August 1st, 2021, was the day I began high school. I was an absolute nervous wreck. Everything was big: the classrooms, the lunch area, and even the students. Solace was found in my first period classroom, which was Computer Science Essentials . The class was small and dimly lit, and a complete 180 from what I had been exposed to, so far. I took my seat near the front and was greeted with a wonderful smile from the teacher, Mrs. Kosman. Since it was only the first day, the students all just introduced themselves; but even with that simplicity, I felt comfortable. As the days went on, we started learning how to make apps in the MIT App Inventor, then, eventually, we learned how to do Python coding. I really enjoyed the content, but I was a bit discouraged, since I was one out of two females in the class. All of the boys in that class, either kept to themselves, or only interacted with other male students. This was frustrating to experience; it made me feel like I was not as important, just for the fact that I was, and am, a young woman. I kept showing that I understood the materials; my teacher used me as an example for how projects should be done. Also, when we had a gallery walk, for an app each student made, I got the most votes among all my peers. Soon enough, the boys in that class started to acknowledge me more, to the point where they would ask me questions, on the parts they did not understand. It was around this time I talked to my teacher; she gave me some encouraging words for my great work in class, and told me about an opportunity that was only for females in STEM: the NCWiT award . Being new to this computer programming, I thought that I would not even place. To my surprise, I won the regional award and got an official certificate, with some other swag. After this obstacle, I felt more capable in my tech abilities, and eventually, I created my school’s own coding club. I was recognized by my school for my contributions for STEM, by getting student of the month in the Compute Science, Technology, and Engineering Department. Although, that same year, we lost our sponsor, Mrs. Kosman, and therefore, the club, I still continued my computer science journey. I took Computer Science Principles and even Cyber Security. Even though I will not be pursuing a degree in computer science, the critical thinking and problem solving skills learned in those classes will help me enter the field of neuroscience. The wonderful, determined, hard working people I met along the way have all taught me to apply myself and to keep my resolve to become a neurologist. Through my future STEM journey in neuroscience, I know these skills will bring me far, and help me be an asset to any company, school, or organization in the future.

August 1st, 2021, was the day I began high school. I was an absolute nervous wreck. Everything was big: the classrooms, the lunch area, and even the students. Solace was found in my first period classroom, which was Computer Science Essentials . The class was small and dimly lit, and a complete 180 from what I had been exposed to, so far. I took my seat near the front and was greeted with a wonderful smile from the teacher, Mrs. Kosman. Since it was only the first day, the students all just introduced themselves; but even with that simplicity, I felt comfortable. As the days went on, we started learning how to make apps in the MIT App Inventor, then, eventually, we learned how to do Python coding. I really enjoyed the content, but I was a bit discouraged, since I was one out of two females in the class. All of the boys in that class,either kept to themselves, or only interacted with other male students.This was frustrating to experience; it made me feel like I was not as important, just for the fact that I was, and am, a young woman. I kept showing that I understood the materials; my teacher used me as an example for how projects should be done. Also, when we had a gallery walk, for an app each student made, I got the most votes among all my peers. Soon enough, the boys in that class started to acknowledge me more, to the point where they would ask me questions, on the parts they did not understand. It was around this time I talked to my teacher; she gave me some encouraging words for my great work in class, and told me about an opportunity that was only for females in STEM: the NCWiT award . Being new to this computer programming, I thought that I would not even place. To my surprise, I won the regional award and got an official certificate, with some other swag. After this obstacle, I felt more capable in my tech abilities, and eventually, I created my school’s own coding club. I was recognized by my school for my contributions for STEM, by getting student of the month in the Compute Science, Technology, and Engineering Department. Although, that same year, we lost our sponsor, Mrs. Kosman, and therefore, the club, I still continued my computer science journey. I took Computer Science Principles and even Cyber Security. Even though I will not be pursuing a degree in computer science, the critical thinking and problem solving skills learned in those classes will help me enter the field of neuroscience. The wonderful, determined, hard working people I met along the way have all taught me to apply myself and to keep my resolve to become a neurologist. Through my future STEM journey in neuroscience, I know these skills will bring me far, and help me be an asset to any company, school, or organization in the future.

When I first learned about mental health it was with my dad discussing his PTSD from war he told me that he had nightmares and how many veterans take their lives. I thought that this was horrible but I also heard words like depression, trauma, anxiety, etc. Those were some words I didn't know but soon enough I found out their meanings and how a lot of people not just veterans but anyone can suffer form those. So I talked with my mother about what I could do about it she said I could make it my career and especially since I didn't know what to pursue yet it was a good idea. After researching many jobs and careers in that field I found one that I liked in particular and that was to become a psychiatrist. As I researched the career I fell in love with it. That day I decided that I wanted to do that for the rest of my life. Now as for my education, I want to use the skills that I learn to help others and continue the growth of mental health awareness. Furthermore, I want to stop the way of seeing patients as paychecks and not as people and stop finding the easy way out of giving them drugs which could end up worsening their condition. with that I mean is that an advocate for metal health means truly being understanding and adapting with patients. For example, if my patient feels overstimulated in my room I will take them on a walk somewhere in or, outside the building to make them feel more comfortable because, at the end of the day, it is making sure they feel safe enough when talking to me so that way I can accurately give them a plan to help them improve their life. The mind is a complicated and interesting thing so when others give patients the same thing over and over and expect change is wild to me. When it comes to the mind not everything is black and white and the treatments that the mind receives should not be either. There is so much now today that can be done with treatments instead of just prescribing medication you can talk to them about showing their emotions through art, writing or any other hobby that they may enjoy. Especially nowadays with the rise of AI could be a great tool to give a patient in moderation and with proper instruction. Hopefully if I have the chance to get my own practice I will be able to use those techniques to help others. All in all my main goal here with my education is to improve the current state of metal health practices so that way others won't have to go through it alone or take their lives as a way to escape so that way more people can feel safe when talking about their mental problems.

A time that I faced adversity was when I first joined DECA, a business club. After two years of avoiding it out of fear, being a part of DECA you have to go to competitions and depending on how well you do the further you get, first we start with districts. I had Intro Business Communications since I was a new member. You had to be in the intro category. I was nervous, sweating, heart pounding and everything that comes with anxiety. My section was one of the last to go, making the anticipation worse. I walk in with no experience and go to my table with only 10 minutes to prepare a professional business plan about changing the customer contact system for a made up company. Soon time was up and I had to use what I got. I discussed the plan with the judge finishing a little early, then I went back to my group waiting for the last sections to finish then lunch and lastly awards. As the ceremony called each section by alphabetical order I already thought there was no way for me to get into state but to my surprise my name was called. I was elated. Even though my parents did not let me go to the state competition I learned a greater lesson. I learned just because something is new and scary that if you're interested in it you should pursue it no matter how old you are or how little experience you have. Yes, it's scary but eventually you'll enjoy it and want to keep doing it and improve. All in all my advice is don't let fear hold you back from the things that you want to do in life or else you'll miss it or won't have enough time to enjoy them. I joined DECA this school year; my junior year now I wished that I joined earlier as a freshman because I love what I did and I'm proud of it but now I only have one year left then I graduate, so do not wait because you afraid of others judgment or are scared because you feel stupid.You will continue to feel stupid because you do not do it so you do not learn and grow so take chances and yes it can get hard, confusing, and frustrating but that is with anything in life so go after what you want or else you'll live a life full of regrets when your older so do it now to have the time to enjoy.