I'm careful walking into the house while balancing a plate of eggrolls on top of a 2-liter Coke. My titas are gambling a risky game of mahjong with their coin purses clutched tight; the titos are cracking beers and planning their next fishing trip; teenagers fill the basement, playing Xbox, complaining, or conceiving plans to sneak out of the house. It’s one of many parties, but within this house sits a group of Filipino immigrants, whose experiences have shaped my beliefs and whose dreams live within me; they are my family. And though we aren't blood-related, they unknowingly provided the space for me to discover my multicultural identity. Even in the bastion of low Asian American diversity that is my rural midwest town, my family has always prioritized surrounding their children in Filipino culture. At school, amidst the sea of PB&Js, a fatty beef stew with its savory peanut sauce called Kare-Kare glistens in my old sour cream tub; Christmastime we celebrate Simbangabi through dances on top of benches or in between bamboo sticks. And though my friends question the extent of my cultural connectedness when I bring them to our parties and see grins of excitement looking at the various dishes, I piece together the understanding that my joy lies within being able to share my culture; it's an understanding that when you come to our parties you are like family. My Filipino-American identity instilled in me a purpose for a community in all facets of my life. To accomplish this, I've spearheaded the organization of music socials for incoming high schoolers in which I hope to bridge the scary gap between middle and high school. Through leadership positions in my trombone section and tennis team, I feel that I've begun to piece together a cohesive community that supports each other. More than anything, a central part of my Filipino-American identity is helping others. Ultimately, my goals lie within medicine because of the compassion I can show patients while actively helping them reach their goals. I know the Filipino- American Scholarship will have a profound impact on my academic, career, and life goals because I resonate with the cause and hope to fund similar scholarships in the future.

Push him off, you don’t need him. At the edge of the cliff, we peered down at the rocky abyss. I looked over and smiled — my screen concealing my true intentions. I made my way behind him, and with the click of a mouse, his blocky body was sentenced to a quick and rocky death — items splattered all over the cubed stone. Truth was, my Minecraft world was too big for both of us, as I preferred to wander the vast expanse of that blocky paradise in solitude. I thought my success in that game should be dependent solely on my effort. So, I didn’t trust him — then again I didn’t trust anybody. Like in Minecraft, this mindset shaped how I viewed the world. The dreaded group project was the bane of my existence. I hated playing doubles tennis. “Study group?” No thanks. Even my social media reinforced the message, “How can you be successful if others are holding you back?” While this “independence” made me more mature to those at a glance, pushing help away was draining. When the work piled up, deceit and negativity corrupted my mind. I was dejected and miserable; I had nobody to go to – only the person I saw in the mirror. Thus, I needed to shatter that mirror. And I’m so glad I did. Over time, I stepped out of my comfort zone to place trust in others. At first, the alienated glances and rejection made me reconsider my position, but as I put myself out there, foundations of trust allowed me to take leadership roles within band and tennis. I organized a school supply donation event for my district, collaborating with local stores, supervisors, and fellow peers, entrusting them with the resources for a smooth event. Recently, we successfully distributed hundreds of school supplies to children within our district. In my favorite book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, the question “How do you think the wealthiest businessmen made their fortunes?” was frequently asked. At first, I chalked it up to only individual determination and persistence. But as I read, Hill opened my eyes to “mastermind groups” — teams of experts that rid individuals of weakness in the accumulation of wealth. And while money isn’t my current priority, I brought this idea of mastermind groups to my Minecraft world, creating communities of friends who work together, mining diamonds, building houses, and not pushing each other over cliffs. Through my interactions and accomplishments, I continue to realize that my definition of success is unique. It not only exudes itself through my various activities, stems from trust, and collaboration, but most importantly comes from the joy of collaborating with others. I understand that because I put my trust in others, I became friendlier and amiable; people opened up to me, and I could forge relationships that would’ve previously been occult. Even though I’m still forging my different paths to success, I will continue to put my trust in others. If I’m going to get anywhere in this world, it will take my determination, persistence, and a community of supportive individuals by my side. Think of it like inviting friends to a Minecraft world — who doesn’t want to wander the endless expanse of a blocky paradise with them?