Ever since I was a child, I have been applauded for my outgoing nature and leadership skills. I have always enjoyed coordinating and leading projects, whether it be organizing group activities or initiating new ideas. However, leadership isn’t just about managing, it’s about creating a lasting impact on your community. Years ago, in elementary school, I took a yoga class that left a deep impression on me. I remember looking up to the high schoolers who led it, amazed by their ability to inspire and connect with younger students. I remember being in those classes and knowing I wanted to create something just as meaningful when I got older. Fast forward to last year, I told my best friend to take a leap of faith with me and help create our own yoga program for elementary students. We spent months pitching our idea to different people that would be able to help us and carefully planning each session. Our goal was simple and powerful, to provide young students with a space to practice mindfulness, build confidence, and find joy in movement, just as we had when we were their age, being thought by those older than us. At the beginning we didn't have a huge amount of engagement, but over time, our program grew tremendously. What started with 10-15 students quickly expanded to over 40 enthusiastic participants in each session. To this day, we still wake up at 6 a.m. every Wednesday morning to teach our classes. Seeing the excitement and growth in these students fills me with pride, but the most rewarding moment came when a parent told us that their child was inspired to start their own yoga program one day, just like we had been inspired years ago. I could see myself in that student and I hope I made a lasting impact on her. This experience has shown me the power of mentorship and the ripple effect of positive leadership. After college, I plan to continue making an impact in my community by incorporating wellness and mindfulness into my career as a dentist. Many people, especially children, experience anxiety around dental visits, and I want to create an environment where patients feel calm and cared for. Whether it’s through guided breathing techniques or simply fostering a welcoming atmosphere, I will use the principles of yoga and mindfulness to make a difference in the lives of my future patients.

Middle school was when I first began experiencing anxiety, though I didn’t recognize it for what it was at the time. I constantly worried about how my peers perceived me, replaying conversations in my head and second-guessing every action. At first, I convinced myself it was normal, just part of growing up, but as time passed, the anxiety became overwhelming. I withdrew from social situations, declining invitations and avoiding crowded places. Simple tasks, like speaking up in class or walking through the hallways, felt like impossible challenges. I stayed in bed for most of the day, trapped in a cycle of overthinking and exhaustion. My world became smaller, my voice quieter, and my confidence almost nonexistent. Eventually, I realized I couldn't keep living this way. I built up the courage to talk to my doctor and ask for help. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most important. Together, we explored different ways to manage my anxiety, and I was prescribed medication to help regulate my emotions. At first, I was hesitant, was this something I should be ashamed of? But as I began my treatment, I noticed a real difference. The heavy weight on my chest started to lift, and I could finally breathe again. Medication wasn’t a cure-all, but it gave me the stability to start making changes in my life. I learned coping strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, and journaling. I also worked on challenging my negative thoughts and pushing myself to engage in social situations, even when it felt uncomfortable. Over time, I regained a sense of control over my own mind. This journey not only strengthened me but also solidified my passion for healthcare. I know firsthand how life-changing the right treatment and support can be, and I want to provide that same relief to others. My experiences with anxiety, especially when it came to seeking medical help, deepened my appreciation for patient care and fueled my decision to pursue a degree in pre-dentistry. Dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth, it’s about improving lives. I want to help patients feel confident in their smiles and comfortable in the dental chair, especially those who struggle with anxiety like I once did. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Anxiety is still a part of my life, but it no longer defines me. I’ve learned that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Now, I want to use both my personal experiences and my future career in dentistry to make a difference in people’s lives, just as others have done for me.

Middle school was when I first began experiencing anxiety, though I didn’t recognize it for what it was at the time. I constantly worried about how my peers perceived me, replaying conversations in my head and second-guessing every action. At first, I convinced myself it was normal, just part of growing up, but as time passed, the anxiety became overwhelming. I withdrew from social situations, declining invitations and avoiding crowded places. Simple tasks, like speaking up in class or walking through the hallways, felt like impossible challenges. I stayed in bed for most of the day, trapped in a cycle of overthinking and exhaustion. My world became smaller, my voice quieter, and my confidence almost nonexistent. Eventually, I realized I couldn't keep living this way. I built up the courage to talk to my doctor and ask for help. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most important. Together, we explored different ways to manage my anxiety, and I was prescribed medication to help regulate my emotions. At first, I was hesitant and was concerned this something I should be ashamed of. But as I began my treatment, I noticed a real difference. The heavy weight on my chest started to lift, and I could finally breathe again. Medication wasn’t a cure-all, but it gave me the stability to start making changes in my life. I learned coping strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, and journaling. I also worked on challenging my negative thoughts and pushing myself to engage in social situations, even when it felt uncomfortable. Over time, I regained a sense of control over my own mind. This journey not only strengthened me but also solidified my passion for healthcare. I know firsthand how life-changing the right treatment and support can be, and I want to provide that same relief to others. My experiences with anxiety, especially when it came to seeking medical help, deepened my appreciation for patient care and fueled my decision to pursue a degree in pre-dentistry. Dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth, it’s about improving lives. I want to help patients feel confident in their smiles and comfortable in the dental chair, especially those who struggle with anxiety like I once did. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Anxiety is still a part of my life, but it no longer defines me. I’ve learned that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Now, I want to use both my personal experiences and my future career in dentistry to make a difference in people’s lives, just as others have done for me.

As any 16-year-old would, I felt as though getting my driver’s license would be the ticket to independence. I made an appointment at the DMV weeks in advance and practiced my parallel parking more than I'd like to admit. I assumed that when the day came it would be simple: in and out of the DMV in an hour or so; I would be on my way to school, and my mother on her way to work. Things never work out as planned, as a matter of fact things can go the exact opposite. The night before the long-awaited appointment my parents, sarcastic as they always are, joked that we wouldn't be able to make it. My emotions were high and I canceled the appointment before considering the comedic tone in their voices. When I realized they were only joking I booked another appointment for the afternoon. Early the next morning, my mom and I went to the DMV, hoping we could beg them to still let me take my test at the original time. To our surprise, my name was still on the list. Then came another hiccup. The exam proctor told us that my mom’s registration had expired and I could not take the test until we got it fixed. We were told there was a Kroger down the street where we could renew it. We raced to the Kroger, but they, in fact, did not have a registration counter. We found another registration office to solve this dilemma but, of course, she needed her emissions checked. The groggy and sad-looking emissions office was the perfect metaphor for the day we were having. Luckily, the car passed emissions and we got the registration. Now, we were thankful we made that second appointment for the afternoon. Ironically, what should have been the hardest part of my driver’s test story, the actual test, ended up being the easiest. By that point, the nerves had simply faded. I knew there was no way we could overcome all these obstacles just for me to fail the test. I was right; I passed with flying colors. It is likely that most people my age would have given up before they got their license that day. They might even have said it was senseless to carry on when life kept throwing things at us. But my mother and I are different. For me at 16, I was determined to come out on the other side with my license no matter what, but it was just a license. When my mom was about that same age she got into a car accident, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. This changed her entire world. I may have had one bad day, but this was her life. Not only did she not give up, giving up was not an option for her. My mom learned perseverance from her mother and her grandmother; being single mothers in an era where that was not commonly accepted. She was shown what a true strong-willed woman who can overcome any obstacle looked like, and continued that legacy by showing me. The women in my family are unstoppable. From the minute I was born into this family I knew I would be encouraged to prevail despite anything because I had seen them do it time and time again. I am forever grateful for those women I got to look up to and I know it is a skill that will help me achieve my goals in college life and beyond…especially now that I have my driver’s license.