Since high school I have continued to experience growth in every aspect of my life. I have become involved in both my college and my community. My first semester at Alma College, I took on leadership roles in Habitat for Humanity, Students United for Nature, and Alma College Democrats. I am also an active participant in Alternative Breaks. Last year I worked in a daycare center with children that have AIDS, and this year I am leading a break to Appalachia to deal with Rural Poverty. Last year, I became a part of the Model United Nations Team and Center for Responsible Leadership, both of which have had tremendous impacts on my life. On the Model UN Team I have researched and studied world issues such as literacy, Child Soldiers, conflict, children’s rights, women’s rights, etc. I learned that I am extremely passionate about many issues, which lead me to apply for a grant to go to Ghana. I received the grant and spent a month in Ghana working in an orphanage and teaching English in a school. Coming back to my life at home I have been unable to forget those beautiful children I worked with, and more than anything in the world I want to help them. So, turning my passion into action, I created an organization called Literacy beyond Borders, which is currently a campus organization, but in a few years will hopefully become a registered non-governmental organization. The organization will work to get the children of Africa better education because in my opinion solving education problems and reducing illiteracy rates can solve other world issues such as AIDS, hunger, and poverty. I am also extremely passionate about Human Rights. This spring I will be traveling all over Europe studying international law and human rights. Following that I will hopefully be returning to Africa. The lessons I learned at MASC from SMART goals to Passion to Actions to maintaining an enthusiastic attitude have all helped me a great deal.