Mohamed Magdi Taha was someone who understood that standing up for what is right is not a singular moment but a daily choice, one rooted in compassion, courage, and community. His belief that both small and large acts of kindness hold transformative power resonates deeply with me. As I reflect on what it means to be an “up-stander,” I see it as the practice of using your voice, presence, and actions to create positive change, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Throughout my journey, first as a high school student and now as a freshman at UCLA, I have learned to embrace this responsibility in ways that continue to shape the person I’m becoming. I consider myself an up-stander because I strive to advocate for others, especially in moments where silence might be easier. My foundation began with service. Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, participating in MS Walks, and organizing a blanket drive for trauma patients taught me that small acts of compassion can ripple outward in powerful ways. During my time with the Palmdale Health Careers Academy, I gained hands-on experience in healthcare settings where I learned the importance of treating people not just as patients, but as human beings with fears, families, and stories. I watched how the smallest gestures—listening, comforting, or simply showing up could ease someone’s burden. This taught me that advocacy doesn’t always look bold or loud; sometimes it looks like quiet care. Advocacy also means speaking up in spaces where people often feel unheard. As a young woman of color pursuing a career in medicine, I understand how representation and support can open doors. Throughout high school, I made it a priority to encourage friends and classmates who doubted their abilities, reminding them that their voices and dreams mattered. Now at UCLA, I continue that work by engaging with communities and peers who may feel overshadowed in competitive academic environments. I know what it feels like to question whether you belong, so I use my voice to reassure others that they do. Beyond individual interactions, being an up-stander means envisioning and working toward a more just and equitable community. I plan to use my voice to advocate for more inclusive spaces within STEM and healthcare, where diversity is celebrated and barriers are actively dismantled. I want to uplift underrepresented students by becoming a mentor and participating in programs that increase access to scientific and medical pathways. My goal is to help foster a community where empowerment is shared, not gatekept. As a future anesthesiologist, I hope to continue being an up-stander within the medical field by advocating for patient dignity, equitable treatment, and compassionate care. Healthcare is not only science, it is humanity. I want to be a physician who listens deeply, who advocates boldly for vulnerable populations, and who ensures that every patient feels seen and valued. Being an up-stander, to me, is a lifelong commitment. It means using my voice to protect, uplift, and empower others, just as Mohamed Magdi Taha did. And every day, in both small and significant ways, I plan to carry that legacy forward.

My name is Ava, and I am a high school senior from Palmdale, California. Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by how the human body works and how science can be used to improve health and well-being. Whether it was experimenting in the kitchen, reading biology textbooks, or asking questions during doctor’s visits, I was always drawn to understanding life on a deeper level. As I’ve grown, my curiosity has evolved into a passion for medicine and psychology, fields where scientific knowledge and human empathy intersect. My journey toward a career in medicine became more defined through my involvement in the Palmdale Health Careers Academy. Through this program, I’ve had the chance to shadow medical professionals, volunteer in hospitals, and interact with patients. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the healthcare system and how it requires not only technical knowledge but also genuine care for others. I saw how doctors, nurses, and medical staff work together to support patients and help them recover, which solidified my desire to become a part of this process. I plan to major in pre-med with a focus on psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. This field fascinates me because it combines precision with human compassion. Anesthesiologists play a critical role in ensuring patients are safe and comfortable during surgeries, often when they are unable to communicate. I am drawn to the technical challenges of the job and the responsibility it carries, but also to the deeper human aspect of providing comfort and reassurance during stressful and vulnerable times. In addition to anesthesiology, I am deeply interested in the psychology of pain and recovery. I believe that mental health plays a vital role in physical recovery, and understanding how psychological factors affect healing is crucial in providing comprehensive care. I hope to contribute to research that bridges the gap between medicine and psychology, helping to improve how we treat patients holistically. STEM has always been a field that excites me because of its ability to constantly push boundaries and find new solutions. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. For me, STEM isn’t just about finding answers—it’s about asking the right questions and constantly challenging our understanding of the world. This mindset motivates me to continue learning and to seek innovative solutions in healthcare, particularly when it comes to making it more equitable and accessible. Through my experiences in healthcare and my studies in STEM, I’ve developed a passion not only for medicine but for advocating for underserved communities. I have seen how socioeconomic factors can impact healthcare access, and I am determined to be part of the solution. As a future physician, I want to ensure that quality healthcare is available to everyone, regardless of their background. I also hope to inspire other students, particularly girls and those from underrepresented groups, to pursue STEM careers. Representation matters, and I want to contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive future in the medical field. In the end, my goal is to use my skills and knowledge in STEM to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Medicine is not just a career choice for me; it’s a calling. I look forward to the opportunity to continue learning and to make an impact in healthcare, ensuring that patients receive not only the best medical care but also the compassion and understanding they deserve.

Growing up with an alcoholic father was one of the most difficult challenges I have faced. His addiction created an unpredictable environment where moments of stability were often overshadowed by disappointment, broken promises, and emotional distance. There were nights when he would come home intoxicated, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere—tension replacing what should have been warmth and security. I often found myself walking on eggshells, unsure of what version of him I would encounter. As a child, I didn’t fully understand his addiction. I only knew that he wasn’t always present in the way I needed him to be. There were missed events, forgotten commitments, and moments when I wondered if I was enough to make him change. I struggled with the conflicting emotions of love, frustration, and sadness, constantly hoping for a day when things would be different. As I got older, I realized that his battle was not mine to fight. I couldn’t control his choices, but I could control how I responded to them. Instead of allowing his struggles to define me, I focused on what I could build for myself. School became my refuge—a place where I had structure, goals, and the ability to prove to myself that I was more than my circumstances. I poured myself into academics, leadership, and service, determined to create a future that wasn’t dictated by the instability of my home life. At the same time, I learned how to set boundaries. I had to accept that I couldn’t fix my father, no matter how much I wanted to. This realization was painful, but it allowed me to shift my focus toward my own well-being. I found strength in my mother and other family members who provided support and encouragement. I surrounded myself with mentors and friends who reminded me that I was not alone. Through these relationships, I learned the value of choosing my own path and seeking out people who uplifted me rather than weighed me down. This experience shaped me into the person I am today: independent, driven, and deeply compassionate. It instilled in me a determination to succeed, not just for myself but to break the cycle of hardship. I refused to let my father’s struggles dictate my future. Instead, I used them as motivation to create a life of stability and purpose. Beyond resilience, this journey taught me empathy. I learned to see people beyond their flaws, to recognize that addiction is a disease rather than a reflection of love, and to support others who carry invisible burdens. This understanding has influenced my desire to pursue medicine. I know what it feels like to be powerless in the face of a loved one’s suffering, and I want to be a source of guidance and support for future patients and their families. My father’s addiction did not define me, but overcoming its challenges has given me a strength that I carry into every aspect of my life. It has shaped my ambition, my compassion, and my unwavering belief that I have the power to build the future I want—no matter where I come from.