If you could create a college course that all students would take, what would it be about and why? (100 words)

During a debate over wind turbines, my friend, assigned to the con side, countered that we should avoid wind turbines because of bird biodiversity loss. I’d been unaware of this argument, as I’d only encountered positive arguments–from media, activists, and teachers–for wind turbines. 

With newsfeeds dominated by one-sided narratives, many remain oblivious to the full impact of policies. My course would be titled, “Ignorance is Not Bliss: Understanding Unintended Consequences,” and would encourage students to investigate the media, familial, and political influences on their beliefs. This class would encourage students to think independently, anticipating all sides of an issue.

What’s your favorite word and why? (50)

Shalom was my first Hebrew word. People welcomed my family into the congregation and bade us farewell with “shalom.” There’s something so beautiful about endings acting also as beginnings.

“Hello,” “goodbye,” “complete,” and “peace” all in one word? Shalom is the epitome of both warmth and efficiency. English, do better. 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (-250 words). 

The first club sign-up day of freshman year, I resolved to try anything and everything. Naturally, my name wound up on forty club lists. As I tried to eliminate some commitments, I paused over The Woodward Post, my school’s student-run newspaper. I wanted to share my thoughts on important issues, but I was scared of what people might think. Was I a bad writer? Would people isolate me for a controversial opinion? I didn’t know, so I resolved to only edit, not write. 

Over the next few years, I continued to edit. I enjoyed helping others convey their ideas with clarity and in proper English. I grew comfortable with my role until, in eleventh grade, I was asked to become the Editor-in-Chief. 

Yes? But that would mean I’d have to publish my writing. Every month. No exceptions. Nonetheless, passing up the position after loving The Post for years wasn’t an option. So, I accepted. 

The first opinion piece I wrote was challenging, but it has grown easier every month. Now, I feel confident sharing my writing with whoever cares to read it. I still help my forty person team produce clear writing. I prioritize encouraging young writers to publish in part by maintaining our supportive atmosphere. I’ve developed an appreciation for writing as a platform to cultivate ideas and build community, and I hope to hone my investigative journalism skills in college. 

Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural tradition each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community?

From birth until I was seven, my family enforced a strict no-technology rule (save our weekly movie night). Without blue light to pacify us, my sister and I developed techniques for entertaining ourselves. We organized scooter Olympics, read, and built roly-poly hospitals. While I relished all of our activities, my favorite pastime was undoubtedly exploring our craft shelf. 

The four-story wooden tower was consistently stocked with the necessities (construction paper, glue sticks, paint, markers), but the more novel items captivated me. Googly eyes, Perler beads, and pipe cleaners hooked me on creating completely new items. Pompoms became googly-eyed monster families, popsicle sticks and mini-logs became intricate houses, and multicolored paper became themed puppets. The craft shelf inspired a lifelong love for making something out of nothing. I still enjoy attempting to assemble a few seemingly unrelated items into something with aesthetic appeal.

 As I grew older, I channeled that urge also into cooking. When my sister received a Celiac diagnosis, we cleansed our house of all gluten-containing ingredients. At that time, gluten-free foods were scarce, so our previously takeout-dependent diets had to change.  Just like with the craft shelf, I quickly embraced taking basic ingredients and turning them into satisfying food for myself and my family. Thankfully, the gluten-free food sector has since grown, but my appetite for experimenting with nutritious ingredients endures. Years of experience transforming seemingly mundane items and ingredients into appealing creations has given me an optimistic outlook on the world that I will bring to Rice. 

I have also been shaped by my community. I was born in Montgomery, the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to a family of anti-discrimination lawyers. Instilling in my sister and me the importance of understanding and advocating for marginalized communities was one of my parents’ top priorities. 

I was escorted to every civil rights museum, memorial, and monument in Montgomery, and taken to more speakers, programs, and commemorative events than I am able to recount. Spending thrice the recommended time at the Freedom Riders Museum to discuss each exhibit seemed overkill to ten-year-old me.  But now, that time and those events seem integral to my understanding of modern-day Alabama and America. I will contribute my understanding of my hometown’s history to broader conversations of racial and regional differences at Rice.

My parents further ensured that I met courageous people with firsthand experience in opposing injustice. I was fortunate to have had multiple conversations with the Reverend Robert and Mrs. Jeannie Graetz. The couple were two of the few white people who actively and openly supported the Montgomery Civil Rights Movement from its inception. Their house was bombed twice, yet they did not desist from their work. They heroically continued their advocacy until their recent deaths.

I’ve always admired the Graetzes for risking their safety to champion causes that, if they had chosen to ignore, would not have affected them. They inspire me to prioritize doing what’s right over what’s easy, which I will carry throughout college and beyond.

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? 

I want to become an Owl.  

I’m enticed by the abundance of research opportunities. As someone who completed a sustainable farming independent study, I’m interested in further researching food deserts and food equity. I hope to pursue this topic with support from the Shell Center for Sustainability. 

 I’m impressed by Rice’s inclusive residential college system, which creates close-knit yet diverse communities. I’m similarly impressed by Rice’s stellar faculty and dynamic student body, which together foster an intellectually stimulating campus. 

The Rice Thresher is a top-notch testament to the highly capable student body.  I edit our school’s monthly paper with about half the staff of the weekly Thresher, an outstanding publication for which I would very much like to write.  

The Rice culture seems both challenging and supportive, a difficult balance to achieve.  I do hope to walk through Rice’s iconic archway as a student in the Fall.