Where it all started
I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and my parents gave me some incredible opportunities growing up. They are both highly educated, and at times money was tight but it was always clear that they would put my education before anything else. I was enrolled in a summer development program called SummerBridge San Diego from 5th grade through the end of high school (admittedly, the program was supposed to end after 8th grade but my class forced our way into new leadership roles and internships) that taught me the importance of working early, preparing for my future, and developing myself as a leader instead of just as a student.
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I believe my involvement with Summerbridge was one of the main reasons I was admitted to The Bishop's School, the best high school in the county. At Bishop's I received a world-class college prep education, taking a total of nine AP exams, playing three varsity sports, and holding multiple leadership positions in student organizations. The biggest thing I learned at Bishop's was that I can really do anything, and there's no reason to create self-imposed limitations.
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"The Bishop's Difference" was a huge inside joke during high school for me, and still is while my younger sister goes there, because one professor used to always mention "the Bishop's difference" when highlighting to us the ways our school was providing us with an above average experience. I want to reflect on what Bishop's actually gave to me (and also use this selfie I took with our favorite substitute teacher) in the next block.
The Bishop's Difference
To me the Bishop's difference is two things: the ability to think for myself and a heightened sense of self efficacy. Bishop's provided me with a liberal arts education, teaching me to recognize several different possible realities and come to my own conclusions about my beliefs. It also taught me, through experience, that I can do anything I set my mind to. The curriculum was challenging and the faculty pushed me every day to better myself and to think critically about my goals and how to achieve them, and because of this I graduated with an understanding that I really can do anything I set my mind to.
Outside of school
Besides having one of the best academic upbringings one could ask for, I think I was afforded a generally comfortable childhood. It featured frequent trips to Sea World (I spoke my first sentence at the park) and lots of time outdoors. I was never allowed to play youth football (and I was scared of it), so I found a home on the baseball field. Eventually I was good enough to play on a couple travel ball teams during middle school and the beginning of high school. Having such an active childhood was great for me, as it created the foundation love of sports and fascination with the ocean.
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One thing I wish I had done as a kid is learn to surf. I see my friends surfing today and it seems like the coolest experience, but I still haven't gotten around to learning how myself.
The road to Tucson
If you had asked me during the Fall of my junior year in high school where I would attend college, the University of Arizona wouldn't have even come to mind. However, when it came time to pick a school, the financial commitments to some schools were just too much for my family and we turned to the University of Arizona, where I was offered a full tuition scholarship for being a National Merit Scholar. Once I visited the University of Arizona, I was sold. I knew Tucson would be my home for the next four years and I was excited to see what college had in store.
My time at UA
The four years I spent at the University of Arizona were an absolute blur. I learned so much about myself and about the world there's no way that I'll be able to distill it into a few sentences on this page, but I'll try.
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I was fortunate enough to have a series of special experiences: I founded a club (award winning), I traveled to Paris and Japan, I led a service trip to San Diego, and I designed a business. All of this while earning three majors, a minor in Spanish and graduating with honors. To say I was busy would be an understatement, but it allowed me to test my limits and learn what I'm really capable of.
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I love the UA so much for what it has given me, and I can't wait to support future students so that they can have an amazing experience there as well.
