My name is Taylor Friedman, and I am a sophomore at Tulane University pursuing a degree in Business Administration. I am passionate about finance and aspire to build a successful career in this field, with a potential future goal of pursuing an MBA. Throughout my academic journey, I have developed a strong foundation in business principles, financial analysis, and strategic decision-making. My coursework has given me a comprehensive understanding of finance, accounting, and economics, allowing me to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this industry. I have also actively sought opportunities to expand my learning beyond the classroom, attending industry conferences, participating in financial workshops, and engaging in online courses to enhance my expertise further. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am actively involved in various extracurricular activities that have helped shape my leadership and organizational skills. As the Vice President of Administration and Finance for my residence hall, which houses 350 members, I am responsible for managing the finances of our events and ensuring effective budgeting and financial oversight. This role has given me valuable experience in coordinating finances, analyzing budgets, and collaborating with diverse groups of individuals. Furthermore, I serve as the treasurer of Tulane's Ultimate Frisbee club team. In this role, I handle the group's financial management, overseeing budgets, managing expenses, and ensuring the proper allocation of resources. This experience has provided me with firsthand financial responsibility exposure and honed my ability to manage financial operations efficiently. Receiving this scholarship would be a significant milestone in my educational journey and professional development. It would provide me with the financial support necessary to pursue my academic goals and opportunities that I might not have otherwise been able to afford. With this scholarship, I would have the means to invest in additional resources, such as textbooks, study materials, and professional development opportunities, all of which would contribute to my growth as a future finance professional. Moreover, this scholarship would alleviate some financial burdens of pursuing higher education, allowing me to focus more on my studies, extracurricular involvements, and exploring internships and networking opportunities. It would enable me to dedicate more time and energy to my coursework and extracurricular activities, ensuring that I make the most of my college experience and build a strong foundation for my future career. In conclusion, receiving this scholarship would be an incredible honor and an invaluable opportunity for me. It would provide the financial support needed to pursue my academic and career goals in finance and enable me to actively engage in extracurricular activities that foster personal and professional growth. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be considered for this scholarship and its positive impact on my educational journey.

I find inspiration to get involved in my community through a deep sense of empathy and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. Witnessing the struggles and challenges individuals within my community face, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic, motivates me to take action and help bridge the existing gaps. One particular initiative I created during the pandemic was a program called "Old School Meets High School." Recognizing the isolation and loneliness experienced by many senior citizens due to social distancing measures, I developed a plan to connect them with high school students. The program aimed to foster meaningful conversations and provide companionship to seniors while offering a unique learning experience for the students involved. To implement the program, I reached out to local senior centers and high schools, explaining the purpose and benefits of the initiative. Once I received support and approval, I began matching senior citizens with high school students based on their shared interests and hobbies. The participants could discuss various topics through regular virtual meetings, including art, history, literature, and even current events. The goal was to create a friendly and supportive environment where both parties could learn from and inspire each other. By facilitating these connections, I worked to influence positive change in my community in several ways. Firstly, the program helped combat the issue of senior isolation by providing them with companionship and an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations. The interactions with high school students offered a fresh perspective and allowed seniors to share their life experiences and wisdom, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Secondly, the program significantly impacted the high school students involved. It allowed them to learn from the older generation, gain insights into different eras and cultures, and develop empathy and understanding. By connecting with seniors, the students could broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes, and appreciate the wisdom and knowledge that comes with age. Finally, the program catalyzed stronger intergenerational bonds within the community. It fostered mutual respect, appreciation, and empathy between seniors and high school students, breaking generational barriers and promoting unity. These connections extended beyond the program, leading to continued friendships and support networks. Through "Old School Meets High School," I aimed to make a positive difference in my community by addressing the issue of senior isolation and creating opportunities for intergenerational learning and connection. By working directly with seniors and students, I witnessed the transformative power of such initiatives firsthand. The experience not only benefited the participants but also inspired me to continue seeking ways to influence change and contribute to the well-being of my community.

The are so many valuable lessons that history teaches us within everyday life, and though cheesy, we do need to remember history so it does not repeat itself. When I used to learn about history, I simply read about it in textbooks or took notes in class. However, this changed when I had the unique opportunity to speak with some of the last remaining Holocaust survivors through the Virtual March of the Living program, which taught me valuable lessons about the personable experiences that people go through doing historical tradgedies. One survivor, Gabriella Karin, taught me that even within the chaos and tragedy of the Holocaust, not all Germans were bad. In Slovakia, a non-Jew took Gabriella, then 8, and her mom into hiding for 9 months. He provided food, shelter, and, most importantly, protection from the Nazis. So many people risked their lives to shelter Jews despite the danger. I hope that if I am ever put in a similar position that I will have the moral aptitude and courage to protect the innocent. Another survivor, Eva Nathanson, taught me to never take anything for granted. In one day, Nathanson and her extended family went from being one of the richest and most influential families in Prague to losing all of their possessions and being separated from one another. Ninety-six percent of her family was sent to concentration camps, where they perished at the hands of the Nazis. Since meeting with Eva, I have made a conscious effort to not take my freedom in America and the safety of my family for granted. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to participate in the Virtual March of the Living program, where I gained a personal connection to the devastating stories of the Holocaust. When I see news about genocides around the world, I am dismayed that history is repeating itself. I believe that there is such value in a history major as it allows us to better understand conflicts and the impacts that it can have on potentially millions, like the Holocaust. I know that passion to better understand the world around me and how it was shaped this particular way will carry on into every aspect of my life. I also hope that in my lifetime, I will see and be able to contribute to a world where no one is judged by the color of their skin or their religious identity.

Lonely, depressed, and longing for human contact. This is how so many of us felt during the long months of the pandemic. Not only did my friends and I sympathize with each other about our emotional mindset, but I also started to see the psychological toll it was having on my grandmother. She lives alone in Texas and is in the highest risk group for COVID, so she needed to be completely isolated. In searching for a solution to ease her sadness, I realized how much a simple phone call lifted her spirits. I thought about how many senior citizens were not receiving phone calls and were left alone with no human contact. It also occurred to me that most senior citizens are not proficient with computers, adding to their disconnect from society. To address the problem, I began to seek out a program matching senior citizens with peers at my high school. Due to this sincere issue, I created a program that I named “Old School Meets High School.” I contacted the Center and was pleased to get an email putting me in touch with the Administrative Clerk, who was able to reach out to the senior citizen population. I created an advertisement in the Goebel Center’s newsletter and embarked on reaching out to high school students who I thought would enhance the program. Once seniors learned about the program, they were eager to participate with the high school juniors. I created a timeline of 8 weeks for each senior-student pair to have a weekly virtual call in which a variety of subjects would be discussed. I realized how awkward it could be to speak with a stranger from a different generation, so I researched and created a list of predetermined topics that seniors enjoy talking about, ranging from childhood memories, to favorite foods, to travel and entertainment. I provided corresponding questions for each topic to facilitate conversations. During this program, I met two wonderful seniors who provided me with insightful stories and life lessons. One senior spent her entire life traveling the seven continents and immersing herself in new cultures. When we knew each other better, she confided in me how car mechanics took advantage of her limited knowledge of cars, as well as her being an elderly woman, to make a dishonest profit. In return, I confided in her and discussed the daily stress that comes with taking AP classes. I learned from this senior the importance of broadening my perspectives and understanding how different cultures work. My other senior has spent her entire life involved in community service, helping feed and find shelter for the elderly. Based on her experiences, I am reminded of how fortunate I am, and why I always try to give back to the community. By identifying a need, taking the initiative, creating the program, and recruiting participants, the benefit was exponential. It required that I become more comfortable speaking to members of another generation and asking others to help reach a common goal. Not only was the feedback from the senior citizens outstanding, but I was surprised to find the high school students benefited just as much, if not more, from the wisdom passed on by the seniors. The “Old School Meets High School” program has enriched the lives of both high students and seniors, who have integral life lessons to share with younger generations. As the delta variant once again threatens those most at risk, I hope that my program will continue to bring a spark of happiness to all who participate.

Lonely, depressed, and longing for human contact. This is how so many of us felt during the long months of the pandemic. Not only did my friends and I sympathize with each other about our emotional mindset, but I also started to see the psychological toll it was having on my grandmother. She lives alone in Texas and is in the highest risk group for COVID, so she needed to be completely isolated. In searching for a solution to ease her sadness, I realized how much a simple phone call lifted her spirits. I thought about how many senior citizens were not receiving phone calls and were left alone with no human contact. It also occurred to me that most senior citizens are not proficient with computers, adding to their disconnect from society. To address the problem, I began to seek out a program matching senior citizens with peers at my high school. I created a program that I named “Old School Meets High School.” I contacted the Center and was pleased to get an email putting me in touch with the Administrative Clerk. I created an advertisement in the Goebel Center’s newsletter and embarked on reaching out to high school students who I thought would enhance the program. After contacting around fifteen peers, five agreed to join this project. Once the seniors learned about the program, they were eager to participate with the high school juniors. I created a timeline of 8 weeks for each senior-student pair to have a weekly virtual call in which a variety of subjects would be discussed. I realized how awkward it could be to speak with a stranger from a different generation, so I researched and created a list of predetermined topics that seniors enjoy talking about, ranging from childhood memories, to favorite foods, to travel and entertainment. I provided corresponding questions for each topic to facilitate conversations. During this program, I met two wonderful seniors who provided me with insightful stories and life lessons. One senior spent her entire life traveling the seven continents and immersing herself in new cultures. When we got to know each other better, she confided in me how car mechanics took advantage of her limited knowledge of cars, as well as her being an elderly woman, to make a dishonest profit. In return, I confided in her and discussed the daily stress that comes with taking AP classes. I learned from this senior the importance of broadening my perspectives and understanding how different cultures work. My other senior has spent her entire life involved in community service, helping feed and find shelter for the elderly. Based on her experiences, I am reminded of how fortunate I am, and why I always try to give back to the community. By identifying a need, taking the initiative, creating the program, and recruiting participants, the benefit was exponential. It required that I become more comfortable speaking to members of another generation and asking others to help reach a common goal. Not only was the feedback from the senior citizens outstanding, but I was surprised to find the high school students benefited just as much, if not more, from the wisdom passed on by the seniors. The “Old School Meets High School” program has enriched the lives of both high students and seniors, who have integral life lessons to share with younger generations. As the delta variant once again threatens those most at risk, I hope that my program will continue to bring a spark of happiness to all who participate.

During the pandemic, eager to expand my knowledge on Business, I decided to sign up for UCLA's Virtual Introduction to Investments course with Professor Convery. One lesson, in particular, that I enjoyed from Professor Convery was on the unnecessary amount of money that people spend on food, drinks, or clothes daily. For example, the average coffee drinker is drinking around a $5 coffee each day, four to five times a week, which adds up to around $1,000 spent on coffee each year. If they repeat the same process for twenty-five years, they are wasting $25,000 on coffee. This money, if spent wisely in the stock market, could be multiplied if put into a general index fund. This taught me an important lesson; never spend money on unnecessary purchases, because that money could be invested and earn a substantial amount more. I have furthered my interest in investments outside of the classroom by investing the small amount of money I have saved from birthdays and jobs, to create my diversified portfolio. So far, I have seen some capital gains and a few losses. However, this course piqued my interest in the subject of business and allowed me to make educated decisions while investing in the market.