To me, compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone. Compassion is being moved enough
to act. It means recognizing the struggles of others and choosing to do something about it, even
when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. In today’s society, where so many people feel
invisible, unsafe, or unheard, compassion has the power to create real change. It is what pushed
me to become a student advocate for undocumented youth in my school district.
This past year, after a wave of ICE raids in Los Angeles, many undocumented students at my
school were terrified. Some were scared to come to class. Others avoided asking for help, even
when they desperately needed it. I saw friends and classmates living in fear, and it broke my
heart. I could not just stand by and watch it happen. So I spoke up. Alongside other students, I
helped organize a walkout demanding the creation of Dream Centers at every LAUSD school.
These centers would provide undocumented students with legal support, mental health services,
college counseling, and other critical resources. I delivered speeches, helped lead chants, and
stood in front of the LAUSD School Board to make our voices heard.
That experience changed me in ways I never expected. Having never spoken in front of such a
large audience up until the walkouts, I reminded myself that I was not speaking for attention, but
rather for students who felt like they had no voice. The compassion I felt for my peers was
stronger than my fear. It gave me the strength to stand up and tell my community’s story with
honesty and urgency. After the board meeting, several students I had never even met came up to
thank me. That moment reminded me that compassion can spark connection, healing, and hope,
even between strangers. Through this advocacy, I realized that compassion is not always soft or
quiet. Sometimes, it looks like organizing protests, challenging authority, and making people
uncomfortable by telling difficult truths. I also learned that compassion is not always easy. There
were moments when I felt discouraged or emotionally drained. But I reminded myself that real
compassion means showing up even when it feels hard or risky.
This journey helped shape the person I want to become. I plan to become a nurse who leads with
both skill and compassion. I have learned how to listen deeply, advocate fiercely, and stand
beside people in their most vulnerable moments. Whether I am in a hospital room, a classroom,
or a community space, I want to continue showing up for others with empathy and integrity. One
day, I hope to create safe, welcoming environments for patients and communities who are often
overlooked or misunderstood.
Compassion is what moves the world forward. It is the root of every act of justice, healing, and
connection. I have seen its impact firsthand, and I carry it with me in everything I do.
Compassion is not just a feeling, but a choice. And I choose it every day.
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