Waking up hours before dawn on the weekends to run was difficult, to say the least. Convincing myself to get out of bed that early every week tested my commitment to cross country. However, no matter how tired I was, I always made it to practice or to the meets on time. Looking back, I realize that my motivation didn’t just come from dedication to the sport; it also came from a dedication to my teammates. Each one of us felt the same fatigue, but regardless, we showed up to support each other. That sense of community has always been my driving force, and many of the clubs and organizations I participated in aimed to build that sense of community. During high school, I ran for the school’s cross country and track & field teams for seven seasons, serving as a co-captain during my senior year. Outside of sports, I was an active member on my school’s community service board, where I, along with a few classmates, ran drives and projects at school and around Dallas. I also led the juggling club, where I helped teach other students to juggle. Whether it was sports, clubs, or service, I have always sought to contribute to the communities that supported me.
From a young age, I gravitated toward the healthcare field. The idea of helping people in my community recover seemed like the chief form of service. However, when I began volunteering at a hospital and shadowing, I noticed firsthand the burden of medical bills. Rather than focusing exclusively on resting, patients were working even longer hours to pay for the treatments. I plan to combine my education from McCombs with a medical education to explore ways to provide more affordable care to those in need.
Majors
Business Honors; Plan II Honors
Honors Programs
Canfield Business Honors Program; Plan II Honors
Other Academic Interests
Health Reform and Innovation Minor, Pre-med
Extracurricular Activities
Texas Consulting, UT Archery, Plan II Pre Med
What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
The Forty Acres Scholars Program appealed to me because of its tight community. Having a cohort of talented and diverse individuals ready to support one another is irreplaceable. For me, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for in the colleges I was considering, but after attending Finalist Weekend, one word came to mind: family. The way the scholars supported each other highlighted the strong bond within the cohort. In addition to the connections within scholars, FASP emphasizes mentorship between older students and younger students and between students and alumni. I knew after that weekend that the mentorship I saw was incredibly special, and once offered a spot, I knew that FASP was the place for me.