Janelly

“My mother taught me long division late at night from the kitchen table until I could divide with my eyes closed,” Janelly wrote in her essay, describing her mother as a “supermom” who made sure that Janelly and her younger brother “did not have a worry in the world.”

Even in the grief of losing her supermom, Janelly still feels her encouragement.

“My mom and I shared a unique bond,” she wrote. “She continues to encourage me to become my own person while providing support as I navigate through life and pursue a career that supports others going through difficult times.” That career is nursing.

An assistant principal singled out Janelly’s “innate motivation to be a high achiever through not only creating events and working well within her classwork and committees,” but also by helping classmates with assignments in order for “them all to succeed.” Janelly extends her help beyond school, writing letters to the elderly, leading a drive to donate menstrual products to women in need and cleaning graffiti in neighborhood parks.

Janelly’s guidance counselor describes her as “a compassionate, intelligent and strong-willed individual with a clear sense of direction and purpose.” For now, she finds herself seated at the kitchen table helping her brother complete his homework and feeling “eternally grateful” for a mother who “will continue to inspire me forever and always.”

The teacher who made the greatest difference in my life is my creative writing teacher Dana Szalkiewicz. She always checks in to make sure I am doing good and provides me a lot of support during difficult times. She helped me become more open with my writing and to discover that writing is a hobby I enjoy.