My name is Izza, and I’m a graduating senior from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston, TX. This fall, I’ll be attending Cornell University to study Biomedical Engineering. I’m ranked 3rd in my class and have pursued the most rigorous academic track available, while also leading efforts in music and theater, STEM, and volunteering. As a vocalist and a member of my school’s Advanced Choir, I’ve performed in solo and ensemble state-level competitions and held leading roles in theater productions (involved in six total), eventually earning the position of president of my International Thespian Society troupe. My sophomore year, I cofounded The Platypirates, Houston’s only all-girls FIRST Robotics team, raised $25,000 in sponsorships, and led the team’s initial business and outreach efforts. Since then, we have made it to state all three years of our existence. I am also the Safety Captain of my team, and earned the Safety All Star award at competition three years in a row. This summer, I am interning at the NASA Robotics Academy. I’m also passionate about service—right now, I’m completing my Girl Scout Gold Award through a children’s burn prevention program that I’ve helped implement across Pakistan. I traveled to Pakistan and read burn prevention books to children in Urdu, distributed activities (puppets, activity books, spin-the-wheel games, etc.) to other institutions, spoke in seminars to educators who would be continuing the program after I left, and presented to medical students to recap my project and spread awareness on fire safety and burn prevention.