My 4 years of high school have led me to believe that many important aspects of giving come from experience and growth. The Klein Forest Orchestra has been a major catalyst for my values, shaping me into who I am today, and creating a lifetime of memories. I still recall the first rehearsal of my freshman year. I was anxious, scared, and overwhelmed by the prestige of the Klein Forest Chamber & Symphony Orchestra. I felt I wasn’t on the same level as others and I didn’t deserve to be there. When I spoke to Mr.Tesoro, the orchestra director, about quitting, he showed me the utmost support and encouragement. He believed that I was placed exactly where I needed to be. I trusted him and decided to stay for one more year. Within one year, I met such amazing people in the program: seniors who gave me advice for college, juniors who were like mentors, and sophomores who welcomed me with open arms. I built a strong bond with so many in the orchestra program and was genuinely excited to continue. Since then, the orchestra has shaped me into a dedicated musician and hardworking individual. Without the push from both directors, I would’ve never gone to State UIL with my ensemble or even auditioned for the region orchestra. The enormous support I received was a catapult for what I wanted to give back to the program. I ran for the president position my senior year, and it’s been an unforgettable experience! Spreading and promoting the same Ohana spirit, like it was for me, to others in the program has created so many memories that I’ll continue to look back on. The opportunity to become a 2nd violinist for the Klein Forest gig quartet has also been another way I’d like to give back. Playing for community events and district ceremonies has been a special highlight of my time in high school. Through KF orchestra, I’ve learned to understand first-hand the impact music can have. With that in mind, I plan to incorporate these ideas into my future academic and career goals of working in healthcare. I would love to combine my experience and interest in music in college and my career. Organizing workplace music events and promoting music therapy in healthcare settings could be a creative way, also to expose others to its uniqueness! I also hope to continue doing community gigs with my friends; it’s a fun way to get together and make music while giving back! And though my experience in the orchestra has been incredible, I wouldn’t have any of these opportunities if it wasn’t for my parents. I’m so grateful for everything they’ve sacrificed, whether it was less sleep because my mom was up early making breakfast for me and my brother or my dad for working late hours to support my ambitions. We may be a low-income family, but it’s never felt that way. They always made it a priority to support us in everything we strived for, and I hope to someday give them what they deserve and more.