Harry Potter has been a staple in my family since I was young, we often had Harry Potter watch parties, recreating recipes, etc. Reflecting on my traits and aspirations, I believe I’m a perfect fit for Gryffindor since my commitment to these values aligns with the essence of the house. At the core of Gryffindor is the unwavering commitment to bravery. Throughout my life, I have consistently demonstrated a readiness to face challenges head-on. On February 2, 2017, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After a scary trip to the emergency room, I spent endless hours in waiting rooms and doctors’ offices. In March, I underwent brain surgery. Followed by my port placement surgery, and chemotherapy. Treatment was hard. I dreaded the process of accessing my port, and going through Chemotherapy as a whole. Despite the side effects and other challenges I was able to maintain my GPA but had many social and emotional hurdles as a middle school student. And being older than most of the patients in the pediatric oncology clinic made me even more isolated. But I was able to push through to the end of chemotherapy after over a year with the exceptions of getting regular bloodwork and MRI’s done. Gryffindor values aren’t limited to physical feats alone but personal growth. I’ve always been extremely hard-working and taken pride in excelling in my classes. As a college freshman, I enrolled in a challenging Biology course. Unfortunately, the course required students to process material in a way that was extremely challenging for me. I came up with plans to improve my class performance by studying more, trying different studying techniques, joining a voluntary class study group, and forming my own study group. Despite using these strategies my performance didn’t improve. It wasn't until a conversation with my oncologist that I realized the impact of "chemo brain" on my cognitive abilities – a realization that helped me accept the ongoing role of cancer in my life. With the support of a Patient Navigator at Mott Children's Hospital, I established an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to receive the necessary assistance. This helped me come to terms with the reality that cancer is continuing to play a role in my life, and that’s ok. I earned A’s in all my classes, with the exception of that challenging Biology class first semester. I decided to retake the class during my second semester, and I pulled my grade up. Like the courageous members of this house, I’m more determined than ever and I’m ready to tackle the challenges ahead of me. Gryffindor emphasizes leadership and taking charge when needed. After chemotherapy, I joined the Teen Advisory Council (TAC) and the Advisory for Young Adults Council (AYA) at Mott Children’s Hospital. These councils aim to aid teens in coping with the physical, social, and emotional challenges they face during treatment. Through these platforms, I contribute to enhancing communication between teen patients and healthcare providers and develop programs that enrich the lives of those undergoing treatment. Learning and growing from the influence of these clubs and my personal experience led me to my acceptance to the University of Michigan, where I also assumed the role of fundraising chair for the U of M chapter of Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation Initiative. My commitment to bravery, self-growth, and determination, combined with my eagerness to lead and learn, makes me a perfect fit for Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. I’m more determined than ever, I’m excited about my future, and I’m ready to tackle the challenges ahead of me.