Simple things make me happy. I like to take time out of school for myself. Outside of family, I appreciate what I have done in my young life besides the drudgery of school. Well, school isn't really that bad because without school I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Anyway, the one thing that keeps me happy every day is playing tennis. Tennis is not just a game to play with others, it is an outlet that allows me to relax and really let go to try to win the match. It allows me to think in different ways than I do in my classes. In classes, I have to mind my P's and Q's, but I don't have to when I'm on the tennis court, I'm quiet. You have to be as it is rule number one. I just hit the ball anywhere on the court as long as I don't hit it out. Well, I do have to mind my P's and Q's on what I say on the court, so quiet is good. What do P's and Q's mean anyway? I looked it up, and interestingly, it began in 1779 when bartenders kept accounts of the (pints and quarts) of the drinks they serve. Then grandmothers adopted them for school kids to differentiate the letters P from Q. Sorry for the sidetrack. When I come upon a hurdle, I like to try to figure it out. That's me! Back to tennis. Sometimes, I get frustrated with myself, but then I take a deep breath, and it calms me down. Breathing is actually a good exercise for tennis because it relaxes my mind and keeps me focus on the match. Even though I may not always win the match, I am happy to just play.

I believe listening is the first step to becoming a great leader. If a leader is unable to listen to others, he will not be able to lead others significantly. Everyone looks up to a leader for insightful examples of how to be successful at something. At my high school, I listened to incoming new students about their concerns with stress and how they feel about starting high school. I am a Mentor and trainer for new students because I wanted to give back the same comfortable feeling of starting high school. High school can be stressful in itself and not knowing where classes are or where to find the necessary help at any time is where I come in as a Mentor. Helping students to feel accepted by listening to their concerns, or problems that could have arisen that very morning help to alleviate their minds, so they can get to their classes with a desire to learn. Without the worry of stress. By listening, I am able to help others while at the same time help myself to become a better leader.

At the onset of my Independent Research class, I needed to enlist a mentor to help me with my paper. It was challenging finding someone in the field that I was interested in. I wrote a letter to a renowned radiologist with intensive knowledge in research and publication and hoped he would respond. I was elated when I received a call of acceptance. At each step of the process, I needed to ask his advice, and it became a little easier along the way. I would then, communicate my progress to my teacher and teacher assistance mentor. Even though I made great progress with my paper, my teacher and teacher assistant continued to add more deliverables to the project. Although that was challenging, today, I feel that I have developed enough knowledge on how to go about getting a mentor. How to come up with an abstract, annotations, conference presentation and most of all data collection and developing a meta-analysis. I developed a Presentation Reflection and presented it to my other classes and teachers, requesting their feedback. It was a learning process that allowed me to grow and build upon my research and leadership skill sets.

One of the biggest problems we face in the world is young teenage drivers dying in car accidents, because of cell phone use while driving. Statistics from “edgarsnyder.com” reported that 32.8% of high schoolers, nationwide, text while driving and 12% end up in a fatal accident. 56% of teens admit to talking on cell phones while driving. The research indicated that talking on a cell while driving, slows a young driver's reaction time to that of a 70-year-old. Currently, the DMV provisional license is two years with driving restrictions between 12am – 5am and no one under 18 for five months in the car. I believe that this is not enough time to develop a confident driver with good judgements. I would implement two surveys to my county high schools and parents. The goal would be to give students the statistics and have them vote on increased provisional restrictions. I would meet with the DMV and recommend implementing these prohibitive measures earlier than 12am and add an assistant adult driver for six months with the 18 and under to one year. I believe these changes will allow for more growth and development for teenage drivers and will help to stem some early fatal car accidents.

Sometimes children visit a pet store, but I visit a children’s orphanage. It is one way I show love. I play games, sports, dance and eat with the children. Although I am glad to see their smiles, and gleam in their eyes, tears stream down mine. I want to stay, like that child in a pet store, but the joy in their lives for just one day grounds me. When I was six, I attended my school, book fair. I had $10 and used $5. I saw a classmate sitting outside. “What did you buy”? I asked. “I didn’t buy anything”, she said. “Why”? “I don’t have any money”, she said. I immediately gave her my $5 and said, “Here, go get a book”! “Really”? She asked in disbelief. “Yes”, I said, and she ran into the book fair. That afternoon, I apologized to my mom for the money. “You did the right thing”, she said. Then my mom told me that my classmate's dad had been suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord. I sat on the floor, crying, and remembered my parents once told me that my grandfather had suffered from Ataxia and lost his brain function in just seven months. It was then, that I knew there was an innate conscience that I can always give to others yet remain whole. These are two ways that are the most touching to me. But I give love in many other ways like picking up the telephone and speaking to my grandmother every day. She finds joy hearing from me and I get to talk politics and current events to someone who is passionate of these subjects.

My parents taught me that giving back to the community is intrinsic in our family. During the year, I rally the community to donate food and clothing to take to shelters. I am also passionate about giving back to veterans. My grandfather was a veteran. I didn’t know him as he died when I was five. My parents said that he did not speak at all about his experiences in the military. As a community, I collect non-perishable items and clothing for the Veterans. Especially around the holidays for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I post flyers at the school cafeteria, the gymnasium, and the bulletin board for announcements. Asking for donations of non-perishable foods and clothing to be placed in boxes that are left in those areas. Once they are filled, I band a team of students to help me get them packaged in smaller boxes and taped up. My mom then calls the veterans and schedules a date for them to come and do a pick-up for both holidays. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to write to veterans from WWII and talk to them by phone to express my appreciation for their service to our country. I wrote over 150 letters and spoke to 101 by phone. Now, I know how much of their lives are sacrificed for our country. Today, I listened to their struggles at an early age and some of them were as young as I when they were forced to enter the service. Emerging as leaders in a world of death and destruction while many dealt with constant adversities. I learned about their fortitude, leadership, and strength, and their perspectives on war and duty. While I am in college, I want to continue to help Veterans by continuing this service.

Simple things make me happy. I like to take time out of school for myself. Outside of family, I appreciate what I have done in my young life besides the drudgery of school. Well, school isn't really that bad because without school I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Anyway, the one thing that keeps me happy every day is playing tennis. Tennis is not just a game to play with others, it is an outlet that allows me to relax and really let go to try to win the match. It allows me to think in different ways than I do in my classes. In classes, I have to mind my P's and Q's, but I don't have to when I'm on the tennis court, I'm quiet. You have to be as it is rule number one. I just hit the ball anywhere on the court as long as I don't hit it out. Well, I do have to mind my P's and Q's on what I say on the court, so quiet is good. What do P's and Q's mean anyway? I looked it up, and interestingly, it began in 1779 when bartenders kept accounts of the (pints and quarts) of the drinks they serve. Then grandmothers adopted them for school kids to differentiate the letters P from Q. Sorry for the sidetrack. When I come upon a hurdle, I like to try to figure it out. That's me! Back to tennis. Sometimes, I get frustrated with myself, but then I take a deep breath, and it calms me down. Breathing is actually a good exercise for tennis because it relaxes my mind and keeps me focus on the match. Even though I may not always win the match, I am happy to just play.

Simple things make me happy. I like to take time out of school for me, myself, and I. Outside of family, I appreciate what I have done in my young life besides the drudgery of school. Well, school isn't really that bad because without school I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Anyway, the one thing that keeps me happy every day is playing tennis. Tennis is not just a game to play with others, it is an outlet that allows me to relax and really let go to try to win the match. It allows me to think in different ways than I do in my classes. In classes, I have to mind my P's and Q's, but I don't have to when I'm on the tennis court, I'm quiet. You have to be, it's rule number one. I just hit the ball anywhere on the court as long as I don't hit it out. Well, I do have to mind my P's and Q's on what I say on the court, so quiet is good. What do P's and Q's mean anyway? I looked it up, and interestingly, it began in 1779 when bartenders kept accounts of the (pints and quarts) of the drinks they serve. Then grandmothers adopted them for school to differentiate the letters P from Q. Sorry for the sidetrack. When I come upon a hurdle, I like to try to figure it out. That's me! Back to tennis. Sometimes, I get frustrated with myself, but then I take a deep breath, and it calms me down. Breathing is actually a good exercise for tennis because it relaxes my mind and keeps me focus on the match. Even though I may not always win the match, I am happy to just play.

Albert Einstein was 21 years old, when he graduated from the Polytechnic School in Switzerland. With trousers too short and hair, unruly, he said “It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside”. Einstein is one of my many inspired leaders. A Nobel Prize winner, yet gorged himself with cigarettes, but not to detract that he loved Math and Algebra because it was like solving a puzzle E=MC2. His theory of “the bending of light in a gravitational field” was confirmed in an eclipse in 1919. I admire his determination and focus and strive to emulate. When faced with injustice in Nazi-ruled Germany, he pulled forth the gall to renounce his citizenship. His theories were blacklisted in Germany but uplifted in America. His actions dare anyone to follow a path of unwavering desire. I feel that he was an unspoken leader to me and I learned that struggle is only a roadblock and simply going around is not enough but going above, enlisting my beliefs to ascertain the leader in me.

Growth is like a tree that keeps growing new leaves each year. It never stops, unless dejected by nature, man, or natural causes as a human. When I was five, I began playing tennis and didn't know that I would still be playing today. For the last three years, I have been on the Varsity tennis team at my high school and because I have grown to become a team leader and upperclassman, I look forward to working with incoming freshmen on the team. Yet, I cannot wait to compete again for a spot on the team in the spring of my senior year. Now I am beginning to feel as old as a grown tree with wisdom and skills to give to others. I have grown not only in my activities but especially in my academics. Learning about the history of art, and its correlation to actual events in its time period is a revelation. I never truly understood the meaning of art when my parents took me to museums. Now I can look within a painting and try to conjecture the story being told. One of my most proud growth attributes is learning about the development of democracy. Where it began in Europe and how it evolved over time to take shape in America. I am growing not in the footsteps of my parents or fore-parents but who I am becoming as an individual. Allowing my mind to open and learn is the first step to growth and I embrace it each day. Yet, it would not be beneficial if I didn't find a cause to use it, as that is when it truly becomes enlightened to see my own growth like new leaves on a tree.

I mostly value determination. Being determine have led me to through difficulties, challenges, and obstacles. I inherited determination from my grandparents. At the age of seven my grandfather was responsible for taking care of his younger brother who was only four. As an adult he gave back to his community every opportunity he could because of his struggles. Similarly, my maternal grandmother worked as an indentured servant in South America at 12 years old. She was illiterate, but she was wiser than her age and used the birth certificate of a 14-year-old friend to enlist for work. As an adult, she raised children off the streets as her own. My grandparents found determination to survive and overcome adversities. Today, I do know that who I am is driven by their courage and inner strength. Their blood runs in my veins. When I come upon a hurdle, I see my grandmother’s zeal in me and I strive my utmost, best with my education. When my community looks for a helping hand I am always there to give support as my grandfather would have done. I am determined to go to college and get an undergraduate degree. Last summer, I worked side by side with a mentor from Johns Hopkins to develop my Independent Research Study. While, I took the opportunity to host an interview with the renowned Lt. Colonel Harry Stewart for the African American Network at Synchrony Financial. In addition, I also extern with a Paleontologist to research an extinct crocodile for a publication and simultaneously, worked with a Professor at the University of Connecticut on a Mental Health Study for children in Nepal. These experiences have expanded my leadership attributes and helped me to build a foundation in research. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to write to veterans from WWII and talk to them by phone to express my appreciation for their service to our country. I wrote over 200 letters and spoke to more than 60. Now, I know how much of their lives are sacrificed for our country. Their determination gave them strength. I listened to their struggles at an early age and some of them were as young as I, when they were forced to enter the service. Emerging as leaders in a world of death and destruction while many dealt with constant adversities. I learned about their fortitude, leadership, and their perspectives on war and duty. This experience help to broaden my diversity knowledge as I am a diverse student. I enjoy playing tennis since a child and when I made the varsity tennis team at my high school I was thrilled and excited. As a starter I had to be focused and with a determined mindset I know I am always giving my best, even if sometimes I don't win. Losing allows me to think of what I can do to become better in the future. As the world becomes more interconnected my lens is becoming more global. This emphasis on out-of-the-classroom experiences force me to think holistically while building my breadth and knowledge as a leader in society to drive change in the lives of others. But I would not be able to do any of it with the help of a determined mind.

Patience is a virtue as the saying goes. I prefer to be patient because, it allows me to think clearly before speaking. Sometimes, we may say something too quickly not realizing it, and then regret it immediately. Rather than thinking it through for a just a minute or so may be the better way. Patience gives me the time that I need to get something important done. It is always better to review my work and take the necessary time that is given to me than to rush through. Those are the moments that I catch mistakes and have the chance to correct them before submitting a final. Patience teach me discipline. It is calmer on the mind and body. In addition, it gives me more self-control when I exhibit just a bit of patience. Most importantly, I feel that it is necessary to be patient while eating a meal. Food digestion is important and eating too quickly can cause harm. Another way to be patient is by helping others who seem like they need it. Being able to divert my unselfish, attention to help someone is a cause worthy in itself. I believe that being patient comes with lessons that are important in my upbringing.