As a child, I was irrationally afraid of mushrooms, particularly sliced ones. The intimidating slices always had a curved top attached to a rectangular stalk. To me, these pieces resembled faces, staring out at me from their two curved-top eyes. The worst offenders resided on pizzas, poisoning the melted layers of cheese atop my favorite dish. I believed that they were always staring at me, judging my every move, despite their inanimate nature. Nobody understood the anxiety provoked by this...

To find me, look for the girl reciting her speech by talking to the wall. My hands mime every word, matching my eyes full of passion. By writing every word I speak, I ensure my personality shines alongside my messages. Previously, I hesitated when sharing my personal opinions as I worried others would disagree and dismiss my ideas. I forced myself to peacefully follow others and accepted that my “weak” personality could not thrive in Speech and Debate. Although disagreements...

My first experience with a microscope in sixth-grade offered me the luxury of looking beyond textbook images. I watched cells become more defined with the turn of a knob and switch of a lens. This humble revelation instantly captured my interest in the sciences, especially microbiology. Biology’s curriculum was never-ending and covered everything from cells to large organisms. One day I could examine the virulence of lytic viruses, and the next day I could study speciation over the decades....

My academic interests are strange, but I stay true to what I love and share my interests with everyone around me. After all, who doesn’t want to hear fun facts about things like The Tapeworm Diet, Kuru, and the Birthday Paradox? Although others may initially feel confused when I gush about how cool Botulism is (through a biological perspective, of course), I hope to encourage others to express their interests on campus. Other than contributing fun (and bizarre) facts,...

Since 2013, one of my favorite hobbies has been encouraging library patrons to join the Summer Reading Club; following six years of this volunteer mission, my public library resembled home. I believe the best feeling is seeing a child eagerly chart their reading progress while gushing over the new titles they rented. However, my branch serves the most underprivileged area in Toledo; many patrons walk 20-30 minutes as they lack access to a vehicle. The children in these families have a...