My high school offered a program called Expeditions, which allowed students to explore real-world careers for 8 weeks each year. During my senior year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the YMCA and work with their YKids program. There, I helped supervise and care for children while their parents used the facility, giving me hands-on experience in a childcare setting to explore my passion for nursing. With Expeditions, I was allowed to explore other hobbies and classes like my wilderness class, where I learned how to build a bow and create arrows. I also participated in a pottery class, an art class, and a creative writing class, to name a few. 

In the summer of 2024,  I was given the privilege of helping an elderly woman, Marilyn,  in her home for a few hours every couple of days. My tasks were minor, such as helping her put her laundry away, bringing items up and down the stairs since she was in a wheelchair, and tidying up her house in the best way possible. Even if it were simple tasks, it made a big difference in her life, and she was constantly grateful to me. As I began to start my first year of college, I saw her less and less, which made me feel guilty, hoping there was someone who could check on her now and then. That was when my mom stepped in and helped her as much as she could while I was gone. As I was slowly able to help her again, she got sick and was sent to the hospital with pneumonia in early February of this year. She passed away from a heart attack a few weeks later. Marilyn was not only a great friend but also a part of my family. I was grateful to be a beacon in her life.