As a girl born into an Asian family, I was frequently told the phrase "act like a girl" by my mother and grandmother. Most often, I would be told the phrase when all I wanted to do was help, but the tasks I wanted to assist in were deemed "a job for boys, not girls." Despite this misguided advice, I became determined to redefine what "act like a girl" meant for myself and other girls who felt that the world was full of possibilities that shouldn't be limited to boys. I knew I wanted to be a dentist from a young age as a result of the influence of my neighbors, a married couple who both worked as dentists. As a child who had many cavities, going to their office was a regular occurrence for me. While both dentists were compassionate and kind to me, I especially saw the female dentist as my role model. In the eyes of my younger self, she was everything I wanted to be in the future: a brilliant female Asian dentist who could one day become a role model in the eyes of another young girl. But when I told my family about my aspirations, my mother was the first to comment by saying, "Being a dentist is not a woman's job" and attempted to persuade me to find a different career path. However, I knew then that becoming a dentist was was I truly wanted to do, so I have continued to work hard to achieve that goal. In school, I have tried my hardest and pushed myself to my limits to ensure I can become the best version of myself that other girls and women can one day see themselves in. I have taken various dual credit classes and AP classes to prepare myself for college and even to get ahead before I attend college. During the 2021-2022 school year, I found AP Chemistry to be both intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. While the content was difficult at times, I persevered and managed to score highly on each test. This boosted my confidence in myself and made me realize that pursuing a chemistry degree in college would be suitable for me. After I earn a degree in chemistry, I hope to be accepted into dental school and fulfill my dreams. However, I know that achieving my goals will not happen without obstacles and setbacks. In college, I know that one of the greatest challenges I will face is going to be making sure my voice is heard. This could vary from making sure I can obtain answers to any questions I might have for my professors to ensuring that my contributions to a research team are not overlooked. Furthermore, I may encounter an issue with others underestimating me, especially with male colleagues and peers. If such a situation arises, I will demonstrate that I am just as qualified as others and that I deserve the same respect. Despite any obstacles I may encounter, I will persevere and continue to work hard to become the woman that my younger self dreamed of becoming. Women in STEM are vastly underrepresented, and I hope that I can show that women and girls can not only be STEM, but they can be successful and fulfill their dreams. In college and after, I also hope to empower other women that I meet to keep working hard, especially if they are pursuing degrees in STEM too. My goal is that one day I can show others that I can "act like a girl" through my intelligence, strength, and commitment.