I've played the trumpet since the fourth grade, and I've had many memorable moments. I started out by taking private lessons, and then I joined the band in school. I was so nervous that sometimes I would fake play, meaning I would press the keys but I wasn't making any noise! I soon improved and with that, I gained confidence and excelled. Trumpet became something that challenged me, but it also made me feel like I was in my element. I've played music from the blockbuster movies, classic musicals, and popular culture. I played "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Game. Yet playing one of the most famous trumpet concertos composed by Joseph Haydn tops my list. As a female trumpet player, I aspired to be like Alison Balsom, a world renowned trumpeter from the United Kingdom. It took me years to reach the level of playing Haydn's trumpet concerto, and I practiced and practiced to make it sound more like Alison Balsom's version. While I won't reach her skill level, I will always have her performance to listen to. Listening to this piece reminds me to pursue my dreams because women like Balsom have accomplished theirs. The tempo of the piece varies, representing the rollercoaster that is life; sometimes working towards our goals is exciting, quick, and triumphant, but other times it is slow and uncertain. While this song is only instrumental and contains no lyrics, it conveys much more than words.

Sometimes people are confused when they see my multiracial family and realize we are all related. My sisters were adopted from China by white parents who were struggling to start a family. Soon after, they were shocked to find out my mom was pregnant with me, a biological child. I loved growing up with two sisters and didn't think much about our differences in experience. We were raised as Christians and grew to love Jesus. It wasn't until college that I realized that Jesus is often portrayed as white, but he probably had darker skin in reality. Either way, the truth is that Jesus belongs to the world, and everyone should feel they can relate to him. This painting, "Peace Be Still" by Chinese painter James He Qi, depicts Jesus with Chinese features. The piece was featured in a New York Times article titled "Searching for a Jesus Who looks More Like Me." The style of the painting is a combination of Chinese folk art, the iconography of the Western Middle Ages, and Modern Art. The diversity of styles represents the diversity of those whom Jesus loves. The painting represents the scene from the Gospel where Jesus calms the storms by declaring, "Peace! Be Still!" The dove holding an olive branch reinforces the belief that the Holy Spirit brings us peace. The waves in the foreground contrast with the background of still water, emphasizing the power of the Lord to calm any storm. While I have seen a lot of beautiful art, this piece inspires me the most because of the deep meaning it holds in my life. I believe that every person is loved by Jesus Christ and that he will be with us through our scariest storms, reminding us to have faith and find peace in him.

The other day, my best friend at college cancelled lunch plans with me. She felt too sick to leave her room. I offered to bring her lunch instead, and we ate together in her room. I know how hard it is to be sick when away from home, so I checked in on her throughout the day. Later, I brought her ginger ale to settle her stomach. Even when she isn't sick, sometimes I offer to bring her food just because I know she's busy. Supporting my friends and family is how I make an impact daily. I'm also passionate about serving children. I assisted preschool teachers, tutored third graders in all subjects, and prepared materials for speech therapists to use with kids. I volunteered at Children's Liturgy, Vacation Bible School, and will teach Faith Formation this summer. I fundraised for Mars Home for Youth with four big Christmas Luminary sales. Children are our future, so I will always help them grow. I am a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and we serve the homeless every Sunday night in downtown Pittsburgh. We pass out meals, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products. We offer people various choices to acknowledge their preferences and dignity. One man was wearing a women's coat, and was delighted when I offered him the option of a men's coat. Additionally, I love using my talents to serve others, so I frequently bake treats to pass out to the homeless. One of the most important ways I serve the homeless is through compassionate listening to their stories and struggles. Furthermore, I believe serving the environment benefits all people, so I recently recruited others to do trash cleanup in our neighborhood. Acts of service have a ripple effect that can change the world.

The first night I served the homeless with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, I met a veteran living on the streets. He turned down our offers of food and supplies; he just wanted to talk with us. He was so grateful that we didn't pass by, averting our gaze and pretending not to see him, like some do. He told us stories and jokes, and he left us with the advice to keep smiling at others. Even when people accept the donations, they often want to talk for as long as possible. It is so important to listen to their perspectives if we want to offer helpful support. Listening is often a gift to the listener as well as the speaker. I have learned about true suffering, perseverance, and gratitude from our homeless acquaintances. On another note, I love the beautiful opportunity of listening to my grandma talk about her life stories and experiences; listening allows us to pass on family history and wisdom. I'm always told being introverted makes me a good listener, but that's not the whole story. Good listening is active listening, and requires responsive body language which affirms that you understand the speaker. Replying with questions also shows engagement; I'm very curious and love asking questions. Listening is not the time to think of what you want to say next, but rather the time to soak in the words of others. As final exams approach, I'm listening to my friends' stresses and responding with empathy. It's important not to compare struggles, but to validate others. Lastly, listening means humbly receiving criticism, even when it hurts your pride, because this helps us grow. Likewise, listening to differing opinions is hard but necessary for growth and for bettering society; listening can really change the world.

As each student was called to the front of the class, I sat at my desk praying fervently that the bell would ring before it was my turn. I was supposed to present my paper to my fifth grade English class, but my brain was telling me that this was dangerous, that what I had written was humiliating, and that I needed to avoid sharing it with my peers at all costs. I didn't know it then, but I was experiencing severe social anxiety, which started as a child and exacerbated as a pre-teen. It is not an uncommon issue, but it became so severe for me that it led to mild selective mutism and related problems. For instance, I quit a multitude of fun activities because of anxiety and perfectionism. I suffered through middle and high school on my own, but finding the courage to seek therapy in college is what truly changed my life. I learned that anxiety is a feeling in the body accompanied by false beliefs, and I began using body calming techniques and positive self-talk. I learned that I can grow confident through gaining skill, not perfection. I am so much more capable and resilient than I ever imagined. However, therapy did not work right away; it's a process. For the first year, college was incredibly challenging; I felt insecure, unliked, and incapable. Honestly, my first instinct was to quit college because I was constantly telling myself that I wasn't cut out for living in such a social atmosphere. But I kept trying, and this year, I formed supportive friendships with people who accept me for who I am and encourage me to grow. One of my hardest life transitions actually led to the most joyful time of my life, and that makes me proud.

"Oooh nah nah nah!" plays loudly as my sister and I perform the latest Tik Tok dance to show our family. The pandemic is stressful, but at least quarantine has brought my sisters and me back together before I begin college and leave my parents as empty nesters. I'm sweating as Julie and I jump to the rhythm. Later, my sister Kim and I try out another trend; we design a beautiful "cake" made entirely out of fruit. Exercise and nutritious food kept me healthy throughout quarantine and beyond. Every person is so unique that a single best way to live a long, healthy life, cannot possibly exist. There are many branches on the same tree of physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise, in some shape or form, is essential for everyone who can do it. I choose to exercise through long walks, which doubly benefit me by clearing my mind. When I get a chance, I love to be active through tumbling on a trampoline, biking, kayaking, RipStiking, and hiking. These things have something in common; they can be done in the great outdoors! Being outside is essential to both mental and physical health. We as humans act as if we are separated from nature, but we cannot possibly be. We are alive because of the gifts that nature provides, and gratitude for this can foster wellbeing, decrease stress, and ultimately result in a longer life. Moreover, eating nutritious food reduces the risk of many diseases and leads to a higher quality, longer life. A hydrated body and a balanced diet filled with protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants makes me feel my best, and I know that it will increase my longevity. This is a beautiful life, and I want to make it last.

I read countless books in my elementary school years, but no book caught my attention as much as Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller. Helen Keller lived a life of touch and taste, but Annie Sullivan entered Helen’s life to teach her communication through words. For a blind and deaf child, grasping the meaning of a word took endless lessons in fingerspelling and dedication and patience from her teacher. Amazingly, Helen developed into an award-winning woman who could read and write in Braille, knew 5 languages, and learned basic speaking skills despite her challenges. Language and its various forms have intrigued me from a young age. I'm a sophomore at Duquesne University who loves reading, hiking, and baking. I'm intrigued by my American Sign Language class and learning about Deaf culture. I also love grammar, phonetics, anatomy and physiology, and psychology, which is my minor. My chosen field of speech-language pathology incorporates all of these passions of mine. Speech-language pathology is medical and educational; it involves speech, language, hearing, swallowing, voicing, and augmentative and alternative communication. Additionally, the mental wellbeing of the client is always important. A few particular goals of mine is to bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities, to advocate for disabled people to have access to communication, and to encourage all people to use their voice because I believe that every voice matters. I first became interested in this field because the boy I babysat needed speech therapy, so I observed one of his sessions. As I watched his improvement every week when I babysat, I began to aspire to help children in a similar way. I shadowed several speech pathologists at the local school and at a Children’s Hospital outpatient center, where I also volunteered in the summer. One of the clinicians was able to sign with her deaf or hard-of-hearing clients, which I deeply admired. I also particularly enjoyed working with a child with selective mutism, because my experience with anxiety as a child was similar to his, so I felt I could empathize with him. My involvement in treating children was amazing, but I'm also interested in working with adult patients in speech therapy. My grandfather was assessed by a speech-language pathologist to determine whether or not he would be able to swallow food, and that has left a deep impression on me. I enjoyed participating in an aphasia workshop, where we helped physical therapy students learn to communicate effectively with their clients. There are so many aspects of my field that interest me, so I am uncertain about which path I'm going to take, but I'm grateful for the variety of opportunities before me. Every book that I've read has enhanced my passion for language, but a few stand out. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak reveals the beauty and power of language and of books. Set in Germany during World War II, books are being burned and banned, but a young girl in foster care steals them because of her passion for reading. East of Eden by John Steinback taught me that how you treat people, especially children, influences how they treat others. When a father favored one son over another, the neglected son acted out. Then he went on to raise his sons the same way. Similarly, the theme of the Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is that being hateful and discriminatory towards Black people ends up affecting everybody negatively. I hope that by advocating for everyone's right to communication, I can promote acceptance of all people and a willingness to work together for the greater good.

As I gaze out the window at the falling snow, Mom creaks my door open; I look at her with expectation. "Two hour delay!" She announces with a smile. I beam ecstatically and bound out of bed, down the stairs, and to the chest of games. I get out Boggle Junior, our signature snow day game, and we laugh and play together. My mom has always made the simplest moments special just by spending time with me. I would not have the courage to live life to the fullest without the security of knowing my mom is always there. In every moment of joy or sorrow in my life, my mom has shown up with empathy. She always pushes me to be my best self, to work hard, and to take time to rest. She especially emphasizes how to protect myself, how to have a helpful spirit, and how to be resourceful. Mom values honesty, and she truly demonstrates this value by being gentle when we make mistakes as long as we are honest and own up to them. No matter what, my mom is extremely forgiving and has modeled to me how to apologize when I hurt someone. Mom was our spiritual leader growing up. She taught us our prayers, and we prayed together as a family every night. She constantly reminds us that we need Jesus in our lives and shares moments in her life where He was obviously present. To this day, my mom selflessly strives to connect with me through the things I'm interested in so that we can spend more time together. We bond over learning about birds at the National Aviary, discussing grammar and books, and volunteering together. She has shaped me by instilling in me a desire to become a mother and to have a close relationship with my children, just like she had with my siblings and me. My two older sisters were adopted from China, and I am a biological child. As I grow older, I realize how incredibly she formed our family, making each of us feel special and loved as an individual, and helping us form a strong bond with one another. No matter the circumstances, my mom leads her family fearlessly. She cared for her elderly parents so lovingly, and now that they have passed away, she is the glue that connects her siblings though they live so far apart from one another. Her example inspires me to always stay close with my siblings. Generosity is central to my mom. We made bagged lunches for the homeless, and she went all out, driving all around town to find the most festive bags and yummiest treats to make people smile. Volunteering with my mom growing up really influenced how important it was to me. We have volunteered at World Vision, the Food Bank, Light of Life Rescue Mission, and our church. Her passion for serving others has motivated me to follow in her footsteps; I want to emulate my mom the way she serves the Lord through serving others. As a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, I serve the homeless population in Pittsburgh every Sunday night. My mom supports my passion; she has donated supplies, found coats on sale, and driven me to the city during school breaks so that I could continue to serve. When I held a litter cleanup event, my mom encouraged me and participated with enthusiasm. My mom taught me the importance of loving your family, but also of loving all human beings as children of God.

Grandma peers over my shoulder, appraising my dough kneading abilities. "Let me show you again," she insists, modeling the correct way to form the dough for the cavatelli. I nod and mimic her movements, and she smiles at me with approval. Since I was a little girl, I have loved baking with my grandma. Raised by Italian immigrants, she is a fabulous cook and baker. My grandma raised seven hungry children, so she has had lots of practice. At every holiday and wedding, we have trays filled with cookies baked by the entire extended family. Although I love both cooking and baking with Grandma, baking is my true passion. I have made countless types of cookies and treats; some of my favorites include oatmeal chocolate chip, pumpkin, and gingerbread cutouts. On Christmas morning, I make cinnamon rolls from scratch with a unique recipe I found online and perfected. I've made countless types of pies using my grandma's flaky crust recipe. Pumpkin, apple, and strawberry rhubarb are some of my favorites, but I especially love the blackberry pie that my grandma and I make together from the blackberries growing in the woods. My mouth waters when its time to eat the delicious treats, but making memories with those I love is what ignited my passion for baking. The decorating aspect of baking inspires me, so I bake cakes that are fun to eat and to look at! For Easter, I made a chocolate cake with a piped border, then added pastel eggs around the base and colorful sprinkles on top. I once baked a Butterbeer cake with butterscotch ganache dripping from the top. I made a tall, elegant Oreo cake with thick Oreo frosting, chocolate ganache drizzled on top, vanilla icing flowers piped on the ganache, and Oreo crumbs pressed around the base. For Christmas, I made a gingerbread spice cake with Italian Meringue buttercream dyed green, and then I added fondant designs to make the cake look like a giant cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane on top! I even took a cupcake decorating class with my sister where we learned to pipe tulips, roses, and sunflowers; we often bond over baking and decorating together! For my graduation, I created a giant cupcake bar with endless flavors. There were banana chocolate chip with peanut butter or cream cheese-cinnamon frosting. For coffee lovers, I made mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream. I didn't forget the classics: double chocolate and chocolate peanut butter. I threw in some lemon and strawberry cupcakes for fruit lovers. I love to see the results of my efforts and the smiles of delight as people taste my creations. But the process is also rewarding. I have made many memories and have developed a lot of frustration tolerance! Baking can be so straightforward and simple, but it can also be difficult; I choose to keep challenging myself with new recipes and sometimes to just relax and take a break with time-honored, familiar treats to share.

I see a brown and white fluff ball bounding towards me on adorable, stubby legs. My sweet puppy–who in reality is now 84 in dog years–ambles over to sniff my feet. “Leo! Hi bubb!” I respond with affection as I slam my car door shut. My sister is letting him outside to go potty, and Leo hangs around us until suddenly it’s as if his brain goes “squirrel!” and he darts off towards a man walking his two dogs. My sister is in pajamas so of course I’m left to retrieve our dog and apologize to this man. But the man was delighted to meet my dog and me! His shy Goldendoodle and energetic Yellow Lab bonded immediately with my Maltese Shih Tzu (after suspiciously sniffing each other a bit). Without my dog’s interference, I would never have met this kind man who happened to be my new neighbor! In an era where technology has decreased our social skills, dogs can unite people because they have absolutely no problem with socializing—with the exception of a few introverted pups of course! Each dog is so unique, though many dogs seem to share some of the same admirable, lovable qualities. They have such a keen perception of their owner’s feelings; my dog, Leo, always comes to comfort me when I’m sad or anxious. I struggle with social anxiety, so having a loving dog to come home to has been priceless to me. Leo is the best remedy for a rough day; he just senses my emotions and snuggles close to me. His calming presence improves my mental health while also teaching me how to better care for others by simply showing up with empathy. Dogs are loyal and always try to protect their owners both emotionally and physically! My dog barks at the door and loves to chase the (harmless) deer away. Leo is one-of-a-kind; his nose is a beautiful, soft brown and his eyes are the brightest brown you’ve ever seen–his veterinarian fondly dubbed him “crazy eyes”. He is the pickiest eater of any dog I’ve met; he only likes meat and some cheese–no carbs for Leo. He is so goofy and charming! Dogs have this zest for life, an unending joy and enthusiasm that is so uplifting. Even Leo’s exuberance about going for a walk makes me smile; his joy for life is contagious! Leo never fails to make me laugh every time I come home from school. I notice him hiding his dog bones in my dirty laundry, pawing vigorously to make a nice spot, or I step into my shoe only to feel the squishy crunch of his favorite treat, pizza crust. And if he left a crust in the basement a week ago, he’ll start scratching at the basement door so he can go retrieve it and gnaw on it some more. My dog’s silly antics never fail to make me feel at home or even to bring the familiarity of home to me at school through pictures and FaceTime. Caring for Leo helps me learn responsibility. He needs lots of love and care, especially because of his nerve pain, injured knee, and anxiety, and this has taught me the joy and challenges of being responsible for another. Trying to decipher his wants and needs is difficult, but it shows that it takes time to fully know someone, dog or human. I truly aspire to emulate the sincere loyalty and tenderness of dogs and to return the love they give to us.

I reach through thorny brambles, teetering on one leg and stretching my arm to pluck a big, ripe blackberry from the bush. My six-year-old mind imagines that I’m deep in the wilderness, although I’m really within yards of my backyard. I turn joyfully towards my dad, exclaiming, “Look at this one Daddy!” as I peer into his eyes, seeking his approval. He tilts his water bottle to cleanse the berry, and I pop it into my mouth, the sour juice exploding and making my lips pucker. “See this one Gina? A spider’s munching on it!” My dad often took me hiking and shared his knowledge of the woods with me. In the August heat, we’d harvest wild, ripened blackberries. Then, we’d take them to my grandmother’s house and make blackberry pie, bonding over baking with ingredients gifted by nature. These childhood memories hold a place in my heart as the sweet beginning to my connection with nature. Together, my father and I continue to hike and to plant trees and pollinator-attracting flowers. I love that being in nature simplifies everything; I have frequently found myself migrating outdoors most often in times of stress. I’m taking a course called Psychology and Nature, and reading research studies has affirmed my theories about nature’s impact on wellness. Humans are inseparable from the rest of nature, and can only flourish when nature flourishes. Thus, I consistently spend time outside and spread awareness and appreciation for nature. I pick up litter in my community, recycle, reduce my waste, and select eco-friendly products.This summer, I will travel to Acadia National Park to participate in Partners in the Park, a program designed to foster students’ appreciation of nature while completing a service project. Nothing matters more than the mutual flourishing of humanity and the rest of nature.