The Pandemic brought many challenges to individuals across the globe. Because of our year's worth of distancing, for me, the greatest difficulty was allowing myself to be social again. Once school started back up, I detached myself from others and had no desire to speak up in social settings. I was afraid to ask questions at school and would only speak if spoken to. Every day I became less and less comfortable conversing with my peers and in social settings. However, in 2022, I decided to tackle my social anxiety: my yearly goal was to become a genuine leader in my community. Early in 2022, everyone in my school band voted for leaders in each section. Because we lost so many upperclassmen members of the band due to Pandemic circumstances, multiple underclassmen were chosen as section leaders for the following year. I was one such underclassman, chosen to fill the role of flute section leader for my junior year. Upon hearing this, I realized I had an opportunity to open up and become the person I had always wanted to be; the one that was looked up to and not afraid to lead others. During marching season, I led my section through thick and thin. I was so proud of how my section grew and learned to lead not just each other, but the rest of the band. As marching season ended and school started, I soon realized how much this helped me. I would raise my hand in class to talk. It seems simple, but such a task the year before would be unheard of. I could finally motivate my peers to perform to the highest of their abilities. Over the summer of 2023, I was again voted head flute section leader. A second year of leading strengthened my leadership abilities; not only did I learn how to lead my section more effectively, but I also taught each of my section members how to lead once I graduated. Soon, I also received leadership positions in other clubs such as Social Media Advisor and Historian for the National Honor Society. Not only did the decision to make me a section leader help me address my social anxiety and learn valuable leadership skills, but it also allowed me to accept myself the way I was. At the beginning of 2022, I had strived to be like other leaders who were top in their classes and admired by everyone. However, after actually taking action toward my goal, I realized that by doing the most I could to improve myself, I didn’t have to be the best of the best. As long as I was proud of who I was and was capable of encouraging others to lead too, that was all that mattered. While I did take on leadership roles, I didn’t necessarily become the cream of the crop. And rather than pushing myself past my limits to be the best (like I would have done before) I accepted it; for I was already on the path to becoming the ideal version of myself. As Selena Gomez once said, “I am in competition with no one. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone. I am simply trying to be better than the person I was yesterday.” By accepting the improved version of myself, I realized I had become a better person than I would have, had I kept pushing myself to be superior. By pushing past my limits, I would have lost sight of my actual goal. I wanted to be a leader, not a competitor.

On May 30, 1938, my Mummi (Grandmother), Raila Mäntysalo, was born in a small cottage town near Lake Ladoga in Karelia. At the time, Karelia was a part of Finland. On November 30, 1939, her life was irrevocably changed. November 30th marked the date war began between the Soviet Union and Finland. There was mistrust between the countries. Finland believed the Soviet Union wanted to expand into its territory, and the Soviet Union feared Finland would allow itself to be utilized as a base from which enemies could attack. My family, like many other Finnish-Karelians, fled West into Helsinki. At the time, my Mummi was one year old. My Iso-Mummi (Great-Grandmother), Hellä, pushed my Mummi and her older brother, Raimo, on sleds by foot 228 miles to Helsinki in -20°C (-4°F) weather. Once they made it to Helsinki, my Mummi and her brother were sent to separate foster homes in America. My Iso-Mummi stayed in Helsinki working for the war efforts while my Iso-Ukki was fighting in the war specializing as a radio operator. Eventually, Finland was forced to cede territories including Karelia to the Soviet Union after the Moscow Peace Treaty in 1940. My family’s home was gone forever. Following this ceding, the Karelian Question arose. Should Finland fight for Karelia back? Last year, I took AP Comparative Government and AP US Government. They were by far my favorite classes in high school. These courses made me proud to be an American. America was where my family eventually settled after the tragedies in Karelia/Finland. The people and government here were willing to help out strangers. It didn’t matter that they came from across seas -- it only mattered they felt welcome. America is a melting pot, and these courses over the US and their impact on the world reminded me of the childhood stories I heard from my Mummi about her new American home. (The ones detailing the kindness of American culture and the generosity found across the nation.) It kindled my passion for making an impact on the world just like many other Americans. I began looking much deeper into topics including how international events affect citizens in different countries. This hit close to home. My Mummi had a rough time; suffering from chronic mental illness (as a result of war) during her lifetime. Even my Mummi’s brother suffered an early death in 1996 at the age of 60 under similar circumstances. It seems unreal to think of how much the world has changed since then. Finland is now regarded as the happiest country in the world. Few know its history is far from that. When the War between Russia and Ukraine began, I realized Russia’s political changes may have not been as significant as I previously believed. Russia is now instigating a scenario similar to the Winter War. As I watch the news, the more I ponder topics like the Karelian Question. Should Ukraine continue to fight Russia? And should other countries involve themselves in warfare? How do we bring about lasting peace while acknowledging each country's sovereignty? Not to mention, what has the war meant for ordinary Ukrainians, and what do ordinary Russians think about the war? For me, international relations is more than just an academic topic. It brings out my curiosity for learning while also connecting me with my family history and the generosity bestowed on me through my American culture. It feels personal and involves real people; not merely statistics. With time, I aim to not only create questions but to answer them and generate solutions to the world’s most pivotal issues.