Tennis is more than just a sport for me, rather, it is a way to grow both physically and mentally. Playing regularly has strengthened my focus, discipline, and ability to think strategically under pressure, skills that carry over into many other parts of my life. It also helps me stay active, build endurance, and develop teamwork when I play doubles. I dedicate about 7 hours a week during the school year to training, and once the season begins, I practice every day. Even though I am now at Mass Academy, when the season starts, I plan to return to Shrewsbury High School to play tennis, since being part of the team is very important to me. In addition to competing, I also share my love for tennis by teaching lessons through a community called Rally for Hope. This organization raises money for tennis materials for low-income communities by hosting tournaments. Tennis has become an essential part of me, both on and off the court.
Being involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been one of the most meaningful experiences for me. I have participated in fundraising efforts to support research, patient care, and community outreach, helping to raise awareness about the impact of blood cancers. Through these events, I have developed leadership and communication skills, working with others toward a common goal of making a difference. Contributing to LLS has shown me the importance of using my time and energy to support causes larger than myself, and it has motivated me to continue giving back to the community.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) has been a great way for me to explore my interests in business, leadership, and communication. Through preparing for competitions, I have developed strong skills in critical thinking, quick problem solving, and presenting ideas clearly and confidently. Working on the roleplays and tests has taught me how to analyze real-world business scenarios and come up with practical solutions under time pressure. My hard work has also paid off in competition, where I became a districts champion and a state finalist. Beyond competition, DECA has helped me grow as a leader and collaborator, giving me the chance to work with others who share similar interests and goals. Being part of DECA has shown me how creativity and strategy come together in business, and it has inspired me to keep building these skills for the future.
Robotics has been one of the most exciting areas where I have been able to combine creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. I use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to design and model parts that bring ideas to life, whether for competition robots or engineering projects. I use CAD for many projects in school as well. For example, in my history class, I created a fountain for the 54th Regiment Memorial using CAD. One of my most memorable experiences was in 6th grade during First Lego League, when I designed and built a functional drone, which sparked my passion for engineering and innovation. Since then, robotics has given me opportunities to lead and share knowledge with others, such as teaching at the Junior Creator Robotics and Engineering Camp, where I guided younger students in learning about design and problem solving. The challenges of building, programming, and competing have taught me perseverance and adaptability, and being part of robotics has strengthened both my technical and leadership skills.
One of the most important and influencing part of my life is my job at Kumon Math and Reading Center. It is not just about guiding the students through problems, it is about creating connections with students. It honestly feels great to see the progress of the students through my teachings. More than that, I meet many of these students outside of school and they are always extremely excited to meet me.
Throughout the course of my junior year, I participated in many volunteering opportunities around my school.
Firstly, I served as one of the individuals on the student panel for the Mass Academy Open House. During this opportunity, I worked to provide personal answers to questions that people had about the school and the student life. Through this experience, I strengthened my public speaking skills while learning how to connect with others.
Additionally, I volunteered at a First Lego League robotics event where I worked to queue middle school students for their judging rounds. I also helped in concessions where I sold food to people passing by. This experience taught me how to communicate with different audiences and remain organized when handling large groups.
Lastly, I volunteered at a Stem Saturday, which is an event at the Worcester Public Library where students can learn through interactive experiences. Throughout the day, I worked with children to make slime using science. Although at first, I did not know how to make it, I slowly learned while teaching others. By the end of the day, I was an expert producing slime at the perfect consistency without wasting materials. This experience taught me that you do not always have to know how to do something to start doing it. This adaptation allowed me to make slime but also led to me being more confident in my ability to learn.