My family has always described it as "Our genetic cesspool." As I traveled the world as a competitive Irish dancer, I would receive word as each new family crisis occurred, often rushing back for the subsequent hospitalization or funeral. I learned more about disease processes and the limitations of available technologies and therapies with each event. I visited my grandfather at his dialysis center, sitting at his bedside as his blood went in and out of the machine. Soon after he passed, my grandmother died of metastatic melanoma. Their son passed a few years later with complications from Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, a rare inherited metabolic disorder. Finally, my Aunt was diagnosed with a rare non-small cell lung cancer and succumbed to her disease just after my 14th birthday. I became aware of my grandparents' journey as children of immigrants escaping religious persecution in Germany and Russia and their lifetime dedication to inclusion, diversity, social activism, humanitarianism, and community service. I began looking for a way to honor their memory and my own heritage rather than trying to be an imposter in someone else's. It was time to change my path, emerging from the resentment and sadness by fighting on and celebrating my individuality in a way that would have made them proud. As a community kidney coach, I educate at-risk groups and advocate for access to care. I accepted a leadership and service experience in Israel, where I found a genuine love for tackling controversial issues. While science is my passion, I realized that the health disparities I witnessed at the border could not be ignored. While many with a medical family history like mine are inspired to pursue nursing or medicine, I realized that my passion was not in direct patient care but in exploring genetic epidemiology and the applications of research to industry. Attending my district's Biomedical Academy, I gained access to experts in life science research, public health, allied health professions, and medicine. This exposure, combined with my complex genetic history, shaped my goal to study biotechnology to contribute to developing new therapies. My losses were painful but motivated me to fight back by building an arsenal of knowledge and innovation to someday spare others from the suffering my family has endured. When I walk across the stage to accept my high school diploma, it will be bittersweet to see my peers' large extended families cheering them on. However, I will push on and relish in the satisfaction that the deaths of my grandparents, Aunt, and Uncle, while painful, were inspirational in shaping my determination to fight disease through emerging technologies while embracing the importance of more significant global health issues.

My family has always described it as “Our genetic cesspool.” As I was traveling the world as a competitive Irish dancer, I would receive word as each new family crisis occurred often rushing back for the next hospitalization or funeral. Each time I learned more about disease processes and the limitations of available technologies and therapies. I visited my grandfather at his dialysis center sitting at his bedside as his blood went in and out of the machine. Soon after he passed, my grandmother died of metastatic melanoma. Their son passed a few years later with complications from Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, a rare inherited metabolic disorder. Soon after my Aunt was diagnosed with a rare non-small cell lung cancer and succumbed to her disease just after my 14th birthday. While many with a medical family history like mine are inspired to pursue nursing or medicine, I realized that my passion was not in direct patient care but in exploring genetic epidemiology and the applications of research to industry. Attending my district’s Biomedical Academy, I gained access to experts in life science research, public health, allied health professions and medicine. This exposure combined with my complex genetic history shaped my goal to study biotechnology with the hopes of contributing to the development of new therapies. Gene Therapy is the innovation that has been most influential with limitless opportunities to improve the understanding of and treatment of disease. The ethical implications and risk of misuse surrounding gene therapy while concerning is a fascinating field in itself. The global impact is undeniable and there is so much more to be explored. As a Biotechnology student, I hope to take advantage of the diverse and supportive academic environment while bringing my own unique experiences and leadership. I seek a setting where there is flexibility to explore new areas of interest within my major. I want to grow my experience by taking advantage of a large research university that still has a sense of community within a specialized program of study. I hope academically and socially to meet my goals of contributing to future innovations among celebrated women in STEM.

I still remember my Jewish grandmother’s reaction to seeing my Celtic cross-adorned trophy after my very first dance competition– a resounding “Oy Vey.” Twelve years later I still face the question: what exactly is a Jewish girl with no Irish heritage doing at The World Irish Dancing Championships? I fell into it by chance. At the age of five, my curly ginger locks and I were invited to a class at the dance school owned by my next-door neighbor. Within a year it was recommended that I start competing. My mom was skeptical about the unusual subculture of competitive Irish dance; however, with help from the urgings of my coaches, she caved. Less than 1% of competitive dancers ever qualify for Worlds, but by age ten I was eagerly boarding a plane to Glasgow for the first of many World Championships to come. Maintaining this level of competition required daily lessons, CrossFit classes, choreography workshops, and summer intensives. My coaches’ techniques were often mentally demeaning; competing while injured was fully expected. Weekly physical therapy to combat plantar fasciitis, muscle tears, tendonitis, and stress fractures all became part of the routine. Through X-Rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and acupuncture, I became fascinated with the science behind the sport. But I still felt like a part of me was missing. I lacked those familial, cultural, and religious connections to Irish dance that most of my competitors shared. I became aware of my own grandparents’ journey as children of immigrants escaping religious persecution in Germany and Russia, as well as their lifetime dedication to social activism, humanitarianism, and community service. I began looking for a way to honor their memory and my heritage rather than feeling like an imposter in someone else’s. My desire to grow in areas outside of dance was at odds with my coaches’ agendas. I craved an atmosphere of social inclusivity and diversity. I loved to compete on the world stage, but I knew the jig was up. I accepted a leadership and service experience in Israel. Young Jews are often inspired by ideals to visit Israel and explore their identity despite not always having a firm understanding of the true complexity and history of the Middle East conflicts. I began to wonder what life was like for the families on both sides of the border wall. Israel was at the top for Covid response, with access to testing, vaccines, and treatments, while Gaza was just feet away with no access to healthcare, employment, education, and housing. This time in Israel influenced my interest in Global Health issues and studying health disparities. I applied the perseverance required for success in competition, as well as leadership skills learned in Israel, to moving forward academically. I took on more challenging high school coursework and applied to the Biomedical Research Academy in my district. Collaborative skills developed from dance team events aided in group work in my advanced research classes. My Capstone research paper was written on injury prevention and was inspired by the challenges I faced with injuries myself. I will always be proud to be the red-headed Jewish girl who graced the world stage of Irish Dance, but I am far more satisfied in recognizing that something I pursued most of my life, while meaningful, isn't all of who I am. Elite competition may have shaped my maturity, but I am just starting to explore who I am and what I can be. Learning how to set new dreams and goals despite the pressures and expectations of others is how I found my true pot of gold.