The piano plays a blues-like arpeggio, pentatonic notes ascending until G#7. My fellow choir members and I begin to sing our second song, "Music Down in my Soul," for the spiritual category in the Golden Gate International Choir Festival. The piano dramatizes its notes over the line "Over my head" as we slowly bring our hands mid-body to groove. Suddenly, the piano accelerates into an upbeat gospel and we cry, "I got this music down in my soul! And it...

Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir has been my second family since 4th grade. My choral director Mr. A jokingly once said that I sounded like a "roach" at first. Yet, he saw my potential for growth and permitted me to join the choir's rich history. I was first a Soprano 2 weakling who competed in the World Choir Games and won two silver medals in the children's choir and spiritual categories. The next year I traveled to Eugene, Oregon to...

"I exist explosively for phenomena of the world and of humans, The need to extinguish flames with pages and lesson All leading to personal investigations" I express myself through poetry, the art of condensing language into lines and symbols. It is my personal therapy when I'm not with my therapist. In my freshman year, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. To cope with my depressive and anxious episodes, I write personal poems to release my...

I desire to become a global citizen. My allegiance falls to humanity rather than a specific group or country. Because of this loyalty, I am devoted to understand the whole world, to advocate for the marginalized, and to potentially influence the international arena. By attending two rigorous universities in two different countries, I strengthen my identity as a global citizen and become closer to my cosmopolitan goals. At Sciences Po, I will immerse myself in my favorite subjects, the humanities...