“Advance!” “Retreat!” “Again!” My shoes scrape against the metal strip with each abrupt change of direction, beads of sweat rolling off my face as my breath falls into a steady rhythm with my footwork. With each seemingly repetitive and mundane drill, I focus on the fundamentals, conquering any temptatious thoughts of half-hearted effort. I love fencing for its ever-changing nature. New opponents and new actions mean I have to continuously adapt to meet the challenges using a combination of strategic thinking and refined technique. At competitions, I remind myself of my unwavering efforts and commitment to fencing - the physical chess - thinking of my love for the sport and how I find serenity within the blindingly fast and fierce motions. The jarring sounds of flying blades clashing against each other and the shouts of impassioned coaches fade into a hush as I take an ever-familiar stance, muscles tensed, ready for action. Yet, there were times I dreaded fencing, especially when it was time to review videos of my defeats from competitions. While Top 8 medals at national competitions and victories were rewarding, losses were difficult to face. Over the years, I learned that for my fencing to improve, I had to face those emotions. As much as it was difficult to watch a defeat, I began analyzing each action and touch, watching and learning from my mistakes. When I entered high school, I frequently encountered bitter disappointments that I did not want to dwell on. However, like with fencing, whether it be an unsuccessful model bridge construction in Science Olympiad after six months of work or the persistence of an unresolved budget issue in Student Senate, I approached each challenge with vigor as I knew doing so would help me grow; fencing had taught me the value of persevering through the sting of disappointment. In college, I will face many unanticipated challenges, and I know I will tackle each wholeheartedly with determination and enthusiasm. At the end of the day, fencing is more than just a sport that involves two individuals trying to score points by hitting each other with swords. It teaches individuals how to be understanding of others and their perspectives. In fencing, one needs to constantly analyze their opponent's moves, anticipate their next move and react accordingly. This requires a high level of observation and understanding of the opponent's thought process, which helps to develop empathy and patience. Fencers also learn how to communicate effectively with their opponents and coaches, which helps to build a sense of community and understanding. Overall, fencing not only builds physical strength and agility but also helps to foster important social skills that can be applied in various aspects of life.

In recent years, our planet has been facing numerous challenges, from climate change to resource depletion. The ever-increasing population and the demands of our modern lifestyle have caused severe resource shortages, putting a strain on our planet's ability to sustain us. We need to find solutions that promote the efficient use of resources and reduce waste. One such solution is the creation of a circular economy platform that prioritizes the reuse, repair, and recycling of products and materials. This platform has the potential to address resource shortages and preserve our planet's limited resources. A circular economy platform would have several key components that work together to promote sustainability and reduce waste. The first component would be a comprehensive database of all available resources, including materials, products, and energy sources. This database would be designed to be continuously updated and shared among participating companies and organizations, making it accessible to those looking to source materials and products for reuse or recycling. The second component would be the promotion of product design for reuse. The platform would encourage designers and manufacturers to create products that are designed for reuse and repair, rather than being disposable. Guidelines would be provided for designing products with modular components that can be easily disassembled and reused in new products. The platform would also incentivize companies to adopt circular business models that prioritize product longevity, repairability, and reusability. The third component would be the incentivization of material recovery and recycling. The platform would encourage companies to recover materials from their products at the end of their useful life and recycle them into new products. The platform would help facilitate the collection and processing of materials through partnerships with waste management companies, recyclers, and manufacturers. Guidance would be provided on the best practices for recycling various materials, including plastics, metals, and glass. The fourth component would be the promotion of sharing and rental services. The platform would facilitate sharing and rental services by providing a marketplace for individuals and companies to rent or share their products with others. Guidelines would be provided for sharing and rental services that prioritize the efficient use of resources and reduce waste. The fifth component would be the promotion of energy efficiency. The platform would encourage companies and individuals to use renewable energy sources and reduce energy waste through improved building design, transportation, and manufacturing processes. Guidance would be provided on the best practices for reducing energy waste and adopting renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal energy. In conclusion, the creation of a circular economy platform is an essential step toward addressing resource shortages on Earth. The platform has the potential to promote the efficient use of resources, reduce waste, and preserve our planet's limited resources. To create this platform, we would need a team of experts in circular economy, materials science, engineering, and business development. We would also need funding to cover development costs, server hosting, and marketing expenses. Additionally, we need to establish partnerships with companies, governments, and non-profit organizations to encourage participation and adoption of the platform. Once launched, the platform could generate revenue through subscription fees, transaction fees, and partnerships with companies and organizations looking to improve their sustainability practices. Overall, the circular economy platform has the potential to make a significant impact on our planet's sustainability and ensure that future generations have access to the resources they need to thrive.

The ashes clouded the sky, blackening the car windows as the hillside glowed an eerie red. Seeing the destruction wrought by the wildfire closing in on my home, I was angry. The world seemed aware of the consequences of climate change yet was slow to take action. It was the evening of December 10, 2017, and a fire was lit in me, one that would inspire me for the years to come. Though at first I was daunted by the prospect of combating climate change, a newfound spark compelled me into action. Redirecting my anger and hurt, I spent my time buried in National Geographic magazines, listened to radio interviews of politicians' climate stances, and watched my favorite Attenborough’s Blue Planet on repeat. I was driven to constantly learn, hoping to find incremental solutions to the climate crisis. Fast forward five years, the anger I once felt has transformed into excitement and anticipation for a greener future. While I haven’t found a solve-all solution to climate change, I now advocate for increased sustainability, engage in conversations on environmental policies, and research renewable energies. I also began a neighborhood initiative to collect used shoes. I wanted to protect the planet by reducing the amount of waste our community created while putting unwanted shoes to good use. By biking around my neighborhood, hoping to limit my carbon footprint in the process, I delivered letters to my neighbors asking for shoe donations. Setting up a collection box in front of my home, shoes soon came piling in. Afternoons and weekends would be spent organizing, packing, and shipping off boxes of shoes. I soon joined a group of volunteers at Soles4Souls who wanted to expand their impact on others beyond their own communities. Over the next two years, with continual involvement, I became the California Head Ambassador. I worked with volunteers across the state to organize shoe drives in communities and at local marathons. I initiated talks to create a partnership between Soles4Souls and nonprofits like the McCourt Foundation. I wanted to create opportunities for others to get involved and contribute to the cause. Through my experience with Soles4Souls, I realized the power of a collective force. What had begun as a simple shoe drive in my neighborhood at the beginning of high school led to a meaningful experience in which I could engage a larger community. Ultimately, as I enter college, I will continue to hold dear the need to protect our planet. From limiting our carbon footprint through reducing waste to limiting our carbon dioxide emission through educating others and bringing a larger community together, I am confident that we can come together to protect our planet.