1%. I strive to better myself daily. My resolution is actually to become 1% better every day. Despite what it seems this is not a number thing. I am not trying to get to 100%. After all, that is unattainable, because that means I am the “best”. I do not say I am the “best” version of myself. Best is a superlative adjective. Best means there is no room for improvement. A life where you believe you are the best version of yourself is you believing a lie, or you deciding to be stagnant. The next chapter of my life will consist of constant betterment, no peak but a journey to improve. Although, cliche the sky is truly the limit. There are infinite possibilities in this world. And I will use that vast infinity to become better. In this chapter, I will not be hard on myself and beat myself up for mistakes or drawbacks. Every day has something better than the day before it. Giving myself 1% out of infinity makes my goal pragmatic, digestible, and achievable. And I achieve it every day. For example, typing out this essay is my 1% for today. I tend to skip over applications that require me to write a brand-new essay. I enjoy tweaking my old ones to fit the question. But I have yet to receive a question like this one. Instead of overlooking this opportunity, I decided to be productive and take time to share a part of myself with others. By recognizing these little achievements I can keep myself motivated for more. After this essay, I might finish a slide show for drama class to add to my 1%. In practicing this I will create a system for success when I enter college. Always striving to be better or do something better than yesterday. Better is comparative, where I look at where I used to be to where I am now to where I could be. Even if that means making a new friend. I am trying to become more social because my friend pointed out I have stuck to one group for years now. At first, I brushed off the comment but I know she said it from a place of truth. So I took it as advice, and I try to make an effort to be outgoing and it is working well. And I know that a while ago I could not even imagine talking to the people I talk to now or going out and simply enjoying life as I do now. I know I still have to work on being social but I take it one step at a time or one percent at a time. By the time I arrive in college, I will have acquired skills like productivity, sociability, and positivity.

My love for Nirvana sparked in eleventh grade when I saw a Nirvana hoodie and decided to look more into the recusant band. I opened my phone, looked for green, and saw Spotify; I typed N-I-R, and a black-and-white picture of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl appeared. I clicked play and heard it. “Let me clip your dirty wings” (Nirvana, Polly) A few months ago, I saw a Youtube Short about “Nirvana’s darkest song,” Polly. “Polly” was a 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped, and “tortured with a whip, a razor, and a blowtorch” on her way home (Nirvana, Polly). Undoubtedly, the song is gruesome, yet it oddly resonates with me. Although, I have never been in the same situation as Polly. There have been some incidents in my own life where my wings were clipped like Polly’s: "A chase would be nice for a few” (Nirvana, Polly). I was picking my little sister up from summer camp when I was 14, and a car pulled up beside me. “What's your name? Do you live around here? Where are you headed to?” he pondered. As expected, I lied. Beautifully. “Cara” that is not my name. “No, I’m just visiting.” My house was a few blocks away. “I'm just picking up something.” That was a half-lie. “Do you want a ride?” “No.” That was the truth. “Can I get your number?” “My phone is dead.” Why did I tell him that? “Can I get your snap?” “No, I'm 14.” I advocated for myself. “So what? I’m 18.” he persisted. My answer remained the same. With dissatisfaction, he got out of his car. My heart was in my feet – this is the type of thing that happens in movies – like Girl in the Box, not to me, not in real life. He was towering and muscular, a grown man with a car. I could not outrun him or overpower him. There were no witnesses. My phone was dead. No one could save me. I had no choice; I gave in. I told him my Snapchat with reluctance. “Make sure to add me back," he demanded. He returned to his car and followed me to my destination. He clipped my wings that day. My room became my sanctuary; tears covered my face. The idea of having the same fate as Polly terrified me. But in time, I refused this reality. The catalyst for my courage amplification was the fact that Polly escaped: “She caught me off my guard – Amazes me the will of instinct.” (Nirvana, Polly). Polly took back her life. She freed herself. Overall, Nirvana's discussion of these “taboo” social issues has led me to aspire to the business field, which can be challenging for a woman to do in our society. This scholarship will help my wings remain unclipped.

I might be the only person in my family to “bump” rock music. Like most black people who do not fit the norms I have been told, I act “white,” dress “white,” talk “white,” etc. It is amusing that the things I genuinely enjoy get me called white. Despite this ignorance, I continued doing what I loved and stumbled across a recusant band. We have all seen the name on someone’s hoodie with a squiggly smiling face with x’s for eyes. We all know at least one of them, the people who most likely can't name a song and view the Godfathers of Grunge as a fashion brand. But the hoodies are remarkable, to be honest. My love for Nirvana sparked in eleventh grade when I saw a Nirvana hoodie and decided to look more into the recusant band. I opened my phone, looked for green, and saw Spotify; I typed N-I-R, and a black-and-white picture of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl appeared. I clicked play and heard it. “Let me clip your dirty wings” (Nirvana, Polly) A few months ago, I saw a Youtube Short about “Nirvana’s darkest song,” Polly. “Polly” was a 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped, and “tortured with a whip, a razor, and a blowtorch” on her way home (Nirvana, Polly). Undoubtedly, the song is gruesome, yet it oddly resonates with me. Although, I have never been in the same situation as Polly. There have been some incidents in my own life where my wings were clipped like Polly’s: "A chase would be nice for a few” (Nirvana, Polly). I was picking my little sister up from summer camp when I was 14, and a car pulled up beside me. “What's your name? Do you live around here? Where are you headed to?” he pondered. As expected, I lied. Beautifully. “Cara” that is not my name. “No, I’m just visiting.” My house was a few blocks away. “I'm just picking up something.” That was a half-lie. “Do you want a ride?” “No.” That was the truth. “Can I get your number?” “My phone is dead.” Why did I tell him that? “Can I get your snap?” “No, I'm 14.” I advocated for myself. “So what? I’m 18.” he persisted. My answer remained the same. With dissatisfaction, he got out of his car. My heart was in my feet – this is the type of thing that happens in movies – like Girl in the Box, not to me, not in real life. He was towering and muscular, a grown man with a car. I could not outrun him or overpower him. There were no witnesses. My phone was dead. No one could save me. I had no choice; I gave in. I told him my Snapchat with reluctance. “Make sure to add me back," he demanded. He returned to his car and followed me to my destination. He clipped my wings that day. My room became my sanctuary; tears covered my face. The idea of having the same fate as Polly terrified me. But in time, I refused this reality. The catalyst for my courage amplification was the fact that Polly escaped: “She caught me off my guard – Amazes me the will of instinct.” (Nirvana, Polly). Polly took back her life. She freed herself. Overall, Nirvana's discussion of these “taboo” social issues has led me to aspire to the business field, which can be challenging for a woman to do in our society. Despite the limitations, being silenced is not an option.

The fact that the smallest things make a difference may be the most intriguing aspect of urban environmental issues. When someone uses the sidewalk as a trashcan, they could add to river pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, wildlife endangerment, flooding, and much more. Littering is illegal for a reason and is a serious problem in our urban environment. Every corner you turn there is a chip bag or soda bottle on the floor even when there is a trashcan on the curb of the corner. Knowing that if no one littered there would be so much fewer environmental problems is very intriguing, and this knowledge makes me wonder if people are just too lazy to throw trash in a trash can or if people are ignorant of how serious littering can be or if people are indifferent to the impact of littering and do not consider or care for the state of the environment in which they live in. According to the Texas Disposal System, “researchers estimate that more than 40% of the world's litter is burned in the open air, which can release toxic emissions. These emissions can cause respiratory issues, other health problems, and even be a starting base for acid rain.” Undoubtedly this is a severe and pressing matter, many people perceive littering as no big deal, and they want to discard their soda cans without taking the extra steps to the trashcan. They assume someone else would pick it up or they do not care at all. However, many would be shocked to find that the same soda cans they are discarding on our planet’s surface instead of a trashcan can cause health issues in humans due to air pollution. Not only does littering endanger the environment but it puts everyone at risk. People go outside to get fresh air and not to breathe in toxic radiation that could potentially damage their bodies. Knowing this, I cannot ignore the importance of urban environmental issues, and I am determined to take steps towards metacognition in our society regarding their actions in damaging the planet. Overall, by learning finance I would foster my love and dedication to my environment and be educated on actions I can take to protect and enrich my environment. Using the skills and experiences from a finance major will give me the ability to use economic systems to pursue advocacy for my community's environment.

1%. I strive to better myself daily. My resolution is actually to become 1% better every day. Despite what it seems this is not a number thing. I am not trying to get to 100%. After all, that is unattainable, because that means I am the “best”. I do not say I am the “best” version of myself. Best is a superlative adjective. Best means there is no room for improvement. A life where you believe you are the best version of yourself is you believing a lie, or you deciding to be stagnant. The next chapter of my life will consist of constant betterment, no peak but a journey to improve. Although, cliche the sky is truly the limit. There are infinite possibilities in this world. And I will use that vast infinity to become better. In this chapter, I will not be hard on myself and beat myself up for mistakes or drawbacks. Every day has something better than the day before it. Giving myself 1% out of infinity makes my goal pragmatic, digestible, and achievable. And I achieve it every day. For example, typing out this essay is my 1% for today. I tend to skip over applications that require me to write a brand-new essay. I enjoy tweaking my old ones to fit the question. But I have yet to receive a question like this one. Instead of overlooking this opportunity, I decided to be productive and take time to share a part of myself with others. By recognizing these little achievements I can keep myself motivated for more. After this essay, I might finish a slide show for drama class to add to my 1%. In practicing this I will create a system for success when I enter college. Always striving to be better or do something better than yesterday. Better is comparative, where I look at where I used to be to where I am now to where I could be. Even if that means making a new friend. I am trying to become more social because my friend pointed out I have stuck to one group for years now. At first, I brushed off the comment but I know she said it from a place of truth. So I took it as advice, and I try to make an effort to be outgoing and it is working well. And I know that a while ago I could not even imagine talking to the people I talk to now or going out and simply enjoying life as I do now. I know I still have to work on being social but I take it one step at a time or one percent at a time. By the time I arrive in college, I will have acquired skills like productivity, sociability, and positivity.

My education will nurture my advocacy against social injustice, especially rape culture. With the gift of education, I will spread awareness regarding rape culture. I will gladly get into controversy for my advocacy, I will be heard regardless of any opposition. Even though shedding light on overlooked topics may be taboo, the positive outcome will deem any potential drawbacks necessary. Rape culture is a very prominent problem that we witness and are impacted by every day but tend to overlook. Rape culture inhibits society from functioning effectively because of how widespread and contradictory it is. Rape culture essentially is a culture in which rapists are: protected, coddled, and sympathized with; while victims are: blamed, doubted, and shamed. A disgusting culture where rape and issues related to it are deemed trivial. A revolting culture where a woman who has a lot of sex is shamed more than a rapist. A pathetic culture where a man is viewed as lucky if a woman rapes him. A sick culture where catcalling is defended if a woman is wearing fishnets, where she is shamed and deemed a slut instead of a victim, where her consent is based on her outfit, while the catcaller is perceived as reasonable. Additionally, I will promote social reform through the business field to rectify this issue. The goal and approach of Truth Initiative: an anti-drug campaign used to spread awareness about vaping and smoking to lead society, to consider the worth of their lives and the long-term and negative impact of deciding to do drugs; has inspired me to influence the public to demonize certain cultures such as rape culture. Spreading awareness of this culture will lead to metacognition in society regarding their actions and mindsets towards rape itself and rape victims. Thus causing people to believe and support victims, and villainize and shame rapists. This impact can be monumental and cause there to be a surge in reported rape because victims will not feel as though the crime committed was their fault, but instead blame the rapist and take steps to have them be held accountable for their crime. Also, the justice system and society will no longer support rapists because they will view their actions as undefendable and worthy of punishment. Overall, My voice will be discerned concerning this grotesque culture, unfortunately, displayed throughout our daily lives. Constant degrading and non-sensical instances fuel the fire, which leads to the frequent occurrence of rape culture. My education would aid in my endeavors by increasing societal recognition of this culture, this advocacy will be beneficial as it will lead to the thwarting of rape culture; thus causing the world a more suitable place for everyone.

A community is a system, a network of people who work together to achieve a common goal. By working with children in a Summer Youth Program I demonstrated a commitment to my school and my larger community. Making an effort to be apart of the village that raises a child is crucial for the success of a community. When I was first accepted into the job at 14, my goal, like most, was to get paid. However, my goal soon changed as I got more adapted. I worked at a day camp over the summer. It’s a few blocks from my current house. The massive sphere of hot gas glowing in the sky above gave me warmth as I took my daily walk. At 8 a.m. every weekday, I’d walk down familiar roads and greet the crossing guard with a good morning every time I passed her. The days were short yet endless, but when they did end in the afternoon, I would walk home with my younger sister, who attended the camp also. When I arrived home, I took a calming shower; the lukewarm water replenished my body, and I yearned to stay in the crystal-pure liquid forever. I would fall into a deep slumber as soon as I felt my warm bed. WEEK 1 “Are you ready?” my group leaders often ask me. I wasn’t sure if I was, but you gain nothing from doing nothing. And my goal was to reap. WEEK 2 “Hi, Ms. Eva!” exclaimed my group in unison. I loved my cozy welcome, but having a sense of acknowledgment felt unusual. Usually, I’m the pupil looking for guidance, but now the roles are reversed. WEEK 3 “Hi, guys!” Now, I was the one speaking. I was now officially used to the people around me. I could feel the contagiousness of their love as they greeted me with heartfelt embraces. WEEK 4 “Ms. Eva, can you warm up my lunch?” This statement was said by many of the kids in my group as they looked up at me. Although a menial task, there was an overwhelming feeling of wholesomeness. WEEK 5 “I’m going to write you a beautiful letter of recommendation,” said Ms. Elsee, my primary group leader, who always appreciated my efforts. She was telling me that I deserved recognition for my dedication. WEEK 6 “It’s your last week?” questioned Ms. Annabelle with discontent as she pulled me in for a comforting hug. It was my last week; I had to say my goodbyes until next summer. Wholesome is the best way to describe my experience. Everything about it was pure and simple. However, working with the spontaneous lifestyle of children was unusual. Nothing but experience could have prepared me for this wide range of children with personalities as vast as the sea. Getting used to this change, especially after quarantine, took assiduous effort. But since we all were conforming to the shift in the world, relating to each other became easier. It was refreshing to connect with them, which made the experience even more halcyon. Overall, I did high-quality work. I received “SYEP” this summer, which has been one of my most significant accomplishments thus far, and it also motivated me to pursue working in this domain again next summer and using the skills I acquired daily. I no longer saw myself as a person who was awkward and introverted. I found a new understanding of myself as I became more social, calm, patient, and rational. Growth is the key to success, and I aspire to grow in the business field to succeed.

This scholarship will aid me in the spread of awareness regarding rape culture. I will gladly get into good trouble for my advocacy, and I will be loud and clear regardless of any opposition. Even though shedding light on overlooked topics may be controversial, the trouble that may arise is necessary. Rape culture is a very prominent problem that we witness and are impacted by every day but tend to overlook. Rape culture inhibits society from functioning effectively because of how widespread and contradictory it is. Rape culture essentially is a culture in which rapists are: protected, coddled, and sympathized with; while victims are: blamed, doubted, and shamed. A disgusting culture where rape and issues related to it are deemed as trivial. A revolting culture where a woman who has a lot of sex is shamed more than a rapist. A pathetic culture where a man is viewed as lucky if a woman rapes him. A sick culture where catcalling is defended if a woman is wearing fishnets, where she is shamed and deemed a slut instead of a victim, where her consent is based on her outfit, while the catcaller is perceived as reasonable. I have been subjected to this horrible culture myself, being preyed on by an adult when I was 14 and then being told if I was not wearing leggings that would not have happened. Over the years, I was able to let myself unlearn victim blaming, and be absolute that it is never the victim's fault regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape. No one should be taken advantage of regardless of what they are wearing. And by blaming victims for the actions of perpetrators, rape culture is only amplified and spread. I overcame this by not justifying the actions of a sexual predator. Additionally, to rectify this issue I will promote social reform through the business field. The goal and approach of Truth Initiative: an anti-drug campaign used to spread awareness about vaping and smoking to lead society, to consider the worth of their lives and the long-term and negative impact of deciding to do drugs; has inspired me to influence the public to demonize certain cultures such as rape culture. Spreading awareness of this culture will lead to metacognition in society regarding their actions and mindsets towards rape itself and rape victims. Thus causing people to believe and support victims, and villainize and shame rapists. This impact can be monumental and cause there to be a surge in reported rape because victims will not feel as though the crime committed was their fault, but instead blame the rapist and take steps to have them be held accountable for their crime. Also, the justice system and society will no longer support rapists because they will view their actions as undefendable and worthy of punishment. Overall, My voice will be discerned concerning this grotesque culture, unfortunately, displayed throughout our daily lives. Constant degrading and non-sensical instances fuel the fire, which leads to the frequent occurrence of rape culture. This scholarship would aid in the necessary trouble to be caused by this increasing societal recognition of this culture, this trouble will be beneficial as it will lead to the thwarting of rape culture; thus causing the world a more suitable place for everyone.

We must work effectively and efficiently to understand the nature of our universe. Mainly with the use of philosophy to understand the laws, meaning, and concept of love and being beloved. Diotima's view on love, in particular, is essential to understanding love and many other philosophies. Diotima was an ancient Greek priestess and philosopher. Diotima's work inspired many philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle some of the most recognized. The two notions accredited to Diotima in The Symposium by Plato were foundational for Greek philosophy. One is her original teachings on "eros" or love, and the other is her concept of metaxy, or the “in-between”. "Love was neither fair nor good. 'What do you mean, Diotima,' I said, 'is love then evil and foul?' ... 'Do not then insist,' she said, 'that what is not fair is of necessity foul, or what is not good evil; or infer that because love is not fair and good [love] is therefore foul and evil; for [love] is in a mean between them.' ... The error in your conception of [the spirit of love] ... has arisen out of a confusion of love and the beloved, which made you think that love was all beautiful. For the beloved is the truly beautiful, and delicate, and perfect, and blessed; but the principle of love is of another nature and is such as I have described" (The Symposium). I understood Diotima's powerful words as: Love is not fully good or evil; love is platonic and neutral. Love can become an extreme evil or an extraordinary good when it is done in a certain way. Love is universal something we all have felt towards someone or something, something we have all been granted. Love is an in-between state, a gateway for more emotions. A corrupted love can be used to hurt and manipulate others, it can be a vessel for evil. Corrupted love does not simply mean anguish dealt with by physical abuse or bewilderment caused by gaslighting. Corrupted love can be an obsessive love, a love built based on trauma, love used to distract one from reality, and more. Corrupted love, however, is simply a factor of love to Diotima. Love is to be understood as a mean between virtue and vice, good and evil, it is a middle ground with two polar sides. These positive and negative sides collide to make love, and this corrupted love is understood to be a byproduct of this love. The love diotima describes is to be understood as a love with highs and lows but these two factors are equal and to be expected. Love is not entirely glamorous or pure, and to assume that means one's idea of love was born from confusion. However, to be beloved is something entirely different. Diotima guides us to understand being beloved as being the reason why one would assume all love is beautiful. Love is misunderstood as being beloved or dearly loved because of how strong and perfect being beloved is. The beloved are loved with wisdom, not simply for physical attributes but for their spiritual and emotional beauty. The beloved is loved deeply and dearly, unlike the loved the beloved is not a medium between positive and negative, they are simply positive. The beloved feel, embody, and emanate all things lovely, all things pure, and all things beautiful. It is refined love. In addition, Diotima's view on love vs being beloved can be simply inferred as contrasting a love that is a grey area between pure and tainted, a love that is based on physical aspects. And a love where one is cherished, adored, and esteemed, a love that is based on intangible characteristics, those that are found over time, a love that is absolute, alluring, and agreeable. This differentiation led to me understanding that Diotima desired people specifically Socrates to understand that love is not a binary, is to be understood for what it is, and to not be misinterpreted as adoration, especially in the early stages of love. Overall, Diotima's theory should be implemented worldwide, to allow people to uncover her yearning in this theory. Diotima yearned for people to discern the best way to love another, by focusing their mind on the love of wisdom and philosophy. This love of wisdom is a gateway to cherishing someone. This concept of love is universal, even though we are all subjected to this law of love we may not understand it completely without Diotima's underlying message.

Diotima was an ancient Greek priestess and philosopher. Diotima's work inspired many philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle some of the most recognized. The two notions accredited to Diotima in The Symposium by Plato were foundational for Greek philosophy. One is her original teachings on "eros" or love, and the other is her concept of metaxy, or the “in-between”. "Love was neither fair nor good. 'What do you mean, Diotima,' I said, 'is love then evil and foul?' ... 'Do not then insist,' she said, 'that what is not fair is of necessity foul, or what is not good evil; or infer that because love is not fair and good [love] is therefore foul and evil; for [love] is in a mean between them.' ... The error in your conception of [the spirit of love] ... has arisen out of a confusion of love and the beloved, which made you think that love was all beautiful. For the beloved is the truly beautiful, and delicate, and perfect, and blessed; but the principle of love is of another nature and is such as I have described" (The Symposium). I understood Diotima's powerful words as: Love is not fully good or evil; love is platonic and neutral. Love can become an extreme evil or an extraordinary good when it is done in a certain way. Love is universal something we all have felt towards someone or something, something we have all been granted. Love is an in-between state, a gateway for more emotions. A corrupted love can be used to hurt and manipulate others, it can be a vessel for evil. Corrupted love does not simply mean anguish dealt with by physical abuse or bewilderment caused by gaslighting. Corrupted love can be an obsessive love, a love built based on trauma, love used to distract one from reality, and more. Corrupted love, however, is simply a factor of love to Diotima. Love is to be understood as a mean between virtue and vice, good and evil, it is a middle ground with two polar sides. These positive and negative sides collide to make love, and this corrupted love is understood to be a byproduct of this love. The love diotima describes is to be understood as a love with highs and lows but these two factors are equal and to be expected. Love is not entirely glamorous or pure, and to assume that means one's idea of love was born from confusion. However, to be beloved is something entirely different. Diotima guides us to understand being beloved as being the reason why one would assume all love is beautiful. Love is misunderstood as being beloved or dearly loved because of how strong and perfect being beloved is. The beloved are loved with wisdom, not simply for physical attributes but for their spiritual and emotional beauty. The beloved is loved deeply and dearly, unlike the loved the beloved is not a medium between positive and negative, they are simply positive. The beloved feel, embody, and emanate all things lovely, all things pure, and all things beautiful. It is refined love. In addition, Diotima's view on love vs being beloved can be simply inferred as contrasting a love that is a grey area between pure and tainted, a love that is based on physical aspects. And a love where one is cherished, adored, and esteemed, a love that is based on intangible characteristics, those that are found over time, a love that is absolute, alluring, and agreeable. This differentiation led to me understanding that Diotima desired people specifically Socrates to understand that love is not a binary, is to be understood for what it is, and to not be misinterpreted as adoration, especially in the early stages of love. Overall, Diotima's theory should be implemented worldwide, to allow people to uncover her yearning in this theory. Diotima yearned for people to discern the best way to love another, by focusing their mind on the love of wisdom and philosophy. This love of wisdom is a gateway to cherishing someone. This concept of love is universal, even though we are all subjected to this law of love we may not understand it completely without Diotima's underlying message.

“... rock 'n roll was sexual, and girls can't sing about sex because nobody is comfortable with it.” - Joan Jett I might be the only person in my family to “bump” rock music. Like most black people who do not fit the norms I have been told, I act “white,” dress “white,” talk “white,” etc. It is amusing that the things I genuinely enjoy get me called white. Despite this ignorance, I continued doing what I loved and stumbled across a recusant band found in the movie The Runaways. The Runaways is a story of the 70’s teen all-girl rock band, the band who inspired me to make my life my own. The Runways was a rock band composed of trailblazing feminist rockers. They were a cherry bomb: a red, globe-shaped firecracker with a long fuse and high explosive capability. They were everything they should not have been but no one could stop them. Their hit song was Cherry Bomb, a song about a rebellious teenage girl, who is foxy, and blunt with her sexuality. A cherry bomb in this context is “an underage girl who gets into trouble and taunts authority with promiscuous and naughty behavior.” (Genius). Currie would perform this song in lingerie and be deemed “jailbait”, Currie was teenage rebellion. She would make the crowd uncomfortable with her attire and words. As I watched these questions arose: Why does seeing women act out the fantasies some men have make some men so uncomfortable? Why is female sexuality explicit but male sexuality normal? Although, women are constantly sexualized for simply existing with (or without) a uterus, for some reason it is “controversial” when we sexualize ourselves. Some men feel entitled to sexualize women but when women do the same to themselves they are considered sluts, improper, unladylike, etc. The Runaways saw this conundrum and addressed it with Cherry Bomb. The singer calls for the ladies to “get down” with the men to take away their “blues.” Cherie Currie also moans sexually, further adding to the seductiveness of the song. Cherry Bomb screams: sex is for women, sex is for everyone. In a world where they were told that men have needs that women have to fulfill, they told the world that women have needs too, and we are not going to be quiet about them. Women are sexual beings, women are active participants in sex, not just “gatekeepers”. Women are not wrong for wanting sex. The Runaways taught me that I am a cherry bomb. Undoubtedly, the song is bigger than sex, it's the way women are viewed in general, our bodies are not the only thing that people try to police, our minds, will, personalities, ideas, emotions, revelations, breakthroughs, etc have been policed. Being a cherry bomb to me means doing what you want, wearing what you want, saying what you want, being who you want, thinking what you want, owning your life -- and most importantly never backing down on what you believe in. Cherry Bomb and more songs from The Runaways scream to me “Girls can”, and will do whatever they want to do, not just because “boys do it” but because they want to. The Runaways was moving and liberating and I would recommend everyone to watch the awe-inspiring masterpiece that is The Runaways.

“The duty of the youth is to challenge corruption” - Kurt Cobain My love for Nirvana sparked in eleventh grade when I saw a Nirvana hoodie and decided to look more into the recusant band. I opened my phone, looked for green, and saw Spotify; I typed N-I-R, and a black-and-white picture of Kurt Cobian, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl appeared. I clicked play and heard it. Nirvana is a rock band composed of 20-something-year-old trailblazing feminist individualist rockers looking to fight the system. Their very essence has transformed my entire perception of reality. “Let me clip your dirty wings” (Nirvana, Polly) A few months ago, I saw a Youtube Short about “Nirvana’s darkest song,” Polly. “Polly” was a 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped, and “tortured with a whip, a razor, and a blowtorch” on her way home (Nirvana, Polly). Undoubtedly, the song is gruesome, yet it oddly resonates with me. Although, I have never been in the same situation as Polly. There have been some incidents in my own life where my wings were clipped like Polly’s: “A chase would be nice for a few” (Nirvana, Polly). I was picking my little sister up from summer camp when I was 14, and a car pulled up beside me. “What's your name? Do you live around here? Where are you headed to?” he pondered. As expected, I lied. Beautifully. “Cara” that is not my name. “No, I’m just visiting.” My house was a few blocks away. “I'm just picking up something.” That was a half-lie. “Do you want a ride?” “No.” That was the truth. “Can I get your number?” “My phone is dead.” Why did I tell him that? “Can I get your snap?” “No, I'm 14.” I stood up for myself. “So what? I’m 18.” he persisted. My answer remained the same. With dissatisfaction, he got out of his car. I could feel my heart in my feet – this is the type of thing that happens in movies – like Girl in the Box, not to me, not in real life. He was towering and muscular, a grown man with a car. I could not outrun him or overpower him. There were no witnesses. My phone was dead. No one could save me. I had no choice; I gave in. I told him my Snapchat with reluctance. “Make sure to add me back," he demanded. He returned to his car and followed me to my destination. He clipped my wings that day. My room became my sanctuary; tears covered my face. The idea of having the same fate as Polly terrified me. But in time, I refused this reality. The catalyst for my courage amplification was the fact that Polly escaped: “She caught me off my guard – Amazes me the will of instinct.” (Nirvana, Polly). Polly took back her life. She set herself free. Overall, Nirvana's discussion of these “taboo” social issues has led me to aspire to the business field, which can be challenging for a woman to do in our society. Despite the limitations, being silenced is not an option. I will live standing, not kneeling, not letting anyone clip my wings. I will break barriers, set trends, and blaze trails.

When I was first accepted into the job at 14, my goal, like most, was to get paid. However, my goal soon changed as I got more adapted. I worked at a day camp over the summer. It’s a few blocks from my current house. The massive sphere of hot gas glowing in the sky above gave me warmth as I took my daily walk. At 8 a.m. every weekday, I’d walk down familiar roads and greet the crossing guard with a good morning every time I passed her. The days were short yet endless, but when they did end in the afternoon, I would walk home with my younger sister, who attended the camp also. When I arrived home, I took a calming shower; the lukewarm water replenished my body, and I yearned to stay in the crystal-pure liquid forever. I would fall into a deep slumber as soon as I felt my warm bed. The children were from kindergarten to 3rd grade. They followed a routine of breakfast, leisure, academics, free time, lunch, movie time, and dismissal. As the weeks passed, bonds were grown. WEEK 1 “Are you ready?” my group leaders often ask me. I wasn’t sure if I was, but you gain nothing from doing nothing. And my goal was to reap. WEEK 2 “Hi, Ms. Eva!” exclaimed my group in unison. I loved my cozy welcome, but having a sense of acknowledgment felt unusual. Usually, I’m the pupil looking for guidance, but now the roles are reversed. WEEK 3 “Hi, guys!” Now, I was the one speaking. I was now officially used to the people around me. I could feel the contagiousness of their love as they greeted me with heartfelt embraces. WEEK 4 “Ms. Eva, can you warm up my lunch?” This statement was said by many of the kids in my group as they looked up at me. Although a menial task, there was an overwhelming feeling of wholesomeness. WEEK 5 “I’m going to write you a beautiful letter of recommendation,” said Ms. Elsee, my primary group leader, who always appreciated my efforts. She was telling me that I deserved recognition for my dedication. WEEK 6 “It’s your last week?” questioned Ms. Annabelle with discontent as she pulled me in for a comforting hug. It was my last week; I had to say my goodbyes until next summer. Nothing but experience could have prepared me for this wide range of children with personalities as vast as the sea. Getting used to this change, especially after quarantine, took assiduous effort. But since we all were conforming to the shift in the world, relating to each other became easier. It was refreshing to connect with them, which made the experience even more halcyon. As time continued, money no longer became a driving factor, replacing it with a wholesome learning experience that drove me. Due to this, I acquired a new skill set that embodied patience, which is a virtue. Patience intertwines self-control, social skills, communication skills, higher-order thinking, and positive self-concept. Overall, I did high-quality work. I received “SYEP” this summer, which has been one of my most significant accomplishments thus far, and it also motivated me to pursue working in this domain again next summer and using the skills I acquired daily. I no longer saw myself as a person who was awkward and introverted. I found a new understanding of myself as I became more social, calm, patient, and rational. Growth is the key to success, and I aspire to grow in the business field to succeed.

Tennis has taught me resilience: the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. I have been able to push myself and my teammates to the limits and do the unthinkable. Nothing but experience could have prepared me for the wide range of emotions and decisions I would have through tennis. Witnesses myself being excited for the next practice and next game, the adrenaline rush that comes when I swung my racket when my coach would bounce the ball, always having to stay on my toes, keeping my eyes on the ball, and letting the racket become an extension of my hand. All of these skills were internalized by my body and I was able to do the movements automatically. When I would see my teammates struggle I would give them a helpful tip or tell them "You've got this!" and I would see them improve when the encouragement came to inspire them. The first game came around and I was thrilled. I played the first doubles with my friend. I did not care if we won or lost I just wanted a chance to give myself a true diagnostic. We spun the racket "W or M", "W" we said. The racket fell on W and we got to serve first. I remembered all the points, I mimicked the Serena William matches I'd watched and performed the best I could have. We lost the match 8-10 but I learned that I need to make my form, not just mimic but apply and adjust. Furthermore, I started making my techniques, Serena threw the ball up and smashed it but I was not able to do that well, so I decided to put my racket with my ball and almost load it up with my knees bent, then bring the ball up with the racket and tapping it with controlled force to get the ball into the service box. Needless to say, this was not easy to study or even master. But it helped me to perform better and play comfortably and confidently. As time went on I learned good sportsmanship. No bickering during games, if there is a problem speak to the coach or re-do the point, shake hands after, don't ever cheat, and never take the game to heart. Due to this, I was able to play without having resentment for the other team, and respecting my competitors made the game much more enjoyable. And I and my teammates undoubtedly got closer, I now have a plethora of new friends, girls I have never even noticed are now some of my favorite people. I loved my time on the tennis team. Overall, It started with simply joining the team because more members were needed was my initial motivation. Then, as time continued I found myself watching Venus Williams tutorials on how to perfect a serve and do a professional backhand. And my journey ended with a double rainbow on October 16th.

Tennis has taught me grit: strength of character. I have been able to push myself to the limits and do the unthinkable. Nothing but experience could have prepared me for the wide range of emotions and decisions I would have through tennis. Witnesses myself being excited for the next practice and next game, the adrenaline rush that comes when I swung my racket when my coach would bounce the ball, always having to stay on my toes, keeping my eyes on the ball, and letting the racket become an extension of my hand. All of these skills were internalized by my body and I was able to do the movements automatically. the first game came around and I was thrilled. I played the first doubles with my friend. I did not care if we won or lost I just wanted a chance to give myself a true diagnostic. We spun the racket "W or M", "W" we said. The racket fell on W and we got to serve first. I remembered all the points, I mimicked the Serena William matches I'd watched and performed the best I could have. We lost the match 8-10 but I learned that I need to make my form, not just mimic but apply and adjust. Furthermore, I started making my techniques, Serena threw the ball up and smashed it but I was not able to do that well, so I decided to put my racket with my ball and almost load it up with my knees bent, then bring the ball up with the racket and tapping it with controlled force to get the ball into the service box. Needless to say, this was not easy to study or even master. But it helped me to perform better and play comfortably and confidently. As time went on I learned good sportsmanship. No bickering during games, if there is a problem speak to the coach or re-do the point, shake hands after, don't ever cheat, and never take the game to heart. Due to this, I was able to play without having resentment for the other team, and respecting my competitors made the game much more enjoyable. And I and my teammates undoubtedly got closer, I now have a plethora of new friends, girls I have never even noticed are now some of my favorite people. I loved my time on the tennis team. Overall, It started with simply joining the team because more members were needed was my initial motivation. Then, as time continued I found myself watching Venus Williams tutorials on how to perfect a serve and do a professional backhand. And my journey ended with a double rainbow on October 16th.

I will use my college education to spread awareness regarding gun violence. I will gladly get into good trouble for my advocacy, and I will be loud and clear regardless of any opposition. Even though shedding light on overlooked topics may be controversial, the trouble that may arise is necessary. Gun violence is a very prominent problem that we witness and are impacted by every day but tend to overlook. Gun violence inhibits society from functioning effectively because of how widespread and contradictory it is. Gun violence essentially is violence committed with the use of a firearm. This includes homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, suicide, etc. Gun violence results in major health issues such as; PTSD, permanent disabilities, blunt force trauma, and of course death. Not only are people impacted physically but there is also an emotional toll on those who survive these instances. Additionally, to rectify this issue I will promote social reform through the business field. The goal and approach of Truth Initiative: an anti-drug campaign used to spread awareness about vaping and smoking to lead society, to consider the worth of their lives and the long-term and negative impact of deciding to do drugs; has inspired me to influence the public to demonize an epidemic such as gun violence. Spreading awareness of this crucial issue will lead to metacognition in society regarding their actions and mindsets towards guns in general and gun violence. Thus there will be a reduction of easy access to guns and a tradition of gun safety will be implemented in society. Youth will not have access to guns and will be educated on the dangers of guns in the wrong hands. The gun industry will be heavily regulated to prevent the marketing of guns in a misguiding light. Background checks proper training precautionary measures and safe and secure gun storage will be mandated. Also, more outreach groups will be made to restore the mental health of people who have been impacted by gun violence. Communities will work together to prevent gun-related violence and negative gun influence on communities. rt rapists because they will view their actions as undefendable and worthy of punishment. Overall, My voice will be discerned concerning this grotesque issue, that is, unfortunately, displayed throughout our daily lives. Constant negative persuasion throughout the media, music industry, and advertisement fuels the fire, which leads to the frequent occurrence of gun violence. A college education would allow me to play my role in the societal recognition of this devestation, which will be beneficial as it will lead to the thwarting of gun violence; thus causing the world to be a more suitable place for everyone.

Tite Kubo's Bleach is entrancing. I first watched it in 2021. I was able to finish all 366 episodes in 17 days. I could not look away. Captivation from the start of learning about hollows and soul reapers. Ichigo's determination to save his family and eventually save the entirety of Kurakura Town was very inspiring and pivotal to his character development. Soon I was able to understand Ichigo's dedication to the lives of others by finding out about the death of his mother. I met more characters along the way, witnessing their development and growing favorites. I even liked Uryu he seemed to be the Sauske to Ichigo. As the story went on to the Soul Society arc we were able to see an entirely new universe as every character came together for one common cause while finding hidden powers within themselves. As Orihime, Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu traveled through the Dangai I was able to feel a part of the journey to this hidden dimension. Additionally, I was entranced by the fights and began to favor a particular character Kenny or Kenpachi. Due to his raw fighting style, unique look, and terrifying rank. To continue, The show only got better as it progressed, Hados, Kidos, and Bankais were debuted and discovered, and my personal favorite was Baykuya's Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, even his Shikai was amazing. Treacherous characters came forward during this time, and Aizen's betrayal was breathtaking. However, seeing Aizen stop Ichigo's sword and theme song with his mighty finger was groundbreaking. Aizen is not a likable character to me because of his arrogance and god-complex which reminds me so much of Light Yagami, but his unrivaled power is undeniable. The show progressed through many arcs but the truth from 110 years ago arc was very interesting because I've only seen flashbacks, not entire arcs dedicated to going back in time. But it was literal genius. Knowing the exact history of Gin Ichimaru joining Aizen, and "Hat and Clogs" and Yuroichi's friendship was very insightful and gave me a sense of foreshadowing and inclusivity. After seeing that arc I would love one for the original Gotei 13 shown in the Blood War arc. Furthermore, Lord Aizen's Arrancars were an amazing creation as well, and Haribell and her followers were my favorites and their backstory was motivating. Watching the female Arrancars band together and become successful enough to be some of the only survivors and lead Hueco Mundo after the fall of Aizen was lovely. The animation quality heightened noticeably during the epic fights between Grim Jow and Ichigo, and Ulquiorra and Ichigo. The journey to Hueco Mundo was interesting and showed us some very powerful characters on all sides. The final battle in the mock Karkura Town consisted of secrets being unfolded, terrifying powers, and new perspectives; such as Squad 11 Bankais being revealed, the deadly touch of Lord Barragan, and Arrancar admitting that they are just pawns for Aizen, I even saw that being confirmed when Aizen cuts down Harribel midbattle. Fortunately, Aizen was soon defeated by what seemed to be the final form of Ichigo, and I was able to see a father-and-son moment before that punishment as well. I rewatched Bleach again last year to catch up for the final season. And the first episode of the final season hyped me up. The entire season answered so many questions and gave me even more. Bleach is a fantastic anime and I am so glad I was recommended it. I plan to watch it over and over again and fall in love with it all over again.