The Power of Passion by Savannah

The Power of Passion by Savannah - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

July 10th, 2015, a day I will never forget; the day my dad returned from his one-year deployment, stationed in Kuwait. Although I had participated in countless deployments before this, none came close to this grueling year for my family. From enduring weeks without talking to my dad to witnessing my sister’s daily nightmares that portrayed my dad being killed while deployed, my family was pushed mentally, physically, and emotionally on a daily basis. Thankfully, after a year full of anxiety, my dad finally came home. When I saw my dad for the first time in a year, I embraced him with all my strength, overwhelmed with a feeling of relief, knowing he was on American soil! This deployment taught my entire family the importance of resilience through hardship. Now, although he had returned, he was never truly the same. In moments, I could see the mental struggle in his eyes, his mind conflicted with adjusting to societal reality and reliving his deployment experiences. It was in those moments I understood the true sacrifice, both mentally and physically, these soldiers give every day to protect my simple freedoms. Despite the mental hardship at first, my dad was and still is so strong, teaching me the importance of pursuing courage when surrounded by fear and serving those around me, despite the cost.

Because my dad has served in the military, I have moved to seven locations, lived in 12 different houses, and experienced countless deployments. Through all of this, I have personally witnessed the mental toll serving can have on soldiers and their families. From painful memories to endless nightmares, veterans have to live with decisions made in missions, often at the sacrifice of someone or something to protect their nation, which can often lead to the diagnosis of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). These individuals suffering from PTSD are in dire need of support but are often denied the medical, psychological, and emotional assistance needed, resulting in increased suicide rates. Because this pressing issue is very close to my heart, I continually strive to use my skills to not only raise awareness but also speak for these heroes through education and passion projects.

Ever since I was little, I have been obsessed with learning about the brain and deepening my understanding of mental disorders, mainly PTSD. Through my dad’s powerful example, I have gained the courage and drive to not only follow my passion but use it to influence those around me. From dedicating my time as a teacher’s assistant for AP Chemistry to continually conducting research on AI improving PTSD diagnosis procedures, my passion for Neuroscience flourished. Inside or outside the classroom, I always use my time to improve my knowledge of the brain, whether through books or college classes addressing Neuroscience on coursera. Instead of solely using this passion for personal gain, my dad’s selflessness has taught me the importance of using my skills to benefit others.

As a junior in High School, I operated a non-profit sticker business, Savannah’s Stickers, to dedicate my profits towards K9s for Warriors, a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD. Because of this decision, I was able to spread the important message of soldiers suffering from PTSD to my customers and fellow peers. I quickly realized how many individuals were uninformed about PTSD and its detrimental symptoms. Once I witnessed the massive impact this simple action had on hundreds of people, I began to do everything in my power to raise the awareness of veterans suffering from PTSD. From delivering a speech about the reality of PTSD around the country to representing veterans in the Army Ten Miler, I was able to reach people around the country, many being veterans suffering from this very problem. This passion, which has made such a massive impact on my life, will push me to use my voice for good in our world through college and beyond. Because I will be majoring in Neuroscience at the College of William and Mary in the fall, I will be able to continue to support veterans struggling with this disorder through future research and education. As a self-proclaimed introvert and perfectionist, I never thought a high schooler like me could make a difference in our society on such an important issue. However, these projects forced me to step out of my comfort zone and fight for what I believed in. I have learned the powerful lesson of sharing and fighting for my passion, despite my age or perceived fears.

Without my first hand experience as a child of a soldier, I would have had no idea what these soldiers were truly going through. Due to society's inattentiveness and lack of awareness, these affected soldiers believe they must fight this battle on their own. I will strive to change our world’s understanding of soldiers like my dad, who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. The military community endures many sacrifices so that we can enjoy everyday freedoms, so the least I can do is never give up supporting them. The fight against PTSD is still far from over. However, the simple action of someone willing to speak out against social dilemmas can change the course of countless veterans and families. All in all, my personal experience as a military kid has dramatically influenced my academic goals and mindset on serving those around me.