Freshman Year 2009-2010
Upon receiving my acceptance to Duke University and an invitation to be a finalist of the prestigious Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship, I plundered down the stairs to relay the news to my mom, nearly toppling over from my hasty pace. In my current state of frenzy and incoherence, I attempted to explain using choppy sentences and flustered hand gestures the new opportunity thrown in my direction. I remember frequently checking the internet website, verifying that this letter wasn’t, in fact, a hoax. As I gradually came to accept the reality of the situation, my heart filled with relief and gratitude for being accepted into a top-10 school and my mind became consumed with eager anticipation for what Duke University would have to offer.
Arriving on Duke’s campus weeks later, I received warm welcomes from the scholarship directors as well as the upperclassmen Benjamin N. Duke Scholars, whom all shared distinctive, passionate views, not only about the program and Duke as a whole, but also the about the program’s connections to the outside world. The program embodies the core values of intentionality, community, empathy, and imagination, which I consider essential to developing one’s own leadership potential.
On a night during Finalist Weekend, all of the upperclassmen scholars and Finalists gathered in McClendon Tower, where a Bonanza ensued. There, scholars sequentially discussed their involvement at Duke, previous experiences in their summer of service projects, and deep connections they shared as members of the BN family. Looking back on that night, I now realize that it was my defining moment in making the decision to come to Duke University; the BN program fostered such an environment where passionate individuals can facilitate the development of their character, challenge each other’s ideas, initiate the discussions of relevant current-events issues, contemplate personal philosophies that don’t necessarily coincide with the norm, sharing ambitions and dreams, and providing a safety net should one of the members feel distraught. Observing their interactions, I felt the intensity of the intertwining bonds between the members of the community and came to the realization that I yearned to be a part of this positive team where vulnerability could be a positive thing, where I could grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, and where I could be myself. I become conscious of the idea that no matter what accomplishments I had achieved thus far, I would have never been able to accomplish them merely as an individual; in every circumstance, I had the support of others who cared about me, driving me to excel in various facets of my life. I came to the conclusion that the BN family would create the ideal environment for assisting me in becoming the person I want to be.
Likewise, Duke University also develops a constructive atmosphere, providing endless opportunities to advance its students on various levels. If I could express to you anything about Duke, it would be this: Duke is a powerfully inspiring place where one always has the potential to push oneself to infinitesimally higher levels. A crucial assumption is that one must take advantage of these opportunities Duke's facilities provide, expose oneself, and try new things. Take chances. My first semester at Duke has allowed me to explore academic areas that I would have never imagined; I decided to take a wide range of classes because I was open-minded as to what major I would pursue. I even decided to take Chinese for the first time in my life, despite constant warnings about its level of difficulty, and I fell in love with the language. Currently, I aspire to pursue it for the remainder of my time at Duke, and hopefully travel abroad in the fall semester of my Junior year. While in China, I also want to study the difference in women's roles between China and the United States. I also aspire to travel to Africa for my summer of service, where I can work with a microfinance program, taking more of a business approach to the development of society. While my major is currently undeclared, I am interested in pursuing both political science and Chinese, and I would like to take some classes in either the field of economics or markets and management. At Duke, I am also on the Women's Club Travel Soccer Team, am President of my House Council, a Project Child volunteer tutor, and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. I am involved with the PWILD program and have also been exposed to the ear-shrilling sirens of tenting in K-ville during Blue-Tenting Season.
Actor John Dean once said, "Dream as if you'll live forever, [and] live as if you'll die today." I live my life by this ideology because life is short and I don't want to ever have regrets. I am blessed to be a part of the Duke and BN communities. The BN family has added value to my Duke experience, enriching my life in ways more than I could have ever dreamed possible. Who else can I count on to call safe-rides with me when our over-achieving selves miss the last bus from West to East Campus because we were too busy writing late-night papers in the library? Who else can I count on to help me make a delicious cake so that we can surprise the BNs by showing up at their door at midnight on their birthdays? Who else can I count on to challenge my opinions without meaning offense, making me a more self-aware person? Who else can I count on for a shoulder to cry on when I feel the pressures of life crashing down on me? Who else can I count on to listen to my dreams and support me in pursuing them, no matter how difficult they may be? Who else will love me no matter what I say or what I do? I can count on the BN family. While I may face uncertainties about my future, the one thing that will remain certain throughout the rest of my life is my identity as being a BN. While feeding off each other's support, there is no doubt in my mind that we will accomplish great things and make a positive impact on the world.
High School Awards/Involvement: Valedictorian, Organized fundraisers for the Make a Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, and Pennies for Leukemia patients, sending care packages to troops in Iraq, Organized high school events as Student Body President, including a new student luncheon and dances, Junior Class President, June 2009 Female Scholar Athlete of the Month on 850 - the Buzz Radio Station, United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, '90 CASL Spartan Premier Soccer Team, Wakefield Varsity Soccer since Freshman year and Captain since Junior year, Varsity Cross Country Top-2 Runner, Won SADD 5k Road Race for Age Group, Outdoor Track, Broke school record in State Meet 4 by 800 Relay in Indoor Track, Student Ambassador to Australia, Wakefield Wish for Kids Secretary, Spanish Honor Society Vice President, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Key Club, Silver Medalist in National Spanish Exam, AP Scholar with Distinction, Harvard Book Prize Award, Volunteer for Catholic Parish Outreach Food Bank, church usher, tutor, lifeguard.