School: Miami University of Ohio

College Major: Business Marketing

Scholarship Winnings: $15,000

Scholastic Honors: Graduated as Valedictorian in my French-speaking high school with the award of Excellence in Biology, Mathematics, Advanced French, English, Economics, and History

Career Ambition: To be the motivational figure of my generation, traveling the world encouraging and giving people the tools to unlock their unique potential

Talent: Classical Piano

Social Impact Initiative: “One big difference between successful people and all the rest is that successful people take action” – I remember hearing this quote when I was younger, and feeling inspired… Until I realized that it’s taking action that’s the most difficult part. I began to search and eventually found specific tools and strategies that would help me achieve goals that I would have otherwise never dreamed of accomplishing. This quote is why I started my social impact initiative, Project Purpose, because I believe that everyone should have access to the tools and resources that allow them to take action towards success and pursuing their potential.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? I’ll never forget the patience with which my mother sat with me for hours at the piano reminding me that “quitting’s not going to make it any easier.” Building the ‘discipline muscle’ isn’t easy. I quickly learned that no amount of screaming, crying (or even on one occasion pretending my finger was broken), was going to let me escape that daily piano practice. Quitting was not an option. Through moments like these, I learned the valuable skill of sticking to a commitment and realized that there is no substitute for hard work.