I’m Rachael Nzeni, a 17-year-old senior at Parkdale High School, and I still can’t believe that graduation is so close. It feels like just yesterday I was walking into freshman orientation, trying to figure out where the science wing was. Now, I’m preparing to walk across that stage, diploma in hand, with my sights set on York College of Pennsylvania. I’m officially committed, and I couldn’t be more excited to start my journey there majoring in either biomedical engineering or biomedical sciences. I’ve always loved the idea of working in a field where I can help people while using science and technology to solve real-world problems.

But there’s another side of me that not everyone expects: when I’m not studying or working on a project, I’m usually crocheting. Yep, crocheting. Yarn, hooks, patterns, and all. I started crocheting during a particularly stressful time in high school. School was overwhelming, the pandemic had made everything feel upside down, and I just needed something to quiet my mind. I came across a video online of someone crocheting a sunflower coaster, and something about the motion, so calm, so rhythmic, made me want to try it. I found an old hook and some yarn at home, and after a few clumsy tries and a lot of tangled knots, I made my first granny square. It was crooked and uneven, but I was so proud.

Crocheting quickly became my escape. It helped me slow down, breathe, and take time for myself. It taught me patience and reminded me that progress isn’t always pretty, sometimes it’s messy and full of mistakes, but that’s part of learning. Over time, I got better. I started making hats, scarves, plushies for my little cousins, and even custom pieces for friends. Every project I finish feels like a tiny accomplishment, a way of stitching love and care into something real. People are often surprised when I tell them I crochet, especially since I’m going into a STEM field. But to me, it makes perfect sense. Both crocheting and science involve creativity, problem- solving, and persistence. They’re both about figuring things out, trial and error, and sometimes starting over from scratch.

As I get ready to leave Parkdale and start this new chapter at York College, I know I’ll be bringing my yarn and hooks with me. They’ve become a part of who I am, just like my love for science, my determination to succeed, and my dreams of making a difference. I’m so grateful for everything I’ve experienced at Parkdale. The friends, the teachers, the late nights and early mornings, it’s all shaped me into the person I am. And now, I can’t wait to see where this next adventure takes me. One stitch, and one step, at a time.