I would start putting it into a 529 account and pay for my upcoming expenses at Columbia University.

Although it may seem odd to those who have not enjoyed the luxurious experience of Lush’s products, my way to relax is using any one of their wide array of products. From their beautiful fresh face masks, to their luxurious lavender lotions, to their invigorating orange scrubs, Lush’s products are my key to resetting my mind, while providing a strong benefit to my skin. Each time I put on a face mask, use one of their bath bombs (a concept they invented), or even use one of their unique “shower bombs” (a bath bomb, but for the shower where you lather the essential oils all over your body) I can also rest assured knowing that each product I use is sourced ethically, fighting for values I hold dear: removing animal testing, promoting women’s businesses, or even directly donating proceeds to charity (as with their Charity Pot program) for example. I have found that Lush’s products allow me to reset my mind after a stressful day, right before large exams, or even on a self care Sunday. In addition to Lush’s ethical sourcing, I find their products particularly take care of my mental health by their scents. Lush’s wide variety of products ensures that each will find at least one product or scent they fell in love with, for me that is their Sleepy scent. Sleepy is a creamy lavender soap or lotion that relaxes the mind and tells my brain it is time to wind down. Each time I use it, I am even more relaxed and able to sleep well, ensuring my mental health is great and also providing me with the restful nights I need to continue pursuing academic excellence. For that reason, Lush’s products are my method of relaxing and taking care of my mental health.

I had seen it coming, the fighting, the screaming, the separations, but that didn’t lessen the blow. With my French-American family now cut in two, my parents were getting divorced. I felt helpless. It was more than hopping from one house to the next, constantly changing schedules, or the need to be on top of everything 24/7. It was the new way people looked at me; I felt excluded. I was now “the kid with divorced parents.” A great divide opened up between my peers and me, in addition to the division at home. It seemed like everywhere I turned, division reigned. At school, sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks created a toxic environment that sowed the seeds of division. Years later, I watched as political and racial divisions took the life of Heather Heyer at a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia. When national divisions claimed more lives during the January 6th, 2021 attack on our nation’s capital, I saw no other choice than to become a leader who unified. I couldn’t unite my parents, but maybe I could unite others. Starting with efforts to unite my school and local community, the delegates to NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and I started the first DEIJ Committee in my school. Our initial campaign focussed on the impact of discriminatory remarks and microaggressions, transitioning our school from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. Eventually, I took my commitment for a more unified society from my school to the national level. If I truly wanted a unified society then I needed to be fully committed to fostering civil discourse in which we can reach across the aisle for tempered conversation. To unify, I joined President Biden’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, making calls instead of knocking on doors, trying to connect with people in 2D. I made thousands of calls to people all over the country, encouraging them to vote and to understand the power of their vote. After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I worked hard to find middle ground by hearing them out, even when I wholeheartedly wanted to argue against them. I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared, for example the need for a new infrastructure deal and revitalization of rural America. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. On one Wisconsin call, I was able to understand what people from across the aisle saw in President Trump, his vision, and it allowed me to connect with others who disagreed with me in a much deeper way. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage folks to go out and vote. I channeled John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state, it’s an action.” Beyond fighting voter apathy and voter suppression, my aim working for Biden’s campaign was to unify Americans. I want the best aspects of American society to prevail: unity, liberty, and equality. President Biden’s win was more than a political victory for me, it was a sign that the country my great grandfather had fought for on D-Day was still here. We as a whole could begin healing our divisions, just like my family has done, six years after my parents’ divorce. I hope to preserve my great-grandfather's legacy by continuing my work to unite the U.S., in college and eventually in Congress, by focusing on what is most important: the people.

When I was 11, my parents got divorced; I watched helplessly as my family was cut in half. I couldn’t unite my parents, but I wondered if I could unite others. So I set out on a mission to unite my school, community, and country and heal the divisions I saw. Starting with my school, I ran and was elected as a student representative to my school’s Governing Board. My first action was to work with the school administration to amend the school’s Internal Rules to include “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” as school values. This seemingly small step paved the way for the work of the DEIJ Committee and our campaign on the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias. My work, I believe, to our school’s transition from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. After seeing the division preceding the 2020 election, I aimed for a more unified society to the national level. I joined Biden’s campaign and made calls to people all over the country to encourage them to vote and focus on the democratic values that unite us. I spoke with people from the Midwest to the Deep South, from the East Coast to the West, finding middle ground with each of them. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. This presidential election had one of the biggest voter turnouts in American history, even though it did not result in the unity I had wished for, I participated in the democratic process, which can only be a good thing. Just like my family has done 6 years after my parents’ divorce, I will continue to work to unify and heal our divisions, in college, and hopefully one day in Congress.

When I was 11, my parents got divorced; I watched helplessly as my family was cut in half. I couldn’t unite my parents, but I wondered if I could unite others. So I set out on a mission to unite my school, community, and country and heal the divisions I saw. Starting with my school, I ran and was elected as a student representative to my school’s Governing Board. My first action was to work with the school administration to amend the school’s Internal Rules to include “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” as school values. This seemingly small step paved the way for the work of the DEIJ Committee and our campaign on the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias. My work, I believe, to our school’s transition from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. After seeing the division preceding the 2020 election, I aimed for a more unified society to the national level. I joined Biden’s campaign and made calls to people all over the country to encourage them to vote and focus on the democratic values that unite us. I spoke with people from the Midwest to the Deep South, from the East Coast to the West, finding middle ground with each of them. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. This presidential election had one of the biggest voter turnouts in American history, even though it did not result in the unity I had wished for, I participated in the democratic process, which can only be a good thing. I will continue to work to unify and heal our divisions, in college, and hopefully one day in Congress.

« If you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, for one moment would you capture it or just let it slip ''. You may recognize those words from Ryan Reynolds requesting them, from the Grammys, or any number of celebrities, but for me « Lose Yourself » will forever stay the most inspiring song. From its powerful message to live in the moment, to a reminder to seize every opportunity, to overcoming pain and struggles, « Lose Yourself » has been a constant in my life. The song, originally a part of the 8 Mile soundtrack, sums up many important messages for me: live in the moment, have confidence, know that you can overcome adversity… Each time I listen to it, « Lose Yourself » motivates me to be a better human, to give back more, be more present for those I love, and of course (for those who know the song well enough) to enjoy a good bowl of spaghetti. Above all, « Lose Yourself » reminds me to live in the moment and seize the opportunity of life. As a student who is completing both the US High School Diploma and the French Baccalaureate, our rigorous program comes with a heavy workload and of course a lot of stress, but when I listen to « Lose Yourself » and channel Eminem’s words « You only have one shot do not lose your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime » all that stress melts away, allowing me to really live in the moment and embrace the opportunities I have. For me « Lose Yourself » will always remain one of my go to songs for everything from a confidence boost, to stress relief, and so much more.

« If you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, for one moment would you capture it or just let it slip''. You may recognize those words from Ryan Reynolds or any number of celebrities requoting them, but for me « Lose Yourself » will forever stay the most inspiring work of art. From its powerful message to live in the moment, to a reminder to seize every opportunity, to overcoming pain and struggles, « Lose Yourself » has been a constant in my life. The song, originally a part of the 8 Mile soundtrack, sums up many important messages for me: live in the moment, have confidence in the world around you and in yourself, know that you can overcome adversity… Each time I listen to it, « Lose Yourself » motivates me to be a better human, to give back more, be more present for those I love, and of course (for those who know the song well enough) to enjoy a good bowl of spaghetti. Above all, « Lose Yourself » reminds me to live in the moment and seize the opportunity of life. When I listen to « Lose Yourself » and channel Eminem’s words « You only have one shot do not lose your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime » all the stress of my dual curriculum and heavy course load melts away, allowing me to really live in the moment and embrace the opportunities I have. For myself, and I am sure millions of other Eminem fans, « Lose Yourself » will always remain one of my go to songs for everything from a confidence boost, to stress relief, and that is why it is the piece of art that inspires me the most.

From hiking in the French Alps to hiking along the French-Spanish Boarder, my love for nature was first spurred by my grandfather. Together, my grandfather, my brother, and I would go into the mountains for day long hikes, where we would stay in what the French call « refuges » (small cottages that allow hikers to sleep there and eat for a very small fee) to take in the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, in my home state of California, that beauty keeps coming crashing down with more than 340,390 fires burning tens of millions of acres in my area. Wildlife was destroyed in massive proportions and entire communities were ravaged by fires that respected no city lines. Directly seeing the tremendous cost of continuously rising global emissions, I decided to take action to protect the nature I loved. I partnered with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Marin to create a label for each of the 17 United Nations SDGsfor businesses (which must meet rigorous qualifications I developed) to display on their products and websites. The labels–which range from fighting climate change, to promoting biodiversity, to reducing hunger–inform consumers about what concrete actions businesses have taken to fight climate change and protect nature. I also partnered with LiveGreen to spread the word to consumers about the LiveGreen app, allowing each individual and business to tackle their carbon footprint through specific actions that are tailored to their practices. Through my work with both SDG Marin and LiveGreen, I have come to realize how easy it is for each of us to do our part in solving this seemingly insurmountable crisis and protect the beauty of this planet. I now understand more than ever why we must take action to stop massive fires, flooding, and unpredictable weather from becoming the norm.

When I was 11, my parents got divorced; I watched helplessly as my family was cut in half. I couldn’t unite my parents, but I wondered if I could unite others. So I set out on a mission to unite my school, community, and country and heal the divisions I saw. Starting with my school, I ran and was elected as a student representative to my school’s Governing Board. My first action was to work with the school administration to amend the school’s Internal Rules to include “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” as school values. This seemingly small step paved the way for the work of the DEIJ Committee and our campaign on the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias. My work, I believe, to our school’s transition from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. After seeing the division preceding the 2020 election, I aimed for a more unified society to the national level. I joined Biden’s campaign and made calls to people all over the country to encourage them to vote and focus on the democratic values that unite us. I spoke with people from the Midwest to the Deep South, from the East Coast to the West, finding middle ground with each of them. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. This presidential election had one of the biggest voter turnouts in American history, even though it did not result in the unity I had wished for, I participated in the democratic process, which can only be a good thing. Just like my family has done 6 years after my parents’ divorce, I will continue to work to unify and heal our divisions, in college, and hopefully one day in Congress.

As a white, cisgender man, I benefit from all types of privileges. For me, it is a moral obligation to use my privilege for change. I was honored to be one of those chosen to attend SDLC (Student Diversity and Leadership Conference). During the training, I met students from different socioeconomic statuses, genders, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, and ideologies. We gathered together with the sole objective of sharing our lived experiences and creating a more accepting society, but especially to give back. We shared experiences of racism, sexism, and many other forms of discrimination. I felt deep inside what life was like for those who do not share the privilege of being a white man. My commitment to equity deepened and my will to give back burned stronger. Starting with giving back directly, I volunteered over the summer with Downtown Streets Team, a non-profit that works to end homelessness in the Bay Area through using a unique restorative system. During my volunteering, I Raised over $1100 from local businesses and organizations and led efforts to receive, raise, and deliver over 200 hygiene kits, 3000 masks, and personal protective equipment for the shelterless in my community. Next, I met a shelterless woman named Lacey, who lost her husband unexpectedly due to a heart attack, shortly after that she lost her apartment because she could not cover the costs of her medicine for Diabetes and housing. I decided to give back and create a GoFundMe for her to help her raise money for an apartment. Since then, we have been able to raise 1,870$ and counting. Giving back is at the heart of who I am, it is something I cherish and I will–with the same dedication and passion–continue at Columbia, and hopefully one day in Congress to give back.

For me listening means to truly hear what others have to say with an open mind. I consider this to be a key value for me as my mission is to unify others. I quickly understood, if I truly wanted a unified society where everyone can listen to each other, then I needed to be fully committed to fostering civil discourse in which we can reach across the aisle for tempered conversation. To unify, I joined President Biden’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. I made thousands of calls to people all over the country, North to South, East to West, encouraging them to vote and to understand the power of their vote. After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I worked hard to find middle ground by listening to them, even when I wholeheartedly wanted to argue against them. I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared, while also listening to their perspectives. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. On one Wisconsin call, when I listened, the man allowed me to understand why people supported President Trump, beyond the personality and the policy. It was the first time I was able to understand what people from across the aisle saw in President Trump, his vision, and it allowed me to connect with others who disagreed with me in a much deeper way. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to listen to others and help others listen to me to promote listening throughout society. Whether it be in my day to day life, or when volunteering, I strive listen to others.

In the last five years, more than 340,390 fires have burned tens of millions of acres in my area. Wildlife was destroyed in massive proportions and entire communities were ravaged by fires that respected no city lines. Whenever I was taught about climate change, it seemed like an abstraction; today it is at my front door. Seeing the tremendous cost of continuously rising global emissions, I decided to venture past my school’s environmental committee and campaign for climate awareness. I partnered with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Marin to create a label for each of the 17 United Nations SDGs for businesses to display on their products and websites. These goals range from reducing poverty and hunger, to climate action and preserving biodiversity. The labels inform consumers about what concrete actions businesses have taken to fight these issues. In order to receive a label, a business has to meet specific qualifications I developed in relation to Systems Thinking Marin’s three levels of engagement: charitable work, advocacy work, and systemic work. I also partnered with LiveGreen to not only grow their business, which helps with the UN SDGs through sustainable planting of trees, but also spread the word to consumers about the LiveGreen app, allowing each individual and business to tackle their carbon footprint through specific actions that are tailored to their practices. Through my work with both SDG Marin and LiveGreen, I have come to realize how easy it is for each of us to do our part in solving this seemingly insurmountable crisis. By contacting businesses and working to educate the consumer, I have understood the concrete ramifications of environmental policies on businesses and consumers, and I now understand more than ever why we must take action to stop massive fires, flooding, and unpredictable weather from becoming the norm.

Although it may seem odd to those who have not enjoyed the luxurious experience of Lush’s products, one of my simple pleasures is using any one of their wide array of products. From their beautiful fresh face masks, to their luxurious lavender lotions, to their invigorating orange scrubs, Lush’s products are my key to resetting my mind, while providing a strong benefit to my skin. Each time I put on a face mask, use one of their bath bombs (a concept they invented), or even use one of their unique “shower bombs” (a bath bomb, but for the shower where you lather the essential oils all over your body) I can also rest assured knowing that each product I use is sourced ethically, fighting for values I hold dear: removing animal testing, promoting women’s businesses, or even directly donating proceeds to charity (as with their Charity Pot program) for example. I have found that Lush’s products allow me to reset my mind after a stressful day, right before large exams, or even on a self care Sunday. In addition to Lush’s ethical sourcing, I find their products particularly take care of my mental health by their scents. Lush’s wide variety of products ensures that each will find at least one product or scent they fell in love with, for me that is their Sleepy scent. Sleepy is a creamy lavender soap or lotion that relaxes the mind and tells my brain it is time to wind down. Each time I use it, I am even more relaxed and able to sleep well, ensuring my mental health is great and also providing me with the restful nights I need to continue pursuing academic excellence. For that reason, Lush’s products are for me a small simple pleasure that makes me happy.

In 2018, 1.8 billion people purchased goods online. They didn't care where the product came from, how it was made, and especially its impact on the environment. Climate change will affect more and more people yet we are taking minimal action. We are all willing to help, but do we do it? We want to go from an Eco-conscious customer to an Eco-committed buyer. How do we do it? We provide the average Eco-conscious customer with a green, Ecotone certified alternative. By doing so, we educate and incentivize our customers to make better, more ecologically informed choices. With a quick internet search, you'll find hundreds of websites that label themselves as eco-friendly suppliers. But more research reveals that many of these companies are full of nonsense. We will guarantee that our customers are fully informed on their purchase. We make an easy, fun and gratifying transition from being an eco-conscious buyer to an eco-committed consumer, thereby reducing the consumer’s carbon footprint. We're all aware of the growing problem of climate change. We're all willing to help. But do we do it? If you had the information on that jacket, would you have still bought it? If you had an eco-certified alternative presented right in front of you, would you consider it? That's our job. Ecotone is an online marketplace that sells green alternatives for any products. Let's take that jacket for example. You're about to buy that discounted fleece jacket, when our browser extension notifies and shows you that there are green alternatives on our marketplace one click away. This differentiates us from our competitors. Our main competitors are large online retail brands, such as amazon, target and walmart. Problem is, the eco-friendly tag that these companies use is very broad and subjective. At EcoTone, we provide statistics to customers so they can be aware of their impact and make more ecologically informed choices. We also provide instant gratification to our buyers with statistics telling them how they saved the environment with their purchase while educating them as well. Eco-friendly retail sites target consumers that are already eco-committed, whereas we target people that are eco-conscious, meaning people that are aware of climate change, but do not necessarily know how to take action. Statistics show that 80% of people are willing to pay more for green products, meaning we have a large initial market. In order to attract suppliers we provide a short term exclusivity in a specific category of our website. We estimate that Consumer Acquisition Cost will be 200$, which includes marketing campaigns to inform consumers about our web browser extension. Over 5 years that target consumer will spend 25,000$ online, but only 7,500$ of that is addressable. We believe the click through rate is approximately 50% which means that for every customer and each year we would make 150$ or 750$ over 5 years. To offset the consumer acquisition cost we plan to charge the industry standard of 20% on every sale on our website. Of 200M US online buyers we believe at least 1% are eco-conscious. Which would give us a $1.5 billion revenue once we reach this 1% market share. Once the consumer has downloaded our web browser extension we believe the consumer retention rate will be very high. Due to the their visit a website to buy a product that has an eco-equivalent on our platform they will receive a notification leading them to this green product. Of 200M US online buyers we believe at least 1% are eco-conscious.

In 2018, 1.8 billion people purchased goods online. They didn't care where the product came from, how it was made, and especially its impact on the environment. Climate change will affect more and more people yet we are taking minimal action. We are all willing to help, but do we do it? We want to go from an Eco-conscious customer to an Eco-committed buyer. How do we do it? We provide the average Eco-conscious customer with a green, Ecotone certified alternative. By doing so, we educate and incentivize our customers to make better, more ecologically informed choices. With a quick internet search, you'll find hundreds of websites that label themselves as eco-friendly suppliers. But more research reveals that many of these companies are full of nonsense. We will guarantee that our customers are fully informed on their purchase. We make an easy, fun and gratifying transition from being an eco-conscious buyer to an eco-committed consumer, thereby reducing the consumer’s carbon footprint. We're all aware of the growing problem of climate change. We're all willing to help. But do we do it? If you had the information on that jacket, would you have still bought it? If you had an eco-certified alternative presented right in front of you, would you consider it? That's our job. Ecotone is an online marketplace that sells green alternatives for any products. Let's take that jacket for example. You're about to buy that discounted fleece jacket, when our browser extension notifies and shows you that there are green alternatives on our marketplace one click away. This differentiates us from our competitors. Our main competitors are large online retail brands, such as amazon, target and walmart. Problem is, the eco-friendly tag that these companies use is very broad and subjective. At EcoTone, we provide statistics to customers so they can be aware of their impact and make more ecologically informed choices. We also provide instant gratification to our buyers with statistics telling them how they saved the environment with their purchase while educating them as well. Eco-friendly retail sites target consumers that are already eco-committed, whereas we target people that are eco-conscious, meaning people that are aware of climate change, but do not necessarily know how to take action. Statistics show that 80% of people are willing to pay more for green products, meaning we have a large initial market. In order to attract suppliers we provide a short term exclusivity in a specific category of our website. We estimate that Consumer Acquisition Cost will be 200$, which includes marketing campaigns to inform consumers about our web browser extension. Over 5 years that target consumer will spend 25,000$ online, but only 7,500$ of that is addressable. We believe the click through rate is approximately 50% which means that for every customer and each year we would make 150$ or 750$ over 5 years. To offset the consumer acquisition cost we plan to charge the industry standard of 20% on every sale on our website. Of 200M US online buyers we believe at least 1% are eco-conscious. Which would give us a $1.5 billion revenue once we reach this 1% market share. Once the consumer has downloaded our web browser extension we believe the consumer retention rate will be very high. Due to the their visit a website to buy a product that has an eco-equivalent on our platform they will receive a notification leading them to this green product. Of 200M US online buyers we believe at least 1% are eco-conscious. Solving this problem is both urgent and profitable, long term growth is possible with consumers who become educated.

When I was 11, my parents got divorced; I watched helplessly as my family was cut in half. I couldn’t unite my parents, but I wondered if I could unite others. So I set out on a mission to unite my school, community, and country and heal the divisions I saw. Starting with my school, I ran and was elected as a student representative to my school’s Governing Board. My first action was to work with the school administration to amend the school’s Internal Rules to include “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” as school values. This seemingly small step paved the way for the work of the DEIJ Committee and our campaign on the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias. My work, I believe, to our school’s transition from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. After seeing the division preceding the 2020 election, I aimed for a more unified society to the national level. I joined Biden’s campaign and made calls to people all over the country to encourage them to vote and focus on the democratic values that unite us. I spoke with people from the Midwest to the Deep South, from the East Coast to the West, finding middle ground with each of them. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. This presidential election had one of the biggest voter turnouts in American history, even though it did not result in the unity I had wished for, I participated in the democratic process, which can only be a good thing. Just like my family has done 6 years after my parents’ divorce, I will continue to work to unify and heal our divisions, in college, and hopefully one day in Congress.

From learning my role models’ (John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg) fight for equality, to understanding the enduring ramifications of discrimination and oppression, the struggle for equality in all its forms is at the heart of who I am. Within my school, I ran and was elected as a student representative to my school’s Governing Board to unite the student body and heal the divisions I saw. My first action was to work with the school administration to amend the school’s Internal Rules to include “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” as school values. This seemingly small step paved the way for the work of the DEIJ Committee and our campaign on the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias, which I spearheaded in my school’s first ever Diversity Day (which has been running smoothly for 3 years ever since). My work, I believe, has contributed to our school’s transition from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion, acceptance, and inclusion. On a larger scale, I have fought to promote equality through working with Downtown Streets Team, a non-profit that works to end homelessness in the Bay Area by using a unique restorative system which pays the shelterless to clean their cities. I was able to raise over $1100 from local businesses, while leading efforts to receive, raise, and deliver over 200 hygiene kits, 3000 masks, and other personal protective equipment. I also lobbied the City Council and the Marin County Board of Supervisors to implement city and county wide policies to address homelessness, ensuring equal treatment during the pandemic. In addition, I contacted the Mayor of Novato, Mayor Pat Eklund, to find ways to implement a new, restorative system for teens accused of breaking the law in Novato, opening the door, I hope, for more Cities to do the same.

From reading Warren Buffet’s letters to shareholders to Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor, investing has taught me to be patient and look for value wherever it can be found. In my day to day life, investing has taught me to be patient and think for the long term. In school this means using a positive attitude and planning my days rigorously in order to allow me to achieve my long term goals. Especially with the academic rigor of the French system, in which there are large national exams at the end of almost every year in high school, I have used the ability to think long term and be patient to study in advance for my exams at the end of each year. Investing has also taught me to look for value and the positive aspects in every situation. From turning a bad situation into a good one, for example when I had planned an internship and it was canceled the day before (which opened up an opportunity to help the shelterless and fight climate change), to searching for the good in compromise I have learned to look for the good in each situation and be patient. This investing tip was especially valuable, when I was investing and shorted the market before the pandemic, after I had forecasted an economic downturn (so I bought inverse leverage options). In the short term, my investment was down nearly 60%, but I channeled Warren Buffet’s teachings and was patient. A year and a half later, my options were up 2,000%, allowing me to invest in companies such as Apple or Amazon at a 40% discount. Overall, investing has taught me the importance of patience and looking for value wherever it can be found, both life lessons that I still cherish today.

I had seen it coming, the fighting, the screaming, the separations, but that didn’t lessen the blow. With my French-American family now cut in two, my parents were getting divorced. I felt helpless. It was more than hopping from one house to the next, constantly changing schedules, or the need to be on top of everything 24/7. It was the new way people looked at me; I felt excluded. I was now “the kid with divorced parents.” A great divide opened up between my peers and me, in addition to the division at home. It seemed like everywhere I turned, division reigned. At school, sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks created a toxic environment that sowed the seeds of division. Years later, I watched as political and racial divisions took the life of Heather Heyer at a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia. When national divisions claimed more lives during the January 6th, 2021 attack on our nation’s capital, I saw no other choice than to become a leader who unified. I couldn’t unite my parents, but maybe I could unite others. Starting with efforts to unite my school and local community, the delegates to NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and I started the first DEIJ Committee in my school. Our initial campaign focussed on the impact of discriminatory remarks and microaggressions, transitioning our school from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. Eventually, I took my commitment for a more unified society from my school to the national level. If I truly wanted a unified society then I needed to be fully committed to fostering civil discourse in which we can reach across the aisle for tempered conversation. To unify, I joined President Biden’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, making calls instead of knocking on doors, trying to connect with people in 2D. I made thousands of calls to people all over the country, North to South, East to West, encouraging them to vote and to understand the power of their vote. After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. On one Wisconsin call, the man allowed me to understand why people supported President Trump, beyond the personality and the policy. It was the first time I was able to understand what people from across the aisle saw in President Trump, his vision, and it allowed me to connect with others who disagreed with me in a much deeper way. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage folks to go out and vote. I channeled John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state, it’s an action.” Beyond fighting voter apathy and voter suppression, my aim working for Biden’s campaign was to unify Americans. I want the best aspects of American society to prevail: unity, liberty, and equality. President Biden’s win was more than a political victory for me, it was a sign that the country my great grandfather had fought for on D-Day was still here. We as a whole could begin healing our divisions, just like my family has done, six years after my parents’ divorce. I hope to preserve my great-grandfather's legacy by continuing my work to unite the U.S., in college and eventually in Congress, by focusing on what is most important: the people.

Although it may sound cliché, helping others truly makes me happy. Both as a student and an aspiring politician, I strive to help others as best I can every day. From saying good morning to everyone at my school every day, to creating a more inclusive space by tackling discriminatory remarks in the DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) Committee I created, to mentoring the next generation fo student leaders at my school, I have found I am most happy when I am serving others. Each day, I strive to improve others’ lives. Within my school, I have tried to make my school environment a more accepting and inclusive space, by tackling bullying, discrimination, and promoting kindness and empathy. On a larger scale, I have sought out to unify our society by partaking in the democratic progress and promoting it. Starting with volunteering with Biden’s campaign to unify the United States, I volunteered over 275 hours, calling with people from across the country, North to South, East to West. I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared, for example the need for a new infrastructure deal and revitalization of rural America. Next, I worked to help others in my community, fundraising for the shelterless and raise awareness of rising rates of homelessness in my community. I raised over $1100 from local businesses and organizations and led efforts to receive, raise, and deliver over 200 hygiene kits, 3000 masks, and personal protective equipment to the shelterless in my community. I also lobbied City Council and the Marin County Board of Supervisors to implement city and county wide policies to address homelessness. My true source of happiness is helping others, whether it be in daily actions or on large scale projects to help improve others’ lives.

Although it may seem odd to those who have not enjoyed the luxurious experience of Lush’s products, my way to relax is using any one of their wide array of products. From their beautiful fresh face masks, to their luxurious lavender lotions, to their invigorating orange scrubs, Lush’s products are my key to resetting my mind, while providing a strong benefit to my skin. Each time I put on a face mask, use one of their bath bombs (a concept they invented), or even use one of their unique “shower bombs” (a bath bomb, but for the shower where you lather the essential oils all over your body) I can also rest assured knowing that each product I use is sourced ethically, fighting for values I hold dear: removing animal testing, promoting women’s businesses, or even directly donating proceeds to charity (as with their Charity Pot program) for example. I have found that Lush’s products allow me to reset my mind after a stressful day, right before large exams, or even on a self care Sunday. In addition to Lush’s ethical sourcing, I find their products particularly take care of my mental health by their scents. Lush’s wide variety of products ensures that each will find at least one product or scent they fell in love with, for me that is their Sleepy scent. Sleepy is a creamy lavender soap or lotion that relaxes the mind and tells my brain it is time to wind down. Each time I use it, I am even more relaxed and able to sleep well, ensuring my mental health is great and also providing me with the restful nights I need to continue pursuing academic excellence. For that reason, Lush’s products are my method of relaxing and taking care of my mental health.

I hope to unify society through public service. Starting with my school and community, I eventually took my commitment to the national level. I learned a lot from my role model, John Lewis; the vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have. If I truly wanted a unified society then I needed to be fully committed to fostering civil discourse in which we can reach across the aisle for tempered conversation. To unify, I joined President Biden’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, making calls instead of knocking on doors, trying to connect with people in 2D. I made thousands of calls to people all over the country, North to South, East to West, encouraging them to vote and to understand the power of their vote. After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage folks to go out and vote. I channeled John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state, it’s an action.” Beyond fighting voter apathy and voter suppression, my aim in volunteering is to unify Americans. I want the best aspects of American society to prevail: unity, liberty, and equality. President Biden’s win was more than a political victory for me, it was a sign that the country my great grandfather had fought for on D-Day was still here. I hope to preserve my great-grandfather's legacy by continuing my work to unite the U.S., in college and eventually in Congress, by focusing on what is most important: the people.

As a leader, who values equality above all else, I hope to inspire the next generation of leaders to be conscious of the continuous struggle for gender equality. Whether it be in my school’s DEIJ Committee, my school’s TED Ed Club or the School Council, I try to mentor others as often as I can. Within my school council, I ran to be student president with a younger student so I could in a way “pass the torch” to the new generation of leaders within me. Student government. When I chose to become a student leader at my school, I set out on a journey to change what I believed the biggest problem facing my school was: lack of student interest in their representation. Since then, I have reformed the school’s internal rules, created new opportunities for students to participate in student government, while also allowing students to have a voice in the decisions being made within my school. All this work has bore its fruits. This year in the election for student body president, we had a record number of candidates, proving a willingness and interest in transforming student government. Nevertheless, the change doesn’t stop there, within the CVO (my French school’s equivalent of a student council) the number of participants has more than doubled in recent years. My mentor ship, within the various branches of student government as well as our school’s diverse array of clubs and committees, I hope will inspire the next generation of student leaders to take part in student government, thereby sparking an interest in the democratic process and public service.

I believe the best way to live a long, healthy life is to enjoy it. Although this may seem easier said than done, all those who have lived to be the oldest of the world, most notably a French woman named Jeanne Calment who lived to be 123, have demonstrated how important being happy is in achieving longevity. The key to her longevity: enjoying life with a glass of wine and a bar of chocolate a day. Many others who lived to a very old age had the same technique, enjoy your life to make it last. Whether it be with a glass of wine, a cigarette, or some chocolate, each person living past a century has a technique to enjoy their life to the fullest. This may seem strange, but when you delve deeper into those who have lived the longest, most often they do not lead the perfect healthy life we are taught to have (this doesn’t mean to stop pursuing healthier options, as leading a healthy lifestyle is essential to reducing chances of developing diseases like cancers or heart diseases at an early age). Studies show that being generally happy significantly reduces your chances of developing heart conditions, reduces pain (especially when linked to aging), prevents contraction of chronic illnesses… Taking care of your mental health (by being generally happy), as well as taking care of your physical health, is therefore the key to leading a long, healthy life

Someone I admire is Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, from her trailblazing legal career to her work for gender equality, she serves as an inspiration to continue the fight for equality in all its forms. Justice Ginsburg’s work has inspired the next generation of activists in the fight for gender equality, paving the way to a more just society that benefits the many, not the few. Today, Justice Ginsburg’s glowing dissents set the stage for a powerful precedent in supporting “equal protection of the law”. Personally, Justice Ginsburg’s work has inspired me to take action to protect equality under the law. Her work in creating the ACLU’s Women's Equality Project has inspired me to work in coordination with the ACLU in my high school, while also inspiring me to apply for an internship over the summer. I was recently accepted into Columbia, one of the core reasons I even applied, let alone decided to accept the offer was due to Justice Ginsburg’s teachings at Columbia, but also the opportunity being in New York offers as the ACLU is headquartered in New York. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has inspired me to lead the fight for equal rights, specifically through a career in public service after studying law. Her powerful dissents allow each person to understand complex legal issues, while also offering the opportunity for the next generation of lawyers and public servants to avoid making the same mistakes. In other words, Justice Ginsburg’s fight has taught me and millions around the world the true sense of the word: equality.

My number one strategy is knowing myself and my mental health needs. Whether it be during finals week in my French-American School, or in preparation for BAC Exams (part of the French curriculum), when I study I learn to listen to myself and my brain. I have learned over the course of high-school of the importance of listening to myself because I learn best and am most productive when I am relaxed and focused. By listening to myself I am able to memorize information and learn concepts significantly faster and better. Most often I just need to know when to take a break, exercise, go outside… Listening to myself has proven to be extremely affective as it reduces my studying time, while also giving me better grades. Whether it be by taking a shower, exercising, or walking around my home, each time I take a break and focus back on my mental health I am even more productive afterwards. This strategy even applies outside of my coursework, for extracurriculars or college essays for example, I apply the same technique as often I am able to think best after a break or even when I am not trying to think about it at all. Nevertheless, I have found that it is important to couple this strategy with being attentive in class, because in my high school’s French American curriculum, concepts that are most difficult to grasp are explained in detail in class, but then not reviewed further. Being attentive in class and listening to myself has proven to work for me, allowing myself to adapt to my 8am to 6pm classes, while also preparing myself for Columbia where I will attend college next year.

I had seen it coming, the fighting, the screaming, the separations, but that didn’t lessen the blow. With my French-American family now cut in two, my parents were getting divorced. I felt helpless. It was more than hopping from one house to the next, constantly changing schedules, or the need to be on top of everything 24/7. It was the new way people looked at me; I felt excluded. I was now “the kid with divorced parents.” A great divide opened up between my peers and me, in addition to the division at home. It seemed like everywhere I turned, division reigned. At school, sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks created a toxic environment that sowed the seeds of division. Years later, I watched as political and racial divisions took the life of Heather Heyer at a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia. When national divisions claimed more lives during the January 6th, 2021 attack on our nation’s capital, I saw no other choice than to become a leader who unified. I couldn’t unite my parents, but maybe I could unite others. Starting with efforts to unite my school and local community, the delegates to NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and I started the first DEIJ Committee in my school. Our initial campaign focussed on the impact of discriminatory remarks and microaggressions, transitioning our school from a divided atmosphere to one of compassion and acceptance. Eventually, I took my commitment for a more unified society from my school to the national level. I learned a lot from my role model, John Lewis; the vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have. If I truly wanted a unified society then I needed to be fully committed to fostering civil discourse in which we can reach across the aisle for tempered conversation. To unify, I joined President Biden’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, making calls instead of knocking on doors, trying to connect with people in 2D. I made thousands of calls to people all over the country, North to South, East to West, encouraging them to vote and to understand the power of their vote. After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I tried to connect with each caller by focusing on the values we shared. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. On one Wisconsin call, the man allowed me to understand why people supported President Trump, beyond the personality and the policy. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage folks to go out and vote. I channeled John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state, it’s an action.” Beyond fighting voter apathy and voter suppression, my aim working for Biden’s campaign was to unify Americans. I want the best aspects of American society to prevail: unity, liberty, and equality. President Biden’s win was more than a political victory for me, it was a sign that the country my great grandfather had fought for on D-Day was still here. We as a whole could begin healing our divisions, just like my family has done, six years after my parents’ divorce. I hope to preserve my great-grandfather's legacy by continuing my work to unite the U.S., in college and eventually in Congress, by focusing on what is most important: the people.

In the last five years, more than 340,390 fires have burned tens of millions of acres in my area. Wildlife was destroyed in massive proportions and entire communities were ravaged by fires that respected no city lines. Whenever I was taught about climate change, it seemed like an abstraction; today it is at my front door. Seeing the tremendous cost of continuously rising global emissions, I decided to venture past my school’s environmental committee and campaign for climate awareness. I partnered with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Marin to create a label for each of the 17 United Nations SDGs for businesses to display on their products and websites. These goals range from reducing poverty and hunger, to climate action and preserving biodiversity. The labels inform consumers about what concrete actions businesses have taken to fight these issues. In order to receive a label, a business has to meet specific qualifications I developed in relation to Systems Thinking Marin’s three levels of engagement: charitable work, advocacy work, and systemic work. I also partnered with LiveGreen to not only grow their business, which helps with the UN SDGs through sustainable planting of trees, but also spread the word to consumers about the LiveGreen app, allowing each individual and business to tackle their carbon footprint through specific actions that are tailored to their practices. Through my work with both SDG Marin and LiveGreen, I have come to realize how easy it is for each of us to do our part in solving this seemingly insurmountable crisis. By contacting businesses and working to educate the consumer, I have understood the concrete ramifications of environmental policies on businesses and consumers, and I now understand more than ever why we must take action to stop massive fires, flooding, and unpredictable weather from becoming the norm.

Since 13, law has been my passion, it is the most powerful tool for change I know. Used correctly, it can be a tool for justice and equality; wielded incorrectly it can cause discrimination, harm, and pain. My passion for law was spurred by my role models, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis, who both explored the intricacies of law to create sweeping reforms for equal rights and sought to use it as a tool for progress. In the case of Justice Ginsburg, her fight for gender equality inspires me to continue fighting for equality in all its forms. John Lewis carried the power of the civil rights movement and democracy for all to Congress, reforming laws and inspiring the next generations to continue the fight for voting and civil rights through the practice of non-violence. My interest in the legal system and desire to help my community drove me to follow the training program to participate in Marin County Youth Court (MCYC). MCYC has implemented a peer-to-peer restorative justice system within Marin County, assigning to minors who have broken the law, community service instead of fines or jail time which often impedes students’ ability to stay on track in school. I then applied my knowledge of restorative justice acquired at MCYC to promote judicial reform within my hometown of Novato. I contacted the Mayor of Novato, Mayor Pat Eklund, to find ways to implement a new, restorative system for teens accused of breaking the law in Novato, opening the door, I hope, for more Cities to do the same. Law is my path to a future career as a member of Congress where I hope to use the power of the law in the legislative branch to protect voting rights and ensure equality across all social strata.

After seeing the division preceding the 2020 election, I aimed for a more unified society to the national level. I joined Biden’s campaign and made calls to people all over the country to encourage them to vote and focus on the democratic values that unite us. I spoke with people from the Midwest to the Deep South, from the East Coast to the West, finding middle ground with each of them. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. This presidential election had one of the biggest voter turnouts in American history, even though it did not result in the unity I had wished for, I participated in the democratic process, which can only be a good thing. Just like my family has done 6 years after my parents’ divorce, I will continue to work to unify and heal our divisions, in college, and hopefully one day in Congress.

I live in Novato, and my school is in San Francisco. That means I have a very long public commute (3 to 4 hours) every day of the week, forcing me to leave home at 6:45 am every school day. The lack of time due to my long commute has challenged me to adapt. For example, I have learned to organize my work so I can do certain assignments on the bus and make good use of this time. Despite doing homework on the bus home, I usually still have at least two hours of homework to do, this on top of the class day that ends at 5 or 6 pm. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic came with its own set of challenges like a less active social life and significantly harder learning, I no longer had to commute every day. The pandemic gave me time to spend time improving my mental health, which was at a low before the pandemic lockdowns due to the heavy workload at my school and my exhausting schedule with little to no breaks. It allowed me to figure out how I learned, how I work efficiently, and how I could be there for those whom I cared about. The pandemic allowed me to gain insight into myself. Although this year I have returned to my pre-pandemic schedule with 3 to 4 hour-long commutes, small breaks, a 12-hour school day, and a fascinating and heavy workload, I will enter this year knowing that I can face the challenges ahead straight on thanks to my deepened knowledge about how I work. I will use this newly acquired knowledge about myself and skills for work to take care of my health, all while continuing to give care and dedication to my academic and extracurricular work.

In the last five years, more than 340,390 fires have burned tens of millions of acres in my area. Wildlife was destroyed in massive proportions and entire communities were ravaged by fires that respected no city lines. Whenever I was taught about climate change, it seemed like an abstraction; today it is at my front door. Seeing the tremendous cost of continuously rising global emissions, I decided to venture past my school’s environmental committee and campaign for climate awareness. I partnered with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Marin to create a label for each of the 17 United Nations SDGs for businesses to display on their products and websites. These goals range from reducing poverty and hunger, to climate action and preserving biodiversity. The labels inform consumers about what concrete actions businesses have taken to fight these issues. In order to receive a label, a business has to meet specific qualifications I developed in relation to Systems Thinking Marin’s three levels of engagement: charitable work, advocacy work, and systemic work. I also partnered with LiveGreen to not only grow their business, which helps with the UN SDGs through sustainable planting of trees, but also spread the word to consumers about the LiveGreen app, allowing each individual and business to tackle their carbon footprint through specific actions that are tailored to their practices. Through my work with both SDG Marin and LiveGreen, I have come to realize how easy it is for each of us to do our part in solving this seemingly insurmountable crisis. By contacting businesses and working to educate the consumer, I have understood the concrete ramifications of environmental policies on businesses and consumers, and I now understand more than ever why we must take action to stop massive fires, flooding, and unpredictable weather from becoming the norm.

After 275 hours of calls, I must have been hung up on over 1000 times. When I was able to keep someone on the line, I worked hard to find middle ground by hearing them out, even when I wholeheartedly wanted to argue against them. I connected with each caller by focusing on the values we shared, for example the need for a new infrastructure deal and revitalization of rural America. I was able to practice empathy and understand the world from the perspective of others. On one Wisconsin call, the man allowed me to understand why people supported President Trump, beyond the personality and the policy. It was the first time I was able to understand what people from across the aisle saw in President Trump, his vision, and it allowed me to connect with others who disagreed with me in a much deeper way. Though I hoped people would choose my candidate, my main goal was to encourage folks to go out and vote. I channeled John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state, it’s an action.” Beyond fighting voter apathy and voter suppression, my aim working for Biden’s campaign was to unify Americans. I want the best aspects of American society to prevail: unity, liberty, and equality. President Biden’s win was more than a political victory for me, it was a sign that the country my great grandfather had fought for on D-Day was still here. We as a whole could begin healing our divisions, just like my family has done, six years after my parents’ divorce. I hope to preserve my great-grandfather's legacy by continuing my work to unite the U.S., in college and eventually in Congress, by focusing on what is most important: the people.

Unfortunately I have no pictures to showcase my volunteering, but I spent 150 hours in 2020 volunteering for Congressional and Presidential Campaigns, to inspire people to go vote. i talked with people from across the country, leading them and telling them to go vote! I also played a very active role in my local community, raising money to fight homelessness and leading our student body to volunteer as well. With the help of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (of which I was a founding member) I started our school's first ever Diversity Day, education teachers and students alike.