Life Experiences and Background Shaped

¶ … life experiences and background shaped you into an individual who will enrich the University of Maryland community?

For eight of her thirteen years spent on Earth, my sister Kristen could not breathe without a tracheostomy tube, a ventilator, and a continual supply of fresh oxygen and could not eat without the tube down her belly. With a nurse on hand night and day, my sister struggled through childhood with an undiagnosed neuromuscular degenerative disease. She died when I was five years old, but by then I had already confessed my deepest secrets to her. Although Kristen could not communicate verbally, I could read to her and sing with her and together we watched our favorite shows on TV. Developing a meaningful and loving relationship with all four of my sisters formed the foundation of my early identity formation and helped determine my values, interests, and beliefs.

Soon after Kristen passed away I entered kindergarten and started an almost decade-long career in gymnastics. My dedication to the sport paid off through success at local, state, and national competitions. However, when I entered high school, my personality and perspective changed and I pursued track and field sports including running cross country and pole vaulting. When I entered my junior year I rekindled my passion for gymnastics, joined an all-star gym to practice, and soon expanded my repertoire to include cheerleading, too. Not only did I cheer for varsity teams, but I also coached junior and mini teams in both gymnastics and cheerleading.

Thus, athletic pursuits will remain an integral part of my holistic health, allowing me to balance my intellectual pursuits with the benefits of physical activity. Cultivating a variety of interests has enabled me to remain an open-minded, curious, and passionate individual. In addition to sports, I also developed an interest in drama especially from freshman to junior years in high school when I participated in several stage productions. Working with sports and drama required personal discipline as well as teamwork, and cooperation with others has become a hallmark of my academic and social lives.

Having attended both Catholic Grammar School and Catholic High School has left indelible impressions on my psyche, by invoking in me a deep respect for the values, traditions, practices, and beliefs of my faith. Until eighth grade I was an altar server for the school chapel. When I was a freshman and sophomore I became a senior altar server. Currently I serve as a Lector for my church and will continue to be involved in the religious community throughout my life.

Religion plays a vital role in the community by inspiring selfless service. However, secular service also has the potential to transform lives. My father currently sits as President of the City Council. Through him I have witnessed the power of local politics and recently I have attended City Council meetings out of a deep desire to improve my community, take part in initiatives, and eliminate the apathy and cynicism that can too easily paralyze a person against participating in political action.