My spine is twisted. One of my shoulders rests high above the other, a permanent mark of my condition - scoliosis. Starting in 7th grade, my afternoons were filled with long car rides to the specialist where my back was marked, measured, and molded to fit a back brace. Nights that were once peaceful were now full of twisting and turning in a suffocating shell. I waited years to finally grow out of the brace, only to learn my struggles weren’t over. Doctors explained that my curve can worsen up to a degree every year. To slow this progression, I began physical therapy twice a week in an office an hour away. Now, four years later, I still do physical therapy almost every day to prevent my curve from worsening. While scoliosis took time and comfort away from me, I didn’t let it take my passion to make the world a better place. After coming home after long appointments, I would sit in front of my 50-gallon fish tank, observing the lively fish, shrimp, and snails. This tank became my refuge, and the spark that ignited my curiosity about life under the sea. From then on, my passions revolved around my love of the ocean, and I eagerly dove in with the overarching goal of becoming a marine scientist. After years of exploring my passion, I founded an organization called Beneath The Surface in my junior year to advocate for ocean conservation. I partnered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and the Ocean City Reef Foundation and fundraised over $5,000 for marine research and animal safety. I also ran a social media account to teach over 1 million individuals about ocean conservation. As I learned more about the ocean, I became concerned about the adverse phenomena of coral bleaching; with coral reefs supporting 25% of marine life, I aimed to find solutions. In my junior year, I studied whether a common antioxidant, mannitol, could mitigate bleaching in the warmer ocean waters common today, using sea anemones to model coral. From weekend data collection to carefully tending to my anemone cultures 365 days a year, I found immense joy in each discovery, ultimately finding evidence that mannitol mitigates bleaching. In college, I would love to connect my research on coral bleaching to new findings. Having already led conservation initiatives, conducted independent research, and connected with several communities about ocean conservation, college represents the next step in my development as a marine scientist. This scholarship will allow me to focus on developing as a scientist and student without the constraints of financial stress. Ultimately, I aspire to earn my PhD in Marine and Aquatic Science, continuing to conduct essential research to save the reefs. While my evenings may still be filled with physical therapy and back pains, I fight through it all for the same reason I always have, to save the ocean.

The first time I put on a blue vest as a Daisy at five years old, I didn’t know how to lead or truly work with others. I looked up to older troops as they guided me through badges, learning the basic Girl Scout lessons of kindness, empathy, and service. Eleven years later, I donned my brown vest as an Ambassador, this time leading younger Girl Scouts through their own badge journeys and directing teams through key projects by facilitating their brainstorming sessions. When planning a project for a video competition under National Geographic, some of the girls wanted to tackle pollution while others emphasized sustainability’s significance. Combining these different visions, our submission became a unique mix of these ideas - a video focused on creating sustainable plastics to fight against ocean pollution. While leading these discussions, actively listening to each girl’s ideas, I learned that the best solutions emerge from combined perspectives. I gradually continued to grow into leadership, learning to facilitate collaboration in the process of completing my Girl Scouts Gold Award. For my project, I encouraged teamwork and led my team to reach over 600 individuals by distributing reef-safe sunscreen and leading awareness campaigns about the harms of coral bleaching, which ultimately affects humanity’s reliance on food, medicine, and life. After sharing educational material with teachers, I received thank you emails of how they were able to utilize it to teach their students. The gratitude I received showed me the impact of valuing multiple perspectives. Girl Scouts became a place where my voice mattered, and more importantly, a place where I ensured other’s voices mattered too. Girl Scouts ingrained in me to approach leadership and problem-solving with collaboration and empathy, ultimately shaping how I support the youth in my community. Whether mentoring younger Girl Scouts or working with young peers through other outreach events, I prioritize creating safe, welcoming environments. I ensure my club members respect each other's opinions as Co-President of Debate Club, I teach sportsmanship as Cross Country Captain, and I lead with empathy as Co-President of a STEM Competition club. Additionally, in troop meetings, we discuss digital citizenship, how to respond to cyberbullying, and how to stay safe online. My goal is always to ensure that every child feels supported and heard, both in person and online. Girl Scouts ingrained in me to approach leadership and problem-solving with collaboration, and I will bring this spirit to every activity I do. In college, I plan to continue working with youth programs where I can educate and advocate for safe, inclusive spaces. This scholarship will ease the financial burden of college and allow me to focus fully on my studies, community projects, and leadership roles. It is especially meaningful because I have a twin, and we are both attending college at the same time. While this is an exciting chapter for us, it also doubles the financial strain on my family. Receiving this support would help relieve that pressure and allow me to pursue my goals without the constant worry of how to manage the cost of higher education. Ultimately, the lessons of collaboration, empathy and leadership I first learned in Girl Scouts will continue guiding me as I work to build safe, inclusive communities for my peers in college and beyond.

At ten years old, my parents surprised me with an aquarium. The 50-gallon tank was a vibrant ecosystem, brimming with life: cherry shrimp combing through the gravel, neon tetras darting in and out of each other's paths, and cory catfish sticking to the glass. Watching this miniature ecosystem sparked my curiosity about life under the sea. From then on, my passions revolved around my love for the ocean, and I eagerly dove in, with the overarching goal of becoming a future marine scientist. After years of visiting coral reefs, riding next to dolphins, and ultimately exploring my passion, I founded an organization called Beneath The Surface in my junior year to advocate for ocean conservation. I partnered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and started publishing informational posts and fundraising on their behalf. After months of various fundraising initiatives, I felt a surge of joy when my team and I learned we had fundraised over $1,400 for marine research and animal safety. As I learned more about the ocean, I became concerned about the adverse phenomena of coral bleaching; with coral reefs supporting 25% of marine life, which humanity relies on for food, medicine and life, I aimed to find solutions. In my junior year, I studied whether a common antioxidant, mannitol, could mitigate bleaching in the warmer ocean waters common today, using sea anemones to model coral. From weekend data collection to carefully tending to my anemone cultures 365 days a year, I found immense joy in each discovery. Moreover, I learned that meaningful research requires perseverance and adaptability through challenges, qualities I carry with me today. Concluding that the antioxidant, mannitol, is a partially effective treatment that could prevent coral bleaching, I was selected to present at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and I was featured at my school’s symposium. The judges were interested in the practical effects of mannitol in the ocean, pushing me to expand my research in a follow-up project which tests mannitol's effectiveness in different aquatic environments. In college, I would love to connect my research in coral bleaching to new findings, working towards finding a solution to bleaching. Outside of the lab, I continued to focus on coral bleaching through Beneath The Surface. I spread awareness about oxybenzone, a harmful chemical in sunscreen which causes bleaching, by educating the community and distributing reef-safe sunscreen. I also advocated for preventions against chemically induced bleaching through an online awareness campaign, and I created worksheets, slideshows, and one-pagers for teachers at middle and elementary schools to educate the youth, ultimately reaching hundreds of individuals. Having already led conservation initiatives, conducted independent research, and connected with several communities about ocean conservation, college represents the next step in my development as a marine scientist. This scholarship has the possibility to help my dream become a reality by allowing me to study marine science without the worries of financial debt. In college, I will focus on advancing my coral conservation research. I plan to build on discoveries in coral conservation, and collaborate on projects that move the antioxidant based solutions that I studied closer to real-world application. I also look forward to expanding Beneath the Surface by gathering new members and collaborating with other student-led organizations focused on conservation outreach. Ultimately, I aspire to earn my PhD in Marine and Aquatic Science, continuing to conduct essential research to save the reefs, a journey that began years ago with a simple aquarium.

For most of my life, I felt like water flowing alone. Growing up, the discomfort of not fully belonging surfaced in all aspects of my life. Half Asian, half Caucasian, yet disconnected from my Vietnamese heritage, I didn’t feel whole. As I studied my passion for the ocean, I learned that estuaries are a blend of saltwater and freshwater. Unlike an estuary, I was unable to merge into anything greater without my knowledge of the other half of myself. The pain of not belonging seeped into every corner of my life: classrooms, conversations, and even everyday family gatherings. My discomfort peaked in fourth grade at an advanced tutor center, where my peers were confident in who they were. I felt a constant, quiet ache of embarrassment, dreading the question of “What are you?" from what seemed like nearly everyone. I wrestled deeply with the fear I wasn’t “Asian enough” to claim my own identity. This feeling lingered through every grade, every introduction, and every conversation about heritage or traditional celebrations, each one a reminder of my detachment from my roots. This all changed my junior year when my Vietnamese grandparents visited for the first time. I discovered generations of recipes from Po Po (my grandma) and Gung Gung (my grandpa). Their visit bridged our relationship and helped me explore my other half. Throughout their six-month stay, I bonded with them as we cooked the foods from our culture. I learned to slow-cook pho from scratch. After hours of simmering, the noodle soup came to life with the aroma of beef and rich spices. Adding sizzling red pork to homemade steamed bread, I layered flavors to prepare bánh mì sandwiches. I ladled thick sauce over crispy noodles to create what my family calls “Long Life Chinese Noodles.” Cooking with my grandparents began to fill in the missing part of me, like saltwater mixing with freshwater, I finally started to claim myself. As I cooked with my family and listened to my grandparents’ stories at the dinner table, a thread connected me to my mother’s upbringing and my grandparent’s traditions. I began to discover my other half, and a clearer sense of who I am emerged. Recognizing this part of myself brought deeper self-knowledge, and with it, amplified strengths. What was once an unnamed half of me became a source of resilience and confidence. The traditions and values that sustained my family now guide me as I shape my own path. I am whole and proud to claim myself. Like an estuary, I draw strength from the blend of two worlds to create a thriving environment. As I owned my identity, confidence spilled into all aspects of my life. The tutoring center where I once sat, fragile and insecure, is now where I assertively connect, teach, and mentor many students as a paid tutor. With a clear sense of self, I also dove deeper into my passion for the ocean—studying coral and founding my own organization, Beneath the Surface, to spread awareness about ocean conservation. Now, when people ask me who I am, I proudly share my Vietnamese culture and American upbringing. I continue learning family recipes, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, and visiting my grandparents. I will enter college eager to learn and stretch towards the vast unknown as I study the ocean, carrying determination and grit. Just as the ocean’s richest life flourishes in estuaries, I’ve learned my strength lies in the confluence of my identities. That strength anchors me as I step into uncharted waters, ready to grow, my experiences a compass and my future an open sea.

“Runners to their marks.” The words echoed in my head as my stomach churned and my legs turned to jelly. Standing on the sideline, I watched our first leg runner line up on the start line. Our 4 x 8 relay team had been training all season to qualify for states, and it had all come down to one regionals race. The team caption, and our anchor leg, Jillian attempted to soothe my nerves before the race started. Rather than stressing the importance of the race, she offered simple guidance: “run your heart out.” Her words rang in my mind as I ran faster than I ever had before. Cheers rang through the stadium as I ran to hug my team - we had qualified. While the joy of the moment remains vivid, even two years later, Jillian’s mentorship does as well. Through each workout, race, and practice, Jillian was a listening ear who gave the best advice. From her guidance, I learned that true leadership is more than assigning workouts or leading stretches; rather, it is listening, adapting, and uplifting others. Now, as team Captain myself, I implement the lessons I learned from Jillian into my own leadership. I intentionally represent every teammate's perspective to my coaches, emphasizing that learning is endless and lifelong. Whether it’s organizing team breakfasts, checking in with each runner after practice, or running extra reps of a workout with my teammates, I cultivate a supportive, welcoming environment for my team. Looking back, I see that Jillian’s simple words, “run your heart out,” were about giving your best, no matter the outcome. As a leader, I inspire my team to give it their all while supporting their teammates. I often find myself repeating Jillian’s advice and reassurance to my team before races, carrying forward the same encouragement that once calmed my own nerves. In college, I plan to join club cross country and track, bringing my collaborative and open mindset to team practices. I also plan to volunteer as a track coach for younger teams, instilling the values of sportsmanship and empathy in the youth. By volunteering as a coach and organizing inclusive activities, I hope to give young athletes the confidence and support that my own team gave me. My goal is not only to build stronger runners, but also empathetic, resilient, community members. By sharing what I’ve learned, I hope to inspire the next generation, creating a legacy of collaboration and connection that extends far beyond the track.

At ten years old, my parents surprised me with an aquarium, and it set afloat a fascination for underwater life that shaped my future. The 50-gallon tank was a vibrant ecosystem, brimming with life: cherry shrimp combing through the gravel, neon tetras darting in and out of each other's paths, and cory catfish sticking to the glass. Watching this miniature ecosystem sparked my curiosity about life under the sea. From then on, everything I did, both in and out of school, revolved around my love for the ocean, and I eagerly dove in. After years of visiting coral reefs, riding next to dolphins, and ultimately exploring this passion, I founded an organization called Beneath The Surface in my junior year to advocate for ocean conservation. I partnered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and started publishing informational posts and fundraising on their behalf. After months of various fundraising initiatives, I felt a surge of joy when my team and I learned we had fundraised over $1,400 for marine research and animal safety. The more I learned about the ocean, the more I became concerned about the adverse phenomena of coral bleaching; with coral reefs supporting 25% of marine life, which humanity relies on for food, medicine and life, I aimed to find solutions. In my junior year, I studied whether a common antioxidant, mannitol, could mitigate bleaching in the warmer ocean waters common today, using sea anemones to model coral. From weekend data collection to carefully tending to my anemone cultures 365 days a year, I found immense joy in each discovery. Concluding that the antioxidant, mannitol, is a partially effective treatment that could prevent coral bleaching, I was selected to present at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and I was featured at my school’s symposium. It was an incredible experience to share my findings with others, both those who shared my passion and those who were eager to learn more. The judges were interested in the practical effects of mannitol in the ocean, pushing me to expand my research in a follow-up project which tests in which environment mannitol is most effective. In college, I would love to connect my research in coral bleaching to new findings, working towards finding a solution to coral bleaching. Outside of the lab, I continued to focus on coral bleaching through Beneath The Surface. I spread awareness about oxybenzone, a harmful chemical in sunscreen which causes bleaching, by educating the community and distributing reef-safe sunscreen. I also advocated for preventions against chemically induced bleaching through an online awareness campaign, and I created worksheets, slideshows, and one-pagers for teachers at middle and elementary schools to educate the youth, ultimately reaching hundreds of individuals. In college, I plan to focus on advancing coral conservation research, specifically addressing coral bleaching caused by rising temperatures and harmful pollutants. I plan to build on discoveries in coral conservation, and collaborate on projects that move the antioxidant based solutions that I studied closer to real-world application. I also look forward to expanding Beneath the Surface in college by gathering new members and collaborating with other student-led organizations focused on conservation outreach. My ultimate goal is to earn my PhD in Marine and Aquatic Science, continuing to conduct essential research to save the reefs, a journey that began years ago with a simple aquarium.

The first song I heard from Chappell Roan was "Good Luck Babe," a song I personally relate to. When I came out, my close family and friends were supportive. However, this wasn't the case for my school as a whole. Many girls I knew were not accepted socially due to their sexuality, and I was forced to hide my identity in especially homophobic areas of my community. This is why I was originally, and still am, drawn to Chappel Roan's music: specifically the song "Good Luck Babe". Chappell Roan does not hide her identity on stage or in her music. She is proud of who she is, and her music has been bringing new support to lesbians and members of the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Her music appeals to a broad audience outside of queer people, which is where she inspires me. She showed the world that queer people are more than their label. They are capable artists, musicians, and most of all, people. I don't want to be known by only my queerness. While it is a large part of my identity, it doesn't change what I am capable of. One of the homophobic areas of my school is on my own sports team. I want to be successful in my sport without being held back by homophobic ideals. Chappel Roan has inspired me to be creative, willing, and strong. I support Roan to continue to carve a path of influence for queer people, inspire people to be their authentic selves, and alter pop music. Chappel Roan has paved the way for more personal storytelling in pop, due to her authenticity and songs based on her life. She is a symbol of hope for the future of pop music, and I am excited to see what she continues to produce.