First off, I want to express major gratitude towards the Terry family. Dr. Terry's story inspires not just me, but many others-- showing that trials and tribulations are not a reason that we should back down, but rather a challenge to get up and become better than we were before. During my time in the Philippines, I would remember my Lola Ina’s gentle voice call out, “Achi, it’s time for you to get up,” as she was shaking me back and forth until I had opened my eyes. The brightness of the sun had forced me to get up in order to start my day. I can still smell the spam being fried, the distinct sound of a knife chopping green onions. After putting on my sandals, I rushed to the dining table, drawn to the comfort of my family's voice. I would recall small bits of conversation the adults would have, talking about the political climate that would haunt them forever. At first, I had no idea what my relatives were talking about. The hushed conversations about the power outages, constant protests, and the growing cost of basic needs. At that moment, I didn't understand the adversity my family was going through-- being sheltered from the worst parts. However, I could feel the melancholy in their voices and the sighs in each breath they took. Whenever I reminisce about the past, I perceive those mornings in an alternative way. To undergo what my family had to go through was severe, it a testimony about survival and resilience. I would recall the moments my mother would visit me after her work. She would only visit once a while, as she worked tirelessly as a nanny. However, whenever she would visit, she would take me on these magical trips, which felt like an expedition. I think back to the bus ride home, just getting back from Quezon City--- my head on her lap, while her soft fingers through my hair. As I was about to fall asleep, I could hear my mother sob. Curious, I put my head up and asked, "What's wrong?" "Nothing Achi, I'm just feeling sad right now," she whispered. "Why?," I asked. Silently, she responds, "Lot's of things are going on right now. Let's go to sleep... okay?" She carefully puts my head back down on her lap, as she gently strokes my head, making me fall asleep. At the time, my mother had endured challenges throughout her life in the Philippines-- stress, financial stress, emotional stress, and the strain of providing for two children. Eventually, we moved to the States. Still, I could still hear the hushed sobs my mom would hide in her room every now and then. My family had suffered with poverty all throughout our life. I had to leave my cousins and family to pursue a better life for myself. That is the greatest challenge I had ever faced. But, the lesson? I learned that no matter how hard it is for yourself, you have to achieve greatness. You have to be the diamond in the rough, the star in the making, and the gold beneath the dust. That's why Dr. Terry's story resonates for me, while things got rough he turned it around. Through the political turmoil my family had to face, I've found my passion in law. With this scholarship, it will attain my goal of becoming a Human Rights Lawyer to protect citizens and serve justice. One day, I hope to enter public service, where I can be the voice for the unheard.

Fried chicken, the delicacy that brings families and people together when eating this appealing meal. The process of seasoning the chicken to everyone’s likeness and cooking can take hours to master. Such pressure to balance the art of seasoning, and the perfect crisp had translated into my own life. As time passed, I realized I couldn’t maintain everyone’s standards; the only expectation that mattered to me most was that of my parents. Ultimately, their opinion was the only thing I’ve ever known and chased, eventually losing sight of my own dreams along the way. My parents had a specific recipe to make fried chicken. They preferred breasts and legs over thighs and wings, similar to how they preferred me attaining A’s and B’s, nothing else, throughout the school year. They liked crunchy, but not too crunchy, just like how they wanted me to have a social life but limited me to only one hangout per week. Their perfect recipe was intended to follow their perfect religious lifestyle, successful- but not too successful because they wanted their fried chicken to prioritize having a family and following traditional values. For years and years, I had to uphold their pristine vision of fried chicken that I could never reach. It took me a while to understand that I didn’t need to. While it used to set me back, it now kept me going. I reached goals I’d never dreamt of achieving. I founded the first Environmental Club within my school and became president of the AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) Club, I took AP Classes to challenge myself, and I worked two jobs to help bring money in when my dad was unemployed. However, in my parents' eyes, I would never be the ideal child. I was like their personal chef. Each time they didn’t like the meal, they would return it with nasty criticism and assume a better meal; only to expect mediocre. Sooner than later, I realized that I was not building a life for myself but living in their exact shadow. My mental health worsened throughout high school, and I realized things about myself that I never knew. Even though dealing with this was tough, I met new friends and made memories that I will never forget. It was then on I became aware that I could never uphold anyone’s golden standard but my own. I had accomplished so many things to appease my parents, but that only left me wondering what I had achieved for myself. My love for debating and providing care for minorities made me realize my true purpose—to become a Human Rights Lawyer. Though my parents felt discontented with my goal, thinking it was malarkey and foolish, I had help from those around me to encourage me and my dream. With the help of my teachers, friends, and my constant drive to reach the top, I became my own chef of my story. Even through the constant stress my parents made me endure, I realized that it all was for the best. The drive for success was all they ever wanted, and no matter what, they wanted me to be happy. There are a million ways that fried chicken can be made. You can brine it, pressure fry it, put it on a skillet, use wet batter, different seasonings, beer, and so many other things. Throughout my life, I tried to meet the criteria my parents set for me. Although my parents’ perpetual burdens made me feel strained at times, they are what drove me to be who I am today. I may not be the perfect fried chicken, but I am me.

As a minority, I've experienced racism first-hand. Whether it was meant explicit or subtle, the writing was always on the walls. Yet the challenges I had faced, I understand that I am still well-fortunate then some others. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and a car to be transported everywhere I go. However, not everyone has that. Even since I was a child, I would walk the city streets with my family, noticing people struggling to get by. It's heart-breaking to see people like me, navigating life on a tightrope, trying to balance the inequities they face in life. This perception had stuck with me early on, and eventually followed me through high-school, where I was brave enough to join the Speech & Debate Team in my high-school. At first, I dreamt of being a psychologist or doctor. But ever since I joined the team, and stood up on the podium to say my first ever speech, something in me had changed. I was faced with writing legislation about civil rights or challenging constitutional questions that still bug me today. I wasn't just learning, I was advocating. I was challenging the system. Right then and there, I realized my true calling, being a Human/Civil Rights Lawyer. I've learned during the course of my educational journey that the government is a complex entity that is somewhat difficult to attain all of its understanding. However, no matter how intricate and multifaceted the term "government" is, I was still determined to change the system no matter what. Over the course of my academic journey, I had taken AP World History, AP US History, and I am currently enrolled in AP US Government to deepen my understanding of political events and how to work on it. Outside the classroom, I have surrounded myself with extracurricular activities to promote my leadership roles and advocacy. As the founder and president of the Environmental Club and AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) Club, I have actively served my community and raised awareness about racism, representation, and equality. Even with the political turmoil that is dividing our people and country, I still believe in what the Declaration of Independence had preached, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". These words are engrained in me, even if our system falls short. But, I believe in the ability to grow. I believe in using education, law, and advocacy will ultimately push our country to closer ideology. This scholarship is more than just financial aid, it's a gateway to my future in law and eventually a political career. It will allow me to focus on college and my studies in political science and pre-law, instead of worrying about tuition. Furthermore, this will encourage me to become more involved within my community and challenge societal standards. I want to be one of the people in the world that helps upbring our nation in times of need, and this scholarship will help set up my path for greatness in the world.