Since eighth grade, I've used guitar and my voice not merely as musical skills, but as gifts with which I seek to worship God and serve those around me. This started as just a small effort to be involved in and support my nearby church community, but over time, has evolved into a passion and calling that is central to both my faith and my identity. Every Sunday, I lead worship along with other elders at a small Christian church. A majority of the congregation are elderly, so at first, being among the youngest in the room made me feel out of place. Gradually, I have realized my impact on the members of the church and how important my participation is. Seeing the smiles of the congregation and hearing their voices sing traditional hymns as I play and sing, has helped me understand the purpose of worship, which is not performance, but the creation of a space to connect with God. Bringing joy and youthfulness to a community that might not often see young people taking on leadership roles has felt incredibly fulfilling. In addition to leading the elderly congregation, I also lead worship through guitar and vocals for my Chinese church youth group. Here, I have been able to use my talents with peers who share both my culture and my faith. Leading in this setting involves fostering engagement and community among a younger group of people which feels different but equally impactful. This has demonstrated that the call I feel to use music in worship can be effective across many ages and settings. I feel joy every time I play and sing to lead people in worship because I believe it is how I can use what God has given me to direct others toward something more meaningful. Worship is not just a hobby for me; it is one of the main ways God is using my life to serve believers of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds.

Having grown up in a Christian family and community, I started going to church as an infant and connected with a church family around the age of 3. Growing up, I always went to church but the purpose was usually just to see my friends and not to worship God. I never took God very seriously and focused on having fun. The idea of God was not important to me and I thought that I had to go to church because that was part of my routine. I started going to Youth Group where I met a lot of new people that supported me and my faith. I was able to grow closer with God especially through Youth Retreats. Short weekends filled with small group bible study, sermons, and prayer partners provided me with a space to reflect and spend time with other believers. The sermons helped me gain new insight into the scripture and God’s plan for me. Worship was also a huge part of my journey to becoming a follower. Every song was filled with adoration for God and allowing me to feel his presence. Through worship, I started to recognize that I was a sinner and that I needed Jesus in my life. During the COVID lockdown, God gave my family the opportunity to serve in a local church in our neighborhood. I was able to serve in their worship team through guitar and singing and meet believers from other backgrounds. I believe that this was God’s plan, to lead me to another church and bless others. Now, I am actively thinking about my future and although I have my wishes, I trust that God will guide me and provide for me as long as I rely on him. Throughout my educational journey, though occupied with schoolwork and extracurriculars, I strive to put God before these stressors. My relationship with Jesus will help me remember that God always has a plan for me. I will view all of my future educational challenges positively as Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. My belief in Jesus has grown over the years and I am grateful for His guidance, His grace, and His unwavering presence in my life. I want to continue to follow God’s plan and rely on him.

In fifth grade, a classmate’s signature, finished with flourishes and elegance, sparked my appreciation of writing as an art form. The luxurious way the ink flowed across the page, like an ice skater gliding smoothly with graceful twirls, entranced me. Before this moment, I believed that good handwriting was just a way to earn compliments from my parents and smiley-faced stickers from teachers. With the last of my savings spent on a rainbow of brush pens and a beginner’s practice book, I approached the artistry with unwavering determination. My confidence was immediately trounced by frustration and disappointment. Shaky lines, uneven pressure, and smudged letters mocked my extensive efforts. Large blobs of ink filled my paper, but I refused to accept imperfect results. Years later, I learned that the ink stains taught me a skill my younger self failed to grasp: patience and persistence do not always prevail. Calligraphy resisted patience. It could not be appropriated by mere endurance or forced perfection. Instead of just believing I could copy from a practice book or imitate the style of a professional, I needed to find my own voice. Or should I say, strokes. By allowing myself to make errors, I uncovered what made my work uniquely me. Whenever my pen malfunctioned, flooding my paper with large blots of ink, I embraced the chaos and transformed the blobs into decor using dot patterns. Further, experimenting with different color combinations created dreamy ombres that became my signature. I soon realized that moments of frustration only prompted the exploration of new strategies and discovery of solutions that fit the situation. Much like reshaping my calligraphy techniques, supporting my little brother as the most-amazing-older-sister-ever requires the ability to innovate and adapt. I have to take the not-so-subtle hints—dramatic groaning and sighing—my brother makes when struggling to understand a new concept. When he couldn’t make sense of the relationship between enzymes and substrates, I equated them to “locks and keys,” which provided an analogy to unlock the idea for him. From years of being my brother’s long-term “free tutor,” I’ve discovered that those interminable hours of calligraphy practice have taught me to adapt every time he bellows down the hall, “HAYLEY! I NEED HELP!” In the same way I guided my brother, I’ve supported myself in academics by utilizing that mindset. I approach challenges with resoluteness and flexibility, like transforming a misbehaved pen stroke into a distinctive flare. My first AP science course, AP Biology, was a new canvas to experiment on and reveal appropriate study techniques. In the first trimester, I was on the cusp of an A; hours of rereading detailed notes and scouring the textbook didn’t bring the results I wanted. The lessons from calligraphy guided my hand. I developed colorful mind maps to help me visualize complex concepts, and as a result, I scored higher. The habits I’ve adopted now shape my attitude and way of thinking. Through fanciful lettering, I’ve evolved into someone who transforms obstacles into creative solutions. Still, I continue to learn and refine the flourishes on my canvas. As I navigate a future career in healthcare, I will approach every patient and challenge with empathy and creativity, bringing thoughtful solutions to those who rely on me.

When I first met Jane, she was surprised to see such a young visitor, and she greeted me warmly. Though she put on a winning smile, she couldn’t hide her depression and lack of motivation. I devoted myself to lifting her spirits on every visit. By being an active listener, I gradually helped her think more positively, strengthening our bond. She felt cared for when receiving motivational artworks and her favorite chocolates. Further, letting her share stories about her parents, siblings, and friends reminded her how fulfilling her life has been. She, in turn, was captivated by the current challenges of youth. Though she remembers me and looks forward to our visits, dementia causes her to repeat much of the same conversations each time. I don’t mind, though. Even though Jane is incapable of remembering previous conversations, the nurse tells me that my presence helps. I came across hospice care when researching healthcare-related volunteering. The idea of death made me feel a little uncomfortable due to my unfamiliarity with it, but after some research, I understood that hospice was an important service that gave patients the comfort and dignity they needed during end-of-life care. During training, the nurses explained what to expect. Afterward, my nervousness still lingered, but meeting my first patient reminded me that just being present is what mattered most. Another patient I’ve encountered is Ruth: bedridden but still the sweetest personality that radiates positive energy. She had a huge family, and she loved her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Many of her family members have passed, so speaking about them allows her to remember heartwarming moments, like going to church with her mother or cooking Sunday dinner with her family. My interactions with end-of-life patients have taught me to stay calm and attentive in uncomfortable or heavy emotional situations. Offering companionship significantly impacts senior lives as loneliness and depression affect hospice residents greatly. Patience and empathy help them feel seen and valued, which is why I will continue this service in the future and encourage other youths to do the same through my non-profit Elder Engage. Elder Engage, created by myself and two other high schoolers, aims to support elderly in nursing homes through donations, encouragement, and entertainment as many suffer from boredom, a lack of motivation, and loneliness.​ Through raising $100+ through GoFundMe and fundraisers and creating art, I continue to support the elderly.

When I first met Jane, she was surprised to see such a young visitor, and she greeted me warmly. Though she put on a winning smile, she couldn’t hide her depression and lack of motivation. I devoted myself to lifting her spirits on every visit. By being an active listener, I gradually helped her think more positively, strengthening our bond. She felt cared for when receiving motivational artworks and her favorite chocolates. Further, letting her share stories about her parents, siblings, and friends reminded her how fulfilling her life has been. She, in turn, was captivated by the current challenges of youth. Though she remembers me and looks forward to our visits, dementia causes her to repeat much of the same conversations each time. I don’t mind, though. Even though Jane is incapable of remembering previous conversations, the nurse tells me that my presence helps. I came across hospice care when researching healthcare-related volunteering. The idea of death made me feel a little uncomfortable due to my unfamiliarity with it, but after some research, I understood that hospice was an important service that gave patients the comfort and dignity they needed during end-of-life care. During training, the nurses explained what to expect. Afterward, my nervousness still lingered, but meeting my first patient reminded me that just being present is what mattered most. Another patient I’ve encountered is Ruth: bedridden but still the sweetest personality that radiates positive energy. She had a huge family, and she loved her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Many of her family members have passed, so speaking about them allows her to remember heartwarming moments, like going to church with her mother or cooking Sunday dinner with her family. My interactions with end-of-life patients have taught me to stay calm and attentive in uncomfortable or heavy emotional situations. Offering companionship significantly impacts senior lives as loneliness and depression affect hospice residents greatly. Patience and empathy help them feel seen and valued, which is why I will continue this service in the future and encourage other youths to do the same.