Sabrina's the kind of famous person you feel like could have been your next door neighbor. I'm sure this stems from her role on Girl Meets World, where she actually was the neighbor. But there is just something so naturally familiar about her. She has a way of putting on the show while still being herself. This is aspirational to me. I want to come across as smart and talented and authentically me. In an era of contrived personas, Sabrina's persona seems real. She lets the listener in to her head in a comical delivery that is so unique. Her music somehow doesn't take itself too seriously, yet still delivers impact. Her roles on screen are equally amazing and authentic. Watching her evolve from Disney Channel to more mature roles, she never seemed to force a transformation or desperately shed her past. Instead, she grew naturally, bringing that same relatability to every character she played. What really resonates with me is how Sabrina balances being deeply talented with not taking herself too seriously. In my work founding the Youth Advisory Council and leading the Hunger Awareness Club, I've learned that the most effective leadership often comes with a sense of humor and humility. When I was navigating city council meetings and political tensions, I could have approached everything with grave seriousness. But sometimes, acknowledging the absurdity of an 18-year-old negotiating with career politicians—while still doing the work professionally—made the whole process more human and, ultimately, more successful. Sabrina's music does this brilliantly. Songs like "Nonsense" are clever and witty while still showcasing her vocal talent. She's not afraid to be funny, flirty, or vulnerable—sometimes all in the same song. This authenticity in being multidimensional is something I strive for. I can be the serious student advocating for policy change and also the person cracking jokes with friends. Both versions are authentically me. Her approach to her career also mirrors what I've learned about sustainable impact. Sabrina didn't rush to be taken seriously or force a dramatic reinvention. She built her career step by step, honoring where she came from while growing into new spaces. Similarly, when building community initiatives, I learned that lasting change doesn't come from trying to be someone I'm not or presenting a polished, perfect version of leadership. It comes from showing up authentically, admitting when I don't have answers, and being willing to learn and adapt. What impacts me most about Sabrina is her reminder that you don't have to choose between being talented and being approachable, between working hard and having fun, between being ambitious and being real. In a world that often demands we pick a lane—serious activist or fun-loving teenager, ambitious student or relatable peer—Sabrina shows that the most compelling version of yourself contains multitudes. As I move forward in my education and career in international diplomacy, I carry this lesson with me. The best diplomats aren't the ones who present a carefully constructed facade of perfection. They're the ones who can connect authentically across differences, who bring both gravitas and humor to difficult conversations, who remember that behind every policy discussion are real people with real lives. Sabrina Carpenter's ability to be simultaneously entertaining and genuine, talented and down-to-earth, ambitious and authentic reminds me that I don't have to be one-dimensional to be effective. I can be all of myself—and that's actually my greatest strength.

My embodiment of selflessness crystallized through two transformative community initiatives: rescuing and expanding the Hunger Awareness Club and founding Santa Monica's first Youth Advisory Council. These experiences have shown me that authentic service must go beyond selflessness and translate into direct action and systemic change. This proved to be very challenging, and I learned a lot in my successes and failures in these projects. When rumors about our school district canceling its weekend meal program became reality, my role as a food pantry volunteer suddenly felt insufficient. I knew these recipients, they were my classmates and their families who wouldn't have enough to eat on weekends. That realization transformed my understanding of what selflessness truly means: it’s not just a value to admire, but a call to action. Starting the Hunger Awareness Club taught me that helping my community meant taking that crucial first step when others hesitated to act. Those first weeks were a crash course in perseverance. At first, each unanswered email to local businesses felt like a significant setback. Our first "yes" from a potential partner, transformed my perspective. With donations from local grocery stores, we knew we could succeed. As our network of supporters grew, I learned to transform selfless goodwill into cooperation. We built a system that distributed over 8,000 meals annually. Our twice-yearly food drives became something I never expected. We were so successful we had to negotiate for more space. Watching our new storage room fill with donations showed me what's possible when a community unites behind a cause. What started as an emergency response to the pandemic grew into something sustainable. I found that I wasn’t the only one who wanted to make a difference, and filling those bags with food every week, we all felt like we were doing good, together. My embodiment of selflessness grew more when I helped to spread the joy that comes from working without oneself in mind. Together in our selflessness. This continued after graduation with many younger classmates happy to take up the project now that it was well established. But I wasn’t done yet. This process led me to identify another critical gap in my community—the absence of formal youth representation in local government. Santa Monica was one of the few in our region without a platform for young voices to influence policy decisions affecting their lives. Founding Santa Monica's first Youth Advisory Council became my most ambitious community service project, requiring over a year of persistent advocacy and political navigation. Working directly with mayors and city council members, I successfully guided this initiative through approval processes. The project demanded a lot of me—especially when a mayoral transition and four new city council members initially questioned the council's importance. I embodied selflessness in my persistence and political courage. This permanent platform has ensured young voices will continue shaping Santa Monica's future. My goal is to bring the lessons of our collaborative success to the global stage, building a better, healthier world. I aim to work in global health diplomacy for the UN, or an NGO. At Vanderbilt, I'll study Political Science and Medicine, Health and Society. I want to be challenged to think critically about root causes of displacement, food insecurity and inequality—moving beyond immediate service toward understanding complex underlying forces. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve my community, and look forward to the chance to help on a larger scale.

I used to dream of becoming a doctor, yet my experiences revealed when patients reach hospitals, systemic issues have already taken their toll. Through local government work and international service, I discovered that true health equity requires policy change and global collaboration; this understanding inspires me to pursue a career in Foreign Service or State Department in health diplomacy. When I think about my path toward becoming a global diplomat, I realize my education so far has taught me lessons that are the foundation for my future.The first is that real change happens when we create spaces for every voice to be heard. This understanding started early in my Spanish immersion program, where I didn't just learn vocabulary and grammar—I learned that language is a bridge to understanding different perspectives and experiences. Later, working at the Mar Vista Farmers Market has shown me how this plays out in practice. When I translate between vendors and customers, I'm not just converting words from one language to another; I'm facilitating connections that wouldn't otherwise exist. My education has also shown me that systems and institutions can be changed, but it requires understanding how they actually work. My experience establishing Santa Monica's Youth Advisory Council deepened this understanding when I had to navigate political tensions and find common ground across party lines. These local experiences have been invaluable, but I recognize they're just the beginning. College represents the critical next step in preparing for international diplomacy. At Vanderbilt, I'll study Political Science and Medicine, Health and Society, gaining the theoretical framework to understand global systems and policy mechanisms that I've only glimpsed through my work on youth advisory councils. The classroom will challenge me to think more critically about root causes of displacement and inequality—moving beyond the immediate service I've provided as a volunteer. The research opportunities at university will allow me to deepen my understanding of NGO’s, studying how they successfully combine direct service with systemic change. Two components that are important to my career. What excites me most about college is the opportunity to learn alongside peers from around the world, bringing different cultural perspectives to classroom discussions about global issues. This diversity will be essential preparation for diplomatic work, where understanding multiple viewpoints isn't just helpful—it's necessary for crafting sustainable solutions. College will transform my passion for bridge-building into the sophisticated analytical skills and global perspective essential for effective international diplomacy. I am so excited about my future opportunities and path towards my goals.

Santa Monica Youth Advisory Council — Founder April 2024 - Present Contact: Lana Negrete, Santa Monica Mayor 310-463-4847 Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov In founding the Santa Monica Youth Advisory Council, I identified a crucial gap between local government and young voices and then took decisive action to bridge it. Working directly with the mayor and city council, I not only conceived this initiative but successfully navigated the complex approval process, requiring both persistence and political acumen during an election year. And it really did take a lot of persistence! The project's success in gaining official approval validated my drive to be an active citizen of the city I love. I am incredibly proud of this work to create a lasting platform for future generations of high school students to engage with local government, ensuring young voices will continue to shape Santa Monica's future. I also earned the California State Seal of Civic Engagement for this accomplishment. Letters to Our Leaders Club, SAMOHI — Founder + President August 2022 - 2025 Contact: Katharina Valentiner kvalentiner@smmusd.org 310-395-3204 Founded with a mission to provide students an outlet to express their voice before they can vote, and increase youth civic engagement through letter writing. 100s of letters have been written to date. Currently working to expand the club nationally. Hunger Awareness Club, SAMOHI — Co-founder Co-president August 2023 - PRESENT. Contact: Patti Braun 310-621-7119 pattibraun@aol.com What began as a response to an immediate need evolved into something much more significant. My co-founder and I rescued a pandemic program that had been started to help food-insecure families with weekend meals. When it was canceled, I went from being a food pantry volunteer to becoming a club founder and leader. Once we secured approval and sponsorship, we coordinated the distribution of 8,000+ meals to food-insecure SMMUSD families each year. Organized twice-yearly food drives and managed weekly volunteer teams for food packing. Secured corporate partnerships and led fundraising initiatives. Established an anonymous distribution system through school liaisons. This club grew far beyond expectations and continues to grow today. Boys and Girls State, Sacramento, CA-Delegate June 2024 Contact: David Gibson bdavid.gibson@gmail.com or Dan Rummel rummeldl79@gmail.com One of 3 students sent from my high school. It is a hands on civic leadership program, or mock government. I acted as a City Councilwoman, Media Editor, photographer, and private attorney. Congressman Ted Lieu Youth Advisory Council, District 36 — Delegate August 2024 - May 2025. Contact: Janet Turner 323-651-1040 Janet.Turner@mail.house.gov Debate and vote on House bills, providing a valuable youth perspective. Deliver recommendations to Congressman Lieu on legislative support. Collaborate with peers to analyze and discuss complex policy issues. Gain an in-depth understanding of federal lawmaking and congressional operations. Write and propose your own original bill. Immersion Club, SAMOHI — Volunteer/Member August 2022 - 2025. Contact: Katharina Valentiner kvalentiner@smmusd.org 310-395-3204 SAMOHIs is an immersion program club for students dedicated to their K12 immersion family. The club supports the immersion community at all levels through community service, advocacy, fundraising, and sustaining the immersion community outside of school. Money raised provides temporary relief for families in need, and scholarships for students going on to college. GlobalWorks Spain Service Program, Spain — Volunteer June 2023 - July 2023 Volunteer at La Fundacion Escuela de Solidaridad, working with refugees and immigrants, helping them adjust to Spanish life. Assisting with translation, craft work, and childcare. Work also included manual labor to clean and rehabilitate an unused space. Volunteer and translator at Amayuelas de Abajo, working in environmental awareness and sustainable agriculture. Contributed to the building of a farm shed by making hundreds of adobe bricks from clay and grass.