Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit in order to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. I remember Break the Barrier’s first event, the Trunk-or-Treat, vividly during the fall of my sophomore year. Prior to it, I created a flier, sending them to everyone I vaguely knew, taking extra notice to send it to people of large influence in the community. On the day, I set up the decorations, set up the food, and worked the entrance stand I got home that night, zealously opened the box where the money had been collected, and started counting. To my shock, we had raised over 500 dollars, which was donated to Focus: HOPE for the Youth Development program. Since then, I have helped Break the Barrier to raise thousands of dollars, hundreds of pounds of canned food, and hundreds of clothing items, which has all been given to various parts of my community that need it most. The Trunk-or-Treat is not the only way to go, however. The concept could be expanded to other holidays such as an Easter egg hunt. Collaboration and cumulative efforts are the keys for social progress, and much can be achieved to benefit Detroit school children to live a brighter academic future. In college, I will be studying Business-Economics. Through my education, I hope to increase my knowledge of the economy and utilize it to increase the potential revenue of my nonprofit organization after I graduate. Further, I want to be able to use the money raised to be used effectively. My aspirations started as just a small idea as a 15-year-old girl, but it has grown into a registered organization. And while Break the Barrier has indefinitely grown throughout the years, it has also allowed me to realize that I can make a noticeable change in my community. However, this is just the beginning and Break the Barrier has much potential, which I am excited to see in action.

Dear Math, As I have grown older, the way I have perceived you has shapeshifted before my very eyes. My first vivid memory of your peculiarly shaped squiggles was when I was a toddler. The sun bounced through our large living room window, as I ran towards the kitchen, enthusiastic and excited. I begged my mom to count with me as I wrote down your numbers 1-100 because I found nothing more rewarding than the satisfaction of enumerating numbers. Later, as a fourth grader, I remember asking myself “what more can there be to you other than addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division? I must know everything about you by now!” Fortunately, I was very wrong. The very next year, I found out that letters and exclamation points were also a part of you too. While this discovery was mind-boggling to my 11-year-old self, it allowed me a new set of challenges to pursue and goals to achieve. The mystery of your numbers has never once failed to amaze me. From Einstein’s theory of relativity to the monopoly graphs in my AP Economics class, you always have the answer, even if that answer is oftentimes very difficult to get to. The classroom wasn’t the only place I found you, however. When I was in middle school, I watched a documentary with my dad and learned that you were also prevalent in the petals of flowers and explained through the Fibonacci sequence. This made me realize that the disorganized mess we call Earth was actually in fact not disorganized. Instead, you’re systematic and methodical. It’s almost as if I can never catch you off guard wherever I go. I have to give credit to you for that because unlike English you have always been definitive and precise. I met you as a shy, insecure girl, but you have seen me grow into a confident woman equipped with knowledge and facts. Even now as I am writing, I cannot break sight of you from the software and algorithms being run on the computer I am using to type this essay. It’s as if I can never escape you, but I am not complaining. You helped me not only to get good grades on my calculus tests but also on my statistics and marketing exams. Thank you for showing me that the possibilities are limitless –– and sometimes even imaginary. With love, Anagha Nair

Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. My mission was to help children in my area gain easier access to education because it is a vital part of growing up that every kid deserves the chance to receive. I remember Break the Barrier’s first event, the Trunk-or-Treat, vividly during the fall of my sophomore year. Prior to it, I created a flier, sending them to everyone I vaguely knew, taking extra notice to send it to people of large influence in the community. On that day, I set up the decorations, set up the food, and worked the entrance stand for three hours. When the event was finally done, I got home that night, zealously opened the box where the money had been collected, and started counting. To my shock, we had raised over 500 dollars, which was donated to Focus: HOPE for the Youth Development program. Since then, I have helped Break the Barrier to raise thousands of dollars, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most (here is our website: https://breakthebarrier2020.weebly.com). The Trunk-or-Treat is not the only way to go, however. The concept could be expanded to other holidays such as an Easter egg hunt. Collaboration and cumulative efforts are the keys to social progress, and much can be achieved to benefit Detroit school children to live a brighter academic future. In college, I plan to continue and expand my nonprofit by creating a club called Break the Barrier. This way, I will be able to find more like-minded individuals who care for the enrichment of society through philanthropic work and believe in my mission.

Growing up as part of the LGBTQIA+ community has been a rough journey for me with plenty of ups and downs. For a long time, I was in denial about my true identity and wouldn’t even acknowledge my emotions. I always knew that I had a special appreciation for women in ways that other girls did not, but I always reasoned it with “everyone thinks this way,” and would dismiss my feelings. I had no desire to be the odd one out because I wanted to fit in with the “typical and normal” teen girls that would fangirl about Shawn Mendes. Still, I felt guilty about my identity and would never talk about it with anyone because I resented that part of me. I thought that maybe if I didn’t vocalize it, my feelings would go away. However, I realized as I got older they would never go away no matter how much I wished they would. Last year, I finally accepted myself for who I truly was, and it was a freeing experience. Once I embraced myself as my real self, it was as if nothing could stop me. I could finally stop playing a character that wasn’t me. Nonetheless, I quickly noticed that society did not share the same enthusiasm for my identity, which was discouraging. Negative stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community is still very prevalent in our society. I was terrified of being rejected by my friends and family, and I felt like I had to hide this part of myself to avoid being ostracized. The number of times I thought about how disgusting I am for doing things out of heterosexual norms was high, as it gave me much anxiety and stress. Nevertheless, as did more and more self-reflection, I came to an epiphany of sorts: the negativity associated with being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community was not my fault. Instead, the people judging me based on my identity were the ones to blame for their prejudices. As I started coming out to my friends, I felt free from a burden I hadn’t even realized was weighing down on me being lifted. I found peers that shared the same struggles and reliable people I could talk to. Although this voyage has been tough to deal with, overcoming this humongous hurdle in my life is one that has built me into the person I am proud to be today.

Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. My mission was to help children in my area gain easier access to education because it is a vital part of growing up that every kid deserves the chance to receive. I remember Break the Barrier’s first event, the Trunk-or-Treat, vividly during the fall of my sophomore year. Prior to it, I created a flier, sending them to everyone I vaguely knew, taking extra notice to send it to people of large influence in the community. On that day, I set up the decorations, set up the food, and worked the entrance stand for three hours. When the event was finally done, I got home that night, zealously opened the box where the money had been collected, and started counting. To my shock, we had raised over 500 dollars, which was donated to Focus: HOPE for the Youth Development program. Since then, I have helped Break the Barrier to raise thousands of dollars, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most (here is our website: https://breakthebarrier2020.weebly.com). The Trunk-or-Treat is not the only way to go, however. The concept could be expanded to other holidays such as an Easter egg hunt. Collaboration and cumulative efforts are the keys to social progress, and much can be achieved to benefit Detroit school children to live a brighter academic future. In college, I plan to continue and expand my nonprofit by creating a club called Break the Barrier. This way, I will be able to find more like-minded individuals who care for the enrichment of society through philanthropic work and believe in my mission.

Dear Track, I have to admit, when I walked out onto your field as a freshman on a cold March day, I was not expecting it to be my initiation into my most cherished activity. I underestimated you, but I still gave you a chance, and you did not disappoint. At first, I was intimidated by your stronger, taller, and older members, who were all strangers to me. However, later I found these individuals to be truly inspirational and encouraging role models, and we quickly began to share a bond, championing each other through wins and losses. This became my greatest source of support and comradery. Most people don’t recognize you as a team sport. Nevertheless, when I step out onto the track to run the 300-meter hurdles, the only thing keeping me strong in the last 100 meters when my legs are nearly about to give out is the piercing cheer of my teammates screaming my name. I owe you a lot: you taught me strength, resilience, and leadership, not to mention hard work, dedication, and the importance of expanding my reach. I have countless memories of time spent with my teammates and the laughs we shared on sweaty buses and green turfs. I also have many physical tokens of you, like my white Troy Colts 2021 States Team windbreaker and several regional medals, that make me feel proud. Still, my favorite tokens are the relationships you’ve allowed me to create with my friends and coaches. I met you as a shy, insecure girl, but you have seen me grow into a confident captain. Now, it is I whom the freshmen look up to. I train hard not only for myself but also to be a good example for my teammates, and to encourage them to pursue you to the best of their abilities. Nevertheless, I always make sure to have fun and be engaging with the girls. After all, a huge reason I fell in love with you is because of the people I met. No matter where I go, if I meet anyone who is or was a track athlete – especially a hurdler – we instantly bond. You helped me build a unique community. The miserable, shared experiences of running in crazy hot weather and sprinting in hailing conditions forge friendships like no other. Once again, thank you for everything you've brought to my life. Sincerely, Anagha Nair

Throughout my high school years, I have been dedicated to giving back to my community in various ways. Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. Throughout the years, Break the Barrier has raised over $1300, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items through numerous events, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most including Zaman International and the Oakland County Foster Closet. I envision that the children who receive the donations are obtaining the education they merit while being warmly clothed. In addition to Break the Barrier, I also volunteer my time through Project Lead and NHS. In Project Lead, I have spent much of my time tending to elderly citizens through the assisted living center, which is right across the street from my high school. There, I spend weekdays leading art and word game classes. More importantly, I got to spend time with members of my community I would not normally get the chance to interact with, allowing me to gain my fair share of wisdom (and dated jokes) from my elderly peers. NHS, on the other hand, has allowed me to volunteer at basketball games and other school events, immersing me in the Troy High spirit. Apart from my volunteer work, my job as an educational instructor at Snapology has also been a crucial part of my life. If I had told myself a year ago that I would be in charge of teaching robotics to 20 kids three days a week after school, I simply would not have believed myself. Why? Because I couldn’t picture myself holding such a great responsibility. Yet, here I am today as a teacher at Snapology, an afterschool program, instructing children to use legos to build from their imagination. Although in theory, I am the “teacher,” my students have taught me just as much. Whether it’s a crying child, dead batteries, or an unresponsive program, I have learned through experience to solve setbacks creatively. A few weeks ago as we were cleaning up, I heard a student sobbing because he “couldn’t build anything.” This was surprising as he had a complete structure in front of him, but he didn’t think it was good enough. I encouraged him to be proud of what he had made, emphasizing his concentration and persistence. His frown eventually grew into a proud grin, leaving me feeling elated. I always look forward to my next shift and the latest adventure. I am captured by the astounding nature of children’s curiosity because they are always asking questions and never settling for an answer, something I greatly admire. Once I step into the classroom, I am in a new galaxy: one in which anything is possible.

The most influential person in my life is without a doubt, my mother. From the moment I gained the ability to retain memories, I’ve always known my mom to be a hard worker. My mother grew up with an alcoholic father and very little money. Still, she worked very hard in school despite her hardships at home. In her senior year, she ranked 86 on the Kerala (a state in India) Engineering Entrance Exam, although she had less access to tutors than her peers in college who ranked similarly to her. From there, she went to the National Institute of Technology Calicut to study Electronic Communications. The sacrifices she has made to further her education are truly inspirational to me, as she had never been more than an hour away from her small town let alone away from her mother and siblings for a night. Additionally, as a woman in STEM, she had dealt with many adversaries, just as many other women in the engineering field. Nevertheless, she has never once failed to overcome these hurdles and climb the ranks of knowledge and learning. She made me realize that I need to take the world head-on and be an advocate for myself because no one else will do it for me. In her college, she was one of three girls in her computer science class of 50 others. Surprisingly, this did not discourage her. Instead, it encouraged her to pursue her interest even more. My mom’s optimistic mindset has motivated me to make the best out of any situation. Not only is my mom’s career impressive, but she has been an amazing mother to me as well. Whenever I have a problem, she always has a solution. One time, when we were trekking through the Sleeping Bear Dunes, I severely pierced my foot with a sharp stick. We still had miles left to get back to our car. I was crying because I was exhausted, hurt, and had no hope. But my mom knew what to do. From her bag, she pulled out the bottoms of her swimming trunks and tied them around my foot as a make-believe temporary bandage. Now, looking back at the experience years later, I realize that my mother is an innovative and creative individual Overall, my mother has been through a great deal of adversity. Nonetheless, she demonstrated to me that it’s possible to accomplish great feats no matter the given circumstances. My mom is the reason I was able to launch my nonprofit organization, Break the Barrier. Her support through my life journey is unfathomable to me, and I am very grateful that I was able to have the honor of being raised by her.

Last month at my job, I was put in every teacher’s nightmare situation. I was in charge of a class of 20 young children, and while we were cleaning up, I heard a loud thump. I turned around. To my horror, I saw three of my students stuffing a plastic baby doll into the microwave. I swiftly intervened and ordered them back to their seats to clean up. The rest of the class was loud and chaotic, but I managed to get everyone under control and headed to the gym area. After that incident, I knew I had to take action to learn to control my class. I spent hours thinking about different solutions. I asked for advice from my friends that work with kids and my parents, and I finally came up with a game plan. The next week of class, the first thing I did was put down the rules without hesitation. I made it clear that any misbehaviors would result in consequences that would be effective immediately and implemented a sticker reward system to encourage good behavior. The kids weren’t immediately responsive to my reorganization. Nevertheless, I stayed firm and consistent, and gradually, my students started to respond, and the classroom was transformed. The chaos and noise receded, and the kids started to focus on their legos and programming. Looking back on that experience, I learned much about the importance of perseverance. I realized that being a good teacher isn't just about being knowledgeable. Instead, it’s about being able to manage a classroom, connect with your students, and adapt to changing circumstances. And most importantly, I learned that it's never too late to turn any situation around. Dear Track, I have to admit, when I walked out onto your field as a freshman, I was not expecting it to be my initiation into my most cherished activity. I underestimated you, but I still gave you a chance, and you did not disappoint. At first, I was intimidated by your stronger, taller, and older members. However, later I found these individuals to be truly inspirational and encouraging figures, and we quickly began to share a bond, championing each other through wins and losses. Most people don’t recognize you as a team sport. Nevertheless, when I step out onto the track to run the 300-meter hurdles, the only thing keeping me strong in the last 100 meters when my legs are nearly about to give out is the piercing cheer of my teammates screaming my name. I owe you a lot: you taught me strength, resilience, and leadership, not to mention hard work, dedication, and the importance of expanding my reach. I have countless memories of time spent with my teammates and laughs we shared on sweaty buses and green turfs. I also have many physical tokens of you, like my white Troy Colts 2021 States Team windbreaker and several regional medals, that make me feel proud. Still, my favorite tokens are the relationships you’ve allowed me to create with my friends and coaches. I met you as a shy, insecure girl, but you have seen me grow into a confident captain. No matter where I go, if I meet anyone who is or was a track athlete – especially a hurdler – we instantly bond. You helped me build a unique community. The miserable, shared experiences of running in crazy hot weather and sprinting in hailing conditions forge friendships like no other. With love, Anagha Nair

Growing up as part of the LGBTQIA+ community has been a rough journey for me with plenty of ups and downs. For a long time, I was in denial about my true identity and wouldn’t even acknowledge my emotions. I always knew that I had a special appreciation for women in ways that other girls did not, but I always reasoned it with “everyone thinks this way,” and would dismiss my feelings. I had no desire to be the odd one out because I wanted to fit in with the “typical and normal” teen girls that would fangirl about Shawn Mendes. Still, I felt guilty about my identity and would never talk about it with anyone because I resented that part of me. I thought that maybe if I didn’t vocalize it, my feelings would go away. However, I realized as I got older they would never go away no matter how much I wished they would. Last year, I finally accepted myself for who I truly was, and it was a freeing experience. Once I embraced myself as my real self, it was as if nothing could stop me. I could finally stop playing a character that wasn’t me. Nonetheless, I quickly noticed that society did not share the same enthusiasm for my identity, which was discouraging. Negative stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community is still very prevalent in our society. I was terrified of being rejected by my friends and family, and I felt like I had to hide this part of myself to avoid being ostracized. The number of times I thought about how disgusting I am for doing things out of heterosexual norms was high, as it gave me much anxiety and stress. Nevertheless, as did more and more self-reflection, I came to an epiphany of sorts: the negativity associated with being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community was not my fault. Instead, the people judging me based on my identity were the ones to blame for their prejudices. As I started coming out to my friends, I felt free from a burden I hadn’t even realized was weighing down on me being lifted. I found peers that shared the same struggles and reliable people I could talk to. Although this voyage has been tough to deal with, overcoming this humongous hurdle in my life is one that has built me into the person I am proud to be today.

Throughout my high school years, I have been dedicated to giving back to my community in various ways. Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. Throughout the years, Break the Barrier has raised over $1300, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items through numerous events, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most including Zaman International and the Oakland County Foster Closet. I envision that the children who receive the donations are obtaining the education they merit while being warmly clothed. In addition to Break the Barrier, I also volunteer my time through Project Lead and NHS. In Project Lead, I have spent much of my time tending to elderly citizens through the assisted living center, which is right across the street from my high school. There, I spend weekdays leading art and word game classes. More importantly, I got to spend time with members of my community I would not normally get the chance to interact with, allowing me to gain my fair share of wisdom (and dated jokes) from my elderly peers. NHS, on the other hand, has allowed me to volunteer at basketball games and other school events, immersing me in the Troy High spirit. In conclusion, I have been dedicated to giving back to my community in various ways. From founding Break the Barrier to volunteering at Project Lead and NHS, I have gained so much from my community involvement. Giving back to society is not only about helping others but also about allowing me to grow as a person. My experiences have taught me valuable lessons about resilience and sharpened my organizational skills. I am grateful for the opportunities to make a difference in my community, and I look forward to continuing to give back in any way I can. In college, I hope to continue my ventures. Specifically, I plan to create a club called Break the Barrier that would bring together creative individuals who are eager to bring down the racial achievement gap and align with the goals of the nonprofit I ran during high school. Collaboration and cumulative efforts are the keys for a successful plan. Much can be achieved to benefit school children in my area, which holds the promise of a brighter academic future.

Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. Throughout the years, Break the Barrier has raised over $1300, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items through numerous events, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most including Zaman International and the Oakland County Foster Closet. I envision that the children who receive the donations are obtaining the education they merit while being warmly clothed. In addition to Break the Barrier, I also volunteer my time through Project Lead and NHS. In Project Lead, I have spent much of my time tending to elderly citizens through the assisted living center, which is right across the street from my high school. There, I spend weekdays leading art and word game classes. More importantly, I got to spend time with members of my community I would not normally get the chance to interact with, allowing me to gain my fair share of wisdom (and dated jokes) from my elderly peers. NHS, on the other hand, has allowed me to volunteer at basketball games and other school events, immersing me in the Troy High spirit. On the other hand, sports are the activity I spend the most time on throughout the school year. I have been a varsity Track athlete for the last four years and became a captain in my junior year. In the off-season, I hold captain’s practices. During the season, I create spirit wear and plan bonding events, which allows the team to become tight-knit. Lastly, if I had told myself a year ago that I would be in charge of teaching robotics to 20 kids three days a week after school, I simply would not have believed myself. Why? Because I couldn’t picture myself holding such a great responsibility. Yet, here I am today as a teacher at Snapology, an afterschool program, instructing children to use legos to build from their imagination. Although in theory, I am the “teacher,” my students have taught me just as much. Whether it’s a crying child, dead batteries, or an unresponsive program, I have learned through experience to solve setbacks creatively. A few weeks ago as we were cleaning up, I heard a student sobbing because he “couldn’t build anything.” This was surprising as he had a complete structure in front of him, but he didn’t think it was good enough. I encouraged him to be proud of what he had made, emphasizing his concentration and persistence. His frown eventually grew into a proud grin, leaving me feeling elated. I always look forward to my next shift and the latest adventure. I am captured by the astounding nature of children’s curiosity because they are always asking questions and never settling for an answer, something I greatly admire. Once I step into the classroom, I am in a new galaxy: one in which anything is possible.

Living near Detroit, a city with a predominantly black population, I noticed that high school graduation rates and standardized exam scores for black students are much lower than those for white students. I am only within a 20-mile distance of these students, so it seems unfair that students the same age as I could have fewer resources simply because of their race. Therefore, I determined it essential to fund and improve the quality of education for disadvantaged youth in Detroit to assuage the academic gap between households of different races in my area. This would lead to a ripple effect, meaning generations of improvement. Consequently, Break the Barrier was born as a nonprofit that I co-founded to break economic, technological, and racial barriers in my area. Throughout the years, Break the Barrier has raised over $1300, 200 plus pounds of canned food, and over 500 clothing items through numerous events, which have all been given to various parts of my community that need it most including Zaman International and the Oakland County Foster Closet. I envision that the children who receive the donations are obtaining the education they merit while being warmly clothed. In addition to Break the Barrier, I also volunteer my time through Project Lead and NHS. In Project Lead, I have spent much of my time tending to elderly citizens through the assisted living center, which is right across the street from my high school. There, I spend weekdays leading art and word game classes. More importantly, I got to spend time with members of my community I would not normally get the chance to interact with, allowing me to gain my fair share of wisdom (and dated jokes) from my elderly peers. NHS, on the other hand, has allowed me to volunteer at basketball games and other school events, immersing me in the Troy High spirit. On the other hand, sports are the activity I spend the most time on throughout the school year. I have been a varsity Track athlete for the last four years and became a captain in my junior year. In the off-season, I hold captain’s practices. During the season, I create spirit wear and plan bonding events, which allows the team to become tight-knit. Lastly, if I had told myself a year ago that I would be in charge of teaching robotics to 20 kids three days a week after school, I simply would not have believed myself. Why? Because I couldn’t picture myself holding such a great responsibility. Yet, here I am today as a teacher at Snapology, an afterschool program, instructing children to use legos to build from their imagination. Although in theory, I am the “teacher,” my students have taught me just as much. Whether it’s a crying child, dead batteries, or an unresponsive program, I have learned through experience to solve setbacks creatively. A few weeks ago as we were cleaning up, I heard a student sobbing because he “couldn’t build anything.” This was surprising as he had a complete structure in front of him, but he didn’t think it was good enough. I encouraged him to be proud of what he had made, emphasizing his concentration and persistence. His frown eventually grew into a proud grin, leaving me feeling elated. I always look forward to my next shift and the latest adventure. I am captured by the astounding nature of children’s curiosity because they are always asking questions and never settling for an answer, something I greatly admire. Once I step into the classroom, I am in a new galaxy: one in which anything is possible.

Dear Math, As I have grown older, the way I have perceived you has shapeshifted before my very eyes. My first vivid memory of your peculiarly shaped squiggles was when I was a toddler. The sun bounced through our large living room window, as I ran towards the kitchen, enthusiastic and excited. I begged my mom to count with me as I wrote down your numbers 1-100 because I found nothing more rewarding than the satisfaction of enumerating numbers. Later, as a fourth grader, I remember asking myself “what more can there be to you other than addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division? I must know everything about you by now!” Fortunately, I was very wrong. The very next year, I found out that letters and exclamation points were also a part of you too. While this discovery was mind-boggling to my 11-year-old self, it allowed me a new set of challenges to pursue and goals to achieve. The mystery of your numbers has never once failed to amaze me. From Einstein’s theory of relativity to the monopoly graphs in my AP Economics class, you always have the answer. I have to give credit to you for that because unlike English you have always been definitive and precise. I met you as a shy, insecure girl, but you have seen me grow into a confident woman equipped with knowledge. Even now as I am writing, I cannot break sight of you from the software and algorithms being run on the computer I am using to type this essay. It’s as if I can never escape you, but I am not complaining. You helped me not only to get good grades on my calculus tests but also on my statistics and marketing exams. Thank you for showing me that the possibilities are limitless –– and sometimes even imaginary. With love, Anagha Nair