Ear-numbing music blasted my ears, a dark room filled with thousands of students just like me anxiously anticipating the announcements on screen. Despite the unforgiving speakers, the room was astonishingly quiet. In that space, a flash of memories flew past me, the past three years in an instant. From my first mentor, Roonie, who taught programming basics and APIs, to the countless hours spent behind the scenes with my group mates, we assembled a finished application for our annual state leadership conference. I recall the many failed entries and glitches on the course to the finished application. I was filled with anxiety and nerves, but the relief of finishing what I started never faded away. The same feeling that was forever etched into the field of Computer Science. As time resumed, I saw our finalist position on that giant screen. At that moment, the fruits of our labor blossomed. Looking back, I had already fallen in love with computer science. Its problem-solving nature engages my curiosity through a medium I enjoy, the digital world. In an ever-growing digital landscape, impact stems from the roots of computer science. Artificial intelligence has grown as a byproduct of innovation, with a sustainable future quickly becoming an urgent question. It is this question of artificial intelligence where I want to lead on the frontlines of innovation. It is this question that creates the "why" of my field of study. The reason I belong to Computer Science.

Aroma stretched its cartoon-like hands and tickled my nostrils. The ever-so-familiar scent hugged my soul as if those cartoonish hands wrapped around me with the warmest embrace. The steam condensed on my forehead, painting me with vapor as I slurped. The explosions of flavor gave color to the blank canvas of my tongue. This was ramen—a bowl of memories and an echo of the nostalgia. Every great recipe starts somewhere. Ramen starts from broth. Without it, the flavor turns bland. Similarly, this ramen began in ninth grade when I stumbled upon a poster to join the Technology Student Association. The first taste hit me like a flurry of flavor through crowds, events, and robots. The officers stood as pillars while wide-eyed me stared with wonder. I yearned to be like them. Fast forward two years, and I, too, ran for that prestigious officer position. I, too, wanted to be as cool as those officers that day. I even made a campaign video and poster. I even placed as a state finalist for my events! Rejected... I failed. A crack etched into my bowl. Disappointment and grief became roommates after the election. On the outside, a strong facade persevered. Inside, a mess. The bowl of brilliant rays dissipated into a bowl of dull darkness. This was not ramen. What was missing? Amid my simmering soup, the smell of my missing ingredient surfaced. Pork bones! Though seemingly inedible at first glance, pork bones are responsible for the richness of ramen broth. Something clicked. Failure wasn't the end; Instead, it was a lesson simmering beneath the surface. It was a ridiculous statement like edible bones, but funnily, it was the truth. I had to backtrack. What was the issue? Untaken opportunities. Opportunities where I could have demonstrated leadership, responsibility, and compassion. Opportunities where I could have proven myself worthy. Instead of dwelling in disappointment, I had to move on. Recounting these lessons, I started my junior year with my head held high. I took any chance available. My first addition to the broth was the noodles, the strands of a team strung together through leadership. My first initiative to attain leadership was my event lead interview for video game design, a daunting challenge with programming, 3D modeling, and music production all in one event. After a week of anticipation, the results came, and I was elected event lead! Next was the egg, the essence of responsibility. Like the meticulous task of making a perfect soft-boiled egg, I was responsible for our product. Entrusted by my officers, I created a work schedule with precise timing; otherwise, my egg would turn hard-boiled. With any team effort, there was conflict, and I had to be accountable. Whether that was uncooperative group members or arguments, it was now my responsibility. With these new methods incorporated, our video game design event placed state finalists, compared to previous defeats. Finally, garnish, the finishing touches of ramen. While tempting to eat just the minimum, I was far too deep to be superficial now. With countless hours and dedication to the club, my final garnish of compassion tilted the scales to a stronger community. With all ingredients combined, I created my perfect ramen. Only the most rewarding step is next. To eat ramen! After three long years and a proudly embarrassing campaign, I became treasurer of my TSA. Failure was an ingredient in the final bowl of success. What changed? Mindset. A growth mindset. Where taking experiences as learning opportunities shines through the cracks bestowed upon your bowl. With many more impending cracks, I'll savor every detour in this journey.