Diego and I sat outside our writing classroom, waiting for his dad to pick him up. The shy, soft-spoken middle schooler must’ve been hungry (it was past 7) and anxious – as we all have been when our parents are late. He started to fidget restlessly on his chair.

To distract him from staring at the ticking clock, I started a conversation, remembering from his previous essays that he loved sports.

“Let me guess – basketball is your favorite sport?” I asked.

Instantly, his face lit up, and he began talking about how he enjoyed playing pickup basketball at his school, Bayside, with his Filipino buddies. Being in a STEM-focused program, he also savored solving jigsaw puzzles.

“I just love how everything clicks into place,” he said.

We debated about the best NBA players and teams. He described his family vacations in Manila. We discussed his favorite subjects, math and science.

Before we knew it, his dad had arrived. While our quick chat that evening may have ended abruptly, Diego’s growth as a young man was just beginning.

Fast forward seven years later – Diego was in the midst of applying to colleges, and I was helping him with his essays. This time, our chat was on Zoom, but the topics remained the same. In fact, I was proud that he was able to incorporate his passions into his personal statements.

I discovered a young man who became the captain of his high school basketball team. A peer tutor who solved puzzles with his students. A problem-solver who built machine-learning AI models. A proud Filipino who wants to improve the healthcare system of his country.

Thus, it’s no wonder that this impressive teenager will be attending Harvey Mudd College in the fall of 2025. Congratulations, Diego!