Growing up in a Lithuanian household has been impactful on my identity, and how I view the world. The rich culture instilled important values that I live by and shaped my beliefs. One of my favorite memories of my childhood is the culture I was exposed to. Hearing my Močiute calling my name after a long day outside, I knew I was coming home to an amazing dinner. I was often greeted with endless balandeliai, bulvių košė, and šaltibarščiai. After dinner, my Močiute would sometimes bring out her accordion. She would play folk songs and sing, and I would do my best to sing with her. Christmas is easily my favorite holiday due to the traditions I learned growing up. Helping prepare Kūčios by making delicious food and setting the table made me ecstatic. I can only hope to one day carry on these traditions for my future kids and create fond memories for them. I always looked forward to vacations in Lithuania. Seeing my family, being immersed in the culture, and practicing my Lithuanian made the trip all worthwhile. I loved the Baltic Sea. The cold water hitting my skin, the sun beaming on my freckled face, and the light breeze coasting across my body evoked a sense of comfort. The sky was so blue, it was like looking into the depths of the ocean. After a long day of thrashing into the waves, we often spent the evening in conversation and music. There was never a phone in sight as we would talk and talk until the sun rose again. I admire Lithuania as they emphasize the importance of enjoying life, and spending time with loved ones. I try to carry these values as well by making time for those important to me when life gets a little too busy. My mother immigrated to America with my grandmother right after Lithuania gained its independence from the Soviet Union. They both came to America looking to pursue the crisp American dream and create an impactful life for themselves. When I was younger, my mom would always work. She studied hard, worked long hours, and took care of my sister and me. My mother worked hard for what she achieved in life, and I noticed. She always told me to work diligently, as she reminded me how she had worked her entire life. Every day I try to mimic that same determination to succeed in school and persevere to achieve what I desire. Thanks to my mother, I graduated high school with Summa Cum Laude, a 4.4 GPA, and an acceptance letter to Purdue University for Applied Physics. Transitioning into university within these past few months has not been easy. Getting acclimated to this foreign environment has been arduous, to say the least, but so exhilarating at the same time. I am beyond excited to begin my life as an adult and to pursue an education that I am very lucky to have. The sacrifices my mother made to get me here drive me to achieve all that I can. I aspire to work in a national research laboratory one day and earn a Nobel prize. Along the way, I hope to inspire young girls looking to pursue a career in STEM and be a role model for them. My Lithuanian heritage has played a key role in my success as an individual, and for what is yet to come. I hope I make my mother proud, just as much as I am proud of her, and to be a Lithuanian.