Selflessness has always been a guiding principle in my life, and I strive to live it out through my actions and decisions. As I begin college, I will continue to prioritize the needs of others and seek out opportunities to make a positive impact. One of the most significant ways I’ve embodied selflessness is my involvement with Camp Able, an aquatics summer camp for individuals with disabilities. My connection to the camp began in 2019 when I joined as a volunteer, inspired by my young neighbor who has autism and attends this camp every summer. This camp provides a unique beach experience for campers of all ages, including activities like canoeing, sailing, and beach games. I love bonding with the campers. I assist them with various daily tasks, such as helping them eat or offering comfort when they are scared. I learned how to change an adult diaper, while still giving them their dignity. I learned how to give them choices, so they could feel in charge. This role taught me that selflessness involves not only offering help but also doing so with compassion and respect. My dedication to selflessness extends beyond Camp Able. As a gymnastics coach, I have had the privilege of working with young gymnasts, from toddlers to pre-teens. Coaching has allowed me to impact these athletes’ lives positively, not just in terms of gymnastics skills but also in their personal growth. If I notice a student struggling with confidence or motivation, I make it a priority to offer them extra one-on-one sessions to address their specific challenges. By investing additional time and effort into their development, I help these young athletes build their self-esteem and improve their performance. My coaching experience has reinforced the idea that selflessness is about investing in others’ growth and celebrating their successes as if they were your own. Another instance is my involvement with Girl Scouts, an organization that has been a significant part of my life since kindergarten. Throughout my years in Girl Scouts, I have taken on various leadership roles, including serving as Cookie Captain. In this role, I guided younger Girl Scouts through the process of selling cookies, teaching them important skills such as goal-setting, sales strategies, and teamwork. This role was not just about achieving sales targets; it was about fostering confidence and leadership in younger scouts. Most recently, I secured a grant for Camp Able. When I learned about the Tony Gwynn Community All Stars Program earlier this year, I was inspired to submit a grant proposal to support the camp’s continued operations. Winning the $5,000 grant was a significant achievement, not for personal recognition but because it directly benefited the campers and ensured that Camp Able could continue offering its valuable programs. This experience demonstrated my willingness to use my skills and opportunities to advocate for a cause I deeply care about. In conclusion, selflessness is about more than just performing acts of kindness; it involves a genuine desire to contribute to the well-being of others. Through my work at Camp Able, my coaching experiences, my leadership in Girl Scouts, and my advocacy for the camp grant, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to helping others. These experiences have shaped my understanding of selflessness and reinforced my dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those around me. I look forward to continuing this journey as I move forward in my life and studies.

I love gymnastics. It has been at the center of my life since I was five years old. I have dedicated countless hours to perfecting skills, competing, and understanding my sport. When I was younger, I was sure I would be a collegiate gymnast. And then the pandemic hit. Instead of progressing, it all stopped. I lost strength and skills. I lost months of training and an entire competition season. Ultimately, I missed my window to be a collegiate gymnast. I just didn’t have enough time left to reach the level I needed to compete at the college level. To make matters worse (at least to a 14 year old), the only gym I knew closed forever, and I had to find a new gym. I had no friends at the new gym, and I was the oldest girl on my team. I honestly thought about quitting. As frustrating as the setbacks were, however, I also noticed the younger girls saw me as a role model and listened to the advice I gave. It felt good having these girls look up to me, despite my own struggles. By raising up my teammates, I felt better. And feeling better made me perform better. And in 2021 I won the All-Around Regional Championship! My gymnastics career wasn’t over. I may not become a collegiate gymnast like I once dreamed, but my love for this sport was sparked once again. And that spark led to a new dream – to become a collegiate gymnastics coach and one day own my own gymnastics club. For now, I compete on both my club team at Champion Gymnastics and my high school Varsity team. And for the past year, I have also been working part-time as a gymnastics coach at Champion. I began coaching toddler recreation classes and have since transitioned up to coaching Xcel teams. I have even started doing weekly private lessons. Having girls want to do one-on-one classes specifically with me is a big accomplishment and makes me very proud. And last month I coached at my first Xcel competition. My coaching and understanding of this sport have improved immensely. I have found great mentors in my coaches. I have learned many techniques to break down complicated skills. I remind myself daily that the physical and mental well-being of these gymnasts are more important than any routine, any score, or any competition. And I realized I am happiest when I am coaching. I could easily transition to a full-time coaching job at my gym after high school and be satisfied. But I want to be more. That’s why I want to major in kinesiology at Oregon State University. I want to learn the science behind the motion. I want to be able work individually with a gymnast and optimize their performance with just a tweak of their movement. I want the knowledge to help a gymnast when they are mentally struggling, as I have struggled. Not only does Oregon State University have a kinesiology program, but they also have the 16th-ranked gymnastics team in the nation! Kinesiology there would allow me to work with the gymnastics team and make connections with coaches and athletes. Understanding the human body and its biomechanics will help me better comprehend the physical demands of this sport. These experiences will help me reach my dream job of coaching at the collegiate level. I want to do great work, and it will be great because gymnastics is my passion. And one day I will open my own gym and empower the next generation of gymnasts and feed their love for this sport.