As a first-generation college student, a proud Dominican and Haitian woman, and an aspiring physician, I believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for creating change. Every opportunity I have been given has strengthened my curiosity, fueled my passion for science, and reinforced my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. To me, being a woman in STEM is not just about earning a degree, it is about using my education to advocate for others, break barriers, and inspire future generations of young women to believe they belong in these fields. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Washington pursuing a degree in Public Health with the goal of becoming an OB-GYN. My passion for medicine comes from personal experiences that have shown me the importance of compassionate healthcare. Helping care for my grandmother as she battled Alzheimer's disease and metastatic breast cancer taught me that medicine is about more than diagnosing illnesses, it is about treating people with dignity, empathy, and respect. Those experiences inspired me to pursue a career where I can support women through some of the most significant and vulnerable moments of their lives. As a Hispanic woman entering a field where diversity is still needed, I understand the importance of representation. I want every patient, especially young Latina women, to know they deserve to be heard, respected, and cared for by healthcare professionals who understand the value of their experiences. I hope my journey demonstrates that your background should never limit your ambitions. Instead, it can become your greatest source of strength and purpose. My commitment to leadership extends beyond the classroom. As a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated, a multicultural sorority founded by Latina women, I have found a community that encourages scholarship, leadership, cultural awareness, and service. Being surrounded by ambitious women who challenge and support one another has strengthened my confidence as both a student and a future healthcare professional. It has taught me that empowering women means lifting one another up and creating opportunities for those who follow. This scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my education while easing the financial burden that often accompanies higher education. More importantly, it would serve as an investment in my goal of becoming a physician who advocates for equitable healthcare and mentors young women interested in STEM. I hope to use my education not only to improve the lives of my future patients but also to encourage more women, especially those from underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in science and medicine. Curiosity led me to STEM, compassion led me to medicine, and resilience continues to drive me forward. I am committed to using my education to create a future where every woman feels empowered to pursue her goals, every patient feels valued, and every young girl can see herself represented in the fields she dreams of joining.

Being a first-generation college student means carrying more than my own dreams, it means carrying my family's. Every time I walk across the University of Washington campus, I think about the sacrifices that made it possible for me to be there. My parents worked tirelessly to give me opportunities they never had, believing that education could change the trajectory of our family's future. Because of them, I don't see earning a college degree as simply an accomplishment; I see it as a promise to honor everything they have done for me. My journey has not always been easy. One of the greatest challenges I have faced was growing up with my birth mother choosing to leave my life. For years, I questioned my own worth and wondered why someone who was supposed to love me had made that decision. Those feelings stayed with me longer than I would like to admit, but over time I realized that I could not let someone else's choice determine my future. Instead, I chose to focus on the family who never stopped showing up for me. Their unconditional love taught me that family is not defined by who leaves but by who stays. Another experience that forever changed me was helping care for my grandmother as she battled Alzheimer's disease and metastatic breast cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while my parents worked full-time, I became one of her primary caregivers. Every morning before thinking about my own schoolwork, I helped feed her, changed her diapers, helped her walk, and simply sat with her so she would not feel alone. Watching someone I loved slowly lose her memories was heartbreaking, but it also taught me the meaning of compassion. It showed me that the smallest acts of kindness can make the greatest difference in someone's life. Those moments inspired my dream of becoming an OB-GYN, where I hope to care for patients with the same dignity, empathy, and love that my grandmother deserved. Despite every obstacle, I have never let my circumstances define me. I have remained committed to my education, earning a place on the Dean's List while pursuing a degree in Public Health. Every late night studying, every difficult exam, and every challenge I have overcome has been fueled by one goal: creating a better future for myself, my family, and the communities I hope to serve. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education, allowing me to focus more fully on becoming the physician I aspire to be. More importantly, it would remind me that people believe in students like me, students whose journeys have required resilience, and faith. One day, I hope to stand in a white coat, caring for women and advocating for equitable healthcare, knowing that I carried not only my own dreams across the finish line, but my family's as well. Ive learned that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to give up.

As a proud Hispanic woman and first-generation college student, women's empowerment has always meant creating opportunities not only for myself but also for the women who will come after me. My parents have sacrificed so much to give me the chance to pursue a college education, and their hard work motivates me every day to make the most of the opportunities they never had. Throughout my academic journey, I have always placed my education first because I know that every achievement brings me one step closer to fulfilling my dreams and honoring the sacrifices my family has made. To me, empowerment begins with perseverance, determination, and the belief that where you come from should never limit where you are capable of going. My dream is to become an OB-GYN because I want to dedicate my career to caring for women during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. As a Latina entering the medical field, I understand how meaningful representation can be. Many women, especially those from Hispanic and other underserved communities, experience barriers to healthcare because of language differences, cultural misunderstandings, or a lack of trust in the healthcare system. I want to be a physician who helps bridge those gaps by ensuring every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health. I hope that my presence in medicine encourages young Latina girls to believe they belong in healthcare, STEM, and any career they choose to pursue. One of the most meaningful parts of my college experience has been becoming a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Incorporated, a multicultural sorority founded by Latina women. Through Sigma Lambda Gamma, I have found a community that encourages scholarship, leadership, cultural awareness, and service. The women in my chapter have inspired me to become a stronger leader, support those around me, and use my voice to advocate for others. Being surrounded by ambitious women who challenge and uplift one another has reinforced my belief that empowered women create opportunities not only for themselves but for entire communities. I hope my impact on women's empowerment extends far beyond my own accomplishments. I want to represent Latina women in medicine with pride, advocate for equitable healthcare, and mentor young women who aspire to follow similar paths. If my journey encourages even one young girl to believe that her background is a source of strength rather than a limitation, then I will know I have made a meaningful difference. True empowerment is not only about achieving personal success—it is about uplifting other women and using that success to open doors for others, and that is the legacy I hope to leave.

Being the first person in my family to earn a college degree means more to me than receiving a diploma, it represents generations of sacrifice, perseverance, and hope. As a first-generation college student of Dominican and Haitian descent, I recognize that my education is not only an opportunity for personal growth but also a way to honor the hard work of my family. My parents have always encouraged me to pursue opportunities they never had, reminding me that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating a better future. Every class I take and every challenge I overcome is a reflection of their sacrifices and belief in my potential. Being the first in my family to graduate from college is a responsibility that I carry with pride because I hope my journey will inspire my younger family members to believe that they can achieve their own dreams as well. At the University of Washington, I am pursuing a degree in Public Health because I have always been passionate about helping others and improving the health of my community. Throughout my life, I have witnessed how compassionate healthcare can change lives. One of the experiences that had the greatest impact on me was helping care for my grandmother as she battled Alzheimer's disease and metastatic breast cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I helped care for her every day by preparing meals, assisting her as she walked, changing her diapers, and offering companionship while my parents worked full-time. That experience taught me that healthcare is about much more than medicine—it is about empathy, patience, dignity, and human connection. It strengthened my desire to dedicate my life to caring for others and confirmed that medicine is the path I am meant to pursue. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend medical school and become an OB-GYN. Women's health is a field that combines science, advocacy, education, and compassion, allowing physicians to build meaningful relationships with patients throughout many stages of their lives. My long-term goal is to provide patient-centered care while helping address healthcare disparities, particularly within underserved communities. I want every patient to feel heard, respected, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health regardless of their background or circumstances. Beyond caring for individual patients, I hope to make a lasting impact through community outreach and public health advocacy. I want to educate families about preventative care, improve access to healthcare resources, and help reduce the barriers that prevent many people from receiving quality medical care. As someone who understands the importance of representation, I hope to be a physician who makes patients feel comfortable, valued, and understood. Ultimately, earning a college degree is only the beginning of my journey. My education represents the foundation upon which I will build a career dedicated to service, compassion, and advocacy. I hope to honor my family's sacrifices by becoming not only the first college graduate in my family but also a physician who creates meaningful change in the lives of countless patients. My goal is to leave a legacy of kindness, resilience, and opportunity, proving that where you begin does not determine how far you can go.

My decision to pursue a career in medicine was not inspired by a single moment, but by a collection of experiences that taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and caring for others. From helping care for my grandmother during her battle with Alzheimer's disease and metastatic breast cancer to witnessing the health disparities that many families face, I have learned that healthcare is about much more than treating illnesses. It is about providing comfort, building trust, and making people feel seen during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Those experiences have inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming an OB-GYN. One of the most influential experiences in my life was caring for my grandmother after she came to live with my family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while I attended school from home and my parents worked full-time, I became one of her primary caregivers. Every morning, I helped change her diapers, prepared her meals, helped her walk safely around the house, and spent time keeping her company. As Alzheimer's slowly took away her memories, I learned that the most meaningful form of care was often simply being present. Although there was no cure for her illness, I discovered that kindness, patience, and compassion could still make a tremendous difference in her quality of life. Caring for her strengthened my desire to dedicate my life to helping others. As a first-generation college student of Dominican and Haitian descent, I have also seen how healthcare disparities affect underserved communities. Too many people experience barriers to receiving quality medical care because of financial limitations, cultural differences, language barriers, or a lack of trust in the healthcare system. These realities have motivated me to become a physician who advocates for equitable and compassionate care. I want every patient to feel respected, heard, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health. I chose obstetrics and gynecology because it combines everything I value most about medicine. An OB-GYN has the opportunity to care for patients throughout many of life's most significant milestones, from adolescence and reproductive health to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. It is a specialty built on long-term relationships, trust, education, and advocacy. I want to support women not only during moments of celebration but also during times of uncertainty and hardship. My goal is to create an environment where every patient feels comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and knowing they have a physician who genuinely cares about their well-being. Beyond caring for individual patients, I hope to make a difference by addressing maternal health disparities and expanding access to preventative care and health education. I believe that healthcare extends beyond the walls of a clinic or hospital. By educating patients, advocating for underserved communities, and promoting preventative medicine, I hope to improve health outcomes for individuals and families alike. Ultimately, I want my impact to be measured not only by the treatments I provide but by the relationships I build. I hope my patients remember me as someone who listened without judgment, treated them with dignity, and made them feel safe during life's most vulnerable moments. Medicine gives me the opportunity to combine my passion for science with my commitment to serving others, and I cannot imagine a more meaningful way to spend my life.

Alzheimer's disease changed my family long before it took my grandmother's life. It slowly stole pieces of the woman I had always known, replacing familiar conversations and cherished memories with confusion and uncertainty. Watching someone you love forget the people and moments that meant the most to them is heartbreaking, but living through that experience taught me lessons about compassion, patience, and unconditional love that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. My grandmother lived with Alzheimer's disease as well as metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her brain. As her health declined, she came to live with my family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while I attended school through Zoom, both of my parents continued working full-time. Because I was home during the day, I naturally stepped into the role of caregiver. Every morning, I helped change her diapers, prepared her meals, helped her walk safely around the house, and made sure she was comfortable. Some days she recognized me immediately, while other days she was confused about where she was or what was happening around her. At first, it was difficult to understand why Alzheimer's caused her personality and memory to change so dramatically. There were moments when she became frustrated or repeated the same questions over and over again or even becoming aggressive when I tried to help her because her brain told her she didn't know me. I was 13, still in middle school and it would have been easy to become impatient, but caring for her taught me something much more important. I learned that she was not giving me a hard time, she was having a hard time. That realization changed the way I approached every interaction with her. Instead of correcting her or becoming frustrated, I learned to meet her where she was with kindness, reassurance, and patience. Some of my favorite moments with my grandmother were the quiet ones. Sitting beside her, holding her hand, helping her eat breakfast, or simply keeping her company reminded me that love does not always need words. Even when her memories faded, she still deserved dignity, respect, and companionship. Those simple moments taught me that caring for someone is often about being present rather than trying to fix what cannot be fixed. Easter of 2021, my grandmother passed away. Losing her was one of the most painful experiences of my life, and honestly I felt like I had lost my purpose because caring for her was my purpose. My father who is in the military was on a 9 month deployment and it was just me and my mom. She instantly went into a deep depression and until my dad could come home I stepped up. I took care of her, I dressed my grandma after she died before the coroner came, took care of meals and made sure my mom actually ate. Even through all of that pain I find comfort in knowing that she spent her final years surrounded by people who loved her deeply. Although Alzheimer's took away many of her memories, it never took away the love our family had for her. Being able to care for her during that chapter of her life is something I will always consider a privilege. Her journey has had a profound impact on the person I am today. It strengthened my desire to pursue a career in healthcare because I witnessed firsthand the difference compassionate care can make for both patients and their families. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's requires more than medical knowledge; it requires empathy, patience, and the willingness to see the person behind the disease. Those are qualities I hope to bring into my future career. Alzheimer's taught me that illness affects far more than the individual diagnosed; it changes entire families. It asks loved ones to become caregivers, advocates, and sources of strength during unimaginable circumstances. While my family experienced tremendous loss, we also discovered incredible resilience. We learned to celebrate small moments, cherish time together, and find joy even in the midst of hardship. My grandmother's life and her battle with Alzheimer's will always be part of my story. She taught me that compassion is shown through everyday actions, that love can remain even when memories fade, and that the greatest gift we can give someone is our time and presence. Those lessons continue to shape the person I am today and the healthcare professional I hope to become.

If I could create a brand-new Love Island challenge, it would be called "Heart Rate Hideaway." The challenge is designed to test how well Islanders truly know each other while creating plenty of funny, awkward, and dramatic moments, and the reward being the hideaway. The villa would be transformed into a carnival-themed game arena with colorful lights, music, and different stations. Each couple would compete together, but there would also be opportunities for other Islanders to stir the pot. At the first station, each Islander answers a series of personal questions in private. The questions would range from lighthearted topics like "What's my biggest pet peeve?" or "What's my dream vacation?" to relationship-based questions such as "What was my first impression of you?" and "Who in the villa do I think gives the best advice?" Their partners would then have to guess their answers. Every correct answer earns points, while incorrect answers unlock a surprise consequence. The consequences are where the fun begins. Islanders might have to complete silly dares, such as serenading another Islander, giving someone a three-minute massage, reenacting their most embarrassing flirting moment, or wearing a ridiculous costume for the rest of the challenge. Some consequences, however, would reveal hidden truths, such as reading a compliment someone secretly wrote about another Islander or revealing who they thought was the most attractive person on the first day. The second half of the challenge would raise the stakes. Couples would enter the "Heart Rate Hideaway," where they would wear heart rate monitors while watching short video clips of memorable villa moments, romantic gestures, funny bloopers, and unseen clips from Casa Amor or previous episodes. Mixed into the videos would be surprise appearances from bombshells they had previously dated or found attractive. The challenge would reveal whose heart rate increased the most during each clip—but not why. This would naturally spark debates and playful jealousy throughout the villa. The winning couple would receive an exclusive overnight stay in the Hideaway along with a private chef dinner. The couple with the lowest score would have to sleep outside on the daybeds and would lose the power to vote in the next recoupling, adding real consequences to the challenge. I think this challenge would be perfect for Love Island because it combines everything fans love: romance, humor, awkward moments, and a little bit of chaos. It tests communication and trust while giving Islanders plenty of opportunities to laugh at themselves. At the same time, the surprise reveals and heart rate results would almost certainly create conversations that continue long after the challenge ends, making it entertaining for both the Islanders and the viewers.

One Olivia Rodrigo lyric that has always resonated with me is "the things I did," from her song "the grudge". Although the song tells a different story than my own, those four words remind me of how easy it can be to carry pain and question yourself after someone you love walks away. When my birth mother chose to leave my life, I spent years wondering why. As a child, it was difficult not to blame myself. I questioned whether I had done something wrong or if I simply wasn't enough for someone to stay. Those thoughts stayed with me for a long time, shaping how I viewed myself and my relationships. Even though I was surrounded by people who loved and supported me, there was still a part of me that struggled with feelings of abandonment. As I grew older, I realized that healing is not something that happens overnight. There wasn't one defining moment when everything suddenly made sense. Instead, healing came through small moments, leaning on my family, spending time with the people who never stopped choosing me, and finding confidence through the experiences that helped me grow. I began to understand that another person's choices do not determine my worth. That is one of the reasons Olivia Rodrigo's music has had such an impact on me. She writes about emotions that are often difficult to explain, whether it's heartbreak, disappointment, insecurity, or learning to move forward. Her songs remind me that it is okay to acknowledge difficult feelings instead of pretending they do not exist. At the same time, they encourage growth. They remind me that pain is not permanent and that every experience, even the painful ones, can teach us something about ourselves. Over time, I chose forgiveness—not because I believed what happened was okay, but because I wanted to free myself from carrying resentment. Forgiveness allowed me to stop defining my life by the people who left and instead appreciate the people who stayed. It taught me to focus on the love I have received rather than the love I felt I had lost. Those lessons continue to influence the person I am becoming. As I pursue a career in healthcare and work toward my dream of becoming an OB-GYN, I want to create an environment where patients feel seen, heard, and valued. Everyone carries experiences that others cannot see, and I believe those experiences deserve compassion rather than judgment. My own journey has taught me that kindness can make an incredible difference in someone's life. Olivia Rodrigo's music has been a soundtrack to many different chapters of my life, but its greatest impact has been reminding me that vulnerability is not weakness. It is okay to grieve, to question, and to struggle, but it is also possible to grow beyond those moments. My story is no longer defined by loss or abandonment. Instead, it is defined by resilience, gratitude, and the decision to keep moving forward. Those are the values I hope to carry with me throughout my life, and they are the reason those simple words—*"the things I did"*—continue to resonate so deeply with me.

Although I did not lose a parent through death, I experienced a different kind of loss when my birth mother chose to leave my life. Growing up, I struggled to understand why someone who was supposed to love me would make that decision. For years, I carried feelings of resentment, confusion, and hurt, often wondering if I was somehow not enough. Those emotions were difficult to express, so I found another outlet, with a softball bat in my hands. For thirteen years, softball was more than just a sport, it became my escape. Every practice and every game gave me a place to release emotions I didn't know how to put into words. I remember stepping into the batter's box carrying anger and disappointment, determined to hit the ball as hard as I could. With every swing, I let go of a little more of the pain I had been holding onto. On the field, I wasn't the girl wondering why her mother had left. I was simply an athlete, a teammate, and someone working toward a common goal. As I grew older, however, softball began teaching me lessons that reached far beyond the game. One of the greatest lessons was resilience. In softball, failure is inevitable. Even the best players strike out or make errors. What defines a player is not the mistake itself but the decision to step back into the batter's box with confidence and keep trying. Over time, I realized that the same was true in life. I could continue allowing my mother's decision to define me, or I could choose to grow from it. Learning to forgive was not easy, but it became one of the most important parts of my healing. I realized that forgiveness was not about excusing her choice or pretending it didn't hurt. It was about freeing myself from the anger that had weighed on me for so long. Instead of focusing on the love I felt I had lost, I began appreciating the love that had always surrounded me. I became more grateful for the family who raised me, the coaches who believed in me, and the teammates who became lifelong friends. I learned that family is not only defined by blood but by the people who choose to love and support you every day. Those experiences have shaped the person I am today. They have taught me resilience, empathy, and gratitude, qualities that influence every part of my life. As I pursue a career in healthcare, I hope to pay those lessons forward by treating every patient with compassion and understanding. I know that many people carry invisible burdens, and I want to be someone who makes them feel seen, heard, and valued. Looking back, I no longer see my story as one defined by abandonment. Instead, I see a story of growth. Softball gave me a place to heal, taught me how to persevere through failure, and ultimately showed me that our greatest strength comes from how we respond to adversity. My mother's choice may have shaped the beginning of my story, but it will never define its ending. Instead, I choose to define my life by resilience, forgiveness, and the commitment to help others find hope through their own challenges.

Music has always been one of the ways I process my emotions, and no artist has impacted me more than Sabrina Carpenter. While many people simply know her as a singer, her music has become a source of comfort, confidence, and self-expression throughout different stages of my life. Whether I was celebrating a happy moment, navigating heartbreak, or feeling overwhelmed by school and life's challenges, I could always find a song that reminded me I wasn't alone. What I admire most about Sabrina Carpenter is her authenticity. Her music explores real emotions, the excitement of falling in love, the pain of disappointment, the importance of self-worth, and the process of growing into the person you are meant to be. Listening to her songs has taught me that it is okay to feel deeply and that growth often comes from experiences that are uncomfortable. Rather than pretending life is perfect, she embraces vulnerability while also encouraging confidence and resilience. Beyond her lyrics, Sabrina has inspired me through the way she carries herself. She has faced criticism and public scrutiny while continuing to pursue her passions with confidence and grace. Watching her remain true to herself has encouraged me to do the same. As someone who often struggles with anxiety and self-doubt, seeing someone embrace who they are has reminded me that I don't need to change myself to earn the approval of others. Her concerts and music have also given me something to look forward to during stressful periods of my life. They have become reminders that life is about more than responsibilities and challenges, it is also about finding joy in the things you love. Sharing her music with friends has created memories and connections that I will always cherish, proving that music has the power to bring people together. As I continue pursuing my education and my dream of becoming an OB-GYN, I know there will be difficult days ahead. Sabrina Carpenter's music reminds me to celebrate the small victories, trust my own journey, and keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain. Her songs have become more than just playlists to me; they are reminders to embrace growth, believe in myself, and find strength in every chapter of life, and after every four hour lab I will always make sure to play 'Feather' on loop. Although I have never met Sabrina Carpenter, the impact of her music has been very real. It has helped shape my confidence, lifted me through difficult moments, and reminded me that it is okay to be unapologetically yourself. That is why her music will always hold a special place in my life.

Growing up, I learned that healthcare is about far more than diagnosing illnesses or prescribing medications. It is about listening, advocating, and treating every patient with dignity and compassion. Those lessons have inspired my dream of becoming an OB-GYN and continue to shape the healthcare professional I hope to become. As a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Public Health at the University of Washington, I understand the importance of representation, education, and access to quality healthcare. Many individuals, especially those from underserved and minority communities, face barriers that prevent them from receiving the care they deserve. Whether those barriers are financial, cultural, or rooted in fear and mistrust of the healthcare system, I want to be part of the solution. My goal is to provide care that is not only medically excellent but also compassionate, culturally sensitive, and centered around each patient's unique needs. I have always been drawn to women's health because it combines science with one of the most meaningful parts of people's lives. An OB-GYN has the privilege of supporting patients through milestones such as adolescence, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, while also helping them navigate some of their most vulnerable and difficult moments. I want to be the physician who celebrates joyful moments with my patients while also standing beside them during times of uncertainty, loss, or fear. I believe that every patient deserves a provider who listens without judgment, explains every option clearly, and empowers them to make informed decisions about their own health. My experiences outside the classroom have reinforced this passion. Caring for my grandmother as she battled metastatic breast cancer and dementia taught me that the smallest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact. Helping her with daily tasks showed me that healing is not always about curing disease. Sometimes, healing comes from offering comfort, preserving someone's dignity, and simply being present. Those lessons are ones I plan to carry with me throughout my medical career. I also hope to use my career to advocate for preventative care and health education. Too many people avoid seeking medical attention because they are afraid, lack access to reliable information, or have had negative experiences with healthcare providers. I want to create an environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and trusting that their voices will be heard. Education is one of the most powerful tools in medicine, and I hope to empower my patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions for themselves and their families. Beyond caring for individual patients, I want to make a broader impact through public health initiatives that address healthcare disparities. I hope to work with organizations that improve access to maternal healthcare, reproductive services, and preventative screenings in underserved communities. Every person deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of their background, income, or circumstances, and I want my career to reflect that belief. Ultimately, I hope my legacy in healthcare is not measured by titles or accomplishments but by the lives I have touched. I want my patients to remember that they were treated with respect, kindness, and genuine compassion. If someone leaves my office feeling heard, supported, and confident that they have someone advocating for them, then I will know I have made a difference. That is the kind of physician I am working every day to become, and it is the impact I hope to make throughout my career.

For thirteen years, softball was more than just a sport; it was where I grew up and became a woman. It shaped my character, challenged me to become a better leader, and gave me friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I loved the game so much that for three years I was on three teams, bouncing back and forth between practices, tournaments, conditioning, and team bonding. It was my life. As a varsity and All-Stars outfielder, not to mention team captain beginning my sophomore year of high school and even before that on my select team, I learned that success is about much more than what happens on the scoreboard. It is about showing up for your teammates, leading by example, and continuing to give your best even when things do not go your way. The greatest lesson softball taught me was that failure does not define you. In a game built around failure, even the best hitters get out more often than they get on base. There were countless times I struck out, missed a pop-up, or walked away disappointed in my performance. At first, those moments felt overwhelming and as if I had let my team down, but over time, I realized that what mattered was not the mistake itself. What mattered was whether I was willing to step back into the batter's box, learn from it, and keep moving forward. That lesson has stayed with me far beyond the softball field. Whether I am facing a difficult college exam, balancing leadership responsibilities, or overcoming personal challenges, I remind myself that setbacks are opportunities to grow. Resilience is built by choosing to keep trying, even when success is not guaranteed. Softball also taught me what it means to be a leader. As captain, I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest person on the team; it is about being dependable, encouraging others, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Some of my favorite memories are not the wins themselves, but the moments in the dugout celebrating teammates' successes, and dancing to Biggie Smalls 'Big Poppa' when the umps were deciding if they should call the game because of the hail. We lifted each other up after tough losses and built a family through countless practices, bus rides, and games. That is a feeling that cannot be replaced. The coaches and teammates who believed in me helped shape the person I am today. They showed me the importance of accountability, perseverance, and supporting others, lessons I carry into every part of my life. As I pursue a degree in Public Health at the University of Washington and work toward my dream of becoming an OB-GYN, I hope to bring those same values into healthcare. I want to be someone who encourages others through difficult moments, remains resilient when challenges arise, and always leads with compassion. Softball may have ended after thirteen unforgettable years, but the lessons it gave me never will. Every challenge I face reminds me of something the game taught me long ago: failure is never the end of the story. It is simply another opportunity to step back into the box, trust yourself, and keep swinging.

Some of the most meaningful moments of care are not the ones that happen in hospitals or emergency rooms. For me, they happened every morning at home with my grandmother. My grandmother lived with metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her brain, and she also had dementia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while I attended school over Zoom, both of my parents continued working full-time. That meant much of her daily care became my responsibility. Every morning, I would help change her diapers, feed her breakfast, help her walk safely through the house, and make sure she was comfortable. As her memory faded, there were days when she did not recognize where she was or became frustrated and confused. Those moments required patience, compassion, and the ability to meet her where she was instead of expecting her to meet me where I was. What she needed most was not perfection, it was someone willing to be present. Even on the hardest days, I learned that simply sitting with her, holding her hand, listening to her stories, or making her smile could make a difference. She taught me that care is not always about finding a cure. Sometimes it is about preserving someone's dignity, offering comfort, and reminding them that they are deeply loved. Looking back, I realize those mornings shaped me far beyond teaching me how to provide physical care. They taught me responsibility at a young age and showed me the quiet strength that healthcare often requires. I learned that empathy is demonstrated through consistent actions rather than grand gestures. Showing up every day, even when it was emotionally difficult, revealed that compassion is a choice we make repeatedly. When I think about Shaun's legacy, I think about the impact of being fully present for another person. My experience caring for my grandmother taught me that healing can take many forms. While medicine can treat disease, kindness, patience, and human connection can ease suffering in ways that are just as meaningful. Those lessons continue to shape the healthcare professional I hope to become. As I pursue a career in public health, I want every person I serve to feel seen, respected, and cared for as an individual, not just as a diagnosis. My grandmother's journey showed me that the smallest acts of compassion can leave the greatest impact, and that showing up for someone with love and dignity is one of the most important forms of care we can ever provide.

Living with anxiety has shaped the way I see myself, my relationships, and the world around me. For a long time, I did not realize how much stress I was carrying until it began affecting me physically. During one of the most stressful periods, I was in my freshman year of college, taking three stem classes and joining a sorority, I've always struggled with disappointing my family and those who have sacrificed so much for me. From my stress it started affecting me physically, I broke out in hives all over my body. At first, I thought it was an allergic reaction, but after seeing a doctor, I learned that the hives were caused by stress and anxiety. That experience made me realize that mental health is just as important as physical health because the two are deeply connected. Before that, I often believed that pushing through my stress without talking about it was the best way to handle difficult situations. Instead, I learned that ignoring my mental health only made things worse. Since then, I have worked on finding healthier ways to manage anxiety by reaching out to people I trust, taking breaks when I need them, and recognizing when I am becoming overwhelmed. Those changes have helped me become more self-aware and resilient. My experience has also changed how I interact with others. I have learned that everyone is carrying struggles that may not be visible, which has made me more compassionate and understanding. Rather than judging people for how they react to challenges, I try to approach them with patience and empathy. These experiences have also influenced my goals. As someone pursuing a career in public health, I want to help create a healthcare system that recognizes the importance of mental health alongside physical health. I hope to contribute to a future where people feel comfortable seeking help before their mental health begins affecting every aspect of their lives. My anxiety has been one of the most difficult challenges I have faced, but it has also taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of caring for both the mind and body.