Like most younger siblings, I started photography because I was copying my older sister. As I saw her take beautiful pictures, mainly of landscapes and nature, I wanted to try it too. I started off with my sister’s camera and my iPhone 4S, before ultimately borrowing a school camera with which to experiment. I used a camera everywhere, from family vacations to day trips to DC. As I developed my own style, I discovered that my love for photos centered around taking pictures of people; capturing the poignance of human expression. Photographs capture more than just moments in time; they reflect emotions, relationships, and stories. While my experience ranges in content, from portraits to sports images to street photography, my favorite photos are consistently replete with emotion. Through the lens of the camera, a subject's eyes and expression are the most telling. They convey stories that might not otherwise be told. The portfolio I submitted contains work from three different photographic ventures. Two come from my first attendance at the Capital Pride Parade, which showcased people expressing themselves in a way they weren't able to in years prior. Two come from a march that I stumbled upon in D.C. Having taken the metro into the city with the intent of taking street photos, I heard shouting from afar and ran towards it. I discovered a protest along the roads near the White House that was advocating for the rights of the Tigrayan people in Ethiopia, who are undergoing a genocide that has existed for decades without aid. The final image comes from a senior portrait session of a 19-year-old single mother to a 2-year-old daughter, in celebration of her upcoming graduation. The session was a part of the volunteer program I co-founded to provide free, personal photography services to graduating seniors from low-income families. These images all have something in common; they feature emotion and tell untold stories. In our digital age, many people are not represented in the media that dominates our worldviews. In these images, I aspired to capture these people's stories and give them the opportunity to feel seen and heard. I hope to pursue photography moving forward and continue to be able to capture and share the human experience.

From Peruvian chicken to injera to tikka masala, one of the easiest ways to introduce oneself in the DMV to new cultures is through food. While I started trying these foods at an early age, entering middle and high school was a completely new experience. The cultural diversity of my schooling is perhaps the most significant education it has afforded me over the past seven years. Beyond food, engaging with people with different life experiences and learning about local and global communities in classes has allowed me to broaden my worldview and become more socially aware. In one such class, AP Human Geography, my goals for the future were set in stone. As we learned about the development (or lack thereof) in various countries, there was one common denominator; the outdated status of women. I discovered how the lack of education, health rights, and a voice given to women can significantly impede the development of countries. I committed myself to a career in global health, specifically in women's reproductive and maternal health. I hope to work internationally with women from undeveloped countries to aid in their education and access to health products. Further, having engaged in a multitude of communications-based courses, I have discovered a passion for written and visual journalism. I am exhilarated with a camera in my hands and a pen behind my ear. I aspire to bridge my two passions and become a photojournalist with coverage of and advocacy for women’s reproductive rights. In the current era of technology, digital media is one of the most influential methods of advocacy, and I aspire to do my part to contribute to this field of education and awareness. One such way that I previously used my passion for digital media to help others was in the co-founding of a volunteer program to provide free, professional-quality photography services to graduating seniors from low-income households. As many families wish to capture the pivotal moment of graduation but cannot afford the high cost of private photography services, I worked with a peer to meet this need. We photographed over a dozen seniors, amounting to approximately 11 hours of photography total (plus editing and sharing) to create photo galleries to be cherished for years. Meeting with and getting to know these individuals and their families further broadened my awareness and solidified my commitment to my goal. Seeing how my work on a small scale could make such a big impact, I have resolved to pursue service in my future path. This scholarship would allow me to continue to contribute to my community as well as attend higher education to work towards contributing to the global community. I am driven to enact real, worldwide change, a goal that will only be aided by the opportunities provided by the ability to attend a college or university.