I was standing on the grounds of a cemetery, holding my grandma’s hand as we walked among the gravestones. One gravestone was different, however; a large angel-shaped monument made out of marble and stone. My grandma, a first-generation immigrant who had worked relentlessly her whole life, noticed my interest. She told me that whoever was buried there must have been very wealthy to afford such an extravagant gravestone. Admittedly, she wanted to buy the smallest gravestone for herself when the time came, because that was all she could afford. When I heard this, I looked at her. Her hands were scarred from years of labor; her eyes filled with both passion and exhaustion. In that moment, it literally felt like my heart was cut into pieces. I promised myself that I would become successful enough to give her everything she ever needed, so she would never have to settle for less. I started to work harder than I ever had before. I spent my days filled with endless studying and academic achievement. Every quiz, test, and assignment became a path towards a future where I could provide for my family. As days go by, I gradually began to notice the distance between myself and the people I cared about. There were days when I would come home, exhausted, and realize I had gone hours without speaking to anyone. It was during this period that I learned how important balance was, realizing that success meant little if achieved in isolation. I started to think more seriously about my academic goals, considering my future college aspirations. I found out that I developed a strong interest in gynecology. I spent days writing essays and giving speeches, hoping to bring more attention and support to women’s health issues. My dream to become a gynecologist comes from the inequities experienced by my mother, my grandma, and myself. I witnessed firsthand the challenges and barriers women face. This inspired me to advocate for equal opportunities and the care that they deserve. To me, college is so much more than just a place to take classes and earn a degree. It’s an opportunity to pursue my passions and to change the world for good. It’s about dedicating myself to what I love while also taking steps for the sake of my family and also for myself. By remembering that moment in the cemetery, holding my grandma’s hand, and making a promise to give her the life she deserved, I realize how deeply my family’s sacrifices have shaped my dreams. More than anything, I want to make my family proud, not just by earning a degree, but by building something that honors the struggles we came from. Coming from a family of immigrants who have endured financial hardship, graduating from high school and going to college is not just my dream; it’s the dream of my entire family. I want to be successful so I can give back to my loved ones and provide them with opportunities and relief they never had growing up.

When I first entered middle school, I experienced frequent bullying and was often shamed for being quiet and introverted. These experiences fostered a deep sense of self-consciousness regarding both my appearance and personality, eventually leading to feelings of isolation and detachment from my community. At that point, I began to accept the negative labels others assigned to me, which led me to perceive myself as fundamentally separate from my classmates. Throughout lunch periods, I consistently sat alone, too apprehensive to engage with others out of fear that I would be perceived as strange. On one occasion, after receiving an award for academic excellence, I was given a ticket to the student store. I used it to purchase a cone-shaped popsicle and, as usual, returned to my seat. While eating, the popsicle slipped from my mouth onto the table in full view of a group of classmates. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, I found myself in tears and retreated to the girls’ restroom, where I remained until lunch ended. At that moment, I wished relentlessly for the school year to end as quickly as possible. Finally, summer came and I graduated middle school. I finally opened up to people and tried to gain more confidence by being myself. I realized then that finding my individuality was important, but to truly gain it, one must recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses and embrace them. So, I stayed true to myself and let go of the past, embracing new horizons and finding my own community. As of now, I know that individuality is a process, not a destination. The more you get to know yourself and live according to your own values, the more your individuality will shine through. Being in a caring community is the strongest thing to help you develop your sense of self. It is the most important aspect of truly finding who you are. I want to make my community better than before; not just to make friends, but to help others who are stuck trying to find themselves just as I did. I am extremely passionate about making a community better for my family and future generations because when we invest in improving our communities, whether through education, inclusivity, or infrastructure, we ensure that future generations inherit a place where they could be happy. Building a good and strong community provides more opportunities and a sense of belonging which helps young people develop into confident and capable individuals. I want to improve my community by leaving a positive legacy and empowering future generations to build even greater achievements.