My younger brother Christian suffered from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a genetic disease that causes the skin to be very fragile, causing endless pain to anyone who has it. Christian passed away from EB in 2022 and this was the hardest thing I ever had to go through. My brother and I were very close. We were always seen laughing together, and doing the most random of things, just to get a good laugh. But by far our favorite thing to do was make videos and edit them. We did this for every moment possible, whether it was a baseball game commentary, or making fun of our other siblings, our laughs were always present. This is probably why our favorite show was "Impractical Jokers", where its just friends having a good laugh by telling each other what to do. We would watch it nearly everyday. When Christian passed, I don't think I was able to watch that show for about a year. It absolutely broke me that he wouldn't be there to turn and laugh when a funny moment happens. Then one day I walked into a family friends house for a visit, and that show was on. I was nervous that I would break down while watching it, but it turns out, I was happy watching it. It took over a year, but I finally realized that Christian is probably watching the show , but now in comfort for the first time ever. No longer in pain. A few years have gone by and I have found an interest in podcast and content creation. There is no doubt in my mind that Christian wouldn't want to be part of that journey. We still have his old phone and if you look through his camera roll, you see some of our videos and bloopers from years ago, many of which I had deleted. Those are definitely some of my favorite memories, and the fact that he kept the ones that weren't to completion, mean the world to me. The fact that he cared enough about our bonding, that he kept the majority of our work makes me feel grateful. I'm glad that I could fulfill his life in that aspect, and if I choose to pursue this hobby into a career, Christian will always be an important part of that journey.

Three years ago, I unexpectedly loss my best friend. The person who knew how to make me laugh, and make me annoyed beyond belief. My little brother Christian passed away at the age 13 from Epidermolysis Bullosa, commonly known as the butterfly disease. EB causes skin to be very fragile, and must be wrapped in medical dressing at all times. This causes extreme pain and discomfort for the patient, and there is currently no cure. In Christians's 13 years of life, he had experiences almost no one accomplishes at that age. His charismatic energy got him many places, one of those being able to throw the first pitch at a Dodger game. When he passed, my world broke. Saying that he brought joy into our home wouldn't be a correct statement, because even though many wouldn't be able to tell, Christian was in constant pain his entire life. Everyday was a new struggle for him, whether his feet were too sore to walk, or his back had too many wounds to sit up straight, he was never physically one hundred percent. But mentally was a totally different story. Anyone who met Christian was always greeted with a high five or fistbump, as he showed goodwill to everyone he met. And in return, people treated him in kind. This was made clear when we arrived at his funeral. My family and I sat in the front row and when we turned around, we saw a sea of over 400 people there to pay their respects to my brother. Every single person there had a story about him. About how his energy was like no other. Christian’s death was the first major loss I had ever experienced. And honestly, the pain didn’t heal with time. Certain songs, shows, and places still hit me unexpectedly. I didn’t know how to move forward. So I drove. I walked. I reflected. I grieved. Over the first year, I matured more than I realized I began to understand that life isn’t guaranteed, and nothing should be taken for granted. Now, three years later, I live differently. I live more intentionally. I believe Christian’s loss is part of the reason I had the courage to go out of state for college, to say yes to new opportunities, and to stop waiting. His life reminded me that how you're born doesn't define your potential. Christian taught me that life is for everyone. And through his memory, I continue to grow, dream, and do things in his honor.

Earning a college degree is more than just a personal milestone for me, but rather a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal of creating a tangible difference in my community. With a projected MBA I plan to receive, I aspire to create a business that provides underprivileged children with opportunities to participate in sports and, in doing so, help build a safe and supportive environment for them. Many children grow up in households that do not have the financial means or stability to support extracurricular activities, yet sports can be life changing, offering discipline, teamwork, and even future financial support. By establishing an organization dedicated to these children, I hope to open doors that might otherwise remain closed, offering them not only an outlet for their energy and passion, but also a community that feels like home. I grew up in El Monte, California, a Los Angeles county city known for its low income atmosphere. While growing up, I witnessed the struggles that many of my peers faced. Some of my closest friends wanted to play sports but simply could not afford the equipment, league fees, or transportation required to participate. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play softball in another city for my entire childhood, and I know how much that experience shaped me as a person. It taught me discipline, perseverance, and I even met some of my best friends as a result. More importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging and a support system outside of my immediate family. I want to ensure that other children, regardless of their financial situation, can have that same experience. This vision drives me to pursue higher education and build a sustainable business that makes a lasting impact on underprivileged communities. Receiving this scholarship would be an invaluable step in helping me achieve my academic and professional goals. An MBA will provide me with the necessary business knowledge, leadership skills, and financial literacy to develop and sustain my organization. I aim to create a program that not only funds sports participation for children in need, but also partners with local businesses, schools, and community centers to create safe spaces for them. Many children grow up in environments where they lack a sense of security. If their home life is unstable, they need a place where they feel safe and supported. I want my organization to be that place where kids can engage in sports, find mentors, and build friendships that extend beyond the field. Beyond financial barriers, there is also a cultural gap that needs to be bridged. Many families in low-income communities may not see sports as a viable path for their children, either because they are unaware of the opportunities available, or because they prioritize immediate financial stability over extracurricular activities. My goal is to educate parents about the benefits of sports, not just in terms of physical health but also in developing crucial life skills that can lead to scholarships, college opportunities, and even professional careers. I want to create programs that offer guidance on navigating the world of youth sports. In addition to sports, my vision includes fostering a strong community within cities where families feel welcome and supported. Too often do economic disparities lead to a sense of isolation for those who struggle financially. I want my organization to offer resources beyond athletics such as mentorship programs, and family support services. By creating a network of support, we can help not only the children, but also their parents in ensuring that families feel like they have a place in their city where they can thrive. The long-term impact of this initiative could be profound. Studies have shown that children involved in sports are more likely to stay in school, avoid risky behaviors, and develop leadership skills that benefit them throughout life. If my organization can help even a fraction of these kids break the cycle of poverty and instability, I would consider it a success. But to achieve this, I need the right education and resources, which is why this scholarship is so critical to my journey. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of obtaining my MBA, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and developing the framework for my organization. Business school will equip me with the tools to create a sustainable nonprofit, ensuring that my efforts have a lasting impact rather than being a temporary solution. I plan to take courses in entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and social impact strategy, all of which will directly contribute to my ability to launch this initiative. Additionally, networking opportunities through my MBA program will connect me with mentors and like-minded individuals who share my passion for community development and youth empowerment. I want to build an organization that gives underprivileged kids the chance to play sports and feel safe within their communities, that is the goal. With the help of this scholarship, I can take a crucial step toward turning this vision into reality. My journey began in El Monte, where I saw the disparities in opportunity firsthand. Now, I am determined to be part of the solution, ensuring that no child has to sit on the sidelines because of financial constraints. Sports have the power to change lives, and I am committed to making sure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to experience that transformation. As I am only a sophomore, I'm aware I still have a long way to go in earning an MBA. But this is not just about advancing my career, it is about equipping myself with the knowledge and resources needed to make a difference in the lives of children and families in underserved communities. This scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to focus on my education, develop a sustainable business model, and build a network of support that will help bring my vision to life. Through sports and community-building initiatives, I aim to create a lasting impact, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play, grow, and feel at home within their city. With the right education and support, I know that I can make this dream a reality.

The hardest thing to witness is a child not being able to be a child. And what's worse is that they don’t even know they deserve the blissfulness of young innocence. I’ve seen this with my own eyes throughout my whole life. But I never want to see a child not experience the joys of life ever again. I have four siblings. I am the middle child of Gabriel, Adrie, Christian, and Noemi respectively. My two younger siblings Christian and Noemi were born with Epidermolysis Bullosa. This causes the skin to peel off with the slightest friction, forcing the patient to stay wrapped in medical bandages 24/7. This causes immeasurable amounts of pain with the slightest amount of movement. My family’s world shattered, my parents had to learn on their own how to bandage change, feed, and care for their own child. I was only 4 then but I still remember my parents teaching me how to care for and act around my brother. I couldn’t run around with him, ride bikes, and barely hug him. As the years went on, my family took many trips around the country for various reasons. On those trips, we visited countless places with playgrounds, attractions, and rides. I was still growing up and didn't realize why, but I remember my mom never letting us go on more than one or two rides. It never made sense to me until I was 11 years old. We were at our local fair and my brother looked really defeated. I saw him watching other kids running around and I finally put the pieces together. The inevitable thought that my brother could never experience this kind of joy. Running around with his friends and going on rides at the fair. I immediately started crying and felt immensely bad for even having fun. I tried to think of everything to make Christian feel this happiness. It wasn’t until high school that I finally figured it out. I started fantasizing about a theme park for kids with any disability to enjoy. There was nothing like that in my area for about 2,000 miles. But I could see the vision and kept jotting down ideas. Rollercoasters that have locks to hold down wheelchairs for wheelchair-bound kids, rooms available for resting if the day becomes too much, and so much more. I became hyper-fixated on this during my sophomore year of high school. I knew for this to pan out, I’d need to get into a college with a prestigious business program to learn the ropes of the business and make this dream a reality. I found University of Oregon and was immediately intrigued. In February of my junior year, while I was preparing my admissions essay, my little brother Christian was admitted into the hospital and passed away due to complications. This was by far the hardest time in my life. My reality had taken a pause and it felt like it would never start playing again. For the first time in almost a year, I wasn't thinking about my business. But instead, the one who inspired me to start all this. It took some time, but I knew Christian wanted this dream to happen because he knows the feeling all too well. In the fall of that year, I got accepted into the business program at the University of Oregon and my theme park plan hasn't slowed down. Hopefully by this time in 10ish years, no child will have to sit out any activity because of circumstances out of their control. Every child deserves to be a child.

The hardest thing to witness is a child not being able to be a child. And what's worse is that they don’t even know they deserve the blissfulness of young innocence. I’ve seen this with my own eyes throughout my whole life. But I never want to see a child not experience the joys of life ever again. I have four siblings. I am the middle child of Gabriel, Adrie, Christian, and Noemi respectively. My two younger siblings Christian and Noemi were born with Epidermolysis Bullosa. This causes the skin to peel off with the slightest friction, forcing the patient to stay wrapped in medical bandages 24/7. This causes immeasurable amounts of pain with the slightest amount of movement. My family’s world shattered, my parents had to learn on their own how to bandage change, feed, and care for their own child. I was only 4 then but I still remember my parents teaching me how to care for and act around my brother. I couldn’t run around with him, ride bikes, and barely hug him. As the years went on, my family took many trips around the country for various reasons. On those trips, we visited countless places with playgrounds, attractions, and rides. I was still growing up and didn't realize why, but I remember my mom never letting us go on more than one or two rides. It never made sense to me until I was 11 years old. We were at our local fair and my brother looked really defeated. I saw him watching other kids running around and I finally put the pieces together. The inevitable thought that my brother could never experience this kind of joy. Running around with his friends and going on rides at the fair. I immediately started crying and felt immensely bad for even having fun. I tried to think of everything to make Christian feel this happiness. It wasn’t until high school that I finally figured it out. I started fantasizing about a theme park for kids with any disability to enjoy. There was nothing like that in my area for about 2,000 miles. But I could see the vision and kept jotting down ideas. Rollercoasters that have locks to hold down wheelchairs for wheelchair-bound kids, rooms available for resting if the day becomes too much, and so much more. I became hyper-fixated on this during my sophomore year of high school. I knew for this to pan out, I’d need to get into a college with a prestigious business program to learn the ropes of the business and make this dream a reality. I found University of Oregon and was immediately intrigued. In February of my junior year, while I was preparing my admissions essay, my little brother Christian was admitted into the hospital and passed away due to complications. This was by far the hardest time in my life. My reality had taken a pause and it felt like it would never start playing again. For the first time in almost a year, I wasn't thinking about my business. But instead, the one who inspired me to start all this. It took some time, but I knew Christian wanted this dream to happen because he knows the feeling all too well. In the fall of that year, I got accepted into the business program at the University of Oregon and my theme park plan hasn't slowed down. Hopefully by this time in 10ish years, no child will have to sit out any activity because of circumstances out of their control. Every child deserves to be a child.

The social media app “Snapchat” has a feature that shows you pictures you took exactly a year ago. As I view them, I see a young, naive girl from 2021. A girl that was happy at a 2.7 GPA, skipping class, and getting detention every week. Home wasn’t different either. I’d get home and head straight to my room, not associating with my family. As this was the middle of junior year, my peers started discussing colleges. This was a no-brainer for me, no college and straight into the workforce. School was clearly not my strong suit, so why put up with it longer than I had to? I needed a reality check to put me back into the world I was living in. November 2021-February 2022 was more than a reality check. My little brother and sister, Christian and Noemi, were born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This affects the fragility of their skin, causing it to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They must be wrapped in medical bandages 24/7 to prevent wounds. It’s the worst disease you’ve never heard of. In November 2021, Christian was admitted to the hospital for being malnourished. This is due to the fact that all the calories he consumes go to healing his wounds, rather than his fat and muscles. Christian was in the hospital for 2 months until February 5th, 2022. Christian passed in the early morning and my world changed forever. I still remember the feeling vividly. My brain couldn’t compute with the reality that Christian, my best friend, my brother, was gone. I couldn’t breathe, I was physically shaking. I didn’t eat for 4 days. The sheer thought of life without Christian was a foreign concept. The next few weeks were so hard. I received a lifetime supply of hugs from family, friends, and people I didn’t even know. After Christian’s funeral, I began talking to him. I know he could hear me, I just wanted to hear him. He came to me in a dream during a week when school became too much to bare. He was just reminding me that I’m worth more than I think and my future is bright. I know it was just a dream, but I know Christian was trying to tell me something. I decided that enough was enough and had to get my life straight. No more slacking off and if I kept this up, life would slap me in the face. I stopped ditching classes and got my GPA up to 3.6 by the end of the school year. In August, I started researching colleges I was interested in and stumbled upon the University of Oregon. The campus, the area, and the state were gorgeous. I was truly in awe and asked my parents if we could visit. On the 15-hour car ride, I had a lot of time to reflect and think about my future. I told myself that things were going to be different when I got home. After the trip, I fell in love with the school and applied. During the month-long wait, I was so anxious, so I started talking to my family more and being more engaged with them. On November 30th, I found out I got accepted. I was so excited for the future that was waiting for me. When I look back now, I realize how arrogant I was, but I’m glad I went through that. Wisdom comes from experience. I never thought I would say this, but, here to UO’s class of 2027.

I come from a family of seven. Two parents and four siblings. I happen to fall in the middle of the siblings. My older siblings are Gabriel and Adrie and my younger ones are Christian and Noemi. Christian and Noemi were born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This affects the fragility of their skin, causing it to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They must be wrapped in medical bandages 24/7 to prevent wounds. This restricts their body movement, and keeps them from doing many activities any kid would do, like swimming, playing sports, and even the smallest things like running. When my mother would look for activities for us to do in the summer as kids, she would always do her best to find something that all of us could do, which was very limited. We would stick to simple pleasures like going to museums and plays. Us three older siblings were all in baseball or softball, so obviously we wanted to do something more physical like going to the playground or hiking. Christian and Noemi were always frustrated with the fact that they were so limited and couldn’t do anything about it. And the more I grew up, the more I felt despair that they were so limited in a world surrounded by endless activities. I started doing research myself to find something new they would enjoy, but nothing. Christian kept himself with his MLB video game, and Noemi kept herself busy with arts and crafts. I started thinking about how anyone with any physical need should have access to these activities, for social, physical, and self benefit. My older sister Adrie worked for the city we live in by organizing activities. I floated around the idea that maybe we can set up a “physical needs activity club” or something along the lines of that. She eagerly agreed and started talking to her directors. Everything was starting to set into motion until November of 2021. Christian was admitted to the hospital for being malnourished. This is due to the fact that all the calories he consumes go to healing his wounds, rather than his fat and muscles. Christian was in the hospital for 2 months until February 5th, 2022. Christian passed in the early morning and my world changed forever. I still remember the feeling vividly. My brain couldn’t compute with the reality that Christian, my best friend, my brother, was gone. The project was put on hold until I could bring myself to finish what I started. Adrie no longer works for the city, so my connections there are gone. I felt disappointed that I never got this up and running. A few months passed, and I started looking at colleges and majors. I’ve always wanted to learn about business and entrepreneurship. So I applied and got accepted into the University of Oregon to major in Business Administration. I know it might take a little longer, but I realized that once I get my degree, I can operate my own organization for the city for disabled kids without any restrictions. Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives, no matter the circumstances.

I come from a family of seven. Two parents and four siblings. I happen to fall in the middle of the siblings. My older siblings are Gabriel and Adrie and my younger ones are Christian and Noemi. Christian and Noemi were born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This affects the fragility of their skin, causing it to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They must be wrapped in medical bandages 24/7 to prevent wounds. This restricts their body movement, and keeps them from doing many activities any kid would do, like swimming, playing sports, and even the smallest things like running. When my mother would look for activities for us to do in the summer as kids, she would always do her best to find something that all of us could do, which was very limited. We would stick to simple pleasures like going to museums and plays. Us three older siblings were all in baseball or softball, so obviously we wanted to do something more physical like going to the playground or hiking. Christian and Noemi were always frustrated with the fact that they were so limited and couldn’t do anything about it. And the more I grew up, the more I felt despair that they were so limited in a world surrounded by endless activities. I started doing research myself to find something new they would enjoy, but nothing. Christian kept himself with his MLB video game, and Noemi kept herself busy with arts and crafts. I started thinking about how anyone with any physical need should have access to these activities, for social, physical, and self benefit. My older sister Adrie worked for the city we live in by organizing activities. I floated around the idea that maybe we can set up a “physical needs activity club” or something along the lines of that. She eagerly agreed and started talking to her directors. Everything was starting to set into motion until November of 2021. Christian was admitted to the hospital for being malnourished. This is due to the fact that all the calories he consumes go to healing his wounds, rather than his fat and muscles. Christian was in the hospital for 2 months until February 5th, 2022. Christian passed in the early morning and my world changed forever. I still remember the feeling vividly. My brain couldn’t compute with the reality that Christian, my best friend, my brother, was gone. The project was put on hold until I could bring myself to finish what I started. Adrie no longer works for the city, so my connections there are gone. I felt disappointed that I never got this up and running. A few months passed, and I started looking at colleges and majors. I’ve always wanted to learn about business and entrepreneurship. So I applied and got accepted into the University of Oregon to major in Business Administration. I know it might take a little longer, but I realized that once I get my degree, I can operate my own organization for the city for disabled kids without any restrictions. Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives, no matter the circumstances.

I come from a family of seven. Two parents and four siblings. I happen to fall in the middle of the siblings. My older siblings are Gabriel and Adrie and my younger ones are Christian and Noemi. Christian and Noemi were born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This affects the fragility of their skin, causing it to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They must be wrapped in medical bandages 24/7 to prevent wounds. This restricts their body movement, and keeps them from doing many activities any kid would do, like swimming, playing sports, and even the smallest things like running. When my mother would look for activities for us to do in the summer as kids, she would always do her best to find something that all of us could do, which was very limited. We would stick to simple pleasures like going to museums and plays. Us three older siblings were all in baseball or softball, so obviously we wanted to do something more physical like going to the playground or hiking. Christian and Noemi were always frustrated with the fact that they were so limited and couldn’t do anything about it. And the more I grew up, the more I felt despair that they were so limited in a world surrounded by endless activities. I started doing research myself to find something new they would enjoy, but nothing. Christian kept himself with his MLB video game, and Noemi kept herself busy with arts and crafts. I started thinking about how anyone with any physical need should have access to these activities, for social, physical, and self-benefit. My older sister Adrie worked for the city we live in by organizing activities. I floated around the idea that maybe we can set up a “physical needs activity club” or something along the lines of that. She eagerly agreed and started talking to her directors. Everything was starting to be set into motion until November of 2021. Christian was admitted to the hospital for being malnourished. This is due to the fact that all the calories he consumes go to healing his wounds, rather than his fat and muscles. Christian was in the hospital for 2 months until February 5th, 2022. Christian passed in the early morning and my world changed forever. I still remember the feeling vividly. My brain couldn’t compute with the reality that Christian, my best friend, my brother, was gone. The project was put on hold until I could bring myself to finish what I started. Adrie no longer works for the city, so my connections there are gone. I felt disappointed that I never got this up and running. A few months passed, and I started looking at colleges and majors. I’ve always wanted to learn about business and entrepreneurship. So I applied and got accepted into the University of Oregon to major in Business Administration. I know it might take a little longer, but I realized that once I get my degree, I can operate my own organization for the city for disabled kids without any restrictions. Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives, no matter the circumstances.

To be an American means to recognize that it is our differences, not our similarities, that make us strong and beautiful. It's bigger than baseball games, 4th of July BBQ’s, and Mardi Gras. To be American is to recognize that individually we can make choices that don’t hurt others and be more than okay. A simple Google search can show you the difference of our country from 1776, to 2023. Women can vote, we are civilized individuals, and everyone is equal. We have the freedom to voice our opinions and ideals, which gives everyone that flair of uniqueness. We can recognize that there is room for all of us and our personalities.. Having revelations and being able to share them benefit the country. Love is love, which is truly better than hate. Citizens support others' successes and struggles. To be American is to be and to co-exist despite our different beliefs. Ever since the signing of the declaration, we have begun growing our world. Invited news ideas into the law systems, taken risks that we have either benefited from , or learned from the mistake. Now in 2023, we have legalized same-sex marriage, have become a melting pot of society, and have welcomed people from all different types of backgrounds. I’m only a senior in high school, but I have met people from all over the world. Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, and the list goes on. I have been taught that America is the land of the free and home of the brave. I’ve seen people give up everything for their country. Going headfirst into a war, leaving their families to save other families, and protecting the well-being and safety of others. While this is an impossible task for most, it is our duty as American citizens to do so. The sheer contrast between our country to others is astounding. We have LGBTQ+ rallies, same-sex bathrooms, and the freedom to voice our opinion. On the contrary, we also have the right to disagree with people's opinions. Though this isn't always the case, we should be able to have a civil conversation with one another and either come to a consensus, or agree to disagree. No matter the case, both of these scenarios are what allow us to grow as people, and as a country. It is my hope that one morning, we will awake to a new day, as Americans, with true equity and love for all that makes America great — our diversity. Until then, show up and fight for the America we know can exist if we aspire to create it.

The man who gave me life, a home, and a role model. For as long as I can remember, the first words my dad would say in the morning would be, “Good morning princess, did you look in the mirror today?” I was never a morning person, so when 9-year-old me would hear this at the crack of dawn, I wasn’t exactly flattered. My dad is the most mentally strong person I know. He has dealt with the death of his Grandma, Father, Mother, Uncle, Friend, Sister and Brother in law, and son, in a matter of 13 months. Besides being mentally capable of such sorrow, my dad always sports the biggest smile. He never fails to make me laugh. So much so, that I have a list on my phone of funny wits my dad has come up with that have made me laugh the hardest. He has always been the jokester in our house and that still stands. One of Rich’s common sayings is that back in his day, men were real men. They would go to war at 17 with no questions asked, and in contrast to now, a 19-year-old can’t throw the trash out without throwing a fit. I believe that my dad falls under the ‘“real men” category. In 2016, we were so close to losing our house since my dad was out of a job. He searched day and night, without sleep, for any type of employment. He finally landed a job but with a catch, he wouldn’t be paid his full potential unless he received a master's degree. For a little background, school was never my dad's strong suit. He nearly dropped out of community college and it took him 7 years to get a Bachelor's Degree. When it dawned on my dad that this was no joke, he decided to put first things first and go back to school. My dad knew that he would have to be reclusive for a while to get this schooling done. He missed the majority of my siblings and I softball and baseball games that year and it wasn't easy. I missed my dad's review and critiques on my games and I could feel his absence. He had never missed a game before that year and it was no easy task for me either. But soon enough, a year went by and he graduated CBU with a masters degree. I was beyond proud of him and knew that the smile on his face would be there for a while. My dad is earning more money than before, we can spend it on toys and eating out right? Actually, the main reason he needed more money is because one, my parents were raising five kids. The oldest three were in sports. But on the other hand, Christian and Noemi were born with a rare disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This is a skin disease that causes the fragility of one's skin to be severely sensitive. Their skin could peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They have to be wrapped around their whole body in medical bandages that insurance doesn’t cover. I wish I had more space to write about Christians life, to talk about his legacy after he passed in 2022. My dad has endured peaks that would have taken me down. I look up to him because of the man he really is. I wish to pay him back one day for all the clothes, food, and now school that he has provided. Everyone deserves to meet a soul like his.

Sometimes, the best coaches don’t even play. I’ ve played softball for about thirteen years. I was never the fastest or the strongest, but with the input of my brother Christian, I was for sure the smartest. My little brother Christian was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB for short. EB is a rare genetic skin disease that causes skin to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. This causes the patient to be wrapped in medically induced bandages 24/7. Because of the fragility of his skin, Christian was unable to play sports, but that never stopped him from watching them, especially baseball. Christian loved baseball with all his heart. He would watch his favorite team, the Dodgers, play every single game. For Christian only being 13, his baseball IQ was higher than average. He could confidently hold his own in a conversation revolving around baseball. He knew past players, future prospects, and even old plays. Christians knack for keeping an eye out for trickery in the games was not left unacknowledged. When Christian would come to my softball games, he would watch, and watch closely. I always figured that my softball games were too boring for him but I was deeply mistaken. One time inbetween some of my softball games, Christian pulled me aside and said, “Malena, this pitcher bends her leg when she throws a changeup. And when they are doing a pick-off move, the first base shifts in.” I was dumbfounded because one, he was only 11 at the time and two, how did he even catch onto that. I asked him and he said, “Just watch the fielders, it's obvious.” I was laughing at him but then in the first innings, two of our girls struck out on a changeup. I finally took Christians advice about the pitcher tipping her pitches. We ended up hitting a team average of .700 that game and winning 8-0. Ever since then, Christian has been at every single one of my games with his critiques. There have been times when I have been in an offensive slump and didn't know what the issue was. Sure enough, Christian walks over to me at home and says, “Malena, when you swing, you're placing your foot down too quickly and have no reaction time to the pitch.” I looked at him dead in the eye and said, “Shut up.” Still to this day, I owe him an icecream for this. I had a game later in the week and was desperate for a hit. It was my turn to bat and swung and missed the first pitch.I thought about what Christian said and the next pitch, I hit a double in the gap. From then on out, he was my guy for softball advice and wisdom, even if he had to remind me just to relax and breathe. He was there for me until the end of 2021. Christian’s body was becoming weak and was in the hospital until February of 2022, when he passed. This hurt my body down to my core. My best friend, my brother, was gone. I’ve had a lot of time to think and reflect about the legacy he left me and this world. And after all this time, I finally realized that Christians had the ability to observe. He may have not been able to help physically, but mentally. That's where it helps the most.

Ratatouille has everything to do with the fact that often what we see on screen isn’t solely what the story is about, and as ludicrous as the story of a rat expressing his cooking talent through the puppeteering of an incompetent garbage boy sounds on paper, it’s rooted in a real-life conflict that many people experience daily. Remy lives in an attic alongside his pack. Their living conditions are poor, but because they know no other life, they own their thieving ways as a cultural badge of honor, even as Remy discovers a world of artistry outside of his narrow-minded community. Compare this to the humans of Paris, who all seem to live in relative comfort and extravagance, and it's clear that in a world where rats are sentient, they are an underclass to the human race. So, when you strip away all the cartoon elements, at its core Ratatouille is the story of an economically and socially disadvantaged person discovering art, in this case, the culinary arts, and attempting to find a path to which to express his passion. For instance, contrast Remy with Linguini, the boy Remy controls to make his way into the kitchen. Remy, on the other hand, is the true bearer of talent, but is seen as a pest that has no place in the kitchen, despite the extreme evidence when given the chance to prove himself when he fixed a pot of soup. Like Remy, the mere fact of not being a human has hindered the accomplishment of his dreams, and Linguini is appearing to sneak by on talents that he helped foster in him. Because his family and rat community have no sense for the art of culinary, Remy is victim to the measuring stick of aristocratic French standards, as expressed through a critic who takes joy in negativity and in being singularly determinative of what qualifies as good taste, particularly in fancy dining. This is why it's significant that Remy chooses to serve Ego a plate of ratatouille, a “peasant dish.” Before Ego discovers who the real cook is, he is transported to his own impoverished childhood by the taste of the excellently prepared dish, demonstrating a perspective that was long forgotten by him and not experienced in his time as a food critic. Remy’s story is a figurative analog to the real barriers that disadvantaged groups face in breaking into the arts, and Ratatouille doesn’t shy away from the fact that the full extent of Remy’s talents will never be acknowledged, even as the final scene of Remy operating his own restaurant in secret is depicted as a happy ending. It's a bittersweet revelation for people of privilege to know that this is more than a Disney animated story of a rat and his aspiration to cook, but I guarantee that plenty of underprivileged artists see much of themselves in Remy and see his secret struggle as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

The social media app “Snapchat” has a feature that shows you pictures you took exactly a year ago. As I view them, I see a young, naive girl from 2021. A girl that was happy at a 2.7 GPA, skipping class, and getting detention every week. Home wasn’t different either. I’d get home and head straight to my room, not associating with my family. As this was the middle of junior year, my peers started discussing colleges. This was a no-brainer for me, no college and straight into the workforce. School was clearly not my strong suit, so why put up with it longer than I had to? I needed a reality check to put me back into the world I was living in. November 2021-February 2022 was more than a reality check. My little brother and sister, Christian and Noemi, were born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This affects the fragility of their skin, causing it to peel off with the slightest amount of friction. They must be wrapped in medical bandages 24/7 to prevent wounds. It’s the worst disease you’ve never heard of. In November 2021, Christian was admitted to the hospital for being malnourished. This is due to the fact that all the calories he consumes go to healing his wounds, rather than his fat and muscles. Christian was in the hospital for 2 months until February 5th, 2022. Christian passed in the early morning and my world changed forever. I still remember the feeling vividly. My brain couldn’t compute with the reality that Christian, my best friend, my brother, was gone. I couldn’t breathe, I was physically shaking. I didn’t eat for 4 days. The sheer thought of life without Christian was a foreign concept. The next few weeks were so hard. I received a lifetime supply of hugs from family, friends, and people I didn’t even know. After Christian’s funeral, I began talking to him. I know he could hear me, I just wanted to hear him. He came to me in a dream during a week when school became too much to bare. He was just reminding me that I’m worth more than I think and my future is bright. I know it was just a dream, but I know Christian was trying to tell me something. I decided that enough was enough and had to get my life straight. No more slacking off and if I kept this up, life would slap me in the face. I stopped ditching classes and got my GPA up to 3.6 by the end of the school year. In August, I started researching colleges I was interested in and stumbled upon University of Oregon. The campus, the area, and the state were gorgeous. I was truly in awe and asked my parents if we could visit. On the 15-hour car ride, I had a lot of time to reflect and think about my future. I told myself that things were going to be different when I got home. After the trip, I fell in love with the school and applied. During the month-long wait, I was so anxious, so I started talking to my family more and being more engaged with them. On November 30th, I found out I got accepted. I was so excited for the future that was waiting for me. When I look back now, I realize how arrogant I was, but I’m glad I went through that. Wisdom comes from experience. I never thought I would say this, but, here to UO’s class of 2027.

"Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls has a line that has always been one of my favorites, "When everything feels like the movies, Yeah, you bleed just to know, you're alive!" The song’s meaning directly correlates to the plot of the movie, City of Angels. In the movie, Nicholas Cage’s character is an immortal angel but throws away his immortality for love. He becomes human so he can be with the one he loves. "When everything feels like the movies", sometimes, love feels so strong, that it feels fake. Like Hollywood scripted it, and staged actors for a film. The overwhelming feeling of being with someone you love with all your heart and makes you feel at home can never be described with words. "You bleed just to know your alive." The only way to tell if this feeling is infact reality, is to physically feel it. The only way to feel this passion is to feel your body there. Any type of feeling is hard to describe verbally. Love is one of the strongest feeling known to man. "Iris" is a very close candidate to describing in words, how love feels.

Both my little brother and sister, Christian and Noemi, have a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. Basically their body lacks the protein that keeps skin on their body, causing it to rub off with any amount of friction. Christian hadn't been eating and was becoming malnourished and couldn't walk. He was at CHLA for one month. He came home just in time for Christmas, but it nearly felt like Christmas in our home. When he came through the door, he wasn't himself. My mother had to carry him and he was in tremendous amounts of pain. Christian had to be readmitted to CHLA two months later for rehab to learn to walk. Christian had spent a good amount of his life in a hospital but this time felt different. The night before he went, I was telling him good luck but I started crying. I had no idea why. But Christian looked me dead in the eyes and said, “I’m not dying, I’m coming back.” About one week in, the doctors said that Christian had an infection but it was manageable. On February 4th, me and my sister were on our way to our grandmas for my uncle's birthday when I got a gut wrenching call from my older brother. “Hey… we have to go to the hospital.” The second I heard that, my body went numb and physically started shaking and crying. We called my mom, who was with Christian at the hospital, and she said “Christian is in the ICU. Come here.” I have never felt this sense of mental pain and fear before. We get to my grandmas and everyone is crying. My aunts had mascara running down their faces and my uncles had bloodshot eyes. We got to the hospital and had to sneak in because of Covid guidelines and we spent 4 hours outside in the cold. I can confidently say that this was the worst day of my life. The waiting and thought of not knowing what was going to happen was worse than my brother leaving this Earth. I was able to say goodbye to my best friend of 13 years. The next morning, at 10 am, we got the call. My body processed it but not my brain didn’t. I stared at the ground for 20 seconds too overcome to talk or move. It was the hardest thing me and my family ever had to go through. Over 400 people showed up to his funeral, many from out of state. One of the last things Christian said to us is “Do what makes you happy”, and ever since then, we have tried to live by Christian’s wish. We travel more than we used to and I have worked harder in school, moving my GPA to a 3.0 to a 3.7 in 2 months. The hardest thing was to learn to live life without him. I didn't know who was going to make me laugh, or who was going to be on the couch playing video games when I got home from school. A few months later, the summer before my senior year, I decided that I might as well make light of this situation. I decided to work extra hard my senior year to go to a college I want. As of now, I have a 3.6 GPA, made the varsity softball team as a captain, and am currently applying to University of Oregon. A year ago, I would have never thought I was capable of these feats. Christian is always within me, and he will help me achieve my dreams.

I walk in the room and you look at me. I stare back at you helplessly. You look so white and pale I try not to, but I feel I have failed As you lie on this hospital bed A huge white bandage covers your tiny little head As tears fill my eyes I try to hold them back but it's no use. They fall down my cheek and I know you're dying and there's nothing I can do. You're my best friend, there's no reason to go on without you. You smile with your pale lips while I hope to God this is some trick. "Don't cry' You say I hold your hand I’ll never understand. I close my eyes for a while. Then your hand starts to lose its grip and my eyes open in fear. Here comes the first of many, many tears You take a deep breath Your last breath before your eyes shut I stand there and watch as your body fades “I can’t do it without you” I whisper and pull the sheets over your face.

If you're going hard enough left, you’ll find yourself going right. Lightning McQueen is a cocky hotshot racing car who is forced to learn humility and the simple joys of life when he’s accidently gets left stranded in a small town called Radiator Springs, a small and rundown hole in the wall town that was once a crown jewel. There he learns the value of hard work and embracing the simple things in life as he befriends Tow Mater, learns life lessons from Doc Hudson, a wise old timer car. As well as forming a close bond with Sally, a slow-living local. Upon arrival, McQueen is on his way to a tiebreaker race that is his fault. He lost a race because he was only concerned about winning the Piston Cup. And since winning was his main goal, he didn't let his pit crew change his tires because McQueen believed he didn't need help to win . He never takes the blame and believes that racing is everything and everything is about racing. The only thing on his mind is winning the Piston Cup. While in Radiator Springs, McQueen is a self-entitled jerk to everyone. He constantly would make fun of the town and was very arrogant. Tow Mater, a friendly local, teaches him the value of real friendship by telling each other deep introspections and making great memories with each other. Sally, a local Porsche that once lived a life similar to McQueen, starts to connect with him. She takes a scenic nature drive with him and teaches him that it's a necessity to slow down and appreciate the simple joys like friends and relationships. McQueen then realizes that what he really needs in his life, besides the Piston Cup, is to slow down. McQueen catches Doc secretly racing by himself like he had been an expert. McQueen confronts Doc about this and Doc says to leave it alone. Lightning keeps nagging about it, but Doc gets annoyed and asks, “When’s the last time you've cared about something other than yourself?” The next day, McQueen finally becomes aware of his previous actions and decides to lift everyone's spirits by visiting their stores, hearing about their town history, and fixing their neon lights, so it can look how it did in its heyday. McQueen takes a good look around the town and finally realizes, this is what life is about.

There really is only one need for back-to-school and it's confidence. Many people struggle under the social pressure of their peers. This goes for anything involving school. Do you feel like you don't meet the beauty standard? Pretend you are a world-famous model. If you don't believe that you have what it takes to pass APUSH? Act like you already have 3 majors in history. The one thing about confidence is that no one knows if it is real or fake. Fake it until you make it.

Growing up, I had a big family. Four siblings, two loving parents, and an even bigger extended family. In 2020, my family was stricken with dreadful news. My great-grandmother, Nana, began having dementia. It was so hard to face the loving grandma I’ve known my whole life and her not knowing my name or face. I was playing a softball game and after it had ended, my mom told me and my sister that my Nana had passed. She always pushed us to work hard and stay focused, so the days following her passing, I kept telling myself to stay strong for my Nana. But exactly seven months later, the morning of August 16th, I woke up to the news of my great Uncle Ray passing away from cancer. Uncle Ray was always there for me and my family for anything we may need. School was just starting around this time and it was really hard for me to stay focused during classes but I had to remember that Uncle Ray would not want me to flunk, but to have more motivation for my work now. It took a long time to fully focus in class but once I did, I felt like I had bettered myself. My notes were looking neater than usual and things were going smoothly for about a month and half before we were stricken with more bad news. But on the morning of October 11th, I got a call during the first period of school that my Grandpa had passed. I was in the middle of class crying and my brother took me out of school early. And to add salt on our wounds, October 11th was my little sister's 9th birthday and my Grandpa was buried on the 22nd, my 16th birthday. About 2 weeks after the funeral, my little brother, Christian, was admitted into the hospital. Both my little brother and sister have an extremely rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. Basically, their body lacks the protein that keeps skin on their body, causing it to rub off with any amount of friction. Christian hadn't been eating and was becoming malnourished and couldn't walk. He was at CHLA for one month. He came home just in time for Christmas, but it nearly felt like Christmas in our home. My Grandmother's dementia has gotten really bad and she often forgot that her husband was gone. And when she did remember, she would have a total breakdown. Then January 22nd, 3 months to the day her husband was buried, they were reunited. Her whole family was around her and got to say their goodbyes. It was so heartbreaking but she had suffered through the loss of her mom, brother, and husband, but they are finally together. That is what kept me going, the thought of knowing my family is keeping each other safe. Christian had spent a good amount of his life in a hospital, but this time felt different. The night before he went, I was telling him good luck but I started crying. On February 4th, me and my sister were on our way to our grandmas for my uncle's birthday when I got a gut wrenching call from my older brother. “Hey… we have to go to the hospital. ” The second I heard that, my body went numb and physically started shaking and crying. We called my mom, who was with Christian at the hospital, and she said “Christian is in the ICU”. The waiting and thought of not knowing what was going to happen was worse than my brother leaving this Earth. Instead of dwelling in my own sorrow, I turned all the pain and anger to motivation for something that will benefit me, softball and academics. I started working harder in the gym, and on my mental state and from that, I earned a starting spot on varsity and that led to winning league and making it to round three of CIF. I also went from a 3.0 GPA to no lower than a 3.7 the rest of the year. This brought me and my family much joy. There was a point in the middle of all of this when I lost any sense of direction I thought I had. The middle of 2021 is when I really started to consider what college I want to attend and obviously all of this did not help my mental state. But now that I know my family is watching me from above, that motivated me to push through any negative emotions that stop me from achieving my dreams. My purpose from this traumatic situation was to create my happiness rather than sadness into the world. You should always remember the past, and should use that past to better your future.