I discovered what I wanted to do in STEM when I was in seventh grade. My grandma got diagnosed with cancer that year, and it tore my family apart with worry. I was so afraid she was going to die. Thankfully, my grandma was enrolled in an experimental drug trial that stopped the growth of her tumor and bought her a little longer with her family. The minute she was accepted in the trial I knew I wanted to be a doctor that treated patients just like her one day. My junior year of high school, despite a courageous fight, my grandmother lost the battle. On her deathbed, I promised that I would dedicate my life to ensuring that no one would have to suffer like she did again. I didn’t just want to just treat cancer symptoms or order biopsies; I wanted to conduct research to find a cure. I’ve made slow progress towards this goal. In high school, I attended a magnet program focused on health sciences where I got to delve into college-level medical coursework. I received statewide recognition at a tournament for the Future Health Professionals of America for creating a prototype for a medical invention in oncology. The summer before my senior year of high school, I received the opportunity of a lifetime to intern at the University of Hawai'i Cancer Research Center and conduct research in cancer biology. The journey to becoming an oncologist is as arduous as it is expensive, and this funding will allow me to complete this journey. It will allow me to advance current cancer research as I enter my first semester of college. Conducting groundbreaking research to find a cure for cancer is no small feat, but I’m confident I will accomplish it. Not only will winning the “Cat Zingano Scholarship” help me fulfill my dream of bringing relief to billions of people, it will help me fulfill the promise I made to my grandmother to change the world.

“ Self belief and hard work will always bring you success” Virat Kohil This quote means a lot to me because it's proof that I can succeed at anything I put my mind to. Ever since I was little, I had to work twice as hard as everyone else. It took me twice as long to master multiplication tables and systems of equations in Algebra. I studied twice as hard to ace tests that my friends decided to wing. I practiced three times harder than anyone in my orchestra class in order to become a second chair violinist. It’s not easy seeing people match your accomplishments when they dedicate little to no time to their academics or extracurriculars. It’s so much simpler to shrug your shoulders, give up, and tell yourself that the people blessed with natural talent will always supersede you. It’s easier to let self-doubt cloud your vision and hinder your ambitions. I have these thoughts almost everyday and sometimes I almost fall into that toxic mentality. Then, Kohil’s words echo in my head and I’m reminded that the path to success has everything to do with blood, sweat, and belief.