All throughout my life, candles have been a constant. You may ask, why candles? Whether I am blowing them out on my birthday cake, getting in trouble for lighting candles in my room (my parents think I am going to burn the house down), waiting in line at Bath and Body Works with my dad to buy his favorite pumpkin spice candles, or lighting candles at mass with my mom, they have always been a constant in my life. Like a candle, our light can be affected by events that happen around us. We have the choice to let our light grow, dim, or extinguish, but we are also in control of that light shining brighter.

During my sophomore year, I ran for leadership. I did not get elected, and I was crushed. I love my school and serving my classmates. It can be tempting to let events like this get you down and blow out your light. Instead, I looked for a different way to serve my school and classmates. I tried to notice the needs of the students and my school that might be right in front of me. I was a journalism student at the time, and it did not take me long to realize there was a great need for quality pictures for our yearbook. I decided to take out an old camera and start learning to take quality pictures. I upgraded my camera for my birthday. I started showing up at all the school events to take pictures. I wanted every group of kids, grade level, sporting event, plays, pep rallies and even just normal school life to be represented. Then, through Google Drive, everyone had access to them. Many teachers and students have thanked me for the pictures. Many have stopped me in the halls to make sure I am coming to an event to take pictures of them! 

I truly feel students started attending more school events to see themselves on the school photo drive and make it into the yearbook. Doing all of this has not been easy, long hours and early mornings while keeping up with my school work and extra-curriculars, but it has been so rewarding. I was even called out of class a few times to take pictures of special events. I was named Chief and Editor of Photography, the first one at my school! The administration has asked me to find a replacement for when I graduate. Our once small journalism class is bursting at the seams with students wanting to get into it. Now, we have more people wanting to share their lights by helping with pictures. 

I have overcome many other obstacles in my life, as we all have, but I keep my candle shining brightly through the adversity. Growing up with ADD, I thought my light could not shine as brightly as others. I was actually told by one of my classmates that I would not be as successful as them because of my ADD. I have learned I may have to work harder, but I can still achieve all of the academic goals I set for myself.  I have a high GPA and have taken accelerated and AP courses. I am super proud of my academic achievements. I do not view my ADD in a negative light. It has not always been easy, but it has taught me tenacity and a great work ethic that I may not have learned otherwise. 

  Today I burn brighter than ever and no one or circumstance can burn me out or dim my light. It is mine to give to the world. I am thankful for the ups and downs of life that have taught me so many valuable lessons and made me who I am today! I look forward to the next chapter of my life, college, where I plan to keep my light shining brightly!