Three words: Baguette. Vending. Machines. My favorite tech invention since sliced bread. Vending machines are already a work of art—put a coin in, and out pops a drink or snack—but one for bread? Warm, fresh, baked, right there bread? Though it might seem silly compared to all the other inventions that have been released in the past decade, one has to think about all the possibilities that are opened through BVMs. A machine that can produce fresh and healthy food quickly at a low cost? Let’s list the benefits: one) it would lower heavy traffic and long lines at food shops nearby, two) it could be used to solve homelessness and poverty starvation, three) it’s the best option for someone running late to school/work, four) just seeing the machine will inspire people to take care of themselves by getting a small snack, and five) it’s a better alternative to sugary energy drinks and artificial snacks. Not to mention it would also be extremely helpful to people with social anxieties or sensory issues—they could easily buy some bread in peace. There are just too many benefits (especially to a bread enthusiast like me!). This is why I believe we should create more similar machines that cook or bake good food on the spot. If there’s someone checking on the machine daily and refilling it with new ingredients, the sky is the limit! A vending machine for pasta? How about more pastry-themed distributions? Maybe, sometime in the future, we can have a machine for full meals, like the trays they serve on airplanes. My point is, basically, that an invention doesn’t have to be otherworldly and extraordinary to solve an issue. It can be something silly, that people didn’t think they needed and yet still make a large difference in our lifestyle—like a sweet robot baker. A problem today is not caring about mental health. After witnessing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to study psychology. I want to remove the negative stigma around talking about feelings. In this generation, grinding on and being tough are prioritized. The mental health of Americans has decreased by sixty-three percent compared to the early 2000s. I desire to make a good impact on the world as a psychologist that brings light into what people want to keep in the dark: how bad our minds are getting. Being able to attend university would teach me about emotional and social well-being. I could then use my education to promote being open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo. With my career, I’ll pursue my dream of shaping a society where people are free to be provided with psychological assistance. I’ll advocate for awareness. I’ll push people away from thinking that caring about mental health will taint them. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. As a psychologist, I’d spread this agenda more strongly. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. Psychology is the study of the mind, and with that study, one could bring knowledge about having a sound mind and how that mind works. It would not only bring me joy in knowing that I would be assisting people but would also let me know that I’d be helping the future. With a career in sciences, I could positively impact the world.

A busy, mahogany, office full of smoke. A young woman walks in determined as old men peek at her from between their feet, up on the desks. She has eyebags and ink-stained hands. The script states: “Our heroine hesitates…her head bowed like a boxer about to go into the ring.”. This is Greta Gerwig’s first description of Jo March in Little Women (2019). A story about four sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March) in the Civil War and their relationships with each other, friends, and life. The book is revolutionary because it was the first to talk about regular life and relationships, at a time when people said “Who would want to read a little story of domestic struggles and joys?”. The story shows the transition from childhood to adulthood and the experiences with it. It is down to Earth and talks about universal experiences. It accurately shows in depth how people change throughout their life. We see character flaws up close which makes each person a mirror, because the audience can see themselves in this situation. Novel aside, Gerwig’s movie takes it to the next level. It didn’t hit close to home, it absolutely demolished the roof, and opened up a skylight so I could see the stars. The movie is structured in a unique way, that can be a bit confusing at first. It has two timelines: one in 1861, when the girls are young and the war is fresh, and the other in 1868, when the girls have matured and are struggling through the aftermath. You can tell what timeline is occurring by the lighting: the past is lit in warm, dreamy, yellow, overlaid with gentle music. The present is drenched in a blue, icy-cold, filter. The only thing you can hear is dialogue and the awkward shuffles of noise as the characters move. The comparison is crucial, it shows how people change. Because the movie contrasts the book by starting with the present and then flashing back, we see the characters' before-and-after personalities. This gives insight into why and what made them become who they are currently. The movie shows the character’s ambitions and the sacrifices they had to make to attain them: “I want to do something splendid...something…that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”. They fulfill their dreams, but they understand what they have lost, and the “feel” of their dreams has changed because of the people they’ve met and how they’ve grown. The evolution of all the characters inspires me to no end. It empowers the theme of dynamic personalities and souls, making me realize at the time that no part of me is static. That I can make a change, now, instead of spending time regretting and blaming others. I see my younger self with my sisters and friends and see how we’ve developed. Like the little women, we spent our time dreaming and thinking of the future. And with the blink of an eye, we’ve arrived. This movie gave me the strength to power and push through, even when I can’t. The ending scenes, where Jo gives in and puts all her life force into her work to create from the pain and joy she felt throughout life…resonated with me. The quick-paced music as she writes madly and without sleep, agrees with my great desire to succeed. The reason this movie is splendid to me is that it’s about the power little women, little men, and little people hold over their futures.

As a young child, I allowed myself to float along. I never took initiative. Fortunately, I realized I couldn’t hide in my comfort zone. So I started to incorporate leadership into life. For instance, I joined the LAHC Youth Action Committee, to help my community with peers. Additionally, I’m taking part in planning Charity Week at my school, for the National Honor Society. We annually hold games to raise money so we can build houses in Yemen. Last year was a success—five houses—so I hope it has an even better outcome. Leadership is crucial for guiding others to a lighted path. The most memorable time I stepped up as a leader was when I lent a hand to my middle school robotics club. I joined when I was in sixth grade and had so much fun. I said goodbye after moving on to high school. The next year, a teammate messaged me saying they needed help. The teacher who founded the club left, and they were lost. People were considering dropping robotics, and if there weren’t enough people in a club—it would lose funding. The teammate was asking for some pointers, but I decided that I could do more. After all, the club had been a huge part of drawing me out of my shell. I made a couple of calls with past members and after some complicated scheduling, we visited Woodworth. We alternated groups every week. We guided in holding meetings, keeping a record, electing positions, and signing up for competitions. The new teacher leading the club was relieved, and kept us all on speed dial. I check in with them once in a while, but Woodworth Robotics is flourishing, I’m proud to say. I’m very glad my old teammate decided to message me that fateful day. Youth activities are a place of wonder and friends, and they must stay available for years to come. I demonstrate leading authority by helping adolescents in my community. For example, my younger sisters. I try to motivate them to make positive life choices (I even convinced one to join YAC!). I want to ensure they have the support they need for a successful future. I also was previously tutoring elementary students. The children were sweet, however, the program was canceled. But, I’m a part of a similar service at my school. For NHS, we’re doing “Big Brothers/Sisters” Freshmen year is hard, so I’m glad to be teaching and bonding with them. I want to study psychology, so it’s helpful to see how the younger class acted compared to my peers. Demonstrating leadership in my life and actions doesn’t just help me—it assists others and sets a standard. I show leadership in my community to set a good example and to aid communities. I know I’ll continue after graduating. I’ve learned so much and met so many fascinating people by being a leader, which is why I believe everyone should take part in some type of leadership—even if just for a few hours.

Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic, usually from an early age. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. I was inspired to think critically about the challenges in the world around me by John Forbes Nash Jr. He was an amazing mathematician who contributed so much to algebra and geometry—with schizophrenia and possibly Asperger’s syndrome. Nash had to struggle to live in a world that didn’t care about his mental struggles. He had a feeling there was something different about his mind compared to others, but he couldn’t reach out for help or some understanding of his beautiful mind (sorry, had to slip that in). Yet even with this, he went on to make the greatest discoveries in math. Nash made me think: why do we live in a world where someone has to suffer from an unknown illness, not knowing what is “wrong” with him until the age of thirty? There is still so little that we know about humanity itself. We have many challenges in the world today that could be solved by exploring the boundaries of humanity. Not only, am I inspired by Nash’s strength and perseverance in an environment that seemed to be working against him—but something else about Nash motivates me. His success makes me think: what is my excuse?

Ever since I was a child, I have been determined. I wanted to swing the highest when my legs burned, keep building up blocks when they fell, and skip rope when I tripped. I like being challenged. My weakness: I enjoy daydreaming too much; whenever the situation around me is boring or difficult, I slip into my imagination. Imagining a different world with different people. Others pointed out that my daydreams always seemed to be focused on bettering the environment. The world being more kind, natural, and safe. So I sharpened my visions to bring them to reality. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. But I don’t just desire to succeed for myself; I desire to succeed in making changes. Certain factors in our society need to be reformed: cruelty, suffering, bad habits, etc. For me, life is hard to enjoy when I’m anxiously thinking about the world's happenings. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. A problem today is not caring about mental health. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. Studying psychology would not only bring me joy in knowing that I would be assisting people but would also let me know that I’d be helping the future. With a career in sciences, I could positively impact the world—and I know that I need to do this. It’ll be a challenge, just like being the fastest on the monkey bars, but I will always love the blisters I get while trying.

As a young child, I allowed myself to just float along life. I never took any initiative or tried to help anyone. I was worse than a follower—a drifter. Fortunately, I grew up and realized I couldn’t live without trying. My school had many posters set up about volunteering, and I decided to start there. So I started to continuously incorporate community service into my life. I found that I loved bringing a bunch of people together to reach a goal; the feeling of satisfaction after a project well done. For instance, I joined my community’s Youth Action Committee. I design events for youth health and comfort in the community. Recently, we held an art gallery, that showed views on mental health. I was both a judge and host, along with other leaders of the committee. Additionally, I am currently taking part in planning and executing Charity Week at my school, for the National Honor Society. We annually hold fun games to raise morale and money so we could build houses in Yemen. Last year was a great success—five houses!—so I hope it has an even better outcome. These experiences taught me about leadership, cooperation, and responsibility; and I’m glad for that. Community service is also about helping the youth of my community; to make society better for them. For example, my younger sisters. I try to be a good influence, to motivate them to be the best they can be—assisting them with making positive choices, school, and healthy habits. I want to ensure they have the support they need to lead a successful future. I was previously a tutor for elementary school students. All the children were so sweet, however, the program was canceled due to the pandemic. But fortunately, I’m a part of a similar service at my school. For the National Honor Society, we’re being “Big Brothers/Sisters” to incoming freshmen. The first year of high school is hard, especially after two years online, so these students need someone to turn to. It’s fun teaching and bonding. I want to study psychology, so it’s helpful to see how the younger class acted compared to my peers. As a first-generation student, I could’ve used someone to teach me about community, so now it’s my turn to be a supportive place for this generation. Initiating a movement and seeing the results does satisfy me. But volunteering with my life and actions should not just help my conscience—it should assist others around me and set a standard. Community service is important to me to set a good example for the future generation and to aid communities. I know I’ll continue this lifestyle after graduating, and I’m glad that I decided to make a change when I was young. I’ve learned so much and met so many fascinating people through community service, which is why I believe all young people should take part in it—even if just for a few hours.

When I was seven years old, I’d go out behind the trees of my neighborhood and smack pinecones with a racket. My opponent? A stop sign, dented by “tennis balls” and BB gun bullets. As a child, tennis mesmerized me; it was like performance art. The players were like powerful dancers, radiating with sophistication and focus. Before the birds even sang, I’d sneak to our television and watch Sloane Stephens, David Ferrer, Marion Bartoli, and Rafael Nadal. I was obsessed…at night I dreamed of princesses, dinosaurs, and neon yellow fuzz. I never took lessons (my parents didn’t need another cost), so at first, my teachers were television and an encyclopedia. Unfortunately, my schools didn’t include tennis, instead aiming for dodgeball and that one game of throwing bean bags at ankles. Since my family didn’t play with me, I biked to a tennis court nearby. At first, the older athletes just humored me. But eventually, they began teaching me techniques to keep up my endurance and increase my focus. I was best at singles—zeroing in on my opponent’s moves and predicting based on their breathing and stretches. Doubles were harder. While I knew the importance of cooperation, it was a struggle to multitask with my partner and concentrate on two opponents. My brain was used to only one “target”. Through time, I learned to make my mind fluid—a skill I use a lot in life. Being able to divide my attention on tasks made me mentally stronger. Now, I can easily split my focus on my personal life, academics, and work. Realizing that in certain cases details are better than the big picture was a wise choice that I learned from tennis. I was also taught the power of dedication. Life is “if you want it enough, you’ve got to work hard enough to get it”. As a kid, I desperately wanted to be as good as my idols. But since I was young, I assumed that it was impossible, and that I should be satisfied with where I was at. Wrong—this mindset limited me, and not just for tennis, but for life in general. I was taking the easy way out, never progressing because my brain had decided that I was okay with where I was at. While playing tennis in high school, I noticed that all the girls pushing themselves to the limit. After a game, they were red, sweaty, and tired—while I wasn’t. When we played, I continued to be average as my teammates excelled with bursting energy. Eventually, it hit me—I wasn’t putting in enough dedication. Practice is alright, but to truly get better, one has to strive to the fullest. I’m not saying that it's always “pain is gain”, but one has to step out of their comfort zone. There were loads of improvements when I pushed past cramps, sores, and blisters. I took this lifestyle with me everywhere (again: school, work, social life). When I overstep my boundaries and work hard, I find myself enjoying the task even more. Now I’m “driven by a greed to succeed”, as Marina Diamandis said. I’m a hardworking perfectionist because of the example my teammates taught me. Tennis is what my body and I love. It’s a sport of passion and wisdom, that has brought many lessons to my life. I’m young and still have so much to learn, but with the skills I gained, I know I’ll be alright. My future is enhanced because of the experiences and friends I got through tennis. Though I’m studying psychology, I would love to play tennis professionally someday!

Ever since I was a child, I have been determined. I wanted to swing the highest when my legs burned, keep building up blocks when they fell, and skip rope when I tripped. I like being challenged. My intense perseverance and determination make me unique and who I am. Throughout life, I leaped over obstacles that tried to push me down; broken friendships, family deaths, and school struggles. Without my resolve, I wouldn’t have been able to make it out of these situations. Instead of being dragged through the mud, I tried to learn something from each of my problems—so I could either prevent it or discover a lesson from it. However, my unique weakness: I enjoy daydreaming too much. Whenever the situation around me is boring or difficult, I slip into my imagination. Imagining a different world with different people. Others pointed out that my daydreams always seemed to be focused on bettering the environment. The world being more kind, natural, and safe. So I sharpened my visions to bring them to reality. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. But I don’t just desire to succeed for myself; I desire to succeed in making changes. Certain factors in our society need to be reformed: cruelty, suffering, bad habits, etc. For me, life is hard to enjoy when I’m anxiously thinking about the world's happenings. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. A problem today is not caring about mental health. Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic, usually from an early age. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After witnessing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to study psychology. I wanted to remove the negative stigma around talking about feelings. In the community of this generation, grinding on and being tough are prioritized. The mental health of Americans has decreased by sixty-three percent compared to the early 2000s. I desire to make a good impact on the world as a psychologist that brings light into what people want to keep in the dark: how bad our minds are getting. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. As a psychologist, I’d spread this agenda more strongly. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. Psychology is the study of the mind, and with that study, one could bring knowledge about having a sound mind and how that mind works. Studying psychology would not only bring me joy in knowing that I would be assisting the people of my community but would also let me know that I’d be helping the future. With a career in sciences, I could positively impact my community—and I know that I need to do this. It’ll be a challenge, just like being the fastest on the monkey bars, but I will always love the blisters I get while trying.

Ever since I was a child, I have been determined. I wanted to swing the highest even when my legs burned, keep building up blocks even when they fell, and skip rope even when I tripped. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. No matter how much my life breaks or makes me, I’ll always have my perseverance. It’s my most valuable characteristic; my will to keep going and push myself past my limits. I’m a perfectionist, so whatever I do, I have to go back and check that I put one-hundred-fifteen percent into it. Never-ending endurance has gotten me to where I am now. It’s an essential part of my personality and who I am—as it motivates me to give more than my all to the world around me. Perseverance and resoluteness are great qualities to help me in my life journey. Throughout life, I leaped over obstacles that tried to push me down; broken friendships, family deaths, and school struggles. Without my resolve, I wouldn’t have been able to make it out of these situations. Instead of being dragged through the mud, I tried to learn something from each of my problems—so I could either prevent it or discover a lesson from it. A situation where I especially needed this mindset was when my grandpa tragically passed away. My parents were the first in their families to come to America, and the rest of my relatives are all in Iraq. I only saw them every couple of years. Because of COVID-19, travel was a very tricky situation. My family was planning to visit that summer of 2020, but the pandemic had other plans. When we got the news, I went numb. My grandpa and I never really understood each other, because he thought I was too “American” (and I kind of thought he was too old-fashioned). My Arabic was so-so, meaning our conversations mainly consisted of us watching the news together and shaking our heads. So when the reality of my grandpa being gone set in, I was flooded with despair. The tears seemed to go on for days and I experienced a sixth stage of grief: remorse. Shame for not being able to speak and bond more with my grandpa. I could’ve tried to get to know him better. But I was determined to be a granddaughter that he would be proud of. I started learning more about Arabic culture and history. I practiced speaking Arabic, and now I’m fluent. Lastly, I asked my mother for stories about my grandfather. And I found out so much; I learned about the wars my grandpa had to live through, the poverty, and the struggles. It opened my eyes wider toward the person who I thought was a grumpy old man. I’m proud to be related to my grandfather and my family, because I know came from a long line of people with diligence. If my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and parents survived wars, dictatorships, famine, and droughts—surely I could survive a low grade, a bad day at work, taming my little sisters, and doing the gross dishes. From the legends of my family, I learned that dedication is rewarded. So I’m keeping that lesson with me as I continue my life journey. I will study hard in school, I will get into my dream university, I will emerge with a Master’s degree, and I will open up my own psychology clinic. I was already firmly competitive, but backed up by my grandfather’s history—no hurricane or army could stop me from pushing forward and living.

Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic and usually from an early age. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I definitely want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. In my push for mental balance, I share wisdom with others to pursue my dream of shaping a world where people are free to share their mental problems and be provided with assistance. Through advocacy, I push people away from thinking that caring about mental health will taint them. With the youth groups, I see that my main community of peers are getting better with their feelings, and I want to be able to spread that even further. With help to continue this journey, I will make a positive impact on not just my community, but the world as a whole.

Ever since I was a child, I was determined. I wanted to swing the highest when my legs burned, keep building up blocks when they fell, and skip rope when I tripped. I like being challenged. My weakness: I enjoy daydreaming too much; whenever the situation around me is boring or difficult, I slip into my imagination. Imagining a different world with different people. Others pointed out that my daydreams always seemed to be focused on bettering the environment. The world being more kind, natural, and safe. So I sharpened my visions to bring them to reality. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. But I don’t just desire to succeed for myself; I desire to succeed in making changes. There are certain factors in our society that need to be reformed: cruelty, suffering, bad habits, etc. For me, life is hard to enjoy when I’m anxiously thinking about the world's happenings. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic and usually from an early age. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I definitely want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. In my push for mental balance, I share wisdom with others to pursue my dream of shaping a world where people are free to share their mental problems and be provided with assistance. Through advocacy, I push people away from thinking that caring about mental health will taint them. With the youth groups, I see that my main community of peers are getting better with their feelings, and I want to be able to spread that even further. With help to continue this journey, I will make a positive impact on not just my community, but the world as a whole.

Ever since I was a child, I was determined. I wanted to swing the highest when my legs burned, keep building up blocks when they fell, and skip rope when I tripped. I like being challenged. My weakness: I enjoy daydreaming too much; whenever the situation around me is boring or difficult, I slip into my imagination. Imagining a different world with different people. Others pointed out that my daydreams always seemed to be focused on bettering the environment. The world being more kind, natural, and safe. So I sharpened my visions to bring them to reality. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. But I don’t just desire to succeed for myself; I desire to succeed in making changes. There are certain factors in our society that need to be reformed: cruelty, suffering, bad habits, etc. For me, life is hard to enjoy when I’m anxiously thinking about the world's happenings. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. A problem today is not caring about mental health. After witnessing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to study psychology. I wanted to remove the negative stigma around talking about feelings. In the community of this generation, grinding on and being tough are prioritized. The mental health of Americans has decreased by sixty-three percent compared to the early 2000s. I desire to make a good impact on the world as a psychologist that brings light into what people want to keep in the dark: how bad our minds are getting. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. As a psychologist, I’d spread this agenda in a stronger way. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. Psychology is the study of the mind, and with that study, one could bring knowledge about having a sound mind and how that mind works. Studying psychology would not only bring me joy in knowing that I would be assisting people but would also let me know that I’d be helping the future. With a career in sciences, I could positively impact the world—and I know that I need to do this. It’ll be a challenge, just like being the fastest on the monkey bars, but I will always love the blisters I get while trying.

Ever since I was a child, I was determined. I wanted to swing the highest when my legs burned, keep building up blocks when they fell, and skip rope when I tripped. I like being challenged. My weakness: I enjoy daydreaming too much; whenever the situation around me is boring or difficult, I slip into my imagination. Imagining a different world with different people. Others pointed out that my daydreams always seemed to be focused on bettering the environment. The world being more kind, natural, and safe. So I sharpened my visions to bring them to reality. I am, as Marina Diamandis said, “driven by a greed to succeed”. But I don’t just desire to succeed for myself; I desire to succeed in making changes. There are certain factors in our society that need to be reformed: cruelty, suffering, bad habits, etc. For me, life is hard to enjoy when I’m anxiously thinking about the world's happenings. This is why I want to study science—to improve the world around me with knowledge and awareness. A problem today is not caring about mental health. After witnessing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to study psychology. I wanted to remove the negative stigma around talking about feelings. In the community of this generation, grinding on and being tough are prioritized. The mental health of Americans has decreased by sixty-three percent compared to the early 2000s. I desire to make a good impact on the world as a psychologist that brings light into what people want to keep in the dark: how bad our minds are getting. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. As a psychologist, I’d spread this agenda in a stronger way. Stabilizing everyone’s mental balance would bring so many powerful effects to our society. Psychology is the study of the mind, and with that study, one could bring knowledge about having a sound mind and how that mind works. Studying psychology would not only bring me joy in knowing that I would be assisting people but would also let me know that I’d be helping the future. With a career in sciences, I could positively impact the world—and I know that I need to do this. It’ll be a challenge, just like being the fastest on the monkey bars, but I will always love the blisters I get while trying. I was inspired to think critically about the challenges in the world around me by John Forbes Nash Jr. He was an amazing mathematician who contributed so much to algebra and geometry—with schizophrenia and possibly Asperger’s syndrome. Nash had to struggle to live in a world that didn’t care about his mental struggles. He had a feeling there was something different about his mind compared to others, but he couldn’t reach out for help or some understanding of his beautiful mind (sorry, had to slip that in). Yet even with this, he went on to make the greatest discoveries in math. Nash made me think: why do we live in a world where someone has to suffer from an unknown illness, not knowing what is “wrong” with him until the age of thirty? There is still so little that we know about humanity itself. We have many challenges in the world today that could be solved by exploring the boundaries of humanity. Not only, am I inspired by Nash’s strength and perseverance in an environment that seemed to be working against him—but something else about Nash motivates me. His success makes me think: what is my excuse?

When the lunch monitors turned around, a group gathered beside the swing set, and behind chalk-covered hands, they warned: Stay inside—it's happening again. Immediately, plans were canceled; and children were herded inside. The entire community hid inside their homes anxiously until twenty-four hours were up. That was a stoning day, where Muslims didn't dare go outside unless they wanted to be attacked with stones. Where the idea sprouted from was unknown, but it suspiciously started around the time kids read The Lottery. However, while it was fake initially, the fear that followed wasn't. Horror stories about being harassed or followed home were swapped around like Goldfish crackers. Parents taught their kids young how to be safe: keep your eyes down, never react to insults, and always travel as a group. From the day we could grip a crayon, we all understood one thing—we were different and had to adapt. As a child, I couldn’t wrap my head around why people were so callous. At the grocery store, I would be assaulted with flyers denouncing Muslims. There were websites dedicated to hating Islam. Everywhere I feared a mob coming after my family. Every day a classmate would tell us about so-and-so being attacked in the park. Every time a president was elected, all of us kids feared that we would become orphans when our parents were deported. Of course, it wasn’t just Muslims going through this, but since Dearborn had a vast Islamic population, we were targeted more than other minorities. One day I asked my mother, “Why are we hated? Why doesn’t anyone do something?” Without turning away from the stove, she said: ”How would you like to go to the mall this Sunday?” A stoning day. I knew my mother went out (despite my pleading), but I had never gone along. “Mama, didn't you hear me?” I replied incredulously. “Yes, you want someone to do something? So do it yourself.” She told me she was going with a friend, who was bringing her daughter that was also my friend. We would be a group, “together” but alone… Sunday came fast. I had told my classmates that I would be at the mall. They told me they would visit me in the hospital. My fingers drummed a tune on the car seat. My mother turned and said, “Ready?”. More ready to jump out of my skin. But I pushed through the doors. Shoppers gaped at us. My heart was hammering. But, after each step, I felt calmer. Eventually, we sat down for ice cream. My friend nudged me; A family was turned in their seats, gawking at us. I giggled and waved. Going to the mall on a stone day was like whispering into a screaming crowd, but it started a domino effect. After “surviving” the mall, I told my classmates that there was no danger. They didn't believe me at first, but they slowly became braver. They went out on stone days, raised their heads high, argued back with bullies, and were able to walk down a street without constantly turning their heads. When parents stopped hearing gossiped warnings, families enjoyed life in the sun again instead of in the shadows. Even with threats, the community ignored hate and instead educated against discrimination. I can only imagine how life would be like if kids continued to believe they were second best because of their beliefs. No child should think they deserve cruelty for being different. Yes, there are always people throwing sticks and stones, but society has progressed and I hope enlightenment continues—I’ll be there to push for it.

After the hurricane that was the pandemic, a toll was taken on the world’s mentalities. Countless people struggled with the constant negative news, were thrown off routine, and lacked human connections. The release from isolation brought relief to all. Of course, numerous people have gone through—or are still going through—this kind of emotional rollercoaster. With a plummet or a tedious slide downhill, and then with an escalator or a ladder up; the cycle continues. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic and usually from an early age. I had my own experience with mental health: I have anxiety that skyrockets randomly, but I found ways to handle it. What I’m getting to is that everyone’s mental health goes through ups and downs. It’s why I believe protecting the balance of the mind should be a priority. Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about needing help with mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I definitely want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. In my push for mental balance, I share wisdom with others to pursue my dream of shaping a world where people are free to share their mental problems and be provided with assistance. Through advocacy, I push people away from thinking that caring about mental health will taint them. With the youth groups, I see that my main community of peers are getting better with their feelings, and I want to be able to spread that even further. With help to continue this journey, I will make a positive impact on not just my community, but the world as a whole.

After the hurricane that was the pandemic, a toll was taken on the world’s mentalities. Countless people struggled with the constant negative news, were thrown off routine, and lacked human connections. The release from isolation brought relief to all. Of course, numerous people have gone through—or are still going through—this kind of emotional rollercoaster. With a plummet or a tedious slide downhill, and then with an escalator or a ladder up; the cycle continues. In this generation, mental health is especially tragic and usually from an early age. I had my own experience with mental health: I have anxiety that skyrockets randomly, but I found ways to handle it. What I’m getting to is that everyone’s mental health goes through ups and downs. It’s why I believe protecting the balance of the mind should be a priority. Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, speaking about needing help with mental health is seen as strange or weak. There is a negative stigma that shouldn't exist. At school, I notice my peers toiling to keep up with school, work, relationships, and more. But everyone keeps their stress close to their chest and allows themselves to be weighed down. We are all going through tough times; yet when no one talks about it, the struggles make us feel worse. We feel pressured to show how strong we can be in the face of life. This applies to all people, of all ages, races, classes, and genders. After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make this my calling. So I joined youth groups to advocate for healthy mindsets. We discourage using bad habits to take off the stress and support constructive actions instead. The groups plan and hold events, panels, and seminars. I like being a part of a safe space for people who need comfort. Not only was I able to spread the message about taking care of one’s mind, but I also connected with others who wanted to make the same influence. Many of us wanted to continue this kind of effort with our careers. I definitely want to use my career to power the movement for better health. It’s why I’m aspiring for a degree in psychology—to be able to spread awareness about the upsides of mental self-care. Being able to attend a high university would assist me in learning even more about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Academic by nature, I’d throw myself into the study of the brain. I could then use this knowledge to promote being more open about one’s mentality, and not seeing it as taboo to be neurodivergent or to share your problems. In my push for mental balance, I share wisdom with others to pursue my dream of shaping a world where people are free to share their mental problems and be provided with assistance. Through advocacy, I push people away from thinking that caring about mental health will taint them. With the youth groups, I see that my main community of peers are getting better with their feelings, and I want to be able to spread that even further. With help to continue this journey, I will make a positive impact on not just my community, but the world as a whole.

Humans are driven by the desire to know. Our curiosity makes us a unique species. It’s natural for us to want to find out more about the world around us. So why fight it? We should work better to understand the nature of our universe. Like Shakespeare once said, the world is our oyster—and knowledge is our pearls. Understanding our universe would bring humanity and our planet many benefits. A concept that I believe would help explain the complexity of our universe is looking towards the past to build on the future. Starting all the way from The Big Bang, and studying until the future timeline. Using the cosmic calendar and history, we should piece together the building blocks of our world’s creation. Learning more about the beginning of the universe will not only teach us more about how the world works but also about how it will continue to work in the future. We should also push for more space exploration. Outer space contains multitudes of information about the universe. Using the data collected from space, we can advance research technology and find out more about our planet's place in the universe—along with our place as well. Earth isn’t the only planet in our universe, and our universe contains all solar systems plus their components. So these should all be researched scientifically. How the universe, Earth, and all our planets and stars, tie in together to create our world is an important part of discovering our position in that world. An idea to help humans discover more about the universe is to look for patterns in the universe. As wonderfully crafted as the universe is, not everything is completely random. There must be more laws and theories in our universe than the ones we have. Figuring out how the universe works will help us with the why it works. If scientists and physicists of the past were able to find out how gravity, an invisible force, works, then surely the scientists of today could learn more about the forces that shape our universe. Putting together cycles and patterns with repetition would assist us in being more aware of our universal status. Again, educating people about humanity’s standing in the great universe is highly crucial and advantageous. Knowing more about the immense expanse of the world we live in brings in more knowledge; it’ll be useful in advancing our current understanding of it. This would also bring us more experience to forge ahead in modern solutions. Not only would comprehending humanity’s role in the universe give our lives more meaning, but it would also help us with building the future. Acknowledging the situation of our existence would bring us so much closer to advancing life as we know it.