For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Tala Naffa

5,915

Bold Points

1077x

Nominee

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Hello, I am Tala, a 19-year-old with an unwavering aspiration to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics, and here is my story. While still a child, my family embarked on a migration to the United States, driven by dreams of a better life and higher education. The transition to the United States was fraught with challenges, particularly for me. As a young girl on the cusp of womanhood, I was torn from my friends and the familiar comforts of my homeland, thrust into an unfamiliar world I was ill-prepared to navigate. Alas, my immigration status precludes me from accessing federal aid or any form of loans, be they federal or private. The stark reality is that, without the benevolence of a scholarship, my aspirations will be extinguished, and my pursuit of knowledge in the realm of physics will remain an unfulfilled dream. The discipline of physics ignites my soul with an unquenchable passion; it is the very essence of my academic pursuits. I implore you, with all the earnestness my heart can muster, to grant me the opportunity to continue my education. A scholarship would not merely be financial assistance; it would be a lifeline, enabling me to transcend my circumstances and contribute to the world of physics. Your support would be a testament to the power of determination and the belief that even those who arrive under less fortunate stars can shine brilliantly given the chance.

Education

University of Arizona

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Physics
    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
  • Minors:
    • Religion/Religious Studies
    • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General

Independence High School

High School
2018 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
    • Physical Sciences, Other
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Physics and Astronomy
    • Physics
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      Quantum Mechanics Theorist

    • Translator

      Work from Home/Online as Korean, English, Bislama, and Arabic translator.
      2020 – Present4 years

    Sports

    Swimming

    Club
    2012 – 202311 years

    Awards

    • Aqua Splash Swimming Competition Winner
    • 2nd Place Winner in the Swim Gala Race, May 3rd 2019
    • Swimming Relay Race 1st Place(Medal)
    • Treasure Hunt Winner (Aqua), Dec 20, 2018(Certificate and Trophy)
    • Junior Active Club Swimming Activity Appreciation Award, March 2018
    • Aqua Splash Freestyle Race Winner, Junior Division, May 2018
    • Swim Gala Race 1st Place Winner, May 4th 2018
    • Freestyle stroke 1st Place Winner(Trophy)
    • Open Style Swim Race Winner, 1st place(Medal)
    • Open Style Swim Race Winner, 1st place (Medal)
    • Fastest Girl Swimming, 1st place(Medal)

    Dancing

    Club
    2010 – Present14 years

    Awards

    • RAD Grade 4 Distinction Award

    Badminton

    Club
    2011 – 202312 years

    Awards

    • Participation in the Junior Active Club Tournaments Appreciation Award
    • Group A in the Junior Active Club Level 2 Completer

    Tae Kwon Do

    Club
    2021 – 20221 year

    Water Polo

    Club
    2017 – 20181 year

    Lacrosse

    Varsity
    2019 – 20201 year

    Synchronized Swimming

    Club
    2017 – 20192 years

    Football

    Club
    2014 – 20151 year

    Awards

    • Football league Award

    Aerobics

    Club
    2012 – 20197 years

    Awards

    • Appreciation of participation in the Junior Active Club

    Tennis

    Junior Varsity
    2018 – 20191 year

    Diving

    Club
    2016 – 20237 years

    Awards

    • 5M 3rd Place 2016
    • 5M 2nd Place 2017

    Figure Skating

    Club
    2017 – Present7 years

    Awards

    • Freestyle Level 1

    Track & Field

    Club
    2013 – Present11 years

    Awards

    • 3k Marathon Finisher(2nd place), March 25th 2016(Medal)
    • 2k Marathon Completer, Feb 27th 2015
    • Kids Marathon Finisher, 1st place(Certificate and Medal), March 28th 2014
    • New York, 42KM Virtual Race
    • Dubai, 200KM Virtual Race
    • The Moon, 3KM, Virtual Race
    • The Sun, 100KM Virtual Race
    • London, 21KM Virtual Race
    • Venice, 21KM Virtual Race
    • Paris, 60KM Virtual Race
    • The Pyramids of Egypt, 132KM Virtual Race
    • Taj Mahal, 232KM Virtual Race
    • Pluto, 6KM Virtual Race
    • Jordan Trail, 650KM Virtual Race

    Research

    • Hypertension Intervention

      School — Student, researcher, 3rd Place Winner
      2016 – 2016
    • Diabetes Health Solutions

      School — Student, Researcher, 2nd Place Winner
      2017 – 2017
    • Sustainability Engineering Science

      Think Science (UAE, 2019) — Participator, Student, Researcher, 2nd Place Regional Winner
      2019 – 2019

    Arts

    • Local Kids Magazine (UAE)

      Magazine Embassador
      Kids Magazine golden medal winner for academic excellence, Oct 11th 2017, Kids Magazine honour board winner, June 7th 2017, Kids Magazine travel ambassador Winner, Sep 28th 2016, Kids Magazine travel ambassador (with brother), Dec 7th 2016, Kids Magazine travel ambassador, May 3rd 2017, Kids Magazine Local Ambassador Winner, Aug 17th 2016, Kids Magazine Honour roll, May 4th 2016 and January 13th 2016, Kids Magazine local ambassador, July 20th 2016, Kids Magazine local ambassador, March 2nd 2016
      2013 – 2019
    • Global Competitions (Hong Kong, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan)

      Pageants
      The Diva Awards , The Kuwait Pageant Winner, Beautiful Behaviour Queen Award, Participant at Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong, Citizen Star Student Representative Award, Best Halloween Costume Winner
      2013 – 2016
    • School Theatre Club

      Theatre
      Three Little Red Ants, Father's Day Play, UAE National Day, Culture Day, Memeber's Day, Chuseok Celebrations
      2011 – 2019
    • School Traditional Korean Band

      Music
      2021 Chuseok School Celebration
      2021 – 2021
    • School Art Club and Foreign Language Club

      Calligraphy
      Arabic Day Celebration, Korean Language Appreciation
      2015 – 2021
    • School Theatre Club

      Theatre
      UAE National Day Celebrations
      2008 – 2019
    • School Art Club

      Painting
      Still Life paintings
      2019 – Present
    • School Design Club

      Design
      Modified Medical Masks
      2021 – 2022
    • Brooklyn Melodies Dance School/Body and Soul Healthy Club

      Dance
      Gangnam Style Public Cover, WaKa WaKa Original Choreography Dance Recital, Members' Day Dance Performances (2012-2019)
      2010 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Community Centre — Volunteer to plant and care for produce
      2021 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      School — School Representative
      2010 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      Community — Translator, interpreter
      2020 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Student Government — Student, Idea Leader, Member
      2014 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      School — Tutor Group Leader
      2018 – 2019

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Barbara Cain Literary Scholarship
    A fateful encounter with the book "Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions" by Lisa Randall kindled a flicker of hope within my inquisitive soul and I fell deeper in love with the universe and all its nuances; from atoms, to planets, I find myself in awe of the many mysteries that lie right at our noses, all waiting to be discovered. STEM, or physics in particular, ignites a passion in me I never felt before; to look around and find information everywhere and new things to learn keep this fire alive. I would love to work in the study of dimensions to help us understand the history of our universe, our lives, and how to protect them. It is a very rewarding experience to learn about the very making of our life as we know it, its development, history, and progression. Physics is the study of all of life as we know it now, as it was before, and how it could be in the future. To be able to contribute to such grand plans and studies fills me with satisfaction and pride that I can proudly share with my family and my people. Currently, I am a math major in a community college on a transfer pathway program planning to continue my bachelor's in physics! It is very exciting to be in my class and finally have the "ah-ha!" moment when I can recognise something in the book that I did not initially understand. Every month, I go back to the book with sticky notes, all excited to re-read it and add new notes next to topics and ideas I finally understand! Each time I flip the pages and realise I can now make sense of the content, I am filled with satisfaction that brings tears to my eyes, and a smile to my face. This book, although short in my opinion, had a huge effect on how I perceive the world, and my dreams. After my first reading, I have completely shifted from a neuroscience major in Arizona, to a maths major at a community college back in MN! I would have never had the courage to restart my degree and re-plan my life goals if I had not read that book and connected with physics that much! It is mind blowing how a seemingly small choice like reading a book changed who I am entirely, but change is sometimes good, and very rewarding! Chaos, reading, and hope changed who I am, and altered my goals!