As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, my parents have instilled in me the values of

discipline, hard work, and perseverance for a better future. Ever since I was young, I watched my
father work tirelessly to support our family, working overtime shifts as a law enforcement officer
to save up for my college education. My mom, who is also my number one supporter, has always
emphasized the importance of higher education because it opens doors of opportunity and career
pathways. Because of this, I always strive for my best in the realm of academics and constantly
challenge myself through dual enrollment and AP courses. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA
throughout my entire academic career, and I have also earned my AA Degree in Social and
Behavioral Sciences from Merced College at the end of my junior year. As a first-generation
college student, this means a lot to me because I want to be a role model for my younger sister.

Besides academics, one of my biggest passions is making a difference in my community and the
lives of others. During the pandemic, I created my own nonprofit organization called
Cranes4Merced when I witnessed my community’s food insecurities. Collaborating with friends,
the Merced County Food Bank, and the mayor of Merced, I hosted a drive-thru food drive where
I collected over 480 pounds of non-perishable goods. Seeing the genuine looks of appreciation
on the faces of the people whom I served warmed my heart, and from that moment on, I knew
that I wanted to continue my journey of community service.
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Through my active involvement with my community through Cranes4Merced and the El Capitan
Leo Club and my school through Varsity Cross Country, Speech and Debate, Future Business
Leaders of America, Asian Culture Club, Academic Decathlon, and the district orchestra, I have
grown from a reserved individual into a compassionate, outgoing, creative, and confident leader.
As the current president of the Leo Club, I have used these skills to create fundraisers for causes
that I’m passionate about, such as childhood cancer. I’ve also had the privilege to connect with
individuals from all over the world, which has taught me that there is always more to learn and
grow.

Currently, I work as an academic tutor at Merced College to support my family and save up for
college. This job has cultivated in me a deeper appreciation for diversity through my interactions
with students spanning diverse age groups and perspectives. Seeing my tutees pass their classes
and gain more confidence in their academic careers is another source of inspiration for me to
continue empowering others.