At eight years old I was headed to Singapore. For months, everyone had been telling me how lucky I was. I hadn’t believed them… not until I heard the roar of lion dancers and the banging of Shigu drums. This was my apartment complex’s annual Chinese New Year Festival, and my first glance into an entirely new world. I remember watching in amazement, unable to avert my gaze. Two dancers, perfectly synchronized, leaped from post to post inside lion costumes. The smell of freshly grilled satay permeated the air; entire families proudly sold intricately crafted decorations. Every part of my body buzzed with excitement. I could feel the strong sense of community woven into the culture of Southeast Asian society.
Five years later it was Chinese New Year once again. There was no noise. I was back home in Illinois, and there was no celebration. My return to the United States had been a shock. Singapore provided a unique adventure every time I left the apartment. Whether it was talking amongst my classmates in Chinese class or indulging in black pepper crab at local hawker centers, every experience expanded my horizons, taught me something new, and forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. Even though I had been on an island, 10,000 miles from Chicago and constantly facing new challenges, I had never felt more at home. 
Reflecting on these experiences, I have developed a strong appreciation for discovery and exploration. Personal growth requires a degree of courage and discipline to dive headfirst into a world of unknowns. Whenever I find myself questioning or doubting, I remind myself to lean into the challenge and embrace the discomfort, knowing these are often the greatest drivers of personal growth. 
Since returning to the United States, one of the activities I have been involved in is Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts, and ultimately my progression to Eagle Scout, facilitated my growth in terms of integrity and reliability. I will admit that with all my other responsibilities, it was not always easy to buy into the community. However, looking back, I am glad I did. Scouting provided me with the opportunity to grow alongside a group of brothers, allowing us to develop lifelong friendships. For my Eagle project, I organized a collection drive to gather dental hygiene items for the El Niño Rey Mission in Quechultenango, Mexico. With the support of my troop, friends, and family, we collected enough toothpaste, dental floss, and toothbrushes to create over 300 dental hygiene kits. In addition to these kits, we handcrafted 300 rosaries to complement El Niño Rey's mission of enhancing both physical and spiritual health. 
Throughout the project, my time in Scouting, and my experiences in Singapore, I have come to value taking things one day at a time and being fully engaged in each moment. I’ve learned that embracing discomfort and showing up consistently contribute not only to personal development but more importantly to making a positive difference in the world. 

Major:
Canfield BHP

Honors Program:
Canfield BHP

Other Academic Interests:
Statistics and Data Science

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
The Forty Acres Scholars Program is incredibly appealing because it provides students with a tight-knit cohort who share a focused passion for learning, leading, and ultimately making a difference in the world. On my flight back to Chicago from Finalist Weekend—and honestly, still to this day—I could not help but think about what a truly amazing group of people I had just met. Now, having had the opportunity to really get to know the ‘28 cohort at the Freshman Retreat, my excitement for the program has only grown. It is inspiring and reassuring to know that I have such a driven, caring, and personable group of people in my corner, and I cannot wait to see how we continue to grow as a cohort throughout our time in the program.

What makes your scholar cohort unique?
What sets the Class of 2028 FASP cohort apart is how quickly we bonded and became authentic with one another. During our Freshman Retreat, we spent hours outside talking and playing games, and it felt like we had known each other for years, even though it was only our second time together.