Welcome to my SMASH portfolio. My name is Kayla Fong. I am currently a first year here at SMASH Berkeley. I am a rising sohpmore at Life Academy of Health and Bio-Science High school located in Oakland, California. My school is based off of life, science and health, so I knew that SMASH would be a good opportunity for me. Let me tell you about my journey applying to SMASH.
One day during my school year of my freshman year, Dr. Jennifer R. Cohen (Site Director of SMASH Berkeley) offered the rising sophomores an opportunity to spend 5 weeks of their summer at the University of California Berkeley. SMASH stands Summer, Math and Science Honors Academy. This program is for students are want to take further action in STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. SMASH was an eye- opening experience for me. SMASH helped me realize that I want to pursue and career in the medical field. So, after she came to my school and offered us an opportunity, I had to go through a whole process of getting myself to where I am today. The first step was writing an essay about something i’d change within the STEM field. After that, I had to send in some more paperwork. I filled in everything that I needed to fill. And so, I waited and waited for another email. On March 8, 2017, I received an email from Dr. Cohen. The first word I seen was "Congratulations..." Right after that, I thought to myself, "One more step closer". I took the math assessment and did what I had to do. So after the assessment, I awaited for a couple more days for the interview. I got the email and confirmed my ticket. We were required to bring an adult and so I brough my older siste with me. The day of the panel interview, I was so nervous and tried my best to impress the older SMASH scholars and the directors. I went home that day so nervous and scared because I was afraid I wasn't going to get in. After that day, I received an email again, from Dr. Cohen informing me that I was accepted. I waited all day on April 28th, 2017. I was at school, and kept checking my phone to see if I got an email from her. Later that night, I thought about going to sleep but I couldn't because of the email. Sometim around 9pm, my phone rings and I look. I see that email I was waiting for all day. I was really nervous so I had my sister read it to me. I asked her what happen? Did I get in?? And she replied what do you think? I said no? She handed me my phone and I real the word "Congratulations" and I freaked out! I was so proud of myself at that moment. Beyond that point, I couldn't think about how hard I worked to get to where I was at. Weeks pass by and I had more mandatory oerientations and meetings. On my move in day, I was so nervous and scared and I did not know what to expect. But here I am today, writiing about my journey about how I got where I am today. I learned that you should't be scared to do something. Even if you are scared, do it. And do it with fear.