The Catcher in the Rye will always be my favorite book. Since I read it (and barely understood it) for the first time in 6th grade to when I read it now, it is my comfort book. It is so raw and real. Many people can relate to Holden when he feel helpless and lost, especially at the age that he is in the book. The book is narrated from his perspective, his real, unaltered opinions. Some parts are so funny yet tragic. But it is oddly settling. I love it so much.

Nothing brings me more joy than art. It feeds my soul. Music makes me feel alive and infuses my day. Whether I listen to jazz early in the morning, upbeat rhythms while cleaning my room, or rap while working out, music is all around me. I find it amazing that music is infinite and constantly evolving, with every artist bringing their unique style and the music genres changing all the time. I love the way instruments blend together, making each song unique. Some songs quite literally take over me and I close my eyes and just enjoy them. I love artwork. I have spent much time in museums, enjoying classic art, contemporary art, and modern art. I muse over the artifacts before reading their label because there is no limit to the creativity of a viewer, just as there is no limit to the creativity of an artist. I feel a strong passion for literature because it nurtures the brain. I love reading and often become engulfed in my books, contemplating the various plots and characters. Reading helps me unwind after daily productivity, as I delve into new worlds. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like. I love exploring the creative side of my brain. Art has deep meanings and takes many forms. I am thankful to have explored this from a young age and have grown to appreciate art every time that I see it.

During my junior year, I took a college-level Entrepreneurship class and my love for business rapidly grew. I founded my own jewelry business called Demm Gems, where I hand-make customized rings and earrings. I reached out to local store owners, one of whom became my mentor, and I expanded both my business and network. I started selling jewelry at school and, through word of mouth, my business rapidly grew. My jewelry is now sold in two shops, at neighborhood fairs, and online! I joined the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) during my junior year. I participated in unique challenges, such as role-playing as an interviewer, and I qualified for DECA state finals. My business drive was recognized and I was selected as the President of DECA at my school. DECA allows me to collaborate with like-minded people and channel the creative parts of my brain. This past summer, while working at a country club, I started a conversation with a member and learned that he had recently founded an outdoor spin cycling studio called RIDE Miami. Later, he offered me a marketing internship at RIDE. My first project was to create the company’s Facebook page. I had not used Facebook before, so I watched videos and read articles on how to navigate it and how to create an engaging page. I presented the final product to my boss and exceeded his expectations. He offered me to become a Business Associate intern, which I enthusiastically accepted. I enjoy working closely with RIDE’s CEO and other members of the team, who share their business wisdom with me. My strong work ethic, my drive to constantly better myself, my leadership skills, and my accumulated business acumen are qualities I will bring wherever I go.

I wake up around the same time every day (6:15-6:30), journal, and do yoga right away. This wakes my body up and clears my head, as I get ready to tackle the day. I then eat breakfast and complete important tasks first to boost my productivity (e.g. check emails, news, plan my to-do list) - this is all before I check my phone. I stay productive and distraction-free as I complete fun and important tasks for me (e.g. school, my internship, reading, etc). Around 4 every day, I take a break to clear my head. I love working out and going to the gym daily comes as naturally as eating food to me. Speaking of food, my diet consists of vegetables and greens, fruits, and low-carbs. The things that I do for my body are not only super healthy, but make me feel amazing. I look forward to meal planning and working out everyday because I love the way that I feel after. I think balance is also key to a healthy life because the body can be as healthy as ever, but if the mind isn't, then it does not matter. So, I talk to friends, watch shows, go out, and let myself rest. I am living an amazing life right now that I know will help me in the long-run.

Everything.

I love relaxing by exploring my creative limits through the arts. I use music, poetry, etiquette, and other art forms to feed my soul. Music makes me feel alive and infuses my day. Whether I listen to jazz early in the morning, upbeat rhythms while cleaning my room, or rap while working out, music is all around me. I find it amazing that music is infinite and constantly evolving, with every artist bringing their unique style and the music genres changing all the time. I love the way instruments blend together, making each song unique. I have spent much time in museums, enjoying classic art, contemporary art, and modern art. I muse over the artifacts before reading their label because there is no limit to the creativity of a viewer, just as there is no limit to the creativity of an artist. I love to read and often become engulfed in my books, contemplating the different plots and characters. Reading helps me unwind and delve into new worlds. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like, so I think it is crucial to read and explore the creative side of our brains. Whether reading books on critical thinking early in the morning, a realistic fiction novel during my free time in school, business or educational books on the weekend, or poetry before bed, I always feel at peace when I read. Although I work very hard, I also recognize the importance of balance. Art nurtures my brain and provides me peace in my busy days.

-start my own business - check -intern at a company - check -collaborate with and learn from CEOs - check -read, practice yoga, meditate daily - check -exercise daily - check

Confidence means walking into a room with your head held up. It means having proper posture, maintaining eye contact, and not using a phone to remain invisible in a public setting. I show my confidence by starting conversations with people, by dressing nicely, by self-respecting myself. It is so important to put a good image of yourself out there and it starts with confidence.

I use music, poetry, etiquette, and other art forms to feed my soul and relax. Music makes me feel alive and infuses my day. Whether I listen to jazz early in the morning, upbeat rhythms while cleaning my room, or rap while working out, music is all around me. I find it amazing that music is infinite and constantly evolving, with every artist bringing their unique style and the music genres changing all the time. I love the way instruments blend together, making each song unique. I have spent much time in museums, enjoying classic art, contemporary art, modern art, any art. I muse over the artifacts before reading their label because there is no limit to the creativity of a viewer, just as there is no limit to the creativity of an artist. I love to read and often become engulfed in my books, contemplating the different plots and characters. Reading helps me unwind and delve into new worlds. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like, so I think it is crucial to read and explore the creative side of our brains. Whether reading books on critical thinking early in the morning, a realistic fiction novel during my free time in school, business or educational books on the weekend, or poetry before bed, I always feel at peace when I read.

I use music, poetry, etiquette, and other art forms to feed my soul. Music makes me feel alive and infuses my day. Whether I listen to jazz early in the morning, upbeat rhythms while cleaning my room, or rap while working out, music is all around me. I find it amazing that music is infinite and constantly evolving, with every artist bringing their unique style and the music genres changing all the time. I love the way instruments blend together, making each song unique. I have spent much time in museums, enjoying classic art, contemporary art, modern art, any art. I muse over the artifacts before reading their label because there is no limit to the creativity of a viewer, just as there is no limit to the creativity of an artist. I love to read and often become engulfed in my books, contemplating the different plots and characters. Reading helps me unwind and delve into new worlds. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like, so I think it is crucial to read and explore the creative side of our brains. Whether reading books on critical thinking early in the morning, a realistic fiction novel during my free time in school, business or educational books on the weekend, or poetry before bed, I always feel at peace when I read.

During my junior year of high school, I took a college-level Entrepreneurship class in which my love for business rapidly grew. I founded my own jewelry business, Demm Gems, where I hand-make rings and earrings. I emailed many local shops, talked with store owners (one of whom became my mentor), and built up my knowledge on entrepreneurship. At first, I started selling jewelry to my classmates and teachers and, through word of mouth, my business rapidly grew. I now sell my jewelry in two shops, am often invited to participate in neighborhood fairs, and sell my products online. Currently, my goal is to expand Demm Gems nationwide. At the end of my junior year, I won the Best Student in Marketing award and I was selected as the President of DECA. DECA allows me to collaborate with like-minded people and channel the creative parts of my brain (e.g., how to approach ambiguous problems). This past summer going into my senior year, while conversing with a member of the country club I was employed at, I learned that he had recently founded an outdoor spin cycling studio called RIDE Miami. After our conversation, he offered me a marketing internship. My first project was to create the company’s Facebook site. I had not used Facebook before, so I watched videos and read articles on how to navigate it and how to create an engaging page. I made a mock version page, compared it to other sites, and presented the final product to my boss. I exceeded his expectations and he offered me a Business Associate Internship, which I enthusiastically accepted. I now work closely with high-level people in the company, networking and gaining experience from them along the way. I will continue to network and pursue my love for business throughout college.

I founded my own jewelry business, Demm Gems, where I hand-make rings and earrings. I now sell my jewelry in two shops, am often invited to participate in neighborhood fairs, and sell my products online. I was a marketing intern at RIDE Miami, an outdoor spin cycling company and my first project was to create the company’s Facebook site. I had not used Facebook before, so I watched videos on how to create an engaging page. I presented the final product to my boss, the CEO, and I exceeded his expectations. He offered me a Business Associate Internship, which I enthusiastically accepted. I also love feeding my soul through art.

In life, there must be balance. If you want to have time to complete work, time to pay your bills, time to read, time to exercise, or time to relax, you, in turn, have to give time. Being patient shows that you are respectful of one's time and makes all the difference.

I use music, poetry, etiquette, and other art forms to feed my soul. Music makes me feel alive and infuses my day. Whether I listen to jazz early in the morning, upbeat rhythms while cleaning my room, or rap while working out, music is all around me. I find it amazing that music is infinite and constantly evolving, with every artist bringing their unique style and the music genres changing all the time. I love the way instruments blend together, making each song unique. I have spent much time in museums, enjoying classic art, contemporary art, and modern art. I muse over the artifacts before reading their label because there is no limit to the creativity of a viewer, just as there is no limit to the creativity of an artist. I love to read and often become engulfed in my books, contemplating the different plots and characters. Reading helps me unwind and delve into new worlds. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like, so I think it is crucial to read and explore the creative side of our brains. Whether reading books on critical thinking early in the morning, a realistic fiction novel during my free time in school, business or educational books on the weekend, or poetry before bed, I always feel at peace when I read.

I love to talk to people. This may sound vague and not the best way to help someone, but being there for one and listening when they need it, makes all the difference. Even if I do not know someone, I like to try and positively impact them. For example, walking down the hall at school, I often see individuals crying. I always stop and ask them if they are okay; more times than not, we actually spend a lot of time talking about what they are going through. They look more relieved after and even smile towards the end! On a more personal level, whenever my friends need someone to talk to, they confide in me. It makes me feel good that they trust me and can let the weight off of their shoulders by just opening up about what is happening. I know that everyone is batting a struggle that not everyone knows about and that is why I try to be the kindest person that I can. Just by complimenting, talking, or smiling a person, I feel like I help them move through their day. : )

I love fine arts: artwork, drawing, reading, music, museums. Although I am still young, I learned to appreciate the calmness and deeper meaning of art. I feel it nurture my soul and it makes me feel at peace. What I love the most is reading. I spend a lot of time reading and contemplating the different plots and characters, engulfed in the story. Reading helps you escape your problems, unwind, and delve into new worlds. I realized long ago that reading is so much more important than social media because it helps our brain in so many ways. No two people have the same image of what a character looks like or what a character’s voice sounds like, so I think it is crucial to read and explore the creative side of our brain. I love looking at art in museums, especially old art, because it fascinates me that some painting were completed centuries ago. They had different meanings then, the different lifestyles than we we have now. I almost feel like I can jump into the past just by looking at the snapshot the artist put on the canvas. Don't get me started on poetry - I have accidentally spent hours reading it, without realizing any time has passed. : )

After reading the book "The Catcher in the Rye" a plethora of times, I realized how much I loved it. I often considered how I would love to have a conversation with Holden Caulfield. The book is about preserving innocence and living a simple life. I want to talk to Holden because, in a way, I understand how he felt: lost. By leaving everything behind, he learned to find joy in the simple things in life, like watching his sister ride a carousel. This summer I went off social media and found happiness in new ways. I went on hikes on a nearby island almost every day, explored small towns, read, met new people, went to carnivals, and more. I felt like a kid again. I would ask Holden if he feels better after his adventure. At the end of the book, he says that he misses some people - the same people he kept criticizing throughout the book. Did leaving them make him realize he subconsciously liked them? Or was he just lonely? I would love to see the deeper perspective of his adventure, because, at times, I felt the same. I found myself thinking about individuals I never expected to think about - was it genuine? I would ask Holden if he would do it all over again. When a book makes you think so deeply and raise such in-depth questions, for me that book is important. This book inspires me to slow down and enjoy life because it passes us by quickly if we do not. : )

I have taught myself to be self-reliant and financially independent from a young age. For me, being independent can be something as simple as using public transportation whenever I can rather than asking people for rides or it can be reaching out when I have questions rather than waiting for the person to come to me. It also means being financially independent. I am still young, but I feel like I am financially free. I started working my sophomore year, and have changed job 3 times, each one being better than the last: I started working at the register at a fast food place, then took orders and ran food at a country club restaurant, and now I host at a respected restaurant in the area. I babysit during my free time, and something that makes me stand out, is that I have my own jewelry business. I started my jewelry business on impulse during my junior year. While I was scrolling through videos, one came up on ring making. That was when I thought, “How hard can this be?” So I ordered a ring-measuring stick and wires, and uncovered beads from the second grade I thought were long gone. After finishing homework, I would watch Shark Tank on Youtube for hours on end, while practicing and perfecting my ring making techniques. I created a few of my best rings, edited some photos, and sent my business information to local store owners, one of whom responded and became my mentor. Throughout the year, she taught me how to market my products, provided insight into how I can add value to my customers, and even sold my jewelry in her store. I started shipping rings across the US, participating in neighborhood fairs, selling in school, enjoying every step of the way.

If you look me up in 30 years, you will see a description of a very successful person. You will read how after college, I went straight into investment banking, that I worked harder than anyone at my company, spent endless late nights, climbed up the firm ladder, and made it to the top. You continue reading; I am now the CEO of my own million-dollar company, and often invest in other small companies. I created an organization, one that allows seniors in America, of any income level, school level, race, gender, to apply- the student submits a video describing their dreams, I watch them all myself, and pick 5 who stand out. “I do not need to know their grades, their town, etc; I need to see passion in their eyes,” I describe on my website. The select few work for my company, I help kick start their career. You also notice that I modeled for a little in Milan, and I loved it; you see the confidence in my eyes as I walk down the runway. You see pictures of me from all around the world, I love to travel. I am often with actors, models, businesspeople, producers, successful people. You like that I associate with so many different styles of life. You read a poem from my book about New York, my favorite city. You feel a sense of certainty in reading about my life, a sense of power because I do not stay in one field, but expand my connections and knowledge.

I love my confidence. "Your nose is too big," or "You're too tall," are only some examples of the things that have been said to me over the years, but I love these traits that make me unique. I like taking different pictures, or wearing styles that not everyone does at my age (for example, always dressing up to look nice rather than wearing sweatpants everyday). I study hard, accumulate expertise, and have lots of real-world knowledge, so it is easy for me make conversation with anyone. I never look at my phone walking into a room, and I keep my head help high. Even if I do not feel the best that day, my rule is to pretend that I do; no one can tell if you do not feel the best, as long as you do not show it. I am never embarrassed of myself or my accomplishments, because I know that anyone who makes fun of me is only projecting their own insecurities. I like that I can keep myself happy and confident, no matter what happens. This helps me with networking and connection making, because people know that they can rely on me and it is easy for me to connect with them.

"Learn to spend your money wisely, not to stop spending altogether."

I want to achieve financial freedom and educate those, especially young people, around me. With having financial freedom, I can travel the world, especially places where there are large barriers to success. I can teach kids how I achieved it myself, and push them to do the same. I also always wanted to create my own scholarship program to give opportunities to those with passion and drive (regardless of financial standing, race, gender, etc).

The most important personal finance lesson one can learn is to set goals - when it comes to financial freedom, this is crucial. A goal can be, "I will profit $100,000 this year." Once you know what you are working for, you can start to plan how to achieve it. Step 1) Set a goal. Step 2)Write down how much money you loose per month (rent, food), so you know what you need to set money aside for. 3)Write down what you will eliminate (clothes, online shopping) because nothing hurts a bank account more than useless shopping. 4)Besides your primary salary, what other income streams can you create (stocks, businesses, babysitting)?. If you lose a job, what happens? Hopefully nothing too bad, if you have money working for you while you find a new job! You need to have a plan, a set path to achieving your financial goal. Setting and writing financial goals, puts you one step closer to achieving them.

I admire Warren Buffet. He really "hacked the system" and achieved financial freedom, all from educating himself. He studies, he read, he analyzed companies, and now has a net worth of over $100 billion. I myself love to read, not only for fun, but also to learn. I read business books, thinking books, I expand my mind every day. I watch TED talks, youtube channels of financial gurus, and I hope that one day, I can achieve as much as Mr.Buffet did.