University of Maryland

I would go to the U.S Open in 1972 to watch defending champion Billie Jean King defeat Kerry Melville in straight sets. Afterwards, I would follow King as she advocates for pay parity between female and male athletes to learn how to effectively campaign and advocate for social justice causes. In observing King, I would love to channel her confidence in pushing against social norms to address the sexualization of women and young girls in sports.

Did you know William Shakespeare created the terms "wild goose chase," "kill with kindness," and "apple of my eye"? I didn't until a few years ago. In the research process for a paper on Shakespeare's legacy, I became fascinated by his immense contributions to the English language. Having read a Shakespearean play and poems every year for the last several years, I was well aware of his impact on the Western canon of theater and literature, but the sheer number of his coinages and idioms that we still use today shocked me. As an actor, I've been in many shows but never in a Shakespearean play–something I hope to explore at Maryland.

Through personal research, I discovered that the 138-acre Belward Farm, some of the last undeveloped land in Gaithersburg, MD, will be developed into a life science center and retail pavilion against the wishes of its original owner. From this work, I realized profit-driven choices can often come at the expense of natural resources, requiring people such as myself to advocate to local leaders to ensure their decisions reflect and balance the long-term sustainability of both the environment and community.

From Stromae to Matisse to Tintin, I love French culture. Growing up in London and living in Europe, I was surrounded by many people speaking different European languages. After studying Latin for five years, I began Italian and French and continue to improve in both of them, practicing my French fluency in class and furthering my Italian conversational skills at home. My love for languages has also led to my increasing curiosity about the art of different cultures and how a culture's language and art help to make a society distinct. I hope to minor in French and to further develop my understanding of the Francophone world.

For my International Baccalaureate Biology Higher Level course, I conducted independent research on the antibiotic properties of Manuka honey; this project sparked my interest in researching natural remedies. I am fascinated by natural remedies because they could potentially hold untapped solutions to some of the world's most devastating diseases. After watching my grandfather struggle with MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant infection, I wish to use my future studies to unlock the power of natural medicine to increase the accessibility and affordability of medical treatments.

Playing tennis with my best friend. Even though we aren't related by blood, we are practically twins. He and I frequently have fun debates, the most recent being whether the Comic Sans or Times New Roman font is better. We explore our school town of Bethesda during our open lunches; each day is a little adventure. I feel so lucky to spend time with him, whether that entails tennis or some other activity.

Taking my five year old god-sister Frankie out to dinner for her birthday. It was the first birthday I was able to spend with her, and we spent the night talking about all things five-year-old, including how excited she was to start Kindergarten, specifically cooking class and playtime with her new friends. As her birthday present, I gave her her first watch (decorated with sparkly pink unicorns and rainbows) and taught her how to distinguish the hour from minute hands. It reminded me of how my older brother taught me to tell the time when I was five. Now I was the older 'sibling' teaching it to Frankie.

On the underside of my right forearm, I have a tattoo. Drawn in black ink are two intricate curves, the eating disorder recovery symbol, there to remind me every day of my resilience, strength, and bravery. It serves as a message to myself to rely on my resources and support system. Additionally, it symbolizes the support of my family, who sat with me when I got the tattoo, just as they were with me through every hardship that it represents. No one is immune to adversities, but when storms come, I am able to look at my arm and remember that I've endured this before, and I got through it last time, so I can do it again.

Although I cannot speak the language, I have learned songs and prayers in Arabic, first through family tradition and then through my own research. I am the descendant of immigrants from Syria and Armenia, and incorporating new Arabic traditions, such as reciting the Lord's prayer in Arabic, into holiday celebrations helps me honor my family and religion by surrounding myself with the culture they left behind. These seemingly small traditions help me connect with relatives who I was not able to meet and reconnect with those I have lost.

My homeschool classroom was a melting pot. My classmates came from all over the world: some were children of Ecuadorian and Pakistani immigrants, while others grew up on army bases. My perspective broadened when we met at each other's houses, eating different cuisines and observing each other's diverse familial structures. From witnessing the struggles to put down roots in military families and the challenges faced by kids whose parents hardly spoke English, I developed deeper empathy for my friends whose experiences differed from my own. Since then, the ability to see the world through the eyes of another has been an incredible asset to me.

At my middle school lunch table I grew closer to my friends by understanding their life experiences, learning about Judaism from Brielle whose Bat Mitzvah was fast approaching; a few words in Chinese from Samantha after she attended Chinese school; a French phrase from Ines whose family speaks the language at home; and the fundamentals of Sikhism from Gurnoor, who volunteers at her Gurdwara each weekend. I am grateful to have had an early exposure to my friends' unique cultures because it gave me an appreciation for diversity that informed my efforts to support inclusion through my work in the Art of Sonder Club.