I am a senior at Manhasset Secondary School, Class of 2025.
I am a dedicated crew rower.
I am a passionate filmmaker.
I am an award winning science researcher.
Throughout my academic journey I engaged in a diverse range of activities that nurtured my various interests and have found numerous opportunities for personal growth and the expansion of my knowledge.
In my free time I like to explore, being fortunate enough to have explored the ins and outs of Long Island, visited 29 states and gone to 34 different countries. I love to snowboard, road bike, and just in general get involved in my community.
I immigrated to the United States from South Africa in 2018. Leaving Johannesburg, I faced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and way of life. Motivated by opportunities for growth, I embraced the diverse cultural tapestry of my new home, forging meaningful connections and expanding my horizons. This move has enriched my life and deepened my appreciation for the resilience needed to thrive in a new country.
My Favorite Book
It’s often hard to admit, but I am a massive geek for The Witcher and everything involved. From the game trilogy, gwent extension games, to the vast number of books and tv shows, I have played, read and watched them all. I have spent countless hours perfecting my love and knowledge of everything Witcher. On top of it being an amazing series on action and adventure, the novels bring up many themes related to real life which I feel resonate with me immensely.
The world of The Witcher is morally gray, with characters facing difficult choices that often have no clear right or wrong answers. Geralt, the main protagonist of the series, often has to make decisions with no clear right or wrong answer. One quote from The Last Wish novel of the series has stayed with me since I first read it, so much so I had it engraved in my lifting belt. The quote goes, “Evil is Evil. Lesser, greater, middling… Makes no difference. The degree is arbitrary. The definition blurred. If I’m to choose between one evil and another… I’d rather not choose at all.” The quote suggests a simplistic and categorical view of evil, implying that once something is identified as evil, distinctions based on degrees or magnitudes become irrelevant. The emphasis that the degree or magnitude is arbitrary implies that whether an act is considered a lesser evil or a greater evil, the essential nature of evil remains the same. The quote suggests defining what exactly constitutes evil is a complex and ambiguous task. This to me reflects a philosophical perspective, seeing morality and ethical judgments as subjective and open to interpretation. The final part of the quote expresses a reluctance to make choices between different evils. It suggests a moral dilemma or ethical quandary where the speaker is unwilling to compromise their principles by selecting one form of evil over another. To me this quote reflects the fact that one may go through their day to day life and encounter many other people going through many different situations, and to make judgements on who is evil and further who is more evil then another is pointless. How do you choose between two evils? The answer here is you can't. Everyone has their own story and journey leading up to their interaction with you, and unless you’ve been there for every instance being judge, jury and executioner is a path to failure. Instead, I try to see the complexity of the situations. This adversity which Geralt faces throughout the series mirrors real-life adversity, where individuals must navigate complex situations and make decisions without easy solutions. Geralt's journey is filled with moral dilemmas, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices and ultimately having to live with the actions he has done and the sides he has picked.
This series has also subtly taught me many other lessons. Geralt, is a monster hunter in a world filled with supernatural threats, constantly encounters formidable challenges. His resilience and determination to overcome these adversities reflect the importance of perseverance in the face of hardship. I have drawn inspiration from Geralt's ability to endure and continue his journey despite the odds stacked against him. This diverse range of adversities, from physical combat with monsters to navigating complex political intrigue has allowed me to explore different aspects of adversity, showing that challenges come in various forms. The ability to adapt and face different types of adversity is a crucial life skill, and the series provides a valuable perspective on this. Geralt's journey is not just about external challenges but also about self-discovery. His internal struggles, doubts, and identity crisis contribute to the overall theme of adversity. The series highlights the importance of understanding oneself in the face of external challenges, emphasizing personal growth as a means to overcome adversity.
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