For many, community service is something that seems like a chore. However, I always found it to be enjoyable. I am proud to lead my school's club Science Buddies, a Science Olympiad mentor club for EK Powe, the elementary school down the street from my high school. With my co-leaders, we have been able to help the team place 4th in regionals while instilling fun. However, my efforts in community service date back to 8th grade with Out of the Garden. Packing up and distributing food packages for families in need was what most of my Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings looked like. The ability to provide meals for hundreds has helped me know I am part of tackling food hunger problems in Guilford County.  Volunteering with the Mariam P. Brenner Children's Museum has been meaningful to me. There, I have had the opportunity to engage with children of all ages through interactive exhibits and activities that spark their curiosity and love of learning. Seeing the wonder and excitement on their faces as they explore new concepts has been immensely fulfilling. I have also been able to create great connections with employees including Jadarius, who always gives me advice on how to grow and understand exactly the impact the children's museum's impact is on Greensboro. In addition, I have been a test proctor for Reading Works, a non-profit organization in High Point aimed at helping immigrant children learn to read and improve their scores. As a proctor, I have been able to help many children go through reading tests in a cool, calm, and collected way. Helping collect data for child literacy is a cause I care deeply about, as strong reading foundations can open up many educational opportunities. While at school, I have also been an active member of my school's Public Health Association. Through this club, I have participated in numerous volunteer opportunities and hosted drives for period item collections and even a dental drive, collecting over 2,000 toothbrushes. Not only am I able to help out the Durham community, but also the school community with mental health booths and wellness activities during finals week. Looking forward to studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I am committed to continuing this meaningful community service work throughout college and beyond. The values of compassion and service have become a part of my identity. With this scholarship, I would have even more ability to pursue my passion for assisting those in need while also continuing my education. My ultimate goal is to pay it forward by one day being able to empower the next generation of passionate community servants.

Growing up, I was not the best at games. However, I would always play them with friends and family, even if it meant losing the majority of the time. On my pink Nintendo DS covered in Hello Kitty stickers, I would often play against my brother in Mario Kart. Even with 2 wins out of 5 rounds of playing, there was something about it that made it addictive. At first, it never clicked, but I realized it was because of the everlasting memories that were made.  It was the infamous Rainbow Road. Though it often comes with rage, funny memories can also blossom from the chaos this course brings alone. My brother and I would go head-to-head, spamming buttons and concentrating on our tiny screens as if there was money on the line. One particular match sticks out vividly. I had managed to snag first place about halfway through the three-lap race. My brother, always the better player, was trailing right behind me. As we entered the final stretch, a blue-shell attack from him sent me tumbling off the side of the road, my character squeaming on the screen as I watched him pass right by me. In that heated moment, I may or may not have tried to push him and grab his DS (no devices were harmed in the process). While incredibly frustrating in that instant, it became one of our most replayed memories—the time he epically denied me a rare Mario Kart victory at the very last second on one of the hardest maps in existence. Despite the many losses, the bonds of sibling rivalry kept us racing again and again in Mario Kart's chaotic multiplayer modes. As time has gone on and technology has improved, going from a small DS to plugging in the Nintendo Switch to our TV has helped my skills tremendously. Though we have played against each other about 100 times now, I can finally say I have won at least one race. Mario Kart has been a way to relieve stress and show my competitive side. Every time we play, there is always a new memory created, circling back to the pink DS days. With unpredictable powerups thrown around and new maps to explore, the long-standing memories formed make Mario Kart my favorite game to play in co-op mode.

Music is something I have been surrounded by my whole life. It has been able to give me new perspectives not only on skill but even on life values. Whether from a violin lesson or orchestra class, there's always something new to learn. The transformative power of music has been able to foster personal growth, empathy, and an appreciation for natural beauty in the world. A big impact on my life with music has been developing perseverance and discipline. Playing the violin not only requires commitment, but countless hours of practice, and determination to deal with challenges. These traits have carried into other aspects of my life, such as academics and personal goals. The ability to set long-term objectives and steadily work towards them has become an important part of how I approach challenges, shaping me to value patience and hard work and see it through others for everyone to be successful. Also, music has acted as a universal language, bridging cultural gaps and creating empathy. Through many recitals and group/private lessons, I've been able to connect with musicians from diverse backgrounds, each having their perspectives. Playing in an orchestra also represents how different cultures and people can come together to create something beautiful. The experience has instilled in me an appreciation for diversity and an understanding that, despite our differences, we can collectively create something meaningful and impactful. Music has been able to represent unity even during times when it seems like division is the only thing going on around us. Finally, the emotional depth and expressiveness in music have also allowed me to empathize with the experiences of others. As I pour my emotions into each note and measure, I am reminded of the power of art to convey stories and feelings, sometimes no mouth could do. This has allowed me to understand the emotions of those around me. Whether it's someone in orchestra struggling with a difficult section or one of my friends dealing with personal problems, having been in violin has helped me be able to listen attentively and offer the support needed. Music has taught me true understanding is more than just words; it lies in an ability to connect with someone on a deeper, emotional level. In conclusion, music has been able to guide me through life's journey and shape the way I perceive the world. Through my twelve-year journey of playing the violin and continuous participation in orchestra class, I have gained valuable life lessons - perseverance, empathy, and appreciation for diversity. Music has proven to be a powerful inspiring me to contribute positively to life; viewing it like a symphony. As I continue to play my violin, I can see new perspectives and how I can keep making contributions to society.