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Well, I have so many people important to me, a real staple in my life is my dog Maggie. As corny as it sounds, my yellow lab Maggie is my best friend. If I could describe her, it would be sweet, loving playful. Maggie is different than any other dog I’ve ever met. She is smart enough to know when I’m upset and cuddle up to me, almost like a service dog. One of the hardest things I have been dealing with is watching her grow old. I have had her since I was eight years old, which makes her 10. I don’t think of her as a pet. I think of her as a member of our family and the thought of losing her, freaks me out every day. Also, in August, I am leaving for college meaning I can’t be with her every day. I always come home and she’s there. Adjusting to not seeing her will be quite the hardship. Holding the title of “most important” is pretty cool and she doesn’t even know it!

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What kind of things does my family want for me?

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What kind of things does my family want for me?

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My family is the most supportive people in my life. I am truly lucky to have such wonderful support and endless love. If there is one thing my family wants for me, it’s to be happy and successful. My family values hard work. Both of my parents raised me and my brother to work hard for things we want, and that should lead us to success. My family also wants me to be respected by my future partner. Being a daughter and a sister makes me be protected by my older brother and dad. Whatever I want in my future my family is on board with and will always support me 100% of the way.

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Someone I consider a hero is my mom. My Mom is the strongest person I know. She has battled through adversity all her life and accomplished so much. She has proved to me what can be possible as a woman in the workforce. When the word “hero” comes to mind i imagine someone who is invincible, and maintains selflessness as the same time. My mom has battled through many hardships in her life. From losing her Dad to cancer, losing my sisters Amanda and Jessica at birth, and fighting breast cancer she never missed a step in being there for my brother and I. With her hard work and dedication she is the head of her company. She has always been doubted for being a woman. She went to work everyday being scolded by men only because men refuse to believe a woman was right. She overcame adversity and proved herself becoming the one person everyone relies on for ideas and support. At the same time, she was going to radiation for breast cancer. That’s pretty strong if you ask me. My Mom has never turned her back on me or my brother. She has always been my favorite person to talk to, hug and laugh with. I will continue to live my life trying my best to be a hero like my mom is.

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My family has a lot of traditions. Some of the best ones fall on Christmas. My brother putting the  angel on the tree is my most memorable tradition. This tradition consist of my brother Ryan climbing on my Dad‘s shoulders to put the angel on the tree. Every year we have done this me, and my mom watch. Now that he is bigger and my dad is older it is harder to do. Eventually, I think the angel on the tree tradition will fade away just because everyone is getting older. This tradition was always my favorite because it’s funny to watch both of them be nervous and leaning into the Christmas tree. Another one of my favorite traditions around Christmas is when everyone gathers at my house on Christmas eve and we have a big meal, then open presents and have one big Christmas Eve sleepover. When I was littler, it was more fun because all my little cousins and I would be so excited for Santa. We would open presents in the morning, have breakfast go to church and play with each other’s presents all day. This tradition happens still but not everyone comes anymore. I would do anything to go back to those days.

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I was lucky enough to go to very good schools growing up. From Corron Elementary to Wredling middle school and now to Saint Charles North high school I have learned a lot. as a kindergarten, I was a very anxious, shy girl. Everything made me nervous. I really had trouble making friends just because I was so attached to the comfortable blanket of my family. Something I feel very passionately about is public school. I think everybody should experience public school. It has changed me socially, and allowed me to figure out where I fit in in society. I am a very social person now. I have learned a great deal of communication skills well maintaining my academic journey as well. Those who are homeschooled do not quite have the tools in their toolbox to be successful in society. I think if school is hard for people, it’s part of growing up and learning how to deal with it. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted school is always good place to learn where you fit in in society. One of my teachers in particular, Mr. Christensen encouraged me to be more social and step out of my comfort zone. I will always remember the conversation. Now from that day on it was my mission to figure out how to be a good friend and make a good friends at the same time. If I had gone to private school, I feel I would not have made friends, or gone through what it’s like to lose a friend. School teaches you how to deal with that. How to deal with people you don’t like and still learn and deal with it. School is important.

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Although me and my brother didn’t always get along. I wouldn’t trade him for the world. I believe without my brother I would be mentally weak. The influence he has had on my life is pretty extravagant. First, I have always loved soccer. This interest would not have come without him. he played before me, I thought he was the coolest person ever and I needed to try. It went from him, teaching me how to kick a ball to me every day practicing just so I can beat him. Which leads me to my next point, my brother taught me how to be tough , and never settle for less. Even if it wasn’t in sports, he taught me to never let people think I’m sensitive or that I’m fine with being tossed around. I learned this the hard way. I was a punching bag for a good five years, but now I see myself tougher compared to other girls. Everybody needs a big brother.