I went on a photography trip to Oregon and Washington with other OSU STEP students, staff, and a professional photographer for my STEP Signature Project. Our main activities are taking pictures of gardens, waterfalls, the Oregon coast, and Crater Lake. Then, at the end of each day, we would process our photos using Photoshop.

Doing this STEP project not only helped me further explore my hobbies and passions but also allowed me to adventure out into the world on my own. This was my first solo flight ever, and this STEP experience really helped me learn to navigate the airport on my own, deal with gate changes, watch after my own stuff, be responsible, and look after my own well-being. While I went on this photography trip with a group, the individual experience I gained was invaluable. In addition, my understanding of myself grew significantly whilst preparing for the trip as well as being on the trip. I know that I am an introverted person, so I picked a roommate that was also an introvert. She was also in the medical field, so we were able to talk about something in common. It turned out that we had very similar personalities, so she really made the trip comforting and relaxing for me. Going through the personality tests during my STEP cohort in preparing for the trip really helped me learn more about myself and plan ahead based on my personality type to have the best roommate and trip possible.

The experiences that I had helped contribute to my personal growth of learning to navigate the world independently. My parents sheltered me as a child, so I grew up really dependent on them. This was the first trip that I was responsible for, and it felt really good to have that independence. I was in charge of and responsible for my own stuff, responsible for my own food, flight, and transportation to the hotel. It was a very valuable experience traveling alone for the first time and it really helped give me confidence if I would choose to travel alone again.

Some interactions that I had during my STEP trip have also contributed to my transformation. Getting to work with a professional photographer was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He taught me how to use Photoshop and other cool photography techniques called Bracketing to help make my photos the best they can be. He also taught me how to use my polarizing filter to help get rid of the glare on the water. Getting to talk with him about his passion really helped fuel my own curiosity about photography and made me eager to learn more about such an interesting and unique field.

Some activity that also helped changed me was getting to explore the east coast. Oregon and Washington are two places that I have wanted to go to for a long time. Finally getting an opportunity to travel there and explore everything they have to offer was such a great experience. Exploring the Japanese Garden over Portland, climbing to see famous Waterfalls, standing in front of 30ft of snow, and astrophotography at Crater Lake. In addition, we got to photograph lighthouses on the coast and dipped our feet in the pacific ocean. I love exploring new places, so this photography trip was also a great way to explore and travel to new places.

This STEP project was incredibly valuable to my life. I am very immersed in school with plans to go to medical school. I spend almost all my time either studying or working. I thought about what kind of STEP projects I wanted to do to help build my medical school application. But I was so burned out and exhausted. I realized that this is the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to take time for myself and away from school and studying. This trip allowed me to learn about self-care and how important it is to have a balance between work and personal life. I also thought that learning how to have a healthy balance in my life could be translated to my professional career. As a doctor, teaching my patients the act of self-care is important. I believe that the body can heal itself for many things. Being able to provide physical medicine but also ways of self-care could help my patients in both their bodies and mind. Not only was this STEP trip beneficial for me right now, but the lessons I learned I will be able to carry with me into my future career and for the rest of my life.

The signature project I choose was a photography trip to Washington and Oregon, although we were primarily in Oregon. This trip was to help better our understanding of creating, taking, and editing photos while shooting those photos in different environments.

     I believe the biggest change for me is my self-confidence in my photography. In about the middle of the trip, we went out and did some night sky photography. I have only done it once and only of just the sky, but on this trip, our professional advisor told me that we were shooting the sky with the mountains in front of the stars and I wasn’t really sure if I could get my photos to turn out or not. After about 2 minutes of playing around with some settings, I got a really good photo to turn out. Not only was I super excited but I also felt like I had some grasp on what I was doing with the settings and why. After that one photo, I got a lot of other good ones, including a photo of the lodge that no one else took. From that night on, I really felt like my photos got a lot better.

     I would say what led me to that change has to deal mostly with the people around me on the trip. The advisors, Tony and Pat, were great mentors for me in different ways. Tony had a lot more experience in photography but Pat and I shared similar camera models. When I took my night sky photos, I had a lot of questions about my camera, its settings, and general photography questions. Both Pat and Tony were helpful in helping me grow in that sense. Something Tony said still sticks with me and is part of the reason I got one of my favorite photos. He said that sometimes when you’re shooting your photos, you just need to turn around and take a photo of what’s behind you. I did what he said a it turned into one of the most unique photos I’ve ever taken.

     The other students on this trip were also a part of my growth in photography. Before going on this trip, I didn’t know anyone in this project but I shortly became aquatinted with the only other male student on the trip after I checked into the first hotel. Camden and I became friends pretty quickly and I think this helped me throughout the whole trip because I felt more comfortable around him and the rest of the group. Feeling comfortable around the other students on the trip allowed me to ask for help if I needed it or just have a conversation with them in the long car rides. With there being 12 students on this trip, finding photos that nobody has taken yet was harder than I imagined but because it challenged me, I think it helped me grow and look for new angles and work with my settings more.

      I also think the overall setting and environment were a big factor in how I have grown in my self-confidence and as a photographer. Every time we moved, there were new things to shoot, and most of the time, I hadn’t shot anything like it before. At each of these spots, my camera settings were constantly needing adjusted which was a big challenge, especially when you don’t know how to shoot this new subject. I also struggled on some of the days to get up early when we went to bed late the night before. The night we did star photography, we had to be up early the next morning to shoot the sunrise and that was super difficult for me to do when all I got was three hours of sleep. I think this did help me realize that sometimes some shoots are really difficult to get but if you put in the effort, you will find that it is worth losing a little bit of sleep. 

      This change in my self-confidence is significant to my life because I want to become a professional photographer. I have always felt like I am not really good enough of a photographer to make it my job or I just don’t have the skill set to create a career out of it but this trip has helped me realize that I may still have a ways to go but I am better than I give myself credit for and that I am still learning. I feel like this is a big part of all of my goals because it will help me through the rest of school, help me when I’m taking photos outside of school and help me find a job that I love. I will remember what I’ve learned on this trip for years to come and I hope to keep the memories I’ve made for longer.

The STEP project I participated in was a week-long immersive photography trip that involved learning how to shoot different landscapes and objects around Oregon and Washington.

During my STEP Signature Project in Oregon, I embarked on a journey to learn photography, and it had a profound impact on my beliefs and perspective about this art form. Initially, I saw photography merely as a way to capture moments and document events. However, as I delved deeper into the project, I realized that photography is much more than that—it is a powerful means of self-expression and storytelling and moreso a means to bring people together.

 Through the guidance of experienced mentors and immersive hands-on experiences, I learned to see the world through a new lens. I discovered the artistry in composing a photograph, paying attention to elements such as light, angles, and perspectives. This newfound understanding allowed me to unveil the beauty in everyday life that often goes unnoticed. I began to appreciate the subtle interplay of colors, textures, and emotions that can be conveyed through a single image.

As I honed my technical skills and experimented with different genres and techniques, I became more confident in my abilities. The process of capturing and editing photos became a form of self-discovery and creative exploration. During out last night while all showing our top 3 pictures I realized how we had all grown not only as people but as artists and were all able to explain the artistic sides of our photos. 

Moreover, my belief in the power of photography as an art form solidified. I realized that photographs have the ability to evoke emotions, inspire change, and connect people across cultures and time. It became clear to me that photography is not just a hobby or a medium of documentation; it is a powerful tool for self-expression and communication.

My STEP Signature Project completely transformed my perspective on photography. What started as a mere curiosity blossomed into so much more. I am grateful for the opportunity to have unveiled this new hobby and art form, as it has not only enriched my life but also opened doors for me to connect with others who share the same love and appreciation for photography.

During my time in Oregon I was pushed far outside my comfort zone to help “capture the shot”. While initially apprehensive and nervous I soon found that this push was all I needed to develop my self confidence and artistic abilities. 

Engaging in various activities, ranging from hiking by a waterfall to going deep into a cave, during my STEP Signature Project also played a crucial role in my transformation. From exploring breathtaking landscapes to capturing the essence of different communities of the west coast, each activity pushed me to view the world through a different lens. Immersing myself in unfamiliar environments allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and develop a greater sense of adaptability and resilience. These experiences taught me the value of being open-minded and embracing diversity, both in my artwork and in my personal life. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the project allowed me to interact with my fellow group members to find new landscapes to shoot and to help adjust the settings to get the best possible artistic output. Working closely with a diverse group of individuals who shared a common passion for photography allowed me to engage in stimulating discussions, exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s unique perspectives. Through these interactions, I gained a deeper understanding of the power of collaboration and the importance of teamwork in achieving creative goals. The camaraderie and support from my peers created a positive and inspiring environment that motivated me to push beyond my limits and embrace new challenges. These interactions helped change how I perceive photography, I no longer see it as an individual activity and rather a collaborative one. 

Finally, the completion of my STEP Signature Project involved showcasing my work to a wider audience which was my group that I traveled with. This aspect challenged me to confront my fear of judgment and rejection. Presenting my photographs after they had been edited using photoshop, with help from photographer Tony Small, and sharing my artistic vision with others required vulnerability. However, the positive feedback and recognition I received not only validated my efforts but also reinforced my belief in my artistic abilities. This affirmation instilled a newfound sense of self-assurance and empowered me to continue pursuing my passion for photography with unwavering determination.

This change and transformation that I experienced during my STEP Signature Project hold significant value in shaping my academic, personal, and professional goals and future plans, including my pursuit of dentistry. Firstly, the boost in self-confidence and the development of my artistic abilities will have a direct impact on my academic journey towards dentistry. As a future dentist, having confidence in my skills and creative vision will allow me to effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, understand the aesthetic aspects of dentistry, and capture the nuances of smiles through photography. This artistic perspective will enhance my ability to create beautiful and natural-looking dental restorations, as well as effectively communicate treatment options to patients. I have the mentors and my peers to thank for helping me open my eyes to everything that could be accomplished with photography. 

In summary, the change and transformation resulting from my STEP Signature Project hold significant value for my life, particularly in relation to my pursuit of dentistry. This trip helped impact my academic journey by enhancing my confidence, artistic abilities, and communication skills. On a personal level, I was able to form lasting connections and make memories with all the mentors and my fellow group members on the trip. Professionally, this transformation aligns with my future plans as a dentist, allowing me to bring a unique perspective. Overall, I believe I can confidently say that this STEP trip was one to remember. 

My STEP Signature Project was a week-long trip to Oregon, focusing on photography. We traveled throughout the beautiful state, stopping at national parks and waterfalls, and driving up the Pacific coast. During this adventure, my photography and editing skills were put to the test and improved astronomically.

This trip marked my first visit to the west coast and to say the least, my expectations were exceeded. While traveling throughout Oregon, I found a new appreciation for the nature around me. While I was not without this appreciation before, it now has greatly increased and makes me rethink how I used to view living in rural Pennsylvania. I took for granted waking up every morning and being able to take a hike through the woods behind my house. Now, after living in Columbus for the past three years, I no longer have that advantage. Traveling to Oregon has shown me that nature truly is wonderful and should be appreciated everywhere, and not just in the National Parks.

As the world continues to expand, I believe the appreciation of nature needs to stay rooted in our future. Sometimes this can get lost with many conflicting ideas and views, but it is a necessity. Connecting with nature is a value that some seem to forget about, but I believe is vital for a healthy life. Visiting Oregon allowed me to revisit these values and allowed me to fully appreciate the vast nature world has to offer. I can only hope that I can make more of these opportunities in the future.

I also have a new-found appreciation for my professional camera. Recently, I have caught myself only using my iPhone camera, but with the new skills I have obtained during this trip, I realized that my Nikon Camera can do much more. Switching to manual mode and working with the different settings like f stop, exposure, and shutter speed can give me a more creative photo that cannot be obtained from a simple phone camera.

Previous trips where I solely used my phone cannot be compared to the ones from Oregon, they are on two different levels. Although, I cannot exclusively take credit for my work. The professional photographer that helped lead this trip was a great teacher throughout the entire process. Without his help, the final photos would have looked drastically different. Learning how to use different softwares, like Adobe Lightroom, to help transform a raw photo into my final creative idea was a great learning experience. While working in a group throughout the trip, it was interesting to see how two individuals could have a similar raw photo, but seeing how they changed it through editing allowed them to show their own unique perspective.

I hope to continue traveling and taking photos as I continue my academic and professional career. As a rising senior, I am currently applying to veterinary school. This path has been inspiring and challenging at the same time. With much hard work and dedication, I hope my dreams can be achieved. Throughout this process, having hobbies helps me enjoy life and I now can add photography to this list. Whether I have time to travel to another gorgeous state or look to find the hidden gems in my hometown, I know I will continue to work on my photography skills and grow as a person.

For my STEP project, I went on a photography trip to various places in Oregon such as Florence, Tillamook, Portland, and more. Our group of students spent a week with a professional photographer to learn how to properly manage our camera as well as edit our photos. At the end of our trip, we each shared our top three pictures, and my top 3 are the ones I attached below.

As I traveled, my perspective of the world changed; I had never seen the Pacific Ocean before this trip and was in awe. Each national park was filled with indescribable beauty that I had hoped to capture through my camera’s lens. I, someone who has never used a professional camera, truly learned so much and understand the value that this type of art holds. It was difficult at first to learn what settings would capture a waterfall with cotton-candy-like qualities.

I feel that this trip has helped me to realize the value of environmental wellness as well as social wellness for meeting new friends and traveling to unfamiliar places. This challenged me to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. All of these locations were like hidden gems of the earth that made every hike worth it even if it ruined something small like a pair of shoes because that could not compare to the beauty surrounding me.

I would say that part of my transformation started before the trip even began. I am typically shy around others before getting to know them, and we had had a couple meetings the semester before our trip to prepare. During these meetings, I met a friend who shared the same flights as I did. This was comforting for both of us as we had never flown across the country by ourselves before. This key aspect made us both stronger and confident in ourselves that no matter what challenges we faced we would always find the right path to our destination.

Another interaction that allowed me to grow during my project was when the group of us were at dinner and discussing the proper settings to put our camera into for our first picture location in the morning. It is not always easy asking for help, but I am glad that I did because I now understand what changing your shutter speed, iso, and F-stop can do for a picture. I was excited to photograph my first waterfall and, along the way, fell in love with close-up pictures that had a slightly blurred background. The detail to me was breathtaking.

Through our adventures from the coast to the highest points at Crater Lake, I learned to trust the process. There were times where it was freezing at 1am or 5am for sunrise, and there was snow about three times my height. In the moment, it was hard at first to focus on how to capture the pictures I wanted, but the reward was beyond worth it. I learned that sometimes you take the best pictures when you least expect it, and when you are focusing a lot on what is in-front of you, do not forget to turn around as well.

This transformation is valuable for my life because Nursing takes a lot of critical thinking skills and communication to be able to do it well. I think that photography allows me to have a creative escape where I can relax my mind to just appreciate my surroundings and share that with others. This is significant to my future career because having photography as a hobby will allow me to be more resilient and prevent burnout. It will support my mental and emotional statuses to continue my path as a successful healthcare professional. I hope to continue this passion and combine it with my love of traveling.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed. 

For my STEP Project, I traveled with a team of 15 other people to the Grand Canyon where we did trail service, backpacked below the rim, and rafted down the Colorado River. For the trail service, we restored a formerly flooded trail by using loppers, shovels, and rakes. The backpacking portion included lots of hiking and carrying all your stuff on your back! During rafting we hit some rapids and stopped at campsites along the river for the night.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place. 

Something that I learned that fascinated me with this trip is the human ability to adapt. This trip required a lot of little habits in my life to change. I had to poop in a bucket or in holes in the ground. I had to ration water. I couldn’t use my phone. I had to lick my plate clean instead of washing it. I had next to no privacy unless I was in my sleeping bag. I couldn’t shower for days at a time and used a lot of sunscreen. For someone like me who has a very distinct daily routine, changing all of these habits was a big worry for me on this trip. However, after a few days passed, I had totally gotten used to it. Pooping in a bucket became my new normal. I couldn’t believe how well I adapted to the environment around me. When I got home, my usual habits were things I realized I didn’t actually need! I found this trip to be empowering because I learned that I am able to adapt to any environment I’m in. I was able to overcome all of these little things and after a while my brain got used to it. After this trip, I feel a lot more comfortable and trusting with myself. I know that I will be okay wherever I go and whatever I do. I feel that this trip gave me a heightened sense of independence and confidence. 

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation. 

During the first few days of the trip, we had a bit of a “warm up” to the camping experience. I had been camping before, but never like this. We were in the middle of nowhere. No running water or bathrooms anywhere. At this point in the trip, I was forced to adapt to the routine of back-country camping. There weren’t chairs or a table to eat dinner, we sat on the ground and ate in our lap. My sleep schedule had to adjust: we went to bed around 9:00 pm and woke up whenever the sun came up. During all of this, I was meeting so many new people and getting to know personalities. While this part of the trip was a little overwhelming, I enjoyed each day. 

Before the backpacking portion of the trip, I had just gotten used to the camping lifestyle. But now we wouldn’t have tents, a large stove, or cars with us. In the same way I had to adjust to the camping lifestyle, now I had to adjust to a backpacking lifestyle. We could only take a few pairs of clothes. I wore the same outfit for 3 days in a row! We had to carry our gear and hydrating was more important than ever. While this was hard at first, I once again adapted to the backpacking lifestyle and got used to it a few days in. 

During the rafting portion of the trip, we had to totally switch gears again. Instead of using my hiking boots I switched to waterproof sandals and clothes. Our gear had to stay in rafts and had new cooking supplies. Just as I was getting used to the backpacking lifestyle, I had to adapt again to the rafting lifestyle. 

The format of the trip forced me to adapt multiple times over. Once I got used to one lifestyle, we had to change it up and something new would be thrown my way. While this was chaotic, looking back I realize how much it helped me grow. I realize now the power my mind and body have to adapt to any lifestyle I want. Because I had to adapt to camping, backpacking, and rafting lifestyles, I feel confident that I can take on anything that life throws my way. 

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

This development is important to me because it gave me reassurance. As a person, I feel more confident and excited to live my life knowing that I’m capable of taking on daunting tasks. Although it was hard, I got through it and I’m here today. Going forward each day I have a newfound sense of accomplishment and confidence. 

This trip also gave me gratitude. By not having nothing I realized how lucky I am to have the things I have. Showers were such a treat on the trip, but back home I get them every day. I realized how lucky I am to have running water that is so accessible to me. And good food too! By the end of the trip, any real meat was hard to come by. Realizing that here at home, I can buy any food I want from the store is really special. This sense of confidence and gratitude are traits that I believe will help me be a better person moving forward with life. 

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

The main objective of this project was to create 4 songs that are cohesive and sound professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered in a home recording studio of my creation. I wanted to explore the creative process of songwriting in an environment that was conducive to learning, making mistakes, and redoing.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

I have been a musician for over a decade, playing with bands and writing songs in my room. But I wanted to expand that. I wanted to create something tangible with my art as I do with design. That’s always been the next step: record my music, but recording is an expensive process. An at-home studio would allow me to constantly be able to ow from writing to producing. I also wanted to learn from a professional as it’s always easier for me to watch and do, rather than listen and learn. 

I learned rather quickly that it is hard to create music. Hard and time-consuming. The learning curve for DAW programs is a giant mountain, and music production is a lot of recording, listening, tweaking, and listening, over and over again until it starts to sound like nothing at all. At some points, I wondered, “Was this something I still loved to do?” And honestly… yes. It was still something I loved, even though I was trying and failing, making and undoing my work. 

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

Through this project, I was able to learn about music recording from a professional in the industry. Not only that, but I was able to make a connection with him. Prince Charles Alexander has been a producer for years, and to learn from him was incredible. He showed me something more valuable than technical skills, though. He showed me that professionals are still learning. This was a hump I had to get over, and it took me a while. Why am I doing this when there are people better than me already doing it? I could ask myself that for anything I do, and it would be debilitating. But I learned to overcome those feelings. 

This ability to network alongside my project was a phenomenal experience. While I took classes with Princes Charles Alexander, I found myself talking to different artists and producers all over Ohio. I was once a part of the Cleveland music scene, so I reached out to old connections I made to ask for help and tips with recording. I also grew as an artist through my time writing songs and trying to record them. And while there is no perfect product, it forced me to be happy with what I had done, not what more I “could’ve” done. 

My favorite part of this experience was learning how to use the software. Learning Logic Pro made me feel like a professional producer, and it made me more comfortable than when I tried to learn Protools or Ableton because it was similar to GarageBand. I was also very proud of myself for being able to take on something that daunted me so much, I could never start it before. I have always wanted to record my music, but this gave me the push I needed.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

It is so easy in the creative field to be bogged down by imposter syndrome, to give up before ever starting. But through STEP, I was able to challenge myself to learn and grow as a musician. I forced myself to keep going even when I wanted to give up because I hated something I was doing. I learned to try again and again, to rework things I’ve made, and especially to listen to things with fresh ears. I’m a better artist now than when I started. 

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed. 

My step project was a creative endeavors and arts project, and in this project I took personal piano lessons at a music studio called Music Palette, located 1031 College Ave, Columbus , OH 43209. I learned the basics of playing the piano and musical theory that helped build the foundations of understanding the instrument and everything that goes into being a pianist. It certainly is an experience that has played a significant role in my college journey. 

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

I learned a lot about myself while playing the piano. I learned that I am quickly irritated and impatient in the face of things that challenge my inner self who I actually am. The reason why I stated this is because playing the piano is not just about moving your fingers fast and looking cool. But it is about understanding the proper techniques and the foundations of music theory. I never really preferred doing the music theory booklet that I received because I felt as if it was homework. But understanding that theory book built a foundation and it helped me learn and improve. From working only within the five finger scale to a full octave scale, the understanding of improvement showed me that in life you have to start off small and in your journey you have to continuously grow. It is in those moments where it is most challenging that we have our most inner growth. I believe this very important life lesson pertains directly to my life as a young adult and as a junior at The Ohio State University. 

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

Having the understanding of how the little things play an important role in the big things, goes hand-in-hand in our everyday lives. For example you need a permit before getting your driver’s license. Understanding the rules and regulations of the road prior to taking that drivers license exam gives you the proper knowledge and understanding to be a proper driver earning you your credentials. Apprehending that  the notes on a piano from the letter c until g plays a role in making chords and chords play a role in making beautiful sounds and that is how we make songs from different chords. Some may go on different scales but each small unit is a part of the big picture. It taught me that you have to learn the basics to play beautiful songs.

Patience, consistency, and commitment were things that were required of me as an individual to get the best experience that I could get of this project. And I believe they were very challenging because playing this instrument requires these essential qualities. Especially when you have to learn a song for your next lesson. There were times where I did not get to practice at all and it showed in my personal lesson. I never enjoyed the feeling of leaving a lesson knowing that I did not improve. Putting your practicing aside and being inconsistent gave results that I did not want. I realized that if I wanted to do good, I had to be committed. I appreciate that. Working hard and completing a song was a gift in itself, that only the participant can understand. 

One last very important subject I want to speak on is being taught. My piano teacher Mrs. Esther watched me very closely during each lesson. She made sure that I had a proper fingering position and also that I was playing the right keys and hitting the correct notes. She saw my improvement from the start, and understood where I needed to be to keep improving. Each step was necessary to get to the next, and her knowing this and teaching me the way she did is a very important partof making this step project very cherishing. In my life today I am taught, led, and groomed by my Lord and Savior  Jesus Christ. In order to grow you have to learn and how would you learn unless you were taught. We all learn from someone, life experience, or something. That is why being taught is important to me.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

I believe this change is very transformational in my life because of how personal it is for me. Wanting to pursue a career as a physical therapist is not an easy task to do. But having this step project experience has taught me that it is not just about pursuing the goal, but understanding the goal has to be reached by different trials and tests. The reward has a requirement and in order to achieve that reward we have to meet those requirements regardless of what we think that is how it has to be done. Thank you Step for the opportunity to be a part of this.