Project Take One Step by Megan

Project Take One Step by Megan - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

It is required by my school to complete 16 hours of senior community service. I jumped at the chance to get 10 of those hours out of the way by participating in our freshmen orientation. To me, at that time, it was just a requirement that I was happy to get over with.

I sat through lessons with the next generation of students which taught them about cyber bullying, responsibility, and other necessities for the next four years of high school. What really caught my attention were the guest speakers. They shared their personal stories about their involvement with drugs and alcohol. The sad thing was that many of the kids listening had already been lectured numerous times by teachers, parents, and faculty about these dangers and didn't give their devotion to actually hearing these heartbreaking stories. I realized, sitting in that lecture hall, that peer advice can be so much more beneficial to students because it feels more real. I also realized that we have ingrained the horrors of drugs and alcohol into kids' minds, but rarely are issues such as mental health discussed in depth. I'm not sure if it's the sensitivity of the subject or the mere ignorance that it is so common in young people. As someone who has struggled with depression, self harm, and suicidal ideation, this experience opened my eyes to what I know I need to do. I am now working on what I call Project Take One Step. Next year, and hopefully the years after that, I will return to freshmen orientation to serve as a guest speaker on mental health. I never knew as a freshman that my depression was something ok to talk about. I wish I had someone to tell me that there is hope and life beyond mental illness. I am also president of my school's Interact Club this year and I have made it my mission to raise money for ECMC's mental health facility. I know what those kids are going through and I feel the responsibility to help them through the one of the most difficult thing in life. The money will go towards group therapy speakers, other needed supplies, and medical bill payments not covered by insurance. Their focus should be on getting ready to reenter the world with a better state of mind, not issues pertaining money. I cannot express how strongly I feel as an advocate for this cause. I have made speeches to classmates and to anyone who will listen in hopes of raising awareness. My history teacher says it's physically impossible to care about every individual, but I find myself caring more deeply about each life I come in contact with every day.

My 16 hour requirement has turned into my life purpose.