As my high school career comes to a close, songs like Shake It Off, Blank Space, and Out of the Woods seem to truly encapsulate the year I've had. No matter the background or personal experience, people across the world can relate and connect to Taylor Swift's incredible lyricism and raw sense of storytelling: I think that’s beautiful. My identity as a Swifty is something that I take pride in, and the stories and emotions I carry with me as a result of this identity have shaped my mentality navigating High School and my future aspirations. Growing up a Swifty, Shake It Off has had an incredible impact on the mindset I've learned to embrace. Most people have experienced feelings of remorse or embarrassment when looking back at their past decisions and characteristics. As someone who used to harp on the negative or cringe-worthy moments of the past, I’ve learned to derive value from times that would otherwise cause regret. I’m very inspired by how Taylor is constantly evolving in her music while concurrently becoming more confident in herself and the power of her words. Instead of dwelling on the moments in which I feel I should’ve spoken up, defended myself, or expressed myself more clearly, I focus on the present and the confidence I now harness as a result of my hard-earned sense of self. Each Swifty has a unique perspective or background that contributes to their experience with each song. While Taylor Swift fans are connected by feeling seen through her work, I think it’s powerful that the emotions her songs excavate come from different life experiences. As a graduating senior, songs like Out of the Woods have kept me motivated through a transitional time. This song perfectly sums up the whirlwind of emotions that have accompanied my high school experience and the stretch I need to overcome to graduate. In becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant this summer, I knew that the opportunity would be a tiresome but necessary step to becoming a healthcare professional. While the experience brought incredible value to my life, I felt at times looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, which is why I feel so connected to Out of the Woods. Finally, in my college search, I relate to Blank Space and the idea that I'm searching for the next chapter in my life. I also have a deep appreciation for the satirical nature of the song and the way Taylor portrays the exaggerated emotional states in which females are often stereotyped to have. As a Swifty, many are quick to judge me as overly emotional or hive-minded. Taking interest in something widely appreciated, such as Taylor Swift’s music, doesn’t diminish my distinct point of view, and isn’t something that should be looked down upon as basic or unoriginal. I’m proud to say that my involvement in this community has largely impacted my personal story and that my individuality is not diminished by my sense of connection to Swifties across the globe. I do have strong emotions, but I can still present a sense of logic and composure in my social and academic life. All of these songs represent the different values I carry with me as a result of Taylor's influence. A sense of perseverance, optimism, and humor have all been integral to the year I've had and will continue to impact me as I navigate my future.

My freshman year, it never occurred to me the exorbitant value tennis would bring into my everyday life. Aspiring to continue my older brother's legacy, I wanted to make the varsity tennis team my freshman year. Having never played before, the weight of my endeavor fully dawned on me when I broke down on the courts during one of my brother's lessons. Although the sport came easy to him, I realized that this was something I’d really have to work for. And so I did. By staying late every practice, attending optional lessons and talking strategy with my coaches, I was able to become a Varsity player my freshman year, surprising myself with a newfound ability to overcome feelings of self-doubt. The next issue became actually winning my sets. Initially, nearly every match would end in tears as feelings of failure clouded my perspective of the upcoming set. With time, I happened upon the key to my success. Breaking it down. Every match became defined by my sets, which became defined by my games, which, ultimately, were defined by my points. With each point came a renewed and invigorating sense of focus, allowing me to set intentions with every swing and use strategy to intimidate my opponents. As a Junior, I’ve found a new purpose in my tennis career after becoming team captain. By preparing my teammates through workouts and a positive attitude, I’ve become integral to an encouraging environment, facilitating the success of my team. By using my voice to advocate for our players and working to create the most efficient lineups, I’ve gained immeasurable leadership experience and a newfound confidence. Off the court, the patience, strategy, and leadership I’ve acquired throughout my tennis career has kept me level-headed during daunting situations. As the president of my school’s Medical Pathway club, there are many instances in which the self-motivation and confidence I learned from my experience as team captain has come into play. Similar to my role as captain, I work closely with the coordinator of the club to ensure the opinions of our members are taken into account, and put in extra hours behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly. During my first Susan G. Komen 3-day breast cancer walk, I learned the true value of my experiences with tennis. I knew deciding to raise $2,300 for breast cancer research, support, and awareness would be a large commitment, and I knew walking 60 miles in 3 days would have significant physical and emotional effects on my body. Unexpectedly, everyday during the event I was reminded of my previous tennis season. I had worked tirelessly for every point, reaching for my goals even when winning seemed impossible. I knew I would have to apply those same tactics to my walk. And so, just like in my matches, I broke it down. 1 day at a time. 1 mile at a time. 1 step at a time. And after having completed the 60 miles, I knew my journey didn’t end there. The perseverance I attained through tennis and the leadership I acquired from being team captain has given me the motivation to continue with the organization until our ultimate goal is achieved: ending breast cancer forever. My goal is to attend medical school and become an OBGYN. Although the years of schooling are a large commitment, I know the skills and strategies I learned from tennis will translate into my future. When times get tough, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, but by breaking down your tasks into smaller, simpler ones, you have the power to achieve great things.