All my life, I’ve been drawn to mathematics. I still remember when we started learning statistics in sixth grade, and I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. Eleven-year-old me would be thrilled to know that I am now pursuing a future in data science and bioinformatics: a field that combines statistics with other subjects I now love, like computer science, business, and biology. My major in data science and minor in bioinformatics have become a collage of my favorite academic areas: programming to establish and sift through databases, statistical analysis to draw conclusions, interpersonal and business skills to present findings, and computational biology to apply these skills to our surroundings. With my passion for all things STEAM and interdisciplinary blend of academic studies, I’m eager to contribute to research projects in various fields and bring a unique background to the design process. I ensure that I never stop learning, as I am always open to new perspectives and love to think outside the box, rejecting traditional thinking to create innovative ideas. Participating in research projects would provide me with invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to real-world challenges, enhancing my problem-solving abilities and preparing me for future endeavors in data science and bioinformatics. This experience could open doors to further research opportunities, advanced studies, or industry roles, where I aspire to drive innovation and make tangible contributions to the field. Beyond academics, I am a federal work-study student and heavily involved in philanthropy. I work around six hours a week in an on-campus lab as an AI Project Worker for the non-profit ASSISTments, where I sort through K-12 students’ math homework and use object detection to identify mathematical content to be used as the knowledge base for AI. This role lets me apply my passion for technology to community projects. Additionally, as the Philanthropy Events Chair for my sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, I help organize fundraisers and events that raise thousands of dollars each semester for Stand Up for Kids, an organization that supports local youth experiencing homelessness and foster care. These activities allow me to give back to the community and spread positivity throughout the city and campus. In short, my journey in mathematics has led me to the interdisciplinary realm of data science and bioinformatics, where I've discovered a passion for blending statistics, programming, and biology to shape my future. With a commitment to continuous learning and creative thinking, I am eager to leverage my STEAM background and contribute to research projects across various fields. My active involvement in the WPI community has further enriched my college experience by allowing me to engage in philanthropic endeavors and spread positivity. My dedication to academic excellence, coupled with my commitment to service and community engagement, has taught me the value of humility and the importance of learning from others. I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped me thus far and am eager to continue growing as a scholar and a contributing member of society.

Near the end of my sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with depression and anorexia nervosa. Shortly after, a severe health crisis struck a member of my immediate family, making her frequently in and out of the hospital. The health issue had a long, painful recovery process in which I became the emotional and physical caretaker of a parent involved, all while working through an intensive recovery process for myself. This caused me to miss many days of school and resulted in a substantial decline in the energy I could allocate toward all daily activities. Despite this, I always made an effort to learn, focus, and study to the absolute best of my ability. However, my greatest abilities were significantly diminished because of these circumstances. When I was performing to the highest degree that I possibly could, I still struggled—academically, mentally, and socially. I don’t know how I would have gotten through such trying times without the music as my rock. It was during these health crises when I became Woodwind and Equipment Captain of the marching band. Although I felt a nagging urge to detach myself from the band and distance myself from my hobbies, I knew I had to uphold my responsibilities as a leader. I thought about my freshman self: an awkward girl bubbling with passion, but daunted by the prospect of high school. Music was what guided her. I connected this notion to the underclassmen I would be helping. I had the opportunity to share my love for the band, a love I knew was at my core, but couldn’t feel over the other obstacles plaguing my mind. This was truly what helped me ground myself. Even if my depression felt all-consuming when I was alone, I had the marching band as the place where I needed to stay afloat, where I needed to inspire others. As symptoms and side effects of treatment gradually resolved, I could once again fully dedicate myself to my own aspirations. No longer merely going through the motions, I could now feel the spark of unabashed joy and energy within the band that first drew me in as a freshman. I began to notice the intricacies of music--not the technical ones like dynamics and phrasing, but the messages behind it all. The lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Although I would never wish the pain of mental illness upon anybody, my recovery enabled me to open my eyes wider and see the world through an empathetic, profound lens. Beyond proper roll-stepping technique and how to conduct in a 5/4 beat pattern, what I learned about marching band that makes it so distinctive is how it demands both individuality and unity. It is composed of unique players, each playing with our own sound, but coming together to create one. Without our differences, we have no harmony; without our shared heart, we have no music. It is the foundation of passion and love that holds us together and personal identity that makes us flourish. In my past four years as a member and two years in a leadership position, I have seen my peers grow, watching members in my section as young as twelve blossom from shy, insecure musicians to confident, passionate people. I see myself in them, learning from both the traits they take on from me and the ones I take on from them. The cyclical nature of music is what keeps me going. I truly do not know how I would have gotten through my struggles with mental health if I did not have the loving constancy of music. Although I do not plan to be a professional musician, I have learned countless lessons from my musical experiences that I know will shape the rest of my life. The tenacity and resilience I have gained from my journey with my health, my family, and music have all come together to give me a foundation of perseverance for the rest of my future. I truly value the open-minded approach that I take to anything that comes my way. I treat myself as ever-changing; each and every one of my experiences contains a moral. I have no doubt that this direction will guide me for the rest of my life.

My fingers are aching. The side of my hand is stained gray from the graphite of my pencil. I may or may not have accidentally gotten some of my eraser shavings stuck in my hair. Every time I think I’m making progress, I end up going in a circle. “Did we figure it out yet?” asks my calculus teacher, Mrs. McNamara, beaming. Not one of the ten students in the class even looks up. Our brows are furrowed, stumped by this proof, but persistently attacking it from as many perspectives as we can imagine. “Alright, let’s go through it together. Let me get an extra sheet of paper for this one,” she concedes. Nearly five minutes later, we’re done. We’ve proved that our fourth curvature formula is, in fact, a valid curvature formula. “Wasn’t that so fun?” Some students roll their eyes in response to Mrs. McNamara’s genuine remark, but I smile a little. I’d like to think I take after her passion for mathematics. I see the beauty in what some think are the little things, but what are truly the building blocks for the bigger ones. I absolutely love the problem-solving that comes with mathematics. I enjoy seeing a problem and having to quickly determine what "tools" I can use to most efficiently solve it. I love how there's that creativity involved, but also the structure of rules to guide me to the best option. One of the things that I find so fascinating about mathematics is how we often learn so much more from our mistakes than from our successes. For example, in my AP Calculus BC class last year, I received a failing grade on a quiz near the beginning of a unit. I recognized that if I did not immediately relearn what I didn't know, I would soon fall behind and be unable to understand the rest of the unit. All while I was grappling with personal health issues and caring for sick immediate family members, I spent countless hours reviewing class notes and watching videos to grasp the basics, then practicing problems and attending extra help to figure out what I could and could not do, and how to fix my errors. Whenever I got a question right, it was certainly a morale boost, but I almost preferred to initially get the question wrong. Just because the answer is incorrect doesn't mean that it's a mistake. I learn a method that I know will not work, and can now attempt a different one. With this mindset, I worked tirelessly to get back on track. I earned a 94% on that unit test. I see college as my opportunity to follow in my calculus teacher’s footsteps. Although I do not plan to pursue education as a career, I hope to major in mathematics and share its beauty with others, just as my teacher has done for me. She has truly created an environment where I can let my love for STEM drive the choices I make. I want to help pave the way for future technological advancements by researching the building blocks, the mathematics behind it all. With my passion for the field and the awe-inspiring mentors in this community, I’ll have precisely the support, guidance, and resources I need to make lasting change in our world.

This past June, I volunteered to help set up and run the main booths for my town’s second annual Pride Event. In a politically divided town, events like this provide solace to the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. But a day meant to celebrate our differences soon grew overshadowed by protestors lined up alongside the curb. A group of a dozen men and women with handmade signs throwing slurs and baseless accusations at us. At first, we just laughed it off and kept on with the festivities. Then, the protestors pulled out the megaphone. Their insults projected over the live music, every verse interjected with another jab at our morals. But we did not let the protestors bring us down. Instead, the hosts of the event, the guests, and the volunteers began to share our stories. We shared parts of our life that we had never shared with anyone before, past wounds that the protestors were picking open. But instead of leaving these wounds out to bleed, we patched each other’s up. Our shockingly similar experiences, despite how painful, brought us together. Our conversations exposed me to an invaluable lesson: we are truly not alone. Although I do not plan to focus specifically on LGBTQIA+ advocacy in the future, I aspire to create lasting change in the world. I plan to attend a 4-year college with a double major in Environmental Science and Computer Science. When applying, I ensured that every college on my list had some degree of funding for undergraduate environmental research, for I am eager to implement campuswide sustainability projects. I hope to combine my love for analysis with my passion for environmental justice by learning the types of modeling techniques needed to project the efficacy of various solutions to potential climate crises. The tenacity and resilience I have gained from my journey as a queer woman has given me a foundation of perseverance that will fortify the rest of my future.

Eleven and four tenths. That’s approximately how many metric tons of CO2 I produced in a year as a freshman in high school. My first true introduction to the world of sustainable and local eating began with a shock deep to my core. What started as a months-long Girl Scout project has developed into my cornerstone. I started small. After delving into further research, my troop members and I contacted our community organic farm, MEVO, and discussed the potentially substantial environmental benefits of local eating. With their expertise, we presented our project to hundreds of Girl Scouts, encouraging them to adopt sustainable eating habits into their lifestyles. But despite the project’s completion, the prospect of collective local eating, a collaborative effort to preserve the Earth, remained at the forefront of my mind. I continued to visit the farm and brought my friends to spend the week of our spring break volunteering there. I buy locally whenever possible, frequenting the farmer’s market nearly every Sunday morning. I am far more cognizant of my environmental impact and encourage others to make simple lifestyle changes that minimize their carbon footprint. This perspective has helped shaped my future goals. If we all make just a few habit changes, how significantly could we impact the environment? How could we measure that impact? Realistically, my volunteering at my local organic farm and environmentally friendly diet alterations will have a functionally low impact on the Earth. But what if it weren’t just the handful of people who are well-acquainted with sustainability? In college, I plan to take my passion to the next level. I am eager to continue to expand my reach from personal, to hometown, to campuswide initiatives and beyond. When applying to college, I ensured that every school on my list had some degree of funding for undergraduate environmental research. Many of them have a "campus as a lab" program that will allow me to use my community-focused viewpoint to create further sustainability reform right on campus. I could find ways for campus departments and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing quality or efficiency. The challenge draws me in, and its potential impact implores me to never stop fighting for our planet. Not only will I have the opportunity to advance the school's environmental goals, but I also hope to inspire the individual students to build greener habits that will extend through the rest of their lives.

I hear them utter “hero” as I pass by on the streets. I hear them chanting “valiant” as they kneel down before me. I hear them call me “savior” as I wave to them and wonder why, Why of all the words that they could have chosen from, Do those labels fall on me? These titles they give me, are more than just a name. The words that they have spoken weigh down upon my mind, Like a promise that I must fulfill, but wouldn’t agree to create. Too often do the praises they sing, Feel much more like a burden, than their so-called respect, attempting to pull me into their corrupt reality. These words they throw at me, I can think of many more. If they only knew the half of it, I fear… No. I crave to know how they will define me, Once they know my truth. But I force myself to suppress these traits, so it’s me they idolize. I know that my fears and doubts must be chained within, but I need a taste of the real power I can acquire that was once too strong, for my feeble grasp. Those fears and doubts will escape, so I can go through with this journey that has been right before my eyes, For far too long. The crowd makes way in front of me, parting like the Red Sea. I fight for them, would die for them, and from that, they conclude they understand who I am. I hear them call me “fearless,” yet my fear grows like weeds. It snakes around and traps me in, but should I even bother to fight this force, that restricts my breath far worse, than anything I have experienced before? Yes, “fearless” they may call me, But as I flee into the dark, I can rest well with the knowledge, that I am more than just their Light. I may burn out, Or burn them all; I cannot control what must be done. I pray my courage will see me through, For there is no right, only wrong. I must rely on the fire coursing through my veins To eradicate the childish dreams That once stained their sight.

In my free time, I love to compose and arrange music, often to perform it in my high school's saxophone and clarinet ensembles. Recently, I decided to create a Mario Kart medley. But not just any typical medley. With my arrangement, I set out to create the most realistic experience of playing Mario Kart on the Wii that I possibly could, complete with the music for selecting your engine, the countdown for the race to begin, the interrupting of the theme for the final lap, and more. I hope you enjoy! Link to arrangement: https://flat.io/score/62766ab42dfe970014e78d8d-mario-kart-wii