Are all acts of kindness for selfish reasons? An understanding begins with a curiosity; a desire to learn about a concept foreign to oneself. Regardless of the circumstances, individuals do not understand if they are not willing to understand. The media portrays countries as action figures, fighting with one another through the camera lens of falsities and bias. I have a desire to learn more about the world through my own lenses. My community begins with my family. I am born to Persian immigrants; my childhood consisted of reading over my parents’ emails and trips to the grocery store with my pedar-bozorg, plagued with poor English. Some days I would cry over how they could never string a coherent sentence in English to communicate with the parents of my friends for play-dates. I would cry that they never felt included or taken seriously under any context. I remember being approached in the store by a lady, telling the eight-year-old girl that her grandpa deserves nothing since he’s an immigrant, in a passive tone. I didn’t have the heart to tell my confused pedar-bozorg how cruel the lady’s words were. This gave me the first exposure to the importance of language. Through this began my philanthropic work, which has been prevalent in visits to Iran. My efforts have been alongside a community of volunteers that deliver basic healthcare, donation drives, and endless emotional support. I have witnessed firsthand the power of a coalition that is dedicated and insightful. Though few, the times I traveled to Iran were filled with tears of gratitude and smiles of joy, a sight I wouldn’t trade for the world. Through the different communities I interacted with, I have not only been able to deepen my understanding of the qualities of life of societies in developing countries, but appreciate cultural diversity and local perspective. These experiences have underscored the importance of communal support, a societal desire that can be implemented globally. Being raised in a community that highlights academic excellence has helped me identify what makes a “successful” student at an early age. My family has instilled in me the notion that a good education will get me anywhere in life, and I do not plan to have constraints on my growth. With this belief, I have achieved great feats such as traveling to overnight conferences for Model UN and attending a summer camp hosted by the American Red Cross. My goals are my muse to continue operating. My exposure to leadership and philanthropy around the world have taken a part in creating my insight of the world. Combining these with the raw desire to gain more understanding by the day, I offer a nuanced perspective on societal progress and community engagement to shape a world that is more connected than in war. I enjoy giving back. Being authentic. Yet, I never told my grandpa what the cruel lady said at the grocery store nine years ago. I am selfish.

Are all acts of pursuit for selfish reasons? An understanding begins with a curiosity; a desire to learn about a concept foreign to oneself. Regardless of the circumstances, individuals do not understand if they are not willing to understand. I have a desire to learn more about the world through my own lenses. As a high schooler whose values are deeply rooted in passion and knowledge, being the recipient of this scholarship will significantly mold how I approach my career goals in both science and entrepreneurship. Not only will the endowment alleviate financial burdens that are associated with pursuing a higher education in either field, but also provide a haven in which I can freely express my ideas to external audiences. With a deep passion for genetics and public health, I want to help people. I seek groundbreaking discoveries that have the ability to transform the field of biotechnology as we know it today. My efforts to become more well-versed in the field can be seen through the beginning of my research paper whose aim is to discuss the ethics behind synthetic biology and its implications on the future of biotechnology in our society. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) softwares become more integrated into human society, it will become difficult to discern whether or not our place in the world will be taken over by technology. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to place more focus towards my academic endeavors and research paper in place of my current job. I envision using the funds for my undergraduate studies in this field, ideally at a university with a notorious public health and biotechnology program. I will help people. Moreover, the scholarship will allow me to pursue potential business objectives that I have not yet been able to reach. As my father works in entrepreneurship, I have learned to advocate for myself and the ideas I think are best both for myself and in a team setting. This has resulted in my ability to easily adapt to situations and provide insight to all situations. My father tells me to think outside of the box, and I know this opportunity will enable me to take action on many of my constructive business endeavors. As a member of many health and business related activities, this accolade will further provide me the opportunity to network with professionals both in science and business, a luxury that can only be built by the self. Networking is an invaluable experience that has the ability to help in shaping my understanding of both fields and how concepts taught in academic settings can be applied to real-world scenarios. My goal is to find the intersection between health and entrepreneurship. The North Star Dreamers Memorial Scholarship will not only alleviate financial barriers to a higher education, but also help me take a stride in the positive direction towards my career goals of integrating business and health. My exposure to leadership and philanthropy based in public health and entrepreneurship have taken a part in creating my insight of the world. Combining these with the raw desire to gain more understanding by the day, I offer a nuanced perspective on societal progress and community engagement to shape a world that is more connected than in war. I am knowledgeable; curious. Selfish.