Mackenzie Ackerman

As the youngest of three daughters, Ioften felt like my mom and dad had given up on parenting me. I've never satdown at a piano, never plucked a violin. Dance lasted about a week and the swimteam didn't last past the first lap. The activities that excited my parentswith the first child were no longer thrilling the third time around. Instead offorming my own talents, I lived through my sisters. I had what some would callthe “third child syndrome". I felt like a pest. Being the youngest of threeled to a self-discovered talent.

This talent I discovered is my words.At age 8, I became Mackenzie Faith Ackerman. I began to spread joy throughsilly riddles, light-hearted remarks and laughs. I realized that I did not haveto be in the spotlight to have a purpose. In addition, I have learned that mypast, current and future circumstances do not define my self worth. Mypersonality, actions towards others, and ability to find joy in all seasons oflife is what defines me.

Being a younger sibling comes with it downsides. Yes, Iwas pushed to the side and blamed for just about everything that went wrong. Iruined family pictures with my tears, was too short to ride the thrill rides atDisney Land and always embarrassed my sisters. I also found myself being thebutt of many jokes. I was easy to poke fun at because I was younger, so wasmore ignorant than my older sisters. However, being a younger sibling also camewith an abundant amount of blessings. I was taught at an early age to approachlife with an easy-going outlook, to laugh at others but also, to laugh atmyself. I am able to turn embarrassing moments and mistakes into laughablemoments. I was a fashion-forward sixth grader. I was taught how to properlyapply make-up. I was shown how to be a good friend and how to resolveconflicts. But most importantly, for me, being a younger sibling has made mewho I am today.