I learned how to build, program, and drive a robot, and with my team's help, we became one of the first VEX IQ groups from Kentucky to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship—which was held in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2016 and covered in this article by Anna Taylor featured in Hardin County's local newspaper, The News-Enterprise.
One of the coolest things about the championship wasn't just the competition—it was meeting kids from all over the world! There were teams from 31 different countries, all speaking different languages and coming from unique cultures and backgrounds. Here's the part that still amazes me—our team's station was right next to a team from South Korea! That experience first introduced me to South Korea and sparked my interest in languages and cultures. It also made me realize something huge: There's a whole world outside of Sonora, Kentucky, and I wanted to explore it, meet new people, and learn as much as I could!
When I was thirteen, my mom, sister, and I moved to my grandparents' house, and my life changed forever. For the first time, I could truly explore my interests, follow my dreams, and work toward my goals. Even though it wasn't easy, I worked hard to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do in life. That's when I discovered something exciting—Korean entertainment! I fell in love with K-pop music, TV shows, and the culture, and it gave me new ideas and inspiration for my future.
