Four years later, I am proud of everything I've accomplished in college.

Before UCLA, my life revolved around skating. As a Team USA figure skater, U.S. Olympic alternate and two‑time international champion, I spent years training and traveling the world for national and international competitions.

Skating gave me a global community, meeting people from different cultures, doing TV interviews and panel discussions, and sharing the ice with Olympians and World champions who inspired me. It taught me discipline, hard work, confidence and the importance of never giving up. I loved every minute of it.

As the months counted down to starting at UCLA, I felt a new kind of excitement. I had always been drawn to science and math, and UCLA — the number-one public university with incredible academics, athletics, school pride and, of course, the number-one dining hall food — felt like the perfect place to grow. I couldn't wait to take in the full college experience.   

Right before my freshman year, I decided to compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Collegiate Championships. I hadn't skated singles in six years, but choosing my own music and training a senior free skate again felt refreshing. At the event, I met some of my future UCLA teammates, who immediately welcomed me and even put me on the ice with them. That weekend was unforgettable, and I won the silver medal and the qualification to be selected to the International Selection Pool.

I was also honored to be selected as one of 100 freshmen to receive the UCLA Freshman Alumni Scholarship and join the Alumni Scholars Club. An alum reached out to me before move‑in, offering advice and reassurance, and throughout my four years, that network has been a constant source of support.

I've had the privilege of meeting the chancellor, joining the Chancellor's Society and attending networking events with professionals across industries. Serving first as a vice president coordinator and later as the academic enrichment director on the executive board gave me a home base on campus. I found a community of driven, kind people, built meaningful relationships and grew professionally by planning events and workshops for the UCLA population. This club became one of the places where I always felt grounded.

Joining the UCLA Figure Skating Team was one of the best decisions I made. From the moment I stepped into my first intercollegiate competition, I felt something different. A rink full of student‑athletes who loved the sport as much as I did, cheering for each other across schools, balancing academics and athletics and sharing the joy of skating in a new way. I traveled with my new family, won my first intercollegiate medal and realized I could continue my passion throughout college. By the end of my first year, we made history. UCLA won its first sectional intercollegiate competition and high team event at the 2023 National Intercollegiate Final.

During my sophomore year, I served as competition chair and had the privilege of hosting the intercollegiate competition. From contacting rinks and officials to coordinating volunteers, decorations and schedules, I learned how much work goes into creating a large event from the ground up. It was one of the most eye‑opening leadership experiences I've had.

I have also had the privilege of leading UCLA Figure Skating as president. Watching my team grow, celebrating our victories and supporting each other through challenges has been one of the greatest joys of my college experience. I've made lifelong friends and memories I'll carry forever. I am so honored to be awarded as the athlete of the year for UCLA as well.

Outside of UCLA, I've been honored to serve as a U.S. Figure Skating collegiate ambassador, sharing my story through webinars and panels to help grow intercollegiate skating. My involvement with U.S. Figure Skating as pairs vice chair on the Athletes Advisory Committee and as a member of the nominating, competitions and international committees has allowed me to give back to the sport that shaped me. Helping evaluate rules, select officials and advocate for athletes has been incredibly meaningful.

Academically, UCLA pushed me in the best ways. I took biology, math, statistics, coding, data science and digital humanities courses along with classes in music, anthropology, and film. I worked on statistical modeling projects, built websites and explored different fields. A pivotal moment was beginning research with my professor. Under his mentorship, I published a paper and presented at multiple conferences. That experience helped me discover my passion for statistics and data science, ultimately guiding me toward a post‑grad path in life science consulting.

As my undergraduate journey comes to an end, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you to the communities that became my families, the opportunities that pushed me and the privilege of continuing the sport I love while pursuing my education.

The late‑night study sessions, early‑morning practices, weekend competitions followed by exams or poster presentations, spontaneous coffee shop trips, hiking the Hollywood sign on a random Sunday, and attending an award show on a Tuesday — there was never a dull moment. I'm grateful I got to live all of it. From hosting an intercollegiate competition to leading UCLA Figure Skating as president, from serving as a U.S. Figure Skating collegiate ambassador to making history as high team national champions, every role shaped me into the leader I am today. Medaling at every competition, winning a national title and building a legacy with my team, what a journey it has been.

I'm endlessly grateful for the people, the memories, and every piece of this chapter that I get to carry forward into the next stage of my life. Thank you UCLA. Thank you UCLA Figure Skating. Thank you U. S. Figure Skating. Thank you U.S. Intercollegiate Skating. Thank you U.S. Olympic Committee. Thank you All for your continuous love and support.