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Moments in my life where I felt liberated or free. My aspirations for personal freedom.

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Whenever I am behind the wheel I feel as if I am free. Most of the time I drive alone. The car is one of the only places I can find peace as it is very quiet. In the driver's seat, you have control over the environment and where you go. At the same time, the activity of driving is very calming as it forces you to completely zone in on what is at hand and ignore other thoughts.

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The idea of college as my next step is liberating as I will embark on a new chapter of independence. The thought of a future is hopeful and gives me something to look forward to. Working towards becoming independent to being prepared to live by myself forces me to take on certain tasks by myself. I can no longer depend on my parents as I have to step into the role of becoming an adult.

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Whenever I am painting I feel free. I feel as if I am in another universe free from stress and worries. I can create anything and everything that I put my mind to. The limitless possibilities of what I can make allow me to take risks and make mistakes exploring.

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Moments in my life where I felt a deep sense of purpose or meaning, sources of inspiration, or things that I truly enjoy.

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I have been a part of my church's youth group for the past six years. Over the period, I found a deeper meaning behind life and inspiration from mentors along the way. I learned to appreciate the gift of life God has given us. The community of people gave me a sense of belonging as they love and support me unconditionally.

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My parents have pushed me to be the best person I can be. We would often argue about the unrealistic goals that were set, but with time I learned to embrace possibility and that there is no harm in trying. My family believes in consistently improving and bettering oneself. Over time, I picked up the same habit. Although it is annoying and tiring, it gave me purpose in life and created goals for me to achieve.

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Working at Marshall Hope Learning Center has taught me so much. During my time there I formed connections with each kid in the program. Every second there would be someone by my side, which made me feel appreciated. Sometimes I question whether my actions have any impact but in this environment, I can see the changes I have made.

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Explore existential questions such as the meaning of life, the nature of existence, or the role of choice and responsibility in shaping my destiny.

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What is my role in life? I did not grow up in a religious household. My parents never took me to church or taught me the meanings behind the holidays we celebrated. After attending church for a while, I decided I wanted to become a member. Over the summer I confirmed my faith in God. With the ceremony of a baptism, I was embraced as a child of God. As a member of the church, I am urged to have faith in God and abide by the commandments in the Bible. These commandments are interpreted in different ways but all guide a person through living a life for God.

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Explore moments when I felt true to myself or experiences where I am or have lived out my full potential.

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Over the summer I was part of the Appalachian Service Project with my church. During this time I felt as if I was my true self. Over the week all of the girls roomed together and we grew close. Everyone was so accepting and supportive of one another. I wasn't afraid to be my true self around this group of girls.

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Expressing myself through art has led to me achieving my full potential. I have often struggled with expressing myself with words. I did not share my personal life with others as I could never find the right words or courage. Art has allowed me to be vulnerable and share my feelings. The craft comes to me naturally unlike speaking. I used art as an outlet to express myself which has led to me unlocking my full potential and grow into myself.

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What is your purpose? When I reflect on this question multiple things come to mind such as advocacy for women's empowerment or service, but the one I feel most connected with is disability awareness, specifically rare diseases. During my senior speech, I talked about my experience with rare diseases and how it has impacted my life. Following my speech I found out how touched other's hearts as they could relate. I think sharing our story is our responsibility as we need to assure others that they are not alone.

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How should one live their life? Although thinking of the future is important, our minds should not be set on the future. It is just as important to stay present at the moment and take in what is happening now. Taking risks and enjoying the moment you are in is just as important, if not more, than setting goals for the future. The next day is not guaranteed that is why it is important to live every day as if it were our last.

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Last year I did a service project for Chrysalis House designing women's empowerment sticker which I then sold to fundraise for women's toiletries. This experience allowed me to use my skills and fundraise for an organization I was passionate about. During this time I felt as I was reaching my potential in life by making an impact within my community.