How did you earn The Congressional Award?

The Congressional Award Program has taught me to take initiative, persevere, and to be a leader. Today, I actively look for opportunities to help others and effect change in the world.

VPS: I volunteered at programs within the Japanese community–at a children’s cultural camp each summer and by coaching a girls’ youth basketball team. I also volunteered at a local aviation museum and earned a scholarship to attend an international leadership and community service camp in Canada.

Through my interest in science and passion working with kids, I developed activity kits to donate to patients at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and I was highlighted as 1 of 5 inspirational “Champions for Children” with the Stanford Foundation. I introduced this concept at my school and expanded the collaboration to Ronald McDonald House and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

PD: I became a Congressional Award STEM Ambassador through one of my goals of interviewing local women in STEM. I am thankful to the women I interviewed and how I was able to learn about different careers in STEM. I wrote short biographies about them and published them on my website in order to inspire others to explore this important field.

PF:I have pursued my love for sports and played basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, softball, soccer, and ran cross country.

EXP:I learned to take a leadership role during my family trip to Canada. There were many unexpected obstacles that came up during our trip, and I learned to take a deep breath, research different options, and be flexible with our plans.

What are your current ambitions?

I am attending Georgetown University and am excited to take classes and find what I am truly interested in. Currently, I am curious about public policy, law, and science, and I look forward to discovering how I can use my interests inside and outside the classroom, and hope to intern on the Hill in some capacity. I am very excited to be working with the Congressional Award and to learn and give back to the program that inspires me so much!

Where do you find your motivation?

Education has always played a large role in my life, and my family has always supported me. When I was younger, my grandmother taught me to read and sparked my love of learning that continues today. I have learned to always ask questions and make interdisciplinary connections, and I genuinely love learning from the people around me, too. I am motivated by new ideas and being a part of innovative communities. I am so grateful to my family, friends, and peers who inspire me to think critically and act for the common good.