As a young woman passionate about science and understanding people, I have always been driven by curiosity and the desire to make a difference. Ever since I learned about how the human body functions and how our minds shape behavior, I have been fascinated by the connection between biology and psychology. That curiosity has inspired me to pursue a future in STEM, where I can blend my love for science with my goal of helping others. In school, I have taken challenging classes in anatomy, psychology, and other science subjects that have deepened my interest in how the body and brain work together. I enjoy asking questions, exploring how things function, and finding meaning in complex systems. My goal is to study cognitive science or public health in college and eventually become a pediatric physician assistant. I want to work in healthcare because it is a field where knowledge directly transforms lives, especially for children and families who need compassion and understanding. As the only child of immigrant parents, I have seen how important education and knowledge can be in overcoming barriers. I often help my parents translate and navigate medical appointments, forms, and other daily challenges. Those experiences taught me that science and communication go hand in hand. They also showed me that curiosity is not just about learning facts but about using what you learn to solve real problems and make systems more accessible for others. Outside of school, I have worked as a tutor for younger students, many from immigrant families. I help them with homework, reading, and confidence. Tutoring has taught me that sharing knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to empower others. When I see a student finally understand a concept they struggled with, I am reminded of how education can spark both confidence and opportunity. During my Project STRIDE internship, I also gained exposure to professional environments and community health initiatives. I learned how collaboration and curiosity drive meaningful work, especially in STEM fields. Seeing professionals apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems made me even more determined to pursue a path where I can do the same. To me, being a woman in STEM means more than studying science. It means using curiosity to create change, using knowledge to open doors, and using compassion to connect with others. I want to be part of a community of women who lift each other up and show that intelligence, empathy, and determination can coexist in powerful ways. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my education but also encourage me to keep pushing boundaries in a field where women continue to make incredible progress. My goal is to contribute to that movement by combining my curiosity and care for others to create a lasting impact in the world of healthcare and science.

To me, selflessness isn’t just about big, dramatic acts—it’s about being there for people when they need you most, even when no one is watching. I try to live by that every day, whether it’s helping my parents, supporting younger students, or volunteering in my community. Being the only child of immigrant parents has taught me that sometimes, helping others means putting yourself in their shoes and doing what you can to make their path a little easier. One of the most meaningful examples of selflessness in my life has been helping my parents navigate the challenges of living in a new country. Since I was young, I’ve acted as their translator and guide, explaining everything from medical forms to school documents. There were times when I had to miss hanging out with friends or stay up late to make phone calls or appointments for them, but I never saw it as a burden. I knew that, in those moments, I was helping my family feel more secure and confident. Being their voice taught me patience and empathy—it showed me that selflessness often means stepping up quietly and consistently, even when it’s not easy. Another time I showed selflessness was when I started tutoring younger kids from immigrant families in my neighborhood. Many of them struggled with schoolwork because their parents couldn’t always help due to language barriers or busy work schedules. I offered to tutor them for free after school, using fun activities and visual lessons to make learning engaging. What began as simple homework help became a way to build trust and confidence. Seeing their progress reminded me how small acts of kindness can create lasting impact. During my Project STRIDE internship, I also learned about selflessness on a broader level. I volunteered to assist with community health events that provided information and resources to underserved families. I helped organize materials, welcomed guests, and answered questions. Even though my role seemed small, I could see how every effort contributed to making people feel seen and cared for. It reinforced my belief that service isn’t about recognition—it’s about connection and compassion. I think selflessness is about giving your time, energy, and heart to others without expecting anything in return. It’s about listening when someone needs to be heard, stepping in when someone feels lost, and being a steady presence when things get hard. I try to live that way not only through my volunteer work but also in everyday interactions—checking in on classmates who seem overwhelmed, helping my friends study, or simply being someone others can count on. In the future, I hope to continue embodying selflessness through my career in healthcare. As a pediatric physician assistant, I want to dedicate my work to making children and families feel understood and supported. For me, selflessness isn’t just a choice—it’s a way of life that reflects who I am and the kind of person I strive to be.

Growing up as the only child of immigrant parents, I often found myself bridging two worlds. I translated at doctor’s offices, filled out school paperwork, and explained things that my parents couldn’t easily access because of language barriers. These moments shaped how I saw the world and opened my eyes to how many immigrant families silently struggle to navigate systems that aren’t built for them. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to help my own family—I wanted to find ways to help others like us. One of the first self-initiated projects I started was tutoring elementary school students from immigrant households in my neighborhood. I noticed that some of the younger kids I babysat or helped at church had parents who couldn’t always assist with schoolwork because of language or time constraints. So, I decided to offer free tutoring sessions after school twice a week. What began as simple homework help eventually turned into something bigger. I started creating small lessons in reading and science, using creative methods like flashcards and drawing activities to make learning fun and easier to understand. Through this, I not only helped students improve their academic confidence but also built stronger relationships with their families, who appreciated having someone who understood their experiences. Later, during my Project STRIDE internship, I got to expand on my interest in community health. I helped organize informational workshops where healthcare professionals talked about topics like nutrition, mental health, and preventive care. I saw firsthand how knowledge could empower people and reduce fear or confusion around medical care. The experience motivated me to think about how I could combine what I learned in the classroom with my passion for service. Inspired by both experiences, I began developing the idea for a project that connects bilingual high school students with immigrant families in need of translation and health education support. The idea is to train student volunteers to serve as interpreters at clinics, health fairs, and school events, while also teaching them about cultural sensitivity and healthcare basics. This program would not only support underserved communities but also encourage more young people to get involved in healthcare-related careers. While this project is still in its early stages, I’ve already begun researching local organizations that could collaborate and looking into ways to build a small pilot version through school or volunteer programs. What makes this initiative meaningful to me is that it comes from personal experience. I know what it’s like to see your parents confused by medical forms or hesitant to ask questions out of fear of misunderstanding. I know the frustration of watching someone’s potential be limited by something as simple as a language barrier. My goal is to change that—not just for my family, but for other families who deserve the same level of understanding and access to care. Ultimately, every step I’ve taken—from tutoring to interning to building this idea—has been driven by one simple belief: no one should feel excluded from opportunities or resources because of where they come from. Helping underserved communities isn’t just a passion for me; it’s a reflection of my life, my family, and the kind of future I want to help build.

As a high school senior who’s passionate about science, people, and making a difference, I’ve always been fascinated by how the human body and mind work, which is why I plan to study cognitive science or public health in college. I hope to become a pediatric physician assistant one day, combining my love for biology and psychology with my desire to help children feel safe and understood. In school, I challenge myself with honors and AP classes, especially in subjects like anatomy, psychology, and literature. Outside of academics, I’ve worked as a tutor for younger kids, which has taught me patience, leadership, and how to connect with children from different backgrounds. Tutoring helped me realize how much I enjoy guiding others and being someone they can rely on. As the only child of immigrant parents, I’ve often acted as a translator and bridge for my family, helping them navigate everything from school systems to doctor’s appointments. That experience shaped how I see the world—it showed me how language, culture, and opportunity can separate people, but also how understanding can bring them together. It’s one of the reasons I’m so drawn to medicine and public health; I want to be part of closing those gaps for families like mine. Outside of school, I like volunteering and being involved in community projects that focus on health and youth education. During my Project STRIDE internship, I learned more about what it’s like to work in a professional environment and how to communicate effectively with both adults and children. It gave me a deeper appreciation for teamwork and service. I also learned how rewarding it feels to contribute to something bigger than myself and to see how collective effort can create real change. If I could start my own charity, it would focus on providing healthcare access and education for immigrant families and children who struggle to afford or understand the medical system. The mission would be to create a safe and welcoming space where language and money are never barriers to care. Volunteers would help translate at clinics, run wellness workshops for parents, and organize health fairs in underserved communities. I’d also love for the charity to host mentorship programs that connect kids from immigrant families with healthcare professionals who share similar backgrounds. That kind of representation can inspire young people to believe that they belong in those spaces too. Overall, I see myself as someone who wants to make a meaningful impact through empathy, education, and service. Whether it’s in a classroom, clinic, or community center, I want to continue helping others and finding ways to make care and understanding more accessible to everyone. My goal isn’t just to work in healthcare, but to create a future where compassion and access go hand in hand. I want to be someone who not only heals but also empowers others to feel seen, heard, and valued.

I find myself absorbed in medical documentaries and books that show how doctors use advanced technology to see inside the body. The images produced by radiology—X-rays, MRIs, CT scans—caught my attention the most. The idea of seeing through skin and bone to uncover mysteries fascinated me. Today, as a high school junior, I’ve chosen to pursue a career in radiology because I believe it’s not just about the images, it’s about using those images to make life-saving decisions and improve patient outcomes. My desire to make an impact through radiology comes from both personal and academic experiences. A few years ago, a close family member suffered a serious injury, and the use of advanced imaging was pivotal in diagnosing the problem accurately and quickly. Watching the doctors use X-rays and MRIs to find the issue and develop a treatment plan left a lasting impression on me. I realized that radiologists are not just technicians but integral to the diagnostic process, often catching problems early when treatment is most effective and important. Beyond personal experience, I’ve always been drawn to subjects that involve science, technology, and problem-solving. I am always interested in learning more about how science can improve human health. Radiology is the perfect blend of these interests. It combines technology with a deep understanding of the human body, and it allows me to be part of a field that is constantly evolving. The ability to help doctors detect diseases like cancer or heart conditions before they become life-threatening and I am determined to contribute to the future of this field. My goal is to create an impact in radiology by not only becoming a skilled radiologic technologist but also by advancing the field through research and innovation. With the rapid development of imaging technologies, such as 3D imaging and artificial intelligence, I see a world of possibilities to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed. My goal is to be part of that transformation, perhaps by helping to develop new techniques or by working in underserved areas where access to quality imaging is limited. To achieve this, I plan to attend a university with a strong radiology program and pursue internships or volunteer opportunities in hospitals to gain hands-on experience. My passion for helping others drives my desire to specialize in pediatric radiology, where I can work with children and their families during difficult times. Ultimately, I want to contribute to a healthcare system that saves lives and brings hope to patients and their loved ones. Radiology offers a unique way to combine my love of science with my desire to help people. This scholarship will bring me one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a radiologist, and I’m excited to make an impact this important.

The first time I heard Olivia Rodrigo’s drivers license, I was sitting in my bedroom, scrolling through my phone, when the line “And I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone” hit me like a wave. It was the exact feeling I’d been trying to make sense of for weeks after a breakup. When someone you care about moves on so easily, it’s like everything you felt in the relationship loses its meaning. The lyric resonated with me instantly because, at 16, the pain of a first love and its loss feels so much deeper, like it’s a wound that’ll never heal. In high school, emotions are everything. Relationships feel intense and when they end, it’s hard to remember what it felt like before. After my breakup, I kept replaying that lyric in my head, “I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone” because I couldn’t understand how my ex could move on so easily while I was still stuck in the past, replaying every moment we shared. It was as if I was the only one left with the memories, and they no longer meant anything to him. That feeling of being forgotten, of not being important anymore, is one of the hardest things to deal with as a teenager. Adolescence is this time where emotions are amplified. Everything feels like the end of the world whether it’s a fight with a friend, the stress of school, or the heartbreak of a breakup. We’re still learning how to navigate these big feelings, and it often feels like no one really understands how deep they go. Olivia’s lyric captures that sense of loneliness and confusion that comes with loss during this time of life. It’s like your whole world shifts, and suddenly, you’re left trying to put the pieces back together while the other person seems to have moved on without a second thought. But as time passes, I’ve started to realize that healing doesn’t happen on the same timeline for everyone. While I was stuck in my own emotions, my ex might have been processing things in his own way. That doesn’t mean I’m weak or that my feelings don’t matter it just means that we all experience heartache differently. Olivia’s lyric helps me understand that feeling stuck after a breakup is normal, but it’s also important to let go eventually and allow myself to grow from it. This lyric from drivers license isn’t just about heartbreak—it’s about the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence, where everything feels heightened and more intense. But even though it’s painful at times, it’s also a part of growing up, learning to navigate relationships, and figuring out who I am through the process.