Books have always opened the world to me and made me question my own. As a child, reading both fiction and nonfiction was a source of entertainment and self-discovery. However, it was not until high school that I realized how books could influence my future aspirations. What I learned from books, along with a community service project, sparked my desire to improve people’s access to medication and treatment. This aspiration guides me as I pursue a PharmD at Rutgers. When I started organizing and leading a community awareness project in high school, I understood the importance of health care accessibility on a personal level. I have seen people struggle to afford therapy, medication, and general treatment. I have witnessed people give up on seeking care because of their financial status and low health insurance coverage. Through my community project, I have seen the importance of spreading awareness about the necessity of health insurance and how to enroll in these services. While working on this project, I have discovered that there is a need for more advocates in explaining the often-overwhelming process of signing up for health insurance, accessing care, and dealing with denied claims. The compelling narrative by Ricardo Nuila in The People’s Hospital serves as a reminder of why I embarked on the journey of studying pharmacy. The People’s Hospital is the story of Ben Taub Hospital, a safety-net hospital caring for the city’s poor, paying patients, those with no options and no means, uninsured, underinsured, undocumented, and those facing multiple barriers to care. In The People’s Hospital , Nuila recounts the lives of doctors, nurses, and patients, linking their struggles to the themes of poverty, immigration, and health care. What touches me most about this book is that while some of the most vulnerable populations lack access to care, those who seek care demonstrate incredible resilience and perseverance. Moreover, the caregivers at the Ben Taub Hospital find innovative ways to work around the system to get patients the treatment they need. Reading The People’s Hospital has connected me to my past self, the one who got inspired after working on a community project about the importance of health insurance. As a pharmacist, I will play a significant role in improving medication accessibility for those who need it. In addition to providing medication information, we also check whether a patient can afford their prescribed drugs and connect them with lower-cost alternatives in case of financial hardship. With this in mind, I want to use my pharmacy career to make a difference in people’s lives by advocating for their access to medication and treating them with respect and empathy. Rutgers pharmacy program will equip me with the necessary skills to achieve this goal. Books have allowed me to explore the world and understand who I am. As a teenager, I discovered books about social issues affecting our society today. These books, along with my community project, further inspired me to pursue a career in pharmacy, where I could make a difference in people’s lives by improving their medication adherence and health care access. The compelling message in The People’s Hospital serves as a constant reminder of why I enrolled at Rutgers to pursue a PharmD degree. The libraries and educators who brought these books to me allowed me to learn from the experiences of others. I am excited to use the knowledge I gained from books to advocate for better access to medication and care for vulnerable populations.

The performance of which I am most fond is Taylor Swift singing ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version)’ at the Eras Tour concerts, especially when she would perform it as either a full band or acoustic song under the red lights of the Red era. There is something deeply poignant about seeing an artist on stage delivering a raw and vulnerable performance in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans. While both the five- and ten-minute versions of the song are powerful, there is a certain gravity that comes with hearing the extended version. Taylor does not deliver the lyrics of the ten-minute ballad at a frantic pace; instead, she draws it out, almost as if she is allowing the audience to relive the memories with her. She captures the ache in her voice as she recalls the scarf, the refrigerator light, the sacred prayer of youth, leading up to the final chorus when the audience is chanting along with her. I love how this performance captures that feeling of an intensely personal and vulnerable moment shared on a stadium-sized stage. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the performance is how Taylor balances her vulnerability on stage. There is no sense of self-indulgence or dramatic flair; instead, I found myself enthralled by the way she delivered each line, carefully metering out the emotion in her performance. This is a woman who has spent the majority of her career learning how to balance her feelings for fans while still being true to herself, and it shows in her careful modulation of feeling. It is easy to mistake such an intensely emotional display for manufactured drama, but someone who has seen Taylor’s evolution as an artist knows that this is the product of years of experience learning how to perform in front of people. As such, while the raw emotion in her voice is undeniably real, it is carefully shaped to serve the song rather than overpowering it. A part of me wishes she would have taken the more self-indulgent route, but I respect her restraint and the emotional maturity that went into choosing to perform ‘All Too Well’ the way she did. It was a fitting choice for a tour all about embracing the past, and one that captured the attention of the entire stadium every single time. When the Eras Tour concerts started, I was going through a difficult period in my life where I felt as if I could not control my emotions. There were times when I wished I could rewrite the past or make everything turn out differently, but I could not. All Too Well Ten Minute Version was one of the songs that helped me accept my feelings for the past and understand that I did not have to be happy about everything that happened to me. Listening to Taylor be so brutally honest about her feelings allowed me to realize that my feelings for the past were not something to be ashamed of or run away from. Perhaps that is why I find these particular performances so meaningful – they are an intensely personal look into Taylor’s heart, and one that I feel privileged to witness. The Life of a Showgirl is a song about living in the spotlight, but a night at the Eras Tour reminds me that the brightest show is the one where the artist’s heart is put on display for everyone to see.

The first time I heard the lyrics “I’m so sick of myself / I’d rather be anybody else” from the song “jealousy, jealousy,” I paused the music. Not because of the devastation, but because Olivia Rodrigo put the most accurate reflection of my feelings on the screen. I have battled jealousy my whole life, and a thought that I would rather be someone else entirely was never an option for me I have selected three pieces of lyrics as my personal favorites to represent the stages I have gone through in my coming-of-age process. The first one is “I get so jealous of the way you make it look so easy / And I get so jealous of the way you make it look so free.” High school was full of situations where I tried comparing myself to others, trying to find the reasons for being less successful. This verse was an open window into my thoughts, allowing me to acknowledge that most of those thoughts were not coming from an honest place. I realized jealousy was not a feeling but a judgment directed inward, so my mind would punish itself for trying to strive for something bigger. However, Rodrigo’s song did not make me beat myself up. Instead, the words encouraged me to look at my desires more honestly. What did I really want, and how could I achieve it? The second piece of lyrics I want to share is “I don’t know how to talk to people / I don’t know how to make friends / I don’t know how to be myself” from the song “ballad of a homeschooled girl. The situation described in this verse was very relatable for me, although I was never homeschooled. I have always struggled to communicate with others and be socially active, so I knew the frustration well. However, it was not something I ever wanted to admit out loud Listening to Rodrigo’s song made the struggle seem normal. It made me want to be better at talking to people and accepting that sometimes I would fail at that. I still do not know how to make friends, but at least now I can admit that and not be ashamed. The third quote comes from the song “making the bed”: “I know that I’m the one who’s making the bed / And I know that I’m the one who’s gotta lie in it.” It was the most honest reflection of my feelings as a grown woman. I was always used to blaming external factors for things going wrong, but not this time. I saw the situations from the point of view of a grown woman who needed to take responsibility for her actions, although it was painful. This message was important for me since I realized I was not a victim of circumstances more often than I admitted. I had certain choices, and sometimes I made it harder for myself on purpose. I have found some comfort in these particular lyrics, as well as in Rodrigo’s overall message. Her songs gave me the strength to confront certain aspects of myself without shame. I was able to admit that I wanted to be somebody else, that I did not know how to socialize, and that I took the easy way out too often. However, Rodrigo helped me see those issues as something normal and not shameful. Her lyrics encouraged me to reflect on myself and the circumstances without being judgmental. As a result, I could accept the things I could not change and was motivated to change the things that were necessary.

I first met Sabrina Carpenter as Maya Hart on Girl Meets World . Maya was such a great role model for kids, as she always stood by her friends and had a bit of a sharp tongue. She was very genuine and had a lot of depth, which can be hard to come by as a young girl. Sabrina was a large part of my childhood, and I feel nostalgic thinking about that time and how great it was to see such a wonderful person on screen. Since then, Sabrina has done a lot of other great things in her music career. Songs like “Esperesso” and “Please Please Please” are so catchy and fun, but I love that she adds a bit of her personality to each track. Most of her songs have a clever, self-aware edge that is so great to hear. Not many people can be so confident and expressive through their music while still being so down-to-earth and popular. What has stuck with me the most, however, is seeing how she handles things publicly. I admire the frank way she speaks about many things related to her industry and how she does not shy away from sharing her feelings and thoughts on various topics. This has helped me a lot in my own personal growth, as it inspired me to seek out new things and never be afraid to speak up for myself and do what I feel is right. This has also helped me in my studies, as I realized that all phases of my life are important and that I should not be afraid to move on from one for a better opportunity. As a child, I used to spend my free time dreaming of becoming Maya Hart and hanging out with my friends, but now I spend that time doing bigger and more important things. Finally, Sabrina has helped me to understand the value of versatility and ambition. She has managed to have a great and lasting career by doing many different things, including acting, music, and standing up for causes that are important to her. This has taught me that I need to be versatile in my own career and never be afraid to take on new opportunities. In the end, I admire Sabrina for what she has done for her fans and for inspiring people like me. Her music career has rewarded her greatly for her hard work and dedication, and I think it is great to see someone put so much effort into their work while still having fun and making great art in the process.

While catching up on health-related headlines, I frequently came across articles discussing the skyrocketing drug prices and how essential prescriptions are becoming increasingly inaccessible. These stories resonate closely with me, as my grandmother was unfortunately diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. I remember seeing the stacks of pill bottles on the kitchen counter just for her to manage the pain. Not only was this sight heartbreaking, but it also made me wonder how expensive it all is. I knew that my grandmother was not the only person having to pay a fortune to obtain these pills, as millions of Americans today also have difficulty affording medication. I couldn’t just sit back and watch this problem unfold before me; I wanted to take action to find the extent of the problem. When given the chance to develop my own research project, I decided to investigate whether age is correlated with people's opinions on whether pharmaceutical companies prioritize profit or public health. Based on background knowledge that older individuals, like my grandmother, are more aware of the expenses of medications, I hypothesized that the older population would have more negative views. After gathering data from 700 respondents through an online survey, I was surprised to see that 70% of them shared negative views that pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits, regardless of age. While this research project has expanded my understanding of the drug pricing and accessibility problem, I have also honed my skills in recognizing and analyzing societal challenges. It isn't enough to merely quantify these findings. I also want to recognize that behind the responses are individuals who express genuine concerns over drug affordability, just like my grandmother. Seeing how there is a major disconnection between the public and pharmaceutical companies doesn't deter my interest in exploring the field of pharmacology. In fact, I want to step forward and help guide people in the right direction to find proper counseling and gain more drug accessibility. As I enter Rutgers University as an Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and Honors College student, I am ready to take this transformative next step in the start of my pharmacology journey. By embracing the school's core values of intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement, I will harness Rutgers' resources to expand my advocacy for drug accessibility and affordability. I can collaborate with students at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and in public health to innovate solutions to this active problem and present the findings at the Capstone Symposium hosted by the school. Since Rutgers is also located in the heart of major pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson, there are real opportunities to create an impact beyond the college community. With strategic partnerships with these companies and local pharmacies, I can host workshops to educate and empower the community to advocate for healthcare accessibility. When envisioning my future impacts in pharmacology, I am reminded of my grandmother's strength as she fought her illness, which further inspires me to advocate for those in the same situation. Receiving this scholarship empowers me to be that voice that stands up and makes changes for those who can't.

The most awkward moment during high school was when I got smacked with a puff of cotton-candy-scented fog while walking into the bathroom. The awkward moment of girls vaping and staring at me as I weaved through them frequently occurs; this remains problematic as they always get away with vaping right under the administration's nose. In recent years, there's been stricter enforcement of vaping rules: increased security over bathrooms, installation of metal detectors, and random classroom backpack searches. Not only does this transform the school environment to be more prison-like, but the escalation of punishments won't change students' behavior or thoughts on vaping; students will only be encouraged to seek secretive ways to bring vapes into class. These thoughts have been brewing in my head for a while. However, I only recently discovered a way to address this issue. I thought that if a student started an initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse, my peers would be more likely to listen. With this idea and a strong passion for advocacy, Project Ribbend was born. Bringing this project to students came with numerous unexpected responsibilities. A strong idea is only the beginning steps into creating an impactful project; the skill of taking initiative is what makes it successful. In my experience, communication skills are nonnegotiable. This skill shined when I reached out to various clubs around the school, including DECA, Future Medical Professionals of America, the Environmental Club, and Peer Counseling, to arrange collaborative meetings. Although there were some challenges in keeping consistent contact with these organizations, it is important to show initiative in reaching out and maintaining a strong connection. As a result, I was able to acquire crucial partnerships to convey Project Ribbend's message to students effectively. Planning and creativity skills were essential to execute engaging meetings where students not only learned about the drug abuse problems but also participated in meaningful activities. For example, in a meeting with DECA, students created red ribbon-themed bracelets. All 90 of these bracelets were then donated to a local drug addiction rehabilitation center to help patients recovering. During Red Ribbon Week, we designated a day for students to wear red, which collectively brought their voices together and advocated for the prevention of drug abuse. The execution of the original meeting made Project Ribbend memorable and left a lasting impact on the community. Leading a large initiative also came with its challenges, with the biggest being uncertainty in student attendance. I was worried that an unexpected number of students' attendance would exceed the resources I had planned. The project's marketing was a little too effective, especially in the bracelet-making meeting, where over 70 people attended when I had only expected 40. I learned that it's best not to panic, but to create a strategic method to weave through the problem. I devised a plan and had a team of helpers redistribute the materials already placed in cups for each table. In the end, every student left the meeting with at least one bracelet made. With Project Ribbend's message reaching over 1,000 students, I can confidently determine that this project was a huge success! This experience gave me invaluable insight into the importance of preventive education in healthcare and strengthened my leadership skills. I learned that leadership through service is powerful precisely because of its action-oriented endeavor. Project Ribbend showed me that lasting influence comes not from authority or punishment, but from peers who choose to dedicate themselves to ensure others can make healthier choices.

For the longest time, I bought into the idea that the only way to live a prosperous life was to actively push myself to my limits, as it would set me up for a successful future. This was how I defined my self-worth. In school, I was among the few individuals who signed up for the most rigorous and stressful courses offered: 15 Advanced Placement, 7 AICE Cambridge, and 8 Dual-Enrollment courses, to be exact. While these demanding courses have consumed much of my time, I’ve also been committed to numerous extracurriculars, such as DECA and hospital volunteering. These commitments left me in a constant state of stress, fully convinced that this lifestyle was the ultimate price I had to pay to achieve my dream of admission to a prestigious university filled with opportunities for a successful life. However, I failed to realize that this decision cost me my youth, trading it for a future that often feels out of reach. My rigid perspective was completely altered during the sudden passing of my grandmother from gallbladder cancer. Watching someone dear to me pass away from an aggressive illness brought my fast-paced world to a sudden halt. I remembered that in the quiet moments when I spent time with her during her illness, the world of academics that had consumed me suddenly held no importance. Her sudden passing later on forced me to realize the harsh truth that life is a precious gift, and that putting so much pressure on myself is meaningless if I am too stressed to enjoy the time I have. The loss of my grandmother was the starting drive to shift my perspective on my mental health and understanding of my place in this world. I realized that my constant fixation on academic excellence and strive for a better future were causing me to lose sight of the appreciation of the present. Since then, I learned to slow down and prioritize living in the moment, as even though academics are important, my mental health matters more. My new mindset has transformed my relationship with my future goals. Even though I continue to take on rigorous coursework while balancing extracurricular activities, I no longer feel it weighing me down. I am also more acceptable of failure, knowing that even though some test scores may not be as pretty as others, one mishap won’t be the cause of my downfall. I now don’t look at my future with anxiety but with excitement, knowing that it will bring new adventures and challenges to conquer. I am pleased to say that I look forward to studying pharmacy at Rutgers University, the school that I believe will fulfill my desire to be challenged and live my best life as a college student. By receiving the Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship, I hope to honor my grandmother’s memory by living life to the fullest and finding joy in every moment of my adventure.

Every great Love Island challenge requires three things. First, a big splash of slapstick comedy. Second, high stakes that really raise the drama. And finally, a confrontation at the poolside the very moment the game concludes. That's why I've created the following challenge "Spill the Tea or Face the Freeze." It's an innovative contest that requires teams of two to use their social skills, knowledge of each other, and willingness to embrace physical challenges, in order to protect the secrets of the villa from being spilled. The game is set in the villa's beautiful garden, which has been transformed into a wintery wonderland. At the center of the garden is a circular, rotating table. Upon the table there is a giant, rotating teapot, with a vile-smelling "tea" brewed from cold baked beans, mushy peas, and sour milk. For the game, one member of each couple has been strapped to a comfortable, rotating throne at the center of the "tea" table. Meanwhile, the other member of the couples have been suspended from harnesses above a large tank of frigid, freezing water. The host asks the contestants in the throne seats increasingly invasive personal questions about their relationships and the others in the villa. For example, the host may ask the players, "Who did your partner just call the worst kisser in the villa?" Or "What did the two of you say about each other's relationships when you first arrived?" The player in the throne must then decide whether they want to "Spill the Tea" and answer the question, or "Face the Freeze" and protect their partner. If the player decides to defend their partner by saying "Face the Freeze," both players must perform some physically challenging tasks. The player in the throne must drink a shot of the disgusting, smelly "tea," while the player suspended above the water must be dunked headfirst into the tank of freezing water for five seconds. Now the player must decide, would they rather risk facing the icy cold tank to protect their partner's feelings, or risk giving away damaging information that could lead to their relationship being broken up by the end of the day? The physical comedy potential of "Spill the Tea or Face the Freeze" is enormous. However, even better are the confrontations that are sure to occur at the villa pool. Couples will argue over why the other didn't "Spill the Tea," while others will have to deal with the awful truths about their partners' relationships being revealed. "Spill the Tea or Face the Freeze" is an ingenious test of loyalty and egotism, which fits perfectly into the Love Island experience.