One problem I have been proactive about addressing in my local community is food insecurity and how this affects health. I have been working with a local community farm and food pantry and have seen the devastating effects food insecurity has on local families. This has opened my eyes to how food directly correlates with health. I have been inspired to become involved with this cause because I believe that access to healthy food is not something that should be exclusive to certain groups. I consider myself to be someone who is passionate about health and wellness, not only as an athlete but also as someone hoping to pursue a career in the health field. I have been working with the farm by growing and gathering food, which is then given to those in need. I have also been working with the food pantry by helping to organize and gather food to be given to those in need. This has been important work because I have been able to help provide food to dozens of families while working with a system that is dedicated to sustainability and the well-being of the local community. I have been inspired by this work and have become more aware of the importance of food and how it affects health. I would like to be able to make a larger impact by becoming involved with food and education. I think that I would be able to make a difference by working to create programs that teach people about nutrition and how to properly cook food. This would be especially important to work with younger children and families. I think this would be an important endeavor because it would not only provide food but would also be a way to empower people to make healthier choices. I would also like to become involved with this cause by working to bring more attention to food initiatives through social media.

During my high school years, I have strived to find opportunities to connect with my local community and contribute to society in a positive way. Most of my activities have revolved around forming connections with people and contributing to activities that can improve the quality of life for all human beings. I have had one of my most impactful experiences while interning at Holbrook Senior Living. I worked directly with residents at the facility and assisted them in their daily activities. I have learned to appreciate how important companionship and attention are for seniors. Most seniors are lonely and have no one to talk to. I have learned that sometimes all someone needs is someone to talk to or someone to assist them with their activities. I have gained a lot from my internship at Holbrook Senior Living. I have gained insight into the healthcare challenges faced by seniors. This has contributed to my interest in pursuing a career in medicine or health. I have also worked at a local community farm and food pantry. I have contributed to society by helping grow food for those in need. I have gained insight into the effects food insecurity has on society. I have seen firsthand how food insecurity affects society. I have gained insight into the importance of sustainability and how society can contribute to sustainability. Outside of these roles, I have also contributed to the community through my involvement in baseball. As a four-year member of the varsity team and the team captain my senior year, I have participated in service activities with my team, including volunteering through our travel organization. These activities have highlighted the importance of teamwork not only in baseball but in giving back to the community that supports us. I have also attempted to find creative ways in which I can relate to the community. Through my award-winning photography, I have attempted to bring different perspectives in the community together. I have also created a comedy-based YouTube account that has gained widespread popularity. Through this account, I have attempted to bring joy and comedy into the lives of those in the community. Looking towards the future, I believe I can utilize my passion for health in conjunction with my passion for community service in creating more accessible healthcare initiatives. One such initiative I wish to pursue is the expansion of health education programs in the community, specifically in the realm of nutrition and lifestyle. By working with farms in the area, it is possible to create programs that not only educate the community about the importance of these aspects of health but also provide them with the tools they need to live a healthier lifestyle. I am also interested in creating programs that bring different ages in the community together. Through my experience at Holbrook, I have seen the importance of these relationships in the community. By providing programs in which different ages can interact with one another, it is possible to bring the community together in a more meaningful way. Based on the experience I have gained in different extracurricular activities, I have learned that sometimes to change a community or to contribute to a positive change in a community, one does not necessarily have to make a big change. Instead, one has to start with small steps by supporting other people. I believe that in the future, I will be able to contribute to a better and more supportive community.

At six years old, I first became interested in public health and health studies. After attending a funeral for my mom’s college friend, who had passed away from cancer, I struggled to understand death but felt driven to help prevent deadly diseases that take our loved ones. Building on that earlier interest, my fascination with diseases grew as I learned about their effects on the human body. The COVID-19 pandemic made public health especially relevant to me, revealing how societal understanding, cultural beliefs, and policies can shape healthcare. In the US, misconceptions about healthcare and the pandemic notably influenced public perception, with lasting effects. I want to clear up misconceptions about global health. Using accurate health statistics to improve public education aligns with my goal of helping communities through either curing or preventing diseases. My ultimate goal is to use the health sciences I intend to study to help cure diseases and communicate factual information to prevent anything like another COVID-19 from occurring again. Empathy in healthcare should be valued more than it currently is. Whether you have a patient in front of you or are conducting a clinical trial for a treatment for a dangerous disease, understanding the people or person you are treating can help lower their anxiety. Through my internship at our school farm and my service projects with my travel baseball team, I have developed my empathy for the issues of widespread hunger and access to healthcare. While interning at Holbrook Senior Living, I worked in the memory care unit, where people with declining mental states live. It was this internship that I developed a passion for healthcare research and medicine. These experiences are integral to my future in medicine because they prepared and inspired me to always strive for providing healthcare to everyone in need. Health promotion and public outreach are just as important in healthcare as the search for cures and treatments. As a multi-award-winning photographer, I understand the meaning of messages through captivating visuals. Using tools such as social media and artistic vision, I want to capture the public’s attention to communicate clear, fact-based information about global health. My experiences through community service, internships, and promotion through visual media have been beneficial to my preparation for my future studies in health sciences. I have adapted time and time again to each new experience that comes my way, and I will continue to do so in health research settings with my previous experiences providing aid at every step of the way.

At six years old, I first became interested in public health and health studies. After attending a funeral for my mom’s college friend, who had passed away from cancer, I struggled to understand death but felt driven to help prevent deadly diseases that take our loved ones. My fascination with diseases grew as I learned about their effects on the human body. The COVID-19 pandemic made public health especially relevant to me, revealing how societal understanding, cultural beliefs, and policies can shape healthcare. In the US, misconceptions about healthcare and the pandemic notably influenced public perception, with lasting effects. I am going to make the world a better place by clearing up misconceptions about global health. I will accurately measure health statistics to improve public education on our health. This aligns with my goal of helping communities through either curing or preventing diseases. My ultimate goal is to use the health sciences I intend to study to help cure diseases and communicate factual information to prevent anything like another COVID-19 from occurring again. Until my plans can be realized, I am putting effort into making my personal community a better place. Through my internship at our school farm and my service projects with my travel baseball team, I have developed my empathy for the issues of widespread hunger and access to healthcare. While interning at Holbrook Senior Living, I worked in the memory care unit, where people with declining mental states live. It was this internship that I developed a passion for healthcare research. These experiences were useful to me because they prepared and inspired me to find a place in the healthcare industry. Empathy in healthcare should be valued more than it currently is. Whether you have a patient in front of you or are conducting a clinical trial for a treatment for a dangerous disease, understanding the people or person you are treating can help lower their anxiety. Health promotion is just as important in healthcare as the search for cures and treatments. As a multi-award-winning photographer, I understand the meaning of messages through captivating visuals. Using tools such as social media and artistic vision, I want to capture the public’s attention to communicate clear, fact-based information about global health. My experiences through community service, internships, and promotion through visual media have been beneficial to my preparation in making the world a healthier place. I have adapted time and time again to each new experience that comes my way, and I will continue to do so in health research settings with my previous experiences providing aid at every step of the way. Even if I start at a smaller community level, I am prepared to expand my efforts to the whole world.