I was setting one foot in front of the other and doing what everyone around me was expected to do, until I couldn’t anymore. I was so anxious and depressed. I recognized that I needed a change. Going to boarding school was not something that people in my community did, and in the process I lost some of what I thought was most important to me- to who I was as a person. However, after taking a leap of faith, doing a lot of research, and being honest with myself and my family I ended up leaving my public high school and town where I had lived since birth and repeated my Sophomore year at a boarding school. As I prepare to graduate, I reflect upon the lessons that I have learned about life and how my overall formative experiences and goals would never have happened if I hadn’t come to terms with my mental health status. Setting the volleyball for a spike and serving an ace on the tennis court is so satisfying, but the most important feeling is happiness. As the Captain of both the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Volleyball teams, I have learned the importance of fair of leadership, how to balance tasks during busy school weeks, the art of being humble when I make mistakes, how to behave under intense pressure, and most of all that it is important to spend time doing things that are fulfilling. Health is of upmost importance to me and I love Biology, thus it seemed only natural that along with what I have learned on the courts that I would combine those passions with what I have learned on the court, and study pre medicine in college. Being part of athletic teams during high school has been a highlight for me. It is where I have met my best friends, who became my study partners in the library and my confidants in between practices and classes. The connections that I have made with my coaches have taught me about determination, being open minded, the importance of being patient yet demanding, and that hard work pays off. All of these values have not only made me a better athlete, but have also made me a better sister, daughter, student, artist, friend, volunteer and tennis pro. I love spending time creating- my favorite course was one where we created architectural designs and had to incorporate visual and environmental factors into the construction of a tiny house. I spent much of my free time in the art studio, it’s so relaxing! Volunteering fills me up and over the last few years I have identified two opportunity gaps in our community regarding the absence of swim and tennis lessons for local children and have founded programs aimed sharing these skills. Both programs have run for the last 2 years and I have taught kids how to swim who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance and have brought kids together to learn the foundational aspects of tennis, both of which are life long skills. Sharing my love for health with kids in the community has been fun and fulfilling. As a Dentist, my goal is to open my own practice where we will aim to serve the disadvantaged. I have been lucky to have had a world class education and access to things like quality volleyball and tennis programs, and thus it’s my responsibility to use these experiences to make the world a better place! It all started by being honest with who I am, my emotional health status and recognizing that change is possible.

Setting the volleyball for a spike and serving an ace on the tennis court is so satisfying, but the most important feelings and lessons have been during the day to day of being a student athlete. As the Captain of both the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Volleyball teams, I have learned the importance of fair of leadership, how to balance tasks during busy school weeks, the art of being humble when I make mistakes, how to behave under intense pressure, and most of all that it is important to spend time doing things that are fulfilling. Health is of upmost importance to me and I love Biology, thus it seemed only natural that along with what I have learned on the courts that I would combine those passions with what I have learned on the court, and study pre medicine in college. Being part of athletic teams during high school has been a highlight for me. It is where I have met my best friends, who became my study partners in the library and my confidants in between practices and classes. The connections that I have made with my coaches have taught me about determination, being open minded, the importance of being patient yet demanding, and that hard work pays off. All of these values have not only made me a better a athlete and captain, but have also made me a better sister, daughter, student, artist, leader, friend, volunteer, employee, tennis pro and camp counselor. I love spending time painting and creating- my favorite course this year was one where we created architectural designs and had to incorporate visual and environmental factors into the construction of a tiny house. I spent much of my free time in the art studio on my design, it was so relaxing! Volunteering fills me up and over the last few years I have identified two opportunity gaps in our community regarding the absence of swim and tennis lessons for local children and have founded programs aimed sharing these skills. Both programs have fun for the last 2 years and I have taught kids how to swim who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance and have brought kids together to learn the foundational aspects of tennis, both of which are life long skills. Sharing my love for health with kids in the community has been fun and fulfilling. As a Dentist, my goal is to open my own practice where we will aim to serve the disadvantaged. I have been lucky to have had a world class education and access to things like quality volleyball and tennis programs, and thus it is my responsibility to use these experiences to make the world a better place!

Setting the volleyball for a spike and serving an ace on the tennis court is so satisfying, but the most important feelings and lessons have been during the day to day of being a student athlete. As the Captain of both the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Volleyball teams, I have learned the importance of fair of leadership, how to balance tasks during busy school weeks, the art of being humble when I make mistakes, how to behave under intense pressure, and most of all that it is important to spend time doing things that are fulfilling. Health is of upmost importance to me and I love Biology, thus it seemed only natural that along with what I have learned on the courts that I would combine those passions with what I have learned on the court, and study pre medicine in college. Being part of athletic teams during high school has been a highlight for me. It is where I have met my best friends, who became my study partners in the library and my confidants in between practices and classes. The connections that I have made with my coaches have taught me about determination, being open minded, the importance of being patient yet demanding, and that hard work pays off. All of these values have not only made me a better a athlete and captain, but have also made me a better sister, daughter, student, artist, leader, friend, volunteer, employee, tennis pro and camp counselor. I love spending time painting and creating- my favorite course this year was one where we created architectural designs and had to incorporate visual and environmental factors into the construction of a tiny house. I spent much of my free time in the art studio on my design, it was so relaxing! Volunteering fills me up and over the last few years I have identified two opportunity gaps in our community regarding the absence of swim and tennis lessons for local children and have founded programs aimed sharing these skills. Both programs have fun for the last 2 years and I have taught kids how to swim who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance and have brought kids together to learn the foundational aspects of tennis, both of which are life long skills. Sharing my love for health with kids in the community has been fun and fulfilling. As a Dentist, my goal is to open my own practice where we will aim to serve the disadvantaged. I have been lucky to have had a world class education and access to things like quality volleyball and tennis programs, and thus it is my responsibility to use these experiences to make the world a better place!

Splash! Empowerment means identifying a need and making it happen, which is just what I did when I learned that in my summer community kids who were literally surrounded by water, were unable to swim. Families who lived on the island where I worked during the summer had no access to swim lessons due to the lack of financial resources and the absence of a public pool. Feeling the drive to remedy this situation, I educated myself about what tools would be needed to create a viable program. Part of empowerment is seeking and attaining the knowledge necessary to intervene. In response I collaborated with the local elementary school outreach worker and my place of work, the Block Island Club, where swim platforms and lanes were available, in order to develop a free weekly swim program. My younger brother was lifeguard certified and so we worked together to create a safe and fun environment. This program not only has affected the individual children who have learned how to swim, but it has also positively affected their families. Each week during the lessons, the families experienced a sense of community- often having picnics together and utilizing the waterfront themselves, as they watched their children swim. One of the most stand out moments was when a little girl who had at the beginning of the session was afraid to even touch the water became brave enough to jump off of a piling. The noise of her little body hitting the water and subsequently squealing with delight was so fulfilling! I knew that her life would be forever changed. I believe that empowerment is just as important for the one empowered to make the change as it is for the cohort that is affected by the programming. The belief that one holds the power to create a difference is similar to the rings created upon entry to the water, as they get bigger and bigger as they spread, affecting a larger portion of the area. I have successfully run this program for 13 children aged 3-13 for 2 consecutive summers and have included other club interns so that this will be sustainable past my tenure. Not only was I empowered to make this happen, but I have empowered these children to have the confidence and drive to be able to master a skill that will not only keep them safe, but also make them feel a part of the community. The most important piece of empowerment is ensuring that one is using their place of power in order to create positive change in the community.