From the moment I folded my first origami crane in middle school, I discovered that seemingly small, creative acts could have a powerful impact. What began as a personal hobby soon became a way to bring people together, channel emotions into something beautiful, and build patience and focus, skills that now define the way I engage with my community. Extracurricular activities have enriched my life and given me the tools to uplift others. They have shaped how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I see the world. As a high school student in Maryland, I’ve devoted myself to a wide range of activities, from leadership and innovation to culture and service. These experiences have been my classrooms, where I’ve learned empathy, resilience, and initiative. One of my most meaningful involvements has been Rooted Together, a student-led nonprofit I founded to address food insecurity in my community. What began as a local food drive evolved into a multi-state movement. We now build hydroponic farming systems in schools, organize sustainability workshops, and engage hundreds of students in community-centered agriculture. Leading this initiative taught me how to turn an idea into action and how collaboration can spark real, lasting change. Another passion project I created is Vertex Career Development, a platform built to support international students like myself in navigating the U.S. education and career landscape. As someone on an H4 visa, I’ve faced many limitations despite growing up in this country—no FAFSA, no work permit, and restricted access to scholarships. Rather than letting this discourage me, I turned it into a mission. Vertex now hosts webinars, publishes resources, and builds mentorship networks for students who, like me, have so much potential but often lack guidance. This initiative gave me purpose. It showed me how community begins with shared experience and that even the challenges we face can become paths to help others. Outside of leadership, I stay deeply connected to my roots. I’ve been attending Tamil school since 2014, learning my native language and exploring my cultural heritage through dance, literature, and storytelling. My love for astronomy has also grown into astrophotography, where I capture the night sky and share the science and stories behind the stars. I even designed an app in Xcode that combines weather forecasting with astronomy to help others find the best nights to stargaze. Through all of this, my passion for service remains the thread tying it all together. Whether I’m volunteering at food banks, mentoring younger students, helping new immigrants feel at home, or creating tools to solve everyday problems, I’m driven by the belief that success means little unless it lifts others with you. My extracurricular activities are not just things I do. They are who I am. They’ve helped me find my voice and use it to make change. I believe Sammy Meckley’s legacy of spreading joy, creating community, and making people feel seen is precisely the legacy I strive to live out daily. This scholarship would support my education and fuel the heart of what I do: helping others through creativity, leadership, and compassion.