Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt: constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. This was also when I started my first practice for Girls Varsity Soccer in April 2021. I didn’t know anyone at my new school and had never been inside, so when they allowed outdoor sports to start that spring, it was a lifeline for me. After being cooped up for seven hours of online learning, we were each other’s only outlet for socialization. We met and played on turf fields in public parks throughout Queens, and slowly, we built stamina, developed friendships and learned to be a team. I was also researching on my own and learning about the brain in my AP Psychology course. The neurological understanding of what was really happening to me helped clear the fog I had been in. I incorporated healthy coping mechanisms, like being active outside, into my everyday life. I started to understand how important it was to lean into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant sports and volunteering. On the field, my team built skills and endurance, and off the field, we supported each other through some of the toughest times of our young lives. We were able to connect passes on the field because we were so connected off of it. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long school day, I felt exhilarated because that meant it was time for practice. I see now how clearly my mental health was linked to physical health. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that helped me. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Psychology and sports saved me; I want to use it to save others. This scholarship will help me attend Northeastern University next year, which is celebrated for its co-op program. I hope to do a co-op at a professional women’s sports team such as PWHL Boston or NWSL Boston. An athlete’s mental condition is as much a contributing factor in her success as her physical condition. The disparity between male and female brains has been overlooked in psychology, and as mental health issues become more prominent in sports and in life, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women and women athletes.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt: constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. This was also when I started my first practice for Girls Varsity Soccer in April 2021. I didn’t know anyone at my new school and had never been inside, so when they allowed outdoor sports to start that spring, it was a lifeline for me. After being cooped up for seven hours of online learning, we were each other’s only outlet for socialization. We met and played on turf fields in public parks throughout Queens, and slowly, we built stamina, developed friendships and learned to be a team. I was also researching on my own and learning about the brain in my AP Psychology course. The neurological understanding of what was really happening to me helped clear the fog I had been in. I incorporated healthy coping mechanisms, like being active outside, into my everyday life. I started to understand how important it was to lean into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant sports and volunteering. On the field, my team built skills and endurance, and off the field, we supported each other through some of the toughest times of our young lives. We were able to connect passes on the field because we were so connected off of it. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long school day, I felt exhilarated because that meant it was time for practice. I see now how clearly my mental health was linked to physical health. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that helped me. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Psychology and sports saved me; I want to use it to save others. This scholarship will help me attend Northeastern University next year, which is celebrated for its co-op program. I hope to do a co-op at a professional women’s sports team such as PWHL Boston or NWSL Boston. An athlete’s mental condition is as much a contributing factor in her success as her physical condition. The disparity between male and female brains has been overlooked in psychology, and as mental health issues become more prominent in sports and in life, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women and women athletes.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. A skill that’s almost a sixth sense, I can read someone like a book. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. My thoughts would spiral, my feelings would physically overtake me and drag me down. If I was truly so good at understanding emotions, understanding people, why couldn’t I understand myself? This notion drove me crazy. Not only was I suffering, but even worse I didn’t know why I was suffering. I didn’t know how to help myself the way I felt I could help others. The loss of control drove me to take agency. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt, constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. Slowly, the tangled mess that was my brain started to unravel. This was the first step in my journey to save myself. I played doctor in a desperate need to lift the weight of my world, my crippling emotions, off of my shoulders. The base-level strategies I learned for coping with grief, the healthy coping mechanisms I started incorporating into my everyday life, and the neurological understanding of what was really happening to me cleared the fog I had been in for so long. I jumped on the opportunity to take AP Psychology that following year. Our mental health unit helped deepen my understanding of everything I had taught myself prior. I came to understand what I needed to do, and that was that I needed to ask for help. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support. With evidence-based treatment, I’ve sparred against the negative thoughts that drove me into the same hole for months. I’ve fought the forces holding me to my bed every morning. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. I am forever grateful for the professionals that provided me with mentorship. But who I’m most grateful to is myself. Studying psychology is really what allowed me to find the path I needed to set foot on. Psychology saved me; I want to use it to save others.

Excerpt from Walden by Henry David Thoreau Chapter II: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails. Let us rise early and fast, or breakfast, gently and without perturbation; let company come and let company go, let the bells ring and the children cry — determined to make a day of it. Why should we knock under and go with the stream? Let us not be upset and overwhelmed in that terrible rapid and whirlpool called a dinner, situated in the meridian shallows. Weather this danger and you are safe, for the rest of the way is downhill. With unrelaxed nerves, with morning vigor, sail by it, looking another way, tied to the mast like Ulysses. If the engine whistles, let it whistle till it is hoarse for its pains. If the bell rings, why should we run? We will consider what kind of music they are like. Let us settle ourselves and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion which covers the globe, through Paris and London, through New York and Boston and Concord, through Church and State, through poetry and philosophy and religion, till we come to a hard bottom and rocks in place, which we can call reality, and say, This is, and no mistake; and then begin, having a point d’appui, below freshet and frost and fire, a place where you might found a wall or a state, or set a lamppost safely, or perhaps a gauge, not a Nilometer, but a Realometer, that future ages might know how deep a freshet of shams and appearances had gathered from time to time. If you stand right fronting and face to face to a fact, you will see the sun glimmer on both its surfaces, as if it were a cimeter, and feel its sweet edge dividing you through the heart and marrow, and so you will happily conclude your mortal career. Be it life or death, we crave only reality. If we are really dying, let us hear the rattle in our throats and feel cold in the extremities; if we are alive, let us go about our business. Time is but the stream I go afishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars. I cannot count one. I know not the first let- ter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best fac- ulties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I think that the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining-rod and thin rising vapors, I judge; and here I will begin to mine. Analysis In the excerpt from Walden by Henry D. Thoreau, the author contemplates and evaluates the perspective of humans as well as himself, and their outlook on reality. He compares human experience in our world and how we should live our lives to things found in nature, in order to conclude the meaning of life. Thoreau uses metaphors to express the central idea that living in simplicity makes it easier for someone to experience the pleasures of life. One instance where the author uses metaphors to argue the idea that humans will experience the joys of life by simply existing in nature is when he says, “Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails.” In this quote, Thoreau is explaining how minute disturbances may fall on the track we are taking in life, and uses very tiny items in nature that would usually not distract or disturb our path. If we were physically walking on a track and came across a nutshell, being in nature, we would just accept it as a part of nature and move forward. By comparing difficulties we allow to affect our everyday life to these small items, Thoreau gives us an example of how to go about life and enjoy it as whole by not focusing on the disturbances that may come along the way. Additionally, Thoreau uses metaphors to support his central idea when he says, “Let us settle ourselves and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance…” In this quote, Thoreau compares opinions, prejudice, tradition and illusion, (all things that complicate human experience) and compares it to slush and mud, which is typically thick and hard to push through. Through this he argues that blockages that complicate human’s ability to blissfully enjoy their environment must be ignored and overcome. Through these metaphors found in nature, Thoreau highlights the importance of being connected and grounded to our reality. The author furthers these metaphors by mentioning his own experience and feelings with handling the complexities and obstacles life throws at you, also comparing his experience to features found in nature. For example, he says, “I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary.” In this quote, Thoreau says intellect is a cleaver, portraying it as something harsh, something that is a weapon and interrupts the found simplicity and therefore enjoyment in everyday life. Intellect alters his preferred level of wisdom, which is that of the day he was born. In other words, ignorance to him is bliss. Furthermore, he develops this idea through a metaphor comparing himself and his wisdom to the action of an animal burrowing their way into a mountain. He says, “My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snouts and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.” In this quotation, Thoreau presents his epiphany that his wisdom, while a burden, is the most important part of himself. Therefore the way animals in nature burrow their way into their habitats, Thoreau uses his wisdom and his natural instinct in order to understand nature. This gives the reader perspective into Thoerau’s own endeavors with experiencing the bliss of living in nature through wisdom while at the same time living simplistically. Finally, the overall idea that Thoreau argues throughout the passage is that living simplistically is the key for humans to experience the true pleasures in life. He highlights the impact of nature on the human experience, and uses metaphors to do so.

They say eyes are the windows to the soul. But I believe it’s the ears. “What are you listening to?” is my go-to conversation starter. I usually follow up with, “Do you have any recommendations?” These simple questions have turned into friendships. They’ve helped me discover some of the deepest parts of myself. Every inch of my room is covered with music posters. My stack of vinyls dominates a corner. My guitars take a prime spot. I see music as a mentor for guidance, and as a friend to enjoy its company. When I’m seeking support, it’s who I go to first. When I finally got to attend high school in person my sophomore year, I found the students to be detached from the world around them. Most people seemed to be tuning everything out. Lost in their headphones, I yearned for a way to connect with them. I searched out for a club that offered the chance to listen, share and learn about disparate music genres, but no such place existed. So I decided to make one. The club application process at my school is run by the student government and it’s rigorous. To apply for a new club, I had to recruit an advisor, get 200 signatures, and create 10 weeks of agendas. After weeks of waiting, my idea was rejected. Distraught, I turned to “Obvilion” by Mastadon. I emailed the student government to appeal the decision. I tried to arrange meetings to advocate for my club’s approval. My frustration rose every time I received no response. But I can be as tenacious as the drumbeat in AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells.” I started speaking to students who for years had similar rejections. I learned that my school had significantly fewer clubs than other peer New York City schools, and approved very few each year. I wrote an article in our newspaper pressing the school to be more transparent when accepting new clubs. It was a rare critique of the student government and the administration, and I was terrified there would be pushback. To my surprise, the morning my article was published, students were thanking me in the hallways, a teacher read the article to his classes and someone running to be in student government using the points I raised in their election platform. By the end of the week, my club was approved. As president of Sound Room, which is the name of my school’s first ever music club, I often lead discussions about how music impacts our student body and how critical it is to our mental health. Recently, I led a discussion about Heavy Metal and censorship. Decades ago, Metalheads came together to advocate for free speech. As a group they were controversial and unapologetically loud about what they believe in. That’s how I am; maybe that’s what Sound Room can be. After our meeting, members filed out and put on their headphones. They were people I had passed frequently, but now I felt that we knew each other a little better. I didn’t have to ask the fateful question, “What are you listening to?” because I knew the answer. I smiled at the thought, and put on my headphones to listen to “Heretic Anthem” by Slipknot as I walked out the door. This fall, I will attend Northeastern University as a psychology major. The last time I visited the school, I saw an ongoing research study analyzing how music impacts the brain. I’m hoping to get involved in that interdisciplinary study and I know that what I’ve learned as founder and president of Sound Room will give me insight. I estimate I will need $30,000 a year in private loans to fund my education. I have a part-time job now and plan to continue working while in school to help with my living expenses. It’ll be hard but I can do it. I work as hard as Metallica’s guitar riff in “Fight Fire with Fire.”

Analyzing people is second nature for me. A skill that’s almost a sixth sense, I can read someone like a book. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. My thoughts would spiral, my feelings would physically overtake me and drag me down. If I was truly so good at understanding emotions, understanding people, why couldn’t I understand myself? This notion drove me crazy. Not only was I suffering, but even worse I didn’t know why I was suffering. I didn’t know how to help myself the way I felt I could help others. The loss of control drove me to take agency. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt, constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. Slowly, the tangled mess that was my brain started to unravel. This was the first step in my journey to save myself. I played doctor in a desperate need to lift the weight of my world, my crippling emotions, off of my shoulders. The base-level strategies I learned for coping with grief, the healthy coping mechanisms I started incorporating into my everyday life, and the neurological understanding of what was really happening to me cleared the fog I had been in for so long. I jumped on the opportunity to take AP Psychology that following year. Our mental health unit helped deepen my understanding of everything I had taught myself prior. I came to understand what I needed to do, and that was that I needed to ask for help. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support. With evidence-based treatment, I’ve sparred against the negative thoughts that drove me into the same hole for months. I’ve fought the forces holding me to my bed every morning. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Now, I’m ready to move beyond internet research and what I learned in my AP class. Northeastern University’s robust psychology department has the depth and breadth of what I want to study, whether it’s research or getting involved in clinical work. The department’s cross-cutting research themes—such as how gender stereotypes impact mental health; and the way emotion, attention, and regulatory processes work together—are exciting because of their ability to make a difference in people’s lives outside of a strictly educational or research setting. I want to be at the intersection of that cutting edge brain and behavior research, and use that to help people find lives worth living. I am forever grateful for the professionals that provided me with mentorship so far. But I’m looking for new mentors now. Studying psychology is really what allowed me to find the path I needed to set foot on. Psychology saved me; I want to use it to save others.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. The loss of control drove me to take agency. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt, constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. The base-level strategies I learned for coping with grief, the healthy coping mechanisms I started incorporating into my everyday life, and the neurological understanding of what was really happening to me cleared the fog I had been in for so long. I jumped on the opportunity to take AP Psychology that following year. Our mental health unit helped deepen my understanding of everything I had taught myself prior. Completely immersing myself in my studies for that class awoke a newfound passion to continue learning about the intricacies of the human mind and the importance of leaning into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant music, volunteering and sports. It’s one of the reasons I’ve spent much of my time in high school volunteering at places like the food bank and the children’s library. Helping other people has given me balance and put some of my stress in perspective. Music has also been a powerful coping tool for me, which is why I created and am president of a new music club at my high school. The club brings people together and shares the power of music in an inclusive way. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that provided me with mentorship. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Studying psychology is what allowed me to find the path I needed to set foot on. Psychology saved me; I want to use it to save others. Next year I am attending Northeastern University, which is celebrated for its co-op program. I am excited to take advantage of that experience and work for places like North Suffolk Mental Health Association, which offer positions to undergraduate students to study psychology and join research teams. By continuing to work with research teams and conducting my own research when I attend graduate school—and perhaps earn a doctorate degree—I aim to reshape how we view the human psyche from a gendered perspective. The disparity between male and female brains has been overlooked in psychology, and as mental health issues become more prominent, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women. Ultimately, I aim to open my own research institution geared towards aiding women’s mental health.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt: constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. This was also when I started my first practice for Girls Varsity Soccer in April 2021. I didn’t know anyone at my new school and had never been inside, so when they allowed outdoor sports to start that spring, it was a lifeline for me. After being cooped up for seven hours of online learning, we were each other’s only outlet for socialization. We met and played on turf fields in public parks throughout Queens, and slowly, we built stamina, developed friendships and learned to be a team. I was also researching on my own and learning about the brain in my AP Psychology course. The neurological understanding of what was really happening to me helped clear the fog I had been in. I incorporated healthy coping mechanisms, like being active outside, into my everyday life. I started to understand how important it was to lean into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant sports and volunteering. On the field, my team built skills and endurance, and off the field, we supported each other through some of the toughest times of our young lives. We were able to connect passes on the field because we were so connected off of it. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long school day, I felt exhilarated because that meant it was time for practice. I see now how clearly my mental health was linked to physical health. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that helped me. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Psychology and sports saved me; I want to use it to save others. This scholarship will help me attend Northeastern University next year, which is celebrated for its co-op program. I hope to do a co-op at a professional women’s sports team such as PWHL Boston or NWSL Boston. An athlete’s mental condition is as much a contributing factor in her success as her physical condition. The disparity between male and female brains has been overlooked in psychology, and as mental health issues become more prominent in sports and in life, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women and women athletes.

As a child, my parents made sure I frequented our local library. Librarians or other volunteers would often read to me when I asked, helped me find books that would most interest me, or put together activities to keep kids like me engaged. I grew out of the kids section of that library, but never grew out reading. Now that I’m older, I volunteer as a Children’s Library Aid at the same library that developed my love for books. I shelve books, organize the library, and plan and execute children’s activities such as environmental and community-based projects. When I see kids roaming the aisles, I help guide them to whatever section they feel the most drawn. I sit and read with them when they ask, and I always jump on the chance to help set up arts and crafts or other organized activities that would encourage them to come back tomorrow. I feel a sense of responsibility towards that library for helping me discover one of my most treasured hobbies. Libraries are typically underfunded, and I want to help ensure in whatever way I can that places like it continue to be a staple in communities. Another way I support my community is by contributing to the election process. This year I did voter advocacy for NYC Votes. I reached out to registered and potential voters to promote upcoming elections and offer information about when and how to vote. A year before that, I was a phone bank volunteer for a New York City Council candidate leading up to the November 2021 election. I cold-called registered voters in the district to discuss issues, educate about the candidate, and listen to community concerns. Earlier in high school, I volunteered at Masbia Food Pantry where I packaged and distributed groceries to food pantry clients during a period of unprecedented demand. I used their computer system to check-in appointment slots, managed the extensive client waiting line, cleaned inside and outside, and communicated with clients who spoke dozens of languages. I did this two hours each week for about 10 months in the rain, heat and snow. Additionally, I was among the top fundraisers at my school for an organization called Love Michael, which supports adults with autism. I have also picked up garbage at community clean-ups along the beach shoreline with Coastal Preservation Network and on an abandoned rail line with Friends of the Queensway. At my church, Our Lady of Mercy, I have volunteered at its food pantry and entertained children during church services.

As a child, my parents made sure I frequented our local library. Librarians or other volunteers would often read to me when I asked, helped me find books that would most interest me, or put together activities to keep kids like me engaged. I grew out of the kids section of that library, but never grew out reading. Now that I’m older, I volunteer as a Children’s Library Aid at the same library that developed my love for books. I shelve books, organize the library, and plan and execute children’s activities such as environmental and community-based projects. When I see kids roaming the aisles, I help guide them to whatever section they feel the most drawn. I sit and read with them when they ask, and I always jump on the chance to help set up arts and crafts or other organized activities that would encourage them to come back tomorrow. I feel a sense of responsibility towards that library for helping me discover one of my most treasured hobbies. Libraries are typically underfunded, and I want to help ensure in whatever way I can that places like it continue to be a staple in communities. Another way I support my community is by contributing to the election process. This year I did voter advocacy for NYC Votes. I reached out to registered and potential voters to promote upcoming elections and offer information about when and how to vote. A year before that, I was a phone bank volunteer for a New York City Council candidate leading up to the November 2021 election. I cold-called registered voters in the district to discuss issues, educate about the candidate, and listen to community concerns. Earlier in high school, I volunteered at Masbia Food Pantry where I packaged and distributed groceries to food pantry clients during a period of unprecedented demand. I used their computer system to check-in appointment slots, managed the extensive client waiting line, cleaned inside and outside, and communicated with clients who spoke dozens of languages. I did this two hours each week for about 10 months in the rain, heat and snow. Additionally, I was among the top fundraisers at my school for an organization called Love Michael, which supports adults with autism. I have also picked up garbage at community clean-ups along the beach shoreline with Coastal Preservation Network and on an abandoned rail line with Friends of the Queensway. At my church, Our Lady of Mercy, I have volunteered at its food pantry and entertained children during church services.

Persistence is what most defines me. I believe that if you never give up and always advocate for what you’re working towards, you will achieve your goals. I believe that if you never give up and always advocate for what you’re working towards, you will achieve your goals. When I finally got to attend in-person high school my sophomore year, I sought out extracurriculars that aligned with my interests. However, I found that my greatest interest, music, was not represented. I took the initiative to bring my dream club to fruition and start one myself. However, the competitive and rigorous process of applying for a new club at my school forced me to face rejection after rejection. I did not give up. For months I advocated for the approval of my club to provide a space to students who shared my interest, in order to foster our shared passion for music. I met with the student union, the principal, and even wrote an article in the school newspaper exposing the opaque club approval process. My tenacious personality rewarded me in the end, and my proposal was eventually passed. The result of my persistence continues to motivate me and inspire the power of my voice. My new club (I named it Sound Room) acts as a reminder that when you care about something enough and work for it, you can make it possible. Giving back, and fostering my own citizenship, is a value that defines me in my community. As a child, my parents made sure I frequented our local library. Librarians or other volunteers would often read to me when I asked, helped me find books that would most interest me, or put together activities to keep kids like me engaged. I grew out of the kids section of that library, but never grew out reading. Now that I’m older, I volunteer at the same library that developed my love for books. When I see kids roaming the aisles, I help guide them to whatever section they feel the most drawn. I sit and read with them when they ask, and I always jump on the chance to help set up arts and crafts or other organized activities that would encourage them to come back tomorrow. I feel a sense of responsibility towards that library for helping me discover one of my most treasured hobbies. Libraries are typically underfunded, and I want to help ensure in whatever way I can that places like it continue to be a staple in communities. By volunteering, I see the importance of working for something greater than myself.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt: constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. This was also when I started my first practice for Girls Varsity Soccer in April 2021. I didn’t know anyone at my new school and had never been inside, so when they allowed outdoor sports to start that spring, it was a lifeline for me. After being cooped up for seven hours of online learning, we were each other’s only outlet for socialization. We met and played on turf fields in public parks throughout Queens, and slowly, we built stamina, developed friendships and learned to be a team. On the field, my team built skills and endurance, and off the field, we supported each other through some of the toughest times of our young lives. We were able to connect passes on the field because we were so connected off of it. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long school day, I felt exhilarated because that meant it was time for practice. I was also researching on my own and learning about the brain in my AP Psychology course. The neurological understanding of what was really happening to me helped clear the fog I had been in. I incorporated healthy coping mechanisms, like being active outside, into my everyday life. I started to understand how important it was to lean into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant sports and volunteering. As a child, my parents made sure I frequented our local library. Librarians or other volunteers would often read to me when I asked, helped me find books that would most interest me, or put together activities to keep kids like me engaged. I grew out of the kids section of that library, but never grew out reading. Now that I’m older, I volunteer as a Children’s Library Aid at the same library that developed my love for books. I shelve books, organize the library, and plan and execute children’s activities such as environmental and community-based projects. I feel a sense of responsibility towards that library for helping me discover one of my most treasured hobbies. Libraries are typically underfunded, and I want to help ensure in whatever way I can that places like it continue to be a staple in communities. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that helped me. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Psychology and sports saved me; I want to use it to save others. This scholarship will help me attend Northeastern University next year. I hope to do research on the disparity between male and female brains, which has been overlooked in psychology. As mental health issues become more prominent, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women.

Analyzing people is second nature for me. In that sense, human behavior, analyzing emotions, and understanding a person on a deeper level has not only been an interest of mine, but something that’s helped me connect with others. I humbly learned, however, that my area of expertise was limited only to others. When I started experiencing complex and intense emotions of my own, it was so much harder to pick apart what was in my own head. I started to research the physical symptoms I felt: constant drowsiness, loss of appetite, feeling like I was suffocating. This was also when I started my first practice for Girls Varsity Soccer in April 2021. I didn’t know anyone at my new school and had never been inside, so when they allowed outdoor sports to start that spring, it was a lifeline for me. After being cooped up for seven hours of online learning, we were each other’s only outlet for socialization. We met and played on turf fields in public parks throughout Queens, and slowly, we built stamina, developed friendships and learned to be a team. I was also researching on my own and learning about the brain in my AP Psychology course. The neurological understanding of what was really happening to me helped clear the fog I had been in. I incorporated healthy coping mechanisms, like being active outside, into my everyday life. I started to understand how important it was to lean into activities that helped me feel good. For me that has meant sports and volunteering. On the field, my team built skills and endurance, and off the field, we supported each other through some of the toughest times of our young lives. We were able to connect passes on the field because we were so connected off of it. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long school day, I felt exhilarated because that meant it was time for practice. I see now how clearly my mental health was linked to physical health. I’ve worked with my therapist ever since I gained the courage to ask for support, and I am forever grateful for the professionals that helped me. Although I didn’t win every battle, I’m proud to say I won the war. Psychology and sports saved me; I want to use it to save others. This scholarship will help me attend Northeastern University next year. There I hope to do research to study the disparity between male and female brains which has been overlooked in psychology. As mental health issues become more prominent, it is crucial to study that difference to more accurately accommodate the mental wellness of women.