My name is Adam Ryan, born and raised in the bay area, pursuing a degree in Genetics and Plant Biology. As someone who has suffered with anxiety and ADHD my whole life I have always found solace in the outdoors. Whether it be from volunteering at a local garden or hiking, being outside has always reminded me how beautiful the world truly is. Something that has always inspired me when I'm down is how even the tiniest bugs or plants make the biggest difference to our planet, and how different our world would be if even one organism went missing. Our entire planet is interconnected and everything depends on each other. Everyone and thing has a purpose. I want to pursue a career as a botanist working in parks helping to preserve and teach our planets natural beauty, so everyone can enjoy the outdoors as much as I do. During my sophomore year of high school, my cousin, who I am very close to, suffered a severe seizure at work, died for a couple seconds and came back, and went into a coma. He had struggled with substance abuse, like most of my family, so it was pretty obvious how this happened. One of his friends he had spent the previous week with had also suffered from a seizure and died the same day. The doctors weren’t sure he’d survive, and if he did, whether he’d ever return to normal life again. My high school does not allow phones, meaning for the rest of the week I would frantically check my phone after school and pray that my cousin was still alive. Everyday for this week I was tormented with the thought of losing someone I had always thought so fondly of, yet had to continue my school life as if nothing was happening. The doctors were unsure if he would even wake up, and if he did would he still be able to lead a normal life. After an absolutely agonizing week waiting to hear anything, my cousin finally awoke and was responsive. After his seizure, my cousin was diagnosed with epilepsy and couldn't drive for a year. He also received a pacemaker, limiting his once-active lifestyle. He had just awoken from a coma, lost a close friend, and had to go through major changes in his lifestyle, but instead of turning back to substances, he chose to get clean. He’s now close to earning his two-year sobriety chip. Before recovery, he had no real direction, and very little to show for his life. Now, he’s built a life full of purpose, friends, and goals. He managed to not only recreate his life but also make it miles better, which I will always admire him for. From my cousin, I’ve learned two powerful lessons: life doesn’t stop for tragedy, just because something bad happened doesn't mean I can't get up the next day, and no matter how far you fall, you can get back up if you try. Even in my hardest moments, I’ve stayed focused and determined, and that mindset helped me get into my dream school, UC Berkeley. My cousin reminds me that no matter what if I try my best I will succeed, and through any turbulence there's always something nice on the other side.

One day during my sophomore year I stayed after school to hang out with my friends to end what I thought was going to be a peaceful day. I had missed my bus so I had called my mom to pick me up. When she did, instead of getting the usually cheerful and loving face of my mother I saw someone who was scared and crying. My mother then informed me that my closest cousin had had a seizure at work, died, was resuscitated by ambulance workers, and was currently in a coma in the hospital. My cousin, like majority of the people in my family, has struggled with substance abuse for a while, and even though the hospital did not test his system it was very obvious to us how this happened. Later that day, we were also informed that a friend of my cousin who had spent the previous day with him was found dead in his work bathroom after a seizure. My high school does not allow phones, meaning for the rest of the week I would frantically check my phone after school and pray that my cousin was still alive. Everyday for this week I was tormented with the thought of losing someone I had always thought so fondly of, yet had to continue my school life as if nothing was happening. The doctors were unsure if he would even wake up, and if he did would he still be able to lead a normal life. After an absolutely agonizing week waiting to hear anything, my cousin finally awoke and was responsive. Since he had a seizure, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and would be unable to drive for a year. He was also given a pacemaker since his heart stopped, which now put more restraints on his previously active life. My cousin had died twice, one of his closest friends had died, he could not drive, nor be active as much as he used to be. Yet instead of continuing his old way of using substances he decided to get clean, and soon will be gaining his 2 year sobriety chip. Before becoming sober, my cousin had few friends, few hobbies, and no plans for his future. Now I see a man who built his life back brick by brick. Now when I talk to him, I see a person who is excited for tomorrow, his career, his hobbies, and his social life. From this my cousin has taught me two things. One, that life doesn't stop when something tragic happens. I still had to attend school despite not knowing if my cousin would be alive the next day, and my cousin still had to go to work despite the events that had transpired. And two, that no matter how hard life gets you down, you will always come back up if you try. Anytime I'm having a particularly bad day, I'm reminded of how hard my cousin fought for his life back and it inspires me to fight for myself. Even during my toughest points in high school, I refused to let anything control me. I have always tried nothing but my best during my academic and work career, and this year it had all paid off as I got accepted into my dream school, UC Berkeley. This has told me that as long as I work hard I know it will work out for me like how it worked out for my cousin.