My motto is “Leave things better than you found them.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I found them, especially through volunteering. This goal guides my every action and decision, both academically and professionally. As a low-income, first-generation Vietnamese American, this led me to become an advocate for minorities and serve as a catalyst for change in order to shatter economic barriers and inequitable systems. Currently, I am a senior at Bentley University studying Finance. At Bentley, I am heavily involved across multiple organizations that all have a common denominator: positive impact beyond merely boosting my own resume. One of my biggest involvements is in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community while serving as the Lead Program Manager. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Currently, I serve as the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in the social justice space. Through these experiences, I have learned countless, invaluable skills that have shaped me as a person. These include leadership, empathy, organization, marketing, program management, and more. Outside the BSLCE, I was the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances for the fraternity and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, in honor of my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to raise over $1,000 for the foundation. Furthermore, I learned how to coordinate and mobilize others in working towards a common goal. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to schedule one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I have the wonderful privilege of learning more about my peers on a deeper level and mentoring them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate worship teams for the district, which covers 6 colleges and universities. Furthermore, I have applied my fundraising expertise and led the organization in raising over $550 to feed low-income families in Boston for Thanksgiving this past November. My ultimate dream is to start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know this firsthand. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change, while promoting understanding and empathy. It has been a value that has been instilled in me and bleeds through to all that I do and will do.

Did you know that drowning is one of the most peaceful ways to die? At least… that’s one of the ways. Seems pretty counterintuitive huh? When you think of drowning, you think of someone thrashing in the water, gasping for air, fighting and fighting until… it all stops. Ever since my freshman year, I’ve known that. I’ve known that drowning is one of the most peaceful ways to die. Many who were rescued from drowning actually said that once your body accepts your death, it’s peaceful. In fact, getting pulled out and coughing out the water then becomes even more painful than drowning. At least, according to the things I read. To be honest, I actually don’t even know if that’s true or not. But for years, that had been my thought. Every time I saw a body of water, I wanted to jump. I wanted to run as fast as I could and dive in. Just to see what would happen. Just to hope it would happen. For as long as I can remember which, honestly isn’t all that long, I’ve had depression. I always joke that it is my day one buddy, the only thing that has remained true to me in my 20 years of life. And in the midst of my struggles, one thing has rung true: I must be perfect. For anyone that knows me, they know my image is very important to me. I must dress nicely and my makeup always has to be done. I always have to be on time and say the right things at the right time. Whether or not that actually happens is up to interpretation. But there is that pressure to be perfect. To be the best. In my desire for the impossibility of perfection, I recognize that many others are just like me. However, the culture we have built up, that we must always be picture perfect on instagram, have the best internship, be the top of your class, this is a situation of injustice. Furthermore, holding it all in will undoubtedly cause the pressure to build and build and build… then… pop. I probably don’t have to tell you the dangers of popping. There is an unbelievable and imposible pressure to be perfect, to hide our true selves, to pretend it's alright. However, in pretending everything is okay, we deny ourselves the distinct human right to be imperfect... To be human. Personally, these struggles with my mental health have severely impacted my functioning. Despite my high achieving nature, in my 4 years of university, I have withdrawn from a couple of classes, taken 3 incomplete grades, struggled to maintain class attendance, struggled to maintain my social life, and more. Sometimes, I cannot help but feel embarrassed for my perceived failures. However, I refuse to take this as a negative. Although these experiences are undoubtedly difficult and impactful on my life, I choose to use this to make the world a better place. My method of doing so is by means of vulnerability. Why? Because the times I have been the most vulnerable have been the times I have grown and bonded the most, the times that have left an impact on me, and the times I will remember. Vulnerability is a catalyst for growth. Sometimes, I'm not even successful and people have laughed in my face. But what is it to be human if you do not try? Ultimately, I struggle with mental health but I refuse to let that shape my identity. I am someone who struggles, but I am also someone who fights.

I have always known I was born to be a leader. Not in the sense that I loved to boss people around or that I loved the power. Rather, my natural leadership skills came quietly, in a way you would not immediately expect. To me, leadership is more than being in charge. It is the innate ability to guide others to be their best selves, to thrive where they are, and to help others see in themselves what I see. In order to do that, I am not afraid to serve those “under” my leadership, to do the dirty work, to help, and to cheer my team on. I will do what it takes to help them succeed. This is no different in college. One of my biggest leadership opportunities comes through my work at the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I am able to guide fellow Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills, in order to match those students with summer internship opportunities and break the income barriers in the community. Also within the BSLCE, I am part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other amazing students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Through this experience, my horizons were broadened and I learned much from the incredible individuals around me. Similarly, through the BSLCE, I was able to spearhead a project to create a new service-learning program called SDGs for You and Me. SDGs for You and Me is a comprehensive, full-year program designed to inspire the next generation of changemakers. The program is aimed at upper-elementary aged students and walks through the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Units will cover a wide range of social justice topics and concepts to equip program participants to change the world from where they are. Although I led the project, I was also guided and mentored by so many others and learned much about how to change the world and equit others to do so. Outside the BSLCE, I hold a position as the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, to my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to lead my fraternity in raising over $1000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to have one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I get to learn more about my peers on a deeper level and mentor them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate the worship teams for the district, which includes 6 colleges and universities in the area. Leadership is a skill that I have worked to hone for my entire academic career. It is important because leadership ensures effiency and allows a team to be more than they ever could have been on their own. If it were not for my leadership experiences, I would have never been able to achieve the outcomes I have accomplished. Leadership makes it so that 2 + 2 can equal 5.

My motto is “Leave things better than you found them.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I found them. This goal guides my every action and decision, both academically and professionally. As a low-income, first-generation Vietnamese American, this led me to become an advocate for minorities and serve as a catalyst for change in order to shatter economic barriers and inequitable systems. Currently, I am a senior at Bentley University studying Finance. At Bentley, I am heavily involved across multiple organizations that all have a common denominator: positive impact beyond merely boosting my own resume. One of my biggest involvements is in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community while serving as the Lead Program Manager. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Currently, I serve as the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in the social justice space. Outside the BSLCE, I was the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances for the fraternity and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, in honor of my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to raise over $1,000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to schedule one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I have the wonderful privilege of learning more about my peers on a deeper level and mentoring them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate worship teams for the district, which covers 6 colleges and universities. Furthermore, I have applied my fundraising expertise and led the organization in raising over $550 to feed low-income families in Boston for Thanksgiving this past November. My ultimate dream is to start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know this firsthand. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change, while promoting understanding and empathy. It has been a value that has been instilled in me and bleeds through to all that I do and will do.

My motto is “Leave things better than you found them.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I found them. This goal guides my every action and decision, both academically and professionally. As a low-income, first-generation Vietnamese American, this led me to become an advocate for minorities and serve as a catalyst for change in order to shatter economic barriers and inequitable systems. Currently, I am a senior at Bentley University studying Finance. At Bentley, I am heavily involved across multiple organizations that all have a common denominator: positive impact beyond merely boosting my own resume. One of my biggest involvements is in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community while serving as the Lead Program Manager. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Currently, I serve as the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in the social justice space. Outside the BSLCE, I was the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances for the fraternity and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, in honor of my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to raise over $1,000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to schedule one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I have the wonderful privilege of learning more about my peers on a deeper level and mentoring them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate worship teams for the district, which covers 6 colleges and universities. Furthermore, I have applied my fundraising expertise and led the organization in raising over $550 to feed low-income families in Boston for Thanksgiving this past November. My ultimate dream is to start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know this firsthand. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change. I am truly passionate about serving my community and making an impact wherever I go. It has been a value that has been instilled in me and bleeds through to all that I do and will do.

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a business... something. Girlboss? To be fair, I was a little girl. I didn't really know how to name what I wanted. However, I've always known exactly what I loved and wanted for my career. Little Annabelle loved Webkinz like every other kid in the early 2000's, but not in the way you would expect. Yes, she loved and cared for her pets and played with them every day. But she also built a massive trading empire, conducting extensive market research to determine the value of each in-game item and then taking advantage of the supply and demand for those items. As I grew, this passion for the business world also grew and developed, leading me to a technical high school and studying in the school's Business and Applied Technologies technical program. Through this program, I learned all about the multi-faceted business world, from marketing, event planning and management, curriculum development, and more. I was also certified in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Customer Service, and Financial Literacy. Furthermore, I competed within my field, winning national awards such as Top 10 Fundamental Word Processing (Business Professionals of America,) Top 5 Basic Office Systems and Procedures (Business Professionals of America,) and Top 20 Customer Service (SkillsUSA.) However, most importantly, high school was when I realized that my dream was to change the world through education. Specifically, I want to start a non-profit. During this time, I noticed that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I was lucky enough to learn these topics through my technical program, but what about those who didn't? They were in the dark and this lack of knowledge perpetuates income barriers and inequitable systems. Therefore, I will start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change. Naturally, these passions led me to Bentley University, where I am currently a senior studying finance which was the perfect way for little Annabelle to scratch that business itch. As a senior in finance, I have developed my skills in market research, financial analysis, modeling, and management, and equity research. I also had the privilege of taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, which attests to my proficiency in my field. From an extra-curricular standpoint, I am heavily involved in multiple organizations, including Alpha Phi Omega (national community service fraternity) and Cru Bentley. However, I would like to highlight my most impactful, which is through the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) As the Lead Program Manager, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of coordinating the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two others, hosting several local vendors at Bentley. Currently, I am the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in advancing social justice initiatives. If I am granted this scholarship, it will reduce the burden of being a low-income, first-generation Vietnamese American. It would aid in my pursuit to make the world a better place. It would help Little Annabelle achieve her full potential as a "Business Girlboss."

My motto is “Leave things better than you found them.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I found them. This goal guides my every action and decision, both academically and professionally. Currently, one of my biggest involvements is in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community while serving as the Lead Program Manager. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Currently, I serve as the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in the social justice space. Outside the BSLCE, I was the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances for the fraternity and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, in honor of my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to raise over $1,000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to schedule one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I have the wonderful privilege of learning more about my peers on a deeper level and mentoring them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate worship teams for the district, which covers 6 colleges and universities. Furthermore, I have applied my fundraising expertise and led the organization in raising over $550 to feed low-income families in Boston for Thanksgiving this past November. My ultimate dream is to start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know this firsthand. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change. I am truly passionate about serving my community and making an impact wherever I go. It has been a value that has been instilled in me and bleeds through to all that I do and will do.

Throughout my life, my motto has always been “Leave it better than you found it.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I found them. For me, education is my bridge between wanting to change the world and actually changing the world. Currently, I am a senior studying Finance at Bentley University. Throughout my studies in business, I have gained skills that apply to nearly every aspect of the world. I have also become certified in multiple disciplines, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, W!SE Financial Literacy, Customer Service Specialist Concepts, and Bloomberg Concepts. As a finance major specifically, I have taken graduate-level courses as an undergraduate, teaching me invaluable skills in financial management, modeling, and analysis. From there, I have been able to channel my skills into my extra-curricular activities and make an impact within my organizations. Currently, one of my biggest involvements is in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I guide Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills to match those students with summer internship opportunities and shatter income barriers in the community. I was also part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley during the last school year. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first-ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Currently, I serve as the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, a prestigious role offered to one senior every year that excels in the social justice space. Outside the BSLCE, I was the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances for the fraternity and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, in honor of my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to raise over $1,000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to have one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I have the wonderful privilege of learning more about my peers on a deeper level and mentoring them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate worship teams for the district, which covers 6 colleges and universities. My ultimate dream is to start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know this firsthand. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change. I am truly passionate about service and making an impact wherever I go. It has been a value that has been instilled in me and bleeds through to all that I do and will do. Education allows me to unlock my potential and passions and put it forth into the world. Without education, I would be no more than a girl with unattainable dreams, trapped in my head.

Does a non-profit count? Because that is my passion! "This new generation, they really don't know anything about the real world..." Sound familiar? As a member of Gen Z, I certainly have. I have often heard adults complaining about how my generation doesn't know how to balance a checkbook or how to dress professionally or how to write a proper resume and on and on and on... I can certainly understand how this could be frustrating for an adult. After all, not knowing how to do these things is rather frustrating too! That is why my life's passion is to create a non-profit surrounding this all-too-common predicament. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. And if you are low-income or belong to a minority group, your chances of learning I know from firsthand experience. To combat this, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change. In order to achieve this goal, I have already worked for two different non-profits in their marketing fields to gain more knowledge about exposure and the consumer end of things. I am also enrolled at Bentley University, majoring in finance, to help hone my understanding of the financial aspect of the business world. I have also taken a prestigious and selective Non-Profit Internship class, which provided a comprehensive curriculum on how the non-profit world is run, as well as all the minutia that goes along with it. Some of my favorites from that class includes non-profit board training, DEI training, and how to convey your message and ignite people for your cause. Furthermore, at Bentley University, I am a proud member of the Bentley University Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center. As of last year, I served as a Career Success Institute Program Manager, New Program Manager Mentor, member of the newly initiated Sustainability Committee, and Millennium Fellow. As a Program Manager, I mentored 10+ high school students a semester to supplement educational gap in public-school system and foster the next generational workforce, while managing the attendance and performance of 5 Bentley students. As a New Program Manager Mentor, I ensured my mentee is comfortable and adjusting to her role as a community leader and changemaker. Continuing into my involvement as a member of the newly initiated Sustainability Committee, I collaborated with a team of two other wonderful students in order to promote sustainability on campus and within the BSLCE. Although the committee is new, our team coordinated the first annual Friendsgiving Farmer’s Market to promote more local businesses and locally sourced goods on our campus. Then, as a Millennium Fellow, I worked with a cohort of 10 or so other students to coordinate the annual Bentley Nonprofit Business Bowl. Furthermore, I consistently volunteered for other opportunities through the BSLCE, such as teaching Excel at the Waltham Assessor’s Office and tabling for the Fair Trade Fair. Overall, I am exceptionally passionate about impact-driven work and that has bled through into all I have done and will do. My non-profit has always been my dream and would be the culmination of all I am currently working towards!

Throughout my life, my motto has always been “Leave it better than you found it.” Whether that is a physical place, my workplace, or my community, it has always been my passion to leave things better than I have found them. Personally, I prefer to achieve this goal through involvement with non-profits and student organizations at Bentley University, where I am a rising senior. As a business student, specifically majoring in finance, I have been able to gain an immense network and valuable financial management skills. During Summer ’21, I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (similar to PeaceCorps, but within the U.S.) Through that program, I was able to serve directly under the president of the William Trippley Youth Development Foundation. I evaluated competitors and compiled detailed marketing research in order to expand reach within the community. I also designed and managed marketing initiatives, which included interviewing families to gauge impact of the programs on participants. Working with the president, I had the tremendous opportunity to shadow him and sit in on staff meetings. Through that experience, I was able to learn a substantial amount about what goes into a nonprofit and how to effectively go about impact-driven work. As a Bentley student, I am heavily involved in many organizations around campus. I am the VP of Finance for Alpha Phi Omega (nationally recognized community service fraternity,) Treasurer and Worship Coordinator for Cru Bentley, and member of the Society of Academic Integrity. Through those experiences, I have been able to hone my leadership and communication skills. One specific example of this is within Alpha Phi Omega, where I am able to work on the chapter’s executive board to manage the budget, coordinate fundraisers, raise over $400 per semester, and mentor an underclassman as a big. Another example would be through Cru Bentley, where I lead group Bible studies and co-lead a freshman small group. Despite my major in finance, I have never let the stigma of being a "money-hungry business student" stop me from making the world a better place. Rather, I have been able to use those skills to give me a competitive advantage. Ultimately, my dream would be to one day start a nonprofit in the educational sector. I strongly believe that the American education system is not doing enough for its students right now by not teaching them important life skills, such as employability (resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation), Microsoft Office, and financial literacy. I know from firsthand experience. Therefore, I would like to start a nonprofit to mentor low-income students like me, supplementing the education gap that exists in America and advocating for change, which would be my one thing to change about the world. Throughout my academic career, I have made a conscious effort to give back and make my community a better place. Though it may seem that my finance degree has nothing to do with my passions, it has everything to do with my chosen career path, which is truly just to help others. I could not name an individual in specific that would be my hero. Rather, my hero is anyone who leverages their skills and acumen to make the world a better place. I know many personally who are working to mitigate climate change, advocate for educational reform, or fight for gender equality. I admire those who are not afraid to stand up for what the believe in. I look up to those who simply want the world to be a better place, not just for them, but everyone else in it.

I have always known I was born to be a leader. Not in the sense that I loved to boss people around or that I loved the power. Rather, my natural leadership skills came quietly, in a way you would not immediately expect. To me, leadership is more than being in charge. It is the innate ability to guide others to be their best selves, to thrive where they are, and to help others see in themselves what I see. In order to do that, I am not afraid to serve those “under” my leadership, to do the dirty work, to help, and to cheer my team on. I will do what it takes to help them succeed. This is no different in college. One of my biggest leadership opportunities comes through my work at the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE.) Through the service-learning programs, I am able to guide fellow Bentley students in mentoring local high school students in employability skills, in order to match those students with summer internship opportunities and break the income barriers in the community. Also within the BSLCE, I am part of the Sustainability Committee to advance sustainable initiatives at Bentley. Through that committee, I had the pleasure of being able to coordinate the first ever campus Friendsgiving Farmers Market with two other amazing students, hosting several local vendors at our school. Outside the BSLCE, I hold a position as the VP of Finance of Alpha Phi Omega, national co-ed community service fraternity. I not only manage the finances and run fundraisers, but I lead the finance committee and run fellowship and service events. My proudest accomplishment was through an extensive fundraising campaign for the Trisomy 18 Foundation, to my dear sister who only lived 80 days in her battle against Trisomy 18. Through that fundraiser, I was able to lead my fraternity in raising over $1000 for the foundation. Another position I hold is within Cru, a national religious organization focused on supporting other Christians at my campus. Through Cru, I have the pleasure of being able to have one-on-ones with fellow students to learn and grow together. I get to learn more about my peers on a deeper level and mentor them in a personal, more intimate way. I also coordinate the worship teams for the district, which includes 6 colleges and universities in the area. As you can see, time management can be particularly difficult when it comes to maintaining my positions and the academic caliber I expect of myself. Classes are hard and sometimes, life really loves to get under your skin. However, my involvements are worth it because they all work to enhance those around me, as well as my community as a whole. Personally, I like to stay organized by having a completely accurate and color coded outlook calendar. Every night, I also plan out my next day and set realistic goals. But I would say the two most important things in time management is to give myself grace and delegate. As much as I love doing it all myself, as I’m sure many do, it’s not realistic… nor is it fair, to myself or others. It’s alright to delegate and ask for help. It’s alright if things aren’t perfect. Though I am leading others, I also must remember: I am leading myself. Life is hard; c’est la vie. In the end, it matters that I led well and I was able to make an impact, no matter how small. After all, if I change the life of only one person, that is one life changed.

When I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to was to be Wonder Woman... Cliche, I know. I adored watching Justice League and pretending to be Lynda Carter's version of Wonder Woman. (I'm told I'm an old soul for even knowing who Lynda Carter is?) To me, she was an incredible, strong lady, showing me that I could be an incredible, strong lady too. She was beautiful and smart and caring... everything little Annabelle wanted to be... and still wants to be! Superheroes certainly played an integral part in my developing years, to say the least. And to me, superfoods are like real life superheroes that enable you to be your best self, which is why I love superfoods too! Some of my favorites include green tea, eggs, nuts, yogurt, berries, and avocados. Coincidentally, they also happen to be quintessential breakfast foods! Every morning, I like to have yogurt with some fresh berries on top. Or, if I have some extra time, I like to soft boil an egg and eat it with avocado toast. In lieu of coffee, I like to have some green tea with milk and sugar. Nuts are a great snack throughout the day and make me feel more energized than some of the other, more unhealthy snacks I also enjoy. Beyond breakfast, poaching an egg in a simple chicken or bone broth with leafy greens is also a super easy meal to make, especially on a college budget and schedule. As someone who grew up surrounded by Asian culture and food, I also very much appreciate seaweed and mushrooms. Those work well in soups, along with rice. That combination with a little bit of salmon and soy sauce brings me right back to my childhood. Overall, as a college student, I admit, I am hardly what you could consider a pinnacle of health. Classes are hard and work is never ending. I know I can easily fall into the vicious cycle of "treating myself" one too many times as a form of self-medication to cope with the stress. But in the end, it matters that I tried and put in my best effort to be my best self. Superfoods are a great guideline and also happen to be easy to incorporate into your life! After all, as they say, you are what you eat... and I would certainly rather be a lovely cup of green tea than a greasy piece of bacon!