The clock clicks, the drone of chatter pierces through my ears, I being fidgeting uncomfortably in my seat. My brain races. What have I eaten today? Or how about yesterday? Why do these clothes not feel right? Did I make the right decision? Should I have said that differently? Why do I feel like this right now? I sit there as a functioning human, high preforming and involved student appearing on the outside as calm and collected. However invisibly I think every though to death. Each idea, obsession or compulsion stems into what feels like a thousand directions, tearing my brain apart. The simplest, and to others totally irrelevant, details are overanalyzed by my brain leaving a perpetual presence of instability. My life has always been busy as I have many interests and a strong work ethic, thus I have been involved in many things. Traveling from point A to point B, goals and schedules have kept my brain occupied and relatively content. However when my father became sick, had emergency surgery and the world fell into a global pandemic my world came to a screeching halt. My activities, schedules and outlets no longer existed and for the first time in a while, instead of business I was left with my own thoughts. Without distractions my brain revealed its true identity including its obsessive grip. A flood of feelings and emotions washed over me, experiencing the family hardship and trauma that had subconsciously been shoved into the deepest folds of my brain. Without the forced occupation, my brain's struggles grew consuming. A constant fog hung over, feeling out of touch with reality and distraught. It felt as though doing the simplest of tasks, such as eating, picking out clothes and managing relationships should not be so hard. What used to take me five minutes I now found my self spending an hour fighting the thoughts and compulsions within my head. My eyes where red from crying, a tear delicately fell upon my face. A single pure drop of water fell from a disordered state of mind full of fear and clutter. I sat next to my mom on the couch hugging my knees, ejecting everything that entered my head. However my mom was like the sun, providing a nurturing comfort and warmth. My mom is such a patient individual, willing to listen and support at any moment. Together we decided to get me connected to a therapist. It can be scary to open up to a stranger and tell them what may be your deepest darkest secrets. But after the initial breakthrough is made, it is just an open and empathic individual willing to listen. I am extremely fortunate to have a supportive and present family, however not all have that privilege. Therapists and counselors however are available to most people. Mental health and therapy should be de-stigmatized and brought into attention, as with the chaos of today's world mental disorders are more prevalent than ever. Personally OCD, anxiety, and an eating disorder have left me and others feeling totally isolated and distant. However working with loved ones and professionals have given me a plethora of skills. These disorders may always be apart of my life, but I have acquired valuable skills in order to manage them and live more freely. Not only will they be applicable in this aspect, but also making me a more aware and compassionate individual to others who may be struggling. I hope with my experience to contribute to the world In one positive way, hopefully making it a more safe, accessible, or supportive environment.

The clock clicks, the drone of chatter pierces through my ears, I being fidgeting uncomfortably in my seat. My brain races. What have I eaten today? Or how about yesterday? Why do these clothes not feel right? Did I make the right decision? Should I have said that differently? Why do I feel like this right now? I sit there as a functioning human, high preforming and involved student appearing on the outside as calm and collected. However invisibly I think every though to death. Each idea, obsession or compulsion stems into what feels like a thousand directions, tearing my brain apart. The simplest, and to others totally irrelevant, details are overanalyzed by my brain leaving a perpetual presence of instability. My life has always been busy as I have many interests and a strong work ethic, thus I have been involved in many things. Traveling from point A to point B, goals and schedules have kept my brain occupied and relatively content. However when my father became sick, had emergency surgery and the world fell into a global pandemic my world came to a screeching halt. My activities, schedules and outlets no longer existed and for the first time in a while, instead of business I was left with my own thoughts. Without distractions my brain revealed its true identity including its obsessive grip. A flood of feelings and emotions washed over me, experiencing the family hardship and trauma that had subconsciously been shoved into the deepest folds of my brain. Without the forced occupation, my brain's struggles grew consuming. A constant fog hung over, feeling out of touch with reality and distraught. It felt as though doing the simplest of tasks, such as eating, picking out clothes and managing relationships should not be so hard. What used to take me five minutes I now found my self spending an hour fighting the thoughts and compulsions within my head. My eyes where red from crying, a tear delicately fell upon my face. A single pure drop of water fell from a disordered state of mind full of fear and clutter. I sat next to my mom on the couch hugging my knees, ejecting everything that entered my head. However my mom was like the sun, providing a nurturing comfort and warmth. My mom is such a patient individual, willing to listen and support at any moment. Together we decided to get me connected to a therapist. It can be scary to open up to a stranger and tell them what may be your deepest darkest secrets. But after the initial breakthrough is made, it is just an open and empathic individual willing to listen. I am extremely fortunate to have a supportive and present family, however not all have that privilege. Therapists and counselors however are available to most people. Mental health and therapy should be de-stigmatized and brought into attention, as with the chaos of today's world mental disorders are more prevalent than ever. Personally OCD, anxiety, and an eating disorder have left me and others feeling totally isolated and distant. However working with loved ones and professionals have given me a plethora of skills. These disorders may always be apart of my life, but I have acquired valuable skills in order to manage them and live more freely. Not only will they be applicable in this aspect, but also making me a more aware and compassionate individual to others who may be struggling. I hope with my experience to contribute to the world In one positive way, hopefully making it a more safe, accessible, or supportive environment.

I look out into the crowd, children’s faces illuminate like glittering stars in the night sky—unable to contain their imagination. The music captivates their attention, inching higher in their seats to see the stage. Whispers hush and eyes follow the striking costumes. The dancing is able to attract every focus in the room regardless of background, identity or circumstance. It tells a story without words and can be enjoyed by all: the elementary school children, the patients of Boston Children's Hospital, members of PACE Headstart and the Swartz Foundation. Performing with my youth ballet company and bringing dance to those who normally may not have the opportunity is priceless, discovering interests and nurturing connections. For me, ballet is more than it’s exterior identity of dancing and performance. It is the strong sense of connection and support built within my inner circle and larger community that provides the most unforgettable outcomes. Brain spinning with curiosity, I took a deep breath and steadied the micropipette. Oxygen rushed to my brain, giving a breath of calmness. The manipulation of bacteria with Amgen Biotech captivated my full attention, sending my mind into a flurry of questions. Bacteria’s miniscule presence seems far from our own, however Viruses are able to infect both—establishing a connection. Patterns and matching nucleotide sequences are only the tip of the viral world, forming complex connections; much like biology’s relations to many fields of study. More obvious are chemistry and physics’ connection to biology, however art also has a connection seen by passionate individuals. I have always gravitated towards science, specifically biology, and thus have packed in as many science classes as possible into my school schedule—you could say I was obsessed. Each course varied greatly, in subject, teacher and style. However, personally connecting them all is art and drawing. I sat in class with my pencil case erupting with pens, pencils and highlighters, patiently awaiting to dance upon the page. As I flipped through my biology notebook I remember each individual lesson and subject given charm with colorful diagrams and charts. Logicallity and creativity are a harmonious pair, setting knowledge firmly in my memory. I am amazed by the abundance of biology centered career pathways that can be taken, such as medicine or research. Using both the logical and creative tendencies of my brain I hope to contribute to the ever growing field of biology and connect the gaps. Some people are very logical or very creative, unable to see ideas and connections to the other side. However with my experience and tendencies within both mentalities, I believe I can form intricate connections between people and ideas. This past summer my AP Chemistry teacher lent me a book discussing Viruses and their role in the world. After reading my mind was spilling with information, feeling both inspired and overwhelmed. Viruses connect all life forms, from single celled bacteria to mammals composed of trillions of cells. It’s scope is immense and is much like the scope of studying biology. The opportunities and challenges within biology allow it to be applied to many different fields, each serving to help others and make a difference in our community.

A rich, golden glow flooded through the window pane, casting an illuminating sheen across the satin of my pointe shoes. I sat there in the corner of studio B alone, hearing distant sounds of a Nutcracker rehearsal down the hallway. In front of me lay pointe shoe ribbons and elastics, a needle and pink thread, and a pair of yellow scissors. I was entirely consumed with the ritualistic—yet experimental—task of preparing the perfect pointe shoes: sewing the ribbons and elastics, darning the tips, breaking them in, reinforcing with glue and finally, examining how they fit my feet in the mirror. Much like the investigative nature of scientific research, each pair of pointe shoes follows a specific process. But as I make discoveries each new specimen is a trial, ready to be altered to work seamlessly with the demands of my dancing. That evening I danced to Tchaikovsky’s classic composition of the Nutcracker. Inexpressible joy pulsed through my body performing the variation I had been practicing for months. Each daily ballet class consists of the same general structure. Starting at the barre my movement progressively becomes larger, eventually moving into the center of the room growing expressive: an echo of performance. Mundane repetition is what it may seem to many, but the repetition defies the variability of ballet. The shift of a singular muscle can skew the stability of my pirouette. Thus daily ballet class is an explorative process, learning how to utilize and control the most specific of muscles in order to successfully execute the steps. This process closely mimics the scientific method: to observe, question, test and conclude. It is an experiment, a desire for discovery. Ballet’s state of ambiguity disguises its similarities to science—yet each is backed with careful planning. Pink fluffy tutus, sparkly tiaras, and funny shoes are the common stereotype of ballet. However, what it fails to see is the meaning placed behind each minute detail. Shiny satin pointe shoes, thought only to be worn for aesthetics, gives an illusion of floating across the stage. Perfectly perky platter tutus elongate my legs, drawing eyes to the precise footwork. Similarly is the unique role of each instrument used in a scientific lab; the small distinctions between two pieces of glassware entirely change their function. I find these details fascinating, expanding the horizons of my interests and allowing me to become a more complex individual. Daily classes become addicting. When working to navigate the body my brain is lured to a state of omniscience. Likewise is my paired passion for science. The hunger for growth and knowledge, all are clearly apparent in this field of study. To outside eyes a dancer is far from parallel to a scientist. Yet their resemblance is uncanny, with the requisite skills of precision and artistry. When dancing and in science classes, I require both analytical thinking and imagination. A division is often fabricated: separating logicality from creativity, scientists from artists, mathematicians from poets, limiting potential collaboration. But recognizing one in the other has allowed me to close the gap, connecting skills and experiences from both mentalities. Being committed to Ballet empowers me to conceptualize scientific ideas, dually, the methodology of science improves my ability to self correct in ballet class. When these focuses are kept apart the outcome is ordinary. However when a connection is nurtured it is far from ordinary, bringing clarity, possibility and strength. It allows the different sides of my brain to be coordinated. Whether in a crisp white lab coat, or classical white tutu: a rich understanding of my internal thought process proves to be an indispensable asset.

This is a sample of my bullet journal, with fun doodles. It is a self designed and drain planner with journal entries, fun drawings and my personality.

A rich, golden glow flooded through the window pane, casting an illuminating sheen across the satin of my pointe shoes. I sat there in the corner of studio B alone, hearing distant sounds of a Nutcracker rehearsal down the hallway. In front of me lay pointe shoe ribbons and elastics, a needle and pink thread, and a pair of yellow scissors. I was entirely consumed with the ritualistic—yet experimental—task of preparing the perfect pointe shoes: sewing the ribbons and elastics, darning the tips, breaking them in, reinforcing with glue and finally, examining how they fit my feet in the mirror. Much like the investigative nature of scientific research, each pair of pointe shoes follows a specific process. But as I make discoveries each new specimen is a trial, ready to be altered to work seamlessly with the demands of my dancing. That evening I danced to Tchaikovsky’s classic composition of the Nutcracker. Inexpressible joy pulsed through my body performing the variation I had been practicing for months. Each daily ballet class consists of the same general structure. Starting at the barre my movement progressively becomes larger, eventually moving into the center of the room growing more expressive: an echo of performance. Mundane repetition is what it may seem to many, but the repetition defies the variability of ballet. The shift of a singular muscle can skew the stability of my pirouette. Thus daily ballet class is an explorative process, learning how to utilize and control the most specific of muscles in order to successfully execute the steps. This process closely mimics the scientific method: to observe, question, test and conclude. It is an experiment, a desire for discovery. Ballet’s state of ambiguity disguises its similarities to science—each is backed with careful planning. Pink fluffy tutus, sparkly tiaras, and funny shoes are the common stereotype of ballet. However, what it fails to see is the meaning placed behind each minute detail. Shiny satin pointe shoes, thought only to be worn for aesthetics, gives an ethereal illusion of floating across the stage. Perfectly perky platter tutus elongate my legs, drawing eyes to the precise footwork. Similarly is the unique role of each instrument used in a scientific lab; the distinctions between two pieces of glassware entirely change their function. I find these details fascinating, expanding the horizons of my interests and allowing me to become a more complex individual. Daily classes become addicting. When working to navigate the body my brain is lured to a state of omniscience. Likewise is my paired passion for science. The hunger for growth and knowledge, all are clearly apparent in this field of study. To outside eyes a dancer is far from parallel to a scientist. Yet their resemblance is uncanny, with the requisite skills of precision and artistry. When dancing and in science classes, I require both analytical thinking and imagination. A division is often fabricated: separating logicality from creativity, scientists from artists, mathematicians from poets, limiting potential collaboration. But recognizing one in the other has allowed me to close the gap, connecting skills and experiences from both mentalities. Being committed to Ballet empowers me to conceptualize scientific ideas, dually, the methodology of science improves my ability to self correct in ballet class. When these focuses are kept apart the outcome is ordinary. However when a connection is nurtured it is far from ordinary, bringing clarity, possibility and strength. It allows the different sides of my brain to be coordinated. Whether in a crisp white lab coat, or classical white tutu: a rich understanding of my internal thought process proves to be an indispensable asset.

Ballet’s state of ambiguity disguises its similarities to science—yet each is backed with careful planning. Pink fluffy tutus, sparkly tiaras, and funny shoes are the common stereotype of ballet. However, what it fails to see is the meaning placed behind each minute detail. Shiny satin pointe shoes, thought only for aesthetics, gives the illusion of floating. Perfectly perky platter tutus elongate my legs, drawing eyes to the precise footwork. Similarly is the role of each instrument used in a scientific lab; the small distinctions between pieces of glassware change their function. I find these details fascinating, expanding horizons of my interests and allowing me to become a more complex individual.

Brain spinning with curiosity, I took a deep breath and steadied the micropipette. Oxygen rushed to my brain, giving a breath of calmness. The manipulation of bacteria with Amgen Biotech captivated my full attention, sending my mind into a flurry of questions. Bacteria’s miniscule presence seems far from our own, however Viruses are able to infect both—establishing a connection. Patterns and matching nucleotide sequences are only the tip of the viral world, forming complex connections; much like biology’s relations to many fields of study. More obvious are chemistry and physics’ connection to biology, however art also has a connection seen by passionate individuals. I have always gravitated towards science, specifically biology, and thus have packed in as many science classes as possible into my school schedule—you could say I was obsessed. Each course varied greatly, in subject, teacher and style. However, personally connecting them all is art and drawing. I sat in class with my pencil case erupting with pens, pencils and highlighters, patiently awaiting to dance upon the page. As I flipped through my biology notebook I remember each individual lesson and subject given charm with colorful diagrams and charts. Logicallity and creativity are a harmonious pair, setting knowledge firmly in my memory. I am amazed by the abundance of biology centered career pathways that can be taken, such as medicine or research. Using both the logical and creative tendencies of my brain I hope to contribute to the ever growing field of biology and connect the gaps. Some people are very logical or very creative, unable to see ideas and connections to the other side. However with my experience and tendencies within both mentalities, I believe I can form intricate connections between people and ideas. This past summer my AP Chemistry teacher lent me a book discussing Viruses and their role in the world. After reading my mind was spilling with information, feeling both inspired and overwhelmed. Viruses connect all life forms, from single celled bacteria to mammals composed of trillions of cells. It’s scope is immense and is much like the scope of studying biology. The opportunities and challenges within biology allow it to be applied to many different fields, each serving to help others and make a difference in our community.

1.)A rich, golden glow flooded through the window pane, casting an illuminating sheen across the satin of my pointe shoes. I sat there in the corner of studio B alone, hearing distant sounds of a Nutcracker rehearsal down the hallway. In front of me lay pointe shoe ribbons and elastics, a needle and pink thread, and a pair of yellow scissors. I was entirely consumed with the ritualistic—yet experimental—task of preparing the perfect pointe shoes: sewing the ribbons and elastics, darning the tips, breaking them in, reinforcing with glue and finally, examining how they fit my feet in the mirror. Much like the investigative nature of scientific research, each pair of pointe shoes follows a specific process. But as I make discoveries each new specimen is a trial, ready to be altered to work seamlessly with the demands of my dancing. Ballet’s state of ambiguity disguises its similarities to science—yet each is backed with careful planning. Pink fluffy tutus, sparkly tiaras, and funny shoes are the common stereotype of ballet. However, what it fails to see is the meaning placed behind each minute detail. Shiny satin pointe shoes, thought only to be worn for aesthetics, gives an ethereal illusion of floating across the stage. Perfectly perky platter tutus elongate my legs, drawing eyes to the precise footwork. Similarly is the unique role of each instrument used in a scientific lab; the small distinctions between two pieces of glassware entirely change their function. I find these details fascinating, expanding the horizons of my interests and allowing me to become a more complex individual. 2.)Brain spinning with curiosity, I took a deep breath and steadied the micropipette. Oxygen rushed to my brain, giving a breath of calmness. The manipulation of bacteria with Amgen Biotech captivated my full attention, sending my mind into a flurry of questions. Bacteria’s miniscule presence seems far from our own, however Viruses are able to infect both—establishing a connection. Patterns and matching nucleotide sequences are only the tip of the viral world, forming complex connections; much like biology’s relations to many fields of study. More obvious are chemistry and physics’ connection to biology, however art also has a connection seen by passionate individuals. I have always gravitated towards science, specifically biology, and thus have packed in as many science classes as possible into my school schedule—you could say I was obsessed. Each course varied greatly, in subject, teacher and style. However, personally connecting them all is art and drawing. I sat in class with my pencil case erupting with pens, pencils and highlighters, patiently awaiting to dance upon the page. As I flipped through my biology notebook I remember each individual lesson and subject given charm with colorful diagrams and charts. Logicallity and creativity are a harmonious pair, setting knowledge firmly in my memory. I am amazed by the abundance of biology centered career pathways that can be taken, such as medicine or research. 3.)I have had some difficult family experiences over the time I have been in high school. My dad got sick my freshman year. We discovered he had ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen) and an umbilical hernia resulted. This caused frequent trips to the hospital to have the fluid removed. This continued for over a year. The fall of my sophomore year his hernia ruptured at home and he had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. Fortunately my whole family was at home so we were able to act quickly, however it was very traumatic, as the doctor warned us earlier that week that if the hernia ruptured at home there was a 50% survival rate due to possible infection. He had emergency hernia repair surgery and another procedure, and was in the ICU for a week. Thankfully, The surgeries were successful and he has since fully recovered physically. Whenever a family member is sick it puts a lot of strain on the family, thus everyone in my family (especially my dad) has mental distress, PTSD and trauma to recover from. It has been the hardest experience of my life. To this day there are lasting effects on my family dynamic, making everyday tasks and disagreements more difficult. This experience has taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. I saw my dad fight through the illness and make a full recovery, and used it as an example to work hard in my own efforts in supporting my family, continuing my education and following my passions

A golden glow flooded through the window pane, casting an illuminating sheen across the satin of my pointe shoes. I sat there in the corner of studio B alone, hearing distant sounds of a Nutcracker rehearsal down the hallway. In front of me lay pointe shoe ribbons and elastics, a needle and pink thread, and a pair of yellow scissors. I was entirely consumed with the ritualistic—yet experimental—task of preparing the perfect pointe shoes: sewing the ribbons and elastics, darning the tips, breaking them in, reinforcing with glue and finally, examining how they fit my feet in the mirror. Much like the investigative nature of scientific research, each pair of pointe shoes follows a specific process. But as I make discoveries each new specimen is a trial, ready to be altered to work seamlessly with the demands of my dancing. That evening I danced to Tchaikovsky’s classic composition of the Nutcracker. Inexpressible joy pulsed through my body performing the variation I had been practicing for months. Each daily ballet class consists of the same general structure. Starting at the barre my movement progressively becomes larger, eventually moving into the center of the room growing more expressive: an echo of performance. Mundane repetition is what it seems to many, but the repetition defies the variability of ballet. The shift of a singular muscle can skew the stability of my pirouette. Thus daily ballet class is an explorative process, learning how to utilize and control specific muscles in order to successfully execute the steps. This process closely mimics the scientific method: to observe, question, test and conclude. It is an experiment, a desire for discovery. Ballet’s state of ambiguity disguises its similarities to science—yet each is backed with careful planning. Pink fluffy tutus, sparkly tiaras, and funny shoes are the common stereotype of ballet. However, what it fails to see is the meaning placed behind each minute detail. Shiny satin pointe shoes, thought only to be worn for aesthetics, gives an ethereal illusion of floating across the stage. Perfectly perky platter tutus elongate my legs, drawing eyes to the precise footwork. Similarly is the unique role of each instrument used in a scientific lab; the small distinctions between two pieces of glassware entirely change their function. I find these details fascinating, expanding the horizons of my interests and allowing me to become a more complex individual. Daily classes become addicting. When working to navigate the body my brain is lured to a state of omniscience. Likewise is my paired passion for science. The hunger for growth and knowledge, all are clearly apparent in this field of study. To outside, unknowing eyes a dancer is far from parallel to a scientist. Yet their resemblance is uncanny, with the requisite skills of precision and artistry. When dancing and in science classes, I require both analytical thinking and imagination. A division is often fabricated: separating logicality from creativity, scientists from artists, mathematicians from poets, limiting potential collaboration. But recognizing one in the other has allowed me to close the gap, connecting skills and experiences from both mentalities. Being committed to Ballet empowers me to conceptualize scientific ideas, dually, the methodology of science improves my ability to self correct in ballet class. When these focuses are kept apart the outcome is ordinary. However when a connection is nurtured it is far from ordinary, bringing clarity, possibility and strength. It allows the different sides of my brain to be coordinated. Whether in a crisp white lab coat, or classical white tutu: a rich understanding of my internal thought process proves to be an indispensable asset

Brain spinning with curiosity, I took a deep breath and steadied the micropipette. Oxygen rushed to my brain, giving a breath of calmness. The manipulation of bacteria with Amgen Biotech captivated my full attention, sending my mind into a flurry of questions. Bacteria’s miniscule presence seems far from our own, however Viruses are able to infect both—establishing a connection. Patterns and matching nucleotide sequences are only the tip of the viral world, forming complex connections; much like biology’s relations to many fields of study. More obvious are chemistry and physics’ connection to biology, however art also has a connection seen by passionate individuals. I have always gravitated towards science, specifically biology, and thus have packed in as many science classes as possible into my school schedule—you could say I was obsessed. Each course varied greatly, in subject, teacher and style. However, personally connecting them all is art and drawing. I sat in class with my pencil case erupting with pens, pencils and highlighters, patiently awaiting to dance upon the page. As I flipped through my biology notebook I remember each individual lesson and subject given charm with colorful diagrams and charts. Logicallity and creativity are a harmonious pair, setting knowledge firmly in my memory. I am amazed by the abundance of biology centered career pathways that can be taken, such as medicine or research. Using both the logical and creative tendencies of my brain I hope to contribute to the ever growing field of biology and connect the gaps. Some people are very logical or very creative, unable to see ideas and connections to the other side. However with my experience and tendencies within both mentalities, I believe I can form intricate connections between people and ideas. This past summer my AP Chemistry teacher lent me a book presenting Viruses and their role in the world. After reading my mind was spilling with information, feeling both inspired and overwhelmed. Viruses connect all life forms, from single celled bacteria to mammals composed of trillions of cells. It’s scope is immense and is much like the scope of studying biology. The opportunities and challenges within biology allow it to be applied to many different fields, each serving to help others and make a difference in our community.