Through my participation in Harvard MEDscience, I was immersed in simulated medical emergencies where I collaborated with Harvard Medical staff as well as my own peers to problem solve and analyze evidence to treat patients. Through hands-on learning we explored the organization of the human body of cells, tissues, and organs. The program provided exposure to different career paths and settings from STEM professionals like maternity nurses, physician assistants and psychiatrists, which really impacted my interest in healthcare. This program increased my curiosity about the clinical nature of healthcare. I plan to pursue Nursing in college am intrigued by pediatrics and want to advocate for and investigate health inequities and barriers that exist for marginalized populations. My own outreach is rooted in healthcare and in supporting community-based organizations in need. As a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs kids, I have been able to take the lead in gathering friends to help these organizations. Volunteering has opened me to my social responsibility and has added to my life purpose. Helping others around me makes me appreciate the small things in life. As a fundraising partner for Room to Grow, a non-profit that helps babies born into poverty, I gathered essential items for families living hand to mouth. This was a great community builder, I met so many people with aligned values and their generosity was overwhelming. I recognize community is better when we are all involved, and the bond that is created when we all work together can only manifest positive results. I will always look for way to contribute.

Looking back to freshman year, I did not know how to advocate for myself. I struggled and would have tears in my eyes while doing my homework and could not focus; processing information and managing my time was difficult. When I discovered cheer, I found an anchor and a role model in my coach, Maria - a community builder who instilled commitment, discipline, and activism in me. I learned the importance of self-advocacy which flowed over to all areas of my life and most importantly, I discovered my voice and found my center. Academically, I transformed from someone terrified to speak up to an effective communicator, asking questions and actively participating. I’ve learned how vital preparation is and set schedules for myself and organize my workload. What was such a struggle in my earlier years is now natural for me; my confidence has soared. I have emerged into a curious student who loves to learn. I value the importance of being engaged and recognize that a community is better when we are all involved. I have evolved into someone who takes action and contributes, for myself and others. In my roles as a hospital volunteer, coach for special needs children and my fundraising efforts for communities in need I advocate for the well being of others. I have remained steadfast and have been empowered by a community that has given so many opportunities to me; and I will never stop looking for ways to give back and contribute.

Looking back to freshman year, I did not know how to advocate for myself. I struggled and would have tears in my eyes while doing my homework and could not focus; processing information and managing my time was difficult. When I discovered cheer, I found an anchor and a role model in my coach, Maria - a community builder who instilled commitment, discipline, and activism in me. I learned the importance of self-advocacy which flowed over to all areas of my life and most importantly, I discovered my voice and found my center. Academically, I transformed from someone terrified to speak up to an effective communicator, asking questions and actively participating. I’ve learned how vital preparation is and set schedules for myself and organize my workload. What was such a struggle in my earlier years is now natural for me; my confidence has soared. I have emerged into a curious student who loves to learn. I value the importance of being engaged and recognize that a community is better when we are all involved. I have evolved into someone who takes action and contributes, for myself and others. In my roles as a hospital volunteer, coach for special needs children and my fundraising efforts for communities in need I advocate for the well being of others. I have remained steadfast and have been empowered by a community that has given so many opportunities to me; and I will never stop looking for ways to give back and contribute.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi Volunteering has opened me to my social responsibility and has added to my life purpose. Helping others around me makes me appreciate the small things in life. The activities I have explored have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need. In my roles as a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs children, I took the lead with volunteer recruitment. As a fundraising partner for Room to Grow, a non-profit that helps babies born into poverty, I gathered essential items for families living hand to mouth. This was a great community builder, I met so many people with aligned values and their generosity was overwhelming. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. I have been able to share my enthusiasm and lead friends to volunteer with me to help these organizations. In doing so we all meet new people, grow and share ideas through our activism. I recognize community is better when we are all involved, and the bond that is created when we all work together can only manifest positive results. Encouraging others to volunteer creates an opportunity for self growth and empathy and exposes us to the struggles that impact communities. Our society would be less divided if we could understand and take part in witnessing the obstacles that others face. Volunteering contributes to assisting marginalized populations and exposes us to the disparities that exist, creating a ripple effect for change. Our world could certainly benefit from compassion and unity today. The rewarding feeling of helping my community brings me so much joy and I will never stop looking for ways to give back.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi Volunteering has opened me to my social responsibility and has added to my life purpose. Helping others around me makes me appreciate the small things in life. The activities that I have explored have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need. In my roles as a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs children, I took the lead with volunteer recruitment. As a fundraising partner for Room to Grow, a non-profit that helps babies born into poverty, I gathered essential items for families living hand to mouth. This was a great community builder, I met so many people with aligned values and their generosity was overwhelming. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. I have been able to share my enthusiasm and lead friends to volunteer with me to help these organizations. In doing so we all meet new people, grow and share ideas through our activism. I recognize community is better when we are all involved, and the bond that is created when we all work together can only manifest positive results. Mandating that volunteering be a requirement to graduate high school would help students be more connected to real life issues. Challenging others to volunteer creates an opportunity for self growth and empathy and exposes us to the struggles that impact communities. Our society would be less divided if we could understand and take part in witnessing the obstacles that others face. Volunteering contributes to assisting marginalized populations and exposes us to the disparities that exist, creating a ripple effect for change. Our world could certainly benefit from compassion and unity today. The rewarding feeling of helping my community brings me so much joy and I will never stop looking for ways to give back.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi Volunteering has opened me to my social responsibility and has added to my life purpose. Helping others around me makes me appreciate the small things in life. The activities that I have explored have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need. In my roles as a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs children, I took the lead with volunteer recruitment. As a fundraising partner for Room to Grow, a non-profit that helps babies born into poverty, I gathered essential items for families living hand to mouth. This was a great community builder, I met so many people with aligned values and their generosity was overwhelming. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. I have been able to share my enthusiasm and lead friends to volunteer with me to help these organizations. In doing so we all meet new people, grow and share ideas through our activism. I recognize community is better when we are all involved, and the bond that is created when we all work together can only manifest positive results. Challenging others to volunteer creates an opportunity for self growth and empathy and exposes us to the struggles that impact communities. Our society would be less divided if we could understand and take part in witnessing the obstacles that others face. Volunteering contributes to assisting marginalized populations and exposes us to the disparities that exist, creating a ripple effect for change. Our world could certainly benefit from compassion and unity today. The rewarding feeling of helping my community brings me so much joy, I will never stop looking for ways to give back.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi Volunteering has opened me to my social responsibility and has added to my life purpose. Helping others around me makes me appreciate the small things in life. The activities that I have explored have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need. In my roles as a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs children, I took the lead with volunteer recruitment. As a fundraising partner for Room to Grow, a non-profit that helps babies born into poverty, I gathered essential items for families living hand to mouth. This was a great community builder, I met so many people with aligned values and their generosity was overwhelming. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. I have been able to share my enthusiasm and lead friends to volunteer with me to help these organizations. In doing so we all meet new people, grow and share ideas through our activism. I recognize community is better when we are all involved, the bond that is created when we all work together can only manifest positive results. Challenging others to volunteer creates an opportunity for self growth and empathy and exposes us to the struggles that impact communities. Our society would be less divided if we could understand and take part in witnessing the obstacles that others face. Volunteering contributes to assisting marginalized populations and exposes us to the disparities that exist, creating a ripple effect for change. Our world could certainly benefit from compassion and unity today. The rewarding feeling of helping my community brings me so much joy and I will never stop looking for ways to give back.

Through my participation in Harvard MEDscience, I was immersed in simulated medical emergencies where I collaborated with Harvard Medical staff as well as my own peers to problem solve and analyze evidence to treat patients. Through hands-on learning we explored the organization of the human body of cells, tissues, and organs. The program provided exposure to different career paths and settings from STEM professionals like maternity nurses, physician assistants and psychiatrists, which really impacted my interest in healthcare. This program increased my curiosity about the clinical nature of healthcare. I am intrigued by pediatrics and want to advocate for and investigate health inequities and barriers that exist for immigrant and marginalized populations. My own outreach is rooted in healthcare and in supporting community-based organizations in need. As a hospital volunteer and coach for special needs kids, I have been able to take the lead in gathering friends to help these organizations. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was a cause I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. After researching the program and calling, I had a wonderful conversation with the director and realized I could personally make an impact. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. I immediately began to set up spreadsheets for tracking data and put together campaigns to get the word out to my community and network of family and friends. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. Driving to collect items in nearby towns, sorting donations for quality control, and tracking and following commitments through emails and texts gave me such a feeling of purpose and satisfaction. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I had collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. Thrilled to report to the organization, I coordinated to meet the director at the warehouse for drop-off. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I led a toy drive this past winter and am currently leading a book drive gathering Spanish and Haitian Creole children's books. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself, I have learned the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else. Giving back is very important to me, I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way. I look forward to exploring these issues through my academic focus in healthcare and to continue my commitment to service, forever learning and growing. I will never stop looking for ways to contribute.

“Your power is in the present moment.” This message was written by my great grandmother on the inside cover of the small book, The Precious Present, which came with a tiny present-shaped box made of clear crystal. It was given to my mother and passed down to me at a young age. This family heirloom represents not only the special gift from my great-grandmother, it also reminds me of the other meaning of “present”: to stay in the moment and listen to my gut. I interpret living in the present as being clear-minded and taking the lead in order to accomplish my goals. I have kept this little box on my nightstand, reminding me of the importance of living in the now, not only to strengthen myself but to empower others. The female role models in my life have contributed to my understanding of the importance of community and human connection, helping me realize that there is no time like the present to help those around me. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was one of those precious moments I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. I immediately began to set up spreadsheets for tracking data and put together campaigns to get the word out to my community and network of family and friends. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. Driving to collect items in nearby towns, sorting donations for quality control, and tracking and following commitments through emails and texts gave me such a feeling of purpose and satisfaction. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I am currently leading a book drive and spearheaded a toy drive this past winter. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself in school highlighted the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. I have succeeded academically through hard work, participation, and asking questions. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else, and I am grateful for this knowledge. As a hospital volunteer and cheer coach for special needs children, I naturally gravitate towards caring for people and strive to create inclusive environments. Compassion and empathy are my strongest characteristics and are traits I admire in others. Giving back is very important to me, and my foremothers handed down this lesson; as is written in that small book given to me by my mother, there is no time but the “present moment.” I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way.

“Your power is in the present moment.” This message was written by my great grandmother on the inside cover of the small book, The Precious Present, which came with a tiny present-shaped box made of clear crystal. It was given to my mother and passed down to me at a young age. This family heirloom represents not only the special gift from my great-grandmother, it also reminds me of the other meaning of “present”: to stay in the moment and listen to my gut. I interpret living in the present as being clear-minded and taking the lead in order to accomplish my goals. I have kept this little box on my nightstand, reminding me of the importance of living in the now, not only to strengthen myself but to empower others. The female role models in my life have contributed to my understanding of the importance of community and human connection, helping me realize that there is no time like the present to help those around me. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was one of those precious moments I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. I realized I could personally make an impact. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I had collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I am currently leading a book drive. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself highlighted the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. Throughout my life I have always been a person that strives to help others. The activities that I have explored and participated in have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need, reinforcing that nursing is the right path for me. I love children and am fascinated by pediatrics, I want to advocate for and learn about healthcare disparities that exist for marginalized populations. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else, and I am grateful for this knowledge. In addition to volunteering at my local hospital, I am also a cheer coach for special needs children and mentor underclassmen on my high school cheer team. I naturally gravitate towards caring for people and strive to create inclusive environments. Giving back is very important to me, and my foremothers handed down this lesson; there is no time but the present moment. I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way.

The female role models in my life have contributed to my understanding of the importance of community and human connection, helping me realize that there is no time like the present to help those around me. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. Throughout my life I have always been a person that strives to help others. The activities that I have explored and participated in have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need, reinforcing that nursing is the right path for me. I love children and am fascinated by pediatrics, I want to advocate and learn more about disparities in healthcare for marginalized populations. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was an organization that I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. After researching the program and calling, I had a wonderful conversation with the director and realized I could personally make an impact. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. I immediately began to set up spreadsheets for tracking data and put together campaigns to get the word out to my community and network of family and friends. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. Driving to collect items in nearby towns, sorting donations for quality control, and tracking and following commitments through emails and texts gave me such a feeling of purpose and satisfaction. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I had collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. Thrilled to report to the organization, I coordinated to meet the director at the warehouse for drop-off. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I led a toy drive this fall and am currently spearheading a book drive collecting Spanish and Haitian Creole children books. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself highlighted the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else, and I am grateful for this knowledge. In addition to volunteering at my local hospital, I am also a cheer coach for special needs children and mentor underclassmen on my high school cheer team. As a confidante and “big sister,” I naturally gravitate towards caring for people and strive to create inclusive environments. Giving back is very important to me, and my foremothers handed down this lesson; there is no time but the present moment. I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way

“Your power is in the present moment.” This message was written by my great grandmother on the inside cover of the small book, The Precious Present, which came with a tiny present-shaped box made of clear crystal. It was given to my mother and passed down to me at a young age. This family heirloom represents not only the special gift from my great-grandmother, it also reminds me of the other meaning of “present”: to stay in the moment and listen to my gut. I interpret living in the present as being clear-minded and taking the lead in order to accomplish my goals. I have kept this little box on my nightstand, reminding me of the importance of living in the now, not only to strengthen myself but to empower others. The female role models in my life have contributed to my understanding of the importance of community and human connection, helping me realize that there is no time like the present to help those around me. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was one of those precious moments I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. After researching the program and calling, I had a wonderful conversation with the director and realized I could personally make an impact. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. I immediately began to set up spreadsheets for tracking data and put together campaigns to get the word out to my community and network of family and friends. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. Driving to collect items in nearby towns, sorting donations for quality control, and tracking and following commitments through emails and texts gave me such a feeling of purpose and satisfaction. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I am currently leading a book drive for and spearheaded a toy drive this winter. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself highlighted the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else, and I am grateful for this knowledge. As a hospital volunteer and cheer coach for special needs children, I naturally gravitate towards caring for people and strive to create inclusive environments. Compassion and empathy are my strongest characteristics and are traits I admire in others. Giving back is very important to me, and my foremothers handed down this lesson; as is written in that small book given to me by my mother, there is no time but the “present moment.” I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way.

The female role models in my life have contributed to my understanding of the importance of community and human connection, helping me realize that there is no time like the present to help those around me. Compassion and empathy are a part of my natural disposition and are traits that I admire in others. Throughout my life I have always been a person that strives to help others. The activities that I have explored and participated in have been rooted in healthcare settings and in supporting community-based organizations in need, reinforcing that caring professions are the right path for me. When I discovered Room to Grow, a non-profit organization that provides crucial support to families of babies born into poverty, I knew this was one of those precious moments I wanted to take part in. When the volunteer program at my local hospital closed due to COVID-19 I decided to explore organizations that may need help in other ways. I remembered hearing about this group through family friends, and I was immediately drawn to the mission. After researching the program and calling, I had a wonderful conversation with the director and realized I could personally make an impact. During a time of so many unknowns, my enthusiasm was re-charged as my excitement grew to organize a drive to help these families. I immediately began to set up spreadsheets for tracking data and put together campaigns to get the word out to my community and network of family and friends. After a few days of marketing on social media, sharing Amazon wish lists, and using word-of-mouth, I found my front porch suddenly stacked high with clothes, bassinets, and car seats. Driving to collect items in nearby towns, sorting donations for quality control, and tracking and following commitments through emails and texts gave me such a feeling of purpose and satisfaction. The day I checked my data and cross-referenced it with the donation website, I was ecstatic to discover that I had collected over $4,000 worth of baby supplies. Thrilled to report to the organization, I coordinated to meet the director at the warehouse for drop-off. This experience made me realize the empowerment that comes from uniting with others to support a larger cause and the ripple effect it can have in improving the lives of those living hand to mouth. Because of the partnership I was able to build, I led a toy drive this fall and am currently spearheading a book drive collecting Spanish and Haitian Creole children books. Having been raised by a strong female role model who taught me to advocate for myself highlighted the power of my voice as a tool for advocating for others. Acts that may seem small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else, and I am grateful for this knowledge. In addition to volunteering at my local hospital, I am also a cheer coach for special needs children and mentor underclassmen on my high school cheer team. As a confidante and “big sister,” I naturally gravitate towards caring for people and strive to create inclusive environments. Giving back is very important to me, and my foremothers handed down this lesson; there is no time but the present moment. I often imagine how powerful our society would be if everyone lived this way.