I, who suffer from skin conditions, would be afraid of people seeing my skin. Ever since I was a child, I would have a rash on my skin. It was so unbearable that I would scratch it til it bleed and my skin would be smooth and pink. Having these issues, I would always think I was hated because why do I feel so different from other kids? It made me think negatively about myself and have low self-esteem. I just felt so alone in this place, along with the world and I wanna get out of this place so bad. Kids would pick on me constantly, getting made fun of. At this point, I even got cyberbully that made me even more insecure and isolated about myself. Eventually I got bullied so badly that I felt like there was no one there to help me. And not only does that cause the trouble but having something wrong with my body made it even worse, my body started leaving scars and some of them would be huge and seeing these dark spots and scars make me feel awful. I started feeling scared about my life and future. Due to childhood trauma and bullying, it made everything hard to deal with. I couldn't even make a single friend due to overthinking about what they think about me or how they don't want to be near me because I am such a dirty crap. I can barely interact with others, My speaking has gotten worse, and every time I have a conversation, my anxiety spikes. I find myself wishing it would end soon because I struggle to handle these overwhelming emotions. At first, I was too scared to seek out a mentor or support. However, thinking about my future and what I want to achieve gives me the courage to join a program: TRIO Upward Bound. I had a lot of doubts before applying because I wasn't sure if it was the right fit for me or if I truly belonged there. But it was already too late. When I met my Advisor Beka, who was incredibly kind and caring. She offered me so many opportunities in this program, but I was too scared to seize them. However, deep down, I felt a strong desire to change that, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and connect with other people. It was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be not as bad as I had imagined. Maybe it wasn't as challenging as it seemed. As time went on, I discovered something within myself that I had never seen before. I used to always be hard on myself, but now, being surrounded by amazing people who bring out the best in me, I have transformed into a better person. They made me reconsider my past and taught me to leave it behind as a lesson in self-discovery. I have become more outgoing, although I still struggle with anxiety. Whenever I feel like the world is swallowing me up, I now have someone to turn to for support. However, I still find it difficult to love myself and my body due to my ongoing issues like mental health and insecurities. But thankfully, my friends are always there to help me appreciate and embrace who I am. One insight I would like to share is embrace self love and accept who you are as a person, acknowledge your worth and that others' judgement does not define your worth. Most importantly, be kind to yourself.

I, who suffer from skin conditions, would be afraid of people seeing my skin. Ever since I was a child, I would have a rash on my skin. It was so unbearable that I would scratch it til it bleed and my skin would be smooth and pink. Having these issues, I would always think I was hated because why do I feel so different from other kids? It made me think negatively about myself and have low self-esteem. I just felt so alone in this place, along with the world and I wanna get out of this place so bad. Kids would pick on me constantly, getting made fun of. At this point, I even got cyberbully that made me even more insecure and isolated about myself. Eventually I got bullied so badly that I felt like there was no one there to help me. And not only does that cause the trouble but having something wrong with my body made it even worse, my body started leaving scars and some of them would be huge and seeing these dark spots and scars make me feel awful. I started feeling scared about my life and future. Due to childhood trauma and bullying, it made everything hard to deal with. I couldn't even make a single friend due to overthinking about what they think about me or how they don't want to be near me because I am such a dirty crap. I can barely interact with others, My speaking has gotten worse, and every time I have a conversation, my anxiety spikes. I find myself wishing it would end soon because I struggle to handle these overwhelming emotions. At first, I was too scared to seek out a mentor or support. However, thinking about my future and what I want to achieve gives me the courage to join a program: TRIO Upward Bound. I had a lot of doubts before applying because I wasn't sure if it was the right fit for me or if I truly belonged there. But it was already too late. When I met my Advisor Beka, who was incredibly kind and caring. She offered me so many opportunities in this program, but I was too scared to seize them. However, deep down, I felt a strong desire to change that, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and connect with other people. It was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be not as bad as I had imagined. Maybe it wasn't as challenging as it seemed. As time went on, I discovered something within myself that I had never seen before. I used to always be hard on myself, but now, being surrounded by amazing people who bring out the best in me, I have transformed into a better person. They made me reconsider my past and taught me to leave it behind as a lesson in self-discovery. I have become more outgoing, although I still struggle with anxiety. Whenever I feel like the world is swallowing me up, I now have someone to turn to for support. However, I still find it difficult to love myself and my body due to my ongoing issues like mental health and insecurities. But thankfully, my friends are always there to help me appreciate and embrace who I am.

Greatest one so far was getting out of my comfort zone and accepting who I am. I grew up where I didn’t know what bullying meant, I thought it was just kids being kids. However, as I came to realise as I got older, that was not the case. I got more nervous and uncomfortable with people around me, I slowly shut myself into isolation. Why? Because I got cyberbully, I would get hate comments and insults on social media but in person they put a whole different face. Slowly insecurities have affected me. That wasn’t the worst case, there was this one group of people who were always together until now that would haunt me forever. They constantly bother me in school, make awful jokes, laugh at me while eyeing me down at me. They would also secretly take photos of me and post it online. Either make a joke about it or comment on my appearance, and etc. That was when I gradually lost myself and my ability of social interaction and risk takers. From that moment I became introverted, and felt anxious. I went to a different high school. That's what I thought. That group of people, once again, I met them again during my Junior years. But I want to change, I want to overcome my fear. I want to experience what a normal high schooler would experience, I want friends. Friends… that’s when it hits, did I even have friends? I never really interacted with other students because of the trauma that I never let go off. Friends. Friends are what I wanted. Forget the past, and follow the desired paths. My goals are to grow my personal development and get out of my comfort zone but also with the support of my Advisor from TRIO Upward Bound and Marine Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. These two programs have been a huge support to me along my journey on improving myself, personal growth, and also love myself. Within these programs, I have met a lot of people and the courage that was given to me by my Advisor Beka, who gave me the motivation to interact with others. If It wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have met the people that are with me today. The journey was a great lesson for me. I learned that people wouldn’t come to you when you're in need of help. The only way for you to get assistance is for you to reach out for one. It also made me realise how strong I am. How strong of my desires. How strong of a risk taker I am. Most importantly, how much I wanted to do for myself and my family. It has taught me that there is so much in me, and that there are friends, teachers, advisors, and people out there waiting for me to make a move. Them being so supportive of me had given me the courage. I discovered something within myself that I had never seen before. I used to always be hard on myself, but now, being surrounded by amazing people who bring out the best in me, I have transformed into a better person. They made me reconsider my past and taught me to leave it behind as a lesson in self-discovery. I have become more outgoing, although I still struggle with anxiety. Whenever I feel like the world is swallowing me up, I now have someone to turn to for support. And thankfully, my friends are always there to help me appreciate and embrace who I am. With this reflection, the biggest goal and achievement I urgently hope to aim for is to support my family with financial support. Aiming for higher education will help me get into various jobs and earn a good amount of salary. So that I can provide for my parents and brother without them worrying about money and nothing else. Additionally, aiming for higher education. Not only will it benefit me but my family as well. My family has struggled a lot ever since I was born or way before that. With finances, education, and everything, both my parents never really finished school. So, pursuing a college degree is extremely paramount. Thus, I want to give back something valuable, given that they have done so many things for me.

Some people may think the world is doomed, but there are quite unique people out there that want to change the reality. But personally what makes a positive impact is to create inspiration for others to inspire. Using my career as a RN or CJ, I would like to serve my people, community, nation, and the world with the power of compassion. Having the passion to make a positive impact on the world, will direct others to inspiration. Inspiration is one thing that can make others have the courage to bring out their ability to spread awareness and altruism. All it takes is one person, just one person. Empowering others to have faith in themselves, and their abilities to pursue their long-time dream goals, overcoming their obstacles that they have dealt with for many years, or starting their tasks that can make a difference in the community, nation, or even the world. As a I pursue RN, I can make a positive impact through my career. Working closely with the patient and creating a bond by providing medical assistance and being their emotional support whenever they have negative thoughts. Taking care of them while helping them recover from their sickness. Moreover, to also promote education on health matters, and atavism for better healthcare policies; for example, make it affordable for people to get. Treat patients with kindness and respect, and make a secure environment in the hospital, thus they can feel safe and get support from nurses and doctors. Another way to bring a positive impact on the world is to have a strong community to gather together, and stand by each other. Spread awareness and encourage others to advocate and talk about what you all believe in. Sharing your knowledge, and growing personal growth together by doing what? By creating bonds with one another, community bonds are a strong way to make a positive impact on the world. Helping and supporting each other can make everyone strong, working together; solving and protecting one another will lead to making things better. Grow strong together to move into a positive environment. Eventually, volunteering is another way to create a positive impact. Offering your time or free time to provide assistance and appropriate resources. As well as building community with the people by making a connection and advocating your understanding. But it will also benefit me in developing personal growth, and gaining new skills; using my skills to inspire others to make a difference in their own unique ways. Frankly, each person is special in their own way. Everybody motivates one another to participate and pursue their goals. encouraging one another to work together and have a positive impact on the community while also getting inspired and returning favours by showing compassion, encouragement, and empathy to society. We all have the ability to make a difference in the world and grow stronger together. And to never give up on yourself, your dream or anyone. Bring out the best of you and be someone's role model. Every single one of you has the potential to empower others and serve as an example for them and have their own ideas about how they want to change the world and have an optimistic effect.

Mental health is important to me as a scholar, considering that it has caused many adolescents to suffer from emotion, psychological and social well-being such as performing poorly on academic, memory problems, having low motivation, and most importantly is the communication barrier. Mental health is one of the topics I mainly want to focus on and talk about, I even made a slide about this matter. My essential question was “How does Mental health affect teenagers' lives?” Many teenagers nowadays are facing mental health struggles and it has increased due to the outbreak in early 2020, moreover it needs to be addressed on why it is important to me, you, or every single one of you and most significantly how it affects many teenagers’ lives. Many do not speak up and talk about their problems, it is vital to pay close attention to students. They may struggle alone inside without seeking assistance. Social relationship, with mental health, teens tend to have lack of empathy, lack of trust, and negative interaction. When dealing with the lack of empathy, they usually don’t realise and understand the feelings of other peers, thus without realising that they have caused harm to their friends, peers, or even strangers. Next, education is one of the top priorities that parents want their children to mainly concentrate on. But if you think about it, education is considered to be one of the reasons why adolescents suffer from mental health. One is parents having to put pressure and set high expectations for their children, two teachers tend to give out a large amount of assignments which cause high schoolers to have tension and anxiety. Three is transition, moving to higher education like entering college. Which can trigger mental well-being concerns, as well as struggling with adapting to the new routines. Which will cause agitation, depression, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, and etc. This is why it is crucial to help adolescents in coping with their mental health issues. But what can we do? Spread awareness by providing a class that focuses on mental health, therefore they don’t feel ashamed to seek out for assistance and support. Make help available in any possible way, to be honest most teenagers don’t seek help due to the fact that they don’t actually receive assistance. And feeling unsafe and afraid to be called crazy also getting sent to mental hospital by their parents. So, it is paramount to build trust. So what can we actually do? Minimise stigma. Especially involve parents, educate them about mental health issues, encourage them to be supportive towards their children. Parents can be seen as a supporter to some teenagers but you do not want to lose that trust. Bring the community to come together and discuss about mental health and how they should address it and what they can do to help those in needs of supports. Train teachers on how to identify signs of mental health, providing help, and direct them toward appropriate resources. Give them the encouragement to seek help toward a trusted adult where they feel safe around without being afraid. Most importantly, listen to their story and validating their experience and recognising the challenges they have face throughout their journeys with mental health. Society's well-being is significant to me.

One of the primary disorders that I have long been linked to is anxiety. It had gotten worse by the time I started my first year of high school. Every time I feel the need to seek assistance or support of any kind. I get anxious and tense when I'm speaking with a teacher, and I look around a lot because I can't stay facing them and maintain eye contact. It sends shivers down my spine and gives me anxiety. Having something in my hand to play with, such as fidget spinners, squishy balls, or even just a straw if I'm out for coffee with someone, makes me feel better during a conversation. My anxiety, which I was never able to overcome or manage, made my high school years strangely miserable. My anxiety would make me feel uncomfortable in social situations, so I've always wanted to get over it. Since then, I've wanted to get better so that I can meet new people and genuinely form friendships without any issues, but I still have a lot of trouble doing so. Making friends is something I'd like to accomplish. As high school draws to a close, I realise how much I should have done to participate in school activities and sports during my high school life, like joining clubs or approaching someone and suddenly becoming their best friend. To be completely honest, I really want to straight-up go to someone and have a conversation with them, but my social anxiety and anxiety have been keeping me from acting on my desires. If I had the chance to go back in time and experience my high school years again, I would seize the opportunity to alter my destiny and lead an entirely regret free life. Pursuing a college degree is very important to me because it shows how much I wanted to achieve my career goals and how much I wanted to aim for higher education. It is essential for me to value my profession. Not only will it benefit me but my family as well. My family has struggled a lot ever since I was born or way before that. With finances, education, and everything, both my parents never really finished school. My mom never got to finish middle school, high school, even college. So, pursuing a college degree is extremely paramount. My parents wanted that, I wanted that. And moreover, they move to the United States just to have their children live better lives than what they have lived. They want the better of their children, living their lives without worrying about anything. Like money, food, education, or without having a home. Despite that, I in fact worry about finance, applying for college is a simple thing to do, but the tuition can be high and unaffordable. Even if FAFSA supported and paid for the tuition, conversely, we still have to pay for the amount that is left. My parents offered to help with paying, regardless of the fact that they most likely wouldn’t be able to afford that amount. Thus, striving for a college degree is vital for me. With my college degree, I can produce money and support myself and my family, especially my parents. On how much they have done for me. Consequently, education holds great significance for me.

Tom Holland is one of my favourite actors in any Spider-Man movie. Personally, I really love how he brings out the energy and humour in Peter Parker. He also played his character as someone who is learning to be a superhero for the first time, which makes the movie more engaging and fun to watch. It gives you that excitement. Moreover, Tom Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man isn’t only about the superhero, but also portrays Peter Parker as a normal, regular teenager in high school dealing with life as any other teenager would, yet also having full responsibilities as a superhero. Which makes it more relatable to other people. Some or most teenagers would also find it relatable to feel that connection, such as juggling the difficulties of maturing while leading an ordinary teenage life while embracing adult responsibilities. As I watch Spider-Man, I see Tom Holland as a high schooler who is dealing with school, studies, and friends while also trying to figure out himself, just like I am trying to find out what I’m capable of and who I am. When watching Peter Parker, he is mainly fighting villains. It’s not just all about him going against them, it shows how he balances his personal life and his duties as a superhero. It’s how teenagers have to balance between their personal lives and education, having to finish tasks, saving grades, and fighting the mental health that has developed throughout the years. Thinking of mental health as our villain, blocking our path to a successful future. Overall, Peter Parker is us. Both a high schooler and a superhero. The main distinction is that instead of battling actual villains, we are battling issues with our mental health, such as anxiety, depression, family issues, etc. Be a superhero, not just to others but also to yourself, by preventing yourself from being pulled down to a place where there is only complete darkness and no light. We are all Spider-Man.

I, who suffer from skin conditions, would be afraid of people seeing my skin. Ever since I was a child, I would have a rash on my skin. It was so unbearable that I would scratch it til it bleed and my skin would be smooth and pink. Having these issues, I would always think I was hated because why do I feel so different from other kids? It made me think negatively about myself and have low self-esteem. I just felt so alone in this place, along with the world and I wanna get out of this place so bad. Kids would pick on me constantly, getting made fun of. At this point, I even got cyberbully that made me even more insecure and isolated about myself. Eventually I got bullied so badly that I felt like there was no one there to help me. And not only does that cause the trouble but having something wrong with my body made it even worse, my body started leaving scars and some of them would be huge and seeing these dark spots and scars make me feel awful. I started feeling scared about my life and future. Due to childhood trauma and bullying, it made everything hard to deal with. I couldn't even make a single friend due to overthinking about what they think about me or how they don't want to be near me because I am such a dirty crap. I can barely interact with others, My speaking has gotten worse, and every time I have a conversation, my anxiety spikes. I find myself wishing it would end soon because I struggle to handle these overwhelming emotions. At first, I was too scared to seek out a mentor or support. However, thinking about my future and what I want to achieve gives me the courage to join a program: TRIO Upward Bound. I had a lot of doubts before applying because I wasn't sure if it was the right fit for me or if I truly belonged there. But it was already too late. When I met my Advisor Beka, who was incredibly kind and caring. She offered me so many opportunities in this program, but I was too scared to seize them. However, deep down, I felt a strong desire to change that, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and connect with other people. It was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be not as bad as I had imagined. Maybe it wasn't as challenging as it seemed. As time went on, I discovered something within myself that I had never seen before. I used to always be hard on myself, but now, being surrounded by amazing people who bring out the best in me, I have transformed into a better person. They made me reconsider my past and taught me to leave it behind as a lesson in self-discovery. I have become more outgoing, although I still struggle with anxiety. Whenever I feel like the world is swallowing me up, I now have someone to turn to for support. However, I still find it difficult to love myself and my body due to my ongoing issues and insecurities. But thankfully, my friends are always there to help me appreciate and embrace who I am.

As a first generation and the first oldest child to go to College in my immediate family. I have to set a high standard for my younger siblings, I grew up poor, and my parents also grew up poor with minimal education, which made it hard for them to raise two children. My father started doing labor work when he was just a child and my mother would stay outside most of the time(homeless) due to family issues and not wanting to go home. And there was a time when my mom’s siblings attempted to run away leaving my mom behind with the issues that were going on back at home. My parent's rough children which led them to be harsh on me because they wanted me to live the life they never had. So, when we first arrived in the United States in early 2013. My family didn’t have much money so they had to get support from a company or friends and family members. They work hard, really hard to support their children and their needs. Even when they don’t have enough money to buy food, they try their best to provide us with what is left at home. When we don’t have proper dishes, most of the time, It would be rice mixed with vegetable oils, salt, and MSG which is delicious. I don’t complain about the food because I know they are struggling to raise two children while having little money.   So, with the help of this scholarship, will help me succeed in my academics and get a better job that pays a good amount of salary. This will help me in supporting and helping my family out. I decided to go to school with a tuition of only 20k because I am worried that my aid won’t cover most of my tuition. For example, my other college tuition total was 69k which is expensive. But I am worn out by the costs of the university. I know my parents can’t afford to pay all that money nor do I but they offer a small amount to help and pay for it which I am looking for countless scholarships to apply to to help me cover most of it. The one problem is that I am not a good writer so it is hard to win scholarships but honestly as long as I try my hardest and put all my effort in it will be alright and I’ll always have a next time and continue writing and get advice and seek assistance to improve my writing. Getting a scholarship will help me cover my tuition and books. It will have a huge impact on my career goals to successfully allow me to focus more on my studies and less on worrying about paying for my tuition and reducing financial stress. This can also allow me to have better academic performance and more time on internships or maybe extracurricular activities. Also gives me to explore various opportunities. Not only that, I will fulfill my dream of studying abroad and building and gaining new skills like leadership. This scholarship will give me the support I need to succeed in my future career and inspire me to aim for higher education. Making my parents proud, I want to provide them with the life they never had through my career and education.