From a very young age, my parents instilled a mindset of gratitude into my moral compass. Due to the hard work of my parents, and their immigrant parents before them, my siblings and I have been able to enjoy opportunities they never could. With each meal, plane ride, and day at school, my parents reminded me how fortunate I was. As I’ve matured, this mentality has blossomed as I’ve worked to escape the bubble of ignorance caused by growing up in the suburbs. I make sure that I never take my life for granted as I educate myself on the hardships and tragedies all over the world. The normalities of my life are luxuries to others, and with this understanding, I feel a responsibility to do my part to make the world a better place. Community service has been woven into my life since my youth. I grew up a Girl Scout, organizing food drives and visiting nursing homes. While I knew these efforts were for a good cause, it was difficult to fully comprehend the weight of the issues at hand. That changed when I discovered Days for Girls. I first learned about this organization through a close friend of mine. She explained the mission of Days for Girls was to provide high-quality, reusable feminine hygiene products to girls in Africa. This cause struck me more than any previous service project. As a girl myself, I knew how painful and disruptive periods could be, from stabbing cramps to vicious mood swings. I couldn’t imagine having to endure all of that without the help of Advil and adequate products. I was reminded that the box of tampons sitting in my cabinet was not a privilege all girls have. This inequity is one of the many examples of women's health being overlooked and pushed aside worldwide. Every woman has a right to have access to safe, capable hygiene products and I wanted to help this cause. At my first volunteer event, I was welcomed into an ambassador's house. Inside, I saw people from all walks of life, from young girls to middle aged men. Together we worked in stations, sewing together durable fabric in order to craft long-lasting pads. As we worked, I got to learn more about the cause as well as converse with the other volunteers. Though some of us did not speak the same language and we all lived different lives, everyone had come together because we believed in the cause. We believed that no girl should ever be left without a necessity as basic as a pad. This experience was eye opening for me and for that I am forever grateful. I am aware that I live a privileged life. I have a loving family, a good education, and a roof over my head. Though, it is important to remember to zoom out. I believe it is the duty of those fortunate to share their blessings with others. I would like to continue my work in service to help those who are not as fortunate which is why pursuing a career in medicine is very important to me. I am a passionate advocate for women’s health as well as other causes, and I would like to use my voice to spread awareness. While working in medicine, I will have the tools to make a real impact on my community. In doing this, it’s my belief that we can cultivate a better, kinder tomorrow.

Dance was my first love. Growing up in tutus has forever shaped the person I am today, providing me a space to express myself and fueled my creativity. Even so, my fiery love began to grow cold as years passed. This chill began to overflow into every corner of my life and I wondered if I would ever feel the warmth again. In the Spring of my 8th grade year, I made the spontaneous decision to try out for my high school’s drill team, the Rosettes. After an anxiety ridden tryout, I had the privilege to make the cut. My rookie year was filled with new experiences that added coal to my fire. The adrenaline that coursed through my veins as I stood under the Friday night lights was a feeling that was unmatched. I looked forward to coming to practice everyday and was willing to give my all every chance I could. Despite my body aches, I couldn’t help but feel rejuvenated after each performance, as my sport replenished my soul. My fire burned such a brilliant shade of red that I never realized one small gust of wind could extinguish this flame. By the next year I was the personification of the ‘Sophomore Slump’. I began to feel suffocated with school work, stressed in relationships, and burnt out in dance. That year was filled with immense academic pressure due to my large course load. It felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day for me to excel both academically and physically in my sport. I let my insecure mind get the best of me and began to constantly compare my talent to that of my peers. The red lips and high kicks were no longer my kerosene, but my ball and chain. I was an empty hearth, occupied only by charred remains of the past. When I was fortunate enough to earn the position of Dance Officer my Senior year, I knew I was going to have to make a change. I was now a role model for the younger girls and needed to lead by example. I made a distinct effort to organize all my obligations to ensure I could give my all to the different corners of my life and refuel my fire. Through checklists, late nights, and support of friends and family, I was able to prioritize my academic work and still give my all in my dancing. In reorganizing my thoughts and actions, I realized that I did not have to sacrifice success in one facet of my life to benefit another. Instead, my intensified work ethic joined the hands of my sport and my schooling, allowing me to succeed in both. This year has proven to me that finding a way to balance my passions was the key to unlocking my successes. This year, I completed 4 AP courses with A’s while also balancing an intense competition schedule. I made time in my week for both my Calculus homework and for 20 hours of dance rehearsal. For this, I am extremely proud. My 15-year-old self would be struck with astonishment upon laying her eyes at the bright fire that resides in my heart when she could make no more than a spark.

From a very young age, my parents instilled a mindset of gratitude into my moral compass. Due to the hard work of my parents, and their immigrant parents before them, my siblings and I have been able to enjoy opportunities they never could. With each meal, plane ride, and day at school, my parents reminded me how fortunate I was. As I’ve matured, this mentality has blossomed as I’ve worked to escape the bubble of ignorance caused by growing up in the suburbs. I make sure that I never take my life for granted as I educate myself on the hardships and tragedies all over the world. The normalities of my life are luxuries to others, and with this understanding, I feel a responsibility to do my part to make the world a better place. Community service has been woven into my life since my youth. I grew up a Girl Scout, organizing food drives and visiting nursing homes. While I knew these efforts were for a good cause, it was difficult to fully comprehend the weight of the issues at hand. That changed when I discovered Days for Girls. I first learned about this organization through a close friend of mine. She explained the mission of Days for Girls was to provide high-quality, reusable feminine hygiene products to girls in Africa. This cause struck me more than any previous service project. As a girl myself, I knew how painful and disruptive periods could be, from stabbing cramps to vicious mood swings. I couldn’t imagine having to endure all of that without the help of Advil and adequate products. I was reminded that the box of tampons sitting in my cabinet was not a privilege all girls have. This inequity is one of the many examples of women's health being overlooked and pushed aside worldwide. Every woman has a right to have access to safe, capable hygiene products and I wanted to help this cause. At my first volunteer event, I was welcomed into an ambassador's house. Inside, I saw people from all walks of life, from young girls to middle aged men. Together we worked in stations, sewing together durable fabric in order to craft long-lasting pads. As we worked, I got to learn more about the cause as well as converse with the other volunteers. Though some of us did not speak the same language and we all lived different lives, everyone had come together because we believed in the cause. We believed that no girl should ever be left without a necessity as basic as a pad. This experience was eye opening for me and for that I am forever grateful. I am aware that I live a privileged life. I have a loving family, a good education, and a roof over my head. Though, it is important to remember to zoom out. I believe it is the duty of those fortunate to share their blessings with others. I would like to continue my work in service to help those who are not as fortunate which is why pursuing a career in medicine is very important to me. I am a passionate advocate for women’s health as well as other causes, and I would like to use my voice to spread awareness. While working in medicine, I will have the tools to make a real impact on my community. In doing this, it’s my belief that we can cultivate a better, kinder tomorrow.

From a very young age, my parents instilled a mindset of gratitude into my moral compass. Due to the hard work of my parents, and their immigrant parents before them, my siblings and I have been able to enjoy opportunities they never could. With each meal, plane ride, and day at school, my parents reminded me how fortunate I was. As I’ve matured, this mentality has blossomed as I’ve worked to escape the bubble of ignorance caused by growing up in the suburbs. I make sure that I never take my life for granted as I educate myself on the hardships and tragedies all over the world. The normalities of my life are luxuries to others, and with this understanding, I feel a responsibility to do my part to make the world a better place. Community service has been woven into my life since my youth. I grew up a Girl Scout, organizing food drives and visiting nursing homes. While I knew these efforts were for a good cause, it was difficult to fully comprehend the weight of the issues at hand. That changed when I discovered Days for Girls. I first learned about this organization through a close friend of mine. She explained the mission of Days for Girls was to provide high-quality, reusable feminine hygiene products to girls in Africa. This cause struck me more than any previous service project. As a girl myself, I knew how painful and disruptive periods could be, from stabbing cramps to vicious mood swings. I couldn’t imagine having to endure all of that without the help of Advil and adequate products. I was reminded that the box of tampons sitting in my cabinet was not a privilege all girls have. This inequity is one of the many examples of women's health being overlooked and pushed aside worldwide. Every woman has a right to have access to safe, capable hygiene products and I wanted to help this cause. At my first volunteer event, I was welcomed into an ambassador's house. Inside, I saw people from all walks of life, from young girls to middle aged men. Together we worked in stations, sewing together durable fabric in order to craft long-lasting pads. As we worked, I got to learn more about the cause as well as converse with the other volunteers. Though some of us did not speak the same language and we all lived different lives, everyone had come together because we believed in the cause. We believed that no girl should ever be left without a necessity as basic as a pad. This experience was eye opening for me and for that I am forever grateful. I am aware that I live a privileged life. I have a loving family, a good education, and a roof over my head. Though, it is important to remember to zoom out. I believe it is the duty of those fortunate to share their blessings with others. I would like to continue my work in service to help those who are not as fortunate which is why pursuing a career in medicine is very important to me. I am a passionate advocate for women’s health as well as other causes, and I would like to use my voice to spread awareness. While working in medicine, I will have the tools to make a real impact on my community. In doing this, it’s my belief that we can cultivate a better, kinder tomorrow.