I stay committed to speaking my mind by refusing to be talked over. My classmates know by now to not interrupt me. Not because I have particularly mind-blowing points, but because I won’t hesitate to call people out when they do interrupt my thoughts. I remember in 6th grade during our first Socratic Seminar, I was sharing a point on whatever we were discussing at the time, when one of my classmates interrupted me. I turned to him, and with a stern voice, said, “excuse me, I was still talking”. He looked at me, I raised my eyebrow at him, and he stopped speaking. Since then, I have had to use that same phrase in countless discussions because people are selfish, myself included, and feel as though their thoughts deserve to be heard as soon as possible. However, when discussing relevant issues and topics, it’s never appropriate to speak over others, especially when a discussion is attempting to enlighten both sides on matters that neither are privy to. In today’s America, no one really has a problem with expressing their thoughts. Just look at Twitter and some of the controversial things that people have posted. The real problem is being heard. I have no problem with calling people out on wildly offensive statements or poor actions, but I often struggle in civil debates when my peers attempt to speak over me. If I allow my thoughts to be trodden over, then why should I have spoken up at all? I stay committed to speaking my mind by continuing to speak, even when people attempt to smother my words with their own.

As simple as it sounds, I try my hardest to follow the golden rule when it comes to treating others with empathy. It’s been ingrained into every child’s mind since they could speak, and yet, often we’re faced with people who have such little empathy towards others that you begin to wonder if they even respect themselves. Simple reciprocity is typically my philosophy. I know that when I show kindness to others, it only benefits us all. When a friend, classmate, or schoolmate is encountering a problem or difficulty, I will help without hesitation. Tasks like helping with an assignment, or simply asking someone how their day has been, costs nothing but my time, which would have been otherwise wasted. I know that when I hit a slump, I’d like nothing more than the help from others around me. Even if the golden rule can be mildly selfish at some points, it’s a lot better to be selfishly selfless, than to leave someone helpless. By not helping the people in my community, I’m only hurting myself. I make sure to remain empathetic and to treat others with compassion because it helps people have better lives, and it makes us all better people. If the world is a patchwork quilt, and difficulties in life are rips and tears, then empathy is the needle and thread that stitches us all together.

One of the most difficult journeys I’ve been through was my weight loss journey. I’ve always been overweight, and at one point I was medically obese. The most I’ve weighed is 220 lbs, but I’ve gotten it down to 157 lbs since then. The hardest part of losing weight wasn’t finding the time, but rather, finding motivation. My parents always dragged me off to the gym, or put me on diets, in the hope that I would lose weight, but my heart was never in it. It always felt like they wanted me to be more like my athletic sister, or to be better in general, and that feeling really sucked. I never had any motivation to be fit or slimmer, until around the end of 7th grade. In my 6th grade year, the San Diego School District started the middle school Track and Field league. I joined because my dad made me, as was the case for most sports, but I ended up enjoying shot put, a field event. When it came time for the annual meet, I would always get second place by just a few inches. So, I decided to push myself harder at the gym and actually make an effort so that I could win that golden medal. By the time the final, eighth grade meet arrived, I was confident that I was going to win because of all the effort I had put into being more fit and stronger. But I didn’t. Although I walked away from the meet with my 3rd silver medal, I ended up with something even better: motivation. I found a reason to fight for my health, and I’ve been fighting ever since then. It hasn't been easy, and I wouldn't call it fun, but I'm all the better for it.

When I plan my day to day study schedule, I remember the acronym TREE, which stands for "Time, Resources, Effort, and Enjoyment". Day in and day out, I'm piled on with papers, essays, projects, and upcoming quizzes, and if I'm not organized, I risk burning out. So, I organize my work schedule based on TREE. First, I look at Effort. Work that takes the most effort goes first, so that at the end of the day when I have low energy, I'm left with low-effort tasks. Next, comes Resources. If I need to have a specific set of tools to do different tasks (ex: computer work vs. on paper), I arrange my schedule by which tasks share the same tools. Or, if I have something like a poster, which requires buckets of supplies, I try to get those done last so that I can end my work day by cleaning. Next, is Time. Often, Time isn't the biggest hurdle for me, because I'm very efficient in my work and I can always find time to do even the tinniest bit of a task. What I do use Time for, however, is the organization of which tasks I complete in which order. I don't enjoy going back to back on long projects or assignments, so I sprinkle in shorter and easier tasks in between. Finally, I factor in Enjoyment. Much like doing a physical workout, a mental workout requires cool down periods. If I feel like the amount of work I'm doing is wearing me out, I watch a few minutes of my favorite show, or play a quick game. Studying can often be a daunting task, but when you create good habits and schedules, it can become a walk in the park.

My goal for the future is to leave an impact on the lives of the people in my community, and I plan to do so by becoming a lawyer. I’m no stranger to the countless injustices that we face everyday. Because I live so close to the border, I hear all types of stories about the immigration courts and how the attorneys barely get time to look at their client’s cases before being put on stand and defending their rights. It’s unfair that despite the themes of “Truth, Justice, and the American way”, it’s the American court system that sentences men, women, children, and families to such unjust fates. I want to become a lawyer so that I can help people have a chance in life and to experience the full extent of the American dream. I also plan to be a prominent member of my community. Not only do I want to help people by defending them in the legal system, but I also want to make a difference in the lives of individuals who aren't on trial. As long as I have time to spare, I want to be part of community service organizations like Kiwanis, or volunteer at the local food bank. There are so many ways that I can help the people in my community, and I plan to participate in as many as possible.

The wisest thing I’ve ever heard, or in this case read, was a passage by Norton Juster, “Never feel badly about making mistakes, as long as you take the trouble to learn from them”. I cannot even begin to count the times I’ve confidently raised my hand and answered a question in class, only to be given bewildered looks by both my classmates and teachers. Or, the number of times I’ve done something incredibly dimwitted (like poking a pan to see if it was still hot) because I couldn’t think of a better way to accomplish my goal. What’s important about the mistakes I’ve made, is that I’ve learned from most of them. When I answer incorrectly in class, my instructor, or one of my fellow classmates, usually explains where my thinking went wrong. Or, after I burned myself for the twentieth time by playing “Guess How Hot This Pot Is”, I learned to simply hover my hand over the kitchen equipment and feel the radiating heat instead of poking it. I feel as though a lot of us, especially students, are so afraid of making mistakes because we want to seem successful, smart, and put together. But sometimes the best lessons aren’t taught in classrooms or from Wiki How articles, but from experience. If we don’t take the time to make mistakes, we’ll be too hesitant to make any progress in life.

The quality that I value most in myself is my wit and sense of humor. Physically, I may not be the lightest on my feet, but when it comes to matters of the mind, I can think of responses, puns, or turnarounds almost immediately. Outside of serious academic settings, I often infuse a joke or two in my response, often quipped in a droll tone for that extra bit of flavor. I enjoy being witty because I like to keep people guessing. It’s one thing to have a productive conversation about a topic, but it’s completely different when your conversation partner knows enough about you, or about the topic, to make little jokes that fit seamlessly into the conversation. Granted, I don’t always nail the correct tone, or the appropriate setting, but when I do, people often remark that I’m an interesting conversationalist. As for my sense of humor, I don’t overly enjoy it in a way where I cram a joke into every conversation, but when humor is applicable, I love to get a little pun or two in. I realize that sometimes people don’t enjoy having jokey conversations, or look down on people who can’t take things seriously, but my philosophy is that conversations are best when you jest, even if the occasional bon mot turns out to be a no-no. I feel as though my ability to quip will come in handy later in life—both in college and beyond. In these next few years, I’m going to meet a lot of people. From internships, job opportunities, and college, I’ll probably see so many faces that the name catalog in my brain will resemble one of those “Guess Who?” boards. In order to make connections, and hopefully some friendships along the way, I have to stand out. I can’t juggle, or fluently speak another language, but I can hold interesting conversations. If there’s one thing that I know about people, it’s that they like to talk, and if they like to converse with me, that feeling may merge into simply enjoying my company. Besides business connections and what not, my future goal of being a lawyer requires thinking on your feet. In court, you never know what the opposing counsel may throw at you, or what the witness you’re questioning may respond with, so you have to be able to think quickly and with wit. Just look at Johnnie L. Cochran. No one remembers a majority of the O.J. Simpson trial, but everybody knows, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit”. That sharpness of mind is what makes lawyers, and everyday people, notable. I’m counting on my wit and humor to help me through life. I don’t necessarily want to be some super famous lawyer, but I do want to be remembered as someone who was sharp and occasionally cunning, but not without a bit of punning. And while being shrewd won’t get me scholarships in the same way that sports do, I hope it’s enough to make the lives of people around me just a bit brighter.

I apply creativity in my life when I find that the task I'm attempting to accomplish is a difficult one. For example, in my AP Bio class, I often find it difficult to remember scientific terms and functions, so I color code my notes and make rhymes to help me remember. I also use creativity when I try to make my work habits more organized. I used to have a tendency to lose flashcards, but now, I just fold and cut one piece of paper that has all that I need to study, and then all my notes are in one place. Besides homework and schoolwork, I also use creativity when finding ways to make my life, and my family's life, easier. My mom loves her scent diffuser, but doesn't always like the mist and humidity, so I made her a candle with her favorite scents instead. I have a tendency to lose my glasses when I take them off because they blend in so well, so attached pink rubber caps at the end that make them easier to find and more comfortable to wear. Creativity is a useful tool, especially when you can't think of another way to solve problems. Sometimes the best sense, isn't the common kind, but the creative kind!

I’m passionate about knowing. Not learning, but knowing. To me, learning is gathering information that can be considered educational and is typically useful in everyday life. Knowing, on the other hand, is gathering jokes, ideas, and facts that are rarely applicable in any situation, but are fun to have around. I go through a considerable amount of online posts and articles about neighborly feuds, or unknown people or facts. My friend Sophie can list all the nations and their capitals, but I can tell you the exact details of some fight between two middle aged men in Nebraska who accused each other of stealing lawn equipment and Home Depot coupons. Although it’s unlikely to be helpful in any aspect of my life and future career, knowing these little tidbits and events is absolutely thrilling to me. Oftentimes, I find myself in the role of a tribal storyteller, but instead of passing on stories about human existence and the mysteries of the universe, I’m regaling the tale of Major G. P. W. Meredith and the battle he lost against the ferocious emus of the Australian Outback. I know my friends are probably tired of my endless yapping, but I feel as though I’m imparting sacred knowledge to their otherwise dull lives. It’s a strange passion, I’ll admit, but it brings me joy.

Some of my favorite hobbies include reading, baking, gardening, and doing word games and puzzles. I absolutely hate sitting idle, so at any given point in the day, you can find me arms deep in dirt or flour (and occasionally trouble). My overall favorite hobby is reading because of everything out there that you can read. There’s books, educational articles, scientific studies, Reddit posts, Facebook drama, online fiction forums, and heaps of other content that I can shove into my brain. I know that most people only consider reading to be related to books or educational stuff, but there’s something so fun about getting 10,000 words into a fight between neighbors who are quarreling about stolen lawn equipment and potential marital affairs. I love to know things, even if the things that I’ve read aren’t actually considered as learning. While it would probably be important to know all the states and capitals, it’s a lot more fun to get sucked down a BuzzFeed rabbit hole on advice for weddings and starting businesses (neither of which I plan to accomplish anytime soon). My second favorite hobbies are a tie between baking and gardening. With baking, you get to see your effort almost immediately, and you get to eat it too. But with gardening, it’s a long and laborious process, but the results last for longer and are often prettier. I once grew a magnificent pot of zinnias that lasted a couple of months before dying. Word games and puzzles probably come in last because it’s getting harder to find challenges that are fun and not impossible to do. When I do find a puzzle that’s fun and completable, the enjoyment I get from it lasts for weeks.

Joy, to me, is that feeling of happiness that’s a bit below exuberance, but leaps and bounds above contentment. Joy is the foundation of my daily routine. When I wake up in the morning, I try to start my day by finding a hilarious post on Pinterest, or a crazy BuzzFeed article to read. Throughout the day, I make sure to keep a smile on my face and a spring in my step. By the end of the day, if I can’t see the creases on my face from all the laughing and grinning I’ve done, then it wasn’t a good day. I seek joy by trying to make others smile. I’m what you would call the “comedic relief” of my friend group. I do stupid things like try to make puns off of my friends names, or seeing how many cherry tomatoes I can fit in my mouth before my speech becomes incomprehensible. My goal by the end of each school day is to say or do something so hilarious (or foolish) that my friends go home and tell their families, “you would not believe what Khouri did today”. Honestly, my greatest fear isn’t college or the change in seasons, but running out of jokes to tell or things to do to make my friends laugh. In a world where we’re so surrounded by negative thoughts and all of these societal issues, it’s getting harder and harder to go out and be happy. But knowing that I can make my friends and family die of laughter by simply saying a terrible joke (or catching a fish out of a crawfish tank) means the world to me, and brings me my own sense of purpose and joy.

My favorite way to help others is to always be a constant and reliable person in my school and around my classmates. A lot of my actions are pretty simple. I carry band aids, extra masks, hand sanitizer, and a few snacks with me at all times. There’s always someone at school who needs a mask, or just got injured, or is a bit peckish. By always carrying supplies with me, I can assure that the people around me are being taken care of. Another way I help others is by simply speaking words of greeting or encouragement whenever I see people. If I see a friend or classmate in the hall, I make sure to wave or say hi. When people are working on projects, I always find something nice to say so that they feel proud of their work. Or, if someone’s wearing a cool outfit, I always make sure to complement it. You never know when someone might need that extra word of encouragement or recognition. I can think of a few times in my life when I’ve one something cool, and all I wanted was for someone to point it out, but they never did. And on occasions when my hands aren’t full, I help my friends, classmates, and teachers carry things around, because walking in crowded hallways while lugging heavy equipment is never fun. Helping others isn’t always some grand, taxing action, like helping them move houses or watching their kids. Sometimes it’s the smaller actions that truly make a difference in people’s days and lives. I’m proud to be a person who can bring a smile to someone’s face by simply offering them a hand or a word of encouragement.

Being homeless taught me to reconsider what I believe to be important in my life. Although my brief stint in homelessness was a while ago, the lessons I learned have guided how I act and what I value. At around the age of four and five, my family and I were living in a homeless shelter downtown, but I hadn’t really conceptualized the extent of our poverty. After all, the shelter had a small playground, a dining hall, and arts and crafts, which was much better than the motels we stayed at before. What I did know is that I couldn’t just ask for any toy I wanted, because there was no way for us to get it. I couldn’t get new shoes every few months, like some of the cooler kids in my school. I couldn’t get the sparkly notebooks, colored pencils, and backpack, only what was at the 99¢ Store. It was because of all of the things I couldn’t get, that I learned to value what I already had. I had two parents and a sister. I had a stable home environment, for the most part. I had a school to go to and a way to get there. And I had the kindness of strangers who volunteered at the homeless shelter. Because I learned not to value overly commercial things, I’ve found that my life is a lot better for it. Where others value the newest technology or branded clothes, I value knowledge and the experiences I get to make. The commercial items I do value are items that have value, like making cooking times shorter or work easier. By valuing the social aspects of life over the physical ones, you find out a lot more of what life has to offer.

My favorite book is "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. It’s a bit outdated—written in the 1960s and for a younger audience than myself—but, I’ve found that some of the lessons and passages from the book have carried me through life. My all-time favorite quote came from this book, as well as a number of lessons about being careful of which words you use or assumptions you make. The quote, “Every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like it or not”, taught me to be cautious of the assumptions I make about people and situations. It’s because of Norton Juster that I’ve been regarded by my peers and teachers as a generally thoughtful individual. I try my best to not generalize, and to make sure I’ve examined all sides of a claim or argument before I speak it, which has helped me find much more understanding between the people around me and situations I face than I ever thought possible. "The Phantom Tollbooth" also taught me to try my best, even if I believe I’m going to fail. Another fantastic quote from the book is, “Just because you can never reach it, doesn’t mean that it’s not worth looking for.” A lot of times, it seems as though I’m faced with impossible tasks with no definite end. Sometimes, however, a journey is not about what lies at the end of the path, but the tips and tricks you’ve learned along the way. If you don’t learn from an experience, then it wasn’t a worthwhile path to take. "The Phantom Tollbooth" is my favorite book because it’s taught me humility, thoughtfulness, and integrity. I would not be the person I am today without the lessons I’ve learned from the novel.

The most helpful financial advice that I've received is "Don't buy what you wouldn't buy twice". We all know the big tips for large expenses in life, like houses, cars, and college, but a lot of the time, we don’t stop to consider the small purchases we make. A while ago, I wanted to splurge on a magnificent, $30 notebook that had a leather cover and fancy bordering. However, I remembered that phrase and I knew that the notebook in my hand wasn’t worth $60, so I put it down. Instead, I picked up the less fancy $13 notebook, that was the same size and page number as the leather one. The two notebooks would’ve served the same purpose. Sure, one was more attention grabbing than the other, but at the end of the day, they’d be filled with the same thoughts, ideas, and doodles. Sometimes, I use the phrase when buying things that don’t have a second option with a better price. While at Home Goods one day, I found the softest blanket with the most delightful patterns. The price of the blanket, however, was $27. I knew that I would not pay $52 for the blanket, so I put it down. My philosophy is that if you’re not willing to pay twice the price of something, you don’t truly want it, and you probably don’t need it. Of course there are outliers to this phrase, like in situations of poverty or price gouging, but when it comes to luxuries and fanciful goods, I try my hardest to follow the rule. I’ve saved a lot of money that way.

My goal in the future is to live a life that others can look up to. Not in an overly narcissistic way, but I want to be the kind of person whose actions encourage people to be better and do better. When I think of successful people, I think of my mother. She led my sister and I out of homelessness, worked at a non-profit, then eventually became a board member at a christian college. She doesn’t do the level of work that she does because it’s easy, but because she knows it will help other people. The people at her job and the people surrounding her look up to her because of the love and compassion she shows towards others. I want to be like her. I want to become a lawyer because I want to stand up for people and to help them out of perilous situations. I want to be the coworker that will cover shifts when a family emergency pops up, or a mental-health day is necessary. I want to be the neighbor that will help move furniture or fix appliances. I want to be a dependable and caring person so that I can show people the value in caring for others. The world is too small of a place for me to not care about the people around me, and for us as a society to not care about the people around us.

The most inspiring book I’ve ever read was "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, or even the most entertaining, but the messages and themes in the book have helped to guide me through life. Even now, the words of Norton Juster help me as I fill out various applications. I’m always worried that it will be hard to express my thoughts, or that I won’t be chosen, but then I remembered the passage, “The only thing you can do easily is be wrong, and that’s hardly worth the effort”. The first time I read "The Phantom Tollbooth" was in 3rd grade. At the time, a lot of the profound sayings in the book had gone over my head. "The Phantom Tollbooth" recounted a harrowing tale about Milo—a kid who was never satisfied in life and who always tried to rush to the end of the day—discovering the intricacies of life and the enjoyment that can be found when you take the time to experience it. As an eight year old, this meant absolutely nothing to me, but I loved the illustrations and some of the funny names of the characters. When I did eventually pick up the book again, I was much older and found that I was acting a lot like Milo. I was always rushing to get home and be by myself, and I never truly cherished the time I spent with my friends. After finishing the novel for the second time, I reexamined my life. I slowed down a bit, made more of an effort to be present, and I decided that I would never again rush through things as if one place was more important to be than another.

Math is important because it helps us discover the secrets of the universe. Sure, we may not be able to count the number of stars in the sky, but we can calculate their distance from us and figure out what it would take to reach them. Math is the greatest tool we’ve discovered and the progress we’ve made with it thus far has been astounding. Math has been at the forefront of all the greatest Achievements. When we look at the launch of John Glen into space, it was calculators like Katherine Johnson who worked out the mathematics to send him there and back. Johnson, as well as the other mathematicians involved, had to find ways to calculate what had never been calculated, or even conceivable before. Or, to look at Alan Turing, father of the computer and one of the men involved in breaking the enigma code. Using logic, puzzle solving, and mathematics, Turing and Gordon Welshman created a machine to solve the ever elusive code that the Germans used during World War II. Math is also important because it can help people find ways to get ahead in life. Turing and Johnson were faced with discrimination. Johnson was African-American living in an era of segregation. Turing was a gay man, making it illegal to be himself in almost all countries across the world. Mathematics helped them find a place in society that wouldn’t have otherwise been afforded to them. Although decency and respect should not depend on one’s ability to create equations that shake society as a whole, it has helped millions of people across the world find a place where they can thrive. I love learning math, not because it’s easy, but because it makes sense. I’m a straight-A student, so I don’t have very many problems with getting my schoolwork done, but sometimes I have problems understanding. Comprehending passages and uncovering meaning in English has always been one of my Achilles heels. Memorizing dates and battles in History is another. I don’t even want to describe the difficulties of the different tones in Mandarin, or memorizing characters. Math, on the other hand, is always consistent and easy to figure out, as long as I know which steps to take. Math is a lot like filling in a puzzle. You start with the easier and most obvious portions of the problem you’re facing. Then, you use logic and references to figure out where the other pieces go. The pieces of the puzzle are never deceitful; they have specific partners to pair with, and when they do get paired together, it helps reveal the greater picture. By the time you fill in the last few pieces of the puzzle, you’re left with a beautiful landscape. When I’m faced with a problem to solve, I approach it in the same way that I approach puzzles. I know which equations pair with what I’m trying to figure out. When variables and units cancel out in my work, it's like bridging together two sections of the puzzle and connecting the masses piece by piece. When I finally finish an equation, it’s like looking at art. I’m able to see which steps led me where and how the numbers flow throughout the page. I love learning math because I’m able to see my progress and I can understand how it works. Learning math, especially complex mathematics, has been one of the most helpful things in my life. Math is always constant and it helps me find ways to understand the world around me.

It’s important to be involved in communities because the relationships that we built with each other as a community helps to sustain both the community and everyday life. Involvement with the people around you helps structure your life and builds a foundation that you can rely upon, even when you’ve moved cities or states, or even countries. To me, community is like a patchwork quilt. Every business, home, person, or special place in the community is a square of the quilt that is woven in an idiosyncratic way and plays a vital role to the foundation and integrity of the quilt. And when a portion of the quilt starts to fray or needs a little touch up, we all need to work together to mend it because we’re only hurting ourselves by ignoring the work that needs to be done. I’ve helped my community by joining different community service organizations. Starting with Builders Club (sponsored by Kiwanis), and now in High School, Youth Advocates Club, I’ve always tried to find ways to leave an impact on the community surrounding me. Some of the most fun I’ve had during school was organizing projects, like Penny Wars (a campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), or even just running through the halls with my class mates and seeing who could hang up the most posters for Red Ribbon Week. In my future career, I plan to do the most for my community by becoming a lawyer. I realize that when people think of public servants, they don’t typically think of lawyers first. Maybe because most lawyers are seen as crooked or just in it for the money. I don’t want to be like that. When I become a lawyer, I want to try my hardest to aid the fight against the problems affecting my community. I live in San Diego, California, so I’m no stranger to ICE and immigration officers. But when I learned about how immigration lawyers have clients piled onto them, with barely enough time to glance at a case before the trial begins, I was horrified. There are families out there who are denied the freedoms and promises of America, because all their attorney was able to do before the case was skim their documents and jot a few notes before being pushed headlong into a room where the judge is passing through trials as if he was simply directing traffic, and not deciding the fate of another man’s life. There are also problems like racial profiling and unwarranted arrests, which rarely take place in my community, but are still issues that I want to fight. To me, the best thing that I can do for my community isn’t just participating in food drives or clothing donations, but going to college and finding a way to combat injustice at the source. I love my community, my neighborhood, and the people in it. By becoming a lawyer I hope to provide them the same comfort that they’ve bestowed upon me.

My favorite simple pleasure in life is daydreaming. Whether I’m weaving a calming story to put myself to sleep, or tuning out the endless chatter coming from the TV, I find that daydreaming is something that I look forward to doing everyday. I’ve always been a fan of stories, both reading and writing stories, but sometimes it’s hard to read through scenes that don’t make sense, or trying to write down the thoughts swirling through my head. When I day dream, I find it easier to experience a story because I can have it a dozen different ways. Although my favorite kinds of daydreams are trips to the mountains or a pirate journey, I often find myself daydreaming about upcoming events and planning for every scenario. Some people would call it worrying or stressing, but I find that taking the time to work through possible scenarios helps me prepare for the next steps in life. Besides daydreaming, I’d say that another of my favorite simple pleasures is simply existing. Not to spite the dead, or anything like that, but I enjoy the feeling of being present in other people’s lives. Some of the best moments I’ve had with my friends didn’t involve laughing or talking, just the sense of calm and tranquility that comes with being content with the friends you’ve made and the time you’ve spent together. I love being able to feel loved without someone having to say it outloud.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I’m better than everyone in every conceivable way and my career path is way cooler and way more important than anyone else’s. Especially people going to med school who probably need more financial help, but who cares about them? Also, my profile is so much cooler than literally everyone else’s on the platform. 2. I plan to become a lawyer in order to put innocent people in jail because it makes a lot more money (not to mention the joy it brings me when families are torn apart at the hands of an unfair system). With the money I make, I’m going to start a Multilevel Marketing scheme, and totally mess up a bunch of people’s lives. 3. I overcame an obstacle when I cut in the school lunch line because it was way too long. There were only 10 hot dogs left, and I was going to be the 12th person in line, so I hopped in front of my friend to make sure that I got a better deal than everyone else. I also took the last of the ketchup packets.

I plan to leave my mark not on the world, but on individuals. It’s difficult to become a big name like Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, or countless other advocates, but I can leave an impact on the lives of the people in my community. My goal in life is to become a lawyer. I’m no stranger to the countless injustices that we face everyday. Because I live so close to the border, I hear all types of stories about the immigration courts and how the attorneys barely get time to look at their client’s cases before being put on stand and defending their rights. It’s unfair that despite the themes of “Truth, Justice, and the American way”, it’s the American court system that sentences men, women, children, and families to such unjust fates. I want to become a lawyer so that I can help people have a chance in life and to experience the full extent of the American dream. I want to fight for the public. To fight against false incarcerations, against racial profiling, against the injustice of the immigration court system, against anything that is harming the members of my community. I know the journey is not going to be easy. First High School, then college, then law school, law firms, working my way up and gaining experience. But all the time, all the stress, and all the difficulties will be worth it. The world is too small of a place to not help each other out. It’s fantastic the difference one person can make by simply taking the time to help a stranger. And I plan to make that difference case after case, trial after trial, until the day I die (or simply retire).

A turnaround story that I’m exceptionally proud of is my weight loss journey. I’ve always been overweight, and at one point I was medically obese. The most I’ve weighed is 220 lbs, but I’ve gotten it down to 162 lbs since then. The hardest part of losing weight wasn’t finding the time, but rather, finding a reason for doing so. My parents had always dragged me off to the gym or sports camps when I was young, and I absolutely hated it. Especially since it felt like they were ashamed of me and wanted me to be more like my athletic sister. I never had any motivation to be fit or slimmer, until around the end of 7th grade. In my 6th grade year, the San Diego School District started the middle school Track and Field league. I joined because my dad made me, but I ended up enjoying being a part of the shot put team. In 6th grade I got 2nd place, and the same in 7th grade. After getting my second silver, I realized that if I wanted to get that gold medal, I had to be more fit. So, when I got carted off to the gym again, I ran a bit faster, lifted a bit more, and worked towards bettering myself. Finally, the next Track season rolled around, and I was able to throw further and more consistently. By the time the final meet arrived, I was confident that I was going to win that gold medal. But I didn’t. Although I walked away from the meet with my 3rd silver medal, I ended up with something even better: motivation. I found a reason to fight for my health, and I’ve been fighting ever since then.

The best way to live a long, healthy life is to do well by yourself and live in a way that makes you happy, while also keeping track of your responsibilities. One must live a balanced life and create schedules or routines that allow for work to be accomplished, but in a non-stressful manner. If, for example, you’re faced with a huge project that means a lot for the future of your career, academic or otherwise, step back and examine what’s required, before you panic and stress. Outline what needs to be accomplished, why it needs to be accomplished, and the outcome of completing or abandoning the problem in question. From there, organize a schedule to help you accomplish your goal, but also allows time for relaxation and distance from whatever you’re working on. When you stress about difficult situations, not only does it take time away from problem solving, but it also causes problems related to continued stress, like heart problems and anxiety disorders. We’re faced with a variety of decisions everyday. By knowing how to combat these decisions, we allow for a peaceful existence. Besides effective problem solving, another key to longevity is finding what makes you peaceful. Always take the time to de-stress after a long day and find what calms your heart and your mind. Emotions, especially turbulent ones, work in the same way as muscles. The more you use them, the more power they have. If you’re constantly stressed, then stress will have the most power over you. If you always find the time to relax, then you’ll find it easier to reach a state of tranquility during everyday life and be motivated by calm thoughts.

1. To me, community is like a patchwork quilt. Every business, home, person, or special place in the community is a square of the quilt that is woven in an idiosyncratic way and plays a vital role to the foundation and integrity of the quilt. I live between two communities, each with a dazzling display of art, culture, and liveliness. However, this metaphorical community quilt, much like real life pieces of fabric, has a few tears in it. The tears being homelessness, people affected by addiction, crime and theft, and countless unfortunate situations. Because the tears in my community distract from its otherwise delightful disposition, I plan to find ways to mend them. Since Middle School, I’ve been involved with community service clubs, as well as a few of my friends' community service projects. I attended an International Baccalaureate Middle School (and I’m currently attending an IB High School), and we pride ourselves on community service. And while I can’t deny enjoying all the money raising competitions in school, or all the food drives and pet care service projects I’ve done, I feel as though the way that I’m giving back to the community isn’t the way I want to continue doing so. It’s simple to hand out cans and blankets during trying winters, but I want to fight injustice by learning the law and using it to help fight the root of these issues. 2. Within the second month of my freshman year, I was drawn into my high school’s Mock Trial club. At first, I came for the free pizza, but then I discovered a fantastic world of law, verbal sparring, and justice. This year, I’m a pre-trial attorney, and my job is to justify whether or not a piece of evidence is constitutional. It’s exciting to find facts and pieces of actual law to prove that what I know in my heart to be moral, is actually true. It’s one thing to have an opinion and a belief, and for it to be just by society’s standards, but to prove it in the eyes of the law is a daunting feat. I plan to, first and foremost, finish up High School, then move onto college, and then enroll in law school. I want to learn how to utilize the law in a way to help my community. There’s absolutely no shame in protesting injustice, either by marches or awareness campaigns, but I want to be able to be on the frontlines, so to speak. My English teacher once told me that bad people get away with bad things because they have good lawyers. I want to be a good lawyer who defends good people and finds a way to keep goodness and morality in society. And I know it sounds ambitious, and quite possibly pretentious, but I refuse to let this world take me out without putting up a fight.

I used to be homeless. It’s a fact I’ve come to accept by now, and a distant memory in my mind, but sometimes I forget how far I’ve come. What I can’t forget is the fear in my mother’s eyes as she wondered if today was the last day she had with her children. Wondering if she’d have to gather us up and keep us under the bridge near the motel we were staying in. Wondering if the police would find us and drag my sister and I out of her arms. When we finally made it out of poverty, out of fear, I realized that the thing that got us out of poverty, besides the grace of God, was my mother’s strength and will and the love she had for us. I realized that if I were to show even a quarter of her strength in any obstacle I faced, that I would prosper and stand strong. When I grow up, I plan to be a lawyer. I plan to face the world and fight against injustice with the same passion that my mother showed all those years ago. There are men, women, and families out there who are faced with impossible and disheartening situations. Knowing that I will one day have the strength to help them out of their situations and do for others what was done for me, is what drives me to be a better person. I’ve already joined my high school’s Mock Trial. Even if the cases are fantastical, it’s still so much fun to get immersed in the law and make arguments for and against the matters in the case. This year, I’m a pre-trial attorney, and my job is to justify whether or not a piece of evidence is constitutional. It’s exciting to find facts and pieces of actual law to prove that what I know in my heart to be moral, is actually true. It’s one thing to have an opinion and a belief, and for it to be just by society’s standards, but to prove it in the eyes of the law is a daunting feat. I want to continue to be able to fight for the public. To fight against false incarcerations, against racial profiling, against the injustice of the immigration court system, against anything that is harming the members of my community. I know it will be a long journey. First High School, then college, then law school, law firms, working my way up and gaining experience. But all the time, all the stress, and all the difficulties will be worth it. The world is too small to not help each other out, and knowing that I can make a difference in the world with my knowledge and the arguments I craft is something that I’m proud of.

I am the daughter of two doctorate holding, Christian parents. All my life, I’ve been taught three things: to strive to be the best I can be, to have compassion for those around me, and to try and make a difference in the world. I plan to go to college and become a lawyer in order to create a difference in my community. Injustices are carried out everyday in America, and I believe that being immersed in the law is the best way to fight them. When an injustice happens in America, people tweet, protest, speak out, and do anything they can in order to point out the atrocity that has been committed. However, the deciding factor on whether or not the perpetrator walks free is never based on common sense or morality, but in the cold, hard facts of the law. More often than not, bad men walk free because they know the law and know how to work it in their favor. As my English teacher once told me, “When you get high enough in the world, you don’t need to be a good man, you just need to have good lawyers.” And it’s a common theme in our society. Bad people walk free because they can afford to bend the rules to their favor. And when it’s not bad men with good lawyers, it’s good men with subpar lawyers. I live in San Diego, California, so I’m no stranger to ICE and immigration officers. But when I learned about how immigration lawyers have clients piled onto them, with barely enough time to glance at a case before the trial begins, I was horrified. There are families out there who are denied the freedoms and promises of America, because all their attorney was able to do before the case was skim their documents and jot a few notes before being pushed headlong into a room where the judge is passing through trials as if he was simply directing traffic, and not deciding the fate of another man's life. Or, when I learned about police who cut unfair deals with the people they unjustly detained in order to pin them down for any given crime. The thousands of youths who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and got pulled into the police station for what was claimed to be “simple questioning” and walked away with marks on their records, or even not getting to walk away at all. I know our community is no stranger to unfair policing and racial profiling, but sometimes simply speaking up isn’t enough to warrant change. It’s hard to rearrange a system, if we don’t know the ins and outs of it. Sometimes the best way to fight a battle isn’t by opposing the enemy with our own means, but by learning their tactics and using it against them. I plan to fight the injustices in my community by knowing the law and using it to fight the battles that have been we’ve all been fighting for decades, maybe even centuries. And I realize that it will be a slow paced journey, and that no one may remember, or even know, the steps that I’ll take in order to make a difference, but sometimes the best plans are the ones that set the way for more change. And any amount of change that I make will be for the better.