PICK SIX (descriptions)

NYU PICK SIX

Intro Slide: Building Community Starts with Me (three sentences) Having moved six times by the time I reached high school, I had molded to so many different environments that I had lost my sense of self. I was forced to relearn how to balance my ability to adapt without burying my individuality. In developing into the perseverant, strong, and caring person that I am today, I’ve discovered the profound impact that uniquely I can have on my relationships, my community, and even the world.

1) Growing in a Changing Environment (personal photo) My first move to City at age three prepared me for the five subsequent moves across the Country which would teach me to quickly adapt to new environments, ideas, and people, a skill that has proven incredibly valuable personally in befriending a diverse group of people and professionally as I’m able to quickly learn and make an impact, evidenced by my fast promotion.

2) Seeking Happiness Within (photo on undergrad campus) Though I left high school with a great GPA and acceptance to UNIVERSITY, I ultimately felt unfulfilled because I had over-adapted to an environment which prioritized external validation in the form of academic success, prompting me to seek internally for who I am and what I truly want in life.

3) Embracing my Individuality (personal photo) Departing from the boat shoes and Vineyard Vines that I wore to fit in during high school, buying my first pair of Doc Martens was a key step in my journey of self-discovery to reclaim my individuality and feel confident in my differences.

4) Authenticity in Relationships (screenshot with photo and text message) Coming out as gay was deeply intimidating and uncomfortable at first, but I learned that through honesty and vulnerability, I can not only share myself but also forge deeper connections, change minds, and support those around me.

5) Bridging Cultures and Identities (family photo) The first time I celebrated my COUNTRY heritage without my COUNTRY grandmother was when I made her [yummy food] recipe for my first CELEBRATION gathering in college; surrounded by friends from varying backgrounds, I finally understood the power of my mixed identity as a unique tool to facilitate conversations between among cultures.

6) Serving Others (screenshot of online newspaper article (about baking project) with photo) While I used to hide my love of baking to fit gender expectations, coming out freed me to explore and share this passion; donating profits from my sourdough sales showed me the impact that I can make when I ground my passions in the service of others.