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"Our differences can be cause for celebration when we believe the same Spirit...and that we each hear the Spirit best at a different pitch," (183).

I believe that individualism is one of the most important aspect that makes a person who they are.

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In my family, going to Hong Kong is a big deal. We get to see a great deal of family that we do not normally get to see. Once I turned 10 years old my mom took me to Hong Kong. I got to see a new country and a different culture. She told me stories of when she was little: the school she used to go to, the places she used to hang out at, her old house. I was given new responsibilities such as access to a credit card and permission to roam around the streets. There was so much knowledge that was there, it felt like a different world. When my whole family was able to go, I got an even richer experience. My parents gave us all credit cards and let my siblings and I manage our way through Hong Kong. The atmosphere and culture allowed me to take on new responsibilities. As a middle schooler, I got to be responsible for things that I would normally start doing in the United States when I was a senior in high school or going into college.

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My mom is an immigrant from Hong Kong. Some of her friends are in the United States, but a lot of them are still in Hong Kong. It is common practice for Hong Kong students to study abroad for high school. The two boys in the picture are my friends from Hong Kong. One of them is currently studying at Webb School and the other is studying in Europe. We have a group chat and most of the topics include current events as well as controversial political discussions. I get a more worldly view because they give a different perspective to issues I was sure on. I am challenged by them as well as an educator. I learn to think about issues more in depth from my perspective and others.

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My mom immigrated to the United States so that she could attend college here. She went to an all girls Catholic school all her life and when she came to UCLA, she strived as an economics major. Her family was not well off, so she did whatever she could to assist in paying her tuition. As soon as she graduated, she started working and sending money back to her family. Now, she works in home mortgages with her own branch. She is part of New American Funding, which is a company that strongly advocates for women's rights. My mom is within the top 20 in the country in her predominantly male occupation. My mother is opinionated on political topics. I see her as a strong, independent woman that I want to model myself after.

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My dad grew up in West LA, which is known as a part of the ghetto community. He tells me the struggles that he had to deal with as a kid and it really humbles me because it makes me think about how privileged I really am. My dad and I have a close relationship where we discuss a lot of real life problems that we face. He is someone that can tell me about the Japanese American culture as well as discuss with me any boyfriend issues. He is my support system for most of my decisions. My mom and him work well together as well and I know how patient he is. He is yet another model of life that I would like to take after.

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Rising Stars Youth Leadership                    Program 

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Rising Stars Youth Leadership                    Program 

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I have been a part of this program since I was a sophomore. Sophomore year was the year that I was actually in the program. I learned so much about myself as well as other people's perspective on the Japanese American community. I think that what drew me to the program was the closeness that we all acquired from each other as well as the skills I honed from the lessons in the program. I learned about public speaking, financial fitness, and networking. After graduating from the program, I have become the Alumni Council President. I wanted to give back to this community. They helped me become more aware of responsibilities that I will take on in later years and a new type of community that was there to support me.

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"And sometimes, just showing up, burial spices in hand, is all it takes to witness a miracle," (188).

The idea of "being there for others" is really important. I believe that having people that come to you when you're in need or help you even when you do not know are valuable in life.

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My confirmation experience was really eye opening. I was still in public school and had a very different perspective on life. I was more quiet and less cautious. I did not think so much about what God meant to me or issues regarding the church. Confirmation brought me closer to a new group of friends, who all had different perspectives on religion. I think that they really showed me that religion was not black and white. What I believe in is up to me and I can make judgements about my religion based on how I feel about topics.

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This song is about a group of people taking pride in being outcast. They choose to be outcasts because they are accepting their differences and others. Despite all the people that try to bring them out, they push through and get stronger from every scar. I can relate to this song because I have been an outcast at one point. I have come to a point where I can accept myself and take pride in what makes me different. I like this song because I like that

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Outcast is an original song which is featured in Sweet Dreams, the nineteenth episode of Season Four. It is sung by Jake, Kitty, Marley, Ryder, and Unique with the rest of the New Directions as back-up. In the episode it is written by Marley.

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"It is merely a carrier - of memory, of healing, of grace. We anoint not to cure, but to heal," (205).

Healing and getting back up are what defines you as a person. Will give up? Or will you learn and continue on? I want to heal from my wounds to be stronger.