On June 6, 2015, I attended my first concert. Nine years old, in nearly the top row of Heinz Field, I found myself starstruck watching Taylor Swift’s “1989 World Tour.” I had been listening to the album on repeat since I received tickets the Christmas before. But once I finally got there, each song felt so much more real, so much more meaningful. I am as introverted as can be, but there is something about a crowd of thousands singing their heart out together to a song that might mean something different to each person, but that unites us in a shared experience of wonder. That first time I experienced it was magical. I remember standing there in a pink shirt with the album cover on the front, so enchanted that I stared at the stage just muttering the words to the songs. Although I did not fully comprehend them at the time, hearing “Clean” and “This Love” live felt something akin to a spiritually cleansing experience. Voices like rain came pouring down, and phone flashlights like fireflies lit up the stadium. I walked out eager for the next concert I could experience. I’ve been to several since then, but two stand out. In July 2023, I got to go to the Eras Tour with my family and one of my best friends. Since that first concert, Taylor Swift’s music had been a part of so many pivotal moments in my life. I connected so deeply with her lyrics, and in a way it felt like I had grown up with her, especially as I was about to enter my senior year. So this opportunity to see her again live, to see her emotion and passion, brought tears to my eyes five separate times. As influential as Taylor Swift’s music was for me, the Eras Tour also brought me infinitely closer to my friends and family. Passionately singing (or screaming) along with my friend to “Don’t Blame Me,” doing our special signal, was a pivotal moment in our friendship. Even before the concert, I spent hours with my friends artfully crafting friendship bracelets as we listened through the albums and relived our memories with them. We also pulled my teenage brothers—previously anti-Swift—along for the ride. One still denies that he enjoyed the experience, but the other connected deeply with Taylor’s “folklore” speech and with her music. We started to discuss albums and song meanings, bonding over her to this day. My other favorite concert memory came just recently, in July 2024. I went to a country music festival featuring Dustin Lynch and Thomas Rhett. Donning blue-embroidered cowboy boots, I felt like I was connecting with my roots in a new way, as I grew up driving down Ohio highways listening to country music. Since preparing for this experience, Dustin Lynch has become one of my favorite country artists. There was a moment during his set, where he began to sing an older song of his that I had never heard, and I was starstruck. It was my favorite kind of slow country, with longing lyrics and angelic imagery. Now, that song permeates my Spotify, but I am so thankful that I got to witness it for the first time live. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I have had to experience concerts and live music. They have brought me closer to so many people, inspired and influenced my music tastes, and shown me the power of a community united around music. I cannot wait to make more memories like this in the future.

When I was young, I was a voracious little reader. You could find me with a book at my brothers’ baseball games, or on practically any car ride longer than 15 minutes. I would read fantasies like "Harry Potter," dystopias like "Divergent," and realistic fictions like "The Hate U Give." But you would never, ever, catch me reading nonfiction, especially if it had anything to do with science. At that time, nonfiction seemed intimidating and esoteric. Books, to me, were for enjoyment and inspiration. Fantastical worlds were my escape, and strong female main characters pushed me to work hard for my goals in soccer and other ventures. These books taught me about relationships, how to interact with a complex world, and who I wanted to be. And even though I did not consciously realize it, reading so much filled me with a passion for learning. Searching for meaning in a text, encountering refreshingly unique words, and analyzing characters gave me the necessary skills to succeed in learning and genuinely crave knowledge. However, as I said, I avoided nonfiction like the plague. I could wander my local library for hours, yet I never ventured into the upstairs level devoted to nonfiction. Until, that is, my junior year of high school. I was not reading quite as much, caught up as I was in school and soccer, but I still tried to spend some time each day in a book. At the time, I was taking both Anatomy & Physiology and Honors Biology. Battles with diet culture had left me curious about the real science of nutrition and the body. I had never much enjoyed science, scarred by middle school classes about elements on space rocks. But as we began to learn about biological macromolecules and metabolism (key elements of nutrition) in Biology, as well as the systems of the body in Anatomy, I became hungry for more. I would pore over the textbook, but my curiosity was not satisfied. Finally, I decided, it was time to venture up those library stairs and into the world of nonfiction. I began to explore books about nutrition, which led me to books about gut health. I became fascinated by the colonies of microbes that live in our bodies and help us digest. Devouring books like "Love Your Gut" and "10% Human," I learned that these microbes likely have a major impact on so many aspects of our health, from allergies to mental health. My fascination with this subject has shaped my goal to become a doctor. But instead of simply majoring in Biology, I am choosing to major in Nutrition Science. I want to have a firm foundation in nutrition, as most medical schools only devote about 20 hours to nutrition education. In my time at Ohio State, I hope to contribute to research about the connection between gut health and the immune system, as well as obesity. I believe that many conditions can be helped through better nutrition, so I will advocate for more transparent and accessible nutrition information. Without the in-depth, fascinating research of nonfiction nutrition books, I do not know where I would be. Whether they are filling me with wisdom about the world or knowledge about health, books have had a major impact on who I am today. Curling up with a paperback is still one of my favorite past-times, and I am thrilled to continue exploring the nonfiction section. And maybe, one day, my name will be in one of those nutrition books.

When I was a kid, I loved going to the doctor. I would sit excitedly on the crinkly exam table paper, eager to discuss healthy habits and what was going on in my body. My eyes wandered over all the posters and pamphlets, curiously examining blood pressure cuffs and otoscopes. The same excitement fills me today as I volunteer in healthcare settings and shadow doctors. I marvel at the ultrasounds and MRI scans, wondering about every little inconsistency or white spot. Taking classes like AP Biology and AP Chemistry, I have discovered a passion for biochemistry and metabolism. I am fascinated by functional groups and polarity, how one single element can alter the function of a vital enzyme and create detrimental results. These passions have fostered my dream of becoming a pediatrician, possibly specializing in endocrinology or gastroenterology. As an undergraduate, I am majoring in Nutrition Science. In my understanding, it is vital to look at health from a holistic perspective, including what we eat. Food plays a major role in overall health, impacting everything from energy levels to cardiac health. The saying “let food be thy medicine” (attributed to Hippocrates) guides how I view my own nutrition, and I cannot wait to explore the topic further. I want to dive deep into the chemical composition of food, how our body digests, and the role of the gut microbiome. Furthermore, I plan to follow a premedical track to prepare me for my future in the medical field. In my opinion, however, nutrition education does not get nearly enough attention in medical schools. Most medical schools only offer around 20 hours of nutrition education, which is very little considering that so many conditions can be improved through better nutrition. As a medical professional, I will advocate for more nutrition education in medical schools. I hope that doing so can help patients prevent diseases before they begin. It is also vital to me that I continue advocating for the unsheltered community that I currently serve. Volunteering with my parish throughout high school to serve the homeless community of Portland has been a life-changing experience, giving me insights into faith and justice. As I work towards my future career, I want to push for a more just healthcare system, as well as more equitable access to nutritious foods. I have encountered many people through my service who are diabetic and struggling to afford insulin, or who are injured and unwilling to see a doctor because of the possible cost. Dismantling healthcare barriers from cost to transportation to the stigma can make a huge difference in the life of someone living on the streets. I will engage with social justice work to promote a future that upholds the health and wellness of all people. As I work towards my goals, I cannot wait to make the little girl in me proud. I want to help the kids I treat love the doctor’s office as much as I did.

Despite having lived all my life through the frigid, grey, snowy/rainy winters of both Portland, OR, and Cleveland, OH, I stubbornly drink iced coffees all year round. Not even the warm Starbucks fall and winter staples can deter me. I am a firm believer that a drink does not have to be warm to be cozy, especially not Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. This drink is a staple through the fall for me. I love its bitter coffee taste, complemented perfectly by sweet pumpkin and soothing cinnamon. It captures my favorite scents and tastes of fall. But to me, it is more than just flavor. For the past four years, my fall narrative has been steady and comforting. The leaves predictably change as I sprint the soccer field with my high school soccer team. The air becomes progressively colder as I watch my little brothers play football on Saturdays, then gather around the fireplace with my family to watch Ohio State football games. Sunday afternoons are filled with my mom’s cozy soup and catching up on textbook reading. And the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew has become an integral part of this narrative. It accompanies me to those Saturday football games, no matter how cold it is. On days that I have late soccer practices or games, it helps me to focus on my AP Chemistry and Biology homework with energy left over to compete later. In the busy season that autumn is, this drink helps me to slow down and appreciate every beautiful moment. Its taste is comforting, and it fills me with nostalgia. I am reminded to actually stop and look at the leaves, to feel the crisp air on my skin, and to savor the soothing smells of autumn. This coming fall, however, I will be starting a new chapter at The Ohio State University, the same school that I have dedicatedly cheered on in football for years. I will no longer be playing competitive soccer, and I will not be around to watch my brothers’ football games. The steady routine of my past autumns will change, but new comforts and traditions are coming. What were once Saturdays watching Ohio State football on TV will become Saturdays in Ohio Stadium. I will watch the leaves change as I meander through the Oval. And as I find new study spots, I know I will have a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew in hand. Even with all the new, crazy, busy things I will experience in my first few months of college, this drink will still be there, reminding me again to slow down and appreciate every beautiful moment. It will remind me to be present in each moment with my friends, to not waste the unfilled time scrolling on my phone, and to enjoy every opportunity that comes my way. For now, I excitedly await both the fall Starbucks menu and the new chapter ahead of me. In the meantime, I’ll be sipping my Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.

Life, I have learned, does not follow a simple plot arc. Nor do humans fulfill simple character roles. Life is messy and humans complex, never entirely heroes nor villains. One conflict leads to another, hopefully with resolutions in between. Likewise, the best books draw us in through their complexity. Main characters make morally questionable decisions, and we ask ourselves what we would do differently. The story does not end wrapped up in a neat little bow. My ideal bookshelf, inspired by #BookTok, includes books that lean into such complexity. A favorite quote of mine comes from one such book, "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue": “Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives—or to find strength in a very long one.” Since I was little, books have been escapes for my introverted mind, food for my voracious curiosity, and inspirations for my searching heart. The following titles have not only left an incredible impact on me, but on a whole community of passionate readers connected by TikTok. First and foremost, my ideal bookshelf must include the "Throne of Glass" series and the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series, both by Sarah J. Maas. I have read each of these 5 times, and they are the first books that I have had a true “obsession” with. The strong female main characters of each series have helped me immensely in building confidence and self-assurance. These series have also taught me the value of asking for help. I tend towards hyper-independency, but I know with the help of these books that doing everything alone does not necessarily make me stronger. Then, as I quoted earlier, I would have to include "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab. Like Addie, I often feel that I am running out of time, even though I have a whole adult life ahead of me. But through her I learned that, yes, time is precious, so it should be spent intentionally. And I learned what a gift it is to simply be seen by someone, especially when we go through life so engrossed in social media and generally superficial interaction. Finally, I would have to include "If We Were Villains" by M.L. Rio. It is a thrilling, heartbreaking, and Shakespearean exploration of guilt, love, and companionship; human complexity at its finest. There is enmity wrapped up with passion, and affection wrapped up with apprehension. The love is not simple, but it reveals the lengths that we would go to for the people we cherish. Books like these have had a similarly profound impact on the #BookTok community. The "Throne of Glass" and "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series have inspired scores of fan-art and even music. The community is not just enamored with the stories themselves, but with the worlds that the Maas has created and with how nearly every character is explored in beautiful depth. Considering that, between both series, there are 13 books and several thousands of pages, it is simply amazing that a whole community has been inspired to commit to these books. As for both "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" and "If We Were Villains," they are not quite as well known, but their impact should not be downplayed. The #BookTok community is strewn with breathtaking passages from each of these novels. They have inspired romanticization and appreciation for classic literature, art, and culture. Addie LaRue says it best: “A life without art, without wonder, without beautiful things—she would go mad.” And I believe that the same goes for a life without books.

On June 6, 2015, I attended my first concert. Nine years old, in nearly the top row of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, I found myself starstruck watching Taylor Swift’s “1989 World Tour.” I had been listening to the album on repeat since I received tickets the Christmas before, jamming out to “Style” and “I Know Places.” Now, 1989 has come to mean more to me than perhaps any other album. I find in it nostalgia and comfort, guidance and healing, freedom and unfiltered joy. Every month, I create a playlist of songs that have resonated with me in different moments. Scattered throughout this years’ playlists are several songs from 1989 (Taylor’s Version), from “Slut!” to “Wonderland.” And there was the time that I listened to “You Are In Love” on repeat for an hour. However, this year, “Out Of The Woods” and “Clean” have defined my experiences and gotten me through some of my toughest moments. My year began with a tumultuous January. After nearly 15 years of playing soccer year-round, I needed an ankle surgery that would bench me for the rest of my club career. At the same time, my closest friends were changing, beginning to look right through me in search of status. I felt, in a sense, like I was “in the woods,” suddenly dropped alone into a place and situation entirely unknown to me. I was navigating crutches, boots, and braces like the gnarled roots crowding the forest floor. Yet it felt like so few of my friends even “heard a thing” when I told them how I was feeling about it, to quote “Clean.” For a while, I felt like I was drowning in loneliness and restlessness. This went on until one night, on a retreat, the floodgates broke as I sat by the fire. I cried grieving both the sport and the relationships that I knew I needed to let go of. And then I let them go. This decision was the start of a new journey. I picked myself up off the metaphorical forest floor and began to walk, boot and all, through the pouring rain. It was often a lonely journey, but it gave me the time and space to renew my faith and to find myself outside of a sport that had defined my life for so long. Over time, the rain began to cleanse and heal, rather than drown me. I had the time now to explore my passions of biochemistry and nutrition, to devour all kinds of books like I used to do as a kid. And, over time, true friends who loved and cared for me began to come into my life. For once, I was not focused on contorting into the person I thought other people wanted to see. Now, although I know new challenges will later come, I finally feel that I am “out of the woods” and that I have become “clean” in the process. As Taylor Swift sings, “Gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean.” I found a freedom in letting go, and I am proud of where I now stand as a result. In a few weeks, I will be off to college, excited to study what I am passionate about and to explore my faith in a new place. I no longer feel lost without soccer and the people who do not fit in my life. And I know that, as any new challenges come, the songs from 1989 (Taylor’s Version) will be there for me.

As a young teen, I was bombarded by diet culture. “Only eat this many calories,” “don’t eat between these hours,” “avoid carbs at all costs,” and so on. After a stint with calorie counting, my relationship with food strained by the constant stream of contradiction-filled advice, I was fed up. I was just trying to be healthy, but at that point I was spending too much time being worried and confused about food. I am incredibly grateful that I never developed an eating disorder, but I realized that something needed to change. Entering high school at that time, science was the last thing I wanted to do. Coming from middle school science classes about elements on space rocks, I would much rather have spent my time writing an essay about my favorite novel or solving complex calculus problems. However, still vexed by nutrition and the body, I took a chance and forecasted into an Anatomy & Physiology class. I was taking Biology at the same time. Within the first month of Biology classes, I was shocked to find that we were learning about biological macromolecules (carbs, lipids, and proteins), then about metabolic processes. These were the scientific principles of nutrition that, for so long, had been a source of my confusion around food. This, coupled with my Anatomy lessons on the structure of the body, captivated me like no other topic had before. Before then, I had always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. That, however, no longer felt right. My fascination with health and my love of children have since prompted my dream of becoming a pediatrician. This dream was cemented when, during a dissection, my teacher (my greatest mentor and supporter) said to me, “Gabby, you’re going to make an amazing doctor. You have a steady hand, and I can how much care you are putting into this.” I finally felt like I belonged in the field of science and medicine. Now, I dive into learning about nutrition, gut health, and the body in any way that I can. I have learned, however, that medical schools on average only dedicate 20 hours to nutrition education. Knowing that our diet plays a huge role in health and disease, I am majoring in Nutrition Science to supplement this education. I plan to do research into nutrition-based treatment/prevention plans and advocate for more nutrition education in medical schools. I believe that doctors-and all people-need and deserve better access to accurate information about nutrition. I do not want any more young girls ending up with the same dizzying confusion that I had. Throughout high school, I have also spent time serving the homeless community of Portland, OR. With my parish, I gather, cook, and bring a warm meal directly to those living on the streets. In conversations with those I serve, I have encountered many who struggle with diseases that result from a lack of access to food, specifically nutritious food. For example, many in this community are diabetic and now struggle to afford insulin, which only adds to their burden. Cost, time, transportation, stigma, and other barriers also prevent homeless patients from getting the help they need. Now, I aspire to reduce these barriers for the most vulnerable patients. I plan to participate in a street medicine program, bringing healthcare directly to underserved communities. I will also advocate for more affordable medication, as well as access to nutritious food. But above all, I hope to help patients learn to love their body and all that it can do for them.

My community is the hand that has shaped the young adult that I am. It has instilled within me faith, a love of nature, a voracious desire to learn, and, above all, a call to serve. When I serve, my work has purpose and meaning. I often receive just as much as I give, in the form of wisdom, love, and companionship. Now, I am working toward a career that I hope will have an even greater impact on the communities that I serve. Over the past several years, I have served with Our Lady of the Lake Parish’s Mercy Teams. The Street Ministry program put on by this organization holds a special place in my heart. One Saturday each month, we begin in the parish hall kitchen, whipping up breakfast burritos and hot coffee. We load up cars with food and donated clothes, then venture to empty parking lots around Portland, OR. As Portland’s unsheltered community comes together, we gather to serve a warm meal. The first few times I engaged in this, I stayed firmly on my side of the serving table, blinded by the abounding stereotypes of homelessness. However, as I have grown in this ministry, I have had conversations that draw me across that line and into relationship with the people we serve. Learning about their lives helps me break through the stigmas and stereotypes of homelessness. I have heard stories of years spent working, trying to save up enough money to live comfortably, and yet never getting there. I have encountered people who are diabetic and struggling to afford insulin, or who are severely injured and unwilling to see a doctor because of the possible cost. Such stories are heartbreaking, but they have inspired me to make serving this community a priority in my future career. Additionally, I have spent time volunteering in a Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care. I rounded the Urgent Care lobby, meeting the eyes of each patient and offering food, water, or a little snack. Some patients would be waiting for hours to see a doctor, with no idea why they were in pain. As someone who loves medicine and has yet to deal with major medical bills, this experience opened my eyes to what healthcare can really look like for most people. Simply being in a medical setting can conjure up memories of pain and fear, and there is rarely a “good” reason for a patient to be there. And yet offering a juice box or a listening ear can make all the difference in that world of sterile smells and harsh lighting. I tried to make them feel a little less alone and uncertain in the face of illness and pain. These experiences have shaped my ambitions for my future career as a doctor. I will strive to reduce barriers to healthcare for underserved communities, especially those experiencing homelessness. I will advocate for a healthcare system that is more affordable and more flexible to meet the needs of patients who lack access to resources like money, time, and transportation. Working with a street medicine program is a huge goal of mine; bringing healthcare directly to underserved communities makes a huge difference. And I will make sure that each patient feels heard, seen, and cared for in every way that I can.

When I was a kid, I loved going to the doctor. I would sit excitedly on the crinkly exam table paper, eager to discuss healthy habits and what was going on in my body. My eyes wandered over all the posters and pamphlets, curiously examining blood pressure cuffs and otoscopes. The same excitement fills me today as I volunteer in healthcare settings and shadow doctors. I marvel at the ultrasounds and MRI scans, wondering about every little inconsistency or white spot. Taking classes like AP Biology and AP Chemistry, I have discovered a passion for biochemistry and metabolism. I am fascinated by functional groups and polarity, how one single element can alter the function of a vital enzyme and create detrimental results. These passions have fostered my dream of becoming a pediatrician. As an undergraduate, I am majoring in Nutrition Science. In my understanding, it is vital to look at health from a holistic perspective, including what we eat. Food plays a major role in overall health, impacting everything from energy to cardiac health. The saying “let food be thy medicine” (attributed to Hippocrates) guides how I view my own nutrition, and I cannot wait to explore the topic further. I want to dive deep into the chemical composition of food, how our body digests, and the role of the gut microbiome. Furthermore, I plan to follow a premedical track to prepare me for my future in the medical field. In my opinion, however, nutrition education does not get nearly enough attention in medical schools. Most medical schools only offer around 20 hours of nutrition education, which is very little considering that so many conditions can be improved through better nutrition. As a medical professional, I will advocate for more nutrition education in medical schools. I hope that doing so can help patients prevent diseases before they begin. It is also vital to me that I continue advocating for the unsheltered community that I currently serve. Volunteering with my parish throughout high school to serve the homeless community of Portland has been a life-changing experience, giving me insights into faith and justice. As I work towards my future career, I want to push for a more just healthcare system, as well as more equitable access to nutritious foods. I have encountered many people through my service who are diabetic and struggling to afford insulin, or who are injured and unwilling to see a doctor because of the possible cost. Dismantling healthcare barriers from cost to transportation to the stigma can make a huge difference in the life of someone living on the streets. I will engage with social justice work in order to promote a future that upholds the health and wellness of all people. As I work towards my goals, I cannot wait to make the little girl in me proud. I want to help the kids I treat love the doctor’s office as much as I did.