Two people that have been a big role model in my life are still my pastors, Pastor Sam and Ashley. I met them when I was in 8th grade and they were building their youth group and asked me to attend. It has been five years now and now it is almost time for me to leave. During this season, they have helped me see the light in the darkness and help me understand the reasons for it all. For the time I've known them, I have been part of their leadership team and tech/ production team, and have shown me and how to service, not just for the church but for the Lord. They have made a leader out of me and have given me the confidence to share the gospel to countries that don’t know the Lord. Because of Pastor Sam and Ashley, my mental state is healthier and stronger. They are passing down their kindness, passion, and love to their youth leaders, youth kids, and everyone they come across. All they show is positivity. They are so open to trying new things and take us along, to get us out of our comfort zone and to experience new things. With everything they do for the church and youth group, they always have a busy schedule, but in some way, they find a way to put us first. I know wherever I decided to go that they will be cheering me on. I am so thankful that I have two people like Pastor Sam and Ashley in my life.
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I believe that my inner animal is a Zebra. Just by appearance, a Zebra is black and white, just like me, but the funny thing is that you don’t know if a Zebra is black with white stripes or the opposite. When you look at the Zebra, they are so different, but so beautiful at the same time. Zebras and I are similar because we don’t fit into society’s standards. We make your own rules and choices and say/act on what's on your mind to make us unique and prepared for the future. When it comes to Zebra noises, they are very loud and sometimes can be annoying but I think that it’s okay. Nobody pays attention to Zebras anymore because most people think they aren’t interesting or can do anything special. Zebra are far more aggressive and more dangerous. Zebras have been known to kick each other to death and will viciously bite any human that comes to closes. I do know that I am strong and give a good punch, but I don’t think I could cause death because of it. Zebras give me the confidence to stand out in front of a crowd. To have the daily reminder that it’s okay to be unique because being different is the new cool.
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A word I would describe myself is creative. From a young age, I have always loved to paint and express myself through it. Over the years, not only did I paint on canvases, but clothes, shoes, walls, basically anything out of the ordinary. It was a way for me to paint my feelings. Another hobby I grew to love was thrifting. It was a way for me to express my love of being different and not caring what people thought of me or what I was wearing. Painting and thrifting helped me find new ways to see what I love, being bold and colorful. You can always find me with a pop of color, whether it’s jewelry, shoes, or even my nails. These will always be my favorite hobbies to do in my spare time, and I am passionate about what creativity they offer.
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Something that I am passionate about is my faith in Jesus Christ. At a very young age, I learned about Christ and appreciated that he died for my sins. I have known who God is all my life, but I never felt the connection he was in my life, at least not until I joined One Church Ripon. Their youth group helped me become who I am today. I know now that Jesus has always been part of my life and always will be, even when I don’t feel or see it. I grew stronger in my relationship with Christ and got out of my comfort zone, especially when joining the church’s Student Leadership Team. I have gone on mission trips, given my testimony, helped people to know the Lord, and even got the opportunity to share the gospel. I know that God will use me and my gifts in the future, and I am so excited to see what he has stored for me.
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At Ripon High, I am known as the person who will “most likely brighten your day.” You will most likely find me with a big smile on my face because I just can’t help but smile. I am not saying that I don’t have my bad days too, but why should I focus on the negative when I know it won’t last. I believe that positivity goes a long way in life, and just the simplest of things can make someone’s day better. People tell me that I make their day with just my smile or listening to them, but what they don’t know is that they make my day by just being in my life. A reminder that helped me through high school is that everybody needs somebody. I wanted to fill that hole so that when people felt alone and helpless, they knew that they could talk to me because I will not judge what they were going through. I wanted to be the person that people felt comfortable talking to about certain things and help them grow from it. It is a process, but in the end, it all worth it because I got to help people find their happiness within themselves, which makes me happy. I keep a smile on my face because I know that a smile is contagious and can help change our world.
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Dear Mom,
To start, I love you so much, and thank you for helping me achieve my dreams. I seriously couldn’t have made it here today without your love and support. I know that I don’t say thank you a lot, especially to you, but I am so grateful to have you as my mom. I know it wasn’t easy raising me alone for 18 years, especially when I didn’t make it any easier for you, but you still found a way to love me with all your heart. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me to do the things I love. Whether it was driving me somewhere, spending money for special trips, helping me write my sermons, having my friends over all the time, and many more things that I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for not only being my mom but for being my best friend, my support system, and my cheerleader. You never missed a volleyball game, even when I said you could because I know you were tired; you still made time to see me play and invited your co-workers too so that you could brag about me. Thank you for sticking by me during these challenging times; it’s not over yet, but we will get through this together. You have been my role model since the beginning of birth. You are a strong independent Christian woman. You taught me that we don’t need a man in our life to be happy and that not all men are jerks; all we need to do is trust each other and trust in Christ and that he will make all things right. Thank you for showing me what a mother’s love is like every day and how it will be like when I children. Thank you for being there for me during my panic attacks, even when I don’t want you there because I don’t want you to see me cry. You made sure that I was okay in that moment or the next day and reassured me that God was on my side and that he had a plan for me even when I did not see it. Also, thank you for always offering me a cold rag to calm me down. Even when we get on each other nerves, we still find a way to figure it because we aren’t the family that stays mad at each other; it might take a while, but we both come around. Thank you for being patient with me. I know that I can be loud, annoying, and a lot to handle, but I will forever cherish those memories. Especially the pillow fights that we never asked for but had the best time in the end. I am going to miss all these things and seeing you every day when I go to Vanguard. I know it will be quiet without me there, but at least you have Merlin to keep you company and annoy you from time to time. I can go on and on about how you are the most amazing mother ever, but then we would be here for a long time. Thank you for raising me into the person I am today, and I know you will continue to do so when I need you most. I am forever grateful to be called your daughter. I love you, Mom! Love Your Daughter, Zoe Barba |