Sources of My Identity

Mount Saint Joseph Academy: When I was in eighth grade and I found out that I would be attending the Mount, I was enthusiastic! Rarely had anyone in my grade school attended Mount because of the commute, but I was up for the challenge! The Mount imbues self-confidence in all of its students because of its atmosphere. I have developed even more confidence in myself by attending the Mount because I know that I am truly prepared for any future endeavors because of my hard work and that of my teachers. In addition, the Mount has developed my passions for Science and Spanish, both areas I hope to pursue in my career. In my Honors Physiology class, I not only learned about anatomy but also saw it through the numerous cat and sheep dissections. Through taking five Spanish classes, I have developed an appreciation for the Hispanic language and culture, and I hope to be bilingual. Throughout my four years at the Mount, I have developed my time management skills as I am a three-sport athlete, have a one-hour commute, and take numerous AP level classes—things I never thought I would have been able to manage as an eighth grader.

Running: I have always been athletic as a child through my involvement in gymnastics, dance, soccer, basketball, softball, cross country, and track. However, running cross country and track are my favorite sports. Whenever I used to participate in the aforementioned sports, I was never exhausted from all of the running around, making me consider running track in fourth grade and cross country in sixth grade. I have always enjoyed running long distances because I can literally just get lost in my thoughts, especially when I am stressed out from all of my activities. Running has given me a form of goal setting. I consistently set goals for my cross country and track seasons so all of my mileage and efforts work toward a specific purpose. In addition, running keeps me physically and mentally fit.

Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp: This past summer, I volunteered as a counselor at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp in Worcester, Pennsylvania. My cabin consisted of four wheelchair-bound boys, Mohammad, Revanth, Sebastian, and Uva. I was the “newbie” of the group since this was my first year and my campers’ fifth. I assisted them by tying shoes to fixing meals to playing toss. Many times, tasks I thought were simple were those with which campers had difficulty or could not complete. As a counselor, I provided my campers with both physical and psychological support during the week so they could forget about their diseases. Volunteering at MDA Camp provided me with an opportunity to help positively shape my campers’ futures by providing them with a source of hope. By volunteering at the MDA Summer Camp, I am more appreciative and thankful for my good health. I have learned that I enjoy helping others, especially those with neuromuscular diseases, peaking an interest in a career in neurology. I hope to continue battling these diseases with my campers not just for a summer but until they are cured.