Nobody ever questions medicine. If you say you want to be a doctor, you are practically set for life; it’s a well-paying job that everyone seems to be an expert on after watching Grey's Anatomy. However, the tough idea to accept is that being a physician takes rigorous coursework that puts you in insurmountable debt. I always wanted to be a Doctor, but there were financial barriers and cutthroat competition, and slowly the fire in my heart dwindled. When I realized that a medical license may not be the most tangible career, I looked deeper into medicine. I want to be in the medical field because I want to contribute to people in the world other than whoever is nearby, so I chose medical science. Through a major in chemical engineering, I hope to focus on pharmaceutical chemistry. To be behind the backs of doctors, studying new cures to everchanging diseases. In a world that is so messed up that people never agree with each other, we can all agree on wanting to stay alive. Medicine keeps the world running and keeps the ones we love closer to us for longer. I want to be a part of those futuristic changes that scientists continue to make. After my Lolo died from COVID-19, I found beauty in contributing to the medicine that helps others continue fighting. My life goal is to create a legacy that outlives me and to find peace after I have helped people live after working on the new medicine. My family is pushing me to pursue higher education, as my parents were not given the chance to. My goals are to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, and hopefully, a PHD after more time has passed. However, I know that my ambition won’t stop debt from hunting me down. In the past, my parents have had horrible experiences with debt, and barely making enough to buy a new car. While funding my education will put my family in debt, they push me to be better and achieve heights they never reached. With their support, I will earn my degree, dedicated to them. With this scholarship, I will be able to help my family pay the expenses of my college education. Books, dorming, tuition, it all adds up. Even my older brother is working to pay for my college degree. I hope to use this scholarship to help my family pay for my education so that I can be successful enough in the future to give back to them. To show my Lola that her bunso made it to college, and make my parents proud that I am trying my best. Salamat po sa oportunidad nito.

Nobody ever questions medicine. If you say you want to be a doctor, you are practically set for life; it’s a well paying job that everyone seems to be an expert on after watching Grey's Anatomy. However, the tough idea to accept is that being a physician takes rigorous coursework that puts you in insurmountable debt. I always wanted to be a Doctor, but there were financial barriers, cutthroat competition, and slowly the fire in my heart dwindled. When I realized that a medical license may not be the most tangible career, I looked deeper into medical careers. I want to be in the medical field because I want to contribute to people in the world other than whoever is nearby, and so I chose medical science. Through a major of chemical engineering, I hope to focus on pharmaceutical chemistry. To be behind the backs of doctors, studying new cures to everchanging diseases. Medicine keeps the world running, and I want to be a part of those futuristic changes that scientists continue to make. My life goal is to create a legacy that outlives me, to find peace after I have helped people live after working on new medicine. However, the road to realizing my true passion and major has been very rough. In my second year of high school, the clock started ticking, and I was panicking from feeling behind. My major still was not solidified, and I was bouncing between Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering. I needed to pinpoint my major quickly, to begin involving myself in extracurriculars that focused on it. My parents had no idea of what was out there, meaning nobody could help me except for myself. They could not tell me what I wanted, and my school had zero electives to help us explore options for college. By myself, I dipped my feet in each subject that interested me. For biology, I began applying to research internships. Many focused on immunology or cell research, yet I was accepted to zero of the nine programs I applied to. Next, I learned engineering through attending an engineering summer camp. It focused on five different types of engineering and led me to starting a Robotics Club at school. We built robots to enter in combat robotics competitions, something my school has never seen before. Although it was interesting and we placed fourth, it did not feel like something I could do for the rest of my life. My last interest was Chemistry, which I applied to internships for again. This time was different, and life changing. I was accepted into American Chemical Society’s Project SEED, which opened my eyes to the world of chemical engineering. It forever inspired me, and my hard work of exploring my interests finally paid off with the knowledge the program taught me. Project SEED was a mentorship program that allowed students to conduct their own personal research. My mentor, Dr. Brian Adzima, was a large inspiration for me to pursue chemical engineering, as he taught me the various applications it has in the real world. Even though my research focused on metallurgy and material sciences, this internship finally helped me find exactly what I wanted. My research project was to study the UV curing behavior of metal photopolymers. I would shine a UV light, and observe how more liquid cured into a solid as I increased the time the light showed. It was an interesting experience, showing me how research in real labs is conducted. I advocated for my own future despite a lack of resources, and it paid off.

“Enough” is defined as the amount of something that is required. If “enough” was a criteria you could meet, why was I never enough? Growing up I struggled finding who I was other than someone desperately trying to meet my immigrant parents expectations. No matter how many sports I joined, how many volunteer hours I had, or however many clubs I led, they brushed it off like I never did anything good enough. They had different experiences than I did, and they never fully understood anything I went through. We could barely meet each other in the middle. With such high expectations to succeed and have a good future, I lost track of who I was. What was I really doing it for? I filled my schedule with extra classes and activities like Yearbook, Associated Student Body, or Robotics Club, but I struggled to find what truly inspired me. My interests were so spread out that I had lost focus for my future career. My parents constantly pushed me into the Filipino stereotype of being a nurse because, “at least they make enough money”. Yet deep down, I knew it was not the path for me. My future would be mine, and getting past my parents expectations, I realized everything I do should be enough for me. I would stand up strong on my own, no longer relying on their eyes to tell me if I was correct. To find my passion, I needed to think about what I wanted. I always excelled at STEM classes. Science and math were my favorite subjects, as the theories easily clicked like logic in my head. I realized I want to go into the creation of medicine. Instead of being a doctor or a nurse, I could be a scientist mixing chemicals together. There’s so much to explore, who knows, maybe I could find the cure to cancer. After I found my passion for science, I applied to internships to gain experience. In a competitive science world, I need experiences that set me apart from others. After applying to more than ten research internships, I was finally accepted into American Chemical Society’s Project SEED. Participating in the program was an eye opening experience, as it was a research focused program that connects you to a mentor. Through the program, I worked as a Materials Intern at Holo Inc. The Holo labs focused on metal photopolymers called feedstock, and the company manufactured intricate metal parts. With help from my mentor, I ran my own experiment studying how increasing UV light exposure time caused excess curing of feedstock. My research contributed to the overall company, not just for my research paper and presentation at the end of my internship. In doing research of my own and seeing the projects of others, I was inspired to pursue chemical engineering as my major in college. I always knew I wanted to contribute to bigger ideas and the medicinal industry, I finally saw that I can do it all through chemical engineering and research. I truly found my passion for chemical engineering, and after speaking with my parents they said they would support me through it. My effort was enough for them, but that did not matter anymore, as I was satisfied with myself for doing it all with no help. I hope that I can give back to my parents one day after I have found success in my career. Even if we have not always agreed at first, they have pushed me to continuously be a better person, even if it felt like tough love.

Duality. Throughout all of her era’s Taylor Swift keeps in line with the beautiful concept of duality, showing us that experiencing every different type of emotion is part of being a human being. With her music, I have been able to unlock and accept every part of myself for who I am. To acknowledge that I have gone through struggles, but I have also gone through victories. Going through Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour music has given me a sense of both growing up and learning to be a person who learns from their mistakes. In the ways that I connect to Taylor’s music because of similar experiences, she is able to put messy feelings into poetic lyrics perfectly. Especially in my senior year of high school, lyrics like, “Darling don’t you ever grow up, it could stay this simple,” hit really close to home. By relating to her songs and being in tune with those lyrics, they allow me to express and fully understand my emotions instead of having them drag me down. I have learned to process and feel my emotions, instead of letting them dwell. I understand that I might not get everything I want, and there will always be unseen mishaps, but I can always “shake it off”. Listening to her music has acted as a stress reliever, escape from reality, or even something fun that just makes you want to dance. In a more optimistic sense, more of her songs such as “The Man” or “22” have made me feel more self-assured and confident. In a sense, I have realized that even if there are others out there who judge me, I can proudly be my own person. It is my life. It can never hurt me to try new things, dress the way I want, or even speak up for things I care about. Even if others look at me like I am the “Anti-Hero,” and think I am the problem for simply existing as a woman in this world, I know that they just need to calm down. I see Taylor Swift as a woman who won in the music industry. She creates beautiful music for beautiful people, and even mixes between genres. Starting with country, transitioning to pop songs, more hip-hop styled, and even folktales, she has shown that you can go anywhere. The duality of all the different genres and emotions incorporated into her songs show the true meaning of being a human being. There are ups and downs, but you persist and keep shining. I have learned that I never have to stay inside the lines, that I can break down barriers, and I will be listening to Taylor Swift while doing it.

Up on a hill in the suburbs overlooking the city of Las Vegas lies my Barbie Dream House. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a modern look on the outside, Caelyn's Dream House would be the perfect stay during any season. The city of Las Vegas might be known for it's lively strip, but farther out from the strip, there are beautiful areas with great food. In the suburbs, my Dream House sits far enough to be near the strip for big events and celebrations, but it has the freedom of going anywhere that I want. The outside color scheme has accents of lavender-purple paint with mainly white and black walls. Plants spew onto the walls to add a hint of liveliness here and there. With a large double door at the entrance, my dream house inside leads to tall white walls with dark blue and purple accents painted on them. A grand living room, smaller and cozier den, 6 large unique bedrooms, massive kitchen, and home gym/spa perfectly fit into my multifloored dream house. The kitchen being one of my favorite places has a gorgeous island with enough space to bake anything I could ever imagine. Of course, the inside is only a small section of my grand manor, as outside the backyard is the perfect hang-out spot. A shady gazebo with couches protects from that Vegas heat but is an amazing spot for bonfires and those amazing mid-day naps. It overlooks the city of Las Vegas, a perfect spot to admire the gorgeous night lights. It never ends there because, with a balance of grass and concrete, it's the perfect spot for my little dog Summer to relax and play. She loves sunbathing, and will always have everything she needs. On the other side of the backyard is a shaded pool, allowing you to swim in the heat without burning in the sun. What else is better than swimming on a hot day? Equipped with a waterfall and a small waterslide, it'll make summers a blast! The backyard can not be complete without greenery and will have a garden along the edges with a few large trees. A lemon tree, calamansi tree, orange tree, strawberry bush, and a few herbal plants add a beautiful amount of color to the backyard. The last thing my house needs to have is a cozy rooftop area, perfect for star-gazing and late-night talks with my favorite people. A few couches, bean bags, and string lights around the edges of the roof would make a perfect spot to lay and stare at the stars. The moon and stars always fascinated me, and it would be perfect to have a spot dedicated to admiring them. My Barbie Dream House is almost done! It just would not be complete without my favorite people. While it is my dream house, I'd open it up to my parents, brother, and grandparents for them to stay anytime they'd like. Additionally, I'd invite my friends over and share the dream with them.

I never truly understood volunteering until I began signing up for it myself. As a kid, I always questioned why helping somebody else and getting nothing back in return would ever be something I wanted to do. I had that mindset of; if it didn't benefit me, why would I care? However, as I got older, I realized I wanted to do it more. Something so small like volunteering became less of a chore and something I grew passion for. Growing up, I used to volunteer at church events with my family. It was not a choice, but more of something I was just signed up for. We would give out food to the homeless, serve others in soup kitchens, or even hand out toy donations during Christmas. The first few times I was reluctant to have to join, and maybe that's because service hours were required for my old school. Of course, I was just a kid who didn't know any better. Then after a while of volunteering in church events, I realized I had so much fun participating and being a part of these services just to see how a small act could make someone else so happy. The look of a grateful face after handing someone a hot meal, or the light inside a kid's eyes when they're able to get a present for Christmas always stuck out to me. Then I moved schools, and that service requirement wasn't there, but the passion for it burned inside of me. I wanted to be a part of something bigger, I wanted to continue giving my time to others. With service hours not being a requirement for school, who was it for then? It was for me, and the people I'd be able to help by just showing up. With this new way mindset toward volunteering, I began volunteering at the parish next to my house. I barely knew I could volunteer there until I searched it up for myself. Additionally, I started volunteering at the local library as a children's room helper. Completing small tasks here and there might seem tedious, but I enjoyed it. Instead of seeing volunteering as something I was forced into, it was something I wanted to do. With a new passion, it also changed the way I saw opportunities. Instead of seeing everything as just another task to complete, I started looking more optimistically to find where I could find joy or learning in it. The little things that matter the most when volunteering, and it gives you all kinds of experience. The same way I grew to love volunteering, volunteering taught me that there's always meaning in the things you do. Additionally, qualifying for this scholarship made me ecstatic. My goal in life is to go to college and pursue Chemical Engineering and find myself in the pharmaceutical industry making new medicine, which is a long road ahead of me. With it being a difficult major, I know I'll need all the help I can get and I'm willing to put in the effort to get where I want to be. This scholarship would help me pay for college and invest in my future.

Having a crush is anything but linear. If only there was a guide to talking to someone to make it easier to turn those butterflies in your stomach into words. Well, maybe there is. Like Taylor Swift said herself; that's how you get the girl. The tenth track of Taylor Swift's 1989 Album, How You Get The Girl, is the perfect love anthem to express the feelings nobody can fully express. Almost acting like a "How To" guidebook, this song is beautifully written and could have anyone kicking their feet thinking about that special someone, or nobody at all! It may not be the most popular song on the album, but it is my favorite for how easily it can put you in such a good mood. The instant echoes in the beginning and upbeat opening enrapture you to easily get anyone dancing and smiling. It's one of those feel-good songs that you can't help but bounce around and sing along. To make it even better, the lyrics are so easy to belt your heart out to, acting like you're confessing your love to someone even if you may not be thinking of anybody. My favorite part is the chorus, to just scream; I want you for worse or for better, I would wait forever and ever. Broke your heart, I'll put it back together, I would wait forever and ever. It gets even better when you sing your heart out to this song with your friends! Making it a perfect song to bond with other swifties as well. Whether the lyrics be relatable or not, for any life stage this song isn't something to run away from. It's even better if the lyrics are relatable! Taylor Swift perfectly captures that feeling of having that feeling of a crush and wanting somebody in such a wholesome way. The best way to like somebody is for who they really are, and the easiest way to tell them that is by expressing how much you would be willing to stick by them. I wish I would have had the opportunity to hear this song live, but that's just not how it works. Very recently, I attended Taylor Swift's Era's Tour in Santa Clara, and it was as enchanting as anyone could ever imagine. Even if this song wasn't played, it will forever stay my favorite from the album. Of course, real life may never turn out as easy as How You Get The Girl might suggest it to be, but it never hurts to hear those words; I want you for worse or for better, I would wait forever and ever. I would listen to this song over and over again without a doubt.