When asked in kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, I confidently replied: “A bus driver.” When asked why, I answered, “I want to take people to places that make them happy.” A bus driver is there every day, and it’s their responsibility to get to every stop and take people where they need to be. Sometimes the stops that make us happy or where we grow the most are unexpected, but the first step towards all good things is showing up and engaging.
I strive to be reliable, both as a leader and a friend. As the Student Body President at my high school, I worked tirelessly to create a community with a culture of showing up, both for ourselves and each other. My goal wasn’t just to change policies and plan events, I aspired to learn every student's name and have one conversation with each of them before I graduated. I want everyone to know that they matter and that they have people cheering them on.
As a senior, I felt my school wasn’t as civically involved as we needed to be, so I pioneered my school’s first volunteer fair. I believed I had an obligation to connect my fellow students with opportunities to do good in the world. I spent months calling organizations and coordinating logistics with administrators, and I created an event for my student body with 25 non-profit organizations present. Students in my high school heard from the representatives of the different organizations, met with them, and signed up to start volunteering. I met my peers where they were, and found an innovative way to help my community give back.
I care about people and their individual experiences in the world. I believe that everyone deserves equitable treatment and respect, so I also focused on combating the rampant hatred in our world. I took the initiative and organized a group of thirty seniors in my graduating class to attend the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Never Is Now conference on combating anti-Semitism. I reached out to an ADL board member to secure seats for my classmates, and we had the opportunity to hear from speakers and understand how our generation can make a difference. I followed up on this by leading a live interview with the New York/New Jersey regional director for the ADL at my high school. On campus, I’m committed to standing up against all forms of hate and advocating for targeted minorities.
Every day I remind myself to be like the bus driver I envisioned in kindergarten. Coming from New York City, I look forward to the new people I’ll meet, the experiences I’ll have, and the relationships I will form. As I reach Austin, I’m eager to immerse myself in the passionate and engaged community that I know the Forty Acres Scholars Program is and will show up every day to learn, grow, and change the world.
Majors:
Plan II and Government
Honors Programs:
Plan II Honors Program, participating in Jefferson Scholars Program
Other Academic Interests:
Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations, Business
What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
I was drawn to the Forty Acres Scholars Program by the community I met at Finalist Weekend. Each cohort is filled with a diverse and interesting group of people, and I wanted to put myself in a situation where I could learn and be pushed by people with all different perspectives. Having a small, intimate group within the powerhouse which is the University of Texas at Austin felt like the perfect situation for me to grow and form lifelong relationships. Additionally, I really appreciate the support and encouragement from the Texas Exes and value how much the amazing staff cares for each scholar.