When I was six, my parents moved across the country to Arizona in an attempt to give us a better life. Except, it didn't work out the way they planned. The job they moved for disappeared when they arrived. It sent my whole family into a financial tailspin that nearly ended us. We were in a place where we knew no one, had no support system, and had no money to go back to where we came from. My parents went to the local church and begged for help, even though they aren't religious. And the church came through. I didn't know it until I was older, but they provided our Christmas presents and food that year. They paid the first two months of rent on our apartment. They even helped my dad to get a job until he could find something better. And they asked for nothing in return. When I realized the magnitude of what they had done and how they likely saved us from homelessness, I knew that I wanted to make that difference for other people. You never really know what impact even the smallest of gestures can do for someone. So when I see or hear about people who are having a hard time, I always try to help if I can. Sometimes just giving someone your time by being a good listener can do wonders. Or helping someone in need of a few dollars when they are short at the grocery store. I also cook lasagna meals and deliver them to people who are struggling with tragedy or hunger. I don't have a lot to give yet, but I know that I want to keep giving in any way I can as I get older. Because small deeds can make a big difference.

Educational inequity harms everyone, not just the people who are educationally disadvantaged. Ending the disparity in education will have ripple effects worldwide. So many global problems can be traced back to lack of educational opportunities. Hunger, gangs, drugs poverty. I've seen some of it first hand. My parents got married young and jumped into parenthood unexpectedly. That meant they had to put their educational dreams on hold to raise my siblings and I. As a result, we've always struggled for the basic necessities of life, because kids are expensive and well paying jobs are hard to find without education. We moved frequently growing up, chasing affordable housing and better paying jobs. This in turn hurt our education, always having to move schools, which caused gaps in our learning. We often didn't have enough food in the house. It's hard to think when you're hungry. Leveling the educational playing field would lift so many out of poverty, and that would benefit everyone by reducing the economic stress generational poverty places on our government. That money in turn could be used on creating jobs that would help cure illnesses, provide needed skilled workers, fight climate change. If we want a future for everyone, education is the key.

If there's one thing I learned growing up, it's that Italian families love language is food. Happy news? Let's celebrate with food! Sad news? Eat this, you'll feel better. Food is the glue that binds all of our family memories together. And I've followed in their footsteps, myself. I enjoy cooking meals for others. It makes me especially happy to feed others when they are down or struggling. My favorite thing to cook is lasagna. It's a meal that seems to always make people feel cared about. That's why I signed up for a local program called Lasagna Love. People who are struggling with hunger or tragedy can sign up and volunteers make a lasagna meal for them and deliver it contactlessly. Sometimes I feel like Santa dropping off gifts of food to people. But that's just an added bonus, really. The thing that really makes me happy is knowing that a family that maybe isn't having the greatest day can sit together for a little while and be happy with a meal they needed. I will actually be a little sad when I go off to college and no longer have the ability to continue making meals. I guess I'll just have to think of a way to feed the people in my dorm instead!

The most helpful financial advice I've ever been told came from my mother. She told me that you don't need to increase your lifestyle every time your income increases. Of course, if there's things you need, you should invest in them. But if you upgrade your home or your car every time your paycheck goes up, you'll end up with not much savings and a lot of bills! She told me that she wished she had learned that lesson sooner because it would have saved her a lot of struggle over the years. We all like to splurge now and then, and sometimes you just can't get around it. Cars need to be replaced, families grow and you need more room. However, having the best car or the fanciest home just because you want it isn't going to pay for your retirement or pay your bills in an emergency. It's important to really analyze what you need, what you'd like to have and what is just a dream. And make a plan to make those things happen. In the long run, you'll be happier because your life will be more stable and you won't have to worry about your financial future as much. With the future of Social Security in jeopardy for my generation, it's more important than ever to start thinking about retirement. Which means in my opinion, that we need to be financially more responsible than our parents were. And the sooner we build good financial habits, the better off we will be. I will definitely be taking this approach going forward and I encourage everyone to consider doing the same.

When I was six, my parents moved across the country to Arizona in an attempt to give us a better life. Except, it didn't work out the way they planned. The job they moved for disappeared when they arrived. It sent my whole family into a financial tailspin that nearly ended us. We were in a place where we knew no one, had no support system, and had no money to go back to where we came from. My parents went to the local church and begged for help, even though they aren't religious. And the church came through. I didn't know it until I was older, but they provided our Christmas presents and food that year. They paid the first two months of rent on our apartment. They even helped my dad to get a job until he could find something better. And they asked for nothing in return. When I realized the magnitude of what they had done and how they likely saved us from homelessness, I knew that I wanted to make that difference for other people. You never really know what impact even the smallest of gestures can do for someone. So when I see or hear about people who are having a hard time, I always try to help if I can. Sometimes just giving someone your time by being a good listener can do wonders. Or helping someone in need of a few dollars when they are short at the grocery store. I also cook lasagna meals and deliver them to people who are struggling with tragedy or hunger. I don't have a lot to give yet, but I know that I want to keep giving in any way I can as I get older. Because small deeds can make a big difference.

Most people probably say they want to be remembered for being kind, or hard working, or loving. And they are all admirable legacies to wish for. But if I'm being honest, they aren't the things that I want to be remembered for. I have always been different. Some might see that as something they regret. I see it as something to proud of. Regardless of why I am different, I want to be remembered as a person that was always true to myself, even if it sometimes came with hardships. I want to inspire future generations to always be who you are, unabashedly. To not hide your inner light, even when others don't understand it. For there is a freedom in being your true self that opens the way for you to focus on other things. Things that could someday change the world. You never know who might love the light you hide. And you never know the impact you could have on someone by giving them the courage to be themselves.

A steaming cup of coffee on the table beside me. A cozy blanket on my knees. A book in my hands, and a warm purring cat at my feet. Sounds like the opening to a novel, doesn't it? But these are the simple things that bring me happiness. Books... they are magical stacks of paper that transport us to new places, where we can have experiences that seem impossible in our mundane lives. Money, personal problems, physical ailments - none of those things get in the way of going on an adventure in a book. Books are the ultimate freedom. There is nowhere I can't go in my head through books. Coffee and blankets are warmth, both internal and external. Feeling warm and cozy brings me a sense of safety, even if all the news is awful and my life isn't going according to plan. A warm cozy blanket and a cup of coffee can make all that seem insignificant, at least for a while. And last, but certainly not least, my cat. Some people see dogs as man's best friend, but for me, it's cats one hundred percent. A dog may give you unquestioning loyalty, but a cat is a true companion. Cats know when you need their company, but they aren't afraid to let you know when you're being a jerk, which to me is the better friend. I don't want blind devotion, I want a true companion. Every day when my cat Salem chooses to curl up with me, I feel happiness because I know he truly chooses to be there. Simple pleasures are often forgotten in today's 24/7 connected world. We would be better people in general if we learned to slow down and enjoy them more.

I am not everyone's cup of tea - and that is entirely fine! I have learned that it is ok to be different, as long as you are being your authentic self. Many people find me to be an uncomfortable stereotype. I wear black, I avoid the sun, I am fascinated with the macabre. These things may scare people away from me, but those people were not meant to be in my life. The ones who see me as I am and still want to know me and be my friend are the ones who are worth my time. I do not expend time or energy on those who want to mold me into something other than what I am. This allows me to give my full attention to learning, experiencing the world around me, and loving those who accept me as I am. My mental health and overall well-being are the better for it.