My experiences with Westminster Free Clinic opened my eyes to the importance of accessible, compassionate healthcare. As an intern and volunteer at the clinic, I work with individuals facing financial hardship and language differences. They provide not only medical care but also create an environment where people feel respected and understood. Seeing this made me realize how life-changing access to compassionate healthcare can be, and inspired me to pursue a path where I can help others in similar ways. Living in a diverse community, I have seen firsthand how these challenges affect many individuals, who delay or avoid seeking medical attention because of cost, fear, or limited access to information. These experiences have motivated me to pursue a college education in healthcare, specifically in nursing. I want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to address not only medical issues but also the social factors that impact health, such as education, income, and cultural barriers. In college, I will major in nursing to become a Registered Nurse, and eventually a Nurse Practitioner. I want to understand issues such as health disparities, prevention, and education so I can make a meaningful difference. Education would provide me with the proper knowledge and skills to address these challenges more effectively, whether that means providing direct care, creating outreach programs, or advocating for better resources in underserved communities. After college, I hope to give back by working in clinics or community-based organizations, similar to Westminster Free Clinic. I want to serve communities that are often overlooked, ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of income, language, or background. I’m especially interested in helping communities with preventable conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, by promoting education on healthy lifestyles, early detection, and access to screenings. Additionally, I’ll volunteer my time to help expand services in community free clinics, aiming to improve the healthcare system by providing better access to medical translations, health workshops, and overall support. My goal is to build trust and empower individuals to take control of their health. My education will allow me to give back to my community in a meaningful and lasting way. Inspired by my internship experience, I am committed to using my future career to serve underrepresented communities. I aspire to be part of a solution that helps create an equitable healthcare system where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life.

“I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts... I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me that has always been enough” (The Notebook, 2004). I used to roll my eyes at romance movies. The dramatic speeches, the rain-soaked kiss, that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love seemed completely unrealistic in my eyes. I always thought that movies like this set people up for complete and utter failure. They portrayed a fantasy kind of love, not a realistic, raw, and real relationship. Real love, I believe, wasn’t handwritten, poetic letters with emotional music in the background. Real love was awkward, busy, and messy, unlike the perfect stories movies try to sell. I didn’t plan on enjoying The Notebook. I thought it’d be an overhyped, cliché, forbidden love story that people often cried over for no reason. The story seemed too predictable: a small-town boy falls for a wealthy city girl, whose parents disapprove of their love. I figured that it’d either end as a tragic love story or they find their way back to each other again. Still, I kept watching, because I had nothing better to do. Something about Noah stood out to me. He isn’t rich, polished, or all that impressive. Yet, when he says the words, “I am no one special,” it doesn’t sound insecure. Instead, he makes these words sound certain and peaceful. He measures his life not by status or recognition, but by the fact that he’s fully encompassed himself in fully loving someone else, which unsettled me. Growing up, we are constantly pushed to stand out. We’re guided to get the best grades, build impressive resumes, and achieve big milestones. Success is usually defined as something people can see. Noah’s definition of a meaningful life is completely different. He isn’t chasing greatness. He believes he’s already achieved it by loving someone with everything he has. Finding out that Noah constantly reminds Allie of their love story as Allie suffered from Alzheimer’s disease is the most meaningful scene of the movie. She barely recognizes him, yet he stays. He doesn’t love her less just because of her diseases. He simply stays and continues trying. Watching that changed the way I thought about love. Love isn’t always fireworks. Sometimes it's repetition. Sometimes it's patience. Sometimes it's choosing someone, even when there’s nothing glamorous about it. The tragedy of The Notebook isn’t just about illness or lost time. It’s the reality that love can be fragile, yet still worth everything. It made me question what I value in relationships. Not just romantic ones, but friendships, the people I let close. Most of us are classified as “no one special.” But, maybe that’s the point. The meaning of life doesn’t lie in being extraordinary, but rather in devotion and loving deeply enough that it shapes who you are. Small moments in the movie lingered with me long after it ended. The house he built for her, the letters she never received, the pride in loving well. I yearned to love and be loved the way Noah did Allie. A person doesn’t have to be in your life forever to change it. But the way you love them while they are there matters. Real-life love is messy and complicated. This movie changed my definition of “enough.” If one day I can say that I loved someone with my whole heart and soul, and meant it, that might be more meaningful than any title, award, or recognition. And maybe that’s what makes a life extraordinary after all.

1. My inspiration for pursuing a career in nursing stems from my firsthand experience witnessing the profound impact of compassionate healthcare on people’s lives. This can especially be seen in communities with limited access to resources. Growing up, I witnessed many people in my life struggle to navigate the healthcare system, as they often faced difficulties with financial and linguistic barriers, or a general fear of seeking help. In those times, the nurses who treated them stood out, not just for their medical work, but for their patience, kindness, and for their ability to make people feel safe and seen. I’ve realized that being a nurse isn’t just about medical competence and care, but rather human understanding and connection. My own experiences in healthcare settings have also strengthened this realization. While interning in a clinic that primarily serves low-income patients, many of whom are part of the Hispanic/Latino community, I observed how much trust patients place in nurses. Many came in anxious or unsure, but left the clinic feeling heard and respected because someone took the time to explain their treatment, answer their questions, or simply just listened. I saw that nursing isn’t just about treating patients. It’s also about advocating for patients, educating families, and empowering people to care for themselves. I want to become a nurse because I value that combination of science, service, and compassion. Nursing will allow me to support patients during vulnerable moments, while simultaneously helping improve long-term health outcomes in underserved communities. My goal is to provide culturally sensitive care, respectful, and driven by empathy, so every patient I help feels seen, supported, and worthy of quality healthcare. 2. From my perspective, “Human Touch” refers to the ability to be emotionally present, empathetic, and compassionate. This also stands true in the world of healthcare. While medicine heavily relies on knowledge, technology, science, and procedures, I believe that healing also begins with something much simpler: feeling understood. Human Touch in healthcare means being able to treat patients beyond diagnoses, but as people with fears, stories, and dignity. I’ve found that in many healthcare setting patient’s often feel vulnerable, as they’re in pain, confused, worried about their condition, or worried about the future. A nurse’s human touch can transform their experiences. Something as simple as explaining a procedure calmly, checking-in a patient’s emotional well-being, or offering reassurance can reduce anxiety and build trust. When patients feel safe and respected, they are more likely to communicate honestly about their symptoms, follow treatment plans, and participate in their own care. In this way, compassion directly improves health outcomes. The human touch also recognizes that healing is not only physical, but also emotional and social. Patients may be dealing with financial stress, family responsibilities, or cultural concerns that affect their treatment decisions. Nurses who listen without judgment can better understand these factors and advocate for solutions that truly fit the patient’s life. This kind of care strengthens relationships and promotes ingenuity in healthcare by ensuring that individuals are not overlooked or dismissed. I believe the human touch is especially important in communities where patients may feel intimidated by the healthcare system or unsure whether their concerns will be taken seriously. A nurse who shows patience and empathy can restore confidence in medical care and encourage people to seek help earlier. This can prevent more serious complications earlier. Ultimately, the human touch reminds us that healthcare is a partnership. By combining clinical expertise with compassion, nurses can create environments where patients feel valued and supported. That sense of dignity can be just as healing as any medication, because it reassures patients that they are not facing illness alone.

The lyrics "I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you/Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you" (Rodrigo 2:39-2:52) from Olivia Rodrigo's song "lacy" from her album "GUTS" perfectly captures my teenage experience of living in a society heavily reliant on social media. This lyric embodies the feelings of admiration, insecurity, and envy that adolescents in this day and age often face. Oftentimes, this comparison was influenced by social media and the "perfection" that many online influencers tried to portray to their viewers. This can severely diminish one's self-view during a period of self-exploration and self-identification. Rodrigo's words display such a painful and honest truth: an internal conflict where admiration starts to shift into self-judgment. As a teenager growing up in a world filled with so many digital advancements, I've found myself trapped in many cycles of comparison more often than not. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram present carefully curated versions of people's lives. In these versions, people can highlight reels of beauty, success, and popularity. Rodrigo's lyrics "I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you" highlight a key part of adolescence, where teenage admiration can turn into obsession, and lead to a distorted sense of self. These lyrics don't just portray feeling jealousy towards someone; they're about not feeling confident enough in you're own skin. Rodrigo's use of the phrases "jealous eyes" and "rotten mind" portrays the guilt and confusion that can come with self-comparison to others. It's not just about feeling envious; it's also about hating yourself for having these types of thoughts. This is where intense feelings often clash with a still-developing sense of identity. It is a very universal experience for many teenagers, and such a common part of the teenage experience, especially in a time where digital platforms are continuing to advance. Adolescence is a time when self-image can be very fragile. As teenagers, we are still trying to figure out who we are, who we want to be, and where we fit in. These lyrics from Olivia Rodrigo's song "lacy" speak to that vulnerability and, in hindsight, portray how easy it is to let someone else’s perceived perfection make you question your value. In "lacy," Rodrigo beautifully captures emotions that many teenagers feel, but are too scared to admit. These emotions are envy wrapped in admiration and self-hate disguised as love. By sharing these lyrics, Olivia Rodrigo gives a voice to hidden struggles faced in the midst of adolescence. Her words capture a vivid essence of the teenage experience: a time of deep emotion, confusion, and the painful journey toward self-acceptance in a world that constantly encourages comparison.