Personal Statement

Community involvement to enrich the lives of the people around me has always come as second nature. During my senior year of high school, my family and I suffered the loss of my fourteen-year-old cousin Giovanni. This tragedy, combined with my willingness and ability to help my community, propelled me to raise money and spread awareness for food allergies.

My journey began with the hopes of saving at least one child from a preventable death. I set out and began fundraising for "The Love of Giovanni Foundation", an organization created by Giovanni's mother to spread allergy awareness. Knowing the target group is young adults around my age, my goal was to teach my peers about the significance of allergy awareness. Last fall, I coordinated a series of events on campus that included a balloon remembrance 'send-off' event as well as educational awareness on the dangers of allergies, including anaphylactic shock, and distributed sample products from allergy-friendly food companies. Over 10 organizations attended the event including about 175 individuals.

As I move into the next phase of my life (as an accountant), I am committed to keeping my cousin's legacy alive and to serving my community in other important ways.