Hobbies and interests
Swimming
Ballet
digital art
Painting and Studio Art
Student Council or Student Government
Community Service And Volunteering
Baking
Running
Yoga
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Photography and Photo Editing
Singing
Badminton
Acting And Theater
Korean
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war
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Realistic Fiction
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Literary Fiction
Adult Fiction
Academic
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Drama
Family
I read books multiple times per week
Tala Naffa
5,915
Bold Points1077x
Nominee2x
Finalist1x
WinnerTala Naffa
5,915
Bold Points1077x
Nominee2x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
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 programMajors:
- Physics
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Minors:
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Independence High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
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
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
Club2012 – 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
Club2010 – Present14 years
Awards
- RAD Grade 4 Distinction Award
Badminton
Club2011 – 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
Club2021 – 20221 year
Water Polo
Club2017 – 20181 year
Lacrosse
Varsity2019 – 20201 year
Synchronized Swimming
Club2017 – 20192 years
Football
Club2014 – 20151 year
Awards
- Football league Award
Aerobics
Club2012 – 20197 years
Awards
- Appreciation of participation in the Junior Active Club
Tennis
Junior Varsity2018 – 20191 year
Diving
Club2016 – 20237 years
Awards
- 5M 3rd Place 2016
- 5M 2nd Place 2017
Figure Skating
Club2017 – Present7 years
Awards
- Freestyle Level 1
Track & Field
Club2013 – 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 Winner2016 – 2016Diabetes Health Solutions
School — Student, Researcher, 2nd Place Winner2017 – 2017Sustainability Engineering Science
Think Science (UAE, 2019) — Participator, Student, Researcher, 2nd Place Regional Winner2019 – 2019
Arts
Local Kids Magazine (UAE)
Magazine EmbassadorKids 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 20162013 – 2019Global Competitions (Hong Kong, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan)
PageantsThe 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 Winner2013 – 2016School Theatre Club
TheatreThree Little Red Ants, Father's Day Play, UAE National Day, Culture Day, Memeber's Day, Chuseok Celebrations2011 – 2019School Traditional Korean Band
Music2021 Chuseok School Celebration2021 – 2021School Art Club and Foreign Language Club
CalligraphyArabic Day Celebration, Korean Language Appreciation2015 – 2021School Theatre Club
TheatreUAE National Day Celebrations2008 – 2019School Art Club
PaintingStill Life paintings2019 – PresentSchool Design Club
DesignModified Medical Masks2021 – 2022Brooklyn Melodies Dance School/Body and Soul Healthy Club
DanceGangnam 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 produce2021 – 2022Volunteering
School — School Representative2010 – 2019Volunteering
Community — Translator, interpreter2020 – PresentAdvocacy
Student Government — Student, Idea Leader, Member2014 – 2019Volunteering
School — Tutor Group Leader2018 – 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!