When my mother’s youngest sister, Gangaa, whose name in Mongolian means “Pretty Flower," was diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancer, our lives changed in ways we never expected. Although she lives in Mongolia and we live in the United States, the emotional and logistical weight of her diagnosis has deeply affected our entire family. With limited access to specialized care and medical information in her home country, much of the burden of communication and research has fallen on my mother and me. I’ve taken on the role of translator, converting complex English-language medical research, treatment options, and genetic testing information into Mongolian so that my aunt can make informed decisions about her care. This experience has been heartbreaking but also eye-opening. It made me realize how vulnerable many families are when it comes to accessing life-saving care, especially in immigrant and international communities where language, cost, and distance form barriers to prevention and treatment. My aunt's diagnosis was a wake-up call for my family, prompting us to think more seriously about early detection and our own genetic risks. We started having conversations that had never come up before: about family history, breast self-exams, mammograms, and cancer warning signs. These weren’t easy discussions, but they were incredibly necessary. Genetic testing has proven essential in my aunt’s case. After she tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation, her doctors in Mongolia were able to tailor her treatment and recommend preventive testing for close relatives. Knowing that the same mutation may run in our family, my mother and I plan to get tested in the US. Through this, we’ve learned that genetic testing isn’t just about identifying risks, it’s about empowering people with the knowledge to take action early, especially when time is critical. I’ve also realized how many people in our community either don’t know about or mistrust genetic testing. That needs to change, and I want to be part of that change. I believe I deserve this scholarship because this experience has shown me what it means to turn personal pain into purpose. As a first-generation, low-income Asian-American student, I’ve faced many barriers, but I’ve also found strength in helping my family navigate systems that weren’t built for us. Translating medical documents, researching treatments, and supporting my relatives across continents has taught me to be resourceful, compassionate, and determined. I plan to carry these qualities into a future career in law and public service, where I can advocate for more equitable healthcare and greater awareness of issues like breast cancer in underrepresented communities. This scholarship would relieve some of the financial pressure my family faces and allow me to keep pursuing opportunities to lead, serve, and give back. Most of all, it would honor my aunt Gangaa’s strength, and help me continue fighting for the kind of world where no one has to face this battle alone or uninformed.

1. Fine arts are essential to a complete education because they nurture not only creativity and expression, but also identity, empathy, and connection, things no textbook alone can teach. For me, the most meaningful fine arts experience has been shaped not just in a classroom, but at home, through the presence of my younger brother and his unwavering dedication to the morin khuur, a traditional Mongolian instrument. His music has always echoed through our home, grounding me in my heritage and reminding me of the strength, resilience, and beauty of our culture. Watching him practice, sometimes for hours with a kind of dogmatic devotion, taught me discipline, pride, and the power of preserving one's roots. Inspired by his commitment, I later enrolled in a traditional music and culture class at Mongolian school, where I explored Mongolian storytelling, symbolism, and artistic expression passed down for generations. Through this class, I gained not only technical understanding of the art form but also a spiritual appreciation for the values embedded within it; honor, family, and perseverance. These lessons extended beyond music, helping me approach leadership and service with a deeper sense of humility and purpose. Without these experiences, I wouldn't carry the same deep sense of belonging or the emotional strength I now bring to my advocacy. Fine arts helped me understand that identity is something we must actively nurture, and that art is one of the most powerful tools to do so. It connects us to who we were, empowers who we are, and shapes who we strive to become. 2. I intend to use these funds to support my upcoming educational and leadership opportunities, such as attending the US Military Academy’s West Point Summer Leaders Experience and Northeastern University’s pre-college creative writing program. As a first-generation, low-income Asian-American student, this support will cover program fees, travel, and materials, expenses that would otherwise place a heavy burden on my family. More importantly, this investment will allow me to bring back lessons that benefit more than just me. Whether it’s mentoring younger FGLI students, leading civic initiatives in my community, or advocating for inclusive policy, I view every opportunity I receive as a responsibility to give back. These programs will not only deepen my academic and professional growth, but also expand my capacity to elevate others who share similar barriers. These funds will help me grow into a more informed, confident leader who not only pushes for change but also brings others along in the process, building networks of empowerment that outlast any single opportunity.