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This is a photograph of my mom and uncle on a summer day in a June in Newport. In my opinion my mom and uncle embody the ideal sibling relationship. The two are able to lean on each other when they are down, and laugh with each other when they are up. Not only are they the ideal siblings, both have been crucial figures in my upbringing and have shaped me into the person I am today. My uncle works harder than anybody I know because he knows what it is like to struggle. My mom is the most empathetic person I know out of nature, and still manages to shock me with her kindness, love, and optimism. I hope to embody these traits which I have witnessed bring happiness and an incomparable sense of familiarity to the one’s I love.

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This is a photo of my family and I when we went to London last year for vacation. I chose this photo because it was my first time traveling out of the U.S. and being exposed to a completely different country. This trip inspired me to hopefully travel much more when I am older as well. It also reminds me of how important family is and the memories you create with them throughout your life. I look forward to being able to spend time with my family and hopefully be able to travel more frequently.

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This is a photo of my family and I. It was taken on a summer night when we went out to eat at a pretty restaurant on the water. I care about my family more than anything else. We have a lot of fun and love spending time together. They mean so much to me. My parents are the main reason that we get along so well, and I truly hope that I will be able to parent my kids as well as they did. Spending time with my family is genuinely my favorite thing to do, and I hope everyday that my future family of my own will be just as close, loving, and have as much fun as we do.

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This silly picture of me and my friend Davin represents my job at Town spa in Stoughton. it was taken on a night that I was working doing a dish washing shift so do not the busser attire on but my job at town spa is a bus boy and it has changed my life. It is the first job that I got and still have to this day. From my very first shift it proved to be friendly atmosphere that introduced me to a world of new people and honestly opened my eyes to a lot of things around me and got me thinking. Walking home with cash after every shift that i vigorsly worked to keep the room and all the waiters/ waitresses happy gave a stronger meaning to currency and its worth. being handed money that you worked with together and helped through out the night to get them more tables and in turn more business makes the money feel more genuine. overall my job gave me a new view on friendships and simulated me with a lot of social interaction and in part made me more of who I already was. I have always wanted to help people in every way possible, and every night i get to go in and help other hard workers get more tables so that they can make more money and it in turn benefits me and causes me to make more. It feels like a perfect of example of good karma and giving back to others.

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This is a picture of me with my swim team during a national meet in North Carolina. Swimming has always been apart of my life even when I wasn't doing it cause of my brother participating in the sport, but I grew to want to do it. When I joined the team I never knew I could bond with so many people in such a short time and I have basically grew up with these people as family. This is my 7th year swimming on this team and I always feel like they are my second family. This picture does not only represent my passion but who I have became good friends with.

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This is a picture of my family and family friends of ours over the summer. I do not have a lot of family outside of my parents and siblings so I consider them a part of my family. I have known them since as long as I can remember and it was always a given that our families do everything together. I never appreciated how lucky I was to have such a close relationship with people beyond my family that care for and support me until quarantine hit. We basically quarantined together and tried to make the most out of the situation whenever we could. Being able to see them when I was not able to see friends and other people I am close to brought us closer than we already were. It made me appreciate the relationship I have with my family and our family friends because even during a hectic time, I had people to surround myself with that brought me joy and put a smile on my face.

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This is a photo of my parents that I took this summer while kayaking in Hull, MA. I truly love this photo because not only is it a representation of how close my family is, but it shows their great relationship as well. I admire my parents relationship, and are such great role models for my brothers and I as they go through life with such grace and integrity. Whether any of us have an issue or a conflict, my parents are always there to communicate and help us through the hard times. The ability to have so much love and respect for one another is something that I aspire to have in the future.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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This picture is from my sophomore varsity softball season. I love playing softball, and I play on multiple teams each year to be able to play year round. Playing softball motivates me to become the best I can be, and allows me to help younger players by sharing what I have learned through my years of playing the game. I specifically enjoy helping teach younger girls how to play softball at clinics that my coach runs during the winter. Teaching younger girls how to play softball is a meaningful part of my life that helps brighten my day and has made me realize that I might want to be a softball coach alongside another job in the future. Besides possibly coaching in the future, I am interested in playing softball in college.

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This is a photo of me and my younger sister during our vacation a few years ago. I chose this picture specifically because although it is from 3 years ago, it demonstrates how much we have grown as sisters since then. My relationship with my sister was not great when we were younger, which is normal for two young girls who are close in age. But as my family and I endured some hard times, me and my sister were brought together. And so that ties into the reason I chose this picture, which was because at the time it was taken I had no idea just how close we were going to become. She is now my best friend and has truly helped me through rough times whether its family, friends, or personal issues.

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This is a photo of me with my dance team competing. I have been dancing since I was two and a half years old. I have always loved dance overall, but sometimes it can be a very trying activity. It takes so much time out of my week and leaves me ultimately exhausted. The thrill of performing and getting to spend so much time with the people I love the most makes it all worth it. This past year two of the girls in this photo were diagnosed with anorexia. Most people do not realize that dance is one of the few activities that requires you to stare at yourself for countless hours in a mirror. The ability that my dance team has to support one another and help each other through tough times is a bond I will carry with me in life forever.

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My picture is of something most people never get to see. My picture is of the capillary network of a retina. This is from a retina I dissected and photographed while working at a diabetic retinopathy medical research lab. I am the youngest person to have ever been trained at the lab and I got this opportunity from complete coincidence. It goes back to June 2020. Due to all my dance classes and plays being cancelled I had a lot of time on my hands that I wasn't used to having. My dad is a wedding photographer and I had been assisting him on the little amount of jobs that didn't cancel due to the pandemic. At one of these jobs my dad had told me that the father of the groom was a professor at Boston University. That is the school I hope to attend on the premed track so I thought that I should introduce myself. In our conversation he said that we should set up a time in his office to chat. Well that chat turned out to be an interview for his lab and I started training the next day. I have been learning a technique called Retinal Trypsin Digestion (RTD for short). I have excelled at this technique due to my extremely steady hands and determination. This experience has taught me so much that there is no way I could fit it all here.

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This picture is of me rock climbing! I chose this picture because I am very passionate about climbing and it helps release stress and it has become very important to me. I normally go with one of my really close friends, so climbing has become a special part of my life. It helped build our relationship and has helped me learn to communicate and problem solve. Climbing has also shown me what I am physically, and mentally, capable of!

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This is a picture of one of closest friends and I at our cross country meet. I chose this picture because it displays the love I have for not only the sport, but the people as well. Cross country is able to put my two favorite things, running and being with my friends, together. I have always found running as an activity that can take my mind off of everything going on and give me a chance to get some fresh air and clear my head, and practices make it so much better because I am able to be with my teammates. During the season everyone gets to know each other so well that we are able to push each other to become better runners and have people that congratulate you on your good runs, but also comfort you on the bad ones because they know exactly what you are going through. Cross country has created some of my strongest friendships and bonds that I know will last forever and I cannot wait for our upcoming season!

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This picture is of some of my closest friends and I from about a week ago. I chose this picture because these girls have become some of the most important and closest people to me in such a short amount of time. Going into high school, my best friend was leaving me for private school, and my other friendships seemed to be falling apart. I was struggling to become close with a group of people and honestly felt alone. Though we have all been friends for a while, this past year has brought us so close, and I am grateful for each and every one of them. Whether its for a laugh or cry, I can count on them to be there with me. This picture especially just shows our happiness and the good times we have together. Without them I honestly don't know where I would be and I will always treasure our friendship and memories.

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This is a photo of me and my friends (and my friend's dog). I chose this photo because after junior year of high school, which proved to be by far the most difficult period of my life, I realized that the love and support of my friends is absolutely essential to me. This year proved to bring a lot of changes into my life, both negative and positive, and my friends were by my side through it all. Regardless of how far it feels we have been thrown from ourselves, my friends and I always remind each other of the amazing people that we are and of the blessings that we deserve. Some of my best memories and hardest laughs have been with these girls and I truly can not comprehend where I would be without them.

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This is a photo of me and some of my new friends that I made from the musical last year. Last year was the first time I had ever done a musical in my life. I was so nervous going into it with no experience and barely any friends. Over the few months of being a part in the musical, I connected with so many new people. Some of my best friends now I meet from the musical. the Musical last year was Mamma Mia and I'm so glad that my friend pushed me to do the musical. I am so thankful for this experience and how it taught me to get out of my comfort zone more often and I hope we get to have the musical this year!

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This is a photo from the top of a tower in Stratton, Vermont. I took this photo after a hike with my friends. Nature is a big part of my life as I would prefer to be outside exploring rather than inside. My friends in Vermont are very special to me as they helped me discover who I am and help me gain confidence in myself that I did not believe I had. This place allows me to see the world at a different view as it is at the top of a mountain. It makes me feel powerful and strong as if nothing is impossible. I can not wait to be back up in Vermont in the freedom of nature.

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This is a photo of my family and I in Nigeria this past Christmas. Since all of my family lives in Nigeria, I don’t get to see them as often as I would like. Every time I come back from Nigeria, my friends always like to ask me what I did while I was down there. Expecting me to list a lot of extravagant things, I usually end up telling them I just hang out with my cousins at my grandparents’ house. Most of the time, they are surprised that I don’t do a lot of other stuff, but I just simply enjoy hanging out with my family, especially around Christmas time. I always miss my family when I come back, so I hope to be able to visit them more in the future.

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This is a photo of my grandmother, my siblings, and I. My grandmother has always played a big role in my life, and has always been someone I have looked up to. Even though she passed away three years ago, she is always with me in my heart. I admired my grandmother’s kind spirit, and her witty humour. We bonded over the love of watching Keeping up With the Kardashians, and staying up late. I aspire to be as giving and successful as my grandmother, and I hope she is proud of who I am becoming .

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This is a photo of my friends and me. My friends have always been a really important part of my life. I moved to Easton when I was going into seventh grade. My biggest struggle with moving was not knowing if I would be able to make friends very easily. I worried a lot about putting myself out there to a whole new group of peers. I am lucky to be able to say that I found an amazing group of friends. Not only are they able to constantly make me laugh and put me in the best moods, but they are also always there for me. I am so grateful for the positive impacts that my friends have had on my life and I hope to maintain friendships like these forever.

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This is a picture of my parents. I took this when we when to New Bedford to look for furniture. They both play a huge part in my life and are always there for me. I look up to both of them so much. I look up to their loving relationship and hope one day i have what they have. They always know how to put people in a good mood, which i aspire to do. They have the biggest hearts and are so excepting and kind. They have helped me through so much and want the best for me. They are my hero’s and my inspiration. I love to spend time with them and i’m so glad I have them in my life.

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This photo is of a red velvet cake that I made for my family and I. Baking has always been one of my favorite things to do. It is a way to escape the stresses in life and pour all my focus into something delicious! The best part about baking is being able to experiment, get creative, and try new things. This is something that I have always applied to my daily life. I have learned that it is important to take time to relax, but also not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I also really love dessert (or any type of food but mainly dessert) and being able to make some of my favorites at home is a huge plus.

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This picture is of me and my sister having a movie night! Movies have always been a huge part of my life, particularly watching them with my family. My sisters and I even used to make homemade movies when we were young! I chose this photo because it represents my truest and most relaxed self. My favorite part of the day has always been watching a movie with my favorite snacks and favorite people. Some of my all time favorite movies are The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Interstellar, and Prisoners!

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This is a photo of my family's beautiful cat, that suddenly passed  recently. Leading up to the day, the air in my house just didn't sit right. Until a final decision was made to say goodbye. Mt mother and sister's emotions took over while I refrained mine and drove to the vet. I kept my composure and thanked the workers for the help and we said our last goodbye at the door. Due to covid-19, we were not allowed inside the building. It was a hard day indeed for mainly my mother and sister whom were the most attached to her. I took it upon myself to just be there for them and help them through this.

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This is a photo of me alongside the rest of the 2020-2021 GLSEN National Student Council. I've always been advocating for equal rights, and being part of this organization defines my efforts for making sure everyone feels included and accepted. The photo tells the story of 14 amazing individuals who have followed their dreams and are advocating for what they love. It had been a dream of mine since freshman year to be accepted onto the NSC, and as a result the application process made me feel a sense of nervousness I had never felt before. When I was notified I got accepted to this council, I was filled with ecstasy, happiness, and determination to be the best person I can be. This photo motivates me by reminding me anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

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This is a picture from my most recent trip to Puerto Rico to visit my aunt and grandparents. My mom was born and raised in Puerto Rico so we visit my family there at least once every year. This particular trip I traveled alone for the first time and stayed with them on my own. I was nervous to fly alone at first but I soon came to the realization how my I enjoyed having the independence of travelling on my own. I do not have much of an idea of what I aspire to do for the rest of my life, but I know that I am in love with the idea of traveling to different places around the world to experience new culture, people, and way of life.

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This is an old picture of my mom  reading while holding my older sister when we were all sick as kids. I picked this photo because my parents have always really valued books and reading and instilled that into us, I would say it's a big part of my identity. Being taught not only to read but to enjoy it is a privilege some people unfortunately don't get. On top of that, for me reading has always soothed anxiety and nerves. It has made me a more understanding and open minded person. I'm really grateful that my parents created an environment that framed reading as a gift as well as a necessary skill.

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This is a rather embarrassing photograph of me from first grade. I chose this photo because my experiences in first grade contributed to my decision to become a teacher. I always loved school and when I watched my older brother go to school, I couldn’t wait to join him. That all changed in first grade when my art teacher ripped apart my painting in front of me because I spelled a word incorrectly. From that point on, I no longer loved school because I was so afraid of failing or disappointing people. This led to anxiety, which I still have to manage today. However,  this difficult moment motivated me to become a teacher because I want to try to create a positive and welcoming environment in my classroom.