I have lived in the Hershey area for ten years, and what I appreciate most about it is how peaceful it is. People are friendly, and it is the kind of place that keeps you steady even when everything else gets busy.

     The fall of Saigon in April 1975 changed everything for my family. My grandparents had to make a choice: stay and face persecution or leave everything behind and hope they would make it out. During their escape, the U.S. Navy rescued them while they were crossing the Pacific, and that is how they came to the United States as refugees with my dad and his nine siblings. They eventually resettled in Pennsylvania, and it became their new home. As a second‑generation American, I think a lot about the sacrifices they made. I would not have the life I have now without the risks they took then.

     Swimming has been a steady part of my life for as long as I can remember. I compete for the Hershey High School Swimming and Diving Team and the Hershey Aquatic Club. Swimming does not really have positions, but I focus on mid‑distance and distance events. The pool is where I feel the most like myself.

     I started swimming when I was six. Back then, it was not about times or medals. I just wanted to make friends. Over time, it became something much bigger. Swimming gave me chances to travel, compete, and see how far commitment could take me.

     One of the biggest moments in my career was representing Team USA in London, United Kingdom. I raced against professional national swimmers, including Olympians. That meet pushed me harder than anything before and it is where I earned my first Olympic Trials cut in the 200‑meter long‑course breaststroke. That moment made everything feel possible.

     Balancing school and swimming are not easy, but commitment matters to me. Practice comes first, and homework happens late. I do not skip practices. If I start something, I finish it.

     Swimming has taught me a lot outside the pool. One thing that has stuck with me is this: You can make a thousand mistakes, but you cannot make the same one twice. You learn, adjust, and move forward.

     I have also been lucky to have coaches who shaped me along the way. Greg Fastrich, my head coach, and Jeff Fastrich, my assistant coach, have both had a major impact on who I am as an athlete.

     Looking ahead, I am committed to the United States Naval Academy for swimming. My goals are to win the NCAA Division I Championships and compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. Some advice for younger athletes with big goals: take the risk, back yourself, and take action.