When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about Psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the Psychology class at my school, but due to my courseload, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches Psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. To accomplish my goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

I have always aspired to be a doctor. I think this comes from seeing the value of caring for people through medicine my entire life, as my mother is a registered nurse. She says I have been asking questions since I could speak, and I continue to ask questions to this day. I am a constant learner seeking information not just through school, but through experiences. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. As an example, when I volunteered as an orderly at a local hospital, I figured out the color of the scrubs that surgeons wore, walked up and introduced myself when they were on my floor, and asked if I could observe their surgeries. I was amazed at how receptive they were. Every one of them said yes, and it was an incredible, eye-opening experience to watch five surgeries, from amputation to hysterectomy. While I’m not sure what kind of doctor I want to be, surgery is high on my list. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. Even though it feels like I was the one who has inspired them, they have inspired me to work hard and make a difference in the lives of others. To accomplish my professional goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about Psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the Psychology class at my school, but due to my courseload, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches Psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors, not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. This curiosity led me to find a volunteering opportunity at the Good Samaritan Medical Center. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology. Although the concussion did take away sports from me for a while, I realized I needed to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Being a student athlete does not only mean that one must persevere physically. The mental challenge of a student athlete is part of everyday life. As I started to open my eyes and think about how much one injury has done for me, I soon noticed that even the bad can turn into good as a student athlete. As I was suffering from a brutal concussion that kept me out of sports for about a month, the pause helped me find myself and who I desire to be. At school and through sports, I’ve seen all kinds of family units and students/teammates with various levels of commitment. My immigrant heritage has taught me that if I work hard, treat people well and with respect, and work as a team, opportunities will arise, and I will know how to take advantage of them. To accomplish my professional goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

My faith-based family unit keeps me grounded and connected to my Haitian immigrant heritage. I’ve been raised in the work-hard culture of an immigrant family that appreciates the opportunities we have in America. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. What stuck out to me the most during this time of work was what my pastor had said to me a few weeks before. “To get the full effect of an antidote, you must add Jesus to it”. And that’s exactly what we did. We based the fundraiser off of the goodness of God and his mighty work in our lives. Faith has been a huge part of my family life and my friendships, so why not share it with the world? God’s Grace is more powerful than any anti-depressant one may take. Although the drug might help, it is important to realize that to feel true joy, you must place God in your heart. This has resonated with me ever since then. At school and through sports, I’ve seen all kinds of family units and students/teammates with various levels of commitment. My faith-based immigrant heritage has taught me that if I work hard, treat people well and with respect, and work as a team, opportunities will arise, and I will know how to take advantage of them.

When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about Psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the Psychology class at my school, but due to my courseload, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches Psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. To accomplish my goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

I have always aspired to be a doctor. I think this comes from seeing the value of caring for people through medicine my entire life, as my mother is a registered nurse. She says I have been asking questions since I could speak, and I continue to ask questions to this day. I am a constant learner seeking information not just through school, but through experiences. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. As an example, when I volunteered as an orderly at a local hospital, I figured out the color of the scrubs that surgeons wore, walked up and introduced myself when they were on my floor, and asked if I could observe their surgeries. I was amazed at how receptive they were. Every one of them said yes, and it was an incredible, eye-opening experience to watch five surgeries, from amputation to hysterectomy. While I’m not sure what kind of doctor I want to be, surgery is high on my list. To accomplish my goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college. While researching specific medical topics, I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fundraiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology.

My faith-based family unit keeps me grounded and connected to my Haitian immigrant heritage. I’ve been raised in the work-hard culture of an immigrant family that appreciates the opportunities we have in America. My parents and grandparents lead by example. My mother and father arrived in America at 16 with limited English, and they explained to my siblings and I that it is up to us to make use of the resources around us and have the work ethic to accomplish what we want to achieve a better life. My Grandfather is a cook at Pollo Tropical and was able to save enough to open a small market which my grandmother helps run. They’ve never had to tell me to work hard, it’s just natural in our family. I come from a family of five kids. My sisters and I utilize that work ethic academically, in sports, and in our career pursuits. While my brother is not as academically strong, he will labor physically longer than anyone I’ve ever seen. When we got two puppies, we naturally fell into a rhythm of responsibility each taking them for walks, feeding them and playing with them. We’ve never argued about chores because it’s inherent in us that we all chip in and do our part. Faith has also been a corner stone of our family foundation. We are an incredibly tight family unit that gives back to our community. My four siblings are my best friends. We look out for each other and attend each other’s games and activities. While our parents are at work, we coordinate drop-offs and pick-ups and make sure our younger siblings have homework done and start dinner. Four of us play basketball, and we will wait for each other to finish so we can all go home at the same time. As oldest brother it will be hard to leave my siblings behind. But, because our connection has been so strong, I know I will seek connections in college and in my career. At school and through sports, I’ve seen all kinds of family units and students/teammates with various levels of commitment. My immigrant heritage has taught me that if I work hard, treat people well and with respect, and work as a team, opportunities will arise, and I will know how to take advantage of them. Leadership can be demonstrated in more ways than one. Most people think of leadership as the team captain on a sports team or a manager in a job position. But, a leader can be more than that. I think the definition of leadership is to engage people in a unified way to accomplish things together. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. To accomplish my professional goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

Leadership can be demonstrated in more ways than one. Most people think of leadership as the team captain on a sports team or a manager in a job position. But, a leader can be more than that. I think the definition of leadership is to engage people in a unified way to accomplish things together. Leading can happen in multiple settings, including places like family, school programs, and communities. Leadership doesn’t always need to be a huge gesture or visible to many people, it can be as small as cooking for your brother because he is scared to burn himself. Leadership, to me, resonates as a mindset that can change another individual’s mindset. As a true leader, you should want to create more change seeking leaders. It is not always accomplished through words; most people learn from their peers through experiences and actions. So, character and humility are essential in building camaraderie and community. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. Even in the midst of an environment full of leaders, there are still things that need to be done. The Student Government at Cardinal Newman High School was given a specific task: to bring back school spirit. As a Vice President and 11th grade Representative, the pressure was on. We all came together to create the Activities Committee, which gave other people outside of the Student Government the opportunity to become involved and invested in school and sporting events. We had a spokesperson stand at the front of the student section to get them riled up. Another group of students spearheaded theme days and made announcements at lunch to motivate everyone to attend and participate. More and more people started showing up to games and having fun at school because leadership was extended beyond our small group. When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about Psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the Psychology class at my school, but due to my courseload, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches Psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. To accomplish my professional goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

I have always aspired to be a doctor. I think this comes from seeing the value of caring for people through medicine my entire life, as my mother is a registered nurse. She says I have been asking questions since I could speak, and I continue to ask questions to this day. I am a constant learner seeking information not just through school, but through experiences. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. As an example, when I volunteered as an orderly at a local hospital, I figured out the color of the scrubs that surgeons wore, walked up and introduced myself when they were on my floor, and asked if I could observe their surgeries. I was amazed at how receptive they were. Every one of them said yes, and it was an incredible, eye-opening experience to watch five surgeries, from amputation to hysterectomy. While I’m not sure what kind of doctor I want to be, surgery is high on my list. To accomplish my goal, I need to continue to do well in school, choose a pre-med program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships beyond the classroom to provide additional knowledge and perspective. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health fundraiser which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

Leadership can be demonstrated in more ways than one. Most people think of leadership as the team captain on a sports team or a manager in a job position. But, a leader can be more than that. I think the definition of leadership is to engage people in a unified way to accomplish things together. Leading can happen in multiple settings, including places like family, school programs, and communities. Leadership doesn’t always need to be a huge gesture or visible to many people, it can be as small as cooking for your brother because he is scared to burn himself. Leadership, to me, resonates as a mindset that can change another individual’s mindset. As a true leader, you should want to create more change seeking leaders. It is not always accomplished through words; most people learn from their peers through experiences and actions. So, character and humility are essential in building camaraderie and community. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. Even in the midst of an environment full of leaders, there are still things that need to be done. The Student Government at Cardinal Newman High School was given a specific task: to bring back school spirit. As a Vice President and 11th grade Representative, the pressure was on. We all came together to create the Activities Committee, which gave other people outside of the Student Government the opportunity to become involved and invested in school and sporting events. We had a spokesperson stand at the front of the student section to get them riled up. Another group of students spearheaded theme days and made announcements at lunch to motivate everyone to attend and participate. More and more people started showing up to games and having fun at school because leadership was extended beyond our small group. My faith -based family unit keeps me grounded and connected to my Haitian immigrant heritage. I’ve been raised in the work-hard culture of an immigrant family that appreciates the opportunities we have in America. I look forward to gaining experience both in and out of the classroom in college.

When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about Psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the Psychology class at my school, but due to my courseload, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches Psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non-profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology.

After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. I have always aspired to be a doctor. I think this comes from seeing the value of caring for people through medicine my entire life, as my mother is a registered nurse. She says I have been asking questions since I could speak, and I continue to ask questions to this day. I am a constant learner seeking information not just through school, but through experiences. While I am taking all the pre-requisite high school classes that I need to enter a pre-med college program, I also seek advice and knowledge from sources outside of school. I pebble any doctor I meet with tons of questions about how they decided on their specialty, what they like and don’t like about being a doctor, and advice they have for me. I believe it is important to gain a variety of perspectives as early, and as often, as possible to help me succeed in this challenging and exciting journey ahead of me. As an example, when I volunteered as an orderly at a local hospital, I figured out the color of the scrubs that surgeons wore, walked up and introduced myself when they were on my floor, and asked if I could observe their surgeries. I was amazed at how receptive they were. Every one of them said yes, and it was an incredible, eye-opening experience to watch five surgeries, from amputation to hysterectomy. While I’m not sure what kind of doctor I want to be, surgery is high on my list. Volunteering is leadership, and Leadership can be demonstrated in more ways than one. Most people think of leadership as the team captain on a sports team or a manager in a job position. But, a leader can be more than that. I think the definition of leadership is to engage people in a unified way to accomplish things together. Leading can happen in multiple settings, including places like family, school programs, and communities. Leadership doesn’t always need to be a huge gesture or visible to many people, it can be as small as cooking for your brother because he is scared to burn himself. Leadership, to me, resonates as a mindset that can change another individual’s mindset. As a true leader, you should want to create more change seeking leaders. It is not always accomplished through words; most people learn from their peers through experiences and actions. So, character and humility are essential in building camaraderie and community.

My faith-based family unit keeps me connected to my Haitian immigrant heritage. I’ve been raised in the work-hard culture of an immigrant family that appreciates the opportunities in America. My mother arrived at 16 with limited English, and she has explained to my siblings and me that it is up to us to make use of resources around us and have the work ethic to accomplish what we want. My father arrived at the age of 14, and works very hard to make sure that each one of us stays on track for bigger opportunities. My parents have never had to tell me to work hard, it’s just natural in our family. My 3 sisters and I utilize that work ethic academically, in sports, and in our career pursuits. While my brother is not as academically strong, he will labor physically longer than anyone I’ve ever seen. When we got two puppies, we naturally fell into a rhythm of responsibility each taking them for walks, feeding them and playing with them. We’ve never argued about chores because it is inherent in us that we all chip in and do our part. At school and through sports, I’ve seen all kinds of family units and students/teammates with various levels of commitment. My immigrant heritage has taught me that if I work hard, treat people well and with respect, and work as a team, opportunities will arise, and I will take advantage of them. To accomplish my medical based goal, I will continue to do well in school, choose a program that suites my curiosity, fosters a collaborative environment, and provides hands on experience. I will continue to seek mentors and internships that provide additional knowledge and perspective so I can become a compassionate, responsible medical professional.

Leadership can be demonstrated in more ways than one. Most people think of leadership as the team captain on a sports team or a manager in a job position. But, a leader can be more than that. I think the definition of leadership is to engage people in a unified way to accomplish things together. Leading can happen in multiple settings, including places like family, school programs, and communities. Leadership doesn’t always need to be a huge gesture or visible to many people, it can be as small as cooking for your brother because he is scared to burn himself. Leadership, to me, resonates as a mindset that can change another individual’s mindset. As a true leader, you should want to create more change seeking leaders. It is not always accomplished through words; most people learn from their peers through experiences and actions. So, character and humility are essential in building camaraderie and community. After starting a fundraiser for JED, a non profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens, something that stuck out to me was that most people who joined my pursuit were not inspired by what I had to say. I was too busy keeping things under control to talk “inspirationally” to anyone. People were simply joining in on my grit, compassion, humor, and ability to get things done. Fundraising, making posters and advertising, and moved more smoothly when all of us felt like leaders. Even in the midst of an environment full of leaders, there are still things that need to be done. The Student Government at Cardinal Newman High School was given a specific task: to bring back school spirit. As a Vice President and 11th grade Representative, the pressure was on. We all came together to create the Activities Committee, which gave other people outside of the Student Government the opportunity to become involved and invested in school and sporting events. We had a spokesperson stand at the front of the student section to get them riled up. Another group of students spearheaded theme days and made announcements at lunch to motivate everyone to attend and participate. More and more people started showing up to games and having fun at school because leadership was extended beyond our small group. I hope to bring my own ambition to the University of South Florida. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fund raiser at my school for a local mental health non- profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the Psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on a couple of sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor you must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology.

My faith-based family unit keeps me grounded and connected to my Haitian immigrant heritage. I’ve been raised in the work-hard culture of an immigrant family that appreciates the opportunities we have in America. My parents and grandparents lead by example. My mother arrived in America at 16 with limited English, and she has explained to my siblings and me that it is up to us to make use of the resources around us and have the work ethic to accomplish what we want and to achieve a better life. My grandfather is a cook at Pollo Tropical and was able to save enough to open a small market which my grandmother helps run. They’ve never had to tell me to work hard, it’s just natural in our family. I come from a family of five children. My sisters and I utilize that work ethic academically, in sports, and in our career pursuits. While my brother is not as academically strong, he will labor physically longer than anyone I’ve ever seen. When we got two puppies, we naturally fell into a rhythm of responsibility each taking them for walks, feeding them and playing with them. We’ve never argued about chores because it’s inherent in us that we all chip in and do our part. When I had a concussion during junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and took my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the psychology class at my school, but due to my course load, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fundraiser at my school for a local mental health non profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on several sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor one must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology.

A quick Google search reveals that a paperclip, in spiritual terms, embodies unity, strength, and resilience. Being such a small, trifling object, it is often overlooked for how much it holds together through everything. That is why paperclips absolutely terrify me and send a chill down my spine, as each symbol places utmost fear in my mind. Unity: Being born a silly, careless boy with his head in the clouds was dreadful for my mental health living in an immigrant household of seven. My dad, never failing to agitate the atmosphere, and my mom, constantly carrying the expectation of her ungrateful, selfish children to be perfect on her back. And, drumroll please, the superstitious five children who imagine their presence will ease tension and heal the wounds left on our egg shells. The smell of the infamous Haitian cuisine bouillon will forever resonate as the TV coming down with full force. It feels like a cold sore that will never go away. My parents are now sleeping in separate rooms. Even the usual “I love you” before leaving felt jittery. Maturing so young, my plus sized itchy from Itchy and Scratchy was so last year, but who else knows all my secrets? I was so afraid that this family would burst my remaining pieces of hope to finally bring us together. Strength: Coming back from my third trip to the hospital in three months, it felt as if even the perception of strength had been forgotten. It was like even confusion had been stripped away from me after unexplained rhabdomyolysis took away my junior basketball season. A caterpillar might have been able to move faster than my soul. The final remnants of hope were beginning to disappear. My carefree intentions are trying to be serious for once, but even as Let the Light in by Lana Del Rey starts to play, the lights become dimmer and my mind begins to put up the shutters before the hurricane. Hoping to finally find peace by lying down on my bed to fall asleep, the sharp metal from a torn paperclip pierces me. “DAISY!” How did my dog remind me of every trauma ever? Dogs are not given that responsibility; the only thing they are allowed to do is eat grass when told not to and act as military personnel when a guest arrives. Everything is rushing back to me; I can feel my nervous system clock back in for work. With a heart as heavy as steel, I throw the blanket over me and it molds into a cocoon. Resilience: I came across some of the greatest people in my lifetime. People who never fail to make me laugh, and people who understand me for who I am. Even when it feels impossible to find my inner strength again, I am able to push through adversity and stay resilient when it comes to helping others. My resilience helps me become a true leader, and the burning urge to advocate for mental health becomes reality. Camaraderie exists in the walls of my family after we all agreed to spend more time together and pursue leisure activities. The light starts shining through the cocoon, a different shade than before. I let the light in, and it's beautiful. I can stretch my arms in the morning with wings like a butterfly. Fear lives in me no more. I can walk around knowing that I don't have to look for paperclips among other things. I am the steel of the paperclip that is so heavy. I am the new shade of light that not only brings but holds together. I reflect on how my life long journey of healing motivates me to heal a community. That is why I am no longer afraid of paperclips. My own life struggles are the reason behind why I have chosen the medical route to become a psychiatrist and help individuals with mental illness. By being involved in my community, I can help others with their own mental struggles. "Always leave somewhere better than you found it". These were wise words given to me by my grandmother. This rule now applies to my everyday life. If I am given food, I must always say thank you, and it does not matter if I liked it. If I am the one to use up the toilet paper, I must be the one to replace it, no matter the cost. I hope to make it my own duty to make the world a better place, and leave it better than I found it.

When I was diagnosed with a concussion during my junior year, it affected my ability to perform academically and had taken my sports outlet away from me. This took a toll on my mental health and made me curious about psychology. In my quest to learn more, I wanted to sign up for the psychology class at my school, but due to my course load, I couldn’t take it. Not to be deterred, I spoke with my Honors Law teacher who also teaches psychology. I expressed my interest in the topic and my frustration with not being able to take the course. I asked if it was possible for him to provide me with the reading, assignments, and lecture notes so that I could further my knowledge and essentially take the course on my own. I met with him every day after my Law class to discuss the material. I immediately knew that these were the steps I wanted to take into the future. One-on-one, I was able to have more in depth conversations than I would have been able to in the actual class, and it has been one of my favorite academic experiences in high school so far. I learned that with psychology, observation is critical, and thoughts lead to behaviors not just feelings. I believe those will be important insights for me to become a compassionate and effective doctor. I became interested in learning about how to help other students overcome difficult circumstances and created a fundraiser at my school for a local mental health non profit which not only raised money but also made other students aware that help was available. While volunteering as an orderly at a local hospital, I introduced myself to one of the psychiatrists, explained that I wanted to be a doctor and felt learning as much as I can about mental health would be helpful. With permission, he allowed me to listen in on several sessions, which have given me additional insight. While I know STEM courses are essential for pre-med, I also believe that to be a good doctor, one must be a good communicator, and I plan on continuing to learn as much as I can about psychology. If the goals that I have set do not scare me, they are not big enough. I believe the future holds many great things as long as I continue to persevere and give back to the community.

A quick Google search reveals that a paperclip, in spiritual terms, embodies unity, strength, and resilience. Being such a small, trifling object, it is often overlooked for how much it holds together through everything. That is why paperclips absolutely terrify me and send a chill down my spine, as each symbol places utmost fear in my mind. Unity: Being born a silly, careless boy with his head in the clouds was dreadful for my mental health living in an immigrant household of seven. My dad, never failing to agitate the atmosphere, and my mom, constantly carrying the expectation of her ungrateful, selfish children to be perfect on her back. And, drumroll please, the superstitious five children who imagine their presence will ease tension and heal the wounds left on our egg shells. The smell of the infamous Haitian cuisine bouillon will forever resonate as the TV coming down with full force. It feels like a cold sore that will never go away. My parents are now sleeping in separate rooms. Even the usual “I love you” before leaving felt jittery. Maturing so young, my plus sized itchy from Itchy and Scratchy was so last year, but who else knows all my secrets? I was so afraid that this family would burst my remaining pieces of hope to finally bring us together. Strength: Coming back from my third trip to the hospital in three months, it felt as if even the perception of strength had been forgotten. It was like even confusion had been stripped away from me after unexplained rhabdomyolysis took away my junior basketball season. A caterpillar might have been able to move faster than my soul. The final remnants of hope were beginning to disappear. My carefree intentions are trying to be serious for once, but even as Let the Light in by Lana Del Rey starts to play, the lights become dimmer and my mind begins to put up the shutters before the hurricane. Hoping to finally find peace by laying down on my bed to fall asleep, the sharp metal from a torn paper clip pierces me. “DAISY!” How did my dog remind me of every trauma ever? Dogs are not given that responsibility; the only thing they are allowed to do is eat grass when told not to and act as military personnel when a guest arrives. Everything is rushing back to me; I can feel my nervous system clock back in for work. With a heart as heavy as steel, I throw the blanket over me and it molds into a cocoon. Resilience: I come across some of the greatest people in my lifetime. People who never fail to make me laugh, and people who understand me for who I am. Even when it feels impossible to find my inner strength again, I am able to push through adversity and stay resilient when it comes to helping others. My resilience helps me become a true leader, and the burning urge to advocate for mental health becomes reality. Camaraderie exists in the walls of my family after we all agreed to spend more time together and pursue leisure activities. The light starts shining through the cocoon, a different shade than before. I let the light in, and it's beautiful. I can stretch my arms in the morning with wings like a butterfly.

Not many rainbows are shown on the walls of a small parochial Catholic school, but there is one hiding behind a blue polo and khaki pants that radiates the hallway and everyone in it. The common implication of being "straight and white" is so definitively portrayed between these walls. The false, infinite notion has followed me for a long time and has served as a huge loss, but has made me into who I am today. The antidote to the pain lives within the pain. My acting career started just over two years ago, with auditions being the first day of freshman year, sensing what the crowd liked and following the ideologies of the audience. Not very long after, I was cast! A relatively nice group of people showed up. The generally asked question, "Are you gay?" came up several times per day. To alleviate the audience, I disregarded the question, though the rumors weren't even true. As life went on, I met more people during the play. People with the same mindset, end goal, and often music taste came along. Rap, Christian music, and r&b all in one existed beyond the realm of me. The idea of being "different" didn't seem so bad after all. People might misunderstand you, but life is too precious to be spent at war with yourself. Nowhere did the questions and assumptions stop, but the mountain did not need to be conquered to take the first step. This was my grand finale. An official end to my acting career. After a long and patient journey, my resignation letter is now complete and includes all the good and bad times of the past two years. Surrounded by friends who care for me, love me, and, most importantly, love as He did, I don't need to worry about personal dismay for the first time in a long time. And then my acting career ended. The last scene was a chart-topping hit. The grueling darkness was lifted that day. The rain came over Cardinal Newman High School and a rainbow was visible. It was refreshing, and it felt free. "And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." The same God who paints beautiful rainbows and sunsets is the same God who created me. The same God who reassured me when I was buried in the darkness is the same God who lifted me out. Acting is all about giving it your all, and during my inevitable career, I was uneasy about taking the next strides. Instead, it taught me. It taught me to reach for every possible opportunity: scholarships, volunteering, reaching out to others, and much more. It taught me that every opportunity that I can get my hands on opens the door for a new opportunity, whether it's sports-related, academic, or in society. Opportunities like this can help me overcome various challenges and help me pursue my endmost goal. You and your actions can determine what your future life will be like, and in this big play, there's an endless amount of freedom and opportunities. That is what makes it enjoyable.

When people use the term “student-athlete”, they put the student before the athlete for a reason. Being on top of your grades is crucial for an athlete to participate in a competitive sport. There were a handful of things I had to realize to keep myself motivated and excel in both the classroom and on the court. Ever since I was young, I’ve always had this gut feeling that I wasn’t going to leave Earth without being a concrete change for generations to come. My parents have always told me that I have a brain that could be useful, no matter what path I take. Whether it’s pursuing a degree in mental health, or helping repair teeth, finding a way to positively influence the world is the ultimate objective. Staying on top of my grades and staying focused is the least I could possibly do. I know the work and effort that I am putting in now will eventually contribute towards the endmost goal. Even through education, helping and supporting the less fortunate is a way to not only make a change, but also to spread acts of kindness. When you try to be the good, you see the good. Being a student-athletes passes on an effect on you that strives for you to be the best version of yourself. Being an athlete has very well shaped me into who I am today. I have faced lots of different trials and adversity on and off the court. One pill that was hard for me to swallow was ignoring the temporary glory that the social media platforms display to the public. Constantly looking forward to be posted on social media would eventually find its way into my performance. Recurring anxiety from things that happen outside of basketball and the instant gratification that the public can give you started to alter the way that I would play. What I’ve come to realize is, whatever it is, do it for yourself. Certain things including exercise, learning, rest, and leisure can always be done for the sake of seeing yourself improve and grow. Coaches, teammates, and other individuals have said things that make me feel helpless, like questioning my music interests, my playing style, making inappropriate jokes, etc. I have come to realize that it hurts nobody else but me to let it run my mood. The only person who can respond in an appropriate manner is me. Great amounts of growth are made that cannot be seen. This helped me in everyday life as well. Knowing I can overcome any other problems or issues assists me to keep my mental boat steady, whether it is a situation at home, school, or l relating to basketball. The amount of money, time, tears, and hardships spent on an orange ball to go through a netting is unbearable, so why not have a little fun with it? There is a time to buckle down and handle business, but the sport is supposed to bring joy. It’s important to find what brings you joy and get yourself there. You cannot determine your happiness on your sports performance. It may be a bad game, but it is certainly not a bad career. Everything happens at the right time, even though it might not feel like it. Staying positive is the main principle when it comes down to helping yourself and others. The external voices, like social media and individuals, can become so loud that it is hard to hear your internal one. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom and success.

Not many rainbows are shown on the walls of a small parochial Catholic school, but there is one hiding behind a blue polo and khaki pants that radiates the hallway and everyone in it. The common implication of being "straight and white" is so definitively portrayed between these walls. The false, infinite notion has followed me for a long time and has served as a huge loss, but has made me into who I am today. The antidote to the pain lives within the pain. My acting career started just over two years ago, with auditions being the first day of freshman year, sensing what the crowd liked and following the ideologies of the audience. Not very long after, I was cast! A relatively nice group of people showed up. The generally asked question, "Are you gay?" came up several times per day. To alleviate the audience, I disregarded the question, though the rumors weren't even true. As life went on, I met more people during the play. People with the same mindset, end goal, and often music taste came along. Rap, Christian music, and r&b all in one existed beyond the realm of me. The idea of being "different" didn't seem so bad after all. People might misunderstand you, but life is too precious to be spent at war with yourself. Nowhere did the questions and assumptions stop, but the mountain did not need to be conquered to take the first step. This was my grand finale. An official end to my acting career. After a long and patient journey, my resignation letter is now complete and includes all the good and bad times of the past two years. Surrounded by friends who care for me, love me, and, most importantly, love as He did, I don't need to worry about personal dismay for the first time in a long time. And then my acting career ended. The last scene was a chart-topping hit. The grueling darkness was lifted that day. The rain came over Cardinal Newman High School and a rainbow was visible. It was refreshing, and it felt free. "And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." The same God who paints beautiful rainbows and sunsets is the same God who created me. The same God who reassured me when I was buried in the darkness is the same God who lifted me out. Acting is all about giving it your all, and during my inevitable career, I was uneasy about taking the next strides. Instead, it taught me. It taught me to reach for every possible opportunity: scholarships, volunteering, reaching out to others, and much more. It taught me that every opportunity that I can get my hands on opens the door for a new opportunity, whether it's sports-related, academic, or in society. Opportunities like this can help me overcome various challenges and help me pursue my endmost goal. You and your actions can determine what your future life will be like, and in this big play, there's an endless amount of freedom and opportunities. That is what makes it enjoyable.

Not many rainbows are shown on the walls of a small parochial Catholic school, but there is one hiding behind a blue polo and khaki pants that radiates the hallway and everyone in it. The common implication of being "straight and white" is so definitively portrayed between these walls. The false, infinite notion has followed me for a long time and has served as a huge loss, but has made me into who I am today. The antidote to the pain lives within the pain. My acting career started just over two years ago, with auditions being the first day of freshman year, sensing what the crowd liked and following the ideologies of the audience. Not very long after, I was cast! A relatively nice group of people showed up. The generally asked question, "Are you gay?" came up several times per day. To alleviate the audience, I disregarded the question, though the rumors weren't even true. As life went on, I met more people during the play. People with the same mindset, end goal, and often music taste came along. Rap, Christian music, and r&b all in one existed beyond the realm of me. The idea of being "different" didn't seem so bad after all. People might misunderstand you, but life is too precious to be spent at war with yourself. Nowhere did the questions and assumptions stop, but the mountain did not need to be conquered to take the first step. This was my grand finale. An official end to my acting career. After a long and patient journey, my resignation letter is now complete and includes all the good and bad times of the past two years. Surrounded by friends who care for me, love me, and, most importantly, love as He did, I don't need to worry about personal dismay for the first time in a long time. And then my acting career ended. The last scene was a chart-topping hit. The grueling darkness was lifted that day. The rain came over Cardinal Newman High School and a rainbow was visible. It was refreshing, and it felt free. "And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." The same God who paints beautiful rainbows and sunsets is the same God who created me. The same God who reassured me when I was buried in the darkness is the same God who lifted me out. Acting is all about giving it your all, and during my inevitable career, I was uneasy about taking the next strides. Instead, it taught me. It taught me to reach for every possible opportunity: scholarships, volunteering, reaching out to others, and much more. It taught me that every opportunity that I can get my hands on opens the door for a new opportunity, whether it's sports-related, academic, or in society. Opportunities like this can help me overcome various challenges and help me pursue my endmost goal. You and your actions can determine what your future life will be like, and in this big play, there's an endless amount of freedom and opportunities. That is what makes it enjoyable.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryl. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself with my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me to realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know. The heartbreaking thought of seeing a number of other people go through similar trials gives me motivation to help others win their own mental illness battle and shine through adversity.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryl. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself with my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me to realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryl. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself with my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me to realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryl. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself with my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me to realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryls. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself, because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have definitely learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty that you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through the trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you really let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know.

It’s 11:30 at night on June 17th, 2022. I lay in my room with tears rolling down my face. In my hands are two pill bottles, Advil and Benadryl. The feeling of instant regret eats me up inside as I finish taking 13 Advil pills and 4 Benadryls. I realized this wasn’t the way I wanted to go out. Praying to God I would survive this, I think to myself 13 reasons why I shouldn’t survive. Only coming up with eight, I told myself this was God’s way of telling me I need to be here. I put the caps back on the bottles and go to sleep. I wake up on Saturday at 3:36 p.m. I get up and feel sharp pain running through my body. I ignore the pain and fall straight to the floor and I start sobbing. I immediately start thanking God for waking me up. Telling myself I wouldn’t allow myself to be like this, I make a promise to help myself for the better. I was going to help myself my peace. I just needed a place to start. The rest of the day goes by and all I do is ponder. Ponder about what’s next. If I really wanted to find my happiness, my peace, I would have to look for it in other things. What really made me happy and at peace? Well, running with the sound of relatable music does. What about alone time at the beach during sunset hour? With that, I’ve come to realize that whatever you do, do it for yourself! Whether it’s leisure, rest, exercise, healing, or learning, approach it with a sense of bettering yourself. This led me realize that I needed to help myself do things from love, not for love. When we try to act from love, we will attract love. When we act for love, we tend to chase it away. We only find ourselves in a loving place when we come from a loving place within. It’s hard to do so when you think you pour out all of your love and your energy to make others feel happy. It’s time to say thanks to yourself, because you deserve it. Only you have been there for you. One thing that I have definitely learned is that life is too short to be spent at war with yourself. Life is filled with all sorts of challenges and lessons. The further you push yourself to go, the more beauty that you will help yourself see. Take things one day at a time, and everything else falls into place. Find joy along the journey. Growing up in a church makes you feel like you would never have to feel any type of adversity along the way. It is the complete opposite. Learning to face adversity as well as staying strong in your faith is a challenge that most give up on. What I’ve realized is beautiful flowers grow through the trials and tribulations. Adversity is certainly not the enemy, but it is an opportunity to grow. Eight reasons, eight realizations, and eight months later, I feel the most peace and the most happiness that I have ever felt. When you really let go of who you thought you were, you become who your heart wants you to be. One day, I hope to use my knowledge and help others who are struggling to find the person that they destine to be. In the end, the real secret to having it all is knowing what to do, and I hope to share all that I know.

When people use the term “student-athlete”, they put the student before the athlete for a reason. Being on top of your grades is crucial for an athlete to participate in a competitive sport. There were a handful of things I had to realize to keep myself motivated and excel in both the classroom and on the court. Ever since I was young, I’ve always had this gut feeling that I wasn’t going to leave Earth without being a concrete change for generations to come. My parents have always told me that I have a brain that could be useful, no matter what path I take. Whether it’s pursuing a degree in mental health, or helping repair teeth, finding a way to positively influence the world is the ultimate objective. Staying on top of my grades and staying focused is the least I could possibly do. I know the work and effort that I am putting in now will eventually contribute towards the endmost goal. Even through education, helping and supporting the less fortunate is a way to not only make a change, but also to spread acts of kindness. When you try to be the good, you see the good. Being a student-athletes passes on an effect on you that strives for you to be the best version of yourself. Being an athlete has very well shaped me into who I am today. I have faced lots of different trials and adversity on and off the court. One pill that was hard for me to swallow was ignoring the temporary glory that the social media platforms display to the public. Constantly looking forward to be posted on social media would eventually find its way into my performance. Recurring anxiety from things that happen outside of basketball and the instant gratification that the public can give you started to alter the way that I would play. What I’ve come to realize is, whatever it is, do it for yourself. Certain things including exercise, learning, rest, and leisure can always be done for the sake of seeing yourself improve and grow. Coaches, teammates, and other individuals have said things that make me feel helpless, like questioning my music interests, my playing style, making inappropriate jokes, etc. I have come to realize that it hurts nobody else but me to let it run my mood. The only person who can respond in an appropriate manner is me. Great amounts of growth is made that is not seen. This helped me in everyday life as well. Knowing I can overcome any other problems or issues assists me to keep my mental boat steady, whether it is a situation at home, school, or l relating to basketball. The amount of money, time, tears, and hardships spent on an orange ball to go through a netting is unbearable, so why not have a little fun with it? There is a time to buckle down and handle business, but the sport is supposed to bring joy. It’s important to find what brings you joy and get yourself there. You cannot determine your happiness on your sports performance. It may be a bad game, but it is certainly not a bad career. Everything happens at the right time, even though it might not feel like it. Staying positive is the main principle when it comes down to helping yourself and others. The external voices, like social media and individuals, can become so loud that it is hard to hear your internal one. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom and success.

When people use the term “student-athlete”, they put the student before the athlete for a reason. Being on top of your grades is crucial for an athlete to participate in a competitive sport. There were a handful of things I had to realize to keep myself motivated and excel in both the classroom and on the court. Ever since I was young, I’ve always had this gut feeling that I wasn’t going to leave Earth without being a concrete change for generations to come. My parents have always told me that I have a brain that could be useful, no matter what path I take. Whether it’s pursuing a degree in mental health, or helping repair teeth, finding a way to positively influence the world is the ultimate objective. Staying on top of my grades and staying focused is the least I could possibly do. I know the work and effort that I am putting in now will eventually contribute towards the endmost goal. Even through education, helping and supporting the less fortunate is a way to not only make a change, but also to spread acts of kindness. When you try to be the good, you see the good. Being an athlete has very well shaped me into who I am today. I have faced lots of different trials and adversity on and off the court. One pill that was hard for me to swallow was ignoring the temporary glory that the social media platforms display to the public. Constantly looking forward to be posted on social media would eventually find its way into my performance. Recurring anxiety from things that happen outside of basketball and the instant gratification that the public can give you started to alter the way that I would play. What I’ve come to realize is, whatever it is, do it for yourself. Certain things including exercise, learning, rest, and leisure can always be done for the sake of seeing yourself improve and grow. Coaches, teammates, and other individuals have said things that make me feel helpless, like questioning my music interests, my playing style, making inappropriate jokes, etc. I have come to realize that it hurts nobody else but me to let it run my mood. The only person who can respond in an appropriate manner is me. Great amounts of growth is made that is not seen. This helped me in everyday life as well. Knowing I can overcome any other problems or issues assists me to keep my mental boat steady, whether it is a situation at home, school, or l relating to basketball. The amount of money, time, tears, and hardships spent on an orange ball to go through a netting is unbearable, so why not have a little fun with it? There is a time to buckle down and handle business, but the sport is supposed to bring joy. It’s important to find what brings you joy and get yourself there. You cannot determine your happiness on your sports performance. It may be a bad game, but it is certainly not a bad career. Everything happens at the right time, even though it might not feel like it. Staying positive is the main principle when it comes down to helping yourself and others. The external voices, like social media and individuals, can become so loud that it is hard to hear your internal one. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom and success.

I am the odd one out when it comes to music. I have been asked numerous times why my music taste is the way it is, and sometimes I ask myself that question too. The song Tek it by Cafuné explains that pretty well. “Where did you learn what it means to reciprocate? And how much can I be expected to tolerate?” Looking at this verse makes me ask myself, how much am I supposed to tolerate? I’ve shown my gratitude and commitment for so many things, so how much longer until I can finally get a break from all of the trials and tribulations of life? The chorus speaks to me like it knows me and my backstory. “I watch the moon, let it run my mood, cant stop thinking of you”. There are times where I hear something that I do not want to hear and I will let it determine my mood for the day. Yeah, we started off great, and we were on the same page, but even when I am opening doors for new people, I am also closing them. That’s the truth, but saying it to you would do no good. You really just can’t call a spade a spade. One thing I know for sure is that even though a few times you made yourself visible in my mind, it was nice knowing you. I’ll be moving on.