By: Nyla Louise Rteimeh, Staff Writer
“No matter how hard things get, it always gets better.” Emelia Gaines, a junior at Poly, has dedicated herself to helping others and living by these words. Whether it’s through her baking or her active involvement in mental health awareness, Emelia does everything in her power to make herself a person people can turn to and rely on when they need support.
Summer means many different things for different people: some use this time playing video games, others hang out with friends. But most importantly, summer is a time to recharge. Emelia took full advantage of her time by doing what she loves most: baking. “I love to bake. It’s like a stress reliever for me,” she says. Her love for baking stems from the rhythm of recipes and the escape it offers from day-to-day stress. “French pastries are my favorite thing to bake,” she adds.“My grandparents are from France.” Not only does she gain relief from the peaceful task of putting frosting on cupcakes or adding the dry ingredients into the wet, but also the connection to her heritage she may have otherwise never gotten. Baking is more than a hobby for Emelia— it’s a way to care for others, and express creativity. Sharing her treats with friends and neighbors, she finds joy in the smiles they bring.
Although she loves to bake, her true passion lies in education. “I love to learn new things,” Emelia says. Her tentative goal is to attend a four-year university–her top choices including Duke or Harvard Medical School, where she hopes to major in nursing. “I want to find more ways to help people,” Emelia explains, “specifically as a NICU nurse.” Emelia truly beams when talking about her goals, driven by the desire to help those who can’t help themselves.
Right now, Emelia channels her goals into being active in the Pure Educators Program, which focuses on supporting students’ mental health. She and others in the program make it a point to host multiple events a year bringing awareness to issues people may struggle with silently. Emelia’s older sister, who has fought through her own struggles, is a constant source of motivation. “My sister has shown me that it’s okay to reach out,” Emelia says. “She’s proof that no matter how hard life gets, it will always get better.”
Whether she’s piping frosting onto cupcakes, leading mental health initiatives, or making goals towards her future as a nurse, Emelia does it all with the intention of lifting others up. Her journey is just beginning, but her goal is already clear: spreading compassion and positivity throughout all areas of her life. She will certainly be sharing her positive vibes through her publications in Spotlight this year.