My name is Serenity, and I have been growing up in Alaska. A state where people don't believe in mental health struggles. I have had anxiety my entire life, growing up around traumatizing events basically 24/7. This severely effected me throughout my adolesent years. I have always struggled making friends, because I am always worrying. I think, "maybe they dont really like me." "What if I am just a joke to them." "Maybe they just feel bad for me." In elementary school, none of the girls in my class liked me because I smelled bad. I smelled bad because my dad would smoke in the house, and spill beer on my clothes. We didn't have running water so I wasn't able to shower often or wear clean clothes. My dad left food out to mold and attract flies. There were flies everywhere. He would pee out of his bedroom window onto the roof, which would attract all sorts of bugs and critters. So one day I went to school and my classmates found a ciggarette on the floor. My teacher picked it up and asked the class if anyone might have actually brought this into the class. In reality it was probably just a students parents who dropped it on accident when dropping off their kid, but one of the girls in my class raised their hand. She said, "It was probably Serenity," and everyone laughed. Another time I walked into the class and noticed some girls in a circle. I still had all my winter gear on so I was walking to my cubby to put my stuff away. All of a sudden one of the girls gasped and put her shirt over her nose. "Ew it smells like ciggarettes!" and all of the girls covered their noses and stared at me. I apologized to them and sat down. Later on in 5th grade I moved in with my mom, who was the opposite of my dad and loved to smell good. I told myself that I would never smell again. Since then I shower every day, only wear washed clothes, use lotion, perfume, and even a scented hair cream to make sure I always smell good. During my sophomore year of highschool, I was at my locker when a girl came up to me and told me I smelled like perfume and cigarettes. I broke down immediately and ran into the bathroom. I was hyperventalating and shaking over that small comment. I have severe anxiety about how I smell. I feel anxious about everything all the time. Pursuing a college degree is important to me because I want my future kids to never have to worry about the things I did growing up. I want them to have clean clothes and never worry about whether they smell bad or if they are as good as the other kids around them. I want them to have more opportunities than I did. So I am working at getting a degree and getting a well paid job. Thank you for listening to my story.

My mother is one of those people who deny anything is wrong with them. She has schizophrenia and believes that the doctors are lying to her for money. It has really strained our relationship and her relationship with our siblings. It is very apparent that she has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She acts out, has extreme paranoia, and hears and sees things all of the time. She will acuse you of things you never did and seriously belive you did it too. One time she freaked out and said that I have been stealing her razors (ones meant for shaving legs) and even though I had no reason to take her razors, she still insisted that I was stealing them, then in the car on the way to school, she continued on and on about these "stolen razors." Her mental health and the fact that she does not do anything to help herself has really affected me throughout my life. I have anxiety all the time now and when I hear people yell I freeze up and do not move until it stops. She always accuses her boyfriends of cheating on her and sabatoges her relationships by physically attacking them over her strange beliefs. I believe that mental health reeally needs to be studied more, because this is the outcome of conspiracy theories and people trying to tell you that you're "supposed" to have these feelings. You're not. I told my dad the other day that I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and his response was, "Don't take those pills they try to feed you! It's all a scam! You're SUPPOSED to feel like that!" I don't want to feel like this. I don't want to feel like I am in danger 24/7. It just is not right. So that is why I agree that mental helped is not openly discussed and studied enough.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. When I was in elementary school I was bullied mercilessly every day. It was mostly because I was neglected at home. We didn’t have running water so my clothes were always dirty, my hair was always greasy, and i always smelled bad. No matter what, my elementary school teachers never shamed me. When I got to highschool everything went even more downhill. Both of my grandpa’s died in the span of a few months, one of my best friends died in an ATV accident, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. On top of all of that, covid had just started. I completely lost motivation to do anything my freshman year and ended up failing almost every class. I stayed in my room all day in the dark sitting on my phone and seeing no point in anything anymore. Then suddenly, sophomore year I had a burst of motivation. You see, most of my life, neither of my parents had jobs and they lived off of other people or any money they could scrounge up. I decided I was going to stop wallowing in self pity and make something of myself before it was too late. I decided that I was not going to end up like my parents. I started paying attention in class, made friends, and things were starting to look good for me. I remembered how amazingly my teachers treated me when I was going through hard times and I decided I was going to do the same for future generations of students. It was hard to catch up with the rest of my class, but I managed to make up most of the credits I lost the year before. Things were looking good for me. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality and I want to be the first person in my family to make it happen. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.

Becoming an elementary teacher has been a lifelong dream of mine. It became my passion due to the positive treatment from my past elementary teachers. Throughout my life, I've always thought to myself "If this was my class I would teach it this way." That is what made me realize that this is what I want to do with my future The desire to become an elementary teacher stems from my deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education. I am genuinely inspired by the opportunity to shape young minds and foster a love for learning. Witnessing the spark of curiosity ignite within children and seeing their growth as they acquire knowledge fills me with immense joy. As an elementary teacher, I hope to create a positive and nurturing environment where students feel valued, empowered, and motivated to reach their full potential. Teaching provides a unique platform to make a lasting impact on society. By instilling essential values, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging critical thinking, I firmly believe that I can contribute to building a better future. Elementary education is the foundation upon which children develop fundamental skills and qualities that will shape their lives. By being an elementary teacher, I can play a vital role in shaping the next generation, fostering empathy, and promoting positive change in our communities. Receiving a scholarship would be a valuable opportunity for me to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary teacher. Financial assistance would alleviate the burden of tuition fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies. Moreover, a scholarship would provide me with a sense of validation and encouragement, reaffirming my commitment to this career path. Furthermore, the scholarship would enable me to participate in professional development programs, workshops, and conferences, expanding my knowledge and refining my teaching skills. These opportunities would equip me with innovative teaching strategies and a deeper understanding of educational theories, ensuring that I am well-prepared to engage and inspire my future students effectively. In conclusion, my aspiration to become an elementary teacher is fueled by my passion for education and my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young learners. Receiving a scholarship would not only alleviate financial obstacles but also provide the affirmation and support needed to pursue my dreams wholeheartedly. I want to change the lives of my future students the same way my teachers changed mine.

When I was three years old my parents split up. My mom then moved to Las Vegas and my dad went to jail so I lived with my great grandma. My grandma loved me like I was her daughter. When my dad got out of jail he spent most of his time getting drunk and going to parties. My dad had no idea how to raise a girl so he dressed me up in boy's clothes and cut my hair short. Since I had a lack of a female role model, my grandma who was mostly immobile because of her age took on the role herself. She taught me how to cook, how to clean, how to braid my hair, how to sow, and many other things. She was an amazing woman who loved me no matter what. She never held the fact that my parents left me in her care at such an old age against me. As I got older, her health started to decline. She eventually got Alzheimer's which I didn't know because I was too young to understand. She started to forget people and how to do basic things like going to the bathroom. Even with all of that, she remembered me and her love for me was even stronger than before. In her younger days, my grandma had a lot of achievements. She owned her own business in rural Alaska, she was a trucker, she built her own house, and is the strongest woman I have ever known. She sponsored the opening of the senior center in the town I grew up in and was respected by a lot of people. Her death crushed me. I was 10 years old when she died and it was like losing my mom. I lost the one person who genuinely cared about me. After that, I went to live with my real mom in Wasilla, Alaska. Recently my mom left me again to go to Las Vegas. I realized that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and do my best to make my grandma proud wherever she may be. I'm going to be a teacher so that I can be a positive influence on kids just like my grandma. I'm going to fight to achieve my dreams for her.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.

My name is Serenity Stamm. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, and currently live in Kenai, Alaska. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied mercilessly. Most of it was because I smelled bad, wore dirty clothes, and my hair was matted because it was never washed or brushed. I come from a very low-income household and now I am a single-person household as my parents have both abandoned me. I've had 4 jobs and am currently working at a grocery store as a produce clerk. Recently, I was accepted into college as a Pre-undeclared intended bachelor's student because my GPA isn't high enough to go straight into elementary education. My freshman year of high school was rough. Both of my grandpas had died, my friend died in an ATV crash, and both of my dogs were shot and killed. All of that on top of the pandemic made me lose almost all motivation to do anything. I would sit in my room in the dark on my phone for hours every day and talk to nobody. I told myself that there was no point in life if it was going to be this cruel. Then, in my sophomore year of high school, when everything started to get better, I had a sudden burst of motivation. I told myself I wasn't going to let myself fail the same way my parents did. Neither of my parents has a job and haven’t had a job for as long as I can remember. I want to make something of myself and give myself a chance at a better future. My grades still weren't as good as I was trying to pick up the slack on top of doing 4 credit recovery classes from the year before, but they were improving immensely. It was all thanks to my teachers and the way they treated me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. The one thing that has kept me going throughout my life is my teachers and the way they treated me like everyone else despite the obvious differences. They always knew I had potential and never doubted me even when I was failing. I believe that GPAs should not reflect the way we view people's intelligence. I know that I have the drive to make my dreams a reality. I want to change the lives of kids the same way my teachers changed mine.