As someone with exercise induced asthma, it's always a surprise to others that the biggest parts of my life involved running cross-country and my current competitive swim career. Two sports that require intense rigor, high endurance, and year-round training. On top of the physical work, also mental grit, commitment, and never giving up. Exercise induced asthma, however, did not stop me from finding success, qualifying for States in cross-country freshman year, achieving CCS in my 100 freestyle just earlier this year, and breaking school records in both. However, my most cherished memories won't be the medals, but rather, the teammates beside me. Although these two sports are considered very individual sports, I'd argue that they require the most teamwork out of most of the other sports. These sports are surrounded by time, the clock ticking by, a world all about achieving the "cut" and making personal best times. But this has fostered a community encouraging others to achieve their own goals, warming up together, stretching together, every aspect is about going through it with others. In other words, "a common goal." Without someone to race there is no one to be pushed by in practice, no one to learn from, and no one else to be proud of in the end. Looking up to the senior level swimmers on the team when I was a younger runner and swimmer, they supported me in the sidelines and never failed to cheer for me during relays and on their off time. As a rising senior now, I have stepped into their shoes and become the senior that the younger teammates look up to now. To have a senior teammate encourage those still in the beginning stages of the sport, foster the connection with other teammates, the mindset that the sport should bring joy not stress, is the impact I hope to have on the younger generation. As I have become a role model for those younger on my team, I hope to instill in them the importance of growth. I have become who I am today through perseverance and good habits. During fun relays with the younger level group earlier this summer, my senior group acted as mentors to the younger teammates. They looked up to us and befriended us. As a girl told me how she felt nervous before her race on the relay, my "You got this! Just keep kicking!" gave her hope and determination as she dove off the block and grew confident in her abilities. My athletic journey has thus allowed me to become a mentor to the younger generation, serving others and valuing the importance of encouragement toward those around me via setting a good example.

As a competitive swimmer, I was taught the importance of supporting teammates and encouraging others at a very young age. Although the sport is considered an individual sport, I argue that it is one of the most collaborative and encouraging sports in the athletic world. During swim meets, the team looks out for each other. I make sure my teammates are prepared for their events, and while racing, I shout and cheer for teammates, and even younger teammates that I have not met before. With the same team name on their caps, they are a part of the family. After my teammates compete, I uplift them if they are feeling down, and encourage them to keep pushing for their personal bests to be met. Likewise, I find solace in community service. I've been volunteering at my church since the fourth grade. Every summer during Vacation Bible School, I assist as a youth leader to ensure the children are having a good time and feel welcomed in the community. Just this summer, I met a young girl that moved just recently from Virginia, and was still in the process of getting accustomed to the new chapter in her life. She found comfort in me as I guided her throughout the activities of Vacation Bible School everyday, providing her with company as she was new to the church and the community. I feel so much joy every time she sees me, when she runs up to hug me. My service at my local senior living home has also been rewarding. My involvement in keeping the elderly company and helping the staff organize activities is worth it as I bring joy in these communities, offering many the feeling of comfort and being welcomed. I aspire to study bioengineering during undergrad and go to medical school in the future, utilizing my love for science and service for others to become a doctor.

Every October, the last step to carving my jack-o-lanterns is to coat them with Tabasco Sauce. What started as a school science fair project in the fourth grade led to a new discovery. I was able to invent a preservation method for jack-o-lanterns upon discovering that the pepper and vinegar contents in Tabasco Sauce completely inhibited mold growth. An early introduction to the patenting process and the field of American innovation has inspired me to keep inventing. Especially as there is such a small demographic of young, female inventor-patentees, I hope to continue on this path to inspire other young girls to invent and patent their findings. I have also always been intellectually curious. In middle school, I would ask innumerable questions in my science and math classes, falling in love with biology and the study of the human body. Thus, my life experiences have led me to aspire to pursue biomedical and bioengineering during undergrad, and utilize these skills to go to medical school and help others beyond the laboratory. Throughout my biotechnology internship this summer, I have been able to perform HPV assays of patients all across America as well as get an in depth perspective of tuberculosis research under the scientist I am under. I realized that the scientific work in the laboratory and the medical work of doctors go hand in hand. The doctor is not able to help heal and cure illnesses or alleviate the pain of patients without the research done in the laboratory. To be able to be a part of both environments is my life's biggest goal, and what I believe to be my purpose in life. I want to pursue further knowledge by researching more diseases and collaborate with other scientists in oncology. I believe in the notion that we as people should never stop learning, to always pursue greater knowledge and contribute our own knowledge to benefit those around us. The world is always changing, never-ending, but it starts with patience and risk. During my internship, I noticed how the scientists there are always experimenting, not confined to a specific work schedule or structure. Sure, there are lab reports and data to be sent to customers; however, a large majority of their work is based around the unknown. The solution to a problem is uncovered through referring to research that has already been published, but it is a lot of trial and error, collaboration with others, and starting over and over. It is work that deals with risk but offers high rewards upon discovering new knowledge, that may benefit the world. This is why I believe it is so important to complete more of this kind of work, and why I want to pursue this study during undergrad. The cost of college is high, but with the help of this scholarship I would be able to alleviate some of that burden. I will continue to strive for more knowledge during my medical school years, using this scholarship as an investment towards helping patients all throughout my future.