When I grow up I want to be a rock star and have a pony and a castle. Since kindergarten, my ideas about the work I would do “when I grew up” have changed almost every week. From doctor to lawyer to teacher to FOX News host, my professional aspirations have changed and been shaped by the personal experiences and incredible people I've come into contact with. Currently, my greatest and most enduring professional interests lie in foreign relations and diplomacy. Two experiences in the last two summers have differentiated a diplomatic career from any other occupation in my mind. The first was living in Washington DC for a month as a Senate page with forty smart, enthusiastic, unique teenagers. It has been an incredible privilege to see our nation's senators in action – debating, chatting, being interviewed, representing their constituents – and an honor to meet and watch powerful people and their staffs collaborate to further build and maintain the American fabric. The experience initially heightened my interest in politics, but I later realized that the aspects of paging I loved most were living in the city of Washington DC and meeting many great people from different backgrounds. These two interests pointed me toward the goal of eventually working for the State Department. That summer made me realize how much I love discussing issues with people who have a unique mindset resulting from their unique backgrounds and unique interests. It developed within me a desire to try new things, branch out and test the limits of my comfort zone. The bright, outgoing people around me made me want to work harder and be better. After researching people, I knew I wanted a job that required my best effort, that involved many of my interests, and that… halfway down the paper… took over the meeting, listened to me, and participated. After none of these expectations were met, I realized that I would first have to work to meet the expectations and earn the respect of the board so that they would trust me and want me to lead them. I have a lot to learn about leadership, and I want to be taught. The McConnell Scholars Program provides the perfect environment to gain leadership skills, while gaining a well-rounded education and building strong relationships with other scholars focused on building the same character traits. As I research colleges, complete applications, and search for scholarships, I am overwhelmed by the number of degrees, programs, and learning experiences offered, but the McConnell Scholars Program seems to be the best fit for me because of its influence on a characteristic that I want to develop more and more: leadership.