Bobie Bao Memorial Scholarship

In my late preteen and early teen years, I felt like I was a doll controlled by other people outside of my world. I felt like a filler person. I did not know how to find myself or find who I wanted to be or who I thought I was. I believed that breathing, eating, and sleeping were the only things I was good at, and I would not get anywhere in life. I never realized that role models could forever change your life. Some people's role models could be a parent, a relative, or even a celebrity who inspires others to be like them. I did not find my role model until I was fifteen, and little did I know he would impact my life and future in many ways. My sophomore English teacher, Mr. Randolph, had the ambition to teach fifteen and sixteen-year-olds the proper rules of grammar and how to interpret the meanings of books. He liked to call himself "Dad" in a lot of his assignments. I found it funny but also ironic, knowing that he taught us a lot of things about grammar rules and life in general. His goal was to make sure we knew what we were doing for college once we left his class at the end of the year, and he did just that. At first, I despised English classes as teachers made lessons too complex and were very strict when it came to their classes and work. I had the same thoughts about this class when I first sat down at the desk in his overly decorated classroom. I was right, it was a very strict and tough class, but I never realized that this class made me realize the potential I had for writing. As I paid attention to his lessons, I looked at his writing style, which was a personal and free writing style, not as formal as a newspaper, and usual English writing styles, but it had humor and personality to it, like it came directly from the heart and his mind speaking for him, but through words. I always thought the free, personal writing style was cool, but seeing a teacher do it made me realize that there were many other ways to express myself and other topics in typed and written words. I was focused on culinary because it was one of my interests, something I considered for college and maybe even professionally. As my sophomore year continued into the second semester, I realized that the culinary industry was tough and not for me, especially since I am often described as sensitive and as someone who cannot handle confrontation as well as others. I found myself in a black hole for a few months, not knowing for sure what I wanted to do for college. I felt behind as other people stepped over me with their ideas in their hands, ready to walk down a path of success. During this gap, I found myself intrigued by writing and wanted to do more of it outside of school. On the weekends, I wrote whatever I pleased, not caring if it was not "professional writing" or not. I constantly found myself wanting to write and read more, whether it was romance or writing about troubled feelings. I realized this was something I loved to do, and I continued to do it. For some assignments, he would require us to write an essay about the book we were reading or a personal essay. At first, I would have mentally hit my head against the desk and complain about writing an essay, but then, I was excited. I was finally able to write in the way that felt like me ever since I saw the way he wrote without a care in the world—humorous, with personality with every word. Ever since writing and reading became my two favorite hobbies, I started looking into what I could do in college for both. Creative writing and journalism were the two majors that instantly caught my eye. With just typed words on a document, I could write in any style and let others see my personality. Some of my friends would praise my work, and it made me feel nice, knowing that people liked my creations. I knew not everyone had the same writing style and taste, but it was nice knowing that I could create things that people enjoyed reading about that did not feel like a chore for them. I finally felt like I had a part of my messed-up life figured out. I still find it funny how my entire life flipped after realizing the freedom I had with writing. No rules—well, grammar rules—and no guidelines, just your thoughts and beliefs written on a document or a piece of paper. As I pursue this passion and, ideally, a successful profession in the future, I hope to be able to express to others, either verbally or through typed words, that observing something about someone and acting upon it can transform your life in ways you might not have considered possible. Almost two years later, I still carry on this passion and plan to major in journalism and become a journalist in the future. Every day, I am thankful to myself and to Mr. Randolph, of course, for finding myself and the potential that I have in a profession that I feel confident in. I no longer let other people dominate me; instead, I have taken control of my own body, finding my true self: a writer, a reader, someone who wants to share stories, real or fiction, for others to read.

When questioned about the person who has most profoundly shaped my life, the first person who comes to mind immediately is my Akka, which means “older sister” in Telugu. From a young age, I have realized, she has been a constant source of inspiration and a beacon of strength, showing me what it means to work tirelessly for the people you love while also balancing pursuing your own future ambitions. Her ability to manage countless responsibilities from a young age even in the present with compassion and sincerity has not only influenced who I am today but also has shaped the person I aspire to be. During my family’s green card process, Akka carried a weight that would have overwhelmed most adults even before she was a teenager. She had to salvage the complexities of the English language, ensure our parents understood each document with patience, and served as an advocate for our family. At the same time, however, she faced her own challenges. I remember she would tell me about how she was applying for scholarships left and right, but it was incredibly difficult without a green card or citizenship, especially because our family’s financial situation was unstable when we first moved here. Because of the endless fees that come with newly immigrated families that haven't settled yet or have any friends or family in an entirely new environment, everything seemed unknown. Akka never let that stop her from pursuing opportunities that could support her education. She spent countless late nights explaining paperwork to our parents, completing her applications, studying, volunteering, playing varsity tennis, and teaching my mother English. I remember waking up in the middle of the night in our bunk beds and seeing her hunched over textbooks with a dinky book light to not wake me up while she secretly studied. She barely slept, yet handled every responsibility with determination for her future and care for others. Even with so much on her own plate, she always encouraged me, guided me, and helped me whenever I struggled, often without receiving that same support herself. Watching her give so much to others, even when she was clearly exhausted, taught me what true selflessness looks like. Her influence has truly shaped the way I approach my life. Seeing her juggling responsibilities while also helping our family persevere through the new country we were in inspired me to take on challenges that had purpose. In an effort to be like her, I have sought countless opportunities to serve my community, develop leadership skills, and explore my passion for medicine, just as she did. Programs that I have done such as the University of Pittsburgh Health Care Scholars Academy and the AHEC Summer Health Career Academy have allowed me to learn firsthand how to care for others while maintaining discipline and balance, all lessons I first observed in my Akka’s life. Coaching youth tennis, tutoring at kumon, and volunteering in my community are ways I strive to emulate her commitment to helping others while also pursuing my own goals. Akka’s example has also shaped my vision for the future. I am drawn to continuing my education in pursuit of my goal of becoming a physician and making a difference in my patients’ lives when they need it the most. Unfortunately, the healthcare system lives up to its stereotype of often feeling sterile and impersonal. In moments of fear, pain, or uncertainty, I believe that comfort and empathy matter just as much as treatment. I want to be the light when someone is in a dark moment so that my patients can feel listened to, cared for, and treated like a person, not a name in a database. My love for service, compassion, and the opportunity for genuine human connection are values that guide me, and they are what motivate me to pursue a pre-med track, just as my sister did. I want to become a physician who combines skill with empathy, someone who can navigate the complexities of healthcare while supporting patients through difficult moments, just as she guided our family through ours. Akka’s example has shaped both my ambitions and the values I carry with me every day. Watching her support our family, pursue her education despite the barriers of not having a green card or citizenship, and still encourage and guide me taught me that resilience and compassion are not just ideals but ways of living that transform the lives of others. Inspired by her, I hope to carry the same dedication into my future. I want to become a physician who combines skill with empathy, someone who can guide patients through moments of fear, pain, or uncertainty and make them feel seen, heard, and cared for as individuals. Whether mentoring students, volunteering in underserved communities, or serving patients, I want to emulate Akka’s selflessness, perseverance, and commitment to lifting others up, making a positive impact in their lives just as she has profoundly impacted mine.