One environmental challenge I’m deeply passionate about is the overconsumption and overproduction of food and clothing. These issues are often overlooked, but they have devastating consequences for the environment. This issue first came to my attention when I visited my sister, who was volunteering at a local food pantry. I was shocked to learn that the perfectly good food being distributed, like fresh fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods, would have ended up in landfills if not for that organization’s efforts. That moment opened my eyes to how much unnecessary waste is created because of our systems and habits that normalize overproduction. I also became more conscious of fast fashion and how clothing trends fueled unnecessary purchases that ended up in landfills within months. I believe one of the most effective ways to combat overproduction is by reducing consumer demand through education and awareness. People should really think about the clothes they buy and whether they are going to continue wearing them in a few years. Overproduction will continue if the demand is still there, but by reducing the demand for these items, there will be no market, so the best way to stop overproduction is to bring awareness to this topic and show people the real effect on the environment that making these items creates. If more people understood the environmental costs of producing a single t-shirt, including water waste, chemical dyes, carbon emissions, they’d think twice before making impulsive purchases. Similarly, if people recognized the energy, land, labor, and water required to produce the food they casually throw away, they might be more mindful about what they decide to throw away. Part of the solution is shifting our choices to favor environmentally friendly alternatives, like using biodegradable paper packaging over plastic or repairing clothing instead of replacing it, can make a difference. These changes cannot be done alone but require a whole community to become involved. Through my Environmental Science Internship with the San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School, I explored composting and waste reduction firsthand. I learned how composting transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich soil and how community-driven solutions can create real impact. Inspired by this, I hope to start a composting program at my school as Vice-President of the Environmental Action Club. We want to collect food waste from students and use it to enrich the soil in our new community garden, where students can grow produce and learn about sustainable food systems. My long-term goal is to study environmental science to better understand sustainable production systems and consumer behavior. I want to understand the science behind sustainable practices as well as the economic and cultural factors that influence our decisions. What gives me hope is that change does not happen in an instant but over time, in small efforts. It can be as small as talking to friends about sustainable options or a community compost bin. I have seen firsthand how people can influence others and empower change for a greater cause. By leading community-based solutions, and continuing to educate myself and others, I want to be part of a generation that redefines what we value, not just convenience, but sustainability and care for our planet.

In my free time or when I don’t want to do work, I take a short TikTok scroll break (it’s never actually short). I pick up my phone every time I get a notification and I get distracted easily, instantly forgetting what I was doing. Once I was in the middle of doing a practice SAT test, which was timed, and I forgot to turn off my phone so when my friend texted me, I picked my phone up and I was stuck to my phone for 30 minutes. I barely finished answering all the questions on time because I literally forgot I was taking it. To me, TikTok is not just entertainment but part of my routine; it’s literally my personal search engine. Whenever I need recommendations, whether it be for traveling, food, or poses, I always look to TikTok. Whenever I go somewhere, I always think of pictures I can take for Instagram to make my account more aesthetic. I take hundreds of pictures each time that I end up never going through because I get lazy. Recently, I went to The Weeknd Concert, and right in the middle of it I ran out of storage, which was traumatizing, so I had to delete a bunch of apps for more space. I have 256GB of storage and somehow that was still not enough. By the end of the concert, I had over 1,000 pictures and videos from the concert. I still have not gone through all of them to delete the bad ones yet. I live on my Instagram Spam, where I post almost everything I do. This account is only for my close friends and has pictures that never made it to my main account, it’s basically where people can go through my life with me.

One of the most influential figures in my high school career was my AP Chemistry teacher, Mr. Bennett. After teaching for nearly three decades at my high school, Mr. Bennett has become one of the most beloved teachers, not just for his deep knowledge of chemistry, but for the way he makes learning super fun. I walked into his class at the beginning of sophomore year, expecting to struggle since I barely had any knowledge about it. I’d always thought of chemistry as an intimidating subject, so I never imagined that it would become one of my favorite classes. What set Mr. Bennett apart from other teachers wasn’t just his ability to explain difficult concepts, but the creativity and enthusiasm he brought to the classroom. He was constantly finding hands-on ways to bring chemistry to life. These weren’t just science lessons; they were moments that made me realize how learning could be fun, engaging, and even delicious when he would cook for us. He turned what I had assumed would be a dry, textbook-heavy course into something I looked forward to every day. But beyond the labs and lectures, Mr. Bennett taught me something far more valuable: the importance that your mindset holds. Early on, he told us that the biggest barrier to learning was our attitude. Something he said that always stuck with me was “If you walk into this room convinced you’re going to hate chemistry, then you probably will.” I had never thought about how my perspective could shape my experiences. Over time, I found myself applying that mindset not only in his class but in other parts of my life as well. His approach made me realize that the way we face situations can completely change how we experience them. I started entering situations I was unsure about with curiosity rather than dread. I volunteered more freely, even in situations that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I talked to more people even if I was scared. Whether it was presenting to a large group or joining a new club, I reminded myself of what Mr. Bennett had taught me: that an open mind can turn fear into excitement and obstacles into opportunities. Mr. Bennett’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his classroom. He didn’t just teach chemistry to me, but he taught me how to enjoy life because you only live once. You can’t control what life throws at you, but you can control how you go through it. Because of him, I now approach challenges not with hesitation, but with the belief that even the most unexpected experiences can become meaningful when you choose to see them that way.