I will be attending the University of Chicago double majoring in data science and econometrics. I hope to work in the artificial intelligence field or in finance but am still open to anything else that might come my way.
I was lucky enough to be raised by two exceptional parents. In my early childhood, while on the way to school, my dad would share the importance of being an upstander. Being the perpetrator, or bully, was never on my mind but being a bystander was. “Life is easier when you stand by and watch it,” I was told every day, “go out and make someone else’s life easier even if it will be difficult for you.” It took 13 years of hearing my parents share their beliefs on positivity and helping others until I finally acted upon them.
What seemed like an unimportant event at the time ended up kindling my dedication to volunteer work. In 8th-grade science class a student dealing with mental health issues took out his anger on a classmate who was developmentally disabled. For the first time in my life, instead of taking the easy route, I chose to intervene. I stood between the two in conflict and de-escalated the situation by talking calmly to them both. After this event, my worldview grew and I did as well.
As I developed as a human being my service work did too. I started by tagging along with my family to equality marches. I discovered a sense of individuality and moved to independent simple services like volunteering at local recycling centers. My work then became more personal. Only days apart from hearing my uncle had a rare form of lymphoma did I join a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Student Visionary of the Year Campaign. Due to my dedication, commitment, and hard work I was awarded team member of the year and nominated to be team leader for the following year’s campaign.
Using the principles I had first heard from my parents and then developed on my own, such as putting others before myself, I was able to use local connections to support an international nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating cancer. I led a team that raised nearly $10,000 contributing to the chapter total of almost $100,000. My local actions and community permitted me to help people on an international level.
It is now part of my personal beliefs that by helping one singular person, the world becomes a better place. Corny or not, I truly believe it. Every seemingly insignificant local action snowballs with others and becomes powerful enough to change law and alter policy. I strive to live my life by thinking globally and acting locally. I am committed to doing what I can, when I can, knowing that every small action I take has the potential to make a difference in the world.
