From the moment I met Kacy, a girl with Down syndrome, in fourth grade, my life took a transformative turn. Despite being two grades below me, Kacy and I formed an unbreakable bond. We became very close, eating lunch and playing together during recess. I still vividly remember when she would lift me up like a feather (she was very very strong) and when she was sad the proctor did not allow me to sit with her at lunch one day. When I went to middle school, we lost touch, and I always wondered where she was and how she was doing. Miraculously, on registration day of my junior year, I saw her for the first time in 5 years. Part of me was anxious to approach her but also eager, and I asked her, “Are you Kacy?” She replied yes and I lit up, asking her if she remembered who I was. She did. I was so touched by this moment we reunited, that tears started to well up in my eyes. It is precious interactions like these that inspire me to create more through teaching moderate to severe special needs students. My passion for assisting individuals with special needs blossomed with Kacy and has since evolved into a fervent desire to pursue a career in special education. Observing the marginalization experienced by students with special needs in my school, I resolved to foster a more inclusive community and expand opportunities for these students. Thus, my goal is to create a more inclusive community in schools and expand the opportunities for special needs students. I want to teach them skills that will build a better future for them where they can be more independent and attain jobs. I have started this ambition through my club “My Friend and I,” which works with the students with special needs at my school, Arcadia High, during lunch on Tuesdays. I created the “My Friend and I’s Marvelous Market” in January of 2024, which strives to teach Arcadia High School students with special needs life skills, such as preparing lunch, money sense, folding laundry, and motor skills. By participating in activities, such as crafts, the question of the day, dancing, students can earn play money, and at the last meeting of the month, they can use that money to buy prizes! Running this program for several months, I have seen a positive impact on the students, as they are more engaged. Working closely with Mr. Anderson, the moderate to severe special education teacher at my school, and his students, has further fueled my determination. I know all of his students by heart: Kobe, Edward, Brandon, Joseph, Ben, Aiden, to name a few. But most importantly, they know me. Throughout my high school years, I have built meaningful friendships with the special needs students, and many of them know me by name. They always excitedly greet me and chat with me every time I see them. It is these daily interactions that I often look forward to the most during the day. They serve as a constant reminder of the profound impact educators can have on the lives of their students. I truly desire to make a difference in my community, and I believe that my passion of helping those with special needs is a rare and precious gift that will enable me to accomplish this. With your support, I hope to further my educational goals and pursue a career in moderate to severe special education. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Over my eight years of playing tennis, I have learned so much about perfection, perseverance, and mentality. I started playing for fun because of my brother, and little did I know that from that point on, tennis would be an incredible journey that would teach me many important life lessons. When I started playing tennis, I was extremely hard on myself when I would make a mistake. I was so focused on perfection, never missing, that my joy for the sport diminished. Especially during my early competitions, I would talk myself down, saying things like "You're so stupid" or "You suck." I remember there were times when I wanted to quit, thinking that I was not good enough and that giving up was the best option. However, as I matured I grew to realize that perfection can not be achieved. Rather, I should focus on practicing and learning from my mistakes so that I can be the best version of myself. I can not be perfect, but I can strive towards perfection and become a better player through hard work and practice. Maneuvering the ups and downs of tennis, I have learned the importance of a good mentality, as mentality goes hand in hand with perseverance. Through my years of playing tennis, I developed mental toughness, which came into play during my most recent high school match when my team was playing second round of Division 1. The pressure was high, and after losing my first two matches in a very close set, I broke down into tears out of disappointment and frustration. I still had one last match to play and I walked onto the court with tears still in my eyes. But once the match started, I did not let the previous matches affect me and I shifted my mindset to a positive one. By persevering until the end, I won my last match, showing me that mentality and perseverance play a vital role in tennis. Tennis has shaped my future in so many ways. It has made me stronger mentally, which can be applied to other areas of my life, such as in school. With a positive mindset, I don't let my failures and setbacks determine my future. My defeats only prompt me to work harder in the future. Additionally, as the team captain of my varsity for two years and a coach for Tennis Anyone over the summer of 2023, I have gained valuable leadership and communication skills that would transfer to my college and career life. During my time as a tennis coach for 6-12 year olds, my passion for working with children grew, strengthening my desire to major in early childhood education, special education, and psychology. With this scholarship, I hope to use the valuable skills and lessons from tennis to further my educational goals in college. Tennis is and will forever be a profound part of my life!