I have always enjoyed helping others in need whether this assistance consisted of just a smile or a hug to brighten someone's day or consisted of donating clothes and food to shelters. I have always worked to embody the virtue of selflessness through putting the needs the others before my own. The most empowering experience of community service that I have partaken in was this past March when I attended a service trip to the city of Hartford, CT, with some fellow Saint Michael's College peers. At this service trip I assisted at food kitchens and at an after school program. At the food kitchens my peers and I helped prepare meals, served food to the less fortunate, cleaned the shelter, and assisted in various other tasks that were necessary for the non-profit shelter. I got to experience first hand the horrible conditions some people have to live in, and my eyes were open to how much help these people really needed. I loved serving the people and seeing the smiles on their faces when we handed them a plate of warm food with a big smile and polite mannerisms. I also thoroughly enjoyed helping out at the after school program where we played with middle schoolers in the afternoon. On one of the occasions, the children were able to have fun outside and an intense game of tag began to develop. Upon watching the game for several minutes I decided to join the game with the encouragement of one of the middle schoolers. I decided to play along with the intensity of the children and let them chase me as fast as they could. The game slowly transformed into a game of who could catch "Miss" and all the children were laughing and running. Although this act was simple and easy to partake in, I made the middle schooler's days by creating a fun and active game for them. I did not know what homes they were going back to, but I did my best to make their days as bright as possible even if it was with a simple game of tag. This service trip was an amazing experience for me, and I know I will continue to volunteer my time to my community as much as I can. Helping someone in need can be as large as feeding the hungry or as small as playing tag with middle schoolers but both had the potential to make an enormous impact on another's life.

I grew up as the youngest of eight children where all my siblings were always very successful with their goals and aspirations. As the very youngest of a large family, I always felt the need to live up to the "family name" by becoming just as successful, if not more successful, than my siblings. I always wanted to be just as talented at a certain activity or just as intelligent at a certain subject as my siblings were despite being several years younger than them. This goal caused me to become very competitive, hard working, determined, and focused. If my older sister can do it, than so could I; if my older brother could perform that way than so could I. Age and gender did not make a difference to me in regards to what I could or could not do. Thus, I would say the biggest influence in my life was my older siblings because they encouraged me to become the best person I could be in every aspect of myself. They pushed me to become a better athlete or to understand my science book better. They formed me into the determined person I am today where being a woman in STEM does not make me any less than being a man in STEM. Many of my older siblings, as well as my parents, were also very science and math oriented in school, so I, therefore, was determined to also excel in science and math. The STEM subjects have since transformed into my favorite subjects in school, so I have also tended to excel in these areas as well. I was never positive what area of STEM I should pursue until my older brother studied Physics in college, and I learned a little more about the subject. I realized that Physics explained many of the "whys" in our universe, and I had been curious about how the world or how machinery worked from a young age. Therefore, I decided to also pursue Physics in college in order to understand how our world works a little better. My future goal is to become a Biomedical Engineer where I will build prosthetics for the people and animals who do not have the blessing to run or walk or pick up simple objects like I have. I have learned hard work, compassion, determination, and so many other virtues that will help me succeed in this goal from my many older siblings who are indeed my biggest inspirations. I know this path may be difficult, but my gender will not stand in my way because I have learned that I can be just as successful at certain tasks as any male can. I am also comforted by the fact that I will have my siblings supporting me throughout this career journey just like they did when I was young and always looked up to them with the hope of succeeding just like they did.

I have been playing soccer since I was only five years old, and my passion for this amazing sport really bloomed when I decided to bring my soccer career to the next level by participating in a club soccer team when I was only nine years old. Ever since that crucial decision to put my heart and soul into the sport I loved so much at such a young age, my passion for soccer has only grown larger and larger. Playing soccer has not just been a passion for me, however, but has also taught me many life lessons that I continue to use today. Soccer first taught me how to balance having fun while also focusing and taking important situations seriously. I always loved joking around with my teammates at practices and on the sidelines of soccer games, but I also knew I had to pay attention and work hard at every practice and game as well in order to become successful. Every day in life I am encouraged to find the positivity and fun in any situation while also focusing during important and serious situations. Soccer has also taught me how to have confidence in myself in order to succeed in difficult situations, but also find humility in order to work with a team. I learned that many times I needed to play with confidence on the field in order to differentiate me from another player when trying to make a team or get recruited by a college coach. But I also learned to trust my teammates and their advice and abilities in order to work together to win a game. Therefore, soccer showed me how to act humble in order to work as a team while also playing with confidence in order to take control in critical situations. Finally soccer taught me to never be afraid to step out of my comfort zone because sometimes the best opportunities arise outside of our daily routines. I have learned to take any possible chance that could benefit my future career and life as well as benefit the lives of those around me. In conclusion, the sport of soccer has taught me a plethora of life lessons that I have used in the past, I currently use today, and I know I will use in the future. The sport has formed into the person I am today and the person I will be tomorrow thus transforming playing soccer from a fun activity into a true passion.