College: Truman State University

Major: Psychology

Driving into Sarasota after a tedious two-day drive, I feel relief as the salty breeze ripples through my hair and the sun’s heat beats down on me. But when I open my eyes, I see dead greenery all around. The once-vibrant landscape has been left grey since the severe hurricanes rolled through in 2024.

As the fast-changing climate increases the risks of natural disasters and lengthens their lasting effect on the environment, there’s a lot of uncertainty for my future. As a graduating senior, there’s even more. As I move into the world, I’m left alone to ruminate over what our only home will look like when I’m 80 compared to how it looked when I was 6. Back then, the world seemed brighter, greener and more tranquil. Before AP classes, tight paychecks, debilitating anxiety and doomsday clocks, I lay in flower-filled fields certain about everything. Now, I’m only left certain about the responsibilities thrust upon me.

Graduating high school brings about a lot of freedom, which I worry could lead me to lose hold of what truly matters. Living three hours away from home, with nobody to hold me accountable but myself, could have dire consequences. If I’m not sure what the world will even look like in a few decades, why would I care about getting an assignment in on time or making it to my Monday morning class? 

But while I feel the Sarasota heat on my skin, I think, This summer will be the coldest one I ever get. As I shift into the real world and see continuous rollbacks on environmental safety, this fact plays on a loop in my mind, reminding me of my generation’s environmental responsibility. Witnessing the destruction of  a getaway paradise opened my eyes to the broader issues of climate change and my own environmental duty. When the adults aren’t doing anything, it’s up to us to clean up the mess they leave.

This urge to feel accountable for something which shouldn’t be my responsibility helps me to feel confident in my future perseverance for my own tasks. No matter what, we all have a responsibility to leave a mark on the world; I hope to make it a good one, and I hope you do too. Not a bruise, but a gentle imprint.