Question 1: At Arcadia High School, we proudly represent the White Mountain Apaches, but I often wondered, “Why do other schools have mascots like eagles or mustangs, while my school represents an indigenous tribe?” I joined my school’s Student Council Apache Commission to see if our representation of the Apaches reflected online claims of “colonialism and oppression.” During my time as SCAC’s Secretary, I facilitated monetary donation drives, raised over 8,000 dollars school-wide each year, and promoted our toy and jacket drives for the Apache people through social media. As a club, we conveyed respect, using the proper titles and visual representations for all topics and correcting harmful mascots and symbols. Our school didn’t trade materialistic necessities for access to the Apache’s emblem, we represented them because both the Apaches and Arcadians chose to honor each other as one community. I helped direct a team project alongside Arcadia school administrators to compile data, anecdotes, and official documents. I discovered a letter from Tribal Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood stating “support [for] the continued use of the [Apache] name.” She defined the Arcadia Apache relationship as one “built on mutual respect, friendship, and dialogue to know one another,” a clear reflection of what I had understood and experienced during my involvement with SCAC. I focus on informing others about our community’s history by conveying a clear message: our community is not one rooted in concepts of “colonialism” or “racism” as I’d previously thought, but founded upon mutualism, growth, and pride as exemplified through our actions. Question 2: Dr. Sahar from the UC San Diego California Summer School for Mathematics and Science program pulled up a presentation slide: “Quantum cryptography combines the manipulation of photons with encryption processes to generate encryption keys.” Although it was difficult to envision how mechanical processes enhanced data security, I pursued a recreation of the BB84 protocol, a specific quantum encryption method to understand the subject fully. I tested wave plates, laser diodes, and polarizing beam splitter configurations through constant troubleshooting, and learned Onshape, a computer-aided design software, to 3D model photoresistor holders. After 20 hours of work, spread out over 5 days of tirelessly revising and configuring the parts, I had a working cryptography setup. Upon activation, the laser diode would pulse on and off, the wave plates would rotate on command, and the photoresistors would light up when it sensed the laser. When I tested the encryption key generated by the setup, using it to code and decode the information sent through an Arduino-based program, I found both the key and code to be unbreakable, even when I enlisted a computer program to generate numerous keys to break the Quantum Cryptography generated key and code. While my first project was a success, my passion for the cybersecurity trial, error, discovery, and innovation process extends beyond my one-time encounter with quantum cryptography. I plan to pursue an Electrical Engineering major at California State University Fullerton to further develop encryption protocols to protect sensitive data from malicious cybersecurity attacks. Question 3: As a current junior golfer and soon-to-be Division 1 golfer at California State University, Fullerton in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year, I’m battle-hardened against the endless hours, hardship, and rewards associated with this journey. Although I started tournament golf extremely late- in April of 8th grade- compared to other junior golfers in the graduating class of 2025, I can vouch for the exact mental and physical conditioning and methods to ensure success. This is why I have taken to teaching middle school and high school junior golfers the game of golf. I strive to not only build up junior golfers through a heavy emphasis on swing fundamentals but also focus on teaching “game lessons” which are personal stories of ruling issues and course management from a variety of my national, regional, and local tournaments. With several students under my belt and varying degrees of success with each, I’m committed to utilizing my collegiate experience to provide students with valuable guidance. I also reach out to elementary school golfers at my local golf courses, having already arranged for golf lessons well into the future. I will be applying to be a part-time Southern California Golf Association Junior Golf Instructor in the summer of my sophomore year, once I’ve become accustomed to the busy collegiate schedule. Now that the torch has been passed to me from my previous collegiate golfer's mentors, I hope to provide aspiring junior golfers with good coaching and effective practice routines well into the future. Question 4: As an independent college student who did not qualify for any FAFSA aid and is paying for college independently without any parental contribution, I will be required to pay a yearly tuition of approximately $36,000 per year at California State University, Fullerton. This will add up to over $200,000 for total tuition when factoring in school needs (computers, apartment amenity bills, textbooks, meals, and individual transportation costs because the team does not travel together for practice). Most athletic materials such as clothing and golf bags are covered by CSUF’s golf team, however, individual team members must pay for specific equipment costs such as club shafts and heads that the team fitter fits each player too. For visualization, a set of iron club heads averages $650 to $800, this doesn't account for the additional cost of any driver heads ($600 average) or wedges players are required to purchase. Having access to the best equipment can make a world of difference for a collegiate golfer, like myself, who aspires to reach the height of their potential. With the added financial aid from scholarship money, I can ensure I will not increasingly worry about piling student debt or worry about taking out multiple loans to afford collegiate-standard equipment and college tuition. I’ll be able to focus my efforts on what a student-athlete's priorities should be: completing a degree, attending practice, focusing on good workout habits, creating healthy eating habits, qualifying for tournaments, and ultimately graduating.