I am so glad to see you here

I am currently a Sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Nuclear Engineering. I am originally from Deerfield, IL.

If my brain is being challenged and engaged, I’m happy. The experiences and the opportunities I have been given have prepared me for college and what comes beyond. Not only have I pursued scholastic success, but I have also found a balance between academic excellence and social connections, gaining respect as a leader and as a friend.

Beyond academics, I love giving back to my community and have grown as a leader through my work with Gratitude Generation (G2), a nonprofit based in Deerfield, IL whose mission is to instill gratitude in future generations through education and service. As a teen board member and treasurer, I helped organize and run service events across the Chicago area, from food drives and bake sales to educational programs on homelessness and mental health, as well as larger efforts such as sponsor-a-family campaigns and fundraisers supporting veterans, teachers, and foster children. I also took on leadership roles by planning and executing major events, including the Deerfield Food Pantry Bake Sale, which raised $3,000, and G2’s 5th Annual Gala, where I served on the committee and helped raise $97,000 to support our mission.

I am also a manager of two pools at my lifeguarding job for the Deerfield Park District. Through this role, I have learned how to be a leader and how to deal with angry patrons, as I am often forced to defuse stressful situations. My attention to detail is key because I often am responsible for training new lifeguards at weekly training sessions in CPR, choking, first aid, and spinal saves. As a leader at these facilities, I collaborate with the leadership staff to improve the pools’ cleanliness, develop and implement policies, and support the staff.

When I do have free time outside of activities, jobs, and service, I enjoy spending it with my friends and my basketball and volleyball teammates. One of my favorite things to do with my friends is playing ping pong. Every weekend, my friends and I get together to watch sports and play ping pong competitively because it gives us time to slow down our crazy lives. This year, I am going to try to learn how to play the guitar as an outlet for relaxation by creating a daily schedule and sticking with it.