at Mrs. Jeana's, the at-home daycare my mother sent my sister and me to before we were old enough to go to elementary school. I was sitting on the color-speckled carpet playing with a children's veterinary play kit, complete with a stethoscope, plastic needle, and stuffed dog. Since I was just a toddler, for as far back as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to heal animals. Only later did I learn that exactly what I wanted to be was called a veterinarian. I grew up on a cattle farm in a small town, and I liked to imagine that they were my friends and I would make them feel better. I played doctor to my stuffed animals and watched Doctor Pol, a documentary-style show that tracked the veterinary clinic of Dr. Jan Pol, a vet in Michigan. No matter how gross or bizarre the case was, I was invested in learning as much as I could. My family also always had pets, and I remember when my first dog, Kodiak, died. I wanted to make sure that something as tragic as losing a pet too soon before their time was up never had to happen to another person, and they would never have to know that sadness. Despite my humble upbringing in the country in a rented farmhouse, and initially going to school in an underachieving area, I worked as hard as I could to do my best in school and obtain my dreams. Even while combating bullying and moving to a different, more advanced school in the middle of the school year, I did as much as I could to make certain that reaching my goals was possible, making all A's in school for as long as I can remember, continuing to watch shows that I could collect veterinary medical knowledge through, and simply overachieving in all I put my mind to. Growing up surrounded by animals and desperately reaching for information about helping them fueled my passion and calling to become a veterinarian. Through schooling and hard work, I hope to one day work at a clinic or zoo and be able to make animals better as a living. I can't imagine a better or more satisfying job than to be surrounded by animals all day and know that I did everything I possibly could to keep them healthy, and to see the smiles that I bring their owners. My dream is to work at a Christian facility, with a focus on extending grace and mercy not only to the animals we serve but their owners, through financial accommodation and a job well done when it comes to their fuzzy (or feathered or scaled) friend's well-being. I want to be able to provide relief to both pets and people, making a stressful situation like an injured chosen member of our family a little easier on all those involved. I plan to go to college to major in either Animal Sciences or Biology with a pre-vet focus, beginning my journey to become a veterinarian with an undergraduate degree that would allow me to continue my schooling through a graduate vet school, and then graduating with a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree to become a full-fledged veterinarian. This course would allow me to help animals and make the world a better place for all puppy-kind through my work and care.

My first memory was from when I was three years old. I was at Mrs. Jeana's, the at-home daycare my mother sent my sister and me to before we were old enough to go to elementary school. I was sitting on the color-speckled carpet playing with a children's veterinary play kit, complete with a stethoscope, plastic needle, and stuffed dog. Since I was just a toddler, for as far back as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to heal animals. Only later did I learn that exactly what I wanted to be was called a veterinarian. I grew up on a cattle farm in a small town, and I liked to imagine that they were my friends and I would make them feel better. I played doctor to my stuffed animals and watched Doctor Pol, a documentary-style show that tracked the veterinary clinic of Dr. Jan Pol, a vet in Michigan. No matter how gross or bizarre the case was, I was invested in learning as much as I could. My family also always had pets, and I remember when my first dog, Kodiak, died. I wanted to make sure that something as tragic as losing a pet too soon before their time was up never had to happen to another person, and they would never have to know that sadness. Growing up surrounded by animals and information about helping them fueled my passion and calling to become a veterinarian. Through schooling and hard work, I hope to one day work at a clinic or zoo and be able to make animals better as a living. I can't imagine a better or more satisfying job than to be surrounded by animals all day and know that I did everything I possibly could to keep them healthy, and to see the smiles that I bring their owners. My dream is to work at a Christian facility, with a focus on extending grace and mercy not only to the animals we serve but their owners, through financial accommodation and a job well done when it comes to their fuzzy (or feathered or scaled) friend's well-being. I want to be able to provide relief to both pets and people, making a stressful situation like an injured chosen member of our family a little easier on all those involved. I plan to go to college to major in either Animal Sciences or Biology with a pre-vet focus, beginning my journey to become a veterinarian with an undergraduate degree that would allow me to continue my schooling through a graduate vet school, and then graduating with a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree to become a full-fledged veterinarian. This course would allow me to help animals and make the world a better place for all puppy-kind through my work and care.

My first memory was from when I was three years old. I was at Mrs. Jeana's, the at-home daycare my mother sent my sister and me to before we were old enough to go to elementary school. I was sitting on the color-speckled carpet playing with a children's veterinary play kit, complete with a stethoscope, plastic needle, and stuffed dog. Since I was just a toddler, for as far back as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to heal animals. Only later did I learn that exactly what I wanted to be was called a veterinarian. I grew up on a cattle farm in a small town, and I liked to imagine that they were my friends and I would make them feel better. I played doctor to my stuffed animals and watched Doctor Pol, a documentary-style show that tracked the veterinary clinic of Dr. Jan Pol, a vet in Michigan. No matter how gross or bizarre the case was, I was invested in learning as much as I could. My family also always had pets, and I remember when my first dog, Kodiak, died. I wanted to make sure that something as tragic as losing a pet too soon before their time was up never had to happen to another person, and they would never have to know that sadness. Growing up surrounded by animals and information about helping them fueled my passion and calling to become a veterinarian. Through schooling and hard work, I hope to one day work at a clinic or zoo and be able to make animals better as a living. I can't imagine a better or more satisfying job than to be surrounded by animals all day and know that I did everything I possibly could to keep them healthy, and to see the smiles that I bring their owners. My dream is to work at a Christian facility, with a focus on extending grace and mercy not only to the animals we serve but their owners, through financial accommodation and a job well done when it comes to their fuzzy (or feathered or scaled) friend's well-being. I want to be able to provide relief to both pets and people, making a stressful situation like an injured chosen member of our family a little easier on all those involved. I plan to go to college to major in either Animal Sciences or Biology with a pre-vet focus, beginning my journey to become a veterinarian with an undergraduate degree that would allow me to continue my schooling through a graduate vet school, and then graduating with a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree to become a full-fledged veterinarian. This course would allow me to help animals and make the world a better place for all puppy-kind through my work and care, making my childhood dreams come true.

Near the beginning of this past school year, I was able to get out of an extremely toxic and controlling romantic relationship. While it was initially hard, I have learned to become a more compassionate and content individual. The blinders that had been placed on my eyes by the other person in this past relationship were finally taken off when I had escaped the unhealthiness of the relationship. I was able to see the people around me for what they are, people who would always stay by my side, and to cherish those around me more deeply. I became more caring, reaching out to those I loved to be a shoulder to cry on and a solid rock in an ever-changing world. I have sat with many friends going through difficult times and situations, simply listening and providing a safe space for them to be heard, occasionally offering advice and always offering my support for them. I also became so much more independent. I discovered my own strength and confidence, stepping up to be a physical and emotional leader for those around me in school and extracurricular activities through becoming editor of my school yearbook and the captain of both the golf and bowling team, as well as in my personal life through worship in my church. I have decided to never sit in the background and let others walk over me again. I am determined to always stand up for what I believe in and those I care about, to be an individual that can inspire and influence others to do good and be good. Many things have also stayed the same. I never lost my humor, my quick and snappy wit. I am still cautious when choosing who to let close, surrounding myself with people who like me are compassionate and supportive and will be a good influence in my life. I have kept the relationships that I found before the toxicity of the relationship warped my vision and character, the only difference now is that they are stronger. I was blessed to be able to keep them while going through such a damaging situation, and I am determined to keep them, knowing that those are my true friends and family who stayed with me through the thick of it. Overall, I have learned many things about myself and those around me. I have a big heart, and I will never take for granted the love that encircles me. I know that I possess the ability to overcome obstacles and persevere, making decisions for myself. I can be my own source of happiness and find goodness and beauty all around me. I have come to appreciate so much more of the world over the past year, and even more so in the last couple of months; the air I breathe and the friends I have, the shining sun and art, my life, other's lives, and the wonder of existence. And I am so much happier because of it.

Since I was a child, I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. My one wish was to work with animals and make them better. My aspirations have grown much more detailed over the years and with maturity, and now I want nothing more than to go to a Christian college with the opportunity to become a veterinarian and give back to the community that would support the business I work for. Nothing would make me happier and more satisfied with myself than providing care for a family's pet. Pets are an extension of a family, they are the basis and outreach of love, chosen as a friend and companion. To ensure the health of a companion like that to a family, with no gratitude necessary, would be more than enough to make me content. Achieving this goal is no small feat either. It takes four years to obtain an undergraduate degree, and my plan is to major in biology with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine. Then, moving on to graduate veterinarian school would be approximately four more years until I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Throughout the years of education, I want to provide not only an outreach of Christain faith through my school, building a better community and world, but to inspire more young girls and classmates to achieve and become anything they can dream of. A female in STEM programs is a very awe-inspiring achievement in and of itself, as there are not many women who choose to take on the coursework and life pursuits that follow a degree in these fields, but I wish to inspire others and become a role model, so that other girls can look to me and see that if I can do this, and achieve great things in it, then so can they. With the direction I have chosen to take in college and later in life, I will also do various volunteer work and internships with veterinary clinics, which will allow me to have an even greater impact on the community. Not only will I provide a worker for the place that I choose to work through, but I will have the opportunity to change the outcome of both a family's and animal's life for the better through my work. However small my part is, I wish to do it to the best of my ability to make things easier for those around me and to make a more positive environment for all of the people I possibly can. I do not want recognition, I don't even need thanks for anything I do, simply to be able to do it, to help those around me in whatever ways I can, is all that I want in my life. To have the self-satisfaction of helping others and bringing them a smile, making their situation better, and working with people so that my efforts could reach beyond just me and the people I come across in a ripple effect of kindness, is all I want.