My story about how I got into computer science was an interesting one. One about trying new things and exploring fields I never thought I would like. Here's my story: I remember plopping down in my biology class on my first day of high school not knowing that biology would become one of my favorite subjects. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. Much of my expanding curiosity to explore the various fields of biology was sparked by my teacher, Dr. Fernandez. Her energetic bursts and passionate language on the scientific process left me in awe. And that was that for the next 3 years. Biology was my way to a successful and fulfilling career. I had it all planned out: going to a college for biology, going to medical school, becoming a doctor. Then... in my senior year of high school. I decided to take a computer science class just for the fun of it. Why not try something new? I had no prior experience with any coding but I had an open class and I thought it could be interesting. And just like biology had blown my mind, the logic, problem solving, and straightforwardness of coding did the same. It was incredible to me how simple java was but how it could complete such complex functions. After my discovery of my love for computer science, I was confused and worried that my whole agenda for the next years of my life was ruined. But I soon found careers which are combinations of biology and computer science, such as bioinformatics. I could still pursue biology but also explore my interest in computer science as well. After receiving a degree in computer science and biology at Johns Hopkins University, I plan to become a bioinformatics engineers, computational biologists, or bioinformatics analysts. However, just as my experience with computer science, I hope to unlock new fields of interest in my time at Hopkins and maybe change my career path some more. I feel that I am the best candidate for this scholarship because it will not only alleviate the financial burden of my education, but to also support my pursuit of biology, computer science, and a multitude of interests I hope to find at Hopkins. I live life with an open mind and welcome new ideas. I hope that as my interests change, I will always find joy in the work and fulfillment in my life.

The quality I value most in my life is service. Service to my friends, family, and community. Community service has helped me grow as an individual and prepare me for college. I have gained invaluable skills and participated in meaningful experiences from my volunteering. My main service to my community was through the American Red Cross, and here's my story: With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needle’s incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but important experience was all due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. I had applied to the American Red Cross Biomedical department because of my interest in pursuing biology as a career. I was hired and given the opportunity to work with a team in Maryland to support blood drive efforts. I was assigned to recruit blood donor ambassadors for blood drives. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position on the onboarding and training team, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings are organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. By going through the extensive processes, I realized how important it was to thoroughly train individuals and the value of cooperation and organization. I formed strong bonds with my peers and supervisors which allowed me to develop a greater connection to my work. Through my time with the Red Cross, I gained an understanding of the inner workings of the organization: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different departments of the organization. I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This was my first experience in a workplace, and it taught me that I can adapt to new environments and thrive. This experience showed me the impact of the Red Cross and biomedical assistance on people’s lives. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. My participation as a volunteer for the Red Cross and a blood donor opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed and saved through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors at Johns Hopkins University and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

My sister has been there every step of my life; ever since the day of my birth to today, when she went back to college for her spring semester of her junior year in college. While many times, I don't show my appreciation for my sister, she has influenced my life tremendously and for the better. Whether it is just through simple wise words or actions, she has helped me develop as a sibling and as a person. We like to fight a lot, and argue, and annoy each other, but at the end of the day, we are siblings and nothing can break that bond. Especially because she is older, she acts like a semi-parent to me, and while that is frustrating in many instances, it is usually for my benefit. I have been able to learn from her mistakes in school, finance, life in general, and live life with less hiccups. I am immensely grateful for her presence and I truly do not know where I would be without her. She has consistently helped me with my schoolwork and life even when she was away in college. She helped read and check the college essays that would eventually get me accepted into Johns Hopkins University while she still had her final exams that week. I know that I have not nearly been as beneficial to her, but I hope that this essay can illustrate even a small part of my boundless appreciation for her sacrifice, wisdom, and love.

Information technology plays a critical role in the function and efficiency of our society. The future of information technology will likely increase automation, data security, data privacy, the use of cryptocurrencies, etc. With the rise of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the need for Blockchain, an information recording technology that is secured with cryptography, can greatly increase the accessibility to cryptocurrencies and their security. The increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies has allowed for greater communications and transactions internationally. This technology can increase the speed of transactions and security of currency. One of the most prominent factors of bitcoin, for example, is the value: bitcoin is not fiat money so the value of bitcoin will always be determined by the free market and not by any government. This aspect of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies prevents inflation and will greatly influence the everyday purchasing power in my community. One example of the decreasing purchasing power with government-issued currency in my community was recently when my grandmother took two dollars to purchase some cooking oil (as she has done for over 20 years), but she was shocked when she saw the 5 dollar price tag. Inflation goes up by a couple percent every year, but because of the pandemic, inflation shot up tremendously, especially in consumer goods. The U.S. government injected trillions of dollars into the hands of citizens in hopes of economic stimulation. While the pumping of money into the economy did help keep the economy afloat, large rates of inflation soon followed. My grandmother's experience was felt strongly throughout my household, community, and the country. The loss of purchasing power greatly affects my community and it influences my everyday purchases. Bitcoin experiences neither inflation or deflation because it has a set amount of 21 million coins. No government or person can influence the amount of Bitcoin in the economy. This prevents the degrading purchasing power of money because no coins can be pumped into the environment. The use of Bitcoin is a technology-based solution that could benefit my community by maintaining purchasing power and prevent my grandma from underestimating cooking oil prices. Cryptocurrency can eliminate inflation, decrease transaction fees, increase transaction speed, globalize currency, etc. While all the factors seem international, they all influence everyday life in my community. Whether it’s buying groceries or transferring money, cryptocurrency can streamline people’s financial livelihood. Through cryptocurrency, I hope to see greater efficiency of transactions within my community and greater privacy with money so it can make everyone’s lives a little simpler. I plan to use this scholarship to not only alleviate the financial burden of my college education, but to also support my pursuit and research of information technology and guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

While scouring the internet for a summer internship, I discovered a captivating biomedical research program. Biology: check. Research: check. National Institutes of Health (NIH): big check. It was perfect. I would assist NIH scientists with their research over the summer. I excitedly applied but was unfortunately rejected. I was disheartened, but rather than dwell on my rejection, I searched for more opportunities. This is how I discovered the American Red Cross. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the American Red Cross and obtained a position on the biomedical onboarding and training team, a team in Maryland that support blood drive efforts. I was assigned to recruit blood donor ambassadors for blood drives. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position on the onboarding and training team, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings are organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. By going through the extensive processes, I realized how important it was to thoroughly train individuals and the value of cooperation and organization. I formed strong bonds with my peers and supervisors which allowed me to develop a greater connection to my work. Through my time with the Red Cross, I gained an understanding of the inner workings of the organization: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different departments of the organization. I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This was my first experience in a workplace, and it taught me that I can adapt to new environments and thrive. This experience showed me the impact of the Red Cross and biomedical assistance on people’s lives. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. My participation as a volunteer for the Red Cross and a blood donor opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed and saved through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

We sat at a dimly lit dining table across from each other. My father sat listening as I rambled about the tough workload of my freshman year in high school. I was frustrated and confused why teachers gave us so many stressful tests and projects. He sat silently, only to say three words, “Focus on learning,” Little did I know that those three words would change my whole perspective on school and learning. Focus on learning, focus on learning, focus on learning. I kept repeating those words to myself trying to comprehend the complex meaning of three simple words. Focus on learning, don’t care about what others are saying about grades and test scores. Focus on learning, understanding, and making connections with information. Now, I live by those words. I have grown to (somewhat) enjoy the grueling pace of high school and the work associated with it. If I focus on learning the information, not imprinting and memorizing facts in my brain, school becomes more enjoyable. School becomes what the creators intended it to be. A place for learning, a place for interaction, a place to open doors of opportunity: not a stressful, competitive, and unstimulating place. School isn’t about getting good grades, it’s about learning and growing. However, by understanding and connecting with facts, the outcome leads to good grades and better comprehension of the information; while getting good grades does not always result in increasing knowledge on a subject. With those three wise words, my view on education has changed completely and my enjoyment of learning has skyrocketed.

The rising adrenaline of an incoming crossroad. Volleyball tryout results have just been released. My previous volleyball club had been dissolved and my teammates and I were forced to join another volleyball program. I had been playing with the same set of guys for the past seven years; they were brothers to me. We desperately hoped to be on the same team again. I had set all my hopes on the St. James U17 team. The realization. I open the tryout results and see a list of numbers, each correlating to our jersey number at the tryout. I scour the list for my number, “58”, with hope and anticipation; “70” reads the last number. I check again, and again, and again. But nothing. I hadn’t tried out for other teams because I thought my acceptance was guaranteed. I freeze in shock; I can’t believe it. A second chance. Fortunately, I was offered a spot on the St. James U16 team. This team was the correct age group for me, but from the time I was ten I had been playing up a year. Losing the chance to play with my old teammates and playing a year down stung, but at least I could continue playing the sport I love. Making the most of it. While my new team was not as competitive or skillful as my previous team, I felt no point in slacking off. I took this time to further develop my foundational skills. Great improvements were made in my defense, serving, communication, and leadership skills. I formed lasting friendships with many of my teammates. Being pushed outside of my comfort zone with new coaches and teammates gave me the opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Another try. The following year, I decided to try out for multiple volleyball programs to disperse the risk. Again, I did not get into the team I was working towards being a part of, with all of my previous teammates. Surprisingly, however, I was offered a spot on the Maryland Volleyball Program (MVP) U17 team, the top team in the region. My disappointment in rejection was met with determination and a greater drive to succeed; I had now joined MVP. My new team brought new challenges. Fortunately, we all shared a collective kindness, admiration, and respect towards each other; integration was effortless. However, as a new player, I had to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I tried my hardest and stayed optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. Even with the competition for the starting spot, I felt no bitterness among us. My bond with my teammates grew stronger because we helped each other improve. Through grit and determination, I earned a starting position. The season was challenging and rewarding. I formed cooperative friendships and competed at the highest level. I felt much gratification, especially when our teamwork resulted in a first place finish at the East Coast Championship Tournament. My reflection. Looking back on my volleyball journey over the past few years, I am surprised at how my rejections led to immense growth. Being rejected from my dream team was crushing and it hurt even more to be separated from my old teammates, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. I am grateful for the connections I have made; I am proud of the volleyball player and person I have grown into, and I'm confident that my new perspective will help me face challenges in college and life.

I value the characteristic of citizenship. The ability to give back to my community and society is extremely beneficial and makes me extremely happy. My volunteering at the American Red Cross has given me the opportunity to give back to my community and make a difference. With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needle’s incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but important experience was all due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. I had applied to the American Red Cross Biomedical department because of my interest in pursuing biology as a career. I was hired and given the opportunity to work with a team in Maryland to support blood drive efforts. I was assigned to recruit blood donor ambassadors for blood drives. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position on the onboarding and training team, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings are organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. By going through the extensive processes, I realized how important it was to thoroughly train individuals and the value of cooperation and organization. I formed strong bonds with my peers and supervisors which allowed me to develop a greater connection to my work. Through my time with the Red Cross, I gained an understanding of the inner workings of the organization: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different departments of the organization. I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This was my first experience in a workplace, and it taught me that I can adapt to new environments and thrive. This experience showed me the impact of the Red Cross and biomedical assistance on people’s lives. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. My participation as a volunteer for the Red Cross and a blood donor opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed and saved through bio-technology. Through citizenship, I was able to help change many lives for the better and become a more educated person. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

I have demonstrated leadership with my position as president of my school's Rocketry Club. My four-year connection to the rocketry club has been quite a journey: full of triumphs, mistakes, and adversity. However, through my determination and grit, I was able to obtain leadership positions and help others. In my freshman year, I walked into the engineering classroom with excitement and anticipation to learn about rockets. The chaotic and crowded club was filled with many like-minded students. We learned about the rocket simulation software, specific construction techniques, the function and structure of rocket propulsion systems, and the impact of each adjustment on flight dynamics. Much of my growth was under the leadership and mentorship of upperclassmen and teachers. Their expertise helped expand my knowledge of rocketry and the engineering process. I also learned many lessons from my failures: incorrect part sizing, faulty motor assembly, center of gravity outside of stable range, and lack of communication. My first two years in rocketry were chapters of upward growth with occasional hiccups that deepened my understanding of rocketry. Soon, as I became more experienced, I was able to assist other club members. This helped me earn the position as a team lead my junior year. I mentored team members in simulating, building, and launching successful rockets. I soon realized how my role had changed from a learner to a teacher. I set aside more time and effort to help new members learn and succeed. This leadership position gave me a unique perspective on the organization’s process and how club activities were organized and conducted. In my final year of high school, I became the president of the Rocketry Club. I quickly realized how difficult it is to run a fifty person organization. I had to send daily emails, coordinate with students and teachers, make multiple spreadsheets and powerpoints, and keep the attention of a room full of people. As time went on, I became more comfortable and confident in the busy environment and my leadership role. While my freshman and sophomore years taught me the value of the scientific process, I grew just as much in my leadership roles. My experience as the Rocketry president gave me invaluable interpersonal communication and leadership skills. My experience as a learner, a team lead, and the president of Rocketry Club has allowed me to think like a scientist and gain greater confidence to take on leadership roles. I have grown immensely through my four-year connection to rockets. Leadership has given me the ability to create opportunities for others and mentor others. My part of the Rocketry Club has further solidified my resolve to pursue STEM as a career path. Being a leader is important to me because I can help others become a better version of themselves while I learn to be a better leader and teacher. I hope to employ my experiences in high school and rocketry club to be a learner and a leader in the next chapters of my life.

The rising adrenaline of an incoming crossroad. Volleyball tryout results have just been released. My previous volleyball club had been dissolved and my teammates and I were forced to join another volleyball program. I had been playing with the same set of guys for the past seven years; they were brothers to me. We desperately hoped to be on the same team again. I had set all my hopes on the St. James U17 team. The realization. I open the tryout results and see a list of numbers, each correlating to our jersey number at the tryout. I scour the list for my number, “58”, with hope and anticipation; “70” reads the last number. I check again, and again, and again. But nothing. I hadn’t tried out for other teams because I thought my acceptance was guaranteed. I freeze in shock; I can’t believe it. A second chance. Fortunately, I was offered a spot on the St. James U16 team. This team was the correct age group for me, but from the time I was ten I had been playing up a year. Losing the chance to play with my old teammates and playing a year down stung, but at least I could continue playing the sport I love. Making the most of it. While my new team was not as competitive or skillful as my previous team, I felt no point in slacking off. I took this time to further develop my foundational skills. Great improvements were made in my defense, serving, communication, and leadership skills. I formed lasting friendships with many of my teammates. Being pushed outside of my comfort zone with new coaches and teammates gave me the opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Another try. The following year, I decided to try out for multiple volleyball programs to disperse the risk. Again, I did not get into the team I was working towards being a part of, with all of my previous teammates. Surprisingly, however, I was offered a spot on the Maryland Volleyball Program (MVP) U17 team, the top team in the region. My disappointment in rejection was met with determination and a greater drive to succeed; I had now joined MVP. My new team brought new challenges. Fortunately, we all shared a collective kindness, admiration, and respect towards each other; integration was effortless. However, as a new player, I had to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I tried my hardest and stayed optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. Even with the competition for the starting spot, I felt no bitterness among us. My bond with my teammates grew stronger because we helped each other improve. Through grit and determination, I earned a starting position. The season was challenging and rewarding. I formed cooperative friendships and competed at the highest level. I felt much gratification, especially when our teamwork resulted in a first place finish at the East Coast Championship Tournament. My reflection. Looking back on my volleyball journey over the past few years, I am surprised at how my rejections led to immense growth. Being rejected from my dream team was crushing and it hurt even more to be separated from my old teammates, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. I am grateful for the connections I have made; I am proud of the volleyball player and person I have grown into, and I'm confident that my new perspective will help me face challenges in college and life.

The rising adrenaline of an incoming crossroad. Volleyball tryout results have just been released. My previous volleyball club had been dissolved and my teammates and I were forced to join another volleyball program. I had been playing with the same set of guys for the past seven years; they were brothers to me. We desperately hoped to be on the same team again. I had set all my hopes on the St. James U17 team. The realization. I open the tryout results and see a list of numbers, each correlating to our jersey number at the tryout. I scour the list for my number, “58”, with hope and anticipation; “70” reads the last number. I check again, and again, and again. But nothing. I hadn’t tried out for other teams because I thought my acceptance was guaranteed. I freeze in shock; I can’t believe it. A second chance. Fortunately, I was offered a spot on the St. James U16 team. This team was the correct age group for me, but from the time I was ten I had been playing up a year. Losing the chance to play with my old teammates and playing a year down stung, but at least I could continue playing the sport I love. Making the most of it. While my new team was not as competitive or skillful as my previous team, I felt no point in slacking off. I took this time to further develop my foundational skills. Great improvements were made in my defense, serving, communication, and leadership skills. I formed lasting friendships with many of my teammates. Being pushed outside of my comfort zone with new coaches and teammates gave me the opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Another try. The following year, I decided to try out for multiple volleyball programs to disperse the risk. Again, I did not get into the team I was working towards being a part of, with all of my previous teammates. Surprisingly, however, I was offered a spot on the Maryland Volleyball Program (MVP) U17 team, the top team in the region. My disappointment in rejection was met with determination and a greater drive to succeed; I had now joined MVP. My new team brought new challenges. Fortunately, we all shared a collective kindness, admiration, and respect towards each other; integration was effortless. However, as a new player, I had to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I tried my hardest and stayed optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. Even with the competition for the starting spot, I felt no bitterness among us. My bond with my teammates grew stronger because we helped each other improve. Through grit and determination, I earned a starting position. The season was challenging and rewarding. I formed cooperative friendships and competed at the highest level. I felt much gratification, especially when our teamwork resulted in a first place finish at the East Coast Championship Tournament. My reflection. Looking back on my volleyball journey over the past few years, I am surprised at how my rejections led to immense growth. Being rejected from my dream team was crushing and it hurt even more to be separated from my old teammates, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. I am grateful for the connections I have made; I am proud of the volleyball player and person I have grown into, and I'm confident that my new perspective will help me face challenges in college and life.

My participation and leadership in the Rocketry Club has helped me bring joy to others and myself. I have been able to create opportunities for others and learn immensely about my self as a scientist and as a person. My development led me to become the president of the club, and the position allowed me to enable students to prosper in the scientific process. In my freshman year, I walked into the engineering classroom with excitement and anticipation to learn about rockets. We learned about rocket simulation softwares, specific construction techniques, the function and structure of rocket propulsion systems, and the impact of each adjustment on flight dynamics. Much of my growth was under the leadership and mentorship of upperclassmen and teachers. Their expertise helped expand my knowledge of rocketry and the engineering process. I also learned many lessons from my failures: incorrect part sizing, faulty motor assembly, the center of gravity being outside of stable range, and lack of communication. Soon, as I became more experienced, I was able to assist other club members. This helped me earn the position as a team lead during my junior year. I mentored team members in simulating, building, and launching successful rockets. I then realized how my role had changed from a learner to a teacher. I set aside more time and effort to help new members learn and succeed, and made sure all members were included and involved. This leadership position allowed me to create an environment of growth and opportunity for my team. In my final year of high school, I became the president of the Rocketry Club. I was responsible for sending daily emails, coordinating schedules with students and teachers, creating multiple spreadsheets and powerpoints, and keeping the attention of a room full of students. I was able to expand the club to more than 50 students compared to the 20 students in the previous year. Through my position as president, I have helped expand the value of STEM to hundreds of students over the past couple years, assist others in finding their passion, and allow students to develop as scientists. While my roles have changed significantly throughout the past four years, each position brings new challenges and goals; whether it's just learning how to make a rocket, learning how to teach others, and learning how to lead others. I have discovered my joy of helping and mentoring others and I hope to continue to teach in my future. My experience as a learner, a team lead, and the president of the Rocketry Club has allowed me to gain greater confidence in leadership roles and offer greater STEM opportunities for students. I have grown immensely through my four-year connection to rocketry, and have had a lot of fun along the way. The ability to help others and have fun at the same time is invaluable.

One of my most impactful extracurriculars is my work for the American Red Cross. Because I want to pursue biology in college, I applied for the Red Cross and obtained a position on the Biomedical Onboarding and Training team. In my position, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. I was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my efforts contributed towards a beneficial cause.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

Entering high school, I was oblivious to what I wanted to pursue in college. I remember plopping down in my biology class not knowing that biology would become one of my favorite subjects. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. Much of my expanding curiosity to explore the various fields of biology was sparked by my teacher, Dr. Fernandez. Her energetic bursts and passionate language on the scientific process left me in awe. She introduced to me a riveting world of biological development: gene editing. C-R-I-S-P-R was written in messy bold letters strewn across the white board. I mouthed “chrisper?” as I set foot in the classroom. “CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting the DNA sequence at specified points,” shouted Dr. Fernandez as she continued. Gene editing? Curing genetic diseases? Genetically modified humans? It was all too much for my freshman brain, so to the internet I went! I became both excited and terrified of the applications of CRISPR. Gene editing can be applied to help people with genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CRISPR engendered thoughts about the bioethics of gene editing. Should we modify how babies look or grow? I found these considerations deeply disturbing and intriguing. Dr. Fernandez sparked my interest to pursue biology as a career and I am unbelievably grateful for her guidance and presence in my high school journey. In addition to my inspiring experience in my biology class, my volunteering at the American Red Cross reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. I applied for the Red Cross and obtained a position on the Biomedical Onboarding and Training team. In my position, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. I was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my efforts contributed towards a beneficial cause. With my incredibly riveting experiences with high school biology and the application of that knowledge into saving lives, my eyes were opened to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed and saved through bio-technology. As one of my main interests is genomics, I hope to solve genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis, down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, etc. Through the development of more precise and controlled gene editing mechanisms, the resolve of genetic disorders can be done with great efficiency and widespread effect. I will be attending Johns Hopkins University to study cellular biology. I intend to expand my knowledge on the new developments of genomics and the careers I can take in this developing field. I also plan to conduct research throughout my undergraduate years so I can gain a greater understanding of the scientific process. I know that the program at JHU will support, inspire, and challenge me in my journey to explore the field of molecular and cellular biology for the betterment of my community and the world.

I support equality and diversity through my position as the president of my school's Rocketry Club. My role as the president enabled me to create a holistic application process that would only look at students' grade, experience, drive, and commitment. Through this process, I was able to equally view each applicant to the club. Because of the large interest, I was able to expand the club from 20 students the previous year, to over 50 student. The expansion allowed for a greater diversity among club members and equality among the qualified applicants. Another instance of equity and diversity was during the creation of teams. I create diverse and equal rocket teams by combining experienced and non-experienced members, along with even distribution of males, females, and non-binary members. Through this organization of teams, I allowed students to become mentors and learners, and let them make new connections with people who they don't often interact with. Inclusion was also a large factor when teaching the members about STEM. The other leadership members and I strongly emphasized teaching everyone equally and incorporating everyone. We were able to greatly develop members' interest in rocketry and in science. Equality and diversity has significantly benefitted the Rocketry Club through the variety of perspectives between members, the enhanced opportunity to meet new and unique people, and the ability to foster the education of the scientific process to all.

Who am I? SLAM of the volleyball against the wooden floor, ROAR of the rocket into the sky, THUMP of the heart pumping blood. I am a competitive volleyball player who has been playing for over ten years and placed 13th in the Boys National Championship Tournament. I am a team lead and the president of my school's Rocketry Club. I have helped educate students about STEM and allow them to develop as scientists. I am a member on the American Red Cross Biomedical Onboarding and Training Team. I have helped save lives through blood donations and the recruitment of volunteers. That's me.

Entering high school, I was oblivious to what I wanted to pursue in college. I remember plopping down in my biology class not knowing that biology would become one of my favorite subjects. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. Much of my expanding curiosity to explore the various fields of biology was sparked by my teacher, Dr. Fernandez. Her energetic bursts and passionate language on the scientific process left me in awe. She introduced to me a riveting world of biological development: gene editing. C-R-I-S-P-R was written in messy bold letters strewn across the white board. I mouthed “chrisper?” as I set foot in the classroom. “CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting the DNA sequence at specified points,” shouted Dr. Fernandez as she continued. Gene editing? Curing genetic diseases? Genetically modified humans? It was all too much for my freshman brain, so to the internet I went! I became both excited and terrified of the applications of CRISPR. Gene editing can be applied to help people with genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CRISPR engendered thoughts about the bioethics of gene editing. Should we modify how babies look or grow? I found these considerations deeply disturbing and intriguing. Dr. Fernandez sparked my interest to pursue biology as a career and I am unbelievably grateful for her guidance and presence in my high school journey. Dr. Fernandez’s mentorship blossomed my love for biology and opened my eyes to the world of genomics. She showed me the importance of passionate teachers and mentors. Her challenging but rewarding class taught me how organization and preparation go hand in hand with success. She spent many hours assisting me in my science fair project and guided me in channeling my passion in biology. Post-secondary education at Johns Hopkins University will help me achieve my academic goals because it is the top research and biology university with leading experts in genomics. JHU will provide a set of mentors and professors to support and guide me just as Dr. Fernandez did because I have seen how valuable mentorship and connections can be. I know that the program at JHU will support, inspire, and challenge me in my journey to explore the field of molecular biology.

Entering high school, I was oblivious to what I wanted to pursue in college. I remember plopping down in my biology class not knowing that biology would become one of my favorite subjects. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. Much of my expanding curiosity to explore the various fields of biology was sparked by my teacher, Dr. Fernandez. Her energetic bursts and passionate language on the scientific process left me in awe. She introduced to me a riveting world of biological development: gene editing. C-R-I-S-P-R was written in messy bold letters strewn across the white board. I mouthed “chrisper?” as I set foot in the classroom. “CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting the DNA sequence at specified points,” shouted Dr. Fernandez as she continued. Gene editing? Curing genetic diseases? Genetically modified humans? It was all too much for my freshman brain, so to the internet I went! I became both excited and terrified of the applications of CRISPR. Gene editing can be applied to help people with genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CRISPR engendered thoughts about the bioethics of gene editing. Should we modify how babies look or grow? I found these considerations deeply disturbing and intriguing. Dr. Fernandez sparked my interest to pursue biology as a career and I am unbelievably grateful for her guidance and presence in my high school journey. She inspired me to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I will also attend one of the most prestigious biology colleges: Johns Hopkins University. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

Volleyball tryout results have just been released. My previous volleyball club had been dissolved and my teammates and I were forced to join another volleyball program. I had been playing with the same set of guys for the past seven years; they were brothers to me. I open the tryout results: REJECTED. I hadn’t tried out for other teams because I thought my acceptance was guaranteed. I freeze in shock; I can’t believe it. Fortunately, I was offered a spot on the St. James U16 team. This team was the correct age group for me, but from the time I was ten I had been playing up a year. Losing the chance to play with my old teammates and playing a year down stung, but at least I could continue playing the sport I love. While my new team was not as competitive or skillful as my previous team, I felt no point in slacking off. I took this time to further develop my foundational skills. Great improvements were made in my defense, serving, communication, and leadership skills. I formed lasting friendships with many of my teammates. Being pushed outside of my comfort zone with new coaches and teammates gave me the opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Looking back on my volleyball journey over the past few years, I am surprised at how my rejections led to immense growth. Being rejected from my dream team was crushing and it hurt even more to be separated from my old teammates, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. I am proud of the volleyball player and person I have grown into, and I'm confident that my new perspective will help me face challenges in college and life.

With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needles’ incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but beneficial experience was due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross, how are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the American Red Cross’ biomedical department and started working in Maryland to recruit and train volunteers. The recruited volunteers would facilitate the blood drive while the medical staff draws blood. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to assist in blood drives was critical. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. These 40-50 minute long interviews were composed of extensive explanations of the intricate processes of a blood drive: how to register donors, how to assist the medical staff, how to organize the refreshments area, etc. I developed extensive knowledge about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. In addition, I gained a unique perspective of the inner workings of the American Red Cross: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different regions and departments of the organization. It makes me happy to know that every donation of blood can save three lives. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to support the American Red Cross and contribute to the betterment of my community.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needles’ incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but beneficial experience was due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. "Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross, how are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the American Red Cross’ biomedical department and started working in Maryland to recruit and train volunteers. The recruited volunteers would facilitate the blood drive while the medical staff draws blood. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to assist in blood drives was critical. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. These 40-50 minute long interviews were composed of extensive explanations of the intricate processes of a blood drive: how to register donors, how to assist the medical staff, how to organize the refreshments area, etc. I developed extensive knowledge about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. In addition, I gained a unique perspective of the inner workings of the American Red Cross: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different regions and departments of the organization. It makes me happy to know that every donation of blood can save three lives. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to support the American Red Cross and contribute to the betterment of my community.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needles’ incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but beneficial experience was due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross, how are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the American Red Cross’ biomedical department and started working in Maryland to recruit and train volunteers. The recruited volunteers would facilitate the blood drive while the medical staff draws blood. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to assist in blood drives was critical. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. These 40-50 minute long interviews were composed of extensive explanations of the intricate processes of a blood drive: how to register donors, how to assist the medical staff, how to organize the refreshments area, etc. I developed extensive knowledge about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. In addition, I gained a unique perspective of the inner workings of the American Red Cross: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different regions and departments of the organization. It makes me happy to know that every donation of blood can save three lives. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to support the American Red Cross and contribute to the betterment of my community.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needles’ incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but beneficial experience resulted from my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross, how are you today?” The start of every great interview on the Biomedical Onboarding and Training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the American Red Cross’ biomedical department and started working in Maryland to recruit and train volunteers. The recruited volunteers would facilitate the blood drive while the medical staff draws blood. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to assist in blood drives was critical. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. These 40-50 minute long interviews were composed of extensive explanations of the intricate processes of a blood drive: how to register donors, how to assist the medical staff, how to organize the refreshments area, etc. I developed extensive knowledge about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. In addition, I gained a unique perspective of the inner workings of the American Red Cross: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different regions and departments of the organization. It makes me happy to know that every donation of blood can save three lives. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to support the American Red Cross and contribute to the betterment of my community.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

My participation and leadership in the Rocketry Club has demonstrated my character as a mentor. I have participated in the Rocketry Club all four years of high school and in my junior year, I was selected to be a team lead. I mentored team members in simulating, building, and launching successful rockets. I then realized how my role had changed from a learner to a teacher. I set aside more time and effort to help new members learn and succeed, and made sure all members were included and involved. This leadership position allowed me to create an environment of growth and opportunity for my team. In my final year of high school, I became the president of the Rocketry Club. I was responsible for sending daily emails, coordinating schedules with students and teachers, creating multiple spreadsheets and powerpoints, and keeping the attention of a room full of students. I was able to expand the club to more than 50 students compared to the 20 students in the previous year. Through my position as president, I have helped expand the value of STEM to hundreds of students over the past couple years, assist others in finding their passion, and allow students to develop as scientists. With my new responsibilities, I was able to teach more students about the scientific process and mentor their development. My experience as a learner, a team lead, and the president of the Rocketry Club has allowed me to gain greater confidence in leadership roles and offer greater STEM opportunities for students. Through mentorship, I hope to foster students' passion for STEM and for learning.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

With every heart contraction and hand pump, blood poured into a small pint-sized plastic container. For the first time, I was giving blood. I could discern a small pulse at the needle’s incision point on my right elbow. This somewhat painful but important experience was all due to my discovery of the American Red Cross. “Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. I had applied to the American Red Cross Biomedical department because of my interest in pursuing biology as a career. I was hired and given the opportunity to work with a team in Maryland to support blood drive efforts. I was assigned to recruit blood donor ambassadors for blood drives. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. I was working about 5-10 hours each week. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position on the onboarding and training team, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings are organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. By going through the extensive processes, I realized how important it was to thoroughly train individuals and the value of cooperation and organization. I formed strong bonds with my peers and supervisors which allowed me to develop a greater connection to my work. Through my time with the Red Cross, I gained an understanding of the inner workings of the organization: recruitment of volunteers, blood programs and incentives, and communication between different departments of the organization. I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals, especially adults. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This was my first experience in a workplace, and it taught me that I can adapt to new environments and thrive. This experience showed me the impact of the Red Cross and biomedical assistance on people’s lives. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. My participation as a volunteer for the Red Cross and a blood donor opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed and saved through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I am usually one of the most enthusiastic players on the court and on the bench. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. Whenever a player is not playing their best, I always make sure to go up to them, give them a high-five, and tell them "No worries, let's go and win this. We got this." I know how they are feeling, because I have been in their shoes many, many times: it's just a part of playing sports. I have seen how encouraging words and attitudes can greatly influence the result of a match. Being a supportive teammate improves the attitude of the whole team. Even when I am on the bench, I love to cheer everyone on because it lets everyone enjoy each point a little more. Volleyball has taught me the value of empathy through cooperative efforts with my teammates, and I have gained invaluable interpersonal communication skills.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

One of my most impactful extracurriculars is my work for the American Red Cross. Because I want to pursue biology in college, I applied for the Red Cross and obtained a position on the Biomedical Onboarding and Training team. In my position, I interview, approve, and train volunteers on how to register donors and aid medical staff in a blood drive. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage due to people’s reluctance to donate blood. Therefore, getting volunteers to facilitate blood drives was critical. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. I was able to work with a diverse group of individuals towards the common goal of contributing to our community. With my work with the Red Cross, hopefully many lives will be saved through the donation of blood. As people get older, the need for blood in dire situations becomes very important. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it makes me happy to know my efforts contributed towards a beneficial cause.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

Entering high school, I was oblivious to what I wanted to pursue in college. I remember plopping down in my biology class not knowing that biology would become one of my favorite subjects. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. Much of my expanding curiosity to explore the various fields of biology was sparked by my teacher, Dr. Fernandez. Her energetic bursts and passionate language on the scientific process left me in awe. She introduced to me a riveting world of biological development: gene editing. C-R-I-S-P-R was written in messy bold letters strewn across the white board. I mouthed “chrisper?” as I set foot in the classroom. “CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting the DNA sequence at specified points,” shouted Dr. Fernandez as she continued. Gene editing? Curing genetic diseases? Genetically modified humans? It was all too much for my freshman brain, so to the internet I went! I became both excited and terrified of the applications of CRISPR. Gene editing can be applied to help people with genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CRISPR engendered thoughts about the bioethics of gene editing. Should we modify how babies look or grow? I found these considerations deeply disturbing and intriguing. Dr. Fernandez sparked my interest to pursue biology as a career and I am unbelievably grateful for her guidance and presence in my high school journey.

In my freshman year, I walked into the engineering classroom with excitement and anticipation to learn about rockets. The chaotic and crowded club was filled with many like-minded students. We learned about the rocket simulation software, specific construction techniques, the function and structure of rocket propulsion systems, and the impact of each adjustment on flight dynamics. Much of my growth was under the leadership and mentorship of upperclassmen and teachers. Their expertise helped expand my knowledge of rocketry and the engineering process. I also learned many lessons from my failures: incorrect part sizing, faulty motor assembly, center of gravity outside of stable range, and lack of communication. My first two years in rocketry were chapters of upward growth with occasional hiccups that deepened my understanding of rocketry. In my final year of high school, I became the president of the Rocketry Club. I quickly realized how difficult it is to run a fifty person organization. I had to send daily emails, coordinate with students and teachers, make multiple spreadsheets and powerpoints, and keep the attention of a room full of people. While extremely time-consuming, I am incredibly appreciative of the substantial responsibility my peers and teachers entrusted to me to run the club. As time went on, I became more comfortable and confident in the busy environment and my leadership role. While my freshman and sophomore years taught me the value of the scientific process, I grew just as much in my leadership roles. My experience as the Rocketry president gave me invaluable interpersonal communication and leadership skills.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. My teacher introduced to me a riveting world of biological development: gene editing. C-R-I-S-P-R was written in messy bold letters strewn across the white board. I mouthed “chrisper?” as I set foot in the classroom. “CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting the DNA sequence at specified points,” shouted Dr. Fernandez as she continued. Gene editing? Curing genetic diseases? Genetically modified humans? It was all too much for my freshman brain, so to the internet I went! I became both excited and terrified of the applications of CRISPR. Gene editing can be applied to help people with genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CRISPR engendered thoughts about the bioethics of gene editing. Should we modify how babies look or grow? I found these considerations deeply disturbing and intriguing. Dr. Fernandez sparked my interest to pursue biology as a career and I am unbelievably grateful for her guidance and presence in my high school journey. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

“Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the Red Cross Biomedical department and started working with a team that supports blood drive efforts in Maryland. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings were organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. Throughout my time at the Red Cross, I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it brings me joy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. It opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

“Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the Red Cross Biomedical department and started working with a team that supports blood drive efforts in Maryland. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings were organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. Throughout my time at the Red Cross, I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it brings me joy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. It opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

My freshman year biology teacher introduced me to the riveting world of biology. As I learned about the scientific process and various genres of science, my love of science began to bloom. To me, biology acts as a way to decipher the complex processes of everyday life. Through the application of biology, lives can be changed through genetic editing and biomedical discoveries. My love for biology has only grown in my AP Biology course. I continue to be fascinated by the intricacies of the field and the life changing innovations. I intend to attend a four-year college to explore the possible career paths in biology, more specifically a field that will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community. I aim to conduct research and find mentors to steer my development as a scientist. I am not completely sure the exact path I will follow, I know my future college will support, inspire, and challenge me in my exploration of learning.

Volleyball has always been a place for me to relax and compete. While those words seem diametrically opposed, I have found that my drive to become the best version of myself keeps me motivated in volleyball and in life. I have played volleyball for over 10 years and have faced many challenges and rejections. Being rejected from my dream team one year was crushing, but it gave me the strength to push on and succeed in new environments and situations. Volleyball showed me that rejections do not lead to the end but just points me to a different opportunity and another path towards growth. When I join new teams, I have to prove my worth to the coaches and earn my spot in the starting lineup. I always push my hardest and stay optimistic and supportive towards everyone, even if they could take my spot. I have found that a determined but encouraging attitude has led me to succeed, and helped me get the starting spot. I have made many close bonds with teammates and they have helped me grow as a player and an individual. I am grateful for all the ups and downs that I have experienced, because each triumph and failure leads to a better understanding of myself and a greater determination to succeed. Volleyball has taught me the value of resilient, cooperative, and an optimistic attitude.

“Hello, this is Jacob Yu from the American Red Cross. How are you today?” The start of every great interview on the biomedical onboarding and training team. Because I want to pursue a biology-related field, I applied to the Red Cross Biomedical department and started working with a team that supports blood drive efforts in Maryland. During the pandemic, hospitals experienced a nationwide blood shortage. My experience with the Red Cross motivated me to shine a light on this gaping unfilled necessity and contribute my efforts to mitigate the blood shortage. In my position, I interviewed, approved, and trained volunteers on how to register donors and assist medical staff at blood drives. Weekly meetings were organized with my supervisors and colleagues to plan future events and improve our process. Throughout my time at the Red Cross, I learned about conversing, emailing, and informing individuals. I gained confidence in concise communication with people of all ages and was able to work with a diverse group of individuals. I find my work extremely engaging and interesting and it brings me joy to know my time is put towards a beneficial cause. This experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue biomedical sciences in college. It opened my eyes to the complex and alluring world of health sciences and how lives can be changed through bio-technology. I look forward to using my skills in my future endeavors and I know the experience will guide me towards a career for the betterment of my community.