I wanted to find a way to have a meaningful positive impact on students' lives. Students spend much of their time at school during the day. I knew I could find ways to help students feel supported, connected and valued. As a school counselor, I wanted the opportunity to teach important skills such as problem-solving, emotional regulation and goal setting while also helping to build positive connections. Most importantly, I wanted all students to know that they have a voice and they matter.

Early in my career, I had been working with 8th graders to help them understand what happens in their brain when they experience strong emotions. As part of this lesson, I helped teach coping skills and encouraged seeking adult support when needed. After this, one student starting checking in with me often. One day I found a note on my desk from this student thanking me for listening. It said: "You make me feel important and worth at least something." I knew I was making a difference.

I would use some of this money to help start a school based mentoring program that connects high school students with elementary students at my school. This program would help elementary students make meaningful connections with an older mentor and would give the older students the opportunity to be in a leadership role. I would also use funds to help transform my office/classroom space with new technology, sensory items and furniture to promote emotional regulation for my students.