I often compare myself to others and never feel good enough. I was no extraordinary pupil in the classroom and never liked how I looked. These inner struggles held me back from fully living my life and diminished my mental health. It was not until the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19 that I used it to work on and discover myself, a journey that I hope encourages and gives hope to others. Quarantine allowed me to embrace my overwhelming emotions and feel grounded in my mind. Through the guidance of specific influencers on social media, podcasts, self-help books, and the support of my family, I was able to take a step towards healing myself. Over time, I relieved the academic pressure, went to dance rehearsal at my studio to help unwind after bad days, and found myself carrying quotes and sayings I read about with me throughout my day-to-day life. As someone about to enter their second year of college, I constantly remind my friends to prioritize their mental health. Balancing my academic pursuits with my mental health advocacy has been a journey in itself. If I see my friends struggling, I will be confident in trying to be someone they can confide in, and if that does not work, I refer them to resources that could help them. I often find myself sharing my books with my favorite quotes about mental health and the complexity of life with my friends. I also share music with them that could either uplift them to move forward or allow them to feel every negative emotion because acceptance is the first step toward healing. I've seen the positive impact of these efforts, as my friends have shared how these resources have helped them cope with their struggles. After my undergraduate studies, I dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. I plan to donate money to foundations that advocate for mental health. I especially want to donate to organizations based in third-world countries that do not have easy access to mental health centers. Additionally, I want to donate to organizations for kids who come from broken homes and have suffered mentally because I have heard many stories about these types of kids who struggle to continue their lives. I want to serve people and leave a lasting impact on this world.

Music is one of the many things I am grateful for. Whether belting out songs in the shower, falling asleep to calming tunes at night, or feeling like a main character on a road trip, these experiences are all due to the artistic combination of lyrics and melodies. I enjoy delving into the music and analyzing the lyrics because it deepens my emotional connection to the song. For instance, when I was feeling down, I found solace in a melancholic ballad that echoed my emotions. Regardless of whether it's a joyful track, a rap anthem, or a melancholic ballad, I appreciate the diverse emotions music can evoke. I am particularly drawn to artists who are more like poets than singers. Olivia Rodrigo is one of my favorites; she excels at articulating and translating her feelings into songs that resonate with thousands. Her latest album, GUTS, showcases a broader range of musical styles compared to her previous release, SOUR. While I appreciate every track on the album, one song I find myself listening to repeatedly is "Pretty Isn't Pretty." This song captures the struggles of teenage girls with remarkable accuracy, a struggle that I know many of you can relate to. A lyric resonates deeply with me: "You fix the things you hated, and you'd still feel so insecure." As a young teenage girl active on social media, I often find it challenging not to compare myself to others online. Despite all the workout routines, skincare tips, hair tutorials, and fashion inspiration I consume, I still feel insecure because I can never quite measure up to the idealized images I see. This lyric encapsulates the essence of what many young girls experience during adolescence. Social media significantly influences our self-perception, and we often feel pressured to follow trends to enhance our online presence. It is as if we are constantly under scrutiny and striving to please an invisible audience. No matter how much we alter our appearance with makeup, lip fillers, or trendy hairstyles, we still feel insecure because "pretty" always seems out of reach. Navigating teenage years as a girl is undeniably challenging. Throughout high school and college, I've consciously tried to limit my time on social media, posting only when I genuinely want to share something from my life. This approach has brought me peace and, more importantly, allowed me to reclaim my time. I used to spend hours scrolling and comparing myself to others, but now I focus on physical and mental self-care. I've realized that I don't need external validation to feel confident in myself. This journey of self-discovery and self-validation has been empowering, and I hope to inspire other girls to find the same strength within themselves.

I was always aware of what Alzheimer's disease was. From the famous television show Grey's Anatomy to an even more famous movie, The Notebook, I have never had a heartbreaking disease impact me or the people in my life. It was not until my senior year of high school, in my peer leadership class, that my teacher would be suffering from his father's condition. My peer leadership teacher was considered a "cool" and "laid back" teacher who loved to joke around and make my high school a fun environment. As my class and I got to know our teacher, we learned that his father had Alzheimer's disease. His father has been battling this condition for the past few years, and things were not looking too well. I witnessed firsthand my teacher battling such indescribable turmoil that he was often absent from school during the beginning of the school year. Whenever he would be in school, he never failed to keep us and the rest of his classes updated on his father's health, and we never hesitated to pass on our prayers and condolences. Our peer leadership class was like any other high school course; we worked on being role models for the first-year students, planning school events, and volunteering in various organizations. One major organization that our teacher actively participated in and encouraged us to take part in was Alzheimer's New Jersey. Our school has participated this organization every year for the past few years, and we even participate in the "Walk to Fight Alzheimer's" walk on Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey. It was an incredible and inspiring experience seeing everyone come together for such a fantastic cause. It was certainly rewarding to hear from our teacher that he was grateful and proud of us for raising a lot of money and physically walking at the event. Shortly after the walk, our high school came to learn about the tragic loss of our teacher's father. Our teacher was adored immensely, and the entire school did not hesitate to offer him time to grieve properly. The senior class would eventually come together to make a card for our teacher, hoping to give him the strength to move forward after his father's passing. Our teacher continued to express gratitude for our role and impact on Alzheimer's, New Jersey. Witnessing my own teacher's grief and compassion when it came to Alzheimer's disease made me realize how powerful and resilient family members have and choose to be when they start to lose a loved one to a heartbreaking disease like Alzheimer's. My teacher continued to come to work and put a smile on our faces, and I will forever admire him for that. I have also learned how empowering, rewarding, and inspiring it is to participate in organizations like Alzheimer's Disease. As someone who wishes to pursue a career in the medical field, I know there are two sides to this type of world. One side allows people to continue their story, and the other stops their story too short. Although Alzheimer's disease develops over time, attending and volunteering in an organization like Alzheimer's New Jersey will only help raise awareness and fund more research. Hopefully, the medical field will continue to evolve, and more research on Alzheimer's will find a cure.

When the world went into lockdown once COVID-19 struck, we were left in a state of isolation and boredom. With TikTok on the rise during uncertainty, many people began to share different cooking recipes, trendy dances, and even book recommendations. My love for reading stemmed and grew from the one year of isolation the world underwent. Fast-forward four years to the present, and my book collection has grown immensely, all due to BookTok. For instance, I discovered 'Call Me by Your Name' and 'Binding 13/Keeping 13' through BookTok, and they have become integral parts of my reading journey. I am a die-hard romantic, but I enjoy a book with a more complex plot and characters, much more than the cliche romantic comedy books. 'Call Me by Your Name' and 'Binding 13/Keeping 13' books will forever impact me and how I view love. These books have not only enriched my reading experience but also influenced my perspective on love and relationships in a profound way. Call Me by Your Name contains incredible and emotional inner monologues I recite daily. This book reveals a forbidden Summer romance between two closeted gay men that inevitably ends with them going their separate ways and living completely different lives. I admire the courage and resilience of these characters in the face of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the "what if?" Fear to unconditionally love someone. I have learned that even though there is pain and fear, we should not try to push it aside; we must instead nurture it to move forward. We will simply feel empty if we live a life pushing these feelings away. Binding 13 and Keeping 13 are two books in a series centered around the same couple. These books are primarily categorized as romance novels, but there is so much more to them that makes them unique to me. The readers follow the story of a high school girl who lives in a very broken and abusive home, but it is not until a popular boy from her new school knocks her off her feet that she yearns to learn everything about her. The main male character takes the trope of a "knight in shining armor" to the next level. Shannon's indescribable strength and compassion left me in awe of her. As for Johnny, he is truly the epitome of the man that every woman needs. He fought, protected, and loved Shannon throughout both books, and I have never read a stronger love story than Shannon and Johnny. A very honorable mention I must make on behalf of the BookTok community is Looking for Alaska, the favorite book I have ever read. The book follows the story of a boy in a new high school who is trying to find a deeper meaning in life. When he tragically loses his newfound friend and crush, Alaska, he battles the feeling of grief while also finding his identity in the world. The themes throughout this book, with their depth and complexity, caught me instantly and left me thinking for a while. The book heavily focuses on the complexities of life and overall portrays a deep and meaningful storyline throughout. All of the titles that I mentioned before truly impacted and continue to impact the BookTok community. Many people frequently talk about these books, make fan edits, create alternate storylines, and so much more. The influence that BookTok has had on me over the past four years is something that I am grateful for. Witnessing a community that passionately loves reading is endearing and incomparable to other communities.

Nothing was more humbling than visiting a third-world country this past summer, my family’s homeland. My mother, brother, and sister were all born in the Philippines, and I was privileged enough to have been born in America. Throughout my life, I always heard stories from my mother and siblings about their life back home in the small province of Cagayan de Oro. Although I understood their experience, I honestly could not imagine myself in their shoes and what they went through. It was not until my mother decided to take me on a business trip with her to the Philippines that my mind and heart truly opened up. In the past eighteen years, I had only traveled to countries filled with mass tourism; I had never been to a third-world country. When I arrived in Manila in the Philippines, I had expected the typical city life I am so used to seeing in America, but I could not be more wrong. Sure, there were some similarities, such as population density and tall buildings. Still, when I would pass the local neighborhoods surrounding Manila, my throat fell straight to my stomach. I had never witnessed such poverty, and it took me aback. Seeing how most citizens lived and realizing that my mother and siblings were once in their shoes gave me a lot of perspective. It made me realize how different my life back in America was from those in the Philippines. I felt lucky and guilty at the same time. A thought that kept racing through my visit to the Philippines was, “There are so many wealthy people in this world who have so much money that they do not know what to do with it. Why cannot they spare some for those less fortunate worldwide?” Everyone has a right to use their finances however they want, but if I were put in a position where I had so much money and did not know what to do with it, I would not hesitate to donate as much as I could to third-world countries like the Philippines. Although traveling to the Philippines made me feel bad for the citizens, seeing them in poverty only emphasized the fact that I genuinely want to succeed in my chosen career so that I could make enough money to donate to the people of the Philippines, especially my relatives that still currently live in Cagayan de Oro. My trip was humbling but inspiring to work hard and give back to my home country once I achieve my dream of becoming a doctor.

As someone who is a part of Generation Z, it is clear to acknowledge that mental health plays a crucial, essential, and impactful role in our lives, both good and bad. This may be one of the biggest challenges that my generation facesin the present day. We primarily struggle with finding a balance between an academic and social life. This known fact is found to be relatable to me because I find difficulty in balance. I grew up in a household where all my family members migrated to America from the Philippines as immigrants. It is commonly seen and known for immigrant families to overlook mental health as an issue and to even believe it to be a “myth.” My family, especially my mother, has gone through many hardships where they had to sacrifice their mental health in the process. However, she was taught that there was no such thing as mental health in which the older generations, especially those from foreign countries, can attest to as well; therefore, they do not understand what Generation Z is currently struggling with. Born and raised in America, I was exposed to many people who valued maintaining a healthy mental state and turned to forms of therapy to help heal. With standardized tests becoming “too easy” and college admissions getting more competitive, I have had my fair share of an overwhelming feeling of academic pressure, which affected my mental health greatly throughout high school and now college. I just wrapped up my first year of undergraduate studies in bio pre-med, and there were a lot of highs and lows. However, by taking care of my mental health, I was able to have a successful and fulfilling first year of college. I began to pick up hobbies that would help put my mind at ease and make my body physically calm. I turned to running, reading, and dancing as stress relievers. By prioritizing your mental health, you can feel more concentrated and motivated to move forward daily. Throughout my mental health journey, I have grown and learned a lot about myself and my capabilities. I was able to maximize my strength, time, and effort to complete my first year of college. As a sister and friend, I constantly remind my siblings and close friends to prioritize their mental health alongside their other priorities. I have realized that incredibly hardworking and determined people surround me, but they, too, sacrifice their mental health at a cost. I strive to support, listen, and feel for them whenever they need someone. Additionally, I wish to join a community at my university that advocates for mental health and is a strong support group overall. As I mentioned before, mental health is something that Generation Z significantly struggles with today, and I want to be able to alleviate some of that suffering and burden that they face. No one should or is alone in this world.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade, that I was on the brink of hopelessness. That year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the following few months. From then on, I became fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into today; I have already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I plan to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This, too, will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding of the rigorous work that medical school has in store for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school with a strong dermatology program. I plan to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different medical specializations, I admire and appreciate the reward dermatology brings. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist, no matter the challenges I may encounter. Undergrad and medical school come at a significant cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I am already living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me, and that is precisely what I want to do. I want to serve people because that is my greater purpose in life.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade that I was on the brink of hopelessness. That year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the following few months. From then on, I became fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into today; I have already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I plan to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This, too, will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding of the rigorous work that medical school has in store for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school with a strong dermatology program. I plan to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different medical specializations, I admire and appreciate the reward dermatology brings. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist, no matter the challenges I may encounter. Undergrad and medical school come at a significant cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I am already living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me, and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people because that is my greater purpose in life.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade that I was on the brink of hopelessness. That year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the following few months. From then on, I became fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into today; I have already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I plan to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This, too, will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding of the rigorous work that medical school has in store for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school with a strong dermatology program. I plan to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different medical specializations, I admire and appreciate the reward dermatology brings. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist, no matter the challenges I may encounter. Undergrad and medical school come at a significant cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I am already living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me, and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people because that is my greater purpose in life.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade that I was on the brink of hopelessness. That year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the following few months. From then on, I became fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into today; I have already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I plan to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This, too, will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding of the rigorous work that medical school has in store for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school with a strong dermatology program. I plan to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different medical specializations, I admire and appreciate the reward dermatology brings. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist, no matter the challenges I may encounter. Undergrad and medical school come at a significant cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I am already living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me, and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people because that is my greater purpose in life.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade, that I was on the brink of hopelessness. In that single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the next few months that followed. From then, I had become fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into in the future. As of today, I already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I hope to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This too will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding of the rigorous work that medical school has in store for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school with a strong dermatology program. I hope to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different specializations in medicine, I admire and appreciate the reward that dermatology comes with. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist no matter the challenges I may encounter. Undergrad and medical school come at a great financial cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I already am living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something so much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people because I believe that is my greater purpose in life.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade, that I was on the brink of hopelessness. In that single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research for myself about the biology of human skin. Low and behold, I began to see a change in the next few months that followed. From then, I had become fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into in the future. As of today, I already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my longterm goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited for what my intended specialization has in stored for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare for proper medicine. Along with basic schooling, I hope to actively engage with research surrounding skin microbiomes during my undergraduate years. This too will help me prepare for proper medicine by equipping me with more knowledge and understanding the rigorous work that medical school has in stored for me. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to medical school that offers a strong dermatology program. I hope to continue doing various research and engage in a clinical practice in order to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different specializations in medicine, I admire and appreciate the reward that dermatology comes with. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get to medical and become dermatologist no matter the challenges that I may come across. Undergrad and medical school comes at a great financal cost, but with this scholarship it will help me advance toward my dream without financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I already am living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something so much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people, because I believe that is my greater purpose in life.

As someone who is a part of Generation Z, it is clear to acknowledge that mental health plays a crucial, essential, and impactful role in our lives, both good and bad. In fact, this may be one of the biggest challenges that my generation faces present day. We primarily struggle with finding a balance between an academic and social life. This known fact is found to be relatable to me because I personally find difficulty in balance. I grew up in a household where all my family members migrated to America from the Philippines as immigrants. It is commonly seen and known for immigrant families to overlook mental health as an issue and to even believe it to be a “myth”. My family, especially my mother, has gone through many hardships where they had to sacrifice their mental health in the process. However, she was taught that there was no such thing as mental health in which the older generations, especially those from foreign countries, can attest to as well, therefore; they do not understand what Generation Z is currently struggling with. Born and raised in America, I was exposed to many people who valued maintaining a healthy mental state and turned to forms of therapy in order to help heal. With standardized tests becoming “too easy” and college admissions getting more competitive, I have had my fair share of an overwhelming feeling of academic pressure, which affected my mental health greatly, throughout high school and now college. I just wrapped up my first year of undergraduate studies in bio pre-med and there were a lot of highs and lows. However, by taking care of my mental health I was able to have a successful and fulfilling first year of college. I began to pick up hobbies that would help put my mind at ease and make my body physically calm. I turned to running, reading, and dancing as forms of stress relievers. By prioritizing your mental health, you can feel more concentrated and motivated to move forward every day. Throughout my mental health journey, I can confidently say that I have grown and learned a lot about myself and my capabilities. I was able to maximize my strength, time, and effort to complete my first year of college. As a sister and friend, I constantly remind my siblings and close friends to prioritize their mental health alongside their other priorities. I have realized that incredibly hardworking and determined people surround me, but they too sacrifice their mental health at a cost. I strive to support, listen, and feel for them whenever they feel like they need someone. Additionally, I wish to join a community at my university that advocates for mental health and is overall a strong support group. As I mentioned before, mental health is something that Generation Z significantly struggles with today and I want to be able to alleviate some of that suffering and burden that they face. No one should or is alone in this world.

\Freshman year of high school, I forced myself to get out of bed and go to school. Getting ready in the morning, I skimmed through various skincare and washed my face, but I tried to refrain from looking at my reflection in the mirror. In a single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and a lifetime supply of skincare products, but nothing helped with my acne. Nothing helped my fractured self-confidence. The following school year I decided to start researching the science behind skincare and skin types to better understand my skin problems. By the end of sophomore year, I had cleared most of my acne and was even rewarded with the words “Your skin is clearing Arianna.” I had never felt more accomplished, but most importantly, I had never felt more beautiful. From then on, I had made it my goal to help others struggling with acne to make them feel radiant and beautiful as well. Person after person who asked for my help, recommendations, and knowledge about skin made me realize that this was something that I wanted to turn into a future profession, dermatology.  I now know that although my purpose in this world so far has been to be a daughter and friend, I have an even bigger purpose to fulfill. Dermatology is my destiny, and there is nothing that I want more than to serve my future patients and have them leave my care feeling beautiful about themselves. Growing up as a Filipino-American woman who hopes and strives to reach the path of dermatology in the future, my heritage’s values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our culture, especially with women. I hope to contribute to the pre-existing cultural morals and values that I have been taught and blessed with, to contribute to the incredible world of science, and to serve patients in the healthcare community. Now that I have confidently staked my place in the STEM field, I hope to get more in touch with the Filipino women's community. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a non-womanly job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. Whether it is next year, five years, or ten years from now; I wish to get to know other Filipino women and become a mentor. They do not need to abandon the purpose of being a daughter, wife, friend, and mother; however, I would like to encourage them to seek a purpose that could be fulfilled even more. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, to help advance the STEM field and society as a whole.

Freshman year of high school, I forced myself to get out of bed and go to school. Getting ready in the morning, I skimmed through various skincare and washed my face, but I tried to avoid looking at my reflection in the mirror. In a single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and a lifetime supply of skincare products, but nothing helped with my acne. Nothing helped my fractured self-confidence. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the next few months that followed. From then, I had become fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into in the future. Although my purpose in this world so far has been to be a daughter and friend, I have an even bigger purpose to fulfill. Dermatology is my destiny, and there is nothing that I want more than to serve my future patients and have them leave my care feeling beautiful about themselves. As a Filipino-American woman who hopes and strives to reach the path of dermatology in the future, my heritage’s values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our culture, especially with women. I hope to share the pre-existing cultural morals and values that I have been taught and blessed with, to contribute to the incredible world of science, and to serve patients in the healthcare community. I have staked my place in the STEM field, I hope to get more in touch with the Filipino women's community. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a non-womanly job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. Whether it is next year or ten years from now; I wish to get to know my community and become a mentor. Women do not need to abandon the purpose of being a daughter, wife, friend, and mother; however, I want to encourage them to seek a purpose that could be fulfilled even more. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, to help advance the STEM field and society as a whole.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade, that I was on the brink of hopelessness. In that single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research for myself about the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the next few months that followed. From then, I had become fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into in the future. The biological world is very complex and is constantly evolving as society moves forward. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree in biology, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my specific concentration has in store for humans. Dermatology works and interacts hand in hand with the environment around us. We utilize natural herbs to make products and treatments, the sun’s UV rays are very sensitive to our skin, pollution can cause serious skin conditions, and so much more. Especially since Earth is undergoing climate change, the thought of what our air quality or temperature will look like in the future remains unpredictable. Dermatology presents an opportunity for humans to better understand and treat their skin. Engaging in research and innovative methods to cure harmful skin conditions more healthily and effectively, will leave us with a planet with healthy and thriving inhabitants. As I continue my undergraduate career pursuing a degree in biology, I hope to engage myself with various research surrounding skin microbiomes; so that I can one day contribute to the world of dermatology and help those suffering from something as simple hormonal acne to something as harmful as skin cancer. Dermatology is my destiny and I strongly believe that is my purpose in life. I am already a daughter and friend, but now I want to be something more. I want to serve those around me and leave an impact on my future patient’s lives.

Ever since I was in middle school, I struggled significantly with fungal and hormonal acne. Maybe my body was simply biologically developing as every other teenager does, but it did not excuse the fact that my self-confidence was fractured for almost five years. I despised looking at my reflection in the mirror, taking pictures, and even going to school from sixth to ninth grade. It was not until quarantine, in which I was in tenth grade, that I was on the brink of hopelessness. In that single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and was equipped with a lifetime supply of skincare products. Seeing no progress with my acne, I decided to research for myself about the biology of human skin. Lo and behold, I began to see a change in the next few months that followed. From then, I had become fascinated with the study of dermatology and what it could evolve into in the future. As of today, I already finished my first year of undergrad studying Biology and am moving forward into my second year this upcoming Fall semester. Even though I am still in pursuit of a BS degree, thinking of my long-term goal to attend medical school and become a dermatologist has left me excited about what my intended specialization has in store for humans. My biology degree will ultimately help me develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will prepare me for proper medicine. Once I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to immediately apply to a medical school that offers a strong dermatology program. I hope to continue doing various research and engage in clinical practice to feed my urge to one day become a board-certified dermatologist. I especially want to work towards developing treatments for those suffering from acne, skin cancer, and more. Out of all the different specializations in medicine, I admire and appreciate the reward that dermatology comes with. The reward of having patients come to you for help and leave you feeling good, beautiful, and happy about themselves. This thought fuels my determination to get into medicine and become a dermatologist no matter the challenges that I may come across. Growing up as a Filipino-American woman who hopes and strives to reach the path of dermatology in the future, my heritage’s values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our culture, especially with women. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a non-womanly job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, to help advance the STEM field and society as a whole. Undergrad and medical school come at a great financial cost, but this scholarship will help me advance toward my dream without the financial burden weighing me down. I have never felt more sure about anything other than dermatology. This path is my destiny and purpose in life. Although I already am living my purpose of being a friend and daughter, I want to be something so much more. My Filipino mother has always taught me to give more to those around me and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to serve people because I believe that is my greater purpose in life.

As someone who is a part of GenZ, it is safe to say that mental health plays a crucial and essential role in our lives. This may be one of the biggest challenges that my generation faces present day. Finding a balance between an academic and social life is found to be difficult to obtain for me and many more students. I grew up in a household where all my family members migrated to America from the Philippines as immigrants. It is commonly seen and known for immigrant families to disregard mental health and to even believe it to be a “myth”. My family, especially my mother, has gone through many hardships where they had to sacrifice their mental health in the process. There was no such thing as mental health within older generations before us, and in foreign countries, therefore; they do not understand what GenZ is ultimately struggling with. Born and raised in America, I was exposed to people who valued maintaining a healthy mental state. With standardized tests becoming “too easy” and college admissions getting more competitive, I have had my fair share of an overwhelming feeling of academic pressure throughout high school and now college. I just finished my first year of undergraduate studies and there were a lot of highs and lows. However, by taking care of my mental health I was able to have a successful and fulfilling first year of college. By prioritizing your mental health, you can feel more concentrated and motivated to move forward every day. Throughout my mental health journey, I can confidently say that I have grown and learned a lot about myself and my capabilities. I was able to maximize my strength, time, and effort to complete my first year of college. As a sister and friend, I constantly remind my siblings and friends to prioritize their mental health alongside their other priorities. I have realized that incredibly hardworking and determined people surround me, but they too sacrifice their mental health at a cost. I strive to support, listen, and feel for them whenever they feel like they need someone. Additionally, I wish to join a community at my university that advocates for mental health and is overall a strong support group. As I mentioned before, mental health is something that GenZ significantly struggles with today and I want to be able to alleviate some of that suffering and burden that they face. No one should or is alone in this world.

With the world that we live in today, it is easy to believe in no God or higher power due to all of the suffering that the souls of our earth undergo. Why would anyone intentionally grant such harsh lives onto specific humans? That was the question that would constantly race through my mind as I grew up in a predominantly religious household. Some people live unfair lives and some even lose theirs due to things out of their control. It just always seemed like I would never understand the concept of a “Creator” until one night it all changed. Even though I am only eighteen years old, I can vividly remember the specific moment in time where I truly began to believe in God or some form of a higher power. There are thousands of people who are suffering from much more worse circumstances than I was when I was fourteen, but nonetheless I desperately needed someone or something to hear my soul crying out. When I had finally come across a video on TikTok late at night, my perspective on the world altered. The video was about a guy expressing how he turned to God during a time of suffering, God had heard him and guided him to heal. I was at first a bit skeptical after I finished watching the video, but I decided to turn off my phone, place my hands together, and begin praying to God. I prayed for him to give me strength. Strength to continue living my life with gratitude and compassion. I then went to sleep shortly after thinking nothing would change; however, I could not be even more wrong. God had heard me and my prayer. He gave me the strength to move forward without dwelling on the past. He led me toward a path of healing. From then on, I expanded my existential beliefs in order to see a bigger picture. Even though I had developed a belief in God, I started to believe in the power of the universe as a whole and that the universe worked alongside God. Overtime, I would reach for God and the universe to help me, pray for blessings every day, and thank them for the life that I have the privilege of living. I had even come to realize three major takeaways. One, God will never give you anything that he thought you could not handle. Two, there is a plan set in stone for all of us. We just do not know of it because it is in the universe’s hands Three, when things turn out a way you did not expect, just know that there is a bigger plan in stored for you. Society’s desire to understand the universe is truly beyond our knowledge capacity, but personally that is what reinforces my beliefs with God and the universe. There is so much that we do not understand about our souls and existence in this world. However, by developing your own beliefs, you are able to not only understand other humans and Earth, but yourself as well.

As I sit criss cross applesauce at the front of the studio with my big doe eyes heavily focused on the group of young women passionately dancing and story-telling before me, I could not help but dream that I would grow up to be just like them. When it would be my turn to dance in front of them, I remember anxiously thinking “I gotta dance well, the older girls are watching!” I had always viewed the older dancers to be resilient and talented young women that I aspired to be one day. They led the dance studio with such passion, charisma, and authenticism that I only dreamed to replicate one day for the future generation of dancers to feel when it would be my turn to lead. Saying goodbye to so many seniors and steadily growing up within my dance studio, the year that I was finally old enough to become a teacher assistant I immediately jumped toward the opportunity. I remember the first class that I was assigned once I turned sixteen. It had been one of the recreational classes from ages seven to eight and I was assisting my ballet teacher. Even though it was only a one hour class once a week, I looked forward to it every single week. Fixing the little girls’ feet, leading combinations on the barre, helping them remember their choreographed dance filled me with indescribable joy and pride that I am witnessing the beginning of the future generation of dancers. As the year went on, my assistance in the class was noticed by my studio director and she allowed me to assist multiple classes from then on. Whenever another assistant called out or were sick, I did not hesitate to step in and help. This allowed me to be exposed to so many adorable and passionate young souls who were hungry to learn dance. When senior year rolled around, I made it my goal to contribute as much I can to my dance studio before I graduated and had to leave. I moved up from teacher assistant to an actual substitute teacher who led classes all by themselves. The year was filled with teaching multiple classes, both recreational and competition, whenever we were undersaffed and I could not be more grateful for the opportunities given to me. Everytime I looked at the young dancers before me, I saw the little/teenage girl I once was and wanted nothing more than to guide them throughout their dance journey every step of the way. It was bittersweet once my time at my dance studio ended, but teaching has allowed me to give back everything that I was gifted and to learn more about myself. The leadership skills that I have gained from teaching has made me realize my purpose in this world. The purpose to serve and help others around me. Although I am already a daughter and a friend, I wish to become a leader, a guide, a helper. I hope to establish a place in the STEM field and hopefully the medical field with a concentration in Dermatology. I will work to make sure that the young souls of our world feel beautiful and confident with themselves. Serving future generations is and will continue to be my end goal for as long as live.

Freshman year of high school, I forced myself to get out of bed and go to school. Getting ready in the morning, I skimmed through various skincare and washed my face, but I tried to refrain from looking at my reflection in the mirror. In a single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and a lifetime supply of skincare products, but nothing helped with my acne. Nothing helped my fractured self-confidence. The following school year I had decided to start researching the science behind skincare and skin types in order to better understand my own skin problems. By the end of sophomore year, I had cleared most of my acne and was even rewarded with the words “Your skin is clearing Arianna.” I had never felt more accomplished, but most importantly, I had never felt more beautiful. From then on, I had made it my goal to help others struggling with acne in order to make them feel radiant and beautiful as well. Person after person who asked for my help, recommendations, and knowledge about skin made me realize that this was something that I want to turn into a future profession, dermatology. I now know that although my purpose in this world so far has been to be a daughter and friend, I have an even bigger purpose to fulfill. Dermatology is my destiny, and there is nothing that I want more than to serve my future patients and have them leave my care feeling beautiful about themselves. Growing up as a Filipino-American women who hopes and strives to reach the path of dermatology in the future, my heritage’s values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our culture, especially with women. I hope to contribute the pre-existing cultural morals and values that I have been taught and blessed with, in order to contribute to the incredible world of science and serve patients in the healthcare community. Now that I have confidently staked my place in the STEM field, I hope to get more in tough with the Filipino women community. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a non-womanly job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. Whether it is next year, five years, or ten years from now; I wish to get to know other Filipino women and become a mentor. They do not need to abandon the purpose of being a daughter, wife, friend, and mother; however, I would like to encourage them to seek a purpose that could be fulfilled even more. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, in order to help advance the STEM field and society as a whole.

Freshman year of high school, I forced myself to get out of bed and go to school. Getting ready in the morning, I skimmed through various skincare and washed my face, but I tried to refrain from looking at my reflection in the mirror. In a single year, I had gone through three dermatologists and a lifetime supply of skincare products, but nothing helped with my acne. Nothing helped my fractured self-confidence. The following school year I had decided to start researching the science behind skincare and skin types in order to better understand my own skin problems. By the end of sophomore year, I had cleared most of my acne and was even rewarded with the words “Your skin is clearing Arianna.” I had never felt more accomplished, but most importantly, I had never felt more beautiful. From then on, I had made it my goal to help others struggling with acne in order to make them feel radiant and beautiful as well. Person after person who asked for my help, recommendations, and knowledge about skin made me realize that this was something that I want to turn into a future profession, dermatology. I now know that although my purpose in this world so far has been to be a daughter and friend, I have an even bigger purpose to fulfill. Dermatology is my destiny, and there is nothing that I want more than to serve my future patients and have them leave my care feeling beautiful about themselves. Growing up as a Filipino-American women who hopes and strives to reach the path of dermatology in the future, my heritage’s values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our culture, especially with women. I hope to contribute the pre-existing cultural morals and values that I have been taught and blessed with, in order to contribute to the incredible world of science and serve patients in the healthcare community. Now that I have confidently staked my place in the STEM field, I hope to get more in tough with the Filipino women community. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a non-womanly job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. Whether it is next year, five years, or ten years from now; I wish to get to know other Filipino women and become a mentor. They do not need to abandon the purpose of being a daughter, wife, friend, and mother; however, I would like to encourage them to seek a purpose that could be fulfilled even more. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, in order to help advance the STEM field and society as a whole.

Growing up, I have always heard stories about my father. He was not necessarily deceased, but his absence in my family and I’s lives felt as though he was. Instead, my extraordinary Filipino mother took on the role of both parents in the household all while raising three children as a single mom. I witnessed the indescribable strength, compassion, and empathy that she has for the people she loves. She not only raises and cares for her children, but she makes sure to take care of her parents and six other siblings back in the Philippines. I have never breathed the same air with such an empowering woman other than my mom. Filipino values lie in our hospitable hearts and the gratitude we have for life. Cherishing our family and serving those around us has been a staple value within our heritage, especially with women. Filipino women are expected to serve the purpose of being a wife and mother once they have children. This expectation has been anchoring women down from furthering their education, pursuing a job, and ultimately gaining gender equality in the economic world. My mother has overcome this expectation by disregarding my father’s wishes for her only to be a household mom. She knew in her heart that although she has a purpose to be a daughter, wife, mother, and friend; she must also strive to leave a lasting impact on the remainder of the world. Although my parents' separation happened when I was so young, it ignited a flame in my mother that allowed her to finish out her college education in America, build two healthcare companies, become a spokesperson traveling all over the country, and overall live the American dream with her three children. At the end of the day, my mother is grateful for the life that she is living and is content with the risk she took; the risk of leaving my father in order to serve a bigger purpose in this world. As a young Filipino woman who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biology, I hope to get more involved with my community. Whether it is next year, five years, or ten years from now; I wish to get to know other Filipino women and become a mentor. They do not need to abandon the purpose of being a daughter, wife, and mother; however, I would like to encourage them to seek a purpose that could be fulfilled even more. I want to disassemble the gender equality barrier that exists in our world, in order to help advance society as a whole. Living in the world we live in today, we must do our best to serve those around us with care and gratitude. This can all start with encouraging women to become whoever they want, in order to serve whomever they wish.