YOU ARE NOT ALONE! THIS IS WHAT HELPED ME GET THRU COVID
I AM HERE TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO CONNECT YOU TO STEM RESOURCES!
I started high school during covid. To say it was tough being alone for school all the time is putting it mildly. I missed my friends, and teachers. Then the fear of dying from COVID made things so overwhelming I wondered what the purpose of living was.
It was during this dark time that I found my passion for STEM. I was extremely lucky to have a mom and school who saw my academic potential in the science field. I was enrolled in college classes during my freshman year, and it truly changed my life.
My school allowed me to start a STEM club, and represent my fellow students as the Student Body Represent on the Schools Board of Directors. I was not only able to start the club, but setup the resources we needed so students at a distance could connect and still do safe at home projects together! Both jobs were really fun, and I got to meet a lot of people!
I was still really nervous and shaking in my boots during the first zoom meeting I got to lead, but it was an experience that above all else, gave me hope for my future!
I learned that science is a collaborative field, and this above everything is what I enjoy the most! I hope to share the information and resources that helped me on this website so that others find the same hope thru STEM that I found!
JOINING CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
During the pandemic and everything was still closed, I joined a rescue organization called Civil Air Patrol! It was amazing to learn how even as a teen I could be of service to my community thru life saving rescue volunteerism!
SNOWBOARDING WITH MY DAD
During Covid I actually learned how to Snowboard! There is a place called Mountain High snow resort in Wrightwood, California. It was so much fun, even though I busted up my nose and ended up in the hospital the very first time!!!!
I didn't let it stop me! My dad gets us season passes so we can take day trips up to the mountain and spend the day on the slopes! My mom bought us all snowboards for Christmas last year! It was an amazing winter!
HIKING WITH MY FAMILY
One of my favorite things to do is go hiking in the mountains! There are so many amazing places here in SoCal! Many schools have hiking groups, so if you like the outdoors be sure to check with your school to see if they have a hiking or outdoor club!
GOING FOR WALKS
My neighborhood has several small parks that have amazing wildlife to observe! Walking and getting some Vitamin D from the sun helped me so much! I always felt better after getting fresh air and sun.
MY PUPPY LOUIS
My favorite break time is when I get to play with my study buddy Louis! He gives me more emotional love and support than I could ever repay. I want to do everything I can to make his life as amazing as possible. I love him so much!
DAY ESCAPE TO THE JPL CAMPUS
My dream is to work on the Mars Landing Rover at JPL someday! Wether it is cleaning it, bringing the staff snacks, or having the privilege of building it, I hope to someday earn a position on the team!
During my 7 habits of highly effective teens training, I learned this planning is called Synergy! Beginning with the end in mind, is a habit that helped me just as much as a mental health day!
JUST A LITTLE LUNCH ON THE CALTECH CAMPUS!
One of the things that has kept me going is holding on to my goals, and staying on track with them. This endeavor has been an over 4 year journey. My parents have helped me by taking me on the 4 hour drive to the campus to pick up some CalTech swag from the gift shop, and grabbing some amazing food from the commissary next to it!
LEARNING TO GARDEN
Some other activities I learned to do during COVID that didn't cost anything, was gardening! Having a natural love of digging helped! I would take the seedlings from the food our family ate and plant them after they germinated and began sprouting! It was amazing to watch and see!
OUR BACKYARD ECOSYSTEM
As I spent time outside I would track the wildlife I came across so I could learn about our area. We have Eagles, vultures, hawks, massive owls, coyotes, all kinds of geckos and rattle snakes in our little ecosystem!
TOURIST FOR THE DAY
Something our family did together when we needed to get out of the house was play tourist for the day! We found some amazing land marks like the Cabazon dinosaurs and spent the day running around outside and getting a much needed mental health day!
BEACH DAYS
My moms favorite place to go is the beach. We spent many days at the beach just sitting and watching the sun set, then grabbing dinner before heading back home! These were some of my favorite days!
VOLUNTEERING AT A SHELTER!
Working with animals can be one of the most satisfying and de-stressing acts of service a person can do. Giving your time to a shelter like Animal Friends of the Valley not only helps your community, but it gives you an outlet for loving and caring for animals if you are in a position to not keep one! You can still make friends with the ones in the shelter that are waiting for their forever home! Volunteering at the shelter is one of my favorite ways to spend the weekend!