Rhea Patel

BAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

I first discovered the power of a mixing bowl and whisk on the Christmas Eve of fourth grade. At first glance, most people would see a child baking cookies in exchange for presents. However, I was more concerned with the happiness that Santa Claus must’ve felt while eating my masterpiece. As I placed the plate of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies atop my fireplace, my love for baking was kindled.

Since that moment, I have regularly baked my loved ones extravagant platters of pastries when they are undergoing difficulties in their lives. Keeping people in mind when they are sick, sad, or overwhelmed allows me to spread happiness to others. The more I baked, the more people’s lives I touched, and the more I discovered that I loved to care for people.

As I progressed to creating more intricate confections, I became fascinated with the chemistry of baking, and my passion for this hobby soon turned into something much bigger. The chemical changes captivated me- baking powder creates gas bubbles, protein from eggs provides stability, and oil keeps the desserts moist. Baking became the crossroads for two of my favorite things: science and helping people. I was able to experiment with different ingredients while also providing comfort and delicious treats to my friends and family.

Attending the University of Georgia to study biology and chemistry will allow me to pursue a career in science and ensure that I can help make a difference in people’s lives. What began as a pastime to promote well-being turned into a promise to partake in scientific advancements. Mixing bowl and whisk in hand, my love for science and helping people has encouraged me to bake this world a better place.