As the oldest of eight children in a single-income family, I understand what it is like to be financially limited. Ten years ago, my parents decided to adopt two of my siblings. Both had traumatic backgrounds, causing my sister in particular to lash out at our family. Her actions caused additional financial and relational strains as we sought to get her the help she needed. Although this was difficult for me to understand as a child, going through financial hardships, my adopted sister lashing out, and later facing anemia have allowed me to develop resilience and appreciate the importance of perseverance and a support system that cares for you. And although my parents will not be able to support my education financially, they have cheered me on in every other way. Because of this, I want to go to college to be able to provide for my younger siblings' future education while getting the degree I need to teach students who are struggling with similar familial and financial situations.  In my community, students who cannot speak English are automatically viewed as less intelligent and less capable than their peers. I have witnessed this in the past two years as I have interacted with English Language Learners going through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Although the students I have met have been incredibly bright and eager to learn, they are easily brushed aside in their classrooms. Many non-English speaking families coming into my school district struggle financially, subjecting the students to ostracism for their appearance and their inability to speak English. I aspire to be an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher who combats the discrepancies non-English-speaking students face. In the United States, knowing English can be the difference between being stuck in the cycle of poverty and being free from financial concerns. It can be the difference between a family member dying from inadequate healthcare due to communication barriers and a healthy child. It could be the difference between a job and a job lost; higher education or a lack of it; a world of opportunity and a place where there isn’t much support. As an ESL teacher, I have the opportunity to be the catalyst for change; in individuals, in families, in my community, and beyond.  Upon graduation from college, I want to create a program in which the parents of my students can attend classes once or twice a week in the evenings. By providing free childcare, I hope to encourage more parents to take steps to increase their own knowledge of the English language. Local lessons will help reduce cost and travel time, which are both factors that typically drive parents away. Creating such a program would not only allow me to develop deeper connections with my students’ parents but also foster and promote parent-guided English learning and growth in the home. I aim to provide parents with the resources they need to provide an environment in which their whole family can thrive. It’s my hope and prayer that being an ESL teacher will allow me to impact lives, breaking families from the cycle of poverty by reducing the language barrier and providing families with the tools they need to learn and thrive together.

I have always wanted to be a teacher. In elementary school, I would play “school” with my younger siblings, creating lessons and giving them quizzes. One of my favorite gifts as a child was an easel. With a chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the other, I felt like a professional teacher. In middle school I would save all of my classroom papers, copying them by hand and using them over the summer as a part of my curriculum. And though I have stopped forcing my family to listen to lessons, I continue to find joy in learning, studying, and applying new knowledge to life. Though I knew I wanted to be a teacher, I didn’t fully realize God’s calling for my life until two years ago, when my high school canceled its French program and I began taking Spanish instead. At first, I was disappointed, as I had been learning French for years, but I soon began to love Spanish just as much. I began to learn the value of Spanish, as I started shadowing Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. ESL became my passion, as I saw the daily drudgery of the work teachers put in and the small monumental steps of success yielded as a result. This past year I have had the honor of helping an elementary ESL teacher within the school district. Being thrust into an ESL role this past year, my teacher has had to create a curriculum from scratch. As such, I am able to get a bigger glimpse of teaching than other interns, as I have developed curriculum, created content, and taught lessons. Watching the excitement that immigrants from third-world countries have to be able to come to school is incredibly humbling, and their smiles and passion for learning motivated me to pursue teaching. Other experiences with non-English speakers also propelled me into the ESL field. Through my school’s service club, Interact, I volunteered at Toys for Tots, where parents who wouldn’t be able to afford gifts for their children are able to come and pick out presents for them. Around one-third of the parents were unable to speak English, and as one of two volunteers who knew Spanish, I was tasked with helping them pick out toys for their child. Once again, I was amazed at the gratitude the parents expressed and their joy at the simplest of toys. Being able to serve as a translator and interact with others in that way ignited a passion within me. The same interest also sparked when I shadowed a church’s ESL ministry. I watched adults from the church minister to speakers of many different languages by providing free, local English lessons. Their thoughtfulness and compassion for those in their community have inspired me, as I hope to begin my own program for parents of my future students to provide them with similar resources and encourage them to practice English at home. But being an ESL teacher will not be easy. Already I have devoted much of my time and energy to helping those who do not speak English, both within the context of my internship and outside of it. Teaching others a language is very different from other teaching subjects, as it occurs much more slowly. As such, the sacrifice of time is even greater, and much patience is required. But from everything I have witnessed, I know that despite the hard work, time, and energy needed to effectively communicate and teach others, it will be worth it because I will be changing lives.

As the oldest of eight in a single-income family, I am well aware of the high cost of higher education. My family has always struggled financially, though over the years we have experienced several additional financial burdens. About ten years ago, my parents decided to follow God’s calling to adopt two of my siblings. Over the years, this decision has led to financial, emotional, and relational challenges, as my adopted sister lashed out due to her past trauma. My undesirable home situation propelled me to focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Rather than swelling on my broken home life, I invested myself in my community, serving over ninety hours in my school’s service club. I began tutoring students and leading as a captain on my cross-country and track-and-field teams. Though it was difficult to balance a rigorous course load, three sports, and my extracurricular activities and service opportunities, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance. I have tested my limits and know that I can accomplish anything if I truly put my mind to it. But winning a scholarship would mean more to me than just allowing me to pursue my dreams. I want to make an impact on others’ lives as an ESL teacher, helping non-English speaking students to learn English. In the United States, knowing English can be the difference between being stuck in the cycle of poverty and being free from financial concerns. It can be the difference between a family member dying from inadequate healthcare due to communication barriers and a healthy child. It could be the difference between a job and a job lost; higher education or a lack of it; a world of opportunity and a place where there isn’t much support. As an ESL teacher, I have the opportunity to be the catalyst for change; in individuals, in families, in my community, and beyond. I aspire to change lives for the better, whether in small ways or bigger ones, all for the glory of God. But my future does not come without a price tag. Though I currently am unable to afford four years of college without massive loans, I am diligently applying for scholarships like this one that would allow me to focus on serving and leading others during my college experience rather than worrying about finances. And though I do not know what my future holds, I am excited to use what I learn through higher education to make an impact on young lives.

As the oldest of eight in a single-income family, finances have always been a burden. While my parents have worked very hard to provide for my siblings and me, we have never bought new school clothing or gone on fancy vacations like my friends did. About ten years ago, my parents followed God’s calling and adopted two of my siblings. This decision put yet another financial strain on my parents, and my new siblings’ trauma put emotional and relational strains on our whole family. My adopted sister had a lot of trauma, and she took out her feelings on us. Like a volcano about to erupt, my sister would spend hours at a time yelling at my parents only to storm out of the house and not return for hours. My sister controlled every aspect of our lives, and by the end of my freshman year of high school, I didn’t know if when I came home I’d be greeted by the anger of her presence or the horrible silence of her absence. Due to my difficult home life, I began investing time and energy into difficult classes and extracurricular activities to stay out of the house. I thrived in school, rising to the top of my class and taking leadership positions in different clubs. However, my family struggles and my own battle with anemia continued to wear me down, and I felt frustrated that I did not have a peaceful place in which I could rest from the storms of life. Thankfully, God provided my parents with the opportunity to enroll my sister in a program in Texas that would allow her to deal with her trauma in an appropriate manner and learn how to maintain healthy relationships. She has been back home for over six months now and although some days continue to be very difficult, family dynamics have greatly improved. Going through both financial and familial challenges has given me the ability to empathize with others going through similar situations. In the future, I plan on attending Grove City College, majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Spanish. My ultimate goal is to become an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher and help non-English speaking students learn English. In the United States, knowing English can provide job security, more opportunities for higher education, and better medical attention due to reduced language barriers. I aim to offer non-English-speaking families the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. Upon graduation, I want to create a program in which my students’ parents can attend free, local English lessons coupled with financial literacy classes. By providing lessons, I will be able to develop relationships with my students’ families and encourage English practice in the home. Having a learning atmosphere at home is so important, particularly for students in elementary schools, as parents’ support in academics from an early age sets children up for future success. Through the program, I will impact not only students' lives but also the lives of their parents by providing them with resources to budget well and maintain consistent jobs. And though I know that I will always have financial and familial challenges, I hope to use the difficulties I face to inspire others and impact generations.

As the oldest of eight in a single-income family, finances have always been a burden. While my parents have worked very hard to provide for my siblings and me, we have never bought new school clothing or gone on fancy vacations like my friends did. About ten years ago, my parents followed God’s calling and adopted two of my siblings. This decision put yet another financial strain on my parents, and my new siblings’ trauma put emotional and relational strains on our whole family. My adopted sister had a lot of trauma, and she took out her feelings on us. Like a volcano about to erupt, my sister would spend hours at a time yelling at my parents only to storm out of the house and not return for hours. My sister controlled every aspect of our lives, and by the end of my freshman year of high school, I didn’t know if when I came home I’d be greeted by the anger of her presence or the horrible silence of her absence. Due to my difficult home life, I began investing time and energy into difficult classes and extracurricular activities to stay out of the house. I thrived in school, rising to the top of my class and taking leadership positions in different clubs. However, my family struggles and my own battle with anemia continued to wear me down, and I felt frustrated that I did not have a peaceful place in which I could rest from the storms of life. Thankfully, God provided my parents with the opportunity to enroll my sister in a program in Texas that would allow her to deal with her trauma in an appropriate manner and learn how to maintain healthy relationships. She has been back home for over six months now and although some days continue to be very difficult, family dynamics have greatly improved. Going through both financial and familial challenges has given me the ability to empathize with others going through similar situations. In the future, I plan on attending Grove City College, majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Spanish. My ultimate goal is to become an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher and help non-English speaking students learn English. In the United States, knowing English can provide job security, more opportunities for higher education, and better medical attention due to reduced language barriers. I aim to offer non-English-speaking families the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. Upon graduation, I want to create a program in which my students’ parents can attend free, local English lessons coupled with financial literacy classes. By providing lessons, I will be able to develop relationships with my students’ families and encourage English practice in the home. Having a learning atmosphere at home is so important, particularly for students in elementary schools, as parents’ support in academics from an early age sets children up for future success. Through the program, I will impact not only students' lives but also the lives of their parents by providing them with resources to budget well and maintain consistent jobs. And though I know that I will always have financial and familial challenges, I hope to use the difficulties I face to inspire others and impact generations.

I know that this is the stereotypical answer, but the most influential person in my life is by far my mom. My mom has always been there for me. As the oldest of eight in a single-income family, I grew up with very different experiences than my peers. I never went to Disneyland or bought new school clothes like my friends did, but my parents worked hard to provide for us and were always there for us when we needed them. Although my mom did not have an official job, she worked hard to care for us. Though our family was low-income, she always found ways to stretch the dollar, by going to yard sales every Saturday or growing our own produce. She never complained, but treasured every moment and used even the smallest of situations to teach us life lessons. My mom was the person who introduced me to reading for the first time. She was the one who let me make flower arrangements for her small roadside stand, play outside for hours and hours, and spend time trying to give her a better hairdo. When I was younger, I learned everything from my mom, and although now I am learning things she does not know like statistics and how the eye works, the basic lessons and values she instilled in me live within me today. It is because of my mom that I understand how to budget well. I do not spend money like every other teenager on new shoes or the trendiest water bottle, but have learned to save it for more important things such as my education to invest in my future and the future of others. I have learned the value of hard work and the understanding that good things do not happen easily. The work ethic my mom has taught me has allowed me to balance difficult Advanced Placement classes, a part-time job, family time, sports, and extracurricular activities all while applying diligently for scholarships. And lastly, it was my mom who taught me the importance of serving others. From the moment I was born, my mom has not lived for herself but rather doing everything for the good of our family. She sacrifices her time and energy daily to provide and care for us, and I could never thank her enough for the inspiration she is to me and so many others. I hope to follow in my mom’s footsteps as I grow and move out into the "real world." By becoming a teacher, I want to impact young lives, as my mom has influenced the people she knew. I desire to have a servant's heart that is willing to be open to caring for others, just as I have seen my mom do to so many others, welcoming them into our home. While I do not know what my future will bring, I am eternally thankful for my mom and the lessons she has taught me, and I know that she will continue to support me and others throughout life. I can only hope that I may do the same for others and make her proud.

As the oldest of eight children in a single-income family, I understand what it is like to be financially limited. My family does not go on fancy vacations or buy new school clothes like the rest of my friends do. And though this was difficult for me to understand as a child, going through financial hardships, anemia, and my adopted sister lasing out has allowed me to develop resilience and appreciate the importance of hard work and perseverance. Although my parents can not support my education financially, they have cheered me on in every other way. Because of this, I want to go to college to be able to provide for my younger siblings' future education while getting the degree I need to teach students who are struggling with similar situations. In my community, students who cannot speak English are automatically viewed as less intelligent and less capable than their peers. I have witnessed this in the past two years as I have interacted with English Language Learners going through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Although the students I have met have been incredibly bright and eager to learn, they are easily brushed aside in their classrooms. While equal access and equal opportunities are praised as being available to everyone who wants to achieve their goals, reality falls short of this dream. Many immigrants and refugees come to America with very little financially and belongings-wise. As a result, kids who cannot speak English and wear the same two or three pairs of clothes are much more likely to be teased and ostracized in their classrooms. I aspire to be an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher who combats the discrepancies non-English-speaking students face. Upon graduation from college, I hope to implement two action plans to reduce barriers for students who do not speak English. First, I aim to educate my fellow teachers on the best ways to teach English Language Learners. By showing them practical ways to adjust their lesson plans to include non-English speakers and communicating closely with them to review goals and expectations, I will hopefully be able to reduce the conception of stupidity surrounding students who cannot speak English. But, more importantly, I want to create a program in which the parents of my students can attend classes once or twice a week in the evenings. By providing free childcare, I will hopefully encourage more parents to take steps to increase their own knowledge of the English language. Local lessons will help reduce cost and travel time, which are both factors that typically drive parents away. Creating such a program would not only allow me to develop deeper connections with my students’ parents but also foster and promote parent-guided English learning and growth in the home. I aim to provide parents with the resources they need to provide an environment in which their whole family can thrive. It’s my hope and prayer that being an ESL teacher will allow me to impact lives, breaking families from the cycle of poverty by reducing the language barrier and providing families with the tools they need to learn and thrive together.

I grew up in a Christian household, and from a young age my parents taught me to love God and glorify Him. Through challenges such as adopted siblings and anemia, I learned what it meant to lean on God and trust in Him. As I have grown closer to Him, I have seen Him working in my life and shaping me into who He wants me to be. I have found joy in glorifying Him through my athletic and academic achievements, as well as through service opportunities. God has given me a heart for those in need and a passion for teaching. I have always enjoyed learning new things, but it wasn’t until late middle school that my love for learning languages was realized. As I entered into high school, I began to feel a strong calling to use my career for ministry purposes, or to serve God in some way. In my sophomore year, I was forced to put my thoughts of the future aside to deal with the present. My adopted sister was lashing out, hurting my family and destroying every relationship she had with others. At the same time, my performance in cross country had gotten drastically worse, seemingly without cause. I was frustrated and questioned my faith; after all, why would God let such things happen to me? After praying so hard for so long, I had begun to give up. But so often it is during the times when we are most broken that God seems most near. Through a miracle, He provided the opportunity and the funding for my parents to get my sister the help she needed, and He guided me to the doctor, who helped me realize that I was anemic. And though that year was the worst in my life, God used it to pull me closer to Him. Though my anemia continues to be a struggle and my adopted sister still has difficult days, I am able to rest in God's presence and trust Him. Now, I am able to feel incredible peace and joy as I rest in Him, and I know that He will provide the funding I need for college since He has provided for me in the past. This past year, I have made some very important decisions. I have decided to attend Grove City College to build my faith even as I am away from home. And I have decided to pursue a career as an ESL teacher, helping to teach immigrants and refugees English. In the United States, knowing English can be the difference between being stuck in the cycle of poverty and being free from concerns about money. It can be the difference between a family member dying from inadequate healthcare due to communication barriers and a healthy child. It could be the difference between a job and a job lost; higher education or a lack of it; a world of opportunity or a place where there isn’t much support. By being an ESL teacher, I am able to combine my calling to help others and my passion for teaching. I am excited to see where God will lead me on this journey, but I am certain that it will be more than anything I could ever imagine.

I had a passion for running ever since I was little. In elementary school, my school would host an event called Run for Fitness, where boys and girls from each grade would race against each other, and in Kindergarten, I surprised my parents by placing second in the Kindergarten Girls race and third in the County race. From then on, I was determined to train for the annual race. Though I did not train for very long in elementary school, the foundation of consistent training was instilled in me. In seventh grade, I joined the cross-country team and became the top female runner. I made the varsity team, and as a freshman in high school I was winning almost every race I ran. Going into my sophomore year, I was excited for the season and confident that I would break the prized 20-minute milestone for a 5K. However, life did not unroll as I had envisioned. Though I was training more than ever and did not suffer from any injuries, I found my running declining during races. This continued in a downward spiral until the end of my junior season when I collapsed after the District race, bleeding after spiking my hand halfway through the race. I finished next to last, a far cry from the medal I’d hoped to see two years prior. The race was a devastating blow. I’d trained for so long, hoping to turn my racing streak around, but it seemed as if I had peaked in my first year of high school. I didn’t want my career to end like this, but although I was hoping to continue to race in college I knew that my recent times would not qualify me. I was frustrated because I dedicated so much time and effort to cross country and track and field, but rather than improving my running had deteriorated. A light jog tired me within minutes, and in races, I felt exhausted before I even started a race. When I was struggling, my teammates rallied around me, always supporting me when I needed it most. I realized that being on a team was not about winning races and earning medals but about working together and supporting my teammates. The friends I made on the cross country and track and field teams have stood the test of time because they were forged with the fire of difficult workouts and the stress of races. The atmosphere I helped develop as a team captain was far more important than a section title, as our inside jokes and fun memories kept all of us coming back year after year. Thankfully, God allowed me to learn that I had anemia, and when I began taking iron supplements my running abilities drastically increased. This past cross country season, I was blessed to have finally beaten that treasured 20-minute mark, and I placed at both the League and District meets and qualified for State Championships! And though these accomplishments have been truly humbling, having anemia has allowed me to better understand the importance of having a supportive team. My struggles have also instilled in me the value of hard work, persistence, and trusting in God for the outcome. Running cross country and track has taught me that I am relentless and hardworking, yet compassionate and uplifting. I will continue to grow in these qualities as I run cross country and track at Grove City College, and it is my prayer that I will continue to run until the day I die, blessing the community that has made such an impact in my life.

In my community, students who cannot speak English are automatically viewed as less smart and less capable than their peers. I have witnessed this in the past two years as I have interacted with English Language Learners going through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Although the students I have met have been incredibly bright and eager to learn, they are easily brushed aside in their classrooms. While equal access and equal opportunities are praised as being available to everyone who wants to achieve their goals, reality falls short of this dream. Many immigrants and refugees come to America with very little financially and belongings-wise. As a result, kids who cannot speak English and wear the same two or three pairs of clothes are much more likely to be teased and ostracized in their classrooms. I aspire to be an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher who combats the discrepancies non-English-speaking students face. Upon graduation from college, I hope to implement two action plans to reduce barriers for students who do not speak English. First, I aim to educate my fellow teachers on the best ways to teach English Language Learners. By showing them practical ways to adjust their lesson plans to include non-English speakers and communicating closely with them to review goals and expectations, I will hopefully be able to reduce the conception of stupidity surrounding students who cannot speak English. But, more importantly, I want to create a program in which the parents of my students can attend classes once or twice a week in the evenings. By providing free childcare, I will hopefully encourage more parents to take steps to increase their own knowledge of the English language. Local lessons will help reduce cost and travel time, which are both factors that typically drive parents away. Creating such a program would not only allow me to develop deeper connections with my students’ parents but also foster and promote parent-guided English learning and growth in the home. I aim to provide parents with the resources they need to provide an environment in which their whole family can thrive. It’s my hope and prayer that being an ESL teacher will allow me to impact lives, breaking families from the cycle of poverty by reducing the language barrier and providing families with the tools they need to learn and thrive together.

I am the oldest of eight in a single-income family. Though money was tight, I grew up in a Christian household where my parents lived out what it meant to serve others. My parents never hesitated to serve, whether it was at church on Sundays, inviting people over for meals, or supporting others with food or monetarily. Even though we didn’t have much, I grew up with the understanding that God calls us to care for those who are even less fortunate than ourselves. As such, I have come to follow in my parents’ footsteps and serve those around me. Growing up, I was always shy, but serving others and being a part of various communities allowed me to become an emboldened individual. When I entered high school I joined our service club, Interact, and have since served over eighty hours in the community at the local retirement home, homeless shelter, and elementary schools. This year I also moved into a leadership position within the club, which has allowed me to serve others behind the scenes as well. Though I have many stories of Interact, one rises above the rest. This past December I volunteered at Toys for Tots, an organization that provides free toys for parents who otherwise would not be able to afford gifts for their children for Christmas. Because I am able to converse in Spanish, I was given the “customers” who could not speak English. Despite the language and communication barrier, my “customers” exuded joy. I distinctly remember how one mother jumped up and down with happiness as she saw the perfect baby doll for her daughter. Her reaction revealed just how much she was struggling, and so being able to share in her joy and offer translation services made a huge impact on my life, so much so that I now aspire to be an ESL, or English as a Second Language, teacher. I have also been able to serve my school community as the Co-President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at my school. Our group meets weekly, but around once a month we do something for the high school staff. This past month we walked around to each teacher’s room and asked if they needed prayer. We had finished with all the teachers we knew and passed a small, dark room at the end of the hallway. My group decided to enter, and the teacher inside opened her heart to us that morning. By praying with her and encouraging her, we were able to share God’s love during a time when she was struggling the most, and it served as such a good reminder that it is so often those who are overlooked that are in the most need. Serving the community is so important, as it lays the foundation for connections and growth. Through serving my community, I witnessed change in others but also saw myself grow in leadership skills and in character. In the future, I hope to return to my community to teach ESL, or English as a Second Language, after college. Teaching is my passion because it combines my love for learning and service, and in teaching ESL I am able to minister to the students with arguably the most need. It is my hope that one day I will be able to give them the opportunities they need to grow and share in their joy, just like the woman at Toys for Tots. In this way I hope to impact my community for the better, continuing the legacy of those who served me by serving others.

I have always wanted to be a teacher. In elementary school, I would play “school” with my younger siblings, creating lessons and giving them quizzes. One of my favorite gifts as a child was an easel. With a chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the other, I felt like a professional teacher. In middle school I would save all of my classroom papers, copying them by hand and using them over the summer as a part of my curriculum. And though I have stopped forcing my family to listen to lessons, I continue to find joy in learning, studying, and applying new knowledge to life. Though I knew I wanted to be a teacher, I didn’t fully realize God’s calling for my life until two years ago, when my high school canceled its French program and I began taking Spanish instead. At first, I was disappointed, as I had been learning French for years, but I soon began to love Spanish just as much. I began to learn the value of Spanish, as I started shadowing Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. ESL became my passion, as I saw the daily drudgery of the work teachers put in and the small monumental steps of success yielded as a result. This past year I have had the honor of helping an elementary ESL teacher within the school district. Being thrust into an ESL role this past year, my teacher has had to create a curriculum from scratch. As such, I am able to get a bigger glimpse of teaching than other interns, as I have developed curriculum, created content, and taught lessons. Watching the excitement that immigrants from third-world countries have to be able to come to school is incredibly humbling, and their smiles and passion for learning motivated me to pursue teaching. Other experiences with non-English speakers also propelled me into the ESL field. Through my school’s service club, Interact, I volunteered at Toys for Tots, where parents who wouldn’t be able to afford gifts for their children are able to come and pick out presents for them. Around one-third of the parents were unable to speak English, and as one of two volunteers who knew Spanish, I was tasked with helping them pick out toys for their child. Once again, I was amazed at the gratitude the parents expressed and their joy at the simplest of toys. Being able to serve as a translator and interact with others in that way ignited a passion within me. The same interest also sparked when I shadowed a church’s ESL ministry. I watched adults from the church minister to speakers of many different languages by providing free, local English lessons. Their thoughtfulness and compassion for those in their community have inspired me, as I hope to begin my own program for parents of my future students to provide them with similar resources and encourage them to practice English at home. But being an ESL teacher will not be easy. Already I have devoted much of my time and energy to helping those who do not speak English, both within the context of my internship and outside of it. Teaching others a language is very different from other teaching subjects, as it occurs much more slowly. As such, the sacrifice of time is even greater, and much patience is required. But from everything I have witnessed, I know that despite the hard work, time, and energy needed to effectively communicate and teach others, it will be worth it because I will be changing lives.

I grew up in a Christian family, and though my family was not by any means rich, we made an effort to help those who were less fortunate than ourselves. Throughout my life, I have endured many small trials, but two years ago they built up over time to the point where it was almost overwhelming. When I was younger, my parents adopted two of my siblings. Coming with a lot of trauma, my sister often lashed out at our family and those around her. Her behavior reached a low point two years ago. During that time I didn’t know if she would be there when I came home or if she had run away, or if a police car would show up at our door. What was once a source of refuge had become a living nightmare, and I did everything I could to stay out of the house. I buried myself in academics, sports, and extracurriculars, trying to distract myself from what was going on at home. I also struggled with anemia, leading to slower cross-country racing times and overall exhaustion. Both challenges occurred at the same time and caused me to question God, doubting why He would take away the two things I so dearly loved. Mr. Terry’s story is so inspiring because it gives me an appreciation for all I have been blessed with in America, even though I have gone through challenges. Though money has been and will continue to be a struggle, God has blessed me with safety, opportunities for a good education, and a loving family. Mr. Terry’s story reveals how much I so often take for granted, and how blessed we are in the United States to be relatively free from troubles. Learning about how he overcame challenges in his life encourages and motivates us to do the same in our lives. Though I have experienced adversity in academics, sports, and family life, I have developed resilience, learning the importance of hard work, perseverance, and community. Because of all that I have learned from my past, I wouldn’t change it for the world, because it was through the difficult seasons that I grew closer to my friends, family, and God while growing in character and perseverance. In the future, I hope to continue to use the lessons that I have learned for good, to be an example, like Mr. Terry, to others who are struggling. I want to show others that God can make beauty come from ashes and that He has a plan to redeem lives. I plan to go to Grove City College this upcoming fall, majoring in elementary education and minoring in Spanish. My ultimate goal is to return to my community and teach ESL, or English as a Second Language. Where I live, students who cannot speak English are not given priority; rather, they are often viewed as unintelligent and not worth the teacher's time. After seeing this in my school, I felt called to help arguably the most financially and academically challenged students. I will use my position as an ESL teacher to provide these students with the opportunities they need to thrive. I also want to create an evening program that allows my students’ parents to learn English. These free, local classes will allow me to develop better relationships with the families of my students, and to encourage English learning and practice in the home. Because knowing English is so helpful in reducing language barriers and providing new opportunities, I will be able to give back to my community, providing an impact lasting for generations.

Arranging flowers is most likely not what you think of when you hear the word “art.” However, making flower bouquets takes talent and time. When I was younger, my mom created her own bouquets and sold them by the roadside. We would spend hours together weeding and caring for the garden, and cutting the flowers. After a while, my mom chose to stop her creative endeavors and spend time raising my seven siblings and I instead. Growing plants and arranging flowers made an impact, though. I loved being outside and in nature, so I got a job working for a florist. Being around the beautiful blooms inspired me to grow my own and create my own roadside stand just like my mom. This past summer, I was able to grow my own flowers and use them to make arrangements. But I didn’t keep flower arrangements to myself. While I did sell them at the stand, I made sure to put a “pay what you will” sign out, so those who may not otherwise be able to afford an arrangement would be able to. I also gave flower bouquets to others: friends, teachers, and coaches. Bringing them bouquets brought a smile to their faces. Through flower arrangements, I was able to bless someone’s day by giving them a small piece of nature. And nature, I believe, is the most beautious art of all. Next summer I am hoping to continue to sell flower arrangements by the road. However, I want to donate all the profits to a charity, to make a greater impact in my community. Not only will I be getting joy from growing flowers and making arrangements, the people buying flowers will find joy in them, and so will those who are impacted through the charity! I am excited to see how my business will grow, and hope to continue to grow flowers through my college career, whether that be on campus during the fall and spring or at home during the summer. So, if I were to have an extra twenty four hours in a day, I would spend them out in my garden, arranging and caring for flowers. Why? Because, as architect Antoni Gaudi said, “nothing is art if it does not come from nature.” Nature allows us to praise the true Artist, and gives a person more joy and peace than any man made artwork ever could. I can only hope that I will be able to spend many more years enjoying it.

I have grown up with a passion and a love for running. Originally starting out running with my mom in Girls on the Run and racing in our elementary school’s annual Run for Fitness, I discovered that I enjoyed it. I continued to pursue the sport, joining cross country in seventh grade. Although I knew nothing about training for a race, I enjoyed the sport and did well on the course. By my freshman year in high school, I was consistently training for over half the year, and competed in both cross country and track. I had a wonderful season my freshman year, and was on course to get a sub-20 minute 5K my sophomore year. Unfortunately, although I trained even more than the previous year, my times weren’t as good. The steady decline in my running capacity continued through the cross country season my junior year. At that point, I was feeling fatigued after only a few minutes of light jogging, and was completely wiped out during a race. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and many people told me I needed to “get my head in the game,” and that it was all mental. I made it to Districts my junior year, but I only lasted about 200 meters into the race until I was exhausted. I trudged through the first and second mile markers, people passing me left and right. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but at some point I must have fallen and tripped. When I got up, my hand was spiked and bleeding. I finished the third mile exhasted, with blood dripping from my hands. Once I crossed the finish line, I was directed into the medical tent, where I was cleaned up. At that point I just wanted to go lay down, so I started walking out of the tent, but blacked out and started to faint. My coach, who had been in the tent with me, carried me back, and he made me lay there until I could see again. Afterwards he spent the rest of the day near me; I suppose he worried that I would faint again. After that incident, my coach encouraged me to get checked out by the doctor. I didn’t think getting blood drawn would reveal anything, but I learned afterwards that I was anemic. Since then, I have taken iron supplements every day and have seen tremendous results. I have broken the 20 minute 5K milestone, and have placed at Leagues and Districts and made it to States. Through all of my ups and downs, my coach has always been there. Whether I was in the front or in the back of a race, he was still supportive. He is such a consistent, reliable person, and his training and wisdom has encouraged me and grown me through the six years that I have had him. He taught me not just the principles of running, but how to be a better person by caring for others and dedicating yourself to the things you love. And although I am graduating soon, I will always remember my coach. So thank you, Coach Kennedy, for all that you have done for me.

I was raised in a Christian household, and my parents taught me to work as if I am working for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3: 23-24). Growing up, I was taught to pursue my passions and use my gifts not for my own benefit, but for the benefit of others and the glory of God. God has given me gifts in academics and running, and I have been able to see Him work through me as I step into leadership and service roles in those areas. Because I am working to glorify the Lord, I am called to strive for excellence in all that I do. I work hard to bless and serve others and give glory to Jesus, the only one who deserves it. My grades and my academic accomplishments are not due to my own abilities or competence, but because God has chosen to bless me in that way. In school, I work hard to achieve excellence in everything I do. I am the salutatorian of my class, and have an unweighted GPA of 3.9 and a weighted GPA of 4.6. I am in many honors societies, and am involved in many different clubs and activities like Quiz Bowl, Student Council, Science Olympiad, and Spanish Club. I use the clubs that I am a part of to build relationships, connect with people, and share God’s love. Another way I connect to the community is by volunteering through my school club Interact. Over the past three years, I have served over fifty hours, spending time helping run activities at a local nursing home, picking up trash beside the road, and volunteering at fundraising events. Being a part of Interact is very rewarding and provides opportunities to connect with others and bless others in the community. In addition to Interact, I serve at my church as an elementary small group leader and as a part of the greeting team. Additionally, I run on the cross-country and track teams at my school. I believe that God has given me a gift for running, and so I run with excellence to bring Him the glory. In the past four years, I struggled with anemia and didn’t know it; my running abilities declined further and further until I eventually passed out after a race. God’s grace led me to the doctor’s office, where blood tests informed me that I had anemia. From there I began taking iron supplements, and I was able to run faster than ever before this past season! It was truly an amazing blessing, but the struggles I experienced taught me the importance of being a servant leader. Even though I had not been running well, I was able to encourage my teammates and be a leader in our group. My circumstances taught me that God wants me to be a servant and bless others even more than He wants me to glorify Him through running. With His grace, I will be able to continue serving others with excellence in every area of my life.

I have grown up with a passion and a love for running. Originally starting out running with my mom in Girls on the Run and racing in our elementary school’s annual Run for Fitness, I discovered that I enjoyed it. I continued to pursue the sport, joining cross country in seventh grade. Although I knew nothing about training for a race, I enjoyed the sport and did well on the course. By my freshman year in high school, I was consistently training for over half the year, and competed in both cross country and track. I had a wonderful season my freshman year and was on course to get a sub-20 minute 5K my sophomore year. Unfortunately, although I trained even more than the previous year, my times weren’t as good. The steady decline in my running capacity continued through the cross-country season of my junior year. At that point, I was feeling fatigued after only a few minutes of light jogging, and was completely wiped out during a race. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and many people told me I needed to “get my head in the game,” and that it was all mental. I made it to Districts my junior year, but I only lasted about 200 meters into the race until I was exhausted. I trudged through the first and second mile markers, people passing me left and right. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but at some point I must have fallen and tripped. When I got up, my hand was spiked and bleeding. I finished the third mile exhausted, with blood dripping from my hands. Once I crossed the finish line, I was directed into the medical tent, where I was cleaned up. At that point I just wanted to go lay down, so I started walking out of the tent, but blacked out and started to faint. My coach, who had been in the tent with me, carried me back, and he made me lay there until I could see again. Afterwards, he spent the rest of the day near me; I suppose he worried that I would faint again. After that incident, my mom suggested (or forced) me to get blood drawn. I didn’t think it would reveal anything, but I learned that I was anemic. Since, I have taken iron supplements every day and have seen tremendous results. I have broken the 20-minute 5K milestone, and have placed at Leagues and Districts and made it to States. Through all of my ups and downs, my coach has always been there. Whether I was in the front or in the back of a race, he was still supportive. He is such a consistent, reliable person, and his training and wisdom have encouraged me and grown me through the six years that I have had him. He taught me not just the principles of running, but how to be a better person by caring for others and dedicating yourself to the things you love. And although I am graduating soon, I will always remember my coach. So thank you, Coach Kennedy, for all that you have done for me.