When I was younger, I always found myself watching my favorite YouTubers playing all sorts of games on their computers. I always wanted to do the same. But there was one problem, I didn’t have a computer. So throughout middle school it was always a dream to save up enough money to purchase my own PC (personal computer). Slowly but surely I saved money any way I possibly could. Whether it was mowing lawns or saving birthday money, I gradually kept setting aside money for this future goal of mine. Despite the hard work, I was still short and with COVID-19 forcing the world to come to a stop, everything was put on hold, including this dream in 8th grade. That summer in 2020, I was fortunate enough to be able to acquire a job at a restaurant paying $9 an hour. My dream was alive once again and by the end of the summer I was finally able to make my grand purchase. Except it wasn’t just one simple click. I had to first research all of the different parts and make sure they were all compatible with one another. After that, I had to order each component off of several different websites. Finally, when they all showed up I was able to put it all together. It was a long process, but I enjoyed every part of it. The journey of reaching that goal is what made me interested in the computer industry. It is why I want to go to college to pursue this passion. As of now, I’m interested in several majors in this field of study. This list is made up of computer engineering, software engineering, cybersecurity, and computer science, which I’m currently enrolled to major in at Penn State University Park in the fall. My highschool experience also played a huge role in the development of myself as an individual and what I would like to do in my future. Throughout my time at Haverford High School (around 25 minutes away from Conestoga High School), I took a few challenging courses throughout my time here. However, I wish I challenged myself even more. I originally didn’t think that I could take all of the classes that I heard were very difficult. I didn’t have the desire to take all such courses because I wanted to look better for colleges, but rather I wanted to do so for my own personal growth. I wish I took up the challenge to struggle and learn from it. One thing I’m going to bring with me to college from my high school experience is that regret. I want to embrace the obstacles I’m going to be tasked with and remember that I can overcome them through hard work. It’s better to try rather than be left with the regret of not trying in the first place.

As my high school career is quickly coming to an end, I have been reflecting a lot lately on the past couple of years. During my reflection, I have been thinking about all of the good memories that I experienced, and feel that I am beyond blessed for having them. However, as I remember the “highs” of high school, the “lows” have also crept into my memory. Looking back on those low moments, many of them have stemmed from problems involving mental health. One of my biggest struggles in high school was seeing my older brother battle depression and anxiety. Seeing someone that I always looked up to as a kid become so broken because of his mental health issues hurt a lot. But by not giving up and continually supporting my brother, he is in a much better state of mind today than he was then. His depression and anxiety have not magically disappeared. He is learning to manage the thoughts and feelings that trigger them. With ongoing therapy sessions and positive support from me and my family, he has been able to manage these disorders so much better by not letting it control his daily life. Although this was a dark time for my brother, my family, and myself, it was an experience that has made me who I am today. As my time at Haverford High School is coming to an end, I am preparing to graduate and move on to pursue a degree in computer science. Although those dark moments were not great times, they have changed me for the better. It has made me become a more compassionate person by knowing that many people have struggles they are experiencing and going through whether you know it or not. Due to my brother’s struggles with anxiety and depression, I have been a much bigger advocate for mental health. It has made me much more open about the topic, instead of just ignoring it. One of the ways I have supported the cause for mental health awareness is by volunteering. Havertown Village Project is a non-profit organization that strives for mental health awareness and provides resources to help local families afflicted by the many mental health disorders. In 2022 and 2023 they have hosted several events relating to mental health. These events showcased different activities and local resources that anyone could use to learn to help themselves or others who are dealing with mental health disorders. I volunteered at these events, helping to set up, guide people around the various booths and activity sections, and to clean it up when they ended. I always enjoyed volunteering for these events because it brought many together to talk about something that is often avoided or ignored. I truly believe that these affairs are super beneficial for the community. Many people do not know how or where to begin to help or even talk to those who are dealing with mental health issues. So by volunteering for such events, it is a great opportunity to bring the community together to address a much-overlooked problem that has been plaguing our country for quite some time.