My journal by Zoe Star

BASKETBALL PLAYER

zstar19 — 2025-04-04 12:02:48 UTC

Although I am not actively on a roster, I'll identify as an athlete/basketball player for the rest of my life. This sport has given me so much, and I would not be the person I am today without it. There is so much culture to the game of basketball on and off the court, and it has allowed me to not only grow as a person but also experience new things through travel and meeting new people who I wouldn't ever get a chance to meet elsewhere. My parents from the very beginning have always supported my athletic dreams, and I understand how privileged I was to have been allowed to play on the teams I did, travel to where I did, and go to the university that I committed to out of high school, which I am forever grateful for, and I will forever be in debt to my parents for allowing me to grow not only as an athlete but taking everything I have learned and use it in my everyday life. Although being a retired athlete can be a personality, this sport has given me mental toughness, and it has prepared me for more things that I couldn't have ever imagined those of which are all off the court. For example, basketball has given me grit and determination, and I take that through school and life. I often like to make the joke that if I can run my fitness tests, I can take 7 exams in one week, and that checks out every time. Basketball has given me confidence in life and I will forever be Zoe the basketball player.

ASIAN AMERICAN

zstar19 — 2025-04-05 00:21:23 UTC

I am the daughter of an immigrant, and I have never been more proud. My mom came here for college from Malaysia and had to build a life for herself in America, while her family stayed behind (and is still in Malaysia to this day). My mom has always had to work for what she has. She has had to make a name for herself, and in a male-dominated field, she had to work twice as hard to get to where she is today, her work ethic and grit have rubbed off on me and I am forever grateful for that. Although people have made comments about my race and how I should "go back to where I came from" (for clarity, I was born in the US), I am so privileged to have parents who have taught me how to put my head down and work. Although I used to wish that both of my parents were white because maybe I wouldn't have been made fun of for bringing rice to lunch in kindergarten or people wouldn't constantly bring up how my eyes are small, I understand how lucky I am that I have the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture that I might not have if it weren't for my mom. I am so proud to be an Asian American.

STUDENT

zstar19 — 2025-04-05 00:45:58 UTC

I have been a student my whole life, and although this will soon no longer be an identity of mine, right now it is something I take pride in. Ever since I was younger, my parents have emphasized how important education is and they have raised someone who genuinely loves to go to school and learn. As a student and someone who is committed to learning, I realized how privileged I am with the opportunities that I have been given. I realize how lucky I am to have parents who supported me throughout my undergraduate so I can play basketball at the collegiate level while getting two degrees. I realize how lucky I am to have grown up in a district that had a strong education. I understand my privilege when it comes to education, but I am grateful that I have the opportunity to use the knowledge I have gained throughout the years for a greater purpose than myself. School has always and will always mean a lot to me because it is where I can be my authentic self no matter what, and it is a sanctuary for me. I will forever be a student of the field I am in and I look forward to lifelong learning.

RESEARCHER

zstar19 — 2025-04-05 01:04:10 UTC

I have always been the kid to ask "why" and then proceed to ask "why" about the answer to the first why. Naturally, I am curious and I always want to do more. I also am extremely ambitious and because of that, I always want to know more and do more, so to do that, I sought out any research opportunity that I could find. By doing, this has taught me how to stay curious and fulfill my "hamster wheel" brain (what my roommates like to call it). By doing this, I was able to publish my undergrad public health research, submit and win at research conventions, and present posters at different events. I realize that this stems from being a student and how privileged I am to have the opportunity to go to school, but I understand that not everyone might not have the opportunity to seek out research, and I am so privileged in the fact that my advisors had enough trust in me to take a project and run with it. Research is something that I am so passionate about, and it is always something that will set my soul on fire. I am grateful to have the experiences that I have and the traits I have that will allow me to be a lifelong researcher and serve a greater purpose in life.