A Summer of Growth, Love, and New Beginnings

Summer break is supposed to be a time to relax, but this year, mine felt a little different.

As an incoming 11th grader, I spent much of my summer preparing for the next chapter of my life. Between studying for the SAT, taking an Economics course, practicing and improving my dance technique, and working on my college essays, there were many days when I felt like I was constantly moving from one task to another. It was challenging, and sometimes I wished I had more time to simply slow down and enjoy being a teenager.

But even during a busy summer, I found something that made everything feel a little lighter: my family.

Some of my favorite moments were actually the simplest ones. Staying up late at night with my siblings, sharing snacks, laughing about random things, and watching movies together whenever I had free time. These moments may seem small, but they reminded me that no matter how busy life becomes, there will always be a place where I can feel loved, safe, and completely myself.

This summer also gave me the opportunity to continue working on something close to my heart: my passion project with MayFlower.

Although I am still in the United States and couldn’t physically join our visit to Mái Ấm Truyền Tin, I was grateful to contribute from afar. I helped with planning and managing the project, working on media content, creating videos, and sharing ideas to help bring the project together. Even though I wasn’t there in person, being part of the team taught me that making an impact isn’t always about being in the same place. Sometimes, it is about finding a way to contribute with whatever you have, wherever you are.

Looking back, this summer was not perfect. It was busy, challenging, and sometimes exhausting. But it was also filled with growth, meaningful experiences, and moments of love that I will carry with me.

Now, summer is slowly coming to an end, and a new journey is about to begin. Junior year is waiting for me with new challenges, new responsibilities, and hopefully, new memories.

As I step into this next chapter, I hope I will remember this summer not only as the summer when I studied hard and prepared for my future, but also as the summer when I stayed up late with my siblings, laughed with my family, danced through the difficult days, and learned that even from far away, I can still make a difference.

Here’s to the end of summer and to all the beautiful things that are yet to come.