When I first stumbled into Minecraft’s blocky, pixelated world, I felt like I’d been thrown into some bizarre mix of "Survivor" and a kindergarten art class. No instructions, no map—just me, an empty inventory, and an endless expanse of grass and dirt. It was a lot to take in. I could go slay the Ender Dragon, build a mansion, or even construct a giant pixelated Mona Lisa. But if I’m being honest? My favorite thing to do is build something completely, gloriously pointless. Now, before you peg me as someone who digs dirt for fun, hear me out. There’s something deeply satisfying about starting with nothing but a half-baked idea and a patch of grass, and ending up with... whatever happens. Maybe it’s a mansion that somehow ends up looking like a giant shoebox or a “secret” underground base that’s about as subtle as a neon sign. Each project is its own little story, a snapshot of my wildly inconsistent skills, and sometimes, a tribute to my latest misadventure. So, why does this resonate with me? It's not just about stacking blocks in a way that's slightly different from everyone else. It's about the pure joy of making something without worrying about whether it’s perfect. Out here in the real world, we’re constantly bombarded with expectations—get good grades, land a great job, impress the right people, and somehow stay sane. In Minecraft, none of that matters. You can build a castle with a lava moat just because it looks cool, and no one’s going to ask if it’s safe. And, like any great video game, Minecraft has its own set of life lessons tucked away between the blocks. Take that time I decided to dig straight down to find diamonds. Instead, I found lava. Or when I spent hours painstakingly crafting an elaborate redstone contraption, only to get an unexpected visit from the neighborhood creeper. Minecraft is always teaching me that patience is a virtue I do not possess, that planning is not overrated, and that humility is the price of learning. But it’s also teaching me that it’s okay to mess up, laugh at my misadventures, and just keep building anyway. Because in life, just like Minecraft, you don’t always know where things will go, but that’s half the fun. As Ferris Bueller so wisely put it, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” We often get so caught up in the end goal that we lose sight of the process. That’s why I love building pointless things in Minecraft—because it reminds me that not everything has to have a purpose or a point. Sometimes, the best moments come when you’re just messing around, having fun, and seeing where things go. So, while others might get a kick out of conquering caves or engineering complicated redstone contraptions, I’m content to keep building my pointless masterpieces. At the end of the day, whether it’s a dirt hut or a sprawling castle, the real magic is in finding joy in the journey and embracing whatever strange, hilarious, unexpected turns it takes.

In the heart of Silicon Valley lies two cities, a stone’s throw away from each other: Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. Despite the proximity and almost identical names, these cities are very different from each other. A long history of segregation has resulted in a line between affluence and adversity. I’ve lived in Palo Alto my whole life and never really paid any attention to this discrepancy until freshman year. Wanting to do something about it, I began volunteering at Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP), a nonprofit organization based in East Palo Alto that focuses on addressing issues related to hunger and poverty in the community. It was definitely an eye-opening experience seeing hundreds of families lined up waiting for food. While we weren’t in the best financial situation, my family never had to worry about putting food on the table, which is something I took for granted. So each day I’d volunteer, serving person after person, hoping to bridge the gap between the communities. It was always so fulfilling to see the happiness and appreciation on people’s faces Amidst the bustling food bank, I stumbled upon a unique role. Almost every person coming to EHP spoke either English, Spanish, or Chinese. While most volunteers and staff conversed seamlessly in English and Spanish, a linguistic gap isolated those who spoke only Chinese. Their silent struggles were palpable and often overlooked by those unable to decipher their pleas for assistance. As a result, they didn’t receive the support they needed. As the sole Chinese-speaking volunteer, I became in charge of helping these people. My ability to communicate became a lifeline for those who, until then, had been muted by the language divide. My experience at the EHP wasn't just about handing out cans; it was about breaking the silence that marginalized a part of our community. I ensured that in times of my absence, Chinese speakers could still be attended to at EHP. I made staff aware of the issue and began teaching them to communicate with people using Google Translate and other online resources. Though it wasn’t perfect, it has played a large role in bridging the language divide. As the pandemic carried on, more diverse populations residing in East Palo Alto came to EHP for assistance. I helped raise awareness of difficulties surrounding the inability to communicate with certain populations; it wasn’t just Chinese speakers, but all languages, from Hindi to Hebrew. In my time at EHP, I grew committed to welcoming and supporting people of all languages and backgrounds, and bridging any barriers preventing us from providing our full attention and help to those in need. Now that I've graduated high school, my experiences at the Ecumenical Hunger Program go beyond individual acts of service and into my future aspirations in the healthcare field. It demonstrated that empathy and small acts of kindness can make a world of difference in the lives of many. In the healthcare field, these lessons are invaluable. Understanding and communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds is crucial to providing effective and compassionate care. My time at Ecumenical Hunger Program has instilled in me a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity and compassion, ensuring no voice goes unheard and no person is left behind. By carrying these values into my future career, I aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients and the broader community.

In a world of complex equations, mind-boggling theorems, and the occasional math-induced existential crisis, one might wonder why anyone would willingly subject themselves to such numerical torture. Yet, here I am, ready to divulge my deep affection for the fascinating world of mathematics. David Attenborough’s voice: In the vast educational landscape, amidst the chirping of pencils and the rustling of textbooks, we find ourselves in the fascinating realm of algebra. Here, in this academic habitat, we witness a magnificent species known as the "Algebraicus Instructus." Watch as it marks the board with complex symbols, attempting to captivate the attention of the students, who are lulled into a state of slumber by the gentle hum of the teacher's voice. Now we turn our attention to a rare specimen. Meet the "Algebracus Curiosus," a young mind captivated by the mysteries of algebra but still navigating the treacherous waters of confusion. Yes, that creature is me. You see, while math is one of my most challenging courses, I find joy in it. The entire new world of endless possibilities that numbers open up is forever fascinating. I mean we went from adding and subtracting numbers to solving derivatives and that is just the beginning. Furthermore, math is the ultimate problem-solving playground. From calculating the trajectory of a flying rubber duck (don't ask) to deciphering the secrets of the universe through calculus, math empowers us to unravel the enigmatic threads woven into the fabric of reality. Besides, math has an uncanny ability to sneak into our everyday lives. Want to know if the small, medium, or large pizza gives the most pizza inches per dollar? Good thing we know the circle formula. Trying to calculate how many pages per minute you have to type for an essay that you had 3 weeks to do but started at 11:26 PM the day of the deadline? That person (not me) could use algebra. Math is everywhere, whether we like it or not. Overall, my love for learning math... It's a bit like falling in love with a complex puzzle that keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you've conquered it all, math swoops in with a curveball, reminding you that there's always more to explore. With each concept acting as a stepping stone to the next, math is an endless adventure spanning longer than the 14,105 levels of Candy Crush.

I don't fear death itself, but I don't want to leave this world not having left a positive impact, which is why I want to work in the medical field in order to serve the community and help as many people as possible.

“Kyle, come help this lady out, I don’t know what she’s saying” George called. “Alright,” I said as I walked toward the lady blabbing incessantly in Chinese at the confused employee. “你要什么？(what would you like?)” I asked her. I won’t forget the way her face lit up after she heard me. She’d wanted potatoes, I discovered after conversing with her in her native language. A couple of years ago I began volunteering at Ecumenical Hunger Program, a food distribution center in East Palo Alto. From Mexican and African-American to Asian and Tongan, the employees and volunteers came from all different backgrounds. After volunteering for over 100 hours, I’ve realized that diversity is not just important, but necessary. However, diversity isn’t just limited to one’s race and language. An example that really resonated with me was when one of the volunteers asked one of the employees, James, “why are people with nice sports cars coming here to get food?”. It was a question that I too had thought about a few times. “Well we can’t think of it like that, I mean we don’t know what their situation is like. They could have lost their job or a family member” James explained. Instantly, I saw the other side of the story and regretted being so shallow-minded. Everyone has a different lens that they see the world through. While the actual events happening around us are the same, each of us perceives them in a different way. This is why diversity in not only races but also experiences and backgrounds are so crucial. This can be applied to the healthcare and medical field. In a world that is constantly evolving and changing, it is important to have a diverse group of individuals working together to provide the best possible care to patients. Diversity allows for different perspectives and ideas to be brought to the table, leading to more innovative solutions and better patient experiences. Furthermore, Collaboration allows for the sharing of knowledge and resources, which can lead to more efficient and effective care. When healthcare providers come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of experiences, they are better equipped to understand and relate to the unique needs and concerns of their patients. This can lead to improved communication and trust between patients and providers, which ultimately results in happier and healthier patients. In my future work in the field of sports medicine, I intend to apply these values by embracing diversity and collaboration in my interactions with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. I plan to actively seek out diverse perspectives and ideas and to work closely with others to provide the best possible care to athletes. I also intend to strive to understand and respect my patients' unique perspectives and experiences and to use this knowledge to advance my work and improve patient outcomes.