My dad always rejected the stereotype that Asians are cheap. “We’re not cheap,” he’d say, “we’re smart with money.” Growing up, he taught me to never pay full price if I could help it, whether that be through hunting for coupons, clipping discount codes, or keeping 20 different apps for mobile restaurant offers. By the time I stepped foot in high school, I’d applied those lessons into how I saved. All the money I made from teaching piano and my jewelry business went into a savings fund for college, gathering a proud $10,000 from my hard work. But now, facing the financial aid package I received from my dream school, I’m learning a new financial lesson: that sometimes being smart with money means knowing when to invest. I’d been raised to avoid debt like the plague, with horror stories of people getting sucked into student loans lingering in my nightmares. My dad’s stories of struggling for a decade to pay off my mom’s student loans and the show Total Forgiveness with its episodes showing just how far people were willing to go to pay off their debt convinced me loans were quicksand. Now, facing the reality of funding my education, I’m faced with a hard decision. Do I take the safer option of community college where I get free tuition for two years, but lose out on the traditional 4 year university experience, the opportunity to participate in research pertaining to my field, and a more rigorous education? Or do I take the leap of faith and risk tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt at an elite university, with the prospect of a much higher payout? For years I avoided risks, whether they were financial or otherwise. Not only did I hesitate to spend money on a snack at the grocery store, but I also hesitated to mention my fascination with clinical hypnosis. I didn’t want to jeopardize my relationship with my friends and family, fearing raised eyebrows and mockery. It seemed like the safer option to just keep my interest to myself. But when I found a community of like-minded people who saw its potential in the medical field, I stopped trying to hide it. Now I fully embrace my passion and I plan on pursuing it full time. So for once, I’m not going to take the option that saves more money. I’ll still use every financial tool I’ve mastered: scholarships, budgets, and even restaurant mobile apps, but in order to make this vision a reality, I need the resources to pursue advanced training and research. Despite my passion and curiosity for hypnotherapy, the financial reality of pursuing this path is daunting. Hypnotherapy certification programs, which are essential for gaining the skills and credibility to conduct meaningful research, come with significant costs. Winning this scholarship would allow me to enroll in a certified hypnotherapy program, where I can gain the hands-on training needed to understand the practical applications of hypnosis. Beyond that, it would provide me the financial stability to attend USC, with its strong research programs, where I can conduct research into how hypnosis can be integrated into medical practices. My research could pave the way for new, non-invasive therapies that improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications and their side effects. Ultimately, this scholarship wouldn’t just be an investment in my education, it would be an investment in the future of healthcare.

When I first got my senior year class schedule, I was bummed that I wasn’t able to fit in all the classes I wanted to. However, the gap between my honors English and Math Modeling classes gave me the opportunity to become a teaching assistant for my Peer Counseling teacher, Dr. Williams. As her TA and student, she taught me how to find my own confidence in my voice and set me on the path to pursuing psychology. I first met Dr. Williams, my school’s peer counseling teacher and restorative practices director, when she invited me to join her restorative circles club in junior year. Despite walking into that room unsure what to expect, her warmth and support quickly made me and everyone there feel at ease. Under her guidance, I grew from an observer to the first student in our club to lead restorative circles independently. At first, I had to hide how my hands shook from nerves when I first led a circle, but she patiently coached me through every step, teaching me how to hold space for others’ stories while helping me trust my own instinct. What began as nervous facilitation in her classroom blossomed into confidence—By the end of senior year, I now lead community building circles schoolwide, even occasionally stepping in for her when she’s busy. But Dr. Williams’ mentorship extended far beyond the classroom. She’s been a steadfast mentor, helping me attain opportunities like my summer internship at the Youth Mental Health Academy and even cheering me on at my piano recital. Now, as her TA, Circle Club president, and member of the Restorative Practices Committee, I help her implement mental health initiatives that make our hallways feel safer and more connected. Most importantly, Dr. Williams helped me discover my passion. Through her peer counseling class and our work together, I realized my passion for psychology—a field where I can share these restorative practices just as she taught me. I plan to major in psychology and someday hope to return to my high school, either as her colleague or successor, to pay forward the gifts she gave me: the courage to listen deeply, lead with compassion, and trust that my voice matters. Dr. Williams didn’t just teach me restorative practices; she showed me how to rebuild broken spaces—in schools and in myself—with compassion. Because of her, I now approach every challenge as an opportunity to listen, lead, and lift others up.

What if the most powerful healing tool wasn't found in a pill bottle, but within our own minds? Imagine a world where chronic pain, anxiety, and depression could be treated not just with medication, but with hypnosis. This isn't science fiction - it's the future I'm working to create. While hypnosis has been dismissed as stage magic for decades, modern research reveals its extraordinary potential to heal afflictions like chronic pain and insomnia without medication or any of its side effects. My mission is to bring hypnosis out of the realm of entertainment and into the future of medicine through rigorous research, clinical practice, and public education—so that one day hypnotherapy is as commonplace as any other therapy. Hypnosis remains one of psychology’s most misunderstood tools, relegated to Hollywood tropes of mind control and stage tricks, while its real therapeutic potential is overlooked. Popular media often portrays hypnosis as a form of coercion, reinforcing myths that it can override free will or that only 'weak-minded' individuals are susceptible. In truth, all hypnosis is self hypnosis–if you don’t want to be hypnotized, you simply won’t be! This ignorance about what hypnosis truly is only discourages people from actually looking at hypnosis as a legitimate medical practice instead of silly parlor tricks. But while others may see swinging pocket watches and stage magic, I see a tool that could replace pill bottles with a mile long list of side effects and expensive medical treatments. Modern use reveals hypnotherapy’s extraordinary potential to heal afflictions like addiction and insomnia, and there has even been recent research by the American Psychological Association that shows hypnosis can help with chronic pain and depression up to 75% more effectively than traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, or even medication. My mission is to bring hypnosis out of the realm of entertainment and into the future of medicine through rigorous research, clinical practice, and public education—so that one day hypnotherapy is as commonplace as any other therapy. I believe hypnosis can be a powerful tool—but to make this vision a reality, I need the resources to pursue advanced training and research. Despite my passion and curiosity for hypnotherapy, the financial reality of pursuing this path is daunting. Hypnotherapy certification programs, which are essential for gaining the skills and credibility to conduct meaningful research, come with significant costs. Additionally, attending a college with the resources and faculty to support my research goals requires financial support that I currently lack. Winning this scholarship would be critical for my success; it would allow me to enroll in a certified hypnotherapy program, where I can gain the hands-on training needed to understand the practical applications of hypnosis. Beyond that, it would provide the financial stability to attend a college with strong psychology and neuroscience programs, where I can conduct research into how hypnosis can be integrated into medical practices. With this scholarship, I would be able to explore how hypnosis can be used to complement traditional treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD. My research could pave the way for new, non-invasive therapies that improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications and their side effects. Ultimately, this scholarship wouldn’t just be an investment in my education—it would be an investment in the future of healthcare. With your support, I can turn my passion for hypnosis into a force for change, advancing medical practices and improving lives.

What does hypnosis and a journal filled with cryptic anomalies have in common? To most, they’re dismissed as curiosities or fiction. But to me, just like Ford Pines, they represent uncharted territory—a chance to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and uncover truths that could change how we approach medicine and mental health. Through my study in psychology, I’m aiming to revolutionize the scientific and medical fields with the research and education of clinical hypnosis. While others may see swinging pocket watches and stage magic, I see a tool that could replace pill bottles with a mile long list of side effects and expensive medical treatments. Modern use reveals hypnotherapy’s extraordinary potential to heal afflictions like addiction and insomnia, and there has even been recent research by the American Psychological Association that shows hypnosis can help with chronic pain and depression up to 75% more effectively than traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, or even medication. My mission is to bring hypnosis out of the realm of entertainment and into the future of medicine through rigorous research, clinical practice, and public education—so that one day hypnotherapy is as commonplace as any other therapy. However, not only is my goal to conduct more research into how hypnosis can aid medical treatment, but to also educate others on these findings to reduce the stigma surrounding hypnosis. I’ve already begun this work, having meticulously curated a community dedicated to discussing the science behind hypnosis and current research and theories surrounding it. Whether members already have experience with hypnosis or have no idea what it is, I’ve created a space where academic research meets accessible education. I’ve already shared helpful resources like academic papers and video demonstrations that explain the basics of hypnosis and demystify how hypnosis actually works. It’s my goal to make this credible information readily available so that anyone curious can bypass all the movie tropes and get to the real science. From pain management to trauma recovery, I believe hypnosis can be a powerful tool—but to make this vision a reality, I need the resources to pursue advanced training and research. Despite my passion and curiosity for hypnotherapy, the financial reality of pursuing this path is daunting. Hypnotherapy certification programs, which are essential for gaining the skills and credibility to conduct meaningful research, come with significant costs. Additionally, attending a college with the resources and faculty to support my research goals requires financial support that I currently lack. Winning this scholarship would be critical for my success; it would allow me to enroll in a certified hypnotherapy program, where I can gain the hands-on training needed to understand the practical applications of hypnosis. Beyond that, it would provide the financial stability to attend a college with strong psychology and neuroscience programs, where I can conduct research into how hypnosis can be integrated into medical practices. With this scholarship, I would be able to explore how hypnosis can be used to complement traditional treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD. My research could pave the way for new, non-invasive therapies that improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications and their side effects. Ultimately, this scholarship wouldn’t just be an investment in my education—it would be an investment in the future of healthcare. With your support, I can turn my passion for hypnosis into a force for change, advancing medical practices and improving lives.

My hands hovered over the piano keys, trembling so violently I could barely press them. The silence of the audience felt like a weight crushing my chest, a deafening roar in my ears as I tried to remember the next note. When I finally stumbled and stopped, the room seemed to hold its breath until I stood up and fled the stage on shaky legs, fighting back tears as the sound of whispers followed me. I was certain I’d never play again. That recital wasn’t just a one-off failure–it was the beginning of a battle with performance anxiety that would follow me throughout high school, even as I attended an arts school surrounded by seemingly flawless musicians. But during those four years, I found a new kind of music, one that didn’t demand perfection, but celebrated growth instead. I was in my freshman year when I met my classmates. After that disastrous recital, my performance anxiety was only exacerbated by feeling like an imposter surrounded by prodigies bound for Juilliard, the person playing Chopsticks among a room full of Mozarts. Each performance class twisted my stomach into knots–until I discovered teaching. I was in my sophomore year when my school announced they were looking for student mentors to volunteer with the Dragon Kim Foundation. They were looking for students interested in teaching children music fundamentals and exposing them to music in an educational environment. When I was able to interact with the group I had been placed with–a group of no more than five kindergarteners, fresh off the school playground–I was quickly hooked. I greatly enjoyed showing off my knowledge of the more technical aspects of music as well as creating a fun environment for the kids to learn in. Their excitement reminded me why I loved music, without the pressure of perfection. I was in my junior year when I started teaching my own students at my private teacher’s studio. Starting off as a sub for my piano teacher’s group classes, I preferred the more in-depth teaching I could do for these kids than what I had done previously at Dragon Kim. Guiding them through technique and practicing pieces, seeing exactly how much they grew with every lesson, I felt a pride I’d never felt on stage. Eventually, my teacher asked if I wanted to teach some private students of my own, one-on-one, and I accepted. By the end of the year, I realized my calling wasn’t performing, rather it was helping others discover the ability to perform in themselves. I’m now in my senior year going for a music teacher certification. While I’m planning on majoring in psychology, I still want to open up my own studio in the future and teach students on the side. I‘d like to use what I learn in my psychology courses to help promote a more supportive learning environment than what many students consider the “traditional” way of learning piano, with methods that often burn students out with strict standards for perfection. I hope to create a more supportive space where growth matters more than perfection. As I prepare for my final recital at my school, my hands no longer tremble. Not because I’ve mastered perfection, but because I’ve learned to embrace the growth that comes with failure. Teaching taught me that music isn’t about flawless performances, it’s about the courage to keep going. Growth, not perfection, is the measure of success.

When I started doom scrolling on Tiktok during the peak of the pandemic, prepared for another late night of internet memes and viral dance trends, I hadn’t expected to raise $1,500 for survivors of institutional child abuse in the Troubled Teen Industry. My work with the Unsilenced Club and the Troubled Teen Industry taught me the value in providing a listening ear for someone. Many people don’t know what the Troubled Teen Industry is, or only have a general idea of what these ‘teen treatment centers’ do while lacking some of the more sinister information about how they truly operate. I was one of those people. It wasn’t until I saw the story of Maggie Higgins on my tiktok for you page, a girl who suffered through conditions even worse than those seen in the prison system at one of these facilities before she even turned 16, that I realized that places like these existed. The Troubled Teen Industry, not-so-affectionately known as the TTI, is a network of facilities that claim to ‘fix’ teenagers with issues such as addiction, academics, and sexuality. They have a long history of mistreating their patients and causing hundreds of deaths across the half a century the industry has been thriving. Ever since then, it has been my mission to make survivors of the TTI feel just a little bit more seen. I started the Hidden In Plain Sight Podcast to connect with survivors and share their stories, not only granting them the relief of being listened to and believed, but also so other survivors watching can know that they’re not alone. Throughout my time talking with survivors, I have shared many survivor stories, such as Jenn's, a content creator intent on using her platform to expose the truths of the industry through her first-hand knowledge. I shared the story of Becca, the mother and teacher who gives her all to her 4 children and ensures they never experience the same things she did. I shared their stories among many others, each a piece of a larger expose on the TTI. The Unsilenced Club I run is also partnered with the organization Unsilenced, raising over $1,500 to support their efforts of pursuing legal action against these facilities. The club itself aimed to spread awareness about the Troubled Teen Industry and the abusive practices that are still used to this day in the name of “treatment”. I not only organized, but also spoke at several very successful Ted Talks and giveaways where I talked to classmates, some of which were the target demographic for these treatment centers, and gained a 20% increase in club membership the following year. I’m currently looking for a replacement to take over the club when I graduate, but I would love to continue my work with Unsilenced and start my own club in college, where I can work on spreading even more awareness on this ongoing issue. Through my work with survivors, I realized that lasting change requires not only advocacy but also a deeper understanding of the psychological trauma these individuals endure. This realization inspired me to pursue a degree in clinical psychology. Though there have been major improvements in the monitoring and transparency of the facilities in the TTI, I want to be at the forefront of creating a better environment for these children. I’ve learned that change begins with listening, and as I pursue my degree in clinical psychology, I hope to continue advocating for survivors and creating spaces where their voices are heard and valued.

What does hypnosis and a journal filled with cryptic anomalies have in common? To most, they’re dismissed as curiosities or fiction. But to me, just like Ford Pines, they represent uncharted territory—a chance to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and uncover truths that could change how we approach medicine and mental health. To me, success means pushing the boundaries of what we know about the human mind and using that knowledge to create innovative treatments that improve lives. Hypnosis is an area of psychology that is often misrepresented in media and has a large stigma surrounding it since so much of it is sensationalized. Movie villains often have the ability to mind control someone against their will, which often leads to misconceptions about hypnosis, such as the idea that it can force people to do things against their will, or that only very few people can be hypnotized. This ignorance about what hypnosis truly is only discourages people from actually looking into hypnotherapy as a legitimate medical practice. In reality, hypnosis is a legitimate therapeutic tool with proven benefits, and I aim to change these perceptions through research and education. It has always been my lifelong dream to be able to conduct research into the effects of hypnosis, and how it can be used in the medical field. It has already demonstrated strong promise in certain areas, such as helping curb addictions and lessening insomnia, and there has even been recent research by the American Psychological Association that shows hypnosis can help with chronic pain and depression. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I know there is so much more unexplored potential to be discovered. From pain management to trauma recovery, I believe hypnosis can be a powerful tool—but to make this vision a reality, I need the resources to pursue advanced training and research. Despite my passion and curiosity for hypnotherapy, the financial reality of pursuing this path is daunting. Hypnotherapy certification programs, which are essential for gaining the skills and credibility to conduct meaningful research, come with significant costs. Additionally, attending a college with the resources and faculty to support my research goals requires financial support that I currently lack. Winning this scholarship would be critical for my success; it would allow me to enroll in a certified hypnotherapy program, where I can gain the hands-on training needed to understand the practical applications of hypnosis. Beyond that, it would provide the financial stability to attend a college with strong psychology and neuroscience programs, where I can conduct research into how hypnosis can be integrated into medical practices. With this scholarship, I would be able to explore how hypnosis can be used to complement traditional treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD. My research could pave the way for new, non-invasive therapies that improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications and their side effects. Ultimately, this scholarship wouldn’t just be an investment in my education—it would be an investment in the future of healthcare. With your support, I can turn my passion for hypnosis into a force for change, advancing medical practices and changing lives.

I’ve always been incredibly passionate about psychology, specifically the field of hypnotherapy. It has always been my lifelong dream to be able to open my own hypnotherapy practice, as well as do more research into the effects of hypnosis. The power of suggestion has always been a fascinating concept to me, the lengths the human mind can go to in order to convince itself of something. Things like the placebo and nocebo effect, psychosomatic events, and of course, hypnosis. Despite my intense interest in hypnosis, I never shared it with anyone due to the fear of being labeled “weird” or a “creep”. It wasn’t until more recently that I began to embrace the uniqueness of my interest. Hypnosis is an area of psychology that is often misrepresented in media and has a large stigma surrounding it since so much of it is sensationalized. Movie villains often have the power to mind control the masses, such as Evelyn Deavor from Incredibles 2. These often lead to common misconceptions about hypnosis, such as the idea that it can force people to do things against their will, or that only very few people can be hypnotized. This ignorance about what hypnosis truly is only discourages people from actually looking into hypnotherapy as a legitimate medical practice. Far more people associate hypnosis with images of a creepy scientist than a medical professional. I’d like to practice hypnotherapy not only to help others, but also to do more research in order to demystify it to the public and get it accepted as just another mental health practice. It has already demonstrated strong promise in certain areas, such as helping curb addictions and lessening insomnia, and there has even been recent research by the APA that shows hypnosis can help with chronic pain and depression. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I know there is so much more unexplored potential to be discovered. Although I avoided discussing hypnosis with my friends and family, I felt more at ease expressing myself on the internet. Under the veil of anonymity, I posted short stories about hypnosis, incorporating researched facts and real methods. I read beginner books on hypnosis like Rory Z. Fulcher’s “Instant Hypnosis and Rapid Inductions Guidebook” and his “Stage and Street Hypnosis Handbook”. I even regularly attended hypnotherapy cognitive-behavioral therapy webinars hosted by Mark Davis, the dean of the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. While I wasn’t able to actually practice any of the methods, I could imagine them on the page, and learned many of the basic principles of hypnosis. All of this information I then weaved into my own short story, mixing the real methods and limitations of hypnosis with an enjoyable plot and characters. To my surprise, I discovered that I was not the only one interested in hypnosis. The comments under my story were filled with people engaging in discussions about specific methods I wrote about, expanding on my knowledge, or learning from others. Over the year since I’ve posted my stories, I’ve built a small, yet constantly growing, community of people also interested in hypnosis. We’d often share articles, books, and much more, all in the quest to educate ourselves. I’m constantly growing and learning more about this field, and I’ve even started holding calls in my community where we can discuss and occasionally even practice some facets of hypnosis ourselves. I’m proud to have inspired other writers around me to do more research into hypnosis and be an example of how realistic hypnosis could be portrayed. I would like to expand that community. This scholarship would help me afford college to get into psychology, and more than that, it would help me apply for hypnotherapy certification programs. Hypnotherapy isn’t for everyone; it requires at least 6 years of schooling, and many courses won’t even let you apply until you have a BA in psychology. With this scholarship, I would be able to afford resources like books and workshops and be able to attend college and jumpstart my career. From there I would be able to do things like research, experiments, and attend conferences to educate myself and others all about what hypnotherapy can do for us.