Innovation lies in the diversity of thought.

This was a sentiment I quickly learned after four eye-opening years of serving on the student council; my greatest ideas came from the moments I shared with my peers in passing rather than my independent brainstorming. As I grew into my role as class president, I found myself speaking to the debate captain, the newspaper editor-in-chief, K-Pop fanatics, and the principal, all just in one morning. By meeting groups of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, I’ve learned how to address the unique needs of each. After hearing from students, I designed a website brimming with study guides, upcoming school events, SAT/ACT preparation, and mental health resources. Discovering a shortage of custodians, I helped organize our NHS members to vacuum classrooms after school. When my AP World History teacher informed me about students who needed extra help, I held after-school tutoring sessions and invited them to my house for further review. Since the Coronavirus outbreak, I’ve been amazed at businesses who are continually achieving new heights; thousands have completely overhauled years of corporation structures almost overnight—retailers offering curbside delivery, hygiene product companies exclusively manufacturing PPE, healthcare industries training millions of medical professionals on digital platforms—and this is what I see at the heart of the business industry: the ability to adapt to the human condition, harnessing the type of diversity I experienced at my high school into actionable solutions. In a world prone to uncertainties, I want to pursue a vocation that continually motivates me to grow and evolve in conjunction with technological advancements, society’s needs, and global catastrophes. But the virus isn’t the only challenge our society is facing: rising concentrations of greenhouse gasses are threatening the Earth’s lifespan, millions battle hunger, billions battle inadequate housing, and the lack of access to education and health care exacerbates the disparate opportunities presented to those across the world. My conviction in UT’s motto—what starts here changes the world—lies in solving these problems.

Majors 
Business Honors, Plan II Honors

Honors Program 
Canfield Business Honors; Plan II Honors

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program (FASP)? 
When I applied to colleges, the prospect of a debt-free education seemed like an unattainable aspiration. As I came to learn more about the Forty Acres Scholars Program in the past year, I learned it fulfilled not only my wildest dreams but offered so much more in the cohort I was lucky enough to meet. Despite Finalist Weekend being virtual this year, I was able to connect with some of the brightest, funniest, most passionate people I’ve ever met from all across the nation. As I embarked on my Freshmen Retreat, my other 16 peers and I turned from Zoom acquaintances to immediate best friends; the laughs (and cries) we shared in those four days will last a lifetime, I’m sure of it. From hiking to highway cruising, from midnight dancing to late-night movies, my fellow scholars are undeniably my favorite part of the program. Moreover, I’m thrilled about how the program fosters global connections through study abroad opportunities. Even just as a rising freshman, the alumni network is already at my fingertips, and I’ve met so many mentors who are willing to help in any way they can. Each day, I fall in love with the program all over again as I’m reminded of just how transformative my cohort, the global experiences, and the memories I make will be. I can’t wait for all the adventures we will experience throughout our four years here; collectively, we inspire each other to think differently, think bigger, and think impossibly.