The dream version of my future self is a happy, successful actress who has successfully created a foundation to help the homeless population throughout California.

Looking back on my time in high school, I feel proud of the various activities and accomplishments I have been part of. Despite the limitations posed by COVID-19, I managed to participate in both new and continued extracurricular activities while maintaining a 3.8 GPA or above in my honors and AP classes. In the classroom, I used to be satisfied with a 3.8 GPA. However, when I achieved a 4.0 in tenth grade, I sought to keep my grades at that average. I have managed to do so, which has earned me honors such as academic superiority. As someone passionate about acting, I had the opportunity to audition via self-tapes and star in a short film involving a multiracial high schooler being bullied due to her ethnicity. I also discovered a newfound love for piano and participated in various recitals. Additionally, I joined the girl's varsity golf team at school and became a tutor for elementary and middle school students after realizing the lack of help they receive on their homework. Regarding community service, I created and lead the PB&J Club, which creates and distributes homeless care packages throughout Downtown Sacramento. My efforts have been recognized by companies like Chick-fil-A, who help fundraise for our packages. I have also served at a food bank, senior citizen center, special needs Olympics, and a high school revamp. Overall, I am grateful for what I have experienced in high school and am excited to see what the future holds for me in college.

When I was younger, my uncle and I were close. He often visited when my mom and I were living with my grandma, and even when we moved out he still managed to visit. However, it wasn't until his unexpected death that I found out he was homeless. It turns out that he was a heavy drug user, which prevented him from holding a job and eventually led to his suicide. While I felt devastated over his loss, I was led to a realization: people like my uncle are everywhere. The populates of tents that line the sidewalks of Downtown Sacramento could be like my uncle. These realizations turned my fears into a passion. While I may not be able to solve homelessness in Sacramento, I could definitely help. By the time my school allowed students to return to campus, post Covid restrictions, my best friend and I thought that now would be a better time than ever to start a club. We toyed around with several ideas until one hit me like a bullet train: a care package club. I explained the idea of a club that creates and distributes homeless care packages. She agreed, as did my Local Missions teacher to be our club advisor. By the time August rolled around and school was back in session, my club, the PB&J Club, came to life. My school hosted a club rush, and to my surprise, several kids signed up to join PB&J Club. We gathered supplies such as snacks and toiletries, then assembled as many packages as we could. Once we made forty care packages, all that was left was distribution. With the school’s permission, the PB&J Club took a trip to Downtown Sacramento. With two tote bags stuffed with packages, I walked around Cesar Chavez Park, looking for anyone who would like a package. I finally approached a man who looked like he could be in his twenties. Since I had never interacted with someone homeless (other than unknowingly with my uncle), I wasn’t quite sure how to approach the man with my offer. I went through a few scenarios in my head before finally saying, “Hey there, I have a few packages that I’m giving out. Would you like one?” I don’t think I have ever seen such a genuine smile from a stranger. He gladly accepted and expressed his appreciation. That day my club distributed all forty care packages that we made. Today, my club is backed by Chick-fil-A, which helps my club fundraise so that we can purchase supplies without spending our own money. We are also the largest and most active club at my school. My club has allowed many students to be involved in the community and take on a new perspective of homeless people. While we have had a few rough encounters, the people we serve are typically very respectful, kind, and thankful for our service, which inspires me to continue what I do. Overall, I enjoy being of service to my community, and I plan to continue what I do in future communities that I will be part of.

My grandpa always used to call me a “dedicated young lady." I used to think he meant that I was stubborn, and perhaps at times, he did. However, upon reviewing the letters he wrote to me for completing a grade level or participating in a piano recital, I realized that he valued my commitment to all I do. As I have grown, I learned to value this characteristic too. Without it, I would not have been able to accomplish anything that I have today. In school, commitment has enabled me to push further in my studies and extracurricular activities. I dedicate ample time to my studies to ensure that I have a 4.0 GPA, which has allowed me to achieve honors recognized by my school, such as academic superiority. Outside the classroom, I have displayed a commitment to students as I have recognized the need for help in core subjects among elementary and middle school students. In middle school, I struggled with math and science because I could not attain the proper help to ground me in these core subjects. Upon entering high school, I advanced my studies by dedicating time to learning subjects I found most difficult to grasp. This focus well-equipped me with the knowledge necessary to serve students by tutoring them in subjects I often struggled with at their age. Lastly, my commitment extends to my community as well. I have dedicated myself to the homeless in Sacramento. Since my uncle’s suicide due to homelessness, I sought to help the community in any way possible. As a result, I created a care package distribution club at my high school, where we gather and distribute necessities throughout Downtown Sacramento. My efforts have caught the eyes of companies such as Chick-fil-A, who help my club fundraise so we can continue our efforts to help the homeless. In college, I plan to commit to studying finance, determined to understand the ins and outs of the stock market and gain fluency in this field. I know it will not be easy, but my unwavering commitment will allow me to overcome any obstacles. In the future, I plan to extend my commitment toward my desired career path in finance and real estate. To fulfill a buyer’s wishes, commitment is essential to becoming a successful advocate, consultant, and negotiator, all of which are characteristics that a real estate agent must embody. Overall, commitment has been an essential component of my success and drive to achieve my goals. I am grateful for this characteristic, and I know it will continue to carry me far in life.

My goal for life is to be able to do what I love for a living, which is acting, investing, and giving back to my community. Being a successful actress and investor are my career goals, and finding ways to help my community are my personal goals. I’ve begun to invest into these dreams by participating in local and available casting productions, read, watch, and listen to successful investors, and lead a club at my school that creates and distributes care packages throughout Sacramento.