Since I was a kid, I’ve always been curious about how the world works especially when it comes to the human body. While most kids were into cartoons or sports, I spent my time reading about how our bodies heal or why we get sick. It wasn’t some big “I’m going to be a doctor” moment. I just thought it was cool to learn how everything fits together. That curiosity stuck with me through school. In high school, I took AP Biology, and everything clicked. I connected the dots between the random facts I had learned as a kid and the bigger picture of how the body functions. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to know about biology, I wanted to apply it. So, I decided to pursue a pre-med track with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. What draws me to pediatrics is the chance to help kids feel better when they’re not at their best. I was one of those kids who hated going to the doctor. I want to change that. I want to be the kind of pediatrician who makes the experience less intimidating, maybe even fun. Not because I want to be perfect, but because I remember how scary it was as a kid, and I don’t think it should be that way for others. I’ve spent a lot of time with kids—teaching Sunday school, helping out at church, and working with kids with disabilities. These experiences showed me that I’m good at connecting with kids and making them feel heard. It’s not something you learn from a textbook, it’s something you pick up from experience. I think this will help me as a future doctor because medicine isn’t just about diagnosing, but it’s about making the person, especially a kid, feel comfortable and understood. In addition to volunteering, I’ve been involved in science competitions like Science Olympiad and HOSA. These activities taught me how to think critically, work under pressure, and handle failure, like when my wind turbine broke at a competition. These experiences helped me build resilience. Becoming a pediatrician won’t be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve learned how to work hard, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and keep moving forward. Science has always helped me understand the world, but medicine is where I can use that knowledge to actually make a difference and that’s what excites me.

I’m someone who has always found joy in helping others, especially children. Ever since I was little, I was the kid who brought extra snacks in case someone forgot theirs, who stayed behind to help clean up even when no one asked. As I grew older, that love for caring turned into a passion for medicine. I want to become a pediatrician because I know how scary the doctor’s office can feel as a child. I still remember being nervous every time I had to go. But what if the doctor’s office could feel like a safe place? What if going to the doctor was something a kid could actually look forward to? That’s the kind of pediatrician I want to be. Someone who builds trust with her patients. Someone who can make checkups a little less scary and a lot more fun. I’ve always believed that being kind, patient, and understanding can go a long way, and I want to carry that into my future career. To prepare for this path, I’ve taken classes that challenge me, joined HOSA, and volunteered in children’s ministries at church. I’ve worked with kids from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, and it’s taught me how to communicate better, show empathy, and really listen to what each child needs. I also lead a club called The Paper Plan, where we organize monthly meetings and donation drives for causes like children’s health and hygiene. I’ve learned how to take initiative, how to lead a team, and how to turn compassion into action. But it hasn’t always been easy. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is learning how to ask for help. I used to think that being strong meant doing everything on my own. I didn’t like admitting when I was struggling, whether it was with schoolwork, friendships, or my own mindset. That stubbornness held me back for a while. But after some tough moments, especially a falling out with close friends, I realized that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. I started studying more intentionally, asking teachers questions, and leaning on people who wanted to see me succeed. I’m still learning, but I’ve grown so much because I chose not to give up on myself. One day, I hope to not only treat children’s physical health but also be a support system—someone who reminds them that no matter what, they’re not alone. The world can be a scary place, but with the right care, we can help kids grow up healthy, confident, and ready to thrive.

My favorite thing about the planet is how it renews itself. Nature always finds a way to start over, and that really sticks with me. It reminds me that I get a second chance too. Recently, I had a falling out with some close friends. It was a hard situation that forced me to face some things about myself that I hadn’t really looked at before. I felt stuck, unsure of who I was without those friendships, and unsure of how to move forward. During that time, I spent a lot of hours in our garden. I’ve always loved being there, surrounded by the peace and quiet, just tending to plants. But this time felt different. I noticed how even after the plants looked dead or dried out, they would slowly come back with a little water and care. Watching that process day after day made me think that if they could grow again, maybe I could too. That gave me hope, and it helped me feel more grounded. I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to be willing to grow again. This connection with nature wasn’t something new, it just took a new shape during that time in my life. I’ve always been interested in environmental health and how small changes can lead to a cleaner, healthier world. A few years back, a few other students and I reached out to the manager at our local Starbucks to start something small but meaningful. We organized a Reusable Cup Day where people were encouraged to bring their own reusable cups instead of using the plastic-lined disposable ones. We helped make flyers, spread the word on social media, and talked to customers outside the store to encourage them to participate. It was a simple idea, but it worked. People were curious and surprisingly open to the change. Many didn’t realize how much waste single-use cups create, and that one small switch could make a big difference. It gave us the chance to educate others and show how easy it can be to help the planet. Even one reusable cup can have a lasting impact when a whole community joins in. That day taught me that creating change doesn’t have to be huge or perfect. Just like a plant doesn’t bloom overnight, small actions, when repeated, grow into something meaningful. I want to keep protecting the environment because it’s where I’ve found peace, healing, and new beginnings. The Earth gives us second chances all the time. I want to make sure it stays that way for me and everyone else who might need one too.

Hi! I am a current senior from southern California and I spend my free time vlogging for my YouTube channel, playing games(I LOVE Solitaire, Sudoku, and Sedecordle), and serving in my church. I decided that I wanted to go into the medical field when I was in 5th grade. In science class, we were studying the human body and I fell in love, particularly when we had an alphabet body book project. I remember being so excited to get to class every day just because I got to learn another cool fact about our biology. Now to be specific, I aspire to be a pediatrician and one day hope to own a practice. My motive behind it is that during my time volunteering as a Sunday School teacher, I have heard countless stories(and experienced it on my own) of how scary the doctor's office can be and I simply do not think that that is right. I believe that children should be excited to go to the office and take care of their health. Creating this habit and fondness from a young age will hopefully diminish the lasting stigma that is apparent in many adults who are apprehensive of the doctor or believe it to be a weakness to go there. So who has been an inspiration to me? I would have to say those kids at church. They have taught me so much, more than I ever expected when I signed up. They have taught me how to connect with people, have empathy, and be patient. These are all things that I hope to carry into my practice along with the experience they have allowed me to gain from spending time with them. Kids are so interesting because they are not yet old enough to experience a lot of the negativity of the world like the search for validation, belonging, and loyalty. They simply live life and are learning what it is to be human, and human they are. They have taught me to always be kind even when someone doesn't want to share their legos, always get back up after I fall(especially during tag), and not to worry when I color outside the lines because what matters at the end is that I am proud of the picture I made. I guess more than a body book project, I want to pursue medicine to help protect that childlike mindset and allow myself to continue learning from children the things that I could never learn in a classroom.

Throughout my academic journey, one of the most challenging obstacles I faced was preparing for and competing in the Science Olympiad Wind Power event. As someone passionate about STEM, I wanted to push myself beyond just understanding concepts—I wanted to apply them in a real-world setting. However, I quickly realized that success in this event required more than just enthusiasm; it demanded rigorous problem-solving, adaptability, and perseverance. The first major hurdle was grasping the physics behind wind turbines. I had to master concepts like aerodynamics, energy conversion, and blade efficiency while translating them into a functional design. At first, my turbines barely generated power. No matter how many times I adjusted the blades, the output remained frustratingly low. Instead of getting discouraged, I dove deeper into research—analyzing past competition data, studying scientific papers, and even watching hours of engineering videos. I meticulously tested different blade angles, materials, and lengths, refining my models through systematic trial and error. Then came the hands-on construction process, which was another beast entirely. My initial prototypes were either too flimsy or too inefficient. With limited experience in building mechanical devices, I had to learn as I went. I experimented with new tools, sought advice from mentors, and collaborated with my teammates to troubleshoot problems. One of the biggest breakthroughs came when we started tracking performance metrics after each test, making incremental improvements based on real data. Slowly but surely, our turbine became more stable and efficient. Time management was another challenge. Between schoolwork, HOSA board duties, and other commitments, I had to be intentional with my schedule. I blocked out specific times for research, construction, and testing while also making sure to delegate tasks within my team. Staying organized and maintaining clear communication helped us keep moving forward without sacrificing quality. After months of trial and refinement, the competition arrived. Seeing our turbine perform successfully was an incredibly rewarding moment, and placing 7th overall in the event made all the late nights and setbacks worth it. More than just a ranking, the experience taught me the value of persistence, collaboration, and data-driven problem-solving. This journey reaffirmed my love for STEM and reinforced my belief that challenges are just stepping stones to growth. Every failure brought me closer to a solution, and every obstacle strengthened my ability to adapt. Moving forward, I’m excited to apply this mindset to even bigger challenges, knowing that with the right approach, any problem can be solved.