Yuri Kitamura | Honor Society®

About

I have some financial hardships from my complicated background. My parents divorced when I was a child. I was raised by my mother from when I was born to when I turned 18. My mother has epilepsy so it prevents her from having a job so she cannot afford to pay my tuition. It is too expensive. I came to the U.S. from Japan at the age of 18. It was an unexpected event, so my father doesn't have enough money for my tuition. It has some reasons. First, he is a first generation to settle down in the U.S., he had to manage to deal with his life and his education without some financial aid. So, he was not able to accumulate for my education from when I was born. In addition to that, I got my social security number recently. I didn’t have it for a long time. It means that I was not eligible to receive child insurance support. For these reasons I need good financial aid. Needless to say, I will have a part time job in my college life to pay my tuition and cost of living. But I cannot have multiple part time jobs because I need enough time to focus on my studies to keep up with others. Scholarship is the key to pursue my career.

Education

University of Tennessee Knoxville

neuroscience

2024 – Present

Honors and awards

national honor society

It is one of the volunteer activities that include community service.
Academic Excellent Award

It's my high school award in my junior year.

Goals and interests

Career goal: Witnessing the impact of epilepsy on my mother and one of my friends has ignited my career aspirations. My mother's pregnancy with me was carefully monitored due to her condition, necessitating a decision to avoid medication due to potential harm to her or the baby. My friend’s epilepsy often forces her to leave classes early or skip them altogether, disrupting her education. Also due to this influence of epilepsy, she feels isolated because she sometimes cannot spend school life the same as her friends. It caused mental issues such as anxiety disorder.These experiences have sparked a deep interest in neuroscience, particularly in understanding the causes and treatments of epilepsy. Also, speaking of mental issues, after COVID-19 went through the world, the number of people with depression or filled with anxiety were increasing all over the world. So as my research project, I worked on finding solutions against mental problems in my 10th grade. Its experiences make me want to pursue this field in earnest.
Outside the classroom: Playing Music
Studio Art
Reading books
Dance
Workout

Volunteering

My most fulfilling leadership experience was serving as a school council member representing the Cultural Committee. This multifaceted role involved overseeing the Cultural Committee, designing eye-catching school decorations, spearheading the publication of the school newspaper, organizing volunteer activities such as recycling drives, and actively participating in school events. Through this enriching experience, I gained valuable insights into the art of effective leadership, particularly in cooperation, motivation, and communication. First and foremost, I discovered the importance of fostering collaboration among team members. The school council comprised thirteen committees, each with its own unique objectives and challenges. To achieve our common goal of revitalizing school life and igniting student engagement, I recognized the need for seamless coordination and effective communication between the committees. We implemented a system of regular meetings, open dialogue, and shared responsibility, ensuring that every member felt valued and contributed to our collective success. Secondly, I learned the art of motivating individuals to contribute their best efforts. As the cultural chairperson, I faced the challenge of inspiring students to actively participate in our initiatives, especially given the compulsory nature of committee membership. I realized that each individual possesses unique circumstances and motivations, and a successful leader must adapt their approach accordingly. I employed a variety of strategies to boost engagement, including personalized coaching, clear task delegation, and regular recognition of outstanding contributions. For example, I thought we need to let everyone know about our activity and call for active participation of volunteers. We implemented a tally system to measure the volunteer participation rate for each class and reported it through the school broadcast. It grasped people’s attention and improved the participation rates. Additionally, I organized workshops to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill their roles effectively. Finally, I developed a strong appreciation for the power of effective communication in fostering a positive and productive work environment. I prioritized open and transparent communication, regularly checking in with committee members to address concerns, provide guidance, and offer encouragement. This proactive approach helped create a supportive environment where members felt comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and seeking assistance.

Nagayo Junior High School, School student council

Dec 2018 – Mar 2020

Languages

English (US) Intermediate
Japanese Fluent