Being involved in track and cross country at Mater Dei High School for all four years of my high school journey was more than just a physical commitment but a huge part of my life that shaped me into a stronger, and more resilient young woman in a world shaped by male dominance. From early morning practices before first period, to coming home late from practice, still having studying and homework, allowed me to find ways to balance sports, academics, and my own personal life. As a female athlete, I constantly had to prove that I was just as capable, just as competitive, and just as determined as anyone else, regardless of gender. Track and cross country are sports that push you to your limits both mentally and physically. Whether it was running mile repeats on the extremely hot track or fighting through the last stretch of a 5K with every muscle burning, I learned how to silence the voice of doubt in my head and keep going. Our world often questions the toughness or leadership of women, this experience gave me the confidence to know my strength firsthand. I didn’t need anyone to validate it because I felt it in myself during every practice, every race, and every finish line that I crossed. Mater Dei is a school known for its athletic excellence, and being a female athlete in that environment meant constantly holding my own in a very competitive atmosphere. I wasn’t just running for personal records but rather showing up for my teammates, and proving that our team of girls could compete with the best. I learned leadership by cheering others on during tough workouts, setting the tone for discipline, and finding ways to balance AP classes, team responsibilities, and my own family life. It taught me time management, but more importantly, it taught me how to advocate for myself and take pride in my own voice. In many ways, being in track and cross country gave me a platform where my work spoke for itself. No one could argue with my times, my effort, or the progress I made. It made me bolder in the classroom, more confident in conversations with others, and more assertive in male dominated spaces. I walk into rooms now knowing I’ve already conquered hills that seemed impossible. Being a female athlete didn't just make me stronger physically but it taught me resilience, leadership, and how to rise above expectations. It prepared me not only to compete, but to lead.

Life and death is my biggest wonder. This curiosity developed into independent study to explore the human body and the way it works. Growing up science had always been my strongest and most favorite subject. It was the only subject that I could truly connect to the outside world. Immediately realizing my aspirations for being a doctor I tried to take every opportunity set in front of me to experience different types of medical careers. I began volunteering at the American Red Cross, immersing myself in a medical facility while tending to others, satisfying my two primary objectives: the exhilaration of learning how a human body works and the satisfaction of making a patient feel appreciated. This affirmed my path, and to explore further I applied for and was selected for the UCI MedAcademy camp run by medical students and physicians. UCI made clear to me that there is so much more to this career than knowing every single part of a human body. Doctors need to have a passion for science and a passion for helping their patients. The most impactful doctors are not necessarily the smartest, but they almost certainly are the most dedicated to the human experience, going into the field to promote healthcare access for everyone including the physically sick, mentally sick, and underprivileged. As a Hispanic myself, I am acutely aware of the limited access many individuals face because of racial disparities in available care. These disparities are not just statistical — they are visible in emergency rooms, in underfunded clinics, and in communities that experience worse health outcomes simply because of systemic inequities. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and unequal insurance coverage all play a role in preventing many Hispanic and minority patients from receiving proper and timely care. There is also a shortage of bilingual and culturally competent healthcare providers, which only deepens the divide between patients and their care teams. Racial disparities continue to result in higher rates of chronic disease, maternal mortality, and untreated mental health conditions in marginalized groups. Healthcare is a human right and quality care is something that every person should have access to. My hope is to make healthcare something available to everyone, because it is something every individual deserves. While these may seem separate interests – science and serving the underprivileged – I realize they don’t need to be and I can unite these two in one healthcare career. We need more doctors that care in healing an individual regardless of race and class. This is the goal that will shape my future career in medicine, whether I am hands-on as a physician, a researcher, or a health policy specialist.

Life and death is my biggest wonder. This curiosity developed into independent study to explore the human body and the way it works. Growing up science had always been my strongest and most favorite subject. It was the only subject that I could truly connect to the outside world. Immediately realizing my aspirations for being a doctor I tried to take every opportunity set in front of me to experience different types of medical careers. I began volunteering at the American Red Cross, immersing myself in a medical facility while tending to others, satisfying my two primary objectives: the exhilaration of learning how a human body works and the satisfaction of making a patient feel appreciated. This affirmed my path, and to explore further I applied for and was selected for the UCI MedAcademy camp run by medical students and physicians. UCI made clear to me that there is so much more to this career than knowing every single part of a human body. Doctors need to have a passion for science and a passion for helping their patients. The most impactful doctors are not necessarily the smartest, but they almost certainly are the most dedicated to the human experience, going into the field to promote healthcare access for everyone including the physically sick, mentally sick, and underprivileged. As a hispanic myself, I am acutely aware of the limited access many individuals face because of racial disparities in available care. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and unequal insurance coverage all play a role in preventing many Hispanic and minority patients from receiving proper and timely care. There is also a shortage of bilingual and culturally competent healthcare providers, which only deepens the divide between patients and their care teams. Racial disparities continue to result in higher rates of chronic disease, maternal mortality, and untreated mental health conditions in marginalized groups. Healthcare is a human right and quality care is something that every person should have access to. My hope is to make healthcare something available to everyone, because it is something every individual deserves. While these may seem separate interests – science and serving the underprivileged – I realize they don’t need to be and I can unite these two in one healthcare career. We need more doctors that care in healing an individual regardless of race and class. This is the goal that will shape my future career in medicine, whether I am hands-on as a physician, a researcher, or a health policy specialist.

Chapter Two of the book “Real Insights” emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with long-term goals. In medicine, where training requires years of intense study, long hours, and emotional endurance, clarity of my purpose will be very crucial. Pre-med students often have to sacrifice immediate rewards for future goals, and a strong sense of purpose can help motivate me through these sacrifices. Graff’s advice to regularly reflect on why we choose our paths helps me as a future physician to remain grounded and intentional, especially during periods of academic and emotional stress. The chapter also highlights the power of resilience and adaptability which are two qualities central to a successful career in healthcare. The path to becoming a doctor is rarely linear and comes with many setbacks. Graff’s approach to learning from failure rather than fearing it is impactful to me as a pre-med student who must navigate these difficulties without losing momentum. Finally, the chapter highlights the value of interpersonal skills and collaboration. Pre-med students not only need scientific knowledge but must also be capable communicators and empathetic listeners. Graff’s encouragement to invest in meaningful relationships and develop emotional intelligence aligns with the expectations of modern medical schools, which prioritize candidates who can connect with diverse patients and contribute to team-based care. In conclusion, the insights from Chapter Two of Real Insights are directly applicable to my pre-medical journey. By having a clear sense of purpose, embracing resilience, and interpersonal skills, I can better prepare for the rigors of medical education and the responsibilities of patient care. Graff’s message is a powerful reminder that personal development is as essential as academic achievement in pursuing a meaningful medical career.

Every year since I was 10, I have traveled around the US with my church youth group to serve where there is need. I have been to multiple different states including Kansas, Tennessee, Arizona, Nevada, Seattle, and Texas. From eating lunch with homeless people in Kansas City to rebuilding destroyed houses in Tsaile, I have seen many corners of our country, connecting with people from all different kinds of backgrounds. On my mission trip this past summer I traveled to Nashville, where I saw a major divide between the haves and have nots. On the prayer tour, it was pointed out that right next to the Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans stood a jail cell. This contrast, juxtaposing money vs. lack of knowledge and opportunity gave new shape to my idea of service. I was extremely bothered by this injustice seen in many parts of our county and world, even outside of Nashville. I wanted to give light to the people facing these challenges and find a way to unite our society and mend the growing divide seen in our world today. Instead of passing out the hundreds of lunches we made to serve to the homeless people, it was my suggestion that we all sit down together, pray, and eat lunch. One of the homeless women said it was her first time eating with a group of people in decades. The feeling of making someone’s life happier by simply leading a group to share this moment is the best feeling I could ask for. Eating together is a moment of sharing, human connection, and those are the moments I will try to build on, and inspire others to do in my future. I learned how to bring crowds of diverse people together and that a sense of community is vital in our world. I am proud of this role I’ve had for the last seven years. It has greatly shaped my daily interactions with the world around me. My service made me realize how capable I am of changing lives for the better and leading others to unite with one another. Such a small act of kindness such as suggesting to sit down and eat lunch with someone can impact their life. This experience has shaped my visions as I will continue to serve and inspire other to do so, changing lives one day at a time.

Every year since I was 10, I have traveled around the US with my church youth group to serve where there is need. I have been to multiple different states including Kansas, Tennessee, Arizona, Nevada, Seattle, and Texas. From eating lunch with homeless people in Kansas City to rebuilding destroyed houses in Tsaile, I have seen many corners of our country, connecting with people from all different kinds of backgrounds. On my mission trip this past summer I traveled to Nashville, where I saw a major divide between the haves and have nots. On the prayer tour, it was pointed out that right next to the Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans stood a jail cell. This contrast, juxtaposing money vs. lack of knowledge and opportunity gave new shape to my idea of service. I was extremely bothered by this injustice seen in many parts of our county and world, even outside of Nashville. I wanted to give light to the people facing these challenges and find a way to unite our society and mend the growing divide seen in our world today. Instead of passing out the hundreds of lunches we made to serve to the homeless people, it was my suggestion that we all sit down together, pray, and eat lunch. One of the homeless women said it was her first time eating with a group of people in decades. The feeling of making someone’s life happier by simply leading a group to share this moment is the best feeling I could ask for. Eating together is a moment of sharing, human connection, and those are the moments I will try to build on, and inspire others to do in my future. I learned how to bring crowds of diverse people together and that a sense of community is vital in our world. I am proud of this role I’ve had for the last seven years. It has greatly shaped my daily interactions with the world around me. My service made me realize how capable I am of changing lives for the better and leading others to unite with one another. Such a small act of kindness such as suggesting to sit down and eat lunch with someone can impact their life. This experience has shaped my visions as I will continue to serve and inspire other to do so, changing lives one day at a time.