UW hit a lot of criteria as an ideal school.

The cost of in-state tuition along with Washington's

ability to provide financial aid was a large factor in why I chose to attend. Also, Seattle is far
enough from Olympia for me to be my own person but close enough to keep in touch with my
folks back home. My sister also attends the UW and I’d say that was another factor in the
decision. Me going to school here allows for me to spend time with her whether it’s cooking,
studying, or going on adventures together; She’s an important part of my life and having the
opportunity to be in the same city as her is a no brainer. Financially, UW was the best option but
UW's prestige as a school and research institution was another component. UW’s environment
pushes students to excel in academics and holds everyone to high standards to not only pursue
academia, but develop the unique individuals who are able to give to the world. Because of this
environment, I’m able to develop both mind and body and contribute to something bigger than
myself from values and challenges that I’ve accumulated from my time here. Whether it’s
interacting with the diverse student body or acting on opportunities given by the school,
innovation and development is always happening on campus and I’m grateful and excited to be
part of it.

I think the one thing that I value and am grateful for from this year was the devastation I’ve
encountered throughout the months outside and inside of academics. The experience of failure,
hardship, and complete and utter disappointment is something I familiarized with and come to
value. Whether the adversity takes form in unsatisfactory test scores or rejection from research
applications to frayed relationships and depression, there’s always something to extract value
and learn from and improve and through devastation, an individual can see through a newfound
lense they couldn’t have before. I’m satisfied to be in an environment like UW’s where it can be
notoriously difficult to do well because it allows me to develop a part of me that can’t be
quantifiable through scores and curves.

I’m looking forward to what next year brings; I feel like I got into the flow of things from my first
year and I’m finally acclimated to the environment so I can go into next year with better study
habits and time management. For next year, I’m continuing research in genetics/cancer cell
metastasis and applying for the biochemistry major in the spring. Also, I’m practicing excerpts
and repertoire for auditioning for violin lessons and to play in the UW symphony. Along with that,
I’m continuing in volunteering with Low Income Housing Institute and Seattle Tiny Homes,
organizations devoted to providing housing to people with little to no income. Hopefully, along
the way through next year I have time for my hobbies such as birding, drawing, and coastal
fishing.

I’m vehemently grateful for the Hawthorne scholarship granted to me because it allowed
financial flexibility to explore and experiment. Initially, my intentions were to pursue biochemistry
before I even sat down through my first lecture at the UW, but there was always a lingering
doubt that questioned if biochemistry was what I really was interested in. I’ve heard from a
handful of people that staying in the biochemistry major is difficult and the curriculum of both
organic chemistry and physical chemistry hurt their souls. This scholarship fund allowed for me
to lessen that doubt by providing me an opportunity to branch out to new subjects and take
courses I would have never thought I would in pursuit of finding what I wanted to do with my life.
Through the Donald C. Hawthorne scholarship, I could afford to take courses such as medical
anthropology, philosophical astronomy, Korean, music appreciation, etc. and the end result,
interestingly, is me still pursuing biochemistry. But my worldview and perspective definitely have
developed and this period of branching out is something I consider valuable and crucial in the
long run. It’s refreshing and necessary to find a holistic balance between STEM and the arts and
through these courses, I have met remarkable people, developed understanding, and further
identified my passions and values beyond academics. The impact of this scholarship resonates
to a magnitude that I continue to feel to this day and I’m forever grateful for the people who
made the Donald C. Hawthorne scholarship fund possible and Mr. Hawthorne himself.