I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

When I was young, I had an African American woman pediatrician. She was amazing and inspiring! She is one of the reasons why I want to be a doctor. She helped plant the seed for my future. Being a minority in STEM hasn’t been easy, but here I am. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like its potential in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for better treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor. I need financial help to attend CWRU and become a doctor. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other students who want to make an impact in the world. Thank you.

When I was young, I had an African American woman pediatrician. She was amazing and inspiring! She is one of the reasons why I want to be a doctor. She helped plant the seed for my future. Being a minority in STEM hasn’t been easy, but here I am. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like its potential in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for better treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

When I was young, I had an African American woman pediatrician. She was amazing and inspiring! She is one of the reasons why I want to be a doctor. She helped plant the seed for my future. Being a minority in STEM hasn’t been easy, but here I am. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like its potential in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for better treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, then go ahead and wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, go ahead and use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and others.

I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. During a summer internship last summer I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

We need more diversity in medicine. There are not enough women of color in medicine. I am a woman and of mixed race. This is what has driven me to want to be a doctor. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in treating sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. They also have an excellent music outreach program. I would love to volunteer in a flute ensemble at Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital. There is more to fighting cancer than just research and I want to be able to bring a little joy and hope to the children at the hospital. I need financial help to attend CWRU. In order to become a pediatric oncologist, I will need a lot of money, or else I will end up with a ton of college debt. My family does not have the capability to pay for college, so we are hoping that scholarships can make up most of it. I am a very dedicated student and I am very motivated. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other minority students who want to make an impact in the world. Thank you.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I see the need of having more diversity in this field. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. Typically, communities like mine have low cancer screening participation. Having diversity in medicine will help that. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I will have to do work-study and take out student loans but I am hoping this scholarship will help bridge the financial gap. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to continue to work in programs in my community that focus on health care screening. In the next 10 years, I want to be on the front lines of cancer research. I want to continue my education at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. It has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe cancer treatment for children and who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

Drunk driving has affected my family deeply. When my cousin was just 18, he was driving while intoxicated and drove into a lake. If he was sober enough to get out of his car and stand up he would have survived. But he didn’t. This incident caused a ripple effect throughout the family. He was older and died before I was born, but I grew up with his sister being more like an aunt, or second mom, than a cousin. She looked up to her big brother, they were very close in age. We had a lot of conversations when I was growing up about driving while impaired or intoxicated. I feel very strongly that driving under the influence should be discussed (and discouraged) in school and at home. There should be more emphasis on it in driver’s education programs as well as in general events. We shouldn’t only be getting a 5-minute public service announcement around prom. As for me, I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the cancer fight who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

I want to be a doctor. I have always loved science and medicine. I thought about pathology and working with cells however, my career goal wasn’t very clear. I knew that I would love a career in the medical field, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until last summer. I want to help find better treatments for cancer in children. My career goals are now clear. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the cancer fight who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

The piece of art that is currently inspiring me is “Can’t Help Myself” by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, currently at the Guggenheim Museum. It is a robot arm that sweeps up a dark red liquid. It’s messy. It’s active. It’s constantly changing. It’s not what you would call pretty or aesthetically pleasing. It’s intriguing. I look at it and want to look at the world around me. We are constantly moving to gather our things around us. We go out and come back home. We go to work or school and come back home. We keep moving and going and moving and going. It’s crazy. I want to go out and sit and watch the world for a minute. I want to watch kids playing in the park, having fun, and enjoy being a kid. I am about to graduate high school and start college. I want to be a pediatric oncologist and help give those kids a chance to enjoy being a kid. I can’t help myself when I watch the piece move. I know I will be spending years in school and my life is going to be that robot arm. I will be moving and changing, but I want to just stop for a moment to sit and watch. https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/34812

Always pay yourself first. That was one of many lessons my mother taught me and the one I find most important. I opened my first savings account when I was five (it was my mom who opened the account, but I was there and I got a lollipop). I opened my first checking account when I was 15 and started working a part-time job. I just went in and opened a second checking and savings account for my college life. I plan on opening my first money market account with the money I have been saving. She taught me that you should always pay yourself first and separate your money for specific purposes (personal spending, personal spending, college spending, and college savings/scholarships). It’s important to have the money go into your savings first, even if it’s a small percentage. When you can’t touch it, it will grow. Now that I have enough for a money market account, the growth will work for me. She has also taught me that you shouldn’t buy something unless you have double the money to cover it. You want to always have enough in your accounts to handle the surprises and purchases can oftentimes have hidden additional costs. I am a high school senior and about to spend a lot of money on college. I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist, so I’m going to be in school for a lot of years. I continue to use the pay yourself first and only buy what you can afford approach to finances. By the time I become a doctor, I want to have a solid financial portfolio and very little debt.

Always pay yourself first. That was one of many lessons my mother taught me and the one I find most important. I opened my first savings account when I was five (it was my mom who opened the account, but I was there and I got a lollipop). I opened my first checking account when I was 15 and started working a part-time job. I just went in and opened a second checking and savings account for my college life. I plan on opening my first money market account with the money I have been saving. She taught me that you should always pay yourself first and separate your money for specific purposes (personal spending, personal spending, college spending, and college savings/scholarships). It’s important to have the money go into your savings first, even if it’s a small percentage. When you can’t touch it, it will grow. Now that I have enough for a money market account, the growth will work for me. She has also taught me that you shouldn’t buy something unless you have double the money to cover it. You want to always have enough in your accounts to handle the surprises and purchases can oftentimes have hidden additional costs. I am a high school senior and about to spend a lot of money on college. I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist, so I’m going to be in school for a lot of years. I continue to use the pay yourself first and only buy what you can afford approach to finances. By the time I become a doctor, I want to have a solid financial portfolio and very little debt.

I stay optimistic by performing acts of self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. I do it and encourage people around me to also indulge in these simple pleasures. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness and encouraging kindness in others. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I try to do these acts of kindness every day. Every time I do something, I can see the ripple effect of that kindness in others. Each act of kindness brightens my outlook on the world.

I think that helping others see the beauty in themselves is the true meaning of life. You have to look deep inside yourself to be able to help others. It’s not so simple to get there, you have to really look at the simple pleasures first. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. I do it and encourage people around me to also indulge in these simple pleasures. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These simple pleasures are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I do these acts of kindness every day. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and others. Once you find that inner beauty, you are one step closer to finding meaning in your life.

Since I can remember, I wanted to be part of the marching band. I saw them in the schools and the community and wanted to be part of that. They were so cool looking, marching and playing as a group. I thought they were amazing and decided to start playing the flute in 5th grade. That began my journey in the love of music. Being a member of the band and orchestra meant trying new things, new instruments, new music, and new volunteer opportunities. I was able to experiment with new instruments and encourage others to try new things as well. In this environment, we were allowed to be not perfect. During my first band camp, I decided to switch instruments to the mallets and my instructor told me to hold the mallet sticks like I would a snare stick. I responded that I play the flute and she proceeded to show me how it’s done. I wasn’t the only flute that went to another instrument and it felt great to learn. I continued to try new instruments, including piccolo, double bass, electric bass, and mellophone. While playing some of the instruments didn’t last, it was okay to give it a try. In the band, I learned that I don’t have to be a professional musician. I can enjoy playing music and take the lessons I learned forward after I graduate. I look forward to being in an ensemble at college where I can continue my journey.

I treat people how I want to be treated. I take time to listen. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. I mean really listening! Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. You feel the understanding. Words are powerful, so I use them wisely. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or an accessory, can make someone glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. I use words to lift up my friends and the people around me. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are an often overlooked side of friendship. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to really make a change in the world around you by being kind to others.

I want to be a doctor. I am a woman. I am of mixed race. Being a minority in STEM hasn’t been easy, but here I am and I am not alone. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

I have a talent for science and for being methodical and detail-oriented. This is good because I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I practice my skills by doing research and working in the lab. During my summer internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

I want to be a doctor. I have always loved science and medicine. I thought about pathology and working with cells however, my career goal wasn’t very clear. I knew that I would love a career in the medical field, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until last summer. I want to help find better treatments for cancer in children. My career goals are now clear. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending college locally and have been accepted at Case Western Reserve University. I will major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then plan on attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. Going to school locally will help me stay connected to my community. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe cancer treatments for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

I live in Bedford, Ohio. It can be called a socio-economically disadvantaged area. What was once a thriving inner-ring suburb of Cleveland is now an area in need. The demographics have changed over the past 20 years and we are struggling to find our identity as a community. It’s not earth-shattering changes going on, but we have had some slow progress over the last few years. I volunteer in the community so I see the positive things that have happened. I am involved with my community as part of the Bedford Band and Orchestra. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore year and became a section leader. The band and orchestra program is important to me and many others, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Before the pandemic, we were pretty active with events happening every couple of weeks. This was great because we were out in the community representing our diversity. For me, going to elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, and seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is one of the reasons why I love to give back to my community. During the pandemic, we were disconnected from each other and we were unable to be out in the community. However, that didn’t stop our community. When it seemed like the whole world was breaking out in violence, our community started a group, Bedford Together, to help organize a peaceful tribute. After a moving service that helped us stand together by kneeling in silence, we felt more connected to each other. We really felt like we are in the social justice movement together. Important dialogs were started in households and in classes. We felt we were able to discuss events in a context that helped show how wrong these unjust events were and we stand together to support social justice. That started more changes in Bedford. In the downtown square where there are memorials and statues that are not entirely representative of our history, a mural project was proposed. After learning about a vital part of Bedford's history and how the underground railroad played in it, a shop owner donated space. Local artists helped create the mural to tell the local story of Julius Caesar Tibbs and to bring light to the missing parts of Bedford's history. The mural was well received and it sparked more community pride. There are plans for more murals and other memorials to illuminate other important aspects of Bedford’s diverse history. I feel proud to drive by the mural and see the seeds of change growing.

I learned that I love to volunteer and help others. I love to give back to my community. During the summers, I work at the high school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore through senior years, when I became a section leader. My band and orchestra classmates look up to me to set an example on how to be a leader. As leaders, we show the underclassmen how to respect each other and help others. We show them how to treat parents and teachers. Being a leader in the school has helped me to be a better person. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, and seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

In my freshman year of high school, you could count the members of the LGBTQ+ community in my school on one hand and still have fingers to spare. It wasn’t easy to come out for me, but I had my family there to support me. The toxic environment during the pandemic towards the LGBTQ+ community has made it difficult for many of us to feel accepted. I want to be involved in the community and encourage others to be involved. With so many states targeting the community with discriminatory legislation, we need to be more proactive now. We need to be involved in local issues that will affect us. That is my short-term goal, long-term I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. We need more representation in the medical field. Especially in areas like cancer research, where minorities have been historically underrepresented. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. I want to make sure minorities are represented in that research, but I need financial help to attend college. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other students who want to make an impact in the world.

I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing and listen to what they say. I follow up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. I mean really listening! Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. It’s important to listen when people are talking, not just wait for a break to say your words. That’s not a real conversation, that’s just people speaking at each other. Active listening is powerful. You have to hear people so you can use words wisely in your reply. It can be powerful to follow up with a few kind words, responding positively to what someone says. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you said. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something important, listen for it. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up hearing in conversations. I use words to lift up my friends and the people around me. So go out there and listen, then compliment someone, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate what they said. This is an often-overlooked side of friendship. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy because they feel important to you. It's your time to really be a friend and also make a change in the world around you by being kind with the words you use.

I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I wasn’t able to do science labs. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I hit a new low and started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone and build my confidence. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. That was the lowest I’ve been and I had to turn it around. I have setbacks now and again. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went back to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I hold my head up high. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step and the next. I am about to graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I didn’t quit.

I want to be a doctor. I am a woman. I am of mixed race. Being a minority in STEM hasn’t been easy, but here I am. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

I want to be a doctor. I have always loved science and medicine. I thought about pathology and working with cells however, my career goal wasn’t very clear. I knew that I would love a career in the medical field, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until last summer. I want to help find better treatments for cancer in children. My career goals are now clear. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. Simply put, we need to have more doctors that are invested in our community and are representative of our community. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. We need more diversity in medicine and doctors who are willing to invest in their communities. I want to be that doctor.

Since I can remember, I wanted to be part of the marching band. I saw them in the schools and the community and wanted to be part of that. They were so cool looking, marching and playing as a group. I thought they were amazing and decided to start playing the flute in 5th grade. That began my journey with the band and orchestra. I spent summers working on the music library, even before I became the librarian, to make it something amazing that future students can be proud of. When I started helping, the system was a mess, with decades of music stuffed into a full 2 walls of file cabinets (I’m talking over 2 dozen 5-drawer cabinets). To get the music ready for the upcoming marching season was a herculean effort, taking up much of my summer break (as well as the band director). That first year, I knew there had to be a better way of doing it. I started to discuss the idea with my band director and peers. I asked if there was a way to automate the process, so we can easily find the music we were looking for. I outlined what I wanted: first was an online database of music and second was a way to hold the music that would make it easy to find. That got us thinking and researching. We found a modern library system that would work. It had everything I dreamed of, including hanging folders and an online database with logical labeling. We received funding from the band booster group to purchase the first section of the library and got it installed. Then the hard work began. It was hard work going through decades of music over several years to modernize it into a new system. Being the librarian, I took ownership of the project. I had to come up with creative ways to get people excited to help. This involved coordinating working parties where we would spend 2 hours working and then get rewarded with pizza or ice cream. It’s not easy to get teenagers to help without incentives. But in the end as a senior, I feel proud to leave behind the legacy of the new library. It’s not easy for marching bands in disadvantaged communities like mine. If I had money and resources, I would love to see the same library system set up for other communities. I would need to create a non-profit that would work with library vendors to provide the system. That would only be the first step. We would need to reach out to communities to apply for the opportunity because I am guessing I wouldn’t have unlimited funding. We would need to include training for the library system as well as best practices for the librarians and band directors on how they can sort through the black holes that they call their music library. I’m speaking from experience here. I am lucky because I had 4 years to work on my library, so I would outline the steps so the librarians can hand them over from one class to the next. The first year would consist of several in-person meetings to evaluate the scope of the craziness. If they are dealing with more than 20 years of music, they need to break it down into the most recent years. I know for many people a new music library system may not seem like it’s worth all this fuss, but for me and the many librarians out there dealing with walls of music filing cabinets, this new system is EVERYTHING.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. To become a doctor and work with children, I am going to need a lot of patience. It is going to take a lot of years to get through school, but it will be worth it! Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending college in the fall, with a major in biology on the pre-medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. I think that working with children and hopefully finding a cure for cancer is going to be the reward for my patience.

My career goal is to help find a cure for cancer in children. To achieve this goal, I plan on attending college with a major in biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I could look at the obstacles in my way and be discouraged, instead, I look at them as opportunities. My first challenge was getting accepted into the school This was the first opportunity in my career goal. I studied hard, made a plan, and was accepted to my reach school. It wasn’t as easy as all that, but I took each day as a learning experience. I reworked my study habits, recognized what was blocking me, and continued to improve on what I was doing. On the weekends I would review what work is upcoming and sketch out what I need to accomplish. My next challenge is finding a way to pay for college. There are so many scholarships out there and so many of them require different things to apply for, it can be daunting. So I tackle this by setting aside time on the weekend to look for scholarship opportunities. I record each one by the type, what’s required, and when it’s due. I sort the list and look at what’s upcoming and methodically apply for the scholarships that are coming due in the next months. My life is going to be filled with many opportunities, so I'll look at each one in a positive way. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

To be a good friend, you have to be your own friend first. You have to think about how you would like to be treated and go into friendship with that perspective. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. I mean really listening! Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. Words are powerful, so I use them wisely. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or an accessory, can make my friend glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. I use words to lift up my friends and the people around me. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, and tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are an often overlooked side of friendship. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to really be a friend and also make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and bringing joy to others.

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama spoke to my soul. I started listening to the audiobook in the car with my mom, then checked it out from the library and finished it. It just really resonated with me for several reasons. My sister is at the University of Chicago and is working at UChicago Medicine where Ms. Obama worked before she became First Lady. The Obamas retired to a neighborhood close to the UChicago campus. This is an area that she mentioned in her book. We drove past her house when we moved her back into her dorm last fall. We drove past the ice cream shop where they shared their first kiss. Being able to see in person the places Ms. Obama mentioned in the book brought it to life for me. I want to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist and help out the king of neighborhoods UChicago serves. We have the same neighborhoods here in Cleveland and that's where I want to focus. Ms. Obama mentioned some key points that are a struggle in my community: being a food desert, access to healthcare, and access to education. I want to work within my community to help work on these challenges. At my church, we are working on a community garden to help provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the neighborhood. She is a strong woman who took a hard look at herself and wasn’t afraid to admit to needing help and counseling. It’s not easy to live up to the expectations of society and she has inspired me to be the best I can be and still be true to myself.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I had a hard time understanding my AP Chemistry because we couldn't do labs and ended up with a B. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I am about to graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I will graduate and go to college.

Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. Because of that internship, I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

If I had the chance to influence people, I would make a stand for kindness. People aren’t kind to each other anymore. The world has become polarized and toxic. I would ask people to give back to their communities as I do. I would encourage people to volunteer at their schools and nursing homes. To even go outside their community and learn about the communities around them. In the band and orchestra program, I learned that you should be kind to others. The program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community. If more people would take an interest in the people around them, this world would be more kind.

Be the change you want to see in the world. That one sentence has stuck with me since I first saw it displayed in the band room. It has driven me to want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

Be the change you want to see in the world. That one sentence has stuck with me since I first saw it displayed in the band room. It has driven me to want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

My motivation is to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. Every day I think about what I need to do to get a chance to find a cure.

There is really only one thing on my bucket list: I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the pre-med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. Being a doctor is my whole bucket.

I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

I am so grateful for the band and orchestra program and my community and show my appreciation by giving back. Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

Generosity means giving something important, like giving back to your community. Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research.

It's the simple things that make people happy. Words are powerful, use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. I take the time to compliment people I interact with. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or a cool pair of earrings, can make people glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. For me, it makes me feel like I can walk on water. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. Use those words to lift up the people around you.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research.

I believe strongly in self-care and love to help others see the beauty in themselves. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. I do it and encourage people around me to also indulge in these simple pleasures. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness and encouraging kindness in others. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I try to do these acts of kindness every day. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and bringing joy to others.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped my confidence at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I wasn’t able to do science labs. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone and build my confidence. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I hold my head up high. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I am about to graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I have the confidence to graduate and go to college.

I am methodical and like the details. This is good because I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

It's the simple things that make people happy. Words are powerful, use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. I take the time to compliment people I interact with. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or a cool pair of earrings, can make people glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. For me, it makes me feel like I can walk on water. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. Use those words to lift up the people around you.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and bringing joy to others.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I had a hard time understanding my AP Chemistry because we couldn't do labs and ended up with a B. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I am about to graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I will graduate and go to college.

Anyone can give money for a cause to help others and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time to help others. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore through senior years, when I became a section leader. My band and orchestra classmates look up to me to show them how to be a leader. As leaders, we show the underclassmen how to respect each other and help others. We show them how to treat parents and teachers. Being a leader in the school has helped me to be a better person. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. I want this to be my legacy. During the summers, I worked at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This was a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community. Giving back to my community is the legacy I want to be known for.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and bringing joy to others.

Many songs inspire me depending on my mood. I really like musicals and animated movies and find inspiration in many of their songs. If I had to choose a song that inspires me today it would be “Cherry” by Rina Sawayama. The song really had me take a hard look at who I am and helped inspire me to be open about my feelings. I was able to put words to the feelings inside and became clear about who I am inside. The LGBTQ+ world is ever-changing and in the past few years, there have been many positive steps forward for inclusivity. It’s not easy to put labels on yourself or others and many people have struggled with what they really are. This is not a new fad or a phase, but a voice from the community that has been forced into silence for too long. It’s not easy to express yourself in the world today, but having Rina put herself out there like that is a huge step forward.

The piece of art that is currently inspiring me is “Can’t Help Myself” by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, currently at the Guggenheim Museum. It is a robot arm that sweeps up a dark red liquid. It’s messy. It’s active. It’s constantly changing. It’s not what you would call pretty or aesthetically pleasing. It’s intriguing. I look at it and want to look at the world around me. We are constantly moving to gather our things around us. We go out and come back home. We go to work or school and come back home. We keep moving and going and moving and going. It’s crazy. I want to go out and sit and watch the world for a minute. I want to watch kids playing in the park, having fun, enjoying being a kid. I am about to graduate high school and start college. I want to be a pediatric oncologist and help give those kids a chance to enjoy being a kid. I can’t help myself when I watch the piece move. I know I will be spending years in school and my life is going to be that robot arm. I will be moving, changing, but I want to just stop for a moment to sit and watch.

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama spoke to my soul. I started listening to the audiobook in the car with my mom, then checked it out from the library and finished it. It just really resonated with me for several reasons. My sister is at the University of Chicago and is working at UChicago Medicine where Ms. Obama worked before she became First Lady. We drove past her house when we moved her back into her dorm last fall. I want to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist and help out the neighborhoods UChicago serves. We have the same neighborhoods here in Cleveland. Ms. Obama mentioned some key points that are a struggle in my community: being a food desert, access to healthcare, and access to education. I want to work within my community to help work on these challenges. At my church, we are working on a community garden to help provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the neighborhood. She is a strong woman who took a hard look at herself and wasn’t afraid to admit to needing help and counseling. It’s not easy to live up to the expectations of society and she has inspired me to be the best I can be and still be true to myself.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and others.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to yourself and others.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. Your positive mental attitude is the key to living a long, healthy life. It's your time to make a change in how you live your life and have a positive impact on the world around you.

I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Over the course of my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has had many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. CRISPR is a tool for editing genomes, allowing researchers to alter DNA sequences to modify gene function. In the field of medicine, it can be used to correct genetic defects and treat diseases. There is a dark side of CRISPR and with great power comes great responsibility. The ethical argument about what can and should be changed might harm the overall good that can be achieved. There are groups that see CRISPR as a baby-to-order factory, with the potential to pick and choose what genetic characteristics their child can have. Want blue eyes? Sure, change that sequence there. That is not the point of the research. The point of CRISPR is to help that 2 year old with cancer with a cure. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research.

I opened my first savings account when I was five (it was my mom who opened the account, but I was there and I got a lollipop). We opened my first checking account when I was 15 and started working a part-time job. We just went in and opened a second checking and savings account for my college life. I plan on opening my first money market account with the money I have been saving. She taught me that you should always pay yourself first and separate your money for specific purposes (personal spending, personal spending, college spending, and college savings/scholarships). It’s important to have the money go into your savings first, even if it’s a small percentage. When you can’t touch it, it will grow. Now that I have enough for a money market account, the growth will work for me. She has also taught me that you shouldn’t buy something unless you have double the money to cover it. You want to always have enough in your accounts to handle the surprises and purchases can oftentimes have hidden additional costs. I am a high school senior and about to spend a lot of money on college. I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist, so I’m going to be in school for a lot of years. I continue to use the pay yourself first and only buy what you can afford approach to finances. By the time I become a doctor, I want to have a solid financial portfolio and very little debt.

I believe strongly in self-care and express myself in my self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. Acts of self-care have helped me through this pressure. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's our time to make a change in the world around us by being kind and bringing joy to others. Doing this is fundamental to my being and makes me a better person.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped my confidence at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I wasn’t able to do science labs. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone and build my confidence. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I hold my head up high. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I am about to graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. All this has helped me to see that those steps I take are my steps. I got this!

I stay optimistic by performing acts of self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. I do it and encourage people around me to also indulge in these simple pleasures. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness and encouraging kindness in others. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I try to do these acts of kindness every day. Every time I do something, I can see the ripple effect of that kindness in others. Each act of kindness brightens my outlook of the world.

I believe strongly in self-care and love to help others see the beauty in themselves. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. I do it and encourage people around me to also indulge in these simple pleasures. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress, to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness and encouraging kindness in others. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I try to do these acts of kindness every day. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and bringing joy to others.

I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research.

My dream life is being in a hospital in Cleveland (or Chicago) treating children with cancer and in a lab working on better treatments for cancer. I plan on being one of the best pediatric oncologists in my area and giving my best every day. I plan on coming home in the evening to my three cats and my best friend, Ivana. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer during an internship I was introduced to the field of cancer research. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. My dream is to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I was accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. My dream is to make a difference in the fight against cancer in children.

Always pay yourself first. That was one of many lessons my mother taught me and the one I find most important. I opened my first savings account when I was five (it was my mom who opened the account, but I was there and I got a lollipop). We opened my first checking account when I was 15 and started working a part-time job. We just went in and opened a second checking and savings account for my college life. I plan on opening my first money market account with the money I have been saving. She taught me that you should always pay yourself first and separate your money for specific purposes (personal spending, personal spending, college spending, and college savings/scholarships). It’s important to have the money go into your savings first, even if it’s a small percentage. When you can’t touch it, it will grow. Now that I have enough for a money market account, the growth will work for me. She has also taught me that you shouldn’t buy something unless you have double the money to cover it. You want to always have enough in your accounts to handle the surprises and purchases can oftentimes have hidden additional costs. I am a high school senior and about to spend a lot of money on college. I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist, so I’m going to be in school for a lot of years. I continue to use the pay yourself first and only buy what you can afford approach to finances. By the time I become a doctor, I want to have a solid financial portfolio and very little debt.

I am a woman and of mixed race. There are not enough women of color in medicine. This is what has driven me to want to be a Pediatric Oncologist. I want to give back to my community and being a doctor will help an often-overlooked demographic. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I need financial help to attend CWRU and I'm hoping that scholarships can make up the cost gap. I am a very dedicated student and I am very motivated. I will become a doctor.

I am a woman and of mixed race. This is what has driven me to want to be a doctor. There are not enough women of color in medicine. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I see the impact women of color can have in that research. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the success of CRISPR in treating sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. We need diversity in research to bring focus to treatments that will affect our communities. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. We need to get back to trusting science and the more we’re out there with facts, the more people in our community will survive. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. They also have an excellent music outreach program. I would love to volunteer in a flute ensemble at Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital. There is more to fighting cancer than just research and I want to be able to bring a little joy and hope to the children at the hospital. Maybe while I perform at the hospital or treat patients, they see me and that can plant a seed. Maybe they will want to give back to their communities when they beat their cancer. Maybe they will go on to be a doctor or musician. Seeing more diversity in STEM will help those children see futures in fields that they never thought were possible.

I am a woman and of mixed race. This is what has driven me to want to be a doctor. There are not enough women of color in medicine. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in treating sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. I want to give back to my community and being a Pediatric Oncologist will help an often-overlooked demographic. I live in an underserved area, especially in medicine. I would like to help increase awareness of cancer screening in children. The best defense in fighting cancer is early detection. If more people were aware of the signs of cancer, more screenings would be performed, which would lead to more cases of early detection. This would significantly increase survivability and help empower others to live productive lives. I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. They also have an excellent music outreach program. I would love to volunteer in a flute ensemble at Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital. There is more to fighting cancer than just research and I want to be able to bring a little joy and hope to the children at the hospital. I need financial help to attend CWRU. In order to become a pediatric oncologist, I will need a lot of money, or else I will end up with a ton of college debt. My family does not have the capability to pay for college, so we are hoping that scholarships can make up most of it. I am a very dedicated student and I am very motivated. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other minority students who want to make an impact in the world. Thank you.

It's the simple things that make people happy and can make a positive impact. Words are powerful, so I use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow-up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. One way to make children who are battling cancer feel better is by listening to them and being kind. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or an accessory, can make children glow with happiness. They are at a low point in their young lives and need all the positive interactions they can get. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. I use words to lift up the people around me. FIghting cancer in children is tricky. Children don’t respond to treatment the same way as adults. I had an older sister who died from cancer before she was two. She was diagnosed early and didn’t respond to treatments. I never knew her, this was long before I was born. But last summer I started to think “what if”. What if I had the chance to know her, what would I say to her? How could I have brightened up her life? Would hearing positive words make an impact on her prognosis? I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. I need financial help to attend CWRU and become a doctor. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other students who want to make an impact in the world. Thank you.

I want to be a doctor. I have always loved science and medicine. I thought about pathology and working with cells however, my career goal wasn’t very clear. I knew that I would love a career in the medical field, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until last summer. I want to help find better treatments for cancer in children. My career goals are now clear. I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist and do research in the field of cancer in children. Last summer I was accepted into an internship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Over the course of my internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. CRISPR is a tool for editing genomes, allowing researchers to alter DNA sequences to modify gene function. In the field of medicine, it can be used to correct genetic defects and treat diseases. There is a dark side of CRISPR and with great power comes great responsibility. The ethical argument about what can and should be changed might harm the overall good that can be achieved. There are groups that see CRISPR as a baby-to-order factory, with the potential to pick and choose what genetic characteristics their child can have. Want blue eyes? Sure, change that sequence there. That is not the point of the research. The point of CRISPR is to help that 2-year-old with cancer fight the disease. The point is to one day have a cure. FIghting cancer in children is tricky. Children don’t respond to treatment the same way as adults. I had an older sister who died from cancer before she was two. She was diagnosed early and didn’t respond to treatments. I never knew her, this was long before I was born. But last summer I started to think “what if”. What if this technology was around 30 years ago, would she have had a fighting chance? I plan on attending Case Western Reserve University, where I have been accepted, with a major in Biology on the Pre-Medicine track, then attending medical school. I want to continue research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. There are many different technologies out there that could make a huge impact on cancer research. I want to be on the front lines of that research and CWRU has a first-class medical school and is ranked high in its medical research. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology. I need financial help to attend CWRU and become a doctor. Scholarships like this are important to help, not just me, but other students who want to make an impact in the world. Thank you.

It's the simple things that make people happy and show them they are appreciated. Words are powerful, use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow-up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love, the gratitude. I take the time to compliment people I interact with. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or a cool pair of earrings, can make people glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. For me, it makes me feel like I can walk on water. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. Use those words to lift up the people around you.

It's the simple things that make people happy. Words are powerful, use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow-up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. I take the time to compliment people I interact with. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or a cool pair of earrings, can make people glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. For me, it makes me feel like I can walk on water. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds pointing out something amazing. These are not throw-away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed at how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. Use those words to lift up the people around you.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped my confidence at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I wasn’t able to do science labs. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone and build my confidence. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I hold my head up high. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I have 4 months to go until I graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I have the confidence to graduate and go to college.

It's been hard for a couple of years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. In my junior year, I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I had a hard time understanding my AP Chemistry because we couldn't do labs and ended up with a B. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was canceled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I still don't like this. I am still anxious about this. But I made that first step. I have 4 months to go until I graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I will graduate and go to college.

Anyone can give money for a cause, but I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time and leadership. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare the music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. We would spend several hours a day for weeks to get this accomplished. This was how I started to get involved with my community as part of the Bedford Band and Orchestra. I have been a member of the Bedford Band since middle school. I started my leadership with the Bedford Band and Orchestra as a librarian my freshman year in high school. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore through senior years, when I became a section leader. The band and orchestra program is important to me and many others, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Before the pandemic, we were pretty active with events happening every couple of weeks. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is one of the reasons why I love to give back to my community. My band and orchestra classmates look up to me to show them how to behave and how to be part of the community. As leaders, we show the underclassmen how to respect each other. We show them how to treat parents and teachers. Because of the leadership program in the band and orchestra, we are among the top students of the school. I am asked to be part of other organizations that give back to the community, but I got my start with the band and orchestra. Our school was in the news last fall because there has been an outbreak of violence. There was a huge fight and gun threats. They shut the school down for a month because of the bad behavior of a large number of students. I was chosen to become a student ambassador to help show others how you should act in and out of school. As a student ambassador, I am able to influence more students than just band and orchestra. We are in a unique position to change the attitude of the student body. It has been a hard time during this pandemic. Many of us students are under emotional stress. We worked to incorporate Social Emotional Learning into the new plan to open up the school. Working with the community and other student ambassadors, I hope to make a lasting impact with this new approach. Being a leader in the school has helped me to be a better person. I am helping to end the violence in the school. I am helping show others how to be better humans and to take interest in the community.

It all started in 2020 when I started as an intern editing articles for Gardening Know How. I thought that it would be easy to grow some vegetables over the summer. We bought a few plants at the city plant sale and thought we could grow them on the porch. Easy? Did I really think that would be easy??? Well, it turns out gardening is hard work. We have deer, squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and cats. The deer went onto the porch and ate our tomatoes just when they were about ready to harvest. Then something ate the strawberries. Something dug up the carrots. We had kale and peppers and I felt like that was a huge success. The next year we learned a bit more, got bigger containers, and moved the plants further back on the porch. The more articles I edited the more I learned about gardening. The tomatoes were still eaten, but with the placement of the plants further back it wasn’t until the end of the season. The basil was great and we were able to freeze the excess. That was some excellent tomato basil pasta. The best thing was that we got new neighbors who knew a whole lot about gardening. They have raised beds and grew cherry tomatoes, carrots, sweet peas, peppers, and more. They put fencing around the garden, which kept the deer from entering. They also have dogs and that kept out the other animals. They talked to me about nutrients and how to compost. So I talked my mom into composting too. I’m planning on going to college in the fall, so this year I can help start my garden and maintain it during the summer. I really want to do raised beds with fencing, but that might not happen this year. We didn’t have time to prepare the beds last fall. Gardening is something that isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing. It really takes planning and preparation. We will do another porch garden, but we’re looking into something to stop the deer from eating the tomatoes! My mom suggested I read American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America by Michelle Obama. That was enlightening. She was able to build off of the failures of the previous year and make improvements for the next year. They were able to take the community garden and use the vegetables at local schools. She has some great insights and some wonderful success stories. It was an inspiration and I really wanted to start a community garden. The brightest part of my gardening adventure is that recently at church we started discussions into starting a community garden. I am working on the planning and hope we can get it started during the summer before I leave for school.

I believe strongly in self-care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self-care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and bringing joy to others.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. I want this to be my legacy. During the summers, I worked at the school to prepare music for the upcoming year. This was a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community. Giving back to my community is the legacy I want to be known for.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. I learned that it is my time to make a change in the world around me by being kind to myself and bringing joy to others.

I am methodical and like the details. This is good because I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Throughout my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. To succeed in my career goals I have to be methodical. I have to work on the details. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

Many songs inspire me depending on my mood. I really like musicals and animated movies and find inspiration in many of their songs. If I had to choose a song that inspires me today it would be “Cherry” by Rina Sawayama. The song really had me take a hard look at who I am and helped inspire me to be open about my feelings. I was able to put words to the feelings inside and became clear with who I am inside. The LGBTQ+ world is ever changing and in the past few years there have been many positive steps forward for inclusivity. It’s not easy to put labels on yourself or others and many people have struggles with what they really are. This is not a new fad or a phase, but a voice from the community that has been forced into silence for too long. It’s not easy to express yourself in the world today, but having Rina put herself out there like that is a huge step forward.

It's been hard for a couple years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. Junior year I had to go online for classes and that didn't work well with band or science. I had a hard time understanding my AP Chemistry because we couldn't do labs and ended up with a B. I wasn't able to participate in band camp and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back before Thanksgiving. On our first full day back, I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have setbacks. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. It took me some time, but I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I still don't like this. I am still anxious over this. But I made that first step. I have 5 months to go until I graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I will graduate and go to college to become a doctor. I got this.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and bringing joy to others.

The piece of art that is currently inspiring me is “Can’t Help Myself” by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, currently at the Guggenheim Museum. It is a robot arm that sweeps up a dark red liquid. It’s messy. It’s active. It’s constantly changing. It’s not what you would call pretty or aesthetically pleasing. It’s intriguing. I look at it and want to look at the world around me. We are constantly moving to gather our things around us. We go out and come back home. We go to work or school and come back home. We keep moving and going and moving and going. It’s crazy. I want to go out and sit and watch the world for a minute. I want to watch kids playing in the park, having fun, enjoying being a kid. I am about to graduate high school and start college. I want to be a pediatric oncologist and help give those kids a chance to enjoy being a kid. I can’t help myself when I watch the piece move. I know I will be spending years in school and my life is going to be that robot arm. I will be moving, changing, but I want to just stop for a moment to sit and watch. https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/34812

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama spoke to my soul. I started listening to the audiobook in the car with my mom, then checked it out from the library and finished it. It just really resonated with me for several reasons. My sister is at the University of Chicago and is working at UChicago Medicine where Ms. Obama worked before she became First Lady. We drove past her house when we moved her back into her dorm last fall. I want to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist and help out the neighborhoods like UChicago serves. We have the same neighborhoods here in Cleveland. Ms. Obama mentioned some key points that are a struggle in my community: being a food desert, access to healthcare, and access to education. I want to work within my community to help work on these challenges. At my church, we are working on a community garden to help provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the neighborhood. She is a strong woman who took a hard look at herself and wasn’t afraid to admit to needing help and counseling. It’s not easy to live up to the expectations of society and she has inspired me to be the best I can be and still be true to myself.

I want to help find a cure for cancer in children. My career goals include Pediatric Oncology and research in the field of cancer in children. Over the course of my summer internship, I was introduced to the field of cancer research and the different technologies used. This has become a particular interest for me. I see the importance of finding ways of treating cancer in children that are more effective and have the least amount of negative side effects. During my internship, I was introduced to the CRISPR technology and how we can use it to fight cancer. This isn’t exactly a new technology, but one that has many recent successes. It was recently in the spotlight for the work involved with the novel coronavirus and the success of CRISPR in curing sickle-cell anemia. I really like the potential it has in the fight against cancer and what that will mean for children with cancer. The work in the cancer lab during my internship was illuminating and one of the reasons I want to work with cancer research. CRISPR is a tool for editing genomes, allowing researchers to alter DNA sequences to modify gene function. In the field of medicine, it can be used to correct genetic defects and treat diseases. There is a dark side of CRISPR and with great power comes great responsibility. The ethical argument about what can and should be changed might harm the overall good that can be achieved. There are groups that see CRISPR as a baby to order factory, with the potential to pick and choose what genetic characteristics their child can have. Want blue eyes? Sure, change that sequence there. That is not the point of the research. The point of CRISPR is to help that 2 year old with cancer with a cure. I plan on attending college with a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, then attending medical school. I want to continue working with CRISPR research in the lab and hospital during college to help achieve these goals. The field of Pediatric Oncology needs more dedicated doctors in the fight for a safe treatment for children who are interested in the newest technology.

I opened my first savings account when I was five (it was my mom who opened the account, but I was there and I got a lollipop). We opened my first checking account when I was 15 and started working a part-time job. We just went in and opened a second checking and savings account for my college life. I plan on opening my first money market account with the money I have been saving. She taught me that you should always pay yourself first and separate your money for specific purposes (personal spending, personal spending, college spending, and college savings/scholarships). It’s important to have the money go into your savings first, even if it’s a small percentage. When you can’t touch it, it will grow. Now that I have enough for a money market account, the growth will work for me. She has also taught me that you shouldn’t buy something unless you have double the money to cover it. You want to always have enough in your accounts to handle the surprises and purchases can oftentimes have hidden additional costs. I am a high school senior and about to spend a lot of money on college. I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist, so I’m going to be in school for a lot of years. I continue to use the pay yourself first and only buy what you can afford approach to finances. By the time I become a doctor, I want to have a solid financial portfolio and very little debt.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. Your positive mental attitude is the key to living a long, healthy life. It's your time to make a change in how you live your life and have a positive impact in the world around you.

I want to be a doctor. I am a woman. I am of mixed race.I can become a doctor because I have strong women in my life who are encouraging me to achieve my goals. In my grandmother’s generation, being a woman doctor was all but impossible. Being a woman of color doctor was even more rare. My grandmother had limited options for a career and decided to wait to have children until she was older. She was a bit of a trailblazer I was told. My mother talks about how her mom was able to accomplish a lot with very limited resources. That encouragement helped shape my mother. My mother is an application designer. She learned coding at an early age. In college she was one of the few women in her IT classes. She has been working in the application development field since she graduated.It was hard for my mother to work full time and raise 3 children. She had a hard time finding affordable daycare. She even debated quitting her job until we were in school. She found an at home daycare through a local program that gave her the peace of mind to continue working. She encouraged my sister and I to follow our dreams. She was the one who bought us our first play doctor kits when we were young. My sister has wanted to be a doctor since middle school. She received encouragement from our mother and aunts to follow that dream. She was able to get into the gifted program and in turn encouraged me to also get into that program. Her honors and AP classes set the stage for me to follow along with the same classes. She is now at the University of Chicago going after that dream. Having women around me that have broken through the career barrier is why I know I can become a doctor. But how do we use that to encourage others to follow their dreams? We need to support programs where women can talk to young ladies about their careers. Women need to share their stories with the next generation so that they can see the possibilities. We need to see women in their workplace. We need to see those stories in articles and on videos. We need women to dominate career days. We need to call out when we see inequity and break that glass ceiling. This needs to be a grassroots movement that simmers and grows. We need to pull resources from established groups to help get the word out there. Groups like Girl Up, Girls Who Code, She’s the First, WriteGirl, should be contacted about more involvement in elementary and middle school. They should be encouraged to have assemblies and talk about their programs. By spreading the word, we start the movement in the next generation. By the time I have grandchildren, I hope to see the equality gap closed.

Anyone can give money for a cause to help others and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time to help others. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore through senior years, when I became a section leader. My band and orchestra classmates look up to me to show them how to be a leader. As leaders, we show the underclassmen how to respect each other and help others. We show them how to treat parents and teachers. Being a leader in the school has helped me to be a better person. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make it worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and bringing joy to others.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make if worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and others.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare music for the upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I want to be a doctor. I am a woman. I am of mixed race.I can become a doctor because I have strong women in my life who are encouraging me to achieve my goals. In my grandmother’s generation, being a woman doctor was all but impossible. Being a woman of color doctor was even more rare. My grandmother had limited options for a career and decided to wait to have children until she was older. She was a bit of a trailblazer I was told. My mother talks about how her mom was able to accomplish a lot with very limited resources. That encouragement helped shape my mother. My mother is an application designer. She learned coding at an early age. In college she was one of the few women in her IT classes. She has been working in the application development field since she graduated.It was hard for my mother to work full time and raise 3 children. She had a hard time finding affordable daycare. She even debated quitting her job until we were in school. She found an at home daycare through a local program that gave her the peace of mind to continue working. She encouraged my sister and I to follow our dreams. She was the one who bought us our first play doctor kits when we were young. My sister has wanted to be a doctor since middle school. She received encouragement from our mother and aunts to follow that dream. She was able to get into the gifted program and in turn encouraged me to also get into that program. Her honors and AP classes set the stage for me to follow along with the same classes. She is now at the University of Chicago going after that dream. Having women around me that have broken through the career barrier is why I know I can become a doctor. But how do we use that to encourage others to follow their dreams? We need to support programs where women can talk to young ladies about their careers. Women need to share their stories with the next generation so that they can see the possibilities. We need to see women in their workplace. We need to see those stories in articles and on videos. We need women to dominate career days. We need to call out when we see inequity and break that glass ceiling. This needs to be a grassroots movement that simmers and grows. We need to pull resources from established groups to help get the word out there. Groups like Girl Up, Girls Who Code, She’s the First, WriteGirl, should be contacted about more involvement in elementary and middle school. They should be encouraged to have assemblies and talk about their programs. By spreading the word, we start the movement in the next generation. By the time I have grandchildren, I hope to see the equality gap closed.

It's been hard for a couple years. I have ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and the pandemic hasn't helped me at all. My junior year I had to go online for classes and that doesn't work well with band or science. I had a hard time understanding my AP Chemistry because we couldn't do labs and ended up with a B. I wasn't able to participate in band camp (it was cancelled) and we didn't have a real marching season. Then a classmate brought a gun to school and killed a fellow student right after school. I started seeing a therapist and started taking medication. I started to go back to the new normal and was feeling better. I enjoyed a summer internship that helped expand my comfort zone. I started my senior year and I had band camp and a real marching season. But at our last game, there were gun threats and we had to go remote for a month to upgrade the security. We now have metal detectors and searches at school and I felt like a criminal when we went back partially last week. Yesterday was our first full day back and I had a major anxiety attack. I had to go home. I have set backs. I know that it's going to be a struggle to get through this. But I know I am not alone. Today I went to school. I walked through the metal detectors and let them search my bag. I still feel like a criminal. I still don't like this. I am still anxious over this. But I made that first step. I have 6 months to go until I graduate and I am taking this one day at a time. I will graduate and go to college.

It's the simple things that make people happy. Words are powerful, use them wisely. I am interested in how my friends and family are. I ask them how they are doing. I follow-up on issues that were mentioned. I spend time listening to people. Many people don't do that and when you find someone who actually takes the time to listen, you feel the love. I take the time to compliment people I interact with. A few kind words, complimenting the color of a hat or a cool pair of earrings, can make people glow with happiness. Think about how good you feel when you get a sincere compliment on something you are wearing. For me, it makes me feel like I can walk on water. Imagine how you can make someone else feel if you spend an extra few seconds to point out something amazing. These are not throw away words, really look for something nice to make a compliment about. You will become amazed on how many great things you end up seeing that really deserve a compliment. Use those words to lift up the people around you.

Anyone can give money for a cause and that is important. I am a student and don't have a lot of extra money to give, so I give my time. During the summers, I work at the school to prepare music for upcoming year. This is a huge job that my band directors alone couldn't do. I started doing this when I was in middle school, tagging along with my older sister to help. It was great to get the music organized and printed up for marching band camp. Marching season is stressful and high paced and every little bit of preparation makes a huge difference. The band and orchestra program is important to me, so I volunteer to represent them at community and school events. Going to the elementary schools and talking to the young students about the instruments I play is fantastic. They light up seeing the opportunities available to them. Going to nursing homes to play, seeing the pleasure on the older faces is wonderful. Sharing the joy of music and getting people excited about the program is amazing. This is why I love to give back to my community.

I believe strongly in self care. If wearing a favorite pair of mismatched socks brightens your day, wear them. If drinking out of a Christmas mug in the summer brings you joy, drink it. If using fancy china on a regular Sunday dinner makes you smile wide, use it. Go ahead and decorate for the holidays, go ahead and wear that fancy dress, go ahead and put on your favorite sweatshirt, it'll lighten your mood. It's those simple pleasures in life that make if worth it. Life has been so stressful over the last few years, even before the pandemic, that taking a minute to stop and take care of yourself is vital. Being a high school student is full of stress to begin with, but now it seems even worse than before. Students are breaking under the pressures. I believe strongly in kindness. So go out there and compliment a stranger in the halls, follow up with a friend on how they are doing, tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. These are also simple pleasures that are an often overlooked side of self care. The act of being kind to someone comes back to you. You end up feeling great by making someone else happy. It's your time to make a change in the world around you by being kind to you and others.

I have been a member of the Bedford Band since middle school. I started my leadership with the Bedford Band and Orchestra as librarian my freshman year in high school. I participated in leadership training during my sophomore through senior years, when I became a section leader. My band and orchestra classmates look up to me to show them how to behave. As leaders, we show the underclassman how to respect each other. We show them how to treat parents and teachers. Because of the leadership program in the band and orchestra, we are among the top students of the school. Our school has been in the news lately because there has been an outbreak of violence. There was a huge fight and gun threats. They shut the school down for a month because of the bad behavior of a large number of students. I was chosen to become a student ambassador to help show others how you should act in and out of school. As a student ambassador, I am able to influence more students than just band and orchestra. We are in a unique position to change the attitude of the student body. I want to learn. I want to attend school in person. I want to go to college. I want to become a doctor. I want to end violence in my school. It has been a hard time during this pandemic. Many of us students are under emotional stress. We are working to incorporate Social Emotional Learning into the new plan to open up the school. Working with other student ambassadors, I hope to make an impact with this new approach. Being a leader in the school has helped me to be a better person. I am helping to end the violence in the school. I am helping show other how to be better humans.

I want to be a doctor. I have wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember. To reach this goal, I am saving money and applying for scholarships and aid. I plan to apply for work study and work while I am in school. I am working a part time job now and setting aside money for school. I am fortunate to have learned how to save money and how to budget what I earn. I don't need the latest iPhone or iPad for college. I saved up and bought myself an iPhone a couple years ago and will last me several more years. My iPad is a few years old and it will work just fine for a few more. I don't need brand new things for my dorm. I am happy with going to the thrift store and finding items that can be upcycled. I can go into Target and leave purchasing only the one item I intended to purchase. I have actually gone to Target and left without buying anything! That is a key way to avoid debt. Don't buy stuff you don't need. I will be applying for merit awards and scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition. My family is working hard with me to apply for as many scholarships and opportunities as possible. You can't wait until the end of your senior year and expect to just get a free ride. We have been working since sophomore year on our scholarship checklist (listing out all opportunities we come across and organizing and applying for them). This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. I have an older sister in college. She wants to be a doctor too. The process we went through to get her into college was a great roadmap. We were able to get most of her college paid with scholarships, grants, and merit awards. She only has to come up with around $10,000 a year for her tuition and expenses. She is working two jobs and is saving most of her paychecks to fill in that gap. My mom sends her scholarship opportunities weekly during our Saturday night scholarship searching. Once you start college, you need to continue to look for opportunities. Becoming a doctor is going to be a long commitment, in most cases 8+ years (depending on your residency). I can't expect monetary help from my parents. I know I am going to have some lean times, but this is worth it. I want this. My family wants this for me.