Eudaimonia

After graduating high school in 2008, I felt a sudden urge to explore. I had stayed in the same town almost my entire life, and the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania were the only environment I knew. I had explored the highest mountains, the lowest valleys, and everything in between through hiking, adventuring, photography, and writing. Upon graduating, I tried to travel to as many places as I could, but found it very difficult because I was now suddenly independent and poor. I ended up experiencing a brief episode of homelessness, which is one of the most humbling and motivating experiences any person can go through in our society today. But something changed inside of me, and I developed an indomitable will to affect as many people as I possibly could in a positive way by doing what I thought was right, and doing it genuinely.  I entered a Volunteers of America program for homeless youths and worked to build my life back up from nothing. I fought my way through poverty, and, thanks to the Achievement Plus program, entered into a full-time college schedule, and I now feel comfortable in school, in church, and at home. I volunteer at the homeless shelter that I stayed at and do my best to be a mentor and role model for the people there.