My name is Gabriela Perez and I immigrated to the United States from Cuba together with my parents when I was two years old. We had no family here and no money, and my parents had to work their way up from nothing, working odd jobs and long hours. When I was around 6 years old, my mother developed cluster headaches. We believe it was a result of her work schedule which mainly featured night and double shifts and did not allow her to receive enough sleep at any point in the day. I watched my mom struggle and fight in this time in her life when she had to work incessantly to support her family and fight against a serious medical condition that made her want to die. As a small child in early elementary school, it hurt me immensely to see my mom in so much pain; I wanted to help her, to make her feel better, but I couldn't go to work for her and, no matter how much I prayed or hugged and kissed her, I could not make her headaches go away. All I could do was be one less headache for her by always trying to be on my best behavior and doing well in school. My mother suffered from a severe migraine that would not leave her for 3 years until she finally found the right neurologist that was able to treat her problem through an injection directly to the vagus nerve. That period in my life made it clear to me that I did not want my mom nor anyone else to deal with something like that again. By the end of elementary school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor, more specifically a neurologist so I could help people like my mom get better. In high school, I took a variety of AP science classes including AP Biology and AP Chemistry to prepare me for the path I want to take in the future. Now, I am beginning my higher education journey as a biological sciences student on a pre-medical track at Florida International University. After completing my bachelor’s and getting a high score on the MCAT, I will go into medical school. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate study years, I plan to shadow doctors and take leadership in conducting plenty of research related to my field. I am most interested in doing research related to the effects of getting different amounts of sleep on the nervous system. After medical school, I will complete an internship and a residency, taking a more intense and hands-on role in working with and learning from other medical professionals. After that, I will be a full-fledged neurologist and will start working in a hospital. I would like to work in Miami, because it would not only allow me to remain close to my family, but also, since Miami is a multicultural hub and I am multilingual, I would be able to serve a greater number and variety of people in my community. After a few years of working in a hospital setting, I will open my own medical clinic, where I will have to take a leadership role in managing my own office and clients. What most excites me about this is that, in my own practice, I will be able to ensure that all of my patients receive only the highest standard of medical attention available. Thus, in my medical career, I will be focused on working toward my goal of helping people in the best way I can.

In the summer that preceded my 9th-grade year, I participated in the Duke TIP summer studies program. As part of this program, I had to fly to Louisiana State University, where I resided in a dorm for three weeks. At 14, this was my first time ever being far away from my parents. I had a roommate and a residence counselor, but in a sense, it was my first time “living alone.” Nine hundred miles away from parental supervision, I had brand new freedom. However, freedom came with responsibility. That was something I realized very quickly. Before the end of the first week, I was exhausted in class from staying up unreasonably late. And I kept snoozing my alarm so I would also miss breakfast. My dorm room was a bit dirty too. My roommate and I named the growing clump of fallen brown hair “Geoffrey” (an odd kind of mascot). It became apparent, very quickly, that this was not a sustainable way of living. I came face-to-face with the fact that I was only 4 years away from becoming an adult and living on my own on a college campus long-term. Staring at Geoffrey, I had a coming-of-age moment. I decided to clean up my act. So that day, I gave myself a bedtime and stuck to it. The next morning, I still missed breakfast, but the next, next morning I did not. And that following afternoon, I went to CVS, bought a broom, and said goodbye to Geoffrey.

Although I am a Cuban-American in a predominantly Hispanic school, I found a community in a different cultural group. The first club I ever joined was Les Jeunes Amis du Français (JAF) in 6th grade. Like any small fish going into a big pond, I was nervous. However, this apprehension did not last long; I was welcomed with open arms by the friendliest people I had ever met. JAF helped me practice my French and increase my knowledge of the francophone community. But above all, I loved being part of a group of people who also appreciated different cultures and the intricacies of language. In 9th grade, I qualified for the French Honor Society (FHS). The meetings were at a different time, but the sense of family was the same. Eventually, I also made it on the FHS/JAF board as treasurer. I was super excited to contribute to the group that had helped make me comfortable branching out. Still, I felt the club needed more than just French art and movie days. For this reason, the board and I brought in a community impact component to the club by planning volunteering events and drives to give back while connecting it to French culture. For example, recently, we collected and packaged toys and other items to send to underprivileged children through our Operation Christmas Child drive. We also assign a different francophone country to each month, and at every meeting, we discuss some of the things that make each country’s culture distinct, celebrating their diversity.

Science, to me, is the closest thing to magic, and when you love what you are learning, the topics are spellbinding. In my AP Biology class, I was captivated by how a single replaced nucleotide in a DNA molecule can have a large-scale effect on a whole organism. In my AP Psychology class, I was fascinated learning about how chemical interactions between neurons can have an impact on behavior. In my Special Topics in Chemistry class, I was mesmerized by the labs we would do, making different compounds mix together and react, changing color, form, or shape. Because of this and my passion for helping others, I want to study biology on a neuroscience track as a pre-med student at my dream school, Washington University in St. Louis. I have not been accepted yet, but if everything works out, I would be excited to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities by being part of bioSURF or working with WashU's Laboratory for Child Brain Development. I would also like to participate in the medical global brigade in Honduras and GlobeMed. Through drive and persistence, without aid from hocus-pocus or miracles, I look forward to learning and serving my community the best I can in college the next four years and beyond.

Science, to me, is the closest thing to magic, and when you love what you are learning, the topics are spellbinding. In my AP Biology class, I was captivated by how a single replaced nucleotide in a DNA molecule can have a large-scale effect on a whole organism. In my AP Psychology class, I was fascinated learning about how chemical interactions between neurons can have an impact on behavior. In my Special Topics in Chemistry class, I was mesmerized by the labs we would do, making different compounds mix together and react, changing color, form, or shape. Because of this and my passion for helping others, I want to study biology on a neuroscience track as a pre-med student at my dream school, Washington University in St. Louis. I have not been accepted yet, but if everything works out, I would be excited to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities by being part of bioSURF or working with WashU's Laboratory for Child Brain Development. I would also like to participate in the medical global brigade in Honduras and GlobeMed. Through drive and persistence, without aid from hocus-pocus or miracles, I look forward to learning and serving my community the best I can in college the next four years and beyond.

In the summer that preceded my 9th-grade year, I participated in the Duke TIP summer studies program. As part of this program, I had to fly to Louisiana State University, where I resided in a dorm for three weeks. At 14, this was my first time ever being far away from my parents. I had a roommate and a residence counselor, but in a sense it was my first time “living alone.” Nine hundred miles away from parental supervision, I had brand new freedom. However, freedom came with responsibility. That was something I realized very quickly. Before the end of the first week, I was exhausted in class from staying up unreasonably late. And I kept snoozing my alarm so I would also miss breakfast. My dorm room was a bit dirty too. My roommate and I named the growing clump of fallen brown hair “Geoffrey” (an odd kind of mascot). It became apparent, very quickly, that this was not a sustainable way of living. I came face-to-face with the fact that I was only 4 years away from becoming an adult and living on my own on a college campus long-term. Staring at Geoffrey, I had a coming-of-age moment. I decided to clean up my act. So that day, I gave myself a bedtime and stuck to it. The next morning, I still missed breakfast, but the next, next morning I did not. And that following afternoon, I went to CVS, bought a broom, and said goodbye to Geoffrey.

Growing up as a Cuban immigrant in Miami, I have found a home in a community driven by “ganas”. A community based on the idea that hard work gets you places. A community where one learns to always cherish what you have while working persistently toward a better life. I spent some of my most influential years in Hialeah, “the city of opportunity.” Here is where I learned the meaning of “echar para adelate”. While my mom and dad worked a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet, I learned English from Dora the Explorer and Webster’s pocket dictionary. Now, I start my day with a small cup of Cuban coffee just as my ancestors did, and I go to school grateful because I know my parents risked everything bringing me to this country so that I could receive the education that I have. I am motivated because I have experienced first and second hand how drive and effort let you meet all of your goals. I am thankful for having this wisdom passed down to me. Still, at times, motivation can begin to waver and spirits can run low, and when that happens, I always turn to my grandma’s soul-healing soup that gives me the impetus I need to get back on track. I thank my family for always supporting and helping me. I am thankful for all of these things, and I like to reflect on them by journaling. Long term, my dream is to become a doctor, and serve as a provider for my community back home in Miami as well as serve disadvantaged communities abroad through an organization like the Peace Corps. I believe this is how I can best express my gratitude and give back to the world that has given me so much.

In my free time, I like to take care of plants. Gardening has helped my mental health substantially. The first plant I ever tried to take care of was a succulent, but it died mysteriously after two weeks of my care. However, I did not give up on my plant mom goals. My second ever plant was a type of grass. It survived for two months, an improvement but still not a success. I still did not give up. Now, I have all kinds of plants, strong and healthy. Currently, I have a dozen succulents, a tomato plant, a basil plant, and a collection of wildflowers. Through trial and error, I became a better caretaker for my plants, learning how much to water them and how much sunlight to give them depending on how I see them react. I was able to turn my thumb green. This achievement helped improve my self-esteem. Now, I am proud of being able to sustain life in my room and backyard. Connecting with nature and paying attention to my plants' needs taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. All in all, this hobby has taught me patience which has helped me relax in a fast-paced world. My next goal is to start growing my own food. I am starting with my tomato plant (of which I have attached a few pictures below). I planted it in December, and I think it is doing well. I am looking forward to it giving me my first tomato, the product of my own work, care, and attention. Right now, I am keeping it in a pot, but soon I will have to move it somewhere else so that its roots may spread out farther and it can grow bigger. I will also have to add a tomato cage for when it gets taller. Living in an urban area, I grew up only knowing about getting food from the grocery store; I did not know people who grew their own food. However, I think it is important that I try to connect with the Earth in this way and provide for myself in a more sustainable way. I have a mango tree, but I never had to work to take care of it. My basil plant is very small and I have only ever used its leaves for a single pasta dish. I want to expand the range of things I grow. Right now, my focus may only be on growing my first tomato, but moving forward, I want to have a garden where I can grow many different fruits and vegetables. In the future, when I am older and more knowledgeable of how to take care of different plants, I want to be able to grow at least 50% of all my family's fruits and vegetables. Sustainability is something I plan to focus on in this pursuit. I want to do my part to take better care of the environment and live a healthier life. For these reasons, I am planting a seed of hope in my garden, so that I may achieve my horticulture goals and pass on this ideal to future generations.

In my free time, I like to take care of plants. Gardening has helped my mental health substantially. The first plant I ever tried to take care of was a succulent, but it died mysteriously after two weeks of my care. However, I did not give up on my plant mom goals. My second ever plant was a type of grass. It survived for two months, an improvement but still not a success. I still did not give up. Now, I have all kinds of plants, strong and healthy. Currently, I have a dozen succulents, a tomato plant, a basil plant, and a collection of wildflowers. Through trial and error, I became a better caretaker for my plants, learning how much to water them and how much sunlight to give them depending on how I see them react. I was able to turn my thumb green. This achievement helped improve my self-esteem. Now, I am proud of being able to sustain life in my room and backyard. Connecting with nature and paying attention to my plants' needs taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. All in all, this hobby has taught me patience which has helped me relax in a fast-paced world.

In my free time, I like to take care of plants. Gardening has helped my mental health substantially. The first plant I ever tried to take care of was a succulent, but it died mysteriously after two weeks of my care. However, I did not give up on my plant mom goals. My second ever plant was a type of grass. It survived for two months, an improvement but still not a success. I still did not give up. Now, I have all kinds of plants, strong and healthy. Currently, I have a dozen succulents, a tomato plant, a basil plant, and a collection of wildflowers. Through trial and error, I became a better caretaker for my plants, learning how much to water them and how much sunlight to give them depending on how I see them react. I was able to turn my thumb green. This achievement helped improve my self-esteem. Now, I am proud of being able to sustain life in my room and backyard. Connecting with nature and paying attention to my plants' needs taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. All in all, this hobby, as well as simply taking time to go outside and appreciate nature, has taught me patience which has helped me relax in a fast-paced world.

This is one of my recent vases, titled "Duality." It took me about 2 months to make. Half of the exterior is red and the other half is green, divided by a curvy line etched into the surface. On the green side, I added a happy face design to show one side of human emotion. On the red side, I added an angry face design to show the opposite of the first emotion. This is supposed to be a reflection of the self and its complexity of feeling. My first experience with clay was last year when I took my first ceramics class at my school. It soon became a hobby that I participate in outside of school too. I like making things out of clay because I gain a strong sense of accomplishment after I complete a piece. I also think creating things with my hands is something that brings me joy and calm, making ceramics a very enjoyable experience.

Here, I would like to talk about a more specific aspect of the social justice movement which has aimed to draw attention to struggling communities in the international community. In particular, I aim to share some of my experiences with the social justice movement calling for a change in Cuba. I speak my mind when it comes to defending the rights of the people in my birth country, Cuba. I was born on the island but emigrated to the United States with my parents when I was two years old. In Cuba, there are numerous problems relating to political repression, lack of freedom of speech and press, scarcity of food, and more. This is a result of the communist Castro regime. I have been known to speak my mind by informing others about what is going on on the island and advocating for change in Cuba. I go to protests, especially now with the San Isidro and SOS Cuba movements. In the last year, there have been many of these in the United States, and my community was able to receive extra attention in the international community because of the increase in protests around the world. I also try to post content related to what is happening in Cuba on my Instagram stories. This helped a number of my non-Hispanic friends to understand what was going on to people, not only in Cuba but also in other Latin-American countries that see themselves affected by similar issues. Because of people like me, Cuba has been getting more attention recently, which will hopefully lead to meaningful change. One thing that happened this year as a result of Cuban voices being uplifted is that President Biden and the White House agreed to meet with Cuban activists in 2021. Other countries, like Spain, also voiced their support of the Cuban people and said they intended to help end the abuses. I plan to continue advocating for my people by attending protests and spreading awareness on social media. I believe that by defending what I believe in, I can help impact my community, and for that reason, I intend to always continue standing up for what is right. It is one of my biggest hopes that there may finally be social justice in Cuba and social justice for Cuban exiles all around the world. We face problems that have long been overlooked, and I think that real change is finally underway now that people are doing more to group together to defend underrepresented and silenced groups.

The main way I like to express myself creatively is through ceramics. I first got into making things out of clay by taking a Ceramics 1 class at my high school last year. My first piece was a wide vase about a foot tall, titled "The Shape of Nature." It was various shades of blue on the outside and had a variety of shapes made through the engraving and slab methods on its surface. The overall form of my vase was uneven to represent the lack of sharp edges in nature that still have geometric appeal. I gave this vase to my mom, and she placed it in her room as decoration. She told me it was different from other vases she had seen before and that its uniqueness made it cool. More recently, I made a mug for my English teacher Mr. Monty. The designs on the mug were inspired by a play we read in class: "Oedipus Rex." I included a drawing of Oedipus holding hands with his mother, a depiction of a place where two roads meet, and a quote about truth from the play. I also wrote the name of the literary work on the handle. I glazed the exterior of the mug a turquoise color, excluding the designs, and I glazed the inside a light green. Mr. Monty loved his mug and thought the designs were amusing; now, he drinks his coffee in it every day. I love ceramics because not only can I have fun in the process of making things, but also I can feel accomplished when they are complete and I can give them as heart-felt gifts to the people I care about.

My favorite study strategy is to make a study group. The first study group I ever participated in with my friends was at school in 9th grade. It was for AP World History, and our teacher let us use her room after school. In this study group, we all took turns teaching each other different parts of the lessons. In the end, we all passed the AP World exam. In 10th grade, I decided to hold AP Biology study group meetings at my house. This was similar to the AP World study groups but with more structure. Together with my friends, I made a schedule with specific days to review specific chapters. We used our textbooks, my whiteboard, and a laptop to fully understand every difficult topic. In 11th grade, COVID had taken over the world and my study groups were affected. In 2020-2021, our focus was on AP Chemistry, but unable to meet up in person, we moved our study group to zoom. We learned to use the share-screen feature and adapted to the difficult circumstance. Once again, we were able to do well in the class, even with the new obstacles that had presented themselves. My friends and I encouraged each other to do well, and as a result, we did. In this way, we were able to excel throughout high school. Study groups are the best way I have found to cooperate and advance as part of a team.

I support my peers academically by hosting study groups for different classes. The first study group I ever participated in with my friends was at school in 9th grade. It was for AP World History, and our teacher let us use her room after school. In this study group, we all took turns teaching each other different parts of the lessons. In the end, we all passed the AP World exam. In 10th grade, I decided to hold AP Biology study group meetings at my house. This was similar to the AP World study groups but with more structure. Together with my friends, I made a schedule with specific days to review specific chapters. We used our textbooks, my whiteboard, and a laptop to fully understand every difficult topic. In 11th grade, COVID had taken the world and my study groups were affected. In 2020-2021 our focus was on AP Chemistry, but unable to meet up in person, we moved our study group to zoom. We learned to use the share-screen feature and adapted to the difficult circumstance. Once again, we were able to do well in the class, even with the new obstacles that had presented themselves. My friends and I encouraged each other to do well, and as a result, we did. In this way, we were able to excel throughout high school. Study groups are the best way I have found to cooperate and advance as part of a team.

I speak my mind when it comes to defending the rights of the people in my birth country, Cuba. I was born on the island but emigrated to the United States with my parents when I was two years old. In Cuba, there are numerous problems relating to political repression, lack of freedom of speech and press, scarcity of food, and more. This is a result of the communist Castro regime. I have been known to speak my mind by informing others about what is going on on the island and advocating for change in Cuba. I go to protests, especially now with the San Isidro and SOS Cuba movements. I also try to post content related to what is happening in Cuba on my Instagram stories. Because of people like me, Cuba has been getting more attention recently, which will hopefully lead to meaningful change. One thing that happened this year as a result of Cuban voices being uplifted is that President Biden and the White House agreed to meet with Cuban activists in 2021. Other countries, like Spain, also voiced their support of the Cuban people and said they intended to help end the abuses. I plan to continue advocating for my people by attending protests and spreading awareness on social media. I believe that by defending what I believe in, I can help impact my community, and for that reason, I intend to always continue standing up for what is right.

In my free time, I like to take care of plants. Gardening has helped my mental health substantially. The first plant I ever tried to take care of was a succulent, but it died mysteriously after two weeks of my care. However, I did not give up on my plant mom goals. My second ever plant was a type of grass. It survived for two months, an improvement but still not a success. I still did not give up. Now, I have all kinds of plants, strong and healthy. Currently, I have a dozen succulents, a tomato plant, a basil plant, and a collection of wildflowers. Through trial and error, I became a better caretaker for my plants, learning how much to water them and how much sunlight to give them depending on how I see them react. I was able to turn my thumb green. This achievement helped improve my self-esteem. Now, I am proud of being able to sustain life in my room and backyard. Connecting with nature and paying attention to my plants' needs taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. All in all, this hobby has taught me patience which has helped me relax in a fast-paced world.

The song "Not So Different" by Willow inspires me, because it makes me feel interconnected with the world. Sometimes people, including myself, can fell alone and misunderstood. "Not So Different" reminds me that I'm never alone, because someone else somewhere has felt the same thing as me; this brings me a lot of comfort. I think music has the power to bring people together unlike anything else. (If you would like to know a little bit more about why I chose this song and the others on my playlist, please read my playlist description on YouTube). :)