I have studied the piano since I was 11, and it remains one of my favorite things to do. I remember instantly loving the instrument and craving to learn more. When I began playing piano, I especially enjoyed ragtime and jazz, and about two years ago, I started studying classical music. Classical music has really developed me as a player. Piano is one of my happy places where I can unwind and allow myself to feel beautiful emotions. It is an outlet for my stress and a safe space for me to express joy and sadness through music. It is so satisfying to turn notes on a page into music. Music can replace what words fail to convey. I love being able to share music with others and see its effect on them. It brings joy to people and lights up their faces. Music is something my friends and I share in common because all of them play instruments as well. It is beautiful to make music with them and share our passions together. Piano is a hobby that I will continue to cultivate for the rest of my life.

With the busyness of school, work, and everyday duties, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be very challenging. I believe the best way to live healthfully is by having a healthy mindset. With so much emphasis on diet culture and weight loss habits in an effort to achieve a desired image, people often lose sight of the real purpose of nutrition and exercise- creating a healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious foods and incorporating regular exercise with the intent of longevity is so much more joyful and peaceful as opposed to habits driven by vanity. It is important to establish a lifestyle composed of healthy habits without allowing body image, numbers, and calorie-counting to consume you. Some examples include taking a few minutes in the morning to stretch and go outside, meal prepping, finding healthy recipes that are enjoyable to make, and getting enough rest. The stress of everyday life often inhibits our ability to take time to ourselves, so we elect to go with the more convenient options that are more time efficient. However, this is why it is vital to always seek improvement and to incorporate more elements of health in our lives. The most important motivation for nutrition and fitness should be health rather than image.

As someone who has grown up in a household that lacks patience, I understand the chaos that arises in its absence. Communication and patience are two virtues that I strive to implement in my personal interactions and that I hope to embody as I continue to grow. Patience is important because it prevents one from jumping to conclusions and allows one to listen to other perspectives. I have found that people often tend to presume someone's thoughts or motives without having the patience to hear their full side of the story. It is important to allow one to finish explaining oneself before letting frustration to spark. Additionally, some people may not have the confidence to assert their ideas in an efficient manner, and therefore, patience is required. Extending kindness and patience to someone by providing a place for them to articulate their thoughts is what helps people develop social skills and relationships. Listening to others generates open-minded thinking and creates a collaborative environment. Patience is vital in personal relationships as well as in the workforce and in regard to oneself. Patience is important to me because I want the people around me to feel like I value their input, and I want to maintain peaceful, mature communication.

My favorite act of service to perform is quite literally performing. I am the violist of a string quartet, and every year during the holidays we play for retirement homes. This is one of the things I enjoy the most about Christmas time because I love to see how impactful our music is on those who listen. We use these performances to raise awareness about the therapeutic effects of music, especially on the elderly. My quartet friends and I always talk to the senior citizens when we are finished playing, and it gives us so much happiness to see how elated they are. Hearing familiar Christmas songs puts smiles on their faces and brings back memories that they share with us. The excitement and joy that music gives people are immeasurable and not quite explainable through words. Being able to share music with others is a privilege that I am happy to have.

It is important to use the advantages we are so fortunate to have to uplift others, especially those who experience hardship. There is much tribulation in the world, so it is upsetting to feel like I cannot do anything to alleviate others' struggles. That is why giving is important to me- the hope that the small things I do will create a ripple effect and impact at least one person. One thing I do to give back is volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. I am currently applying for NHS, so this will be one of my regular acts of service. I like giving time to the food bank because as someone who lives near a major city, I see a lot of people who experience homelessness and poverty. Many people experience food insecurity and go unnoticed. Organizations such as the food bank exist to help provide for those communities, so I enjoy being able to support the food bank. There are infinite ways to help other people, and I believe that every individual should find a way to give back.

This past summer, I tutored viola students at the middle school I attended. I realized that many students perhaps do not have the time, financial ability, or desire to take lessons with private teachers, so my goal was to mentor their practice and encourage them to explore new techniques. I really enjoyed being able to help these younger students with their musical development, so this is something that I intend to do again this summer in greater quantity. It was challenging to teach certain concepts, but I tried to present myself as a relatable peer. I hope that I helped motivate the violists to continue working diligently. Another example of mentorship that comes to mind is the younger members of my family. I love spending time with my second cousins and niece. It's wonderful to be around the curious and creative minds of younger kids, and I take my example to them very seriously. I try to find ways to connect with them and leave meaningful impacts through my words. Specifically, I encourage them to think and act independently, reward them for acting kindly, and remind them to remain humble. I know that I am simultaneously a peer relatively close to their age as well as the 'big kid,' so I hope that I serve a good example to them. One does not necessarily have to be older or more skilled than another to act as a mentor. There are abundant opportunities to encourage and motivate those around us.

My aunt is someone I admire because of her strong work ethic. We both enjoy reading, and a few years ago, she gave me a very small book called 'Make Your Bed.' I thought this was some jokingly sardonic way to tell me to clean my room cleaner, but she implored that I read it. Because she seemed like she really thought I would benefit from this book, I decided to read it. It taught me much about the very work ethic of hers that I admire. The author is a retired Navy Seal, and the book shares ten lessons he learned in his training that are equally practical for life success. The most impactful lesson that I took away was the importance in taking small steps to excellence. The book explained how one completed task leads to another and eventually develops into a series of success that takes one to their desired destination. It also explains the vitality of discipline in starting one small task, such as making one's bed, which begins an entire day of fruition. Hence, the title 'Make Your Bed' denotes beginning one's day with a small act of consistent discipline. This message of taking one thing at a time and breaking apart my day into practical steps has helped me be more mindfully productive. Productivity and work ethic is still something upon which I am striving to improve, but I am grateful to have learned this approach from 'Make Your Bed.'

I have written numerous essays about music, so I thought I'd write about another passion of mine- taekwondo. I began taekwondo at the age of 6, and my training has been a very significant part of my life. I remember feeling so foreign to the sport when I went to my first class, but I loved being challenged and wanted to learn more. I progressed fairly quickly and was even able to skip a belt rank. I really enjoyed training because there was always more to learn and more upon which to improve. The friends and memories I have made at taekwondo are some that I know will last a lifetime, and they helped me on my journey to achieving my black belt. One of my milestones in taekwondo was the switch from point sparring to Olympic sparring. I was nervous at first because Olympic sparring involves heavy contact, but it was such a rewarding decision because it really improved my training and gave me more confidence. Another milestone was this past summer at our national tournament. I had been working really hard to recover my strength following a serious vehicular accident, so this tournament was very important to me. I ended up earning various medals including a gold medal in the gold division for sparring, and I was honored to achieve my fourth degree black belt. I had the most fun at the tournament when I competed in open sparring. Open sparring matches are 90 second rounds with no breaks to score points, but rather a continuous fight with judges keeping score along the way. These are so exciting and adrenaline-filled, and I made many friends in my division. In addition to serving as a fun sport, taekwondo is also very morally-oriented. I have immense respect for the values it instills such as discipline, courtesy, perseverance, and humility. The core principles are as much a part of the sport as the physical aspects, so taekwondo creates well-rounded individuals who understand how to work hard and regard others with respect. I am grateful to have grown up in an environment that instills the values that I seek to embody. Taekwondo is an incredibly exciting hobby for which I am thankful. It has served as one of my sources of confidence, has made me feel strong, and has provided applicable life tenets.

My name is Avery, and I am a high school sophomore. I enjoy spending time with family such as cooking with my aunt, playing music with my brothers, and going to the park with my cousin. I also love spending time outside, particularly hiking. My passions are dance, taekwondo, and music. I play the piano and viola and have made so many close friends and fun memories through orchestra. My career dream is hematology because I enjoy studying medicine and want to impact others' lives through my work. This year, I am working on improving my discipline and becoming more involved in resume-building activities.

I have been training in taekwondo since I was very young, and the tenets it instills have applied both to the sport itself and everyday life. The vital principles of discipline, hard work, perseverance, and courtesy are highly emphasized in taekwondo. The principle that has been most beneficial to me and that I have applied most in my life is perseverance. Lots of failures present themselves in taekwondo- whether it's losing a match at a tournament, struggling with doubt and fear, or finding difficulty board-breaking with a certain technique. I have learned throughout the years to accept the fact that I can never be perfect, but I can always work to better myself. The intense physical aspects of taekwondo as well as the mental stamina that is required to master nerves and doubt have taught me to never stop trying to accomplish what I want. The devotion required in martial arts has taught me how to fully commit to something and work diligently in the pursuit of excellence. I believe that my perseverance in the face of life difficulties is largely credited to taekwondo. I have immense respect for martial arts, the lessons it teaches, and those who train in it, and I am grateful for all that I have learned thus far from my training.

I do not believe that people are only either one or the other- logical or creative. While there are those who are incredibly creative, all people are capable of being imaginative and benefitting from the restorative effects of creating. When I was little, I used to sit outside and write stories and poems, usually inspired by nature. This was how I would unwind and enjoy time to myself. Now, I practice creativity through music. I sing and play the piano and viola. I enjoy writing songs on piano and creating new melodies. It is exciting to develop melodies and see where one small idea can take me. I have made a couple of songs for voice and viola as well, but usually I write for piano. I also apply creativity when I play already established pieces on piano and in orchestra because the application of musicality requires creativity. It is the playfulness of growing louder and softer, playing with different styles, and using various techniques that creates expression. Learning how to make a piece of paper with notes blossom into music is so rewarding. Creativity is beautiful because it is the work of the individual. No two people are the same, so there can never be identical works or interpretations of art. The use of creativity to bring joy to others brings beauty to the world and peace to the individual.

A notable example of a time in which I had to be persistent was after my accident. Three years ago, I was hit by a truck on my bike and sustained many injuries, some of which were life-threatening. I had to work extremely hard to be able to stand, let alone return to my sports. I was told that I would most likely not compete in sports again, at least not for many years. Rather than give up, I used this doubt as fuel for my fire because I wanted to prove others wrong. Before my doctors had even mentioned PT, I would spend large amounts of time stretching and strengthening my body. Once out of my wheelchair, I would spend hours per day doing extremely painful therapy. I had my eyes set on what I wanted to overcome, and I worked hard to get there. The adversities I faced made my progress difficult. I would become stronger, but then I would need another surgery which would regress my work. By the time I was out of my wheelchair, I had lost 15 pounds of muscle and could not stand for more than thirty seconds without feeling pain and intense fatigue. However, with vigorous work, I was able to overcome my physical setbacks and am now able to participate in sports. Another aspect of my accident that required persistence was the academic challenges it presented. I was out of school for 2 months and had to try to catch up very quickly through self-teaching. This proved immensely difficult as I was experiencing intense pain and under strong narcotics, but I spent hours per day trying to learn. By the end of the semester, I was able to return to school. Without persistence, I would not be where I am today.

I have written numerous essays about music, so I thought I'd write about another passion of mine- taekwondo. I began taekwondo at the age of 6, and my training has been a very significant part of my life. I remember feeling so foreign to the sport when I went to my first class, but I loved the challenge and wanted to learn more. I progressed fairly quickly and was even able to skip a belt rank. I really enjoyed training because there was always more to learn and more ways to improve. The friends and memories I have made at taekwondo are some that I know will last a lifetime, and they helped me on my journey to achieving my black belt. One of my milestones in taekwondo was the switch from point sparring to Olympic sparring. I was nervous at first because Olympic sparring involves heavy contact, but it was such a rewarding decision because it really improved my training and instilled more confidence in me. Another milestone was this past summer at our national tournament. I had been working really hard to recover my strength following a very serious vehicular accident, so this tournament was very important to me. I ended up earning various medals including a gold medal in the gold division for sparring, and I was honored to achieve my fourth degree black belt. Taekwondo, in addition to being a fun sport for me to participate in, has served as one of the sources from which I derive my confidence. I love to be challenged, and feeling strong makes me feel confident. Taekwondo is one of my favorite hobbies, and it has helped instill the values that shape who I am today.

The image of the person I want to be is what inspires me to work hard. I want to be someone who mentors those around them and makes others feel understood and valuable. I want to be someone that my future children can look up to. I want to attain enough financial stability to be able to give back to others and donate my time and money for causes about which I am passionate. I know I must work hard now so that I can create a life that honors God and all of the work my family put in to raising me. I have been blessed with the resources to receive an education, so I must follow my path to success and create a life of which I can be proud. Whenever I feel like quitting and not putting in the necessary work to be successful, I motivate myself by envisioning who I want to be as an adult.

There are many academic, career, personal, and spiritual goals that I aim to cross off of my bucket list, and many of those are goals that I am still working toward. As far as academic goals, I will be preparing for my SAT this summer and participating in medical programs to progress my knowledge in my desired field. I plan on going to college and medical school, which brings me to my career goal-hematology. Medicine is my dream, and hematology is currently the path that I hope to take. My personal goals include health and productivity, which I try to improve constantly. This past summer, I met a lot of my physical goals and was honored to achieve my fourth degree black belt and be a gold medal titlist at the national tournament. I am still working on productivity because this is an aspect in my life where I tend to fall short. Finally, my spiritual goals include going to church and, someday, Jerusalem. When I get my driver's license, I plan on attending church and bible study every week so that I may become involved in a community of individuals who love God. I recently had the idea to go to Jerusalem, and it is now the top travel spot on my bucket list. I am so excited to embark on all the journeys in which I will cross off items from my bucket list and perhaps add more.

I have wanted to pursue medicine since I was a young child because medicine is the only subject that I truly enjoy studying. A few of the medical books that I have studied took a systemic approach, meaning the chapters were organized by body system. Hematology is the body system that I find the most interesting, so I am currently planning on pursuing hematology, though I know that I will keep the doors to other possibilities open. I am currently working toward my goals by participating in HOSA. Recently, I qualified for state in pathophysiology, so I will be preparing to hopefully qualify for nationals. Pathophysiology has been fascinating to study, and I plan on majoring in patho in college. Additionally, I applied for a summer internship at Houston Methodist. If I get accepted, this will be an incredibly rewarding opportunity to learn more about my desired field in the clinical and research setting. Prior to the application, I observed doctors in the clinical and surgical settings. These experiences were absolutely wonderful, but this internship would allow me to engage in the work. One of the reasons I want to be successful is so that that I can have the means to give back as much as I want. There are so many causes I want to be able to support with my money and time, so I will work hard to be able to attain the means to give to others. I am grateful for all of the resources I have to study and prepare for my goals, and I am excited to see where my future takes me as I aim to pursue medicine.

There are so many things in my life that bring me joy, but the thing that first comes to mind is nature. Some of my happiest memories have been spent hiking. I have only hiked twice, once in New Mexico and once in Colorado, but those memories bring me so much happiness. It was so exciting to see all of the beautiful things nature had to offer and to admire the magnificent work of God. I have always remembered feeling the most grounded and connected when spending quality time outside. Growing up, I would bike all the time, and now, when I am feeling overwhelmed or need to get away, I go for a walk or run. Outside the door lies an endless escape of beautiful sights, smells, and discoveries at our leisure. I find nature both calming and exciting, and there is always something new to observe. Time flies by so fast with school, work, and all of the things that cloud up the mind, so I enjoy having nature as an outlet to reconnect my thoughts and let my brain relax.

I have several key milestones I aspire to reach such as going to college, becoming a hematologist, and doing missionary work. I am currently working toward those goals with small steps that I hope will someday add up to complete the entire scope of my dream. I am preparing for my state competition in my HOSA event, pathophysiology, and it would be an honor to qualify for nationals. In February, I will take my driver's license test which excites me because that is one step closer to gaining independence. I have an abundance of goals for the summer, my main focus being SAT prep. With my SAT taking place next fall, I will dedicate time this summer to preparing for a high score. Regarding medical goals, I will have the honor of attending the Congress of Future Medical Leaders zoom this summer in which I will learn more about my desired field and have the opportunity to earn college credit. Also, I applied for a summer internship position at Houston Methodist, and if accepted, this will be a wonderful opportunity to gain more experience in my field of interest. Additional goals for this summer include personal development goals such as reading more books and preparing for the taekwondo tournament in which I will test for my fourth degree level 2 black belt, as well as work goals such as teaching viola lessons to middle school students again and perhaps babysitting. I hope that these goals will all serve as small steps into paving my future, and I am so excited to see where my future takes me.

I have wanted to pursue medicine since I was a young child because medicine is the only subject that I truly enjoy studying. A few of the medical books that I have studied took a systemic approach, meaning the chapters were organized by body system. Hematology is the body system that I find the most interesting, so I am currently planning on pursuing hematology, though I know that I will keep the doors to other possibilities open. I am currently working toward my goals by participating in HOSA. Recently, I qualified for state in pathophysiology, so I will be preparing to hopefully qualify for nationals. Pathophysiology has been fascinating to study, and I plan on majoring in patho in college. Additionally, I recently applied for a summer internship at Houston Methodist. If I get accepted, this will be an incredibly rewarding opportunity to learn more about my desired field in the clinical and research setting. Prior to the application, I observed doctors in the clinical and surgical settings. These experiences were absolutely wonderful, but this internship would allow me to engage in the work. I am grateful for all of the resources I have to study and prepare for my goals, and I am excited to see where my future takes me as I aim to pursue medicine.

Planning our future goals and aspirations is something my friends and I enjoy doing. It is so exciting to know what you want to do and take the steps to get there. My goals for this summer involve getting my driver's license and attending various medical events. With my driver's license, I intend to become more involved in church since I will be able to drive myself. Regarding medicine, I was recently blessed to receive an invitation to attend the Congress of Future Medical Professionals in which I will participate in an interactive Zoom call and learn more about medicine. Additionally, I plan to apply soon to NHS, Science NHS, and a summer internship opportunity at Methodist Hospital. If accepted into these programs, my summer will be filled with exciting volunteer and learning opportunities. My plans for the distant future involve becoming a hematologist as that is my dream career. One of the things that scare me about the future is not maintaining a balanced life. By this, I mean not being a successful physician as well as a successful parent who has abundant time for her family and self. However, I know that I will be driven by my motivations and that there are always ways to improve. I look forward to what my future holds and the things that I will learn and experience.

I remember inquiring about my mom's work as an orthopedic nurse in elementary school and being fascinated by the stories she would tell me. I loved hearing about the cases in which she was involved, the doctors with whom she worked, and the patients she helped treat. I would ask her to teach me things about medicine, and I was inspired to start reading and learning more. I began checking out books from the library about nutrition, orthopedics, and medical terminology and found a field in which I am thoroughly interested. Over the summers, I really enjoy discovering more about medicine and reading about new medical topics. As a former patient of my downtown medical center, I have been blessed with opportunities to observe some of my doctors in both clinical and surgical settings. This further insight into the doctors' daily practice just added more fuel to my fire. Observing the doctors' patient interactions was a wonderful experience, and I was really admirable of their level of intellect. I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence in which I will engage in a zoom call, learn more about medicine, and hopefully receive college credit. I am currently involved in HOSA and am competing in pathophysiology tomorrow! This subject has been incredibly interesting to study. I plan to apply for a summer internship at Methodist this summer and look forward to any future opportunities. I currently aim to become a hematologist and am excited to see where my future takes me. My overall goal is to improve the lives of others, and I hope to be able to do so through a profession that embodies my passion for medicine.

An inspiring song that comes to mind is Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." Natasha Bedingfield is one the artists that I grew up listening to, and I always loved that song. When I revisited it at an older age and actually listened to the lyrics, I was able to understand the uplifting meaning behind them. The song is talking about sitting before a blank page and preparing to take off, spread one's wings, and fill that blank page with life's experiences. The song emphasizes the importance of enjoying all of life's special moments and experiencing everything for yourself. This message makes me feel excited to see where life takes me as I grow into my own person. It reminds me that I hold the pen to shape my life experiences and decisions and that my choices are what fill the pages of my life. It is up to me to create a life of meaning and content.

I spent a lot of this past summer training for my fourth degree black belt test. I had been waiting for four years to be of age and had two months to prepare for the national tournament in which I would compete and test. Last summer was the first time in two and a half years in which I was able to train pain-free following a life-threatening accident. Therefore, I was, in a sense, starting from ground zero. I could only do ten pushups and could only run one mile, so I knew that I had a lot of work to do. I began training with some basketball friends of mine. We would meet at the track in the mornings and, on average, run for days a week. We also went to the gym together to life weights. I would train on my own by doing workouts at home and practicing technique on my punching bag. At first, it was very difficult, and I was often quite sore, but I kept my goal in mind and envisioned myself achieving the belt rank. This motivated me to keep working. It was very rewarding to notice changes in my stamina and strength, but overall, the most satisfying changes were to my overall health and confidence. I got up to forty pushups, three miles, and decreased my mile time by almost a minute. The week of the tournament was exhilarating- full of adrenaline, competition, and excitement. I ended up taking home my fourth degree black belt as well as gold and silver medals in almost every division. While the accomplishments meant a lot to me, the most important takeaway from my hard work was the self improvement and self discovery that took place in my health, confidence, and overall well-being.

To me, living in a state of joy does not necessarily denote constant happiness but rather having the ability to find joy in every circumstance. While the ability to remain joyful is a difficult quality to obtain, it is very necessary in order to thrive amongst stress and hardship. I find joy through my Christian faith. A couple of years ago, I was experiencing some lows in life. My mom and step-dad's marriage was in a state of turmoil, I was recovering from a life-threatening accident, I had to accept some hard truths about my dad, and in general, I was dealing with the changes and stress that accompany teenage years. I found myself becoming very overwhelmed and was dealing with depression and insecurity. Because of the stigma surrounding mental health, I did not feel comfortable voicing my struggles to anyone and tried to get past this dark state on my own. That is where God came in. I realized that it was unwise to try to handle things by myself and rely on my own strength rather than God's. Once I turned my trust entirely to Him, I was able to let my troubles be cast aside and focus on improving myself. The relief and comfort that comes with knowing that I have a perfect and loving Father who is always there for me is insurmountable. Trusting in His perfect timing allows me to face struggles without feeling overwhelmed. Knowing my worth as a child of God has allowed me to let go of doubt and insecurity. I am able to live with joy because God is a graceful Father and His goodness is sufficient. I know that, even during life's twists and turns, I can find joy through God.

I am blessed to be surrounded by such supportive, compassionate, and strong individuals whom I can call my friends and family. It is important to me that they feel loved and appreciated. I always aim to offer words of reassurance and compliment my people on the things that I admire about them. My friends and I constantly build each other up and support each other in our hobbies and studies. Reminding the people you love about what makes them special creates a harmonious relationship and deepens interpersonal bonds. In addition to kind words, showing action is equally if not more vital because actions stand out as words can be easily forgotten. My friends and I enjoy bringing each other our favorite foods to share. This seems like a silly example, but it is actually quite meaningful because it shows that we think about and care for each other. It can be easy to take the people in our lives for granted, but each moment with them is a gift that should be appreciated. Showing affection toward and reminding the people we love why we love them is a necessary attribute to any kind of relationship.

It is vital to constantly aim to serve others. By supporting other people and acting selflessly and generously, we ultimately create a more harmonious world of giving back and spreading joy. Giving to others not only benefits the receiver but also the giver. The feeling of satisfaction upon making someone else smile is truly rewarding. It is important to view the world from different perspectives and realize that people are born into all kinds of varying socio-economic, geographic, and political circumstances. Recognizing the privileges that we innately have contributes to the motivation to give back to others. I am a teenage student and therefore unable to give all that I want to others. However, what I can give is my time. My friends and I really enjoy performing for others in our string quartet. We emphasize our focus on the healing aspects of music on the elderly community. We perform at retirement centers during the holidays and have played at events for the Alzheimer's Association and Team Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research. In addition, we also play for various events within our community. It is so rewarding to see our work bring other people happiness. While it is not revolutionary by any means in the grand scheme of things, it is wonderful to be able to give back and provide others with a sense of content. I hope to be able to give more, and one of the things that drives me to work for my success is the desire to be able to give to others financially. I believe that one of our duties as humans is to help others in an effort to create a more beautiful and peaceful world.

I am blessed with such amazing individuals whom I am proud to call my friends, so I see perfect examples of what good friendship looks like every day. The quality that I see and admire the most in my closest friends is their unwavering support. My friends never cease to check in on my and each other's well-beings. They immediately help with any problem I am facing, no matter how small. They always build me up and make me feel confident and loved. Friendship to me means extending this welcoming support to your companions and making others feel belonged. Friendship comes from a desire to connect with your friend- not out of obligation, but because you genuinely care. Friends have the ability to make you laugh in every situation. I look back with a smile on every fond memory I have with my friends, and I know that I am blessed to have such a special additional family.

The tasks that accumulate every day can be quite daunting, and it can be difficult to maintain motivation. I stay motivated by accessing how my actions now effect my goals in the long run. If a particularly tricky assignment is draining my motivation, I remind myself that this one assignment is simply a single step toward becoming a doctor and that the work will pay off eventually. I enjoy planning ahead for the future and envisioning the life I aspire to lead, and this helps me stay focused so that I may attain these goals. I want to be someone of which my family and I can be proud, and I want to honor all of the opportunities I have received. And, as silly as this sounds because of my young age, I aim to be someone that my future children can look up to for inspiration. While hard work is difficult at the time, it all pays off. The excitement in knowing that and waiting for my life to unfold is what gives me motivation.

While it would be really nice to be remembered among the medical field for the career toward which I am aiming, the most important aspect of the legacy I aspire to leave is among my family and friends- the people with whom I am connected. I want to be remembered as someone who constantly strives for improvement in my work, relationships, and character. I want to leave an impact on the people I know and will know by the way I treat them- listening to them and making them feel understood and valued. I know that this legacy can be created now and continue to sustain and grow, so I work toward this legacy through self-evaluation and listening to others' wisdom. I want to inspire the people around me while also receiving inspiration from them. I hope that the retrospective memories of me can be looked upon fondly when my family and friends gather around the dinner table and I am no longer there with them.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, one cannot succeed in all areas of life without having fulfilled the basic essentials of physiological needs. In other words, it is impossible to reach one's fullest potential without striving to maintain healthy habits. I find that my diet and exercise has a direct correlation to how I feel and how I perform in physically demanding tasks. Therefore, my health is a big priority of mine, and I strive to learn more about how I can support a healthful body. I believe that the best way to lead a healthy life is by being correctly motivated. Sadly, it is more common to be driven by the desire to model a certain image rather than to maintain a lifestyle of health. Our society, heavily influenced by media, places a large emphasis on diet culture and calorie counting to obtain the ideal body type. This results in unhealthy habits in an effort to look a certain way that is not possible for all people because of genetic differences. I would argue that it is more beneficial to eat food of substance for the purpose of nourishing one's body than to eat within a strict calorie or dietary limit. Incorporating habits that contribute to overall, long-term health creates a more harmonious relationship between body and mind. It is crucial to care for one's health in a way that aims to support overall well-being rather than an appeal to vanity.

Patience is a beautiful gift that one can extend to others. It creates an environment where healthy communication and harmonious relationships can blossom. While it is important to treat others with patience, it is equally imperative that we show ourselves patience. Patience is important to me because by striving to be patient with myself, I allow myself room to grow and learn. I tend to be a little harsh on myself and overcriticize my efforts. This creates a negative mindset of cynical thinking and does little to allow for improvement. I had the realization that I would never condemn another person the way I did myself, so I began to work on having more patience with myself. I have noticed that this has eliminated some of my fear of failure and has allowed a safer space to work on improving skills. It has been wonderful to see the growth that I have experienced by aiming to be more constructively critical and patient with myself.

For most people, their schedules are designed by their work and obligations. There is little remaining time to spend on hobbies and relaxation. It is important to take time to ourselves in the midst of our hectic schedules to wind down and reassess. I practice self care through my Saturday mornings. Monday through Friday, my mornings are predetermined by school, and my evenings are loaded with extracurriculars. While I do enjoy my education and hobbies, it can sometimes be draining to adhere to such a demanding schedule. That is why I take the liberty to walk through my Saturday mornings at my own pace. I usually wake up early but take time to get out of bed. I enjoy going outside to run or walk, and then I make a nice breakfast for myself. This gives me one day to wake up slowly and ease into my responsibilities. I look forward to this day of the week and the tranquility it gives me, and I feel recharged after having spent one morning the way I desire. Self-care is a necessity. Without a balanced mental state, one cannot expect to succeed in all of the demanding aspects of life. We ensure that deadlines and expectations are met, and it is important to see to our personal needs as well. It is crucial that we make time for healthy habits that benefit overall happiness.

I remember looking upon a quote that hung on my English teacher's doorway in sixth grade that read, "you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." I thought of all the possible scenarios in which one would have no choice but to be strong, and these consisted of extremes such as war and battle. I decided that I would never have to worry about demonstrating my maximum strength because I am blessed to live in a first world country where violent turmoil does not exist. Looking back in retrospect, I see the irony in this thought process that took place because the next year, I experienced a major, life-threatening event. In October of 2018, I was hit by a truck while riding my bike. My body was thrown around 60 feet upon impact, and the injuries I sustained were severe and excruciating. In short, I am very fortunate to be here today. When I returned home from the hospital, I had very minimal, if any, mobility, and I knew that I would have to work relentlessly to return to school and my sports. As soon as I was able, I worked for hours a day stretching and exercising what I could despite the agonizing sensations these movements procured. With the help of my friends, family, community, and God, I kept a positive and hopeful attitude, and I was determined that I would succeed in returning to dance and taekwondo. My doctors, however, did not agree, but that simply added fuel to the fire. Today, three years later, I am fully involved in my hobbies again. I have had to overcome so much, but this experience has inspired personal growth and shown me the strength I didn't know I had.

Independence means being motivated not by external direction but rather the desire to fulfill one's own personal excellence. An independent person does not seek the validation from others and actively strives to push themselves to their greatest potential by pursuing what makes them unique. To demonstrate independence indicates that one understands the importance of direction and focus and does not need to rely upon anyone. This does not mean that an independent person does not require help from time to time, for it is impossible to accomplish anything alone. Independence simply defines the practice of general self-sufficiency. Independence is a very important quality to me, and I credit my understanding of this quality to my family. My family is composed of strong, independent women who value their education, careers, and resilience. I strongly admire these qualities and look up to relatives like my aunt as examples of what a driven person looks like. My family has helped instill an independent mindset into me. I always do my best to practice independence, and it is something in which I take pride. I believe that independence is an essential virtue to be successful, and it is vital that people encourage one another to learn how to live without absolute reliance upon others.

I have lived in Texas since birth, and it is certainly one of those states with a lot of pride attached. Many Texans have resided in this location since birth as well, and there is a sense of identity that comes from living in Texas. What I appreciate about this state is the dedication to the two fields in which I am most interested- medicine and music. Houston is home to its infamous medical center which includes establishments such as Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, and Texas Children's Hospital. Pursuing healthcare is a dream of mine, and I am blessed to have access to such prestigious medical centers so close to home. In addition to the medical field, Houston also fosters much cultivation of musical study and performance. The study of music is a special hobby of mine, and it is wonderful to be surrounded by an environment of talented, competitive, and passionate musicians from which to learn and with which to play. Houston dedicates a lot to its fine arts, and I am humbled and amazed at the many beautiful productions of music, art, and creativity that I have witnessed in my city. It is a privilege to be immersed in a community of such gifted, intelligent, and and driven individuals. Texans truly take pride in what they do and constantly strive for betterment. I admire this quality in the people of my state and hope to embody these same principles.

"Generosity is giving to others simply for the joy of making others happy. To be generous is to be motivated not by receiving something in return but rather by the desire to improve someone else's day. Promises are not always delivered, and people cannot always be counted on without fault, so the expectation that one will receive something of equal measure in return for their efforts is impractical. Generosity, however, is not based off of this premise of equal exchange. A generous person feels compelled to be a positive beacon of light for those around them without concern for their own personal benefit. Generosity is not demonstrated by any specific act and does not only denote giving material needs like food, financial support, and clothing. Rather, it also exists through giving time, serving a cause, offering a smile or complement, or showing support. Generosity is a beautiful gift that humans can endlessly give to one another, for one does not have to be of high financial status to give to others. Showing compassion and committing time to people is a simple yet meaningful way to show generosity. The virtue of generosity leaves special impacts on other people in ways which we do not even realize.

The quote that comes to mind is quite common and a bit cliche, but I have found its meaning to be very valuable: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's learning to dance in the rain." When envisioning the accomplishments I aspire to achieve and what I want my future life to look like, it can be overwhelming. I find myself looking at a line of hurdles that I must jump over to make it to my ideal finish line. I think to myself, 'I have to hang in there for three more years so I can finish high school, and then do well in college, and then excel in med school, and then make it to a prestigious fellowship, and then be a hematologist that makes a difference.' However, viewing life as a linear path of events to an end goal is not effective when, in fact, life is not a race to a finish line. While planning the future and working toward goals is a promising factor of success, it is not beneficial to look only ahead rather than live in the present. It is possible to maintain a sharp focus while resting with intention on what one is currently doing. I used to find myself thinking things like 'If I can't even understand this chemistry concept, how am I supposed to be a good doctor,' but this mindset of doubt is not effective in the overall journey to success. I tend to measure success by my accomplishments and attach my worth to these accomplishments, so I try to counteract those thoughts by striving to live with the concept of my chosen quote. It denotes finding joy in what one is doing now rather than waiting for something to happen. I would argue that if one has not grown to live presently with happiness, one will still be left feeling unsatisfied even when their ambition is met. In conclusion, it does not do to wait for something to pass to allow oneself to feel content. It is best to live with the confidence that with personal dedication, things will align themselves the way they are meant to be.

There is an entire lifetime of stories, lessons, hardships, and victories behind the eyes of an elderly person. Senior citizens bear great wisdom from which young people can learn, and it is essential that adolescents take time to spend with the elderly people in their lives. Caring for the elderly is a privilege, and I have been honored to be able to bring joy to these people in my community through a major hobby of mine- music. I am the violist of a string quartet that performs at local retirement centers and rehabilitation centers during the holidays. It is so wonderful to see the residents' faces light up upon hearing the familiar tunes of Christmas carols. I really enjoy spending time with the residents after performing and seeing how grateful and happy they are makes the preparations so worthwhile. It is an honor to use my talents with my friends to bring happiness to elderly people in our community. I look forward to performing for more facilities in the future and continuing to brighten the days of our senior citizens.

Wisdom is a virtue that is both passed down by generations and acquired individually. It is a beautiful asset that is shared among people of all backgrounds who have learned their lessons from different paths. The most notable piece of advice that I have received was from my piano teacher, who is perhaps the wisest person I know. She told me to take things one step at a time. She said that it is impossible to be productive and happy if you look at the whole, overwhelming picture, and that it is essential to tackle one task at a time. She said that it is important to do whatever you can in one day and to be satisfied with it. This was especially helpful advice to me at the time because I was recovering from a life-threatening accident and was working very hard to be able to catch up on academics and regain mobility to return to my hobbies. I tend to be impatient with myself and base my worth off of my accomplishments. I was looking down the road at how far I had to go and began to feel incredibly stressed. That's when my teacher gave me this advice. At first, I found it difficult to grasp the idea of feeling satisfied with my efforts even if they didn't generate the results I expected. But I tried to implement this mindset into life and practice separating projects into tasks, rewarding myself after the completion of each task, no matter how small. This advice has been beneficial to me because I now consider myself a very level-headed person. Every marathon begins with a few steps, and every puzzle is composed of individual pieces.

Each one of us is blessed with a set of skills and talents. It it is my goal to utilize my skills to help others. I enjoy playing the piano and viola as well as singing, and I have used performing as a way to bring joy to people. I am a part of two musical groups, one being a classic rock cover band and one a string quartet. My band and I have performed at several fundraising concerts to benefit Addi's Faith Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports childhood cancer relief. My string quartet and I have performed at local senior living facilities, restaurants, and fundraising events during the holidays for the past few years, and it is our goal to someday perform at hospitals and other care centers. I have also performed at a benefit for Parkinson's Disease and at a rehabilitation center. This past summer, I tutored middle school violists in my community, and I intend to continue doing so. Music is a way to connect people and create positive emotions. I love being able to share my gifts along with my friends in a way that helps brighten other people's days. I myself have benefited from the healing aspects of music. I spent some time in the hospital over the past three years, and during my longest stay, there was a music therapist that would come into the rooms and work with patients. This really helped lift my spirits and brought a smile to my face. I always want to do something that benefits others, and I enjoy using music to do so. I hope to continue to expand the ways by which I reach out to people to bring about positive impact.

I love a gripping fantasy novel with elements like magical powers, battles, and romance that occur in fictional settings. My favorite series is Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass. The plot is about Aelin Galathynius, a teenage assassin with fire bending abilities who lives in a tyrannical kingdom. It is later revealed that Aelin is the rightful queen of a neighboring fallen kingdom, and she works to reclaim her throne and restore peace to her corrupt society. I enjoy this series partly because of the qualities Aelin possesses. She is a fierce character with passionate devotion to the people she loves and an intelligent and witty mind. She is fearless, strong, and brave, and is the most skilled assassin in her land. As someone who has grown up training in taekwondo, I find her martial arts skills very exciting. In addition, I love the climatic buildups in Throne of Glass. Each book in the series has a masterful plot that builds up to a thrilling turning point and really keeps the reader on their toes. The series takes me on many adventures to different kingdoms, wars, and time periods. Finally, I really appreciate the emotional development that each main character experiences. The series allows the reader to see through the lenses of multiple characters and view the emotional maturation that each one goes through. This provides a dynamic list of strong characters to which the reader can relate. In conclusion, Throne of Glass is an incredibly exciting series with a bold protagonist, brilliant plot, and relatable supporting characters.

Opening one's eyes to the imperfections of the world really does strip away innocence. There are many adversities that threaten the framework of humanity. The injustices that still plague society worldwide are disheartening. However, If we take a step back and view the issues facing the world from a smaller lens, it is clear that everything begins at a smaller scale. I have observed a lot of adults in my life that are quick to respond with anger and slow to listen. The majority of the many arguments that I have witnessed have resulted from lack of proper communication. People can become engulfed in the issue with which they are dealing, and they forget that they are actually talking to another human being. Of course, this is a generalization, but it is more common to overreact to seemingly small and petty concerns than I would like to admit. This poor communication and inconsideration for other people creates unhappy individuals which leads to divorce, road rage, fighting, and more. If society begins to practice benevolence and compassion, I believe that the outcomes of certain issues may be resolved without nearly as much unnecessary escalation. The ability to take a step back and view a situation from another person's perspective is truly beautiful. At the end of the day, the person with which you are arguing is more important than the topic of argument. Obviously, the global issues of today require much greater solutions, but it is not practical to expect every individual to be able to contribute so greatly. The cliché advice of beginning a marathon with a few steps is applicable to every challenge we face. If society incorporates patience into all aspects of life, this will generate happier individuals and therefore a more peaceful world.

Thinking about my dream life is as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. When asked what my dream job is, I reply, "hematologist." When asked what my dream house is, I provide a detailed description (because it is completely normal to have a vision mapped out at age 15). Individual details like these are simple and fun to plan. However, thinking about my dream life holds a bit more weight. This is a scope of the whole picture. It is a layout of the tapestry of aspirations that I have. I know that I want to pursue hematology, as medicine has been an interest of mine since a young age when I would check out medical books from the library. However, I know that life involves more than one's career. I want my life to be a reflection of my values and the kind of person I aim to be. I want to actively strive to balance work life and personal life so that I may be present for my family and myself. I want to be someone that my future children can look up to, and I want to be someone that my friends can rely on. I want to embody all of my Christian values and serve God. I want to lead a healthy life and take care of myself to the best of my ability. While I do have a clear image of what I am aiming for, I know for certain that as long as I am a hardworking person with an efficient work ethic and strong moral compass, I will be satisfied with whatever direction I end up pursuing.