In her application essay, Avery talked about being neighbors with Annie and the impact their friendship had on her life. She recalled the “genuine happiness” she felt in childhood and the desire to embody it and pass it along to others. Avery shared details of her experience volunteering in Costa Rica, working in an underprivileged school where she spent her free time trying to bring laughter and playfulness to the children there.

Overall, Avery shared a lesson that “genuine connection comes from letting your inner child laugh without restraint” which has made a difference in her approach to life.

In Kyleigh’s essay she talked about how something as familiar as kindness can be impactful enough to save lives. She discussed the importance of empathy and acceptance in mental health and how spreading kindness “encourages others around us to accept and be kind.” 

Kyleigh talked about her desire to “live in a world where everyone loves themselves and the people around them” and that there is no better feeling in the world than being able to say, “I helped someone today.”  

In her essay, Valerie focused on the idea that helping others can be much more rewarding than thinking about oneself. She talked about the gratification of creating “happiness and hope” in others. Through her volunteer experience, Valerie learned about “paying it forward” and how helping someone in your community can create a chain of kindness as people continue to pay forward the gifts that have been selflessly given to them.

Valerie truly believes in the power of community service and its ability to decrease conflict and negativity in the world. She hopes to continue her service and spread the values of kindness and compassion for others while in college.