The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The sudden decision to move to Greenville, South Carolina, was a huge change, considering I grew up in California. I remember how different everything seemed from my old home and how I didn't see any consideration for environmental concerns. I remember going to multiple festivals and beach clean-ups as a child to learn about how necessary it was to put thought into how to save Mother Earth, our beautiful Earth that gives so much but gets nothing back. I realized the extent of this crisis when I moved to South Carolina and how environmental impacts are taking a step back. Recently, in Greer, SC, recycling was vetoed to save taxpayers money, which does not sit right with me, and the decision needs to be reviewed and changed. Moreover, most people do not know that a single scrap of styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harsh chemicals that poison the Earth. And recently, I have noticed that all school lunchroom trays have gone from reusable plastic trays to single-use styrofoam trays, and it anguishes me having to see this every day, knowing how detrimental it is to our home. I have tried to draw attention to this issue but people seem to only care about the present and ignore the future until it is too late. Another idea for environmental restoration starts with the company, Protera they produce solar-powered buses in Greenville, SC; making these buses the new Greenville County Schools School buses will be a significant step in the right direction, and would hopefully influence other schools to do the same. Environmental restoration starts with simple changes: recycling, reusable trays, and better environmental education. These changes need to happen to protect our Earth and future generations. Small changes like reusable bags, and buying groceries with no waste do impact the start of change, but the reality is that time is running out and those actions will no longer help in the long run if something doesn't happen immediately to alter the destruction of the human race. It is time to focus on the bigger picture and to continue educating people about the circumstances we live in and what our near future could look like, so we can put money into the Earth instead of other things that are far less important. Our Earth is worth the effort and I believe advocating this cause is necessary for a brighter, cleaner future.

The sudden decision to move to Greenville, South Carolina, was a huge change, considering I grew up in California. I remember how different everything seemed from my old home and how I didn't see any consideration for environmental concerns. I remember going to multiple festivals and beach clean-ups as a child to learn about how necessary it was to put thought into how to save Mother Earth, our beautiful Earth that gives so much but gets nothing back. I realized the extent of this crisis when I moved to South Carolina and how environmental impacts are taking a step back. Recently, in Greer, SC, recycling was vetoed to save taxpayers money, which does not sit right with me, and the decision needs to be reviewed and changed. Moreover, most people do not know that a single scrap of styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harsh chemicals that poison the Earth. And recently, I have noticed that all school lunchroom trays have gone from reusable plastic trays to single-use styrofoam trays, and it anguishes me having to see this every day, knowing how detrimental it is to our home. I have tried to draw attention to this issue but people seem to only care about the present and ignore the future until it is too late. Another idea for environmental restoration starts with the company, Protera they produce solar-powered buses in Greenville, SC; making these buses the new Greenville County Schools School buses will be a significant step in the right direction, and would hopefully influence other schools to do the same. Environmental restoration starts with simple changes: recycling, reusable trays, and better environmental education. These changes need to happen to protect our Earth and future generations. Small changes like reusable bags, and buying groceries with no waste do impact the start of change, but the reality is that time is running out and those actions will no longer help in the long run if something doesn't happen immediately to alter the destruction of the human race. It is time to focus on the bigger picture and to continue educating people about the circumstances we live in and what our near future could look like, so we can put money into the Earth instead of other things that are far less important. Our Earth is worth the effort and I believe advocating this cause is necessary for a brighter, cleaner future.

The sudden decision to move to Greenville, South Carolina, was a huge change, considering I grew up in California. I remember how different everything seemed from my old home and how I didn't see any consideration for environmental concerns. I remember going to multiple festivals and beach clean-ups as a child to learn about how necessary it was to put thought into how to save Mother Earth, our beautiful Earth that gives so much but gets nothing back. I realized the extent of this crisis when I moved to South Carolina and how environmental impacts are taking a step back. Recently, in Greer, SC, recycling was vetoed to save taxpayers money, which does not sit right with me, and the decision definitely needs to be reviewed and changed. Moreover, most people do not know that a single scrap of styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harsh chemicals that poison the Earth. And recently, I have noticed that all school lunchroom trays have gone from reusable plastic trays to single-use styrofoam trays, and it anguishes me having to see this every day, knowing how detrimental it is to our home. I have tried to draw attention to this issue but people seem to only care about the present and ignore the future until it is too late. Another idea for environmental restoration starts with the company, Protera they produce solar-powered buses in Greenville, SC; making these buses the new Greenville County Schools School buses will be a significant step in the right direction, and would hopefully influence other schools to do the same. Environmental restoration starts with simple changes: recycling, reusable trays, and better environmental education. These changes need to happen to protect our Earth and future generations. Small changes like reusable bags, and buying groceries with no waste do impact the start of change, but the reality is that time is running out and those actions will no longer help in the long run if something doesn't happen immediately to alter the destruction of the human race. It is time to focus on the bigger picture and to continue educating people about the circumstances we live in and what our near future could look like, so we can put money into the Earth instead of other things that are far less important. Our Earth is worth the effort and I believe advocating this cause is necessary for a brighter, cleaner future.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions. The other side of my volunteer work was initiated when I suddenly moved to Greenville, South Carolina, which was a huge change, considering I grew up in California. I remember how different everything seemed from my old home and how I didn't see any consideration for environmental concerns. I remember going to multiple festivals as a child to learn about how necessary it was to put thought into how to save Mother Earth, our beautiful Earth that gives so much but gets nothing back. I realized the extent of this crisis when I moved to South Carolina and how environmental impacts are taking a step back. Recently, in Greer, SC, recycling was vetoed to save taxpayers money, which does not sit right with me. Moreover, most people do not know that a single scrap of styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harsh chemicals that poison the Earth. And recently, I have noticed that all school lunchroom trays have gone from reusable plastic trays to single-use styrofoam trays, and it anguishes me having to see this every day, knowing how detrimental it is to our home. Protera is a company that produces solar-powered buses in Greenville, SC; making these buses the new Greenville County Schools School buses will be a significant step in the right direction. Environmental restoration starts with simple changes: recycling, reusable trays, and better environmental education. These changes need to happen to protect our Earth and future generations.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others, coupled with a UNC education, will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others, coupled with a UNC education, will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others, coupled with a UNC education, will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others, coupled with a UNC education, will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The morning I received a new patient, I woke up to find their legs weren't working. Immediately thinking the worst, I tried to figure out what caused this sudden paralysis. After further examination, I realized my patient's condition was caused by an infestation of worms in their bowel system, and I immediately put them on appropriate medication. On top of this patient's abdominal corruption, they had a severe avulsion to an appendage, abrasions to their face, and were extremely malnourished. I had treated many patients with a multitude of medical issues, but I knew this situation would test my skills as well as feed my passion for being a healthcare provider and will continue to be the most rewarding aspect of my growth as a future healthcare provider. How can a 17-year-old hold this much responsibility for patients? My patients aren't human. They are cats and kittens and have continually inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My goal is to grow from giving medical care to Felis catus to serving my community by caring for homo sapiens. I have had a growth mindset since I was a young child, from the time I picked up my first scientific kit and used it to dissect worms, examine everything bio-diverse in my backyard under a microscope, and study the anatomy of every animal I encountered. As my fascination for medicine grew, I continued to implement as many aspects of medicine into my life as possible and to develop my compassion and need to help others. In recent years, I've loved taking healthcare-related courses to satisfy my curiosity about the human body. Dissection days have always been my favorite (I was once reprimanded for going beyond the lesson plan while dissecting a cow's heart!) My determination and ambition to build a future in medicine where I can help people have never waned. I maximize my effort in my science classes out of pure interest and continually focus on my goals. My enjoyment of always wanting to know more, and furthering my understanding of almost everything biological, has deeply enriched my journey and will continue to fuel my time in higher education. In addition, my natural tendency to be a deep thinker—analyzing everything and thinking outside the box—will assist me while I tackle a rigorous degree. (I try to look through every lens when facing a complex problem). As you may realize, I care deeply about all living organisms, whether an 8-ounce kitten or a 165-pound person. My strengths in the sciences, my limitless curiosity, and my commitment to helping others, coupled with a UNC education, will prepare me for the challenges ahead—whether that's a patient with sudden paralysis, gastrointestinal issues, or even complex contusions.

The sudden decision to move to Greenville, South Carolina, was a huge change, considering I grew up in California. I remember how different everything seemed from my old home and how I didn't see any consideration for environmental concerns. I remember going to multiple festivals as a child to learn about how necessary it was to put thought into how to save Mother Earth, our beautiful Earth that gives so much but gets nothing back. I realized the extent of this crisis when I moved to South Carolina and how environmental impacts are taking a step back. Recently, in Greer, SC, recycling was vetoed to save taxpayers money, which does not sit right with me. Moreover, most people do not know that a single scrap of styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harsh chemicals that poison the Earth. And recently, I have noticed that all school lunchroom trays have gone from reusable plastic trays to single-use styrofoam trays, and it anguishes me having to see this every day, knowing how detrimental it is to our home. Protera is a company that produces solar-powered buses in Greenville, SC; making these buses the new Greenville County Schools School buses will be a significant step in the right direction. Environmental restoration starts with simple changes: recycling, reusable trays, and better environmental education. These changes need to happen to protect our Earth and future generations.