“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I definitely didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen and running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the amount of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness program at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshman and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. If I didn’t have my experience in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career and major in biological sciences. I learned that I am not just my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student which is something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen which I lacked my freshman year. Mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and motivates me to help others find their own self worth and personal success.

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I definitely didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. If I didn’t have my experience in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue a career in the medical field. With scholarships, I will be able to not only attend undergraduate school but also graduate school to help others in California with mental health disorders. Through this experience, I've learned how to be an advocate and mentor of young freshmen. I plan to take this in my career through mentoring others has developed into a skill that motivates me to help others find their self-worth and personal success in underserved areas in California.

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. If I didn’t have my experience in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career. I learned that I am not just my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high-achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student which is something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen which I lacked during my freshman year. Mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and motivates me to help others find their self-worth and personal success.

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. If I didn’t have my experience in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career. I learned that I am not just my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high-achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student which is something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen which I lacked during my freshman year. Mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and motivates me to help others find their self-worth and personal success.

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. I can’t see myself without that experience. How ignorant would I have been if I didn’t go? Or worse: would I be dead? Without it, I never would have created a wellness branch with my school’s freshman mentorship program, leading wellness sessions with freshman classes and helping them better understand how to deal with stressful situations. Without it, I would never have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career. I learned more about myself after that, and a reminder flashed in my head. I am not only my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student. Something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen. Something I lacked my freshman year. Helping and mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and to recognize my self-worth by showing others theirs. That night in Oregon was one of the worst days I had to endure, but I can’t help but think what my life would be today without the words “booty juiced.”

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. I can’t see myself without that experience. How ignorant would I have been if I didn’t go? Or worse: would I be dead? Without it, I never would have created a wellness branch with my school’s freshman mentorship program, leading wellness sessions with freshman classes and helping them better understand how to deal with stressful situations. Without it, I would never have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career. I learned more about myself after that, and a reminder flashed in my head. I am not only my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student. Something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen. Something I lacked my freshman year. Helping and mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and to recognize my self-worth by showing others theirs. That night in Oregon was one of the worst days I had to endure, but I can’t help but think what my life would be today without the words “booty juiced.”

“Booty juiced.” This was one of the first things I learned when I entered a psych ward. I was required to be there for at least 72 hours, or until I stopped feeling suicidal. The year was 2020. The pandemic. After waiting in the ER, I took a ride in an ambulance to an unknown place; later, I learned it was a psych ward. I didn’t know what would be there, who I’d meet, and I didn’t know what “booty juiced” meant, a term used when a patient gets so rowdy they have to be injected with a tranquilizer. However, the psych ward didn’t help me with my coping skills; it was the aftercare: 18 months of therapy. I created connections with amazing therapists who cared about me and helped show me coping mechanisms that weren't using self-harm. Every August, I reflect on that time. It’s hard to believe now that my time in the psych ward was over three years ago. Now for the past two summers, I've been mentoring freshmen, running the freshman orientation at my school. I am their first connection and introduction to their next four years of life. As a result of the number of fights and drug use among freshmen, I created the first wellness session at our school for the freshman class to learn how to handle stressful situations. With the counseling team, we made an agenda that helped them identify challenging situations, what are some they have faced, and how they should handle them. The first wellness sessions were rough at the start; however, I was able to make a few connections with the freshmen and make them aware of how to act under stress. For the upcoming spring, I plan to implement it in a more subtle way that helps freshmen have fun while learning how to take care of themselves. I enjoy that community service allows individuals creative outlets to help people in a variety of ways. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it falls under the lines of helping others. If I didn’t have my experience in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have seen this psychiatric system, which has drawn me to pursue it as a career. I learned that I am not just my illness, and I am not defined by major depressive disorder. I’m an AP student, a high-achieving student, an involved student, a winning student, a leading student, and eventually a college student which is something I thought I could never do. I’m an advocate and mentor of young freshmen which I lacked during my freshman year. Mentoring others has developed into a skill to keep me going in life and motivates me to help others find their self-worth and personal success.

Muhammad Ali once said "I told myself I was the greatest, even before I knew I was." For me Muhammad Ali was the figure I thought when people said confidence. It's not cocky but it's not toning yourself down to comfort or to accommodate others or their beliefs, it was practicing self-care. I was never known for my confidence, something bullying and society standards did to me. Even with good grades I wasn't confident, even with compliments, or awards it didn't change that. What did increase it was beginning to start self-care habits. It's a journey I'm not there yet but I know I will be. Change isn't spontaneous, it takes time. In the present day, I don't like to put myself down. Mantras help, talking to yourself, and not letting your negative conscious help. Daily positive affirmations are a key factor in my process of being more confident in myself, especially practicing the concept of mindfulness. Muhammad Ali showed me confidence is bravery, self-care, and a positive, it isn't arrogant, it's bold and everyday I remind myself that in order to be more confident through time.

Not even a mile out yet and it's broken... for the third time... in the same area. My season is over, I won't be able to run ever again like I used to. This is what I thought when I broke my foot for the third time in the same area while running with my cross country team. I didn't know that I would persevere, that I’d develop a growth mindset and I wasn't aware that one day I'd run again, it'd take time but it would happen and it did. The second and third time I broke my foot I cried, not because of pain but because of frustration. How could this happen again, did the world not want me to run? What do I have to live for now? Doctor visits were long and boring. Foot pain never stopped and it made it more difficult to recover and get back into physical activities. The first break I received poor healthcare, the second time I finally got a cast and physical therapy, the third time it was crutches in the school hallways and physical therapy again. Overall, the third fracture/break was the hardest since I was actually in a sport and find something I enjoyed doing. I didn't think the tears, sweat, and pain would lead to anything, all I thought was this was over, but it wasn't. Why? Because I formed a growth mindset. I did physical therapy daily, I worked on my core when I could, I started reading books again and before I knew I was back and the track again. Why? I persevered, I didn't stop and thanks to that I'm back doing sports again.

I wake up and I can't walk, my doctor said not for two weeks. My motivation is obliterated. What is my motivation Mom? She says to get an education, to do better than me, go to college, you'll run again before you know it. I didn't believe her. My motivation began to grow with each doctor visit. My daily basis motivation was to run again, to let myself fly in nature. So I began to lift weights, doing physical therapy exercises everyday, making sure I take my vitamins, getting in more leafy greens, and making a commitment to a new healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. Through the pain, the crying, even weight gain, and not being able to run for months I remembered the word someday. Someday I will run again, someday I will be able to fly and I did. "I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls is part of my plan for giving back to the community. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one.The fate ahead is unknown but I know that the plan is to do something big. My favorite way to give back to the community is in actions, not just words. Giving others food or toys may seem simple, it's common to have but not everyone has it. I see the impact I have on people when they are given something, it's not just words of kindness, it's an act of kindness. Every thank you, the tears, the appreciation shows how I helped others by doing something, thus this is my favorite way to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving people the simple things of life knowing that they've been given something that will help them. When I actually do something I know there will be a result, I know that a contribution is being made. Most of all, my favorite way of helping others is one on one to establish a personal connection with them, letting them know they're not alone and everything will be okay. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. This is a bold standard and struggle will be inevitable however the struggle means that you're working hard and putting in effort. As long as you try that's what matters and I want others to know that they can do this too. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Change is good and I want my legacy to have contributed to change.

She looked at the gifts and cried. Her eyes showed not only her appreciation but her hardship. This was the community being a community. Communities others through actions, not just words. Giving others food or toys may seem simple, it's common to have but not everyone has it. I see the impact it on people when they are given something, it's not just words of kindness, it's an act of kindness. Every thank you, the tears, the appreciation shows how I helped others by doing something, thus this is my favorite way to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving people the simple things of life knowing that they've been given something that will help them. When I actually do something I know there will be a result, I know that a contribution is being made. Most of all, my favorite way of helping others is one on one to establish a personal connection with them, letting them know they're not alone and everything will be okay.

"Hey Mom, let's go to a WNBA game, all my friends have been to one." You don't really hear this, this is something most kids and even older people don't know about. Women in general in sports are targets for jokes and the beginning of bigotry. I've seen it and I've heard it. In my career I'd like to change these things. Nearly half of athletes are female and they receive 4% of coverage. It's not just society's fault it's the promoters, people behind the scenes, the media. Being in this field with the goal to change the statistics is certainly one of my dreams for my future career. Overall, I want there to be more encouragement and representation for all genders to join sports, it boosts confidence and is a way to gain leadership skills and establish connections with your peers. All in all, this goal connects with my dream to inspire the youth by my actions.

"I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls embodies the legacy I want to leave. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one.The fate ahead is unknown but I know that the plan is to do something big. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. This is a bold standard and struggle will be inevitable however the struggle means that you're working hard and putting in effort. As long as you try that's what matters and I want others to know that they can do this too. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Change is good and I want my legacy to have contributed to change.

Walking inside a library seemed new but I’ve done it my whole life. A library had a feeling of home even though it wasn’t my house. Now, inhaling air outside (masked) and seeing my peers enjoy themselves with skating I feel free from the isolated world. No need to check over my shoulder, I’m in the moment. Cameras aren’t off, we’re together in person. Break out groups is a rare term used, they’re called group discussion. In 2021 we have the chance to do what we thought was so normal but was easily taken away. This is a feeling of what used to be but still will never be the same. I see now that love and social interaction can be someone’s only way for living, that’s me... that’s me forever. Skating, hugging, laughing, joking, messing around, even all the kids being dumb and getting high. I finally felt like a teenager again and I loved it.

"I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls embodies the legacy I want to leave. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one.The fate ahead is unknown but I know that the plan is to do something big. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. This is a bold standard and struggle will be inevitable however the struggle means that you're working hard and putting in effort. As long as you try that's what matters and I want others to know that they can do this too. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Change is good and I want my legacy to have contributed to change.

She looked at the gifts and cried. Her eyes showed not only her appreciation but her hardship. My favorite way to help others is in actions, not just words. Giving others food or toys may seem simple, it's common to have but not everyone has it. I see the impact I have on people when they are given something, it's not just words of kindness, it's an act of kindness. Every thank you, the tears, the appreciation shows how I helped others by doing something, thus this is my favorite way to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving people the simple things of life knowing that they've been given something that will help them. When I actually do something I know there will be a result, I know that a contribution is being made. Most of all, my favorite way of helping others is one on one to establish a personal connection with them, letting them know they're not alone and everything will be okay.

My Introduction To Femenism by Jayha (aka me). This was my first Zine that I ever made. When I showed it to my family they didn't know what a Zine was, it's like a small comic or magazine that's self-published. Looking at it, I was proud. I had a thought, made a plan, and did it to create this Zine featuring my art and words. Part of my introduction to this was bullet journaling, something I started in the New Year to better mysely, follow a healthy lifestyle to better my mind, body, and soul. It's working, these new opportunities.

Sometimes nothing, no hope, no, most of the time nothing, zero hope. But then I remember the youth, the resources we have, the power of knowledge. I've seen so much bad I think they'll never be change in the world but when I see the leaders now and the leaders to come I know that's the hope for a better future and others think so too. My grandma says she has hope in her youth. When she sees someone act, when someone dissents proudly, when others protest in style, the speeches given by the new generation, she tells me good things are coming. So, when I look at children, the schools near me, my young cousins, their environment, the things they have that I didn't see, I see hope, diversity, change, beauty. The children carry the building blocks for the future and when I see them perform an act of kindness I smile and think "the future will be better because of them." Not only that but the resources we now have gives me hope for more knowledge, global knowledge around the world. Education will be spread and ignorance will be destroyed (at least as much as it can). Social media now gives anyone their own platform, people are now not afraid to use their voice and say their thoughts even if the majority disagrees. Students are now taught in the classroom the truth of history and encouraged to take space and share their thoughts. People are now not relying on others but seeking information out themselves to find the concealed. The future will be different, there will be change, badness will be inevitable but that will also be goodness. Lots of goodness because of knowledge, knowledge is power, powerful knowledge can lead to hope and hope can lead to a not just a good, but a great future.

"Hey Mom, let's go to a WNBA game. All my friends go." You don't really hear this, this is something most kids and even older people don't know about. Women in general in sports are targets for jokes and the beginning of bigotry. I've seen it and I've heard it. In my career I'd like to change these things. Nearly half of athletes are female and they receive 4% of coverage. Whether it is being in the media (broadcaster or producer) or even an athlete my goal is to change the statistics. It is certainly one of my dreams for my future career. I want there to be more encouragement and representation for all genders to join sports, it boosts confidence and is a way to gain leadership skills and establish connections with your peers. Being a constant participant in sports I've felt these benefits. It saved my life, it got me out of the rabbit whole, and improved my mental health. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Sports have been something I always saw a conversation I could always jump into. Sports motivated me. It made me make a commitment to a new healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. Sometimes I thought that I couldn't do them, I couldn't excel in them. But, they always showed up back in my life. I've never seen something that has the power of sports. The abilities it gives people, groups of people. The opportunity to get out of a bad area, the power to bring conflicting groups together, the drive to give back to the community. I heard this video one time saying if you don't fail, it means you've never tried. I've always been scared, scared if what I did might make someone think bad about me, scared that I'd never become something big, I'd just be someone who never contributed to anything. Overall, I was scared to try but joining sports made me want to compete, to give it my all to share other stories or to support my teams. Whether it be on the track/court/field or off it my goal is to be around it. To influence others to be a part of it.

When I couldn't walk for two weeks or run for two months on my bucket list my goal was to get better with physical therapy. With my recent break (in the same area) I had to re-achieve this. It changes yearly, the ones that have always stayed was to travel outside of the United States (never have), hear absolute quiet, to fly, and go in a sailboat to see waters that my eyes have never seen. Going to new places right now seem impossible, I don't know many people that did. But, like Nelson Mandela said "It seems impossible until it's done." The most prominent thing on my bucket list is to become a trailblazer. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday.

She said on my first day "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable" and I never forgot it. I was being mentored by a well-known Sacramento journalist, this what she told during my first Zoom visit with her. It resonated with what I wanted to do in life. It was wise and so true it gave me chills. Since then, I've tried to live by the phrase whether it be within journalism, sports activity, or volunteering. A big part of my passion is sports. Nearly half of athletes are female and they receive 4% of coverage. It's not just society's fault it's the promoters, people behind the scenes, the media. The phrase she told me showed me that I could comfort the afflicted. I could get more representation for all genders to join sports, it boosts confidence and is a way to gain leadership skills and establish connections with your peers. "I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls embodies the legacy I want to leave. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I afflicted the comfortable. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and constantly afflict the world to make positive change.

When I was younger I always chose goals or did things that I knew I could do, playing it safe. Now, that's not the case, my goals always lead to me having to work hard and put in extra hours to achieve them. "I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls embodies the legacy I want to leave. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one.The fate ahead is unknown but I know that the plan is to do something big. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Change is good and I want my legacy to have contributed to change. My hope is that overall my hard-work will pay off. A big reason why these are my goals now is because in the end I want to make myself proud, that's why I have high standards, most of all I want to have big achievements, achievements I can reflect on and know that I did my job.

I felt like I was actually flowing through the word when I jumped and I fell to the ground. There was blood that would later be scars but I didn't care. That adrenaline, that rush was worth it. A week or so past that I learned what I did, my new hobby, was hill-bombing, going down a hill at a fast speed by long-board/skateboard, noted for its danger aspect and caused greater damage then what I got. People always suggest helmets, when I went I never wore them, it just didn't feel necessary for me, whatever happens happens. Although, there appeared to be a mental block after that, my family wanted me to stay alive so I was more careful but this hobby of mine could not be forgotten or suppressed. It was an opening for me to be and feel like a teenager when the world was in uncertainty. With hill-bombing I got to recall a nostalgic feeling I had, how things were before things shutdown, school, touching my grandparents, you know, normal things. I took back my childhood with this hobby and this activity has marked me permanently with scars so I see it's effect everyday.

"Hey Mom, let's go to a WNBA game, all my friends have been to one." You don't really hear this, this is something most kids and even older people don't know about. Women in general in sports are targets for jokes and the beginning of bigotry. I've seen it and I've heard it. In my career I'd like to change these things. Nearly half of athletes are female and they receive 4% of coverage. It's not just society's fault it's the promoters, people behind the scenes, the media. Being in this field with the goal to change the statistics is certainly one of my dreams for my future career. Overall, I want there to be more encouragement and representation for all genders to join sports, it boosts confidence and is a way to gain leadership skills and establish connections with your peers. All in all, this goal connects with my dream to inspire the youth by my actions.

Muhammad Ali once said "I told myself I was the greatest, even before I knew I was." For me Muhammad Ali was the figure I thought when people said confidence. It's not cocky but it's not toning yourself down to comfort or to accommodate others or their beliefs. I was never known for my confidence, something bullying and society standards did to me. Even with good grades I wasn't confident, even with compliments, or awards it didn't change that. What did increase it was myself. It's a journey I'm not there yet but I know I will be. Change isn't spontaneous, it takes time. In the present day, I don't like to put myself down. Mantras help, talking to yourself, and not letting your negative conscious help. Daily positive affirmations are a key factor in my process of being more confident in myself, especially practicing the concept of mindfulness. Muhammad Ali showed me confidence is bravery, self-care, and a positive, it isn't arrogant, it's bold and everyday I remind myself that in order to be more confident through time.

To sum it up I've fell in a fire, survived suicide attempts, established a passion for running, become addicted to sports, went through a 50's phase that I have never got out of, and am a sophomore in high school but I actually feel like a freshman (thanks COVID). My hope is that overall my hard-work will pay off. My extra reps/training will lead to efficient sprinting times. Extra studying, weekends used to get ahead in school will keep my unweighted 4.0 GPA afloat. Constant applying for scholarships will lead to scholarships. All the work, the struggle will result in the ultimate plan to help others. I think a big reason why these are my goals now is because in the end I want to make myself proud, that's why I have high standards, most of all I want to have big achievements, achievements I can reflect on and know that I did my job.

I had to answer this question in my Honors English class recently. At first I thought this would take me a long time but after sometime I realized the answer is surprisingly simple, just overthought. The meaning of life is to not just enjoy things but experience them. It's to live it, live it to the fullest. Experience, experience as much as you can, I can think of anything else. It's not just to feel love but to feel the good and bad. To see all the things you can. Cry, laugh, hug, kiss, touch, see things in your own way. Tell them you like, go to France or wherever if you can, don't just revolve yourself around one thing, explore the world. Life is what you make it. Overall, the meaning of life is to discover and be a witness to all things, with no regrets. That's how I see it and I could die tomorrow knowing I fulfilled this concept.

"I want to live my life so that I'll be able to read an in-depth biography about myself in later years and not puke." -Paris Geller This quote from the infamous show Gilmore Girls embodies the legacy I want to leave. As an adult I want to be able to think back and know that I tried and achieved. I want to see a map and know that I put my thumbprint on the world, that's what I want my mark to be. A global one.The fate ahead is unknown but I know that the plan is to do something big. Decades into the future I want there to be a youth inspired by what I've done and to try to do more/better than what I did. This is a bold standard and struggle will be inevitable however the struggle means that you're working hard and putting in effort. As long as you try that's what matters and I want others to know that they can do this too. I want the youth to see my work and be influenced to be world leaders, trailblazers, and break barriers to make the future better everyday. Change is good and I want my legacy to consist of generating change.

What is my life's purpose I think every morning, where did my motivation go? I wake up and I can't walk, my doctor said not for two weeks. My motivation is obliterated. What is my motivation Mom? She says to get an education, to do better than me, go to college, you'll run again before you know it. I didn't believe her. My motivation began to grow with each doctor visit. My daily basis motivation was to run again, to let myself fly in nature. So I began to lift weights, doing physical therapy exercises everyday, making sure I take my vitamins, getting in more leafy greens, and making a commitment to a new healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. Through the pain, the crying, even weight gain, and not being able to run for months I remembered the word someday. Someday I will run again, someday I will be able to fly and I did. Now, my motivation is to run and fly faster everyday.

She looked at the gifts and cried. Her eyes showed not only her appreciation but her hardship. My favorite way to help others is in actions, not just words. Giving others food or toys may seem simple, it's common to have but not everyone has it. I see the impact I have on people when they are given something, it's not just words of kindness, it's an act of kindness. Every thank you, the tears, the appreciation shows how I helped others by doing something, thus this is my favorite way to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving people the simple things of life knowing that they've been given something that will help them. When I actually do something I know there will be a result, I know that a contribution is being made. Most of all, my favorite way of helping others is one on one to establish a personal connection with them, letting them know they're not alone and everything will be okay.

Not even a mile out yet and it's broken... for the third time... in the same area. My season is over, I won't be able to run ever again like I used to. This is what I thought when I broke my foot for the third time in the same area while running with my cross country team. I didn't know that I would persevere, I wasn't aware that one day I'd run again, it'd take time but it would happen and it did. The second and third time I broke my foot I cried, not because of pain but because of frustration. How could this happen again, did the world not want me to run? What do I have to live for now? Doctor visits were long and boring. Foot pain never stopped and it made it more difficult to recover and get back into physical activities. The first break I received poor healthcare, the second time I finally got a cast and physical therapy, the third time it was crutches in the school hallways and physical therapy again. Overall, the third fracture/break was the hardest since I was actually in a sport and find something I enjoyed doing. I didn't think the tears, sweat, and pain would lead to anything, all I thought was this was over, but it wasn't. I did physical therapy daily, I worked on my core when I could, I started reading books again and before I knew I was back and the track again. Why? I persevered, I didn't stop and thanks to that I'm still able to run and prepare for the upcoming track season.