For me, gratitude shines the most prominently while reflecting on the foundation that my parents have given me to achieve my goals and make a positive impact on others. My personal development and successes I’ve had throughout high school would not have been possible without their unique guidance and support. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of discipline when overcoming adversity, hard work with integrity, and a growth mindset over setbacks. One value that they taught me to live by is that there are always ways I can improve if I put in enough practice, and that failure isn’t permanent. From this, I have learned to have a growth mindset and patience during tough seasons of my life that have given me confidence to bounce back after adversity. For example, I know that if I don’t perform well on a test, I know that I need to take a step back, make adjustments to my approach, and try again. This foundation not only fuels my ambition to excel in academics, but also contributes to progress in other important aspects of my life. Throughout my softball journey, I have learned what it takes to achieve personal success. With years of early morning practices, late night tournaments, and constant discipline, the work I put in is a direct translation to how I perform. Whether it’s being proactive with my study habits in school, supporting others in their journeys in faith at my church, organizing charity events at my school, or being an inclusive leader on the field in my role as varsity softball captain, staying motivated and being accountable for my own actions has been key to reach my goals and be a mentor to those around me. My parent’s perspectives have allowed me to consistently push myself to grow, and hold myself accountable. Although I ultimately committed to Cornell University to play Division 1 softball and study Psychology, I have always shown an interest in schools such as UCLA and UC Berkeley for their academic rigor, diverse perspectives, and thoughtful innovation. My parents both graduated from UCLA with their undergraduate degrees , and my dad continued to get his MBA at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. My family has strong ties associated with both of these schools, and I believe that my gratitude for the solid foundation my parents have given me is indebted to these institutions who have engraved these values in them first. This foundation has allowed me the opportunity to pursue any goal I set my mind to, and I am forever grateful for the freedom to work towards these goals with my parents' support. To show appreciation for this same mindset I carry with me everyday, I can only use this opportunity to create long-lasting, positive change in our lives, and the lives of others.