The ability to harness momentum is a valuable skill that can be applied both in swimming and in life. As an accomplished swimmer, I have come to understand that the seconds spent pushing off the wall during a race can make a tremendous impact on the outcome. However, the physical push-off alone is not what determines success. It is the mental preparation and focus that goes into each turn that truly matters. Similarly, in life, success is not just about the actions we take, but also about the mindset we bring to each situation. Through my experiences in swimming and community service, I have learned the importance of preparation, and determination. As a five-time varsity letter winner in both Swimming and Alpine Skiing, I have experienced both individual and team success. However, what I cherish the most is the time I spend supporting my teammates and giving back to my community. One of my earliest community service experiences was helping to run a Junior High swim meet. Shortly thereafter, I timed at a swim meet for senior citizens. During both meets, I could clearly see the impact my presence had on the athletes, and I took delight in supporting my teammates and neighbors. These meets taught me that swimming is not just a sport, but a lifetime activity, and that caring for the people around you is equally important. Since then, I have become a member of the National Honor Society, which has given me numerous opportunities to engage in community service. I am expected to complete six hours of community service each semester. I am proud to say that I have completed almost fifty hours of community service this semester and over one hundred hours this year. I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous community functions during this time including leading elementary school students through a STEM day camp, removing invasive plants, and preparing meals for community distribution. Through these experiences, I have learned about the challenges my community faces and the solutions that can be put in place to address them. Moving forward, I plan to build on the determination and preparation I have learned to expand the impact I can create on my community. In college, I intend to study environmental science and get involved in efforts to preserve natural resources, engage the community in nature, and create a more sustainable future. By pursuing my passion for environmental science, I aim to make a positive difference in the world and help preserve the planet for future generations. I will continue to apply the principles I have learned through swimming to my future endeavors. I understand that success is not just about the outcome, but also about the journey and the values that guide our actions. I believe that determination, preparation, and a focus on making a positive impact on others are the key to garnering success, both in swimming and in life. I am committed to building on the momentum I have created and using my skills and passions to create a better future for all.

A book about free diving is the reason I'm awake at one in the morning. The book- Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and what the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves by James Nestor. This book answers more questions than I ever thought to ask, and presents exhaustively researched information in an interesting and approachable manner. I believe that science should be engaging and accessible for everyone, regardless of education or experience, and James Nestor was the first scientist to show me how to do that.

Two summers ago, I was looking for a way to become a more competitive swimmer. After five years, I was stuck, so finding a way to breathe less was an intriguing idea. I read Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and what the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves by James Nestor, and what I learned spanned far beyond a competitive edge. Deep begins by exploring freediving- the effect on the body, and the influence of the ocean, before moving deeper. James Nestor brought discussions of sharks, echolocation, Tibetan Buddhist monks, whale communication, and the source of life on earth to the front of my mind, where they remain. Since reading Deep, I have begun apnea training- the practice of strategically holding one’s breath to acclimate the body to increased levels of carbon dioxide, or decreased levels of oxygen- to improve my breath-holding capacity. In the year and a half of training, my breath-holding capacity has increased by more than 290%, but more importantly, Deep taught me to look at the world critically. I have become more interested in my science classes, something my grades are reflecting on, and I began to seek out more information in a wide variety of subjects. After Deep, I read Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, also by James Nestor, as well as innumerable books about whales, jellyfish, biology, ecology, and astronomy. After two years, it’d be an understatement to say I learned a lot, but no matter what, it all comes back to Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and what the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves.