This year, my friend arranged an ensemble to play for a nursing home. He invited me to play cello alongside other classmates. Some pieces were difficult, and I hadn’t played them in a while. Starting with Dvorak, I began to regain my groove. The rhythms and notes flowed with a sense of timing. Each member moved their body in unison. Feelings of satisfaction rushed into my skin as my bow glided across my cello strings. By the end of rehearsal, I felt better about the performance the next day. Walking into the performance room, our identical outfits gave a professional impression, which impressed the senior audience members. Although the performance was far from perfect, I was still proud of the group. The elders complimented our playing and encouraged us to come back next time. Seeing their smiles and receiving their impressed comments gave me more confidence to continue performing outside of school. Knowing I could affect the community through music pushes me to continue my passion and improve my skills.

I owe my interest in architectural engineering to the Sims 4. Occasionally, I launch the game to relax and build homes and structures. The development of each home is a different but satisfying experience. Although I only have the base game items, I experiment with various styles and designs that encapsulate a setting for each Sims character or family. The house of each Sim is crucial to the storytelling, as it reflects the characteristics of that Sim. For wealthier Sims, I stretch their pristine home over a large plot of land, neatly arrange their front and back yards, and sprinkle a few outrageously priced items throughout their mansion. My favorite part of designing Sims homes is getting the shape of the house right. The shell of the house sets both restrictions and opportunities for the rest of the home. I value the personalization of my builds to each Sim, and I’ve learned that the design of their homes is significant to each character’s lifestyle. Likewise, people and businesses rely on the functionality of buildings to cater to their needs and unique qualities. For example, medical facilities are subject to strict regulations that require them to meet standards to operate their business. Even with less time on my hands now, I still marvel at the buildings around me: my local church’s grand and modern structure; the colorful, friendly appeal of the children’s hospital; and downtown’s sky-reaching buildings that hold countless offices essential to corporations. The Sims 4 game doesn’t replicate the reality of science, leading me to wonder about the real-life possibilities of my creations. Architectural engineering grants me access to the science that enables my creativity to materialize. I hope to design reliable buildings for businesses and companies that meet the legal qualifications and my clients’ visual standards. On the other hand, the medical version of engineering has piqued my interest. Growing up, I endured countless allergies to food, seasonal elements, and medicine. Every lunch line transaction required a lengthy password to be entered by a designated lunch lady to ensure my peanut allergy wouldn’t hinder my ability to be. I often turned down popular snacks and candy because of the particular ingredients. On top of that, I watched my mother constantly working at a retail pharmacy store before building and establishing her own with my stepdad. My sister also wants to pursue medical school and become a doctor. The pharmacist and doctor career paths weren’t appealing to me; I wanted to serve the community by creating. My passion for creating has shown through my involvement in the Knit and Stitch Club (a crafting crochet and knitting club), my photography business, and my general dawdling in creative games like the Sims 4. Since the beginning, my favorite activity has been creativity-related. Crochet and photography challenged my ability to create new products. Biomedical engineering, in a way, combines creativity and medicine. Physicists research various specific molecule behaviors to apply findings to a critical issue in modern medicine.

Math reinforces my love of learning and helping my community. Math has always been my favorite subject. Starting in 7th grade, I’ve taken advanced math classes to continuously challenge myself. I am two years ahead of my peers in math classes. This year, I sit in AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics, and math continues to amaze me. My fondness for mathematics has enabled me to help others learn. During COVID-19 times, I helped tutor my stepbrothers in their math classes. My family decided to keep us home to attend online school for a year until the pandemic cooled. I tutored my older brother in Algebra 1 and my younger brother with 6th-grade math. As an 8th grader, I did not know how to teach my brothers each skill properly, so it challenged both of us. The more I taught, however, the more I learned how to handle each issue. Especially with my older brother, there were times that it was hard to explain certain Algebra 1 concepts given that I finished the course last year. I exercised patience with both of my stepbrothers and worked with them to fill knowledge gaps. Presently, I am involved with my high school’s Mu Alpha Theta organization. This math-focused honor society provides opportunities for members to tutor younger students in math, compete in math competitions, and volunteer. The more I tutor, the more I recognize the growth I’ve had.

I owe my interest in architectural engineering to the Sims 4. Occasionally, I launch the game to relax and build homes and structures. The development of each home is a different but satisfying experience. Although I only have the base game items, I experiment with various styles and designs that encapsulate a setting for each Sims character or family. The house of each Sim is crucial to the storytelling, as it reflects the characteristics of that Sim. For wealthier Sims, I stretch their pristine home over a large plot of land, neatly arrange their front and back yards, and sprinkle a few outrageously priced items throughout their mansion. My favorite part of designing Sims homes is getting the shape of the house right. The shell of the house sets both restrictions and opportunities for the rest of the home. I value the personalization of my builds to each Sim, and I’ve learned that the design of their homes is significant to each character’s lifestyle. Likewise, people and businesses rely on the functionality of buildings to cater to their needs and unique qualities. For example, medical facilities are subject to strict regulations that require them to meet standards to operate their business. Even with less time on my hands now, I still marvel at the buildings around me: my local church’s grand and modern structure; the colorful appeal of the children’s hospital; and downtown’s sky-reaching buildings that hold countless offices essential to corporations. The Sims 4 game doesn’t replicate the reality of science, leading me to wonder about the real-life possibilities of my creations. Architectural engineering grants me access to the science that enables my creativity to materialize. I hope to design reliable buildings for businesses and companies that meet the legal qualifications and my clients’ visual standards.

Since I was a child, becoming a lawyer was my dream. However, I was only able to gaze at the goal until recently: until the dream started to materialize more. Over this past summer, I took summer courses to gain enough credits to graduate early. This experience was grueling and tough, but I persevered to successfully gain credit for both of the courses. Graduating a year early from high school, I will attend a 4-year undergraduate college to get my architectural engineering degree. I have started applications for college as a hybrid junior-senior in high school. Architectural engineering inspires my curiosity for the logistical way of processes in our world in scientific terms. This degree will help me become eligible to apply for law school. I have not decided on which college I want to go to yet, but any school in the United States will be under my radar. During my transition out of college, preparations for the LSAT will begin. From now until I am enrolled in law school, I intend to seek opportunities to shadow and observe legal processes, such as sitting in on the courts in my area that are open to the public. My interest in law comes from the giant cloud of curiosity about processes. By the time I graduate from undergraduate school, I will have explored the scientific and physical processes of architectural engineering. This would still leave a gaping hole of hunger for ideological and legal processes. Law is an abstract concept to me. There are so many intricate interpretations, concepts, and details that weave together the tapestry of law. I have a few categories of law on my mind: business, medical, medical business, construction, and more. I want to defend businesses that are at a disadvantage. Those who work in a complex field surrounded and restricted by rules and regulations will run into inevitable legal trouble. As a lawyer, I aspire to represent people who are deceived by corporate giants that don't consider the fight of smaller companies. I want to run my own firm to conduct my services after I obtain my law degree. I especially want to work closely with pharmacies because my mother is a pharmacist. Seeing the hardships and obstacles that she pushed through inspired me to become a better person. My mom immigrated to the United States, got into pharmacy school, and raised twins all around the same time. She is one of my greatest supporters and inspires me to pursue my interest in architectural engineering and law.

"Don't go into the tall grass!" Veronika's mom warns us. My friend, Veronika, and I head past our neighborhood dog parks. The freshly cut grass paves a path that leads us into a woody backdrop. The lush greens and yellows of the trees, grass, and sunset create an appealing setting for my photoshoot. We obediently tread through the shallow grass areas and avoid the tall grass. This photoshoot was one of my first few portrait sessions. I bribed my friend to let me explore and experience the complex functions of my Sony ZVE10. I set up my friend against the static cluster of woodlands where the sunlight shone across her face and brightened her whole body. Her white top and flowy skirt mimicked the yellow and orange glow of the sun. Lacking preparation of poses, I cooperated with Veronika when it came to modeling. Luckily, she was a natural. Her expressions fluctuated between a smile and serious face. Remembering some poses that I harvested from social media, I order her to prance around, stand with flowers, and lean on the fence. Once we were both juiced out of ideas, I ran back home and pulled out laptop to filter out obvious mistake, and then I open my free version of Lightroom Mobile. I first sat on my rolling office chair, adjusting the sliders until the image looked right to me. I take a break to reset my perspective, and then proceeded to edit while laying on my bed. Fighting sleep, I finally conclude my collection of photos in early morning hours. After sending the link to my Google Photos album, I received praise. Veronika's reaction made my efforts worth it. She quickly acknowledged her satisfaction and set her social media picture to one that I worked on. That night, I slept soundly. In moments like these, I regain assurance that my effort brings joy and that photography is a gift like no other.

Instagram Reels radiates from my phone. Addictive colors and images swirl with catchy sound bites as I scroll through short-form content. Around the beginning of 2024, "LeSunshine" became an internet sensation. LeBron James's face was melded with a yellow sun icon, plastered over reels, and synced with Christina Perri's song, "You Are My Sunshine". At first, I didn't think much of this. The internet could be a stupid source of entertainment. However, as I was getting more exposure, I started finding myself intrigued. Due to exposure of popular culture, I've known of LeBron James, but who was he really? Why was this foolish media impactful to my understanding of greatness? One of the greatest American basketball players, LeBron James, is an icon. Internationally known for his incredible basketball statistics, this Los Angeles Lakers player has been recognized by millions of fans as one of the most dedicated and hardworking people on earth. Surprisingly, unlike most fans, I am a fan of LeBron James because of media exposure. But, that wasn't the only thing that led me to identify his accomplishments. Being exposed to the countless hours in each day, and, ultimately, years that he put towards basketball. Although the talent is inevitable, no shear amount of birth-given talent could've taken someone as far as he has gone. His work ethic and obsession is admirable to me. Having to stand up against a plethora of opponents that want him to fail and maintaining his reign as "King James" is no easy feat. His mind is extremely strong and persistent, and I aspire to have a mind as durable as his. LeBron James might have been a sunshine meme at first, but his underlying hard work and persistence earned him his fame.

Crime and exploitation is in every corner of our imperfect sphere of a world. Greedy humans take advantage of gullible innocence either through physical and mental manipulation. One aspect of crime that is true to its identity is law. My dream career is a lawyer. At first, the crisp, ironed suits and neat appearance of lawyers intrigued me. Close family members supported my love for reading and applied that to support the idea of my future career as a lawyer. "Lawyers read a lot" my mother repeated to me. However, this stoic image lawyers soon failed to hold reason when I explained my desire to climb into the law sphere. Many television shows and movies capture law as an intense, serious fight between two main opponents. Ultimately, the smarter lawyer wins in an unexpected twist that sends shock down every courtroom audience member's spine. The winner always utilizes logical thinking to assess the evidential facts and turn out the concluding punch that sends the bad guy to jail. As entertaining as it could be, real life doesn't always live up to TV expectations. Sure, there are instances where the case is so dramatic that it spreads like a wildfire in media. I find my desire to pursue law in the logical aspect. I wouldn't find distaste in playing out courtroom drama, but I marvel over the fascinating inner workings and interpretation of law. The United States, in particular, traversed through many eras of law. Struggles of interpretation continues today, and many Americans are affected. A plethora of social, economic, political, and environmental issues revolve around what the law allows an individual or organization to do. Immigrants weave the complexities of American law that ultimately keep "aliens" outside of the patriotic union. Divorcees face the inconsistencies of splitting property. Clients blindly sign exploitative contracts. The law ruins people, but it can also protect people. My goal as a lawyer is to ensure that all of my clients will gain the compensation they deserve. People deserve to fight for what is they believe is right. Whether it be custody of their children or five inches more of their neighbor's yard, people deserve a chance to prove themselves right. I particularly strive to practice business law or medicine law. Many cruel, giant companies reap major benefits while hurting others in the process. I desire to represent those who are ripped and trampled on by heartless corporate giants. I want to represent the people.

My passion started when I was picking an instrument to play at school. We had the option of choosing an elective of band, orchestra, or taking music and art class. I wanted to play an instrument to feel included. By the first few weeks of school, I was hooked and wanted to play the cello well. Playing the cello is a hobby I enjoy. I could play it for my family and friends, compete at competitions, or play enjoyable music for myself. It helps me cope with more stressful situations at school and is an escape from the pressure of school work. Another hobby I am passionate about is crocheting. I enjoy using all types of material and a hook to create stuffed animals, bags, and much more. One example project I did in my free time was crocheting fluffy stuffed bees. The bees bring me much happiness and are a stress reliever when I need them. My passions list is endless, but playing the cello and crocheting are some of my top favorite things to do.