One of the people I've loved most is my aunt, and I still think about her daily. It's been a long and challenging path with grief over her, not only for me but for my whole family and all those in our community who loved her. She was a light in my life when my family fell into a devastating crisis, and I was left virtually alone. She took me under her care, and I shared a table and a home with her and her incredible family. They became like the siblings I never had. Her comfort became my haven during frightening moments. She was like a best friend, a confidante, a star in my eyes. However, since that time entirely, despite the toll grief has taken on me at an emotional and academic level. I am learning to live in a way that honors her legacy with me, being a reliable person to the people I love, offering my support to all those who need it, and participating in service organizations for others. The loss of her to cancer has also contributed to my personal goals to enter the medical field, and hopefully find a way to keep the devastation that is cancer from taking the joy of millions of other sweet souls like her. Although none of this helps bring her back, I want to create a life for myself and those around me that she would be proud of, a world where everyone can feel understood and uplifted, and where me and people like me can become advocates who always strive for more in life. I will do her justice always. That is my lifelong promise to her, and to the people I care deeply about. Thank you.

Billie Eilish’s music has had a profound impact on me, resonating with my emotions and experiences. My top three songs by her are "Bellyache," "When the Party's Over," and "Everything I Wanted." Each of these tracks speaks to different aspects of my life, capturing feelings of guilt, vulnerability, and introspection. "Bellyache" is a personal standout for its exploration of guilt and remorse. The narrative of someone grappling with the consequences of their actions mirrors moments in my own life where I’ve faced difficult decisions. The catchy melody juxtaposed with dark lyrics creates a haunting atmosphere that encapsulates the internal struggle of feeling responsible for something gone wrong. This song reminds me that it’s okay to reflect on my mistakes and learn from them. "When the Party's Over" resonates with me on a deeply emotional level. The haunting simplicity of the piano paired with Billie’s delicate vocals conveys a sense of vulnerability that I often feel in moments of heartbreak or loss. The lyrics express the pain of letting go, a theme that reflects my own experiences in relationships. The raw honesty in this song encourages me to embrace my feelings, no matter how uncomfortable they may be. Finally, "Everything I Wanted" encapsulates my feeling of uncertainty and the search for validation. The themes of anxiety and self-doubt are prevalent in today’s world, especially for young people. Eilish’s reassurance in the chorus serves as a reminder that it’s normal to struggle and that I’m not alone in my feelings. This song has become an anthem for resilience, inspiring me to seek comfort in my own identity rather than external approval. Overall, Billie Eilish’s music resonates with me because it tackles complex emotions and experiences in a relatable way. Her ability to convey vulnerability and authenticity in her lyrics helps me process my own feelings, making her songs an essential part of the soundtrack of my life.

Tennis is more than just a sport for me; it has been a revelatory experience that has shaped my character, values, and motivations. From the very first time I stepped onto the court and began to play, I learned lessons that went far beyond the game itself. One of the most significant lessons tennis has taught me is the importance of discipline, something which I struggle with in my teenage years. The rigorous practice schedule required to improve my skills instilled a sense of responsibility and commitment. I quickly realized that success in tennis, much like in life, demands consistent effort and perseverance. This discipline has spilled over into my academic life, helping me maintain focus and determination in my studies. Whether it was afternoon drills or late-night practices, I learned to prioritize my time and stay dedicated to my goals to strike a balance between school and play. Now, I can approach challenges with a mindset that values hard work and resilience and a stronger work ethic. Another key lesson is the significance of sportsmanship. Tennis is unique because players are responsible for calling their own lines and making honest judgments during matches. This aspect of the game taught me integrity and the importance of respecting your opponents. I’ve come to learn that winning isn’t everything, and how you cope with both victory and defeat is what truly defines you as a competitor and as a person. This understanding has also influenced my interactions with others, encouraging me to treat everyone with kindness and fairness, regardless of the circumstances, and influencing my academic character to be a more sincere and hardworking student. Tennis has also enhanced my ability to handle pressure, which has been crucial to my high school life. In a match, staying calm and focused can really make all the difference. I’ve faced numerous high-stakes situations, from competing in tournaments to playing matches for my school team. Each experience has equipped me with coping strategies to manage my stress positively, a skill that I now apply to my tests, projects, and other high-pressure situations. Learning to breathe deeply and maintain my composure became invaluable, helping me approach challenges with a clear mind. Moreover, tennis has taught me the value of setting personal goals. Whether I aim to improve my serve or work to reach a certain level of ability, I learned to set achievable short-term and long-term goals for myself. This practice has also translated into my life beyond the court. I can now set specific academic and personal goals in a way that will keep me stress-free and on track. This structured approach has allowed me to maintain my progress and celebrate small victories along the way, reinforcing my motivation. Looking to the future, I plan to incorporate these lessons into my career aspirations. I am drawn to the field of medicine, where discipline, integrity, and the ability to perform under pressure are crucial. The resilience I’ve cultivated on the tennis court will serve me well in the demanding environment of healthcare. I hope to carry forward the values of teamwork and communication I’ve learned through doubles matches, applying them in collaborative healthcare settings. Conclusively, tennis has shaped me deeply, fostering discipline, sportsmanship, positive coping skills, and goal-setting skills. I believe these lessons have not only influenced my character but have also provided a solid foundation for my future self to be built on. As I move forward, I carry with me the understanding that success is a path built upon dedication, respect, integrity, and continuous improvement—very much like tennis.

My inspiration to pursue a career in nursing stems from a combination of personal experiences and a deep-rooted desire to help others, such as being inspired by my mother and my passion for medicine and public service. Growing up, I witnessed the compassionate care my mother gave to senior citizens as a Home Health Aide. In this profession, she dedicated her blood, sweat, and tears to her patients' comfort and was never hesitant to go the extra mile. She not only provided medical support but also comforted those people during what can be the most challenging season of an adult's life, some of them frequently neglected by their families and instead wholly reliant on my mother. I liked constantly asking her questions about the job, what the people she took care of were like, and what she was required to do, as I began to find it entertaining and this piqued my curiosity. Her dedication and empathy left a lasting impression on me, igniting my passion for selfless service to others. Due to this, I began looking for community service opportunities, such as the food drives I help my church with for the homeless, the tutoring services I occasionally provide to children with special needs, and my newfound medical background. I volunteer at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital (Orlando) in Florida. This experience further strengthened my desire to serve others and sparked my love for the art of healthcare. Here, I can interact directly with diverse populations of elderly and young people who have suffered difficult times, battling depression, PTSD, disabilities, and a general feeling of helplessness. Seeing these people and learning their stories moved me deeply and gave me an even greater need to be supportive through their challenges, serving as a companion and a friend. I noted that this passion ignited within me was also present in the nurses at my hospital, who work arduous shifts to serve those who have served us. Realizing how naturally serving others felt to me, I realized that, much like my mother before me, I may not only enjoy giving back to my community but doing so by healing it. I talk to the veterans who stop by the VA and also interact with their family members during clinical rotations and at social reunions, seeing not only one person's pain but a whole community's. I also realized that although one caring individual can help a person's healing process, there are many other things that this lovely community struggles with, such as a lack of insurance coverage for necessary treatments or therapy. Seeing the injustice that our Veterans are subject to and how hard it is for them to access healthcare without worry enforced my commitment to equitable healthcare access. I have participated in petitions concerning the improvement of veteran healthcare plans and mental health services, as I firmly believe mental health is as crucial as physical health and that war veterans need it more than ever before, as suicide rates of veterans of all ages in the U.S have unfortunately continued to rise. In the future, I plan to give back to my community by continuing my advocacy for underserved populations, like the veterans and families whom I have interacted with, and other community members who remain unseen and unheard. I envision working in community health settings, focusing on outreach programs and clinical nursing to address health disparities. Finally, I hope to someday mentor aspiring nurses, sharing my experiences as a young volunteer and hopeful nurse to inspire the next generation of nurses and other healthcare professionals to serve with joy and dedication.

As an aspiring neuroscience student, my journey into the intricate workings of the brain began thanks to various online platforms, tools, and resources. The digital landscape provides a rich tapestry of learning opportunities that enhance my understanding of neuroscience and enable me to apply that knowledge in versatile ways. Through online courses, educational videos, research databases, and interactive communities, I establish a multifaceted approach to my studies and diversify my knowledge for my future career. One of the most significant resources I utilize is Coursera, where I enrolled in base-level neuroscience/psychology courses offered by universities that sparked my curiosity and passion for brain science. Courses like Yale Introduction to Psychology helped me delve into an interest I had only observed from afar until that point--the brain. This course provided me with solid foundations in neuroanatomy, neural signaling, social psychology, and the potential physiological explanations for behaviors. The structured format of these courses, combined with simple assignments and professor-provided guidance, allows me to engage actively with the material and communicate it back in a way that helps me also solidify my communication skills. In addition to formal courses, I find YouTube a helpful resource. Channels like CrashCourse offer me engaging visual content that breaks down complex topics into digestible segments. Watching animated explanations of neural networks and brain functions has reinforced my theoretical knowledge and made it easier to visualize processes that can be incomprehensible by textbooks alone. A recent video on the effects of neurotransmitters sparked my interest in exploring how imbalances can lead to mental health disorders, prompting me to investigate further and apply this knowledge in a community service project focused on mental health awareness. I am currently undertaking an unpaid neuroscience internship with UC Davis, where I interact with incredible researchers at the forefront of their fields and where I must maintain a quick pace and ensure efficiency of knowledge and research ability at all times. Research databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed have become tools in my repertoire. These platforms have been a great help in locating research and learning more about hands-on activity and requirements for running experiments, providing me access to a vast array of peer-reviewed articles and clinical studies that keep me updated on the latest findings in neurology and more. For example, while researching the effects of meditation on brain structure, I discovered a study that demonstrated changes in gray matter density (Tang). That informed my understanding of neuroplasticity, which I was not practically familiar with, and also helped me learn to adopt a new hobby-- meditation. The ability to connect empirical research to personal experience truly enhanced my learning. Furthermore, I participate in online communities such as Reddit’s r/neuro. Although not all information on the site is trustworthy, occasionally engaging with fellow students and professionals on social platforms allows me to discuss ideas, share resources, etcetera. I remember posting a question about the neural mechanisms underlying memory formation and receiving insightful responses that helped clarify my confusion. This collaborative learning environment provided me with a sense of companionship and connection with other scholars who encouraged me to push the boundaries of my understanding. As I progress in my neuroscience journey, I am excited to delve into additional digital resources in the future. These resources will undoubtedly enrich my learning, better equip me for a future centered on unraveling the intricacies of the brain, and ultimately nurture my innate curiosity.

Coming from a low-income household has led me to persevere through challenges by preparing me from an early age for the realities of life--that not everything can be handed to me, and I must work for what I have. It has taught me hard work and resilience, which have helped me pursue my academic and extracurricular goals and lead a productive life. I plan to use my experiences from volunteering in my community and owning my own crocheting business to help the people I know and love, particularly those who struggle with health concerns, as I have experienced firsthand. I actively pursue my goals by scouting opportunities for participation at school and church-sponsored functions, such as fundraisers for low-income children's school supplies and food drives. My small business also actively donates a portion of my sales to cancer research nonprofits and other charities. It is my life philosophy to help others and make every contribution I can to help those who have struggled as I do.

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon three years ago when I heard the bad news—possibly the worst news of my whole life up to that point. My dad called home. I was the one to pick up the phone. With nothing but a whisper, he told me that beloved Vilma, my aunt, had succumbed to her longstanding battle with kidney cancer. One of the people I've loved most is my aunt, and I still think about her daily. It's been a long and challenging path with grief over her, not only for me but for my whole family and all those who loved her, as she felt more like my mother than my own ever had. She was a light in my life when my family fell into a devastating crisis, and I was left virtually alone. She took me under her care, and I shared a table with her lovely, incredible family. They became like the siblings that I never had. She became my haven during frightening moments. She shielded me from my family, even when I did things wrong and the reprimands were valid. She was like a best friend, a confidante, a star in my eyes. However, since that catastrophic day, I have come to learn that I don't have to give her up entirely, despite the toll grief has taken on me at an emotional and academic level. I am learning to live in a way that honors her legacy with me, being a reliable person to the people I love, offering my support to all those who need it, and participating in service organizations for others. The loss of her to cancer has also contributed to my desire to enter the medical field, to hopefully find a way to keep the devastation that is cancer from taking the joy of thousands and millions of other lovely souls like her. Although none of this helps bring her back, I want to create a life for myself and those around me that she would be proud of. I will do her justice always. That is my lifelong promise to her. Thank you.