My decision to pursue a career in medicine began with my personal health challenges, particularly concerning my right ankle. Throughout my life, I have faced multiple problems with my right ankle. Resulting in countless sprains that have now grown into chronic pain and arthritis. The limitations I have because of my ankle has brought frustration. But they have also brought curiosity to understand more about human anatomy and part of the rehabilitation stage. This led to my school's Anatomy and Physiology class in my sophomore year of high school. This class helped expand my knowledge of some of the reasons my ankle hurt or could have been hurting. It helped me lower my pain drastically. That is when I decided to continue in the medical field at my high school. As I progressed into my junior year, I continued medicine by joining our sports med class. This course provided me with invaluable hands-on experience, allowing me to work almost 10 hours a week after school with our athletic trainer and athletes as they navigated injuries and began the recovery process. The opportunity to work with these athletes solidified my desire to help others specifically by entering the medical field. My experiences with working with physical therapists equipped me with a unique perspective. I can empathize with those athletes undergoing similar challenges, as to the fact that I just want to be better. Being a softball athlete, I have spent countless hours not just as a sports medicine student but as an athletic peer. The perspective I have has taught me that athletes often respond better when they know I understand what it's like to go through what is happening to them. The realization has made my determination to pursue a career in physical therapy, where I can combine my personal experiences with passion. Physical therapy can often be a challenging degree to earn. I will need to get a doctorate in physical therapy. This leads to year after year in school. My family has been all but supportive in this journey. My dad believed I should and my mom said we couldn't afford that much schooling. It persists in me to succeed more. With physical therapy, I can still work with athletes and work on the field but I can also work with people like my grandpa who need to get stronger. Initially, I had contemplated pursuing a career in the field of athletic training, having somewhat higher expectations for the income potential and the overall rewarding journey it would offer. However, after having a conversation with my school's athletic trainer, I came to realize that making such a decision might be detrimental to my personal growth and development as a physical therapist. She kindly suggested that while an athletic training career could potentially be more lucrative and provide me with more monetary reward opportunities, it might not effectively match my deep-rooted passion for the field, and would require me to juggle working in another job to maintain a stable income source. In the end, it was my athletic trainer who had the crucial guidance leading me toward becoming an even better physical therapist. This ultimately led me on a path towards achieving my dream job today.

Throughout my entire life, I have faced a barrage of discouragement from those around me. People have often told me that I would descend through the cracks, that I wasn't suitable enough to make my way to college, and that I should not even try to pursue higher education. These presumptions have affected my life in more ways than one, shaping my self-perception and instilling a sense of inadequacy that lingered for years. One of the most significant challenges I faced was my struggle with reading and writing, which became a problematic burden on my journey toward academic success. As a little girl, I lacked interest in reading stories and writing words, leaving me at a disadvantage compared to my peers. The journey I have embarked on to overcome these obstacles is not just a testament to my resilience but also a reflection of the impact of mentorship and support in the face of adversity. Navigating the educational system as a child who struggled with English was a daunting task. By the time I reached 5th grade, I found myself reading at only a 2nd-grade level, a realization that weighed heavily on my spirit. I remember the feelings of isolation that came with attending the special class known as “Walk to Read,” where I was surrounded by classmates who had already mastered skills I was only beginning to grasp. Each session served as a reminder of how far I was lagging, and I often felt like a foreigner looking in on a world where everyone else seemed to flourish effortlessly. In an attempt to understand my struggles, my mother arranged for me to be tested for dyslexia. However, the results left us both perplexed; they concluded that I did not have dyslexia but instructed that I might think like someone who does. This ambiguous diagnosis only added to my frustration. Yet, I refused to let these setbacks portray me. I made the conscious decision to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) English courses during my Junior and Senior years, determined to challenge myself and improve my skills. My high school teachers often remarked that nobody would ever suspect I had difficulties with English, perhaps because I worked tirelessly to meet the criteria set before me. My learning process has always been unusual; I prefer to write everything in colored pens, a choice that leads to blunders but ultimately obliges my knowledge. Each error becomes a learning opportunity, a chance to refine my thoughts and articulate them more clearly. However, my struggles with reading and writing did not come without emotional tolls; they brought forth waves of depression and anxiety. As a perfectionist, I set impossibly high standards for myself. When I didn't succeed on my first attempt, I often felt like a failure, drowning in self-doubt. There was an extremely dark time after my father left, a moment that provoked me to heartache. I would lock myself in my room, encountering feelings of worthlessness and yearning for validation. For years, I internalized the belief that my inadequacies were my fault, a burden I carried alone. While many teachers claim to support all their students, I often found that some did not take the time to comprehend my challenges. Fortunately, I found reassurance in the guidance of a dedicated reading specialist and teacher who was ready to invest her time and energy into helping me navigate my hardships. Her unwavering support has been instrumental in my progress; to this day, I never submit an essay without her detailed proofreading. Reminiscing on my journey, I recognize that my struggles with reading and writing

My decision to pursue a career in medicine began with my personal health challenges, particularly concerning my right ankle. Throughout my life, I have faced multiple problems with my right ankle. Resulting in countless sprains that have now grown into chronic pain and arthritis. The limitations I have because of my ankle has brought frustration. But they have also brought curiosity to understand more about human anatomy and part of the rehabilitation stage. This led to my school's Anatomy and Physiology class my sophomore year of high school. This class helped expand my knowledge of some of the reasons my ankle hurt or could have been hurting. It helped me lower my pain drastically. That is when I decided to continue in the medical field at my high school. As I progressed into my junior year, I continued medicine by joining our sports med class. This course provided me with invaluable hands-on experience, allowing me to work almost 10 hours a week after school with our athletic trainer and athletes as they navigated injuries and began the recovery process. The opportunity to work with these athletes solidified my desire to help others specifically by entering the medical field. My experiences with working with physical therapists equipped me with a unique perspective. I can empathize with those athletes undergoing similar challenges, as to the fact that I just want to be better. Being a softball athlete, I have spent countless hours not just as a sports medicine student but as an athletic peer. The perspective I have has taught me that athletes often respond better when they know I understand what it's like to go through what is happening to them. The realization has made my determination to pursue a career in physical therapy, where I can combine my personal experiences with passion. Physical therapy can often be a challenging degree to earn. I will need to get a doctorate in physical therapy. This leads to year and year in school. My family has been all but supportive in this journey. My dad believed I should and my mom said we couldn't afford that much schooling. It persists in me to succeed more. I thought about athletic training but realized that I would rather do that on the side the as my main job. With physical therapy, I can still work with athletes and work on the field but I can also work with people like my grandpa who need to get stronger.

People have seen my leadership impact from the Pack the Gym event at my high school in 2024. This past February, my school orchestrated its annual Pack the Gym, during which I assumed a pivotal role in organizing the event. For weeks leading up to the game, I diligently communicated with representatives from our local rival school, Auburn MountainView, forging a collaboration with their ASB and leadership teams. In addition to these preparations, I spent significant time at the Auburn City Hall, reaching out to various officials at the city and state levels to encourage them to attend our landmark event. Pack the Gym is a cherished tradition, merging students from different backgrounds in a spirited basketball game. At our basketball-loving school, this evening had the potential to become one of the most impactful nights of our academic year. In stark contrast to prior years—during which attendance was dismally low, with very few students gracing the event—this year, my unwavering commitment and tireless efforts transformed the atmosphere completely. Every basketball team, along with the wrestling squad and our enthusiastic pit crew, showed up, effectively amplifying school spirit to an unprecedented level. Ultimately, over 1,000 spectators filled the stands; some attendees were forced to stand along the sidelines. Although many were unaware of my behind-the-scenes efforts, they still united the community and were undeniably exhilarating, as everyone rallied in support of the SLC students representing both Auburn High School and Auburn Mountainview. A remarkable turnout of over 200 students from both institutions enhanced the event's visibility, drawing the attention of our local governor and city officials. Additionally, I was reached out to by a local television newscaster, highlighting the success of the event and allowing my contributions to garner recognition. This experience instilled in me a profound sense of accomplishment, transcending mere personal achievement and encapsulating something larger than myself. Throughout my life, I have been actively involved with SLC students, driven in part by my mother's belief in the significance of this experience for my educational journey. However, as I have grown I have forgotten to help out with them as I had come to find the wrong crowd in the aspects. However, I found my love for helping people out even if I didn't get volunteer hours. Despite those moments of doubt when the pressures felt overwhelming, I persevered, fueled by the stories shared by the SLC students who discovered a sense of belonging they had not previously recognized. In conclusion, the experience of conducting the Pack the Gym event not only pushed me outside my comfort zone. It also exhibited my leadership abilities and my passion for helping out with my local community. I only hope to continue this for my college and even maybe expand out of my newfound comfort zone.

In the future, I have the aspiration to join the thriving field of medical services as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated physical therapist. To attain this ambitious objective, I am committed to acquiring a prestigious PhD in physical therapy education. This arduous decision not only required my unwavering dedication to attending school for an impressive 6 years but also made certain that I would establish a financially rewarding career path in the field. After all, I am already aware that pursuing this chosen career path will ultimately yield a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction for me. Of course, the possibility of earning a considerable amount of money is enticing, but for me, the true appeal lies in the ability to help people, particularly those dealing with constant ankle pain. Having visited numerous physical therapy offices throughout my search, I have found that none have been able to provide the relief I require. However, after attending my high school's sports medicine program, it has sparked my passion for the medical field even further. Initially, I had contemplated pursuing a career in the field of athletic training, having a somewhat higher expectations for the income potential and the overall rewarding journey it would offer. However, after having a conversation with my school's athletic trainer, I came to realize that making such a decision might be detrimental to my personal growth and development as a physical therapist. She kindly suggested that while an athletic training career could potentially be more lucrative and providing me with more monetary reward opportunities, it might not effectively match my deep-rooted passion for the field, and would require me to juggle working in another job to maintain a stable income source. In the end, it was my own athletic trainer who had the crucial guidance leading me towards becoming an even better physical therapist. This ultimately led me on a path towards achieving my dream job today.

]Sotball has made my life fulfilling. Playing since the age of 2 has truly made me fall in love with the sport. When my parents divorced I felt loved once I was singing a bat and could do what I loved. Softball has helped me overcome obstacles like anxiety and depression almost every day. This sport isn't like others it is better. Softball gives people a home and family they have only ever dreamed of having. Once I entered high school and started playing varsity for my school I found why I loved it even more. Some people thought our old coach was mean but she cared deeply. It didn't matter if we lost or won a game. She pushed us harder and beyond what we thought was possible. Every day I wish I could thank her for all she has done with me. Although some girls say she made them fall out of love with the sport. For me, all she did was expand my love for softball every day. I may have gone home crying but it made me a better athlete. After this year I would love to play on a college team, but it seems out of the question. Playing this sport for so long has made my body want to give out. I suffer from chronic pain in my right ankle making pain shoot up as I step. Throwing all these years has made my shoulder painful at times. This has made doctors hesitate to let me play beyond high school. With them, I would love to join a team and be a practice player. Sometimes I dream of becoming a coach. I want to help young girls learn the game and fall in love with it like I do. Being a veteran on my softball team in high school has made me become a type of coach. I love helping new comers to the sport learn everything I have learned. When my niece asks me to coach them it gives me joy. Being able to teach something that I love and have given blood, sweat, and tears for is something I am thankful for so much to do. I love it when I can help them with whatever they need even coaching them to try out and how tryouts sometimes work. I might have never played on a select due to affordability. It still makes me love softball beyond my heart. I could and would give anything to play softball for the rest of my life.