Brag Sheet Questions

(Please mention your leadership experiences throughout)

Alexa Queenie - Tagaban (Prefer to be called Queenie)
March 23, 1996; 17 yo
9026 W State Ave Glendale, AZ 85305
(213)952-8023; & (213)952-8038
alexa.bioscience@gmail.com

Not a first generation, not on free/reduced lunch. I am a non-immigrant with an H-4 visa; not a US citizen)

1. Potential Areas of study in college: Pre-nursing. After I get my BSN and my Masters degree on pediatrics,
I might get into med school.

2. List all schools currently on your college list, starting with your first choice school. Explain what attracts you
to each school. Why/how is it a good fit for you? It is not acceptable to reply: because its a good school.
Be specific. Identify them as reach, target, or likely schools.

UA- (TARGET) University of Arizona is my top choice for in-state universities. Its considered a university
with a great medical program, which I fancy, and its only two hours away from Phoenix. The residence halls
seemed wonderful and the tuition fee is affordable. However since Im not a citizen, I might pay out-of-state.
Still fine, though. Im more interested in the quality of education than the price.

ASU, Barrett Honors College (TARGET) The only campus that has nursing is in downtown.

NAU (TARGET) Flagstaff is cold and has snow but the surrounding area is nice and it has pre-nursing.

3. Which two teachers are writing your letters of recommendation? Which class did you have with them and
what year did you take their class(es)?

Ms. Popham (Humanities; sophomore and junior year), Ms. Smith (Anatomy and Physiology; junior year) and
Ms. Palacios (Bioethics and GES; junior and senior year)

4. Describe your family.
a. Describe your family members. Explain who lives in your house. Give ages, names of siblings. List where
siblings attended or currently attend college.

Alex Allan Tagaban (father) 49 yo; my father is a math teacher at Maywood High School, LAUSD. Here in
United States under a working visa (non-immigrant) since 2006(?). Born in the Philippines.

Marife Tagaban (mother) 44 yo; my mother is a math teacher at Carl Hayden High School, PUHSD. Here in
United States under a working visa (non0immigrant) since 2005(?). Born in the Philippines.

Allana Thalia Tagaban (sister) 17 yo; current student at Bioscience High School. Dependant to my mother
under the working visa since 2007(?). Born in the Philippines. Wants to be a doctor, although not sure what
kind of doctor yet.

b. Discuss your father: profession (s), where attended college, degrees earned. (Level of education.)
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Divine Word Unversity, Tacloban City, Philippines 85
Masters of Business Administration University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman N. Samar, PH 00
Master of Engineering, majoring in Water Resources UEP 03
Masters of Public Administration (completed academic requirements) UEP /02
Bachelor of Education, majoring in Secondary Education (math) units
Post Baccalaureate courses in Effective Instructional Practices University of Baguio, Baguio, PH
Certificate of Education (instructional practices) California State University, LA, Los Angeles, CA
Certificate of Edcuation (BCLAD) University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Certificate of Education (educational technology) UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
c. Discuss your mother: profession(s), where attended college, degrees earned. (Level of education.)
Post Baccalaureate Courses in Effective Instructional Practices University of Baguio, Baguio, PH 05
Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Management) candidate UEP 02
Masters of Arts in Education (administration and supervision) UEP 98
Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in Mathematics UEP 91 (cumlaude)
d. How are you like and different from each of your parents?
Mom Im similar in regards to my love for singing and dancing. Also, my short structure and thin, straight
hair. We both talk loud, and a lot. She taught me how to play the guitar. We like to sing out loud and annoy
everyone.
However, she panics so easily while I dont. She doesnt like change while I love change and love
challenging myself. She sticks to what is safe while I try to experience new things. She likes to finish chores as
quick as possible while I prefer to take my time. Her handwriting is cursive, while I have more blocked letters.
She doesnt like reading because it hurts her eyes. She loves to clean while I only clean when I have to.

Dad Apparently, I have my dads nose and eyebrows. Im similar in regards of being a peoples person. We
both know how to entertain guests and make friends quick. In a stressful situation, we both keep our cool and
quickly think of alternatives to make things work. My handwriting is similar to my dads, small and neat. We
are both nearsighted. My dad and I also like rice a lot. We both like to read and watch movies, as well as sing
and play the guitar. We also need to be in a mood to do things, whatever that means.
However, he loves physics, math and engineering while I cant stand it. He likes war and action movies
while Im more TV shows with fantasy themes. Same with books, he loves books like The Da Vinci Code
while Im more Harry Potter and historical fiction. He also likes school a lot and likes to be the best at
everything. While I was raised with this belief, I have started to be more lenient on expectations towards myself.

e. How have each of your parents influenced you? What qualities of theirs do you admire?

Mom My mom inspired me to love school and think of education as a privilege. She taught me to value
learning, and to strive to be the best. I admire her perseverance, her will, and her overflowing love for her
family.

Dad- My dad inspired me to value education, as well, and also to challenge myself in different situations. He
inspired me to join summer programs and to travel, as well as to be flexible. He also taught me to laugh at my
peers cruelty and not let it bother me. I admire his will, his flexibility with any problems that come his way,
and his sense of humor.
f. Has your family situation changed since you started high school? If so, explain.
We moved to an apartment near my school when I started freshman year. We lived there for three years
until we decided to buy a house in Glendale the summer before senior year. Both my parents are now working
on their residency.

g. Describe your ethnic/cultural background and any languages that you speak at home. If you feel that your
cultural identity has enriched your life, tell me about it.
I am Asian, and was born and raised in the Philippines. My sister and I moved to United States when we
were 10 and 11 years old to be with our parents whom were working overseas. Filipino was the language most
frequently spoken at home before moving to United States. Now our conversations are a mix of English and
Filipino. When I lived in the Philippines, I was also exposed to Waray, the local dialect in my area, but Im
disappointed to say Ive forgotten to speak it (I can still understand, though!)
My culture has enriched my experience in living here in United States. Because I was raised in a third
world country, I see the positive in this countrys government and society instead of focusing on the negative.
Experiencing two cultures have given me multiple perspectives and let me change myself by admitting my
bigotry and ignorance, and changing for the better.

5. Describe yourself.
a. What three adjectives would a teacher use to describe you? (Ask!)
Outgoing, Enthusiastic, Inquisitive
b. What three adjectives would your parents use to describe you? (Ask!)
Friendly, Adventurous, Confident
c. Give me a specific example/story of how you exemplify one (or more) of these qualities.
I exemplify confidence when Im in group projects. Im usually the leader of discussions and organize
people work so everyone contributes. For example, our project with our Haitian Revolution during our junior
year. I came up with two activities that highlights the main ideas of the revolution (trading and labor) and lead
the class discussions for people to understand more. We achieved V+ for our grade and was told that our project
was, The best revolution lesson plan out of the two classes.

6. Why did you choose Bio what attracted you to this school? Tell me how this choice has changed you as a
learner, and tell me how you are different as a person. How did Bio influence or foster these changes?

This school attracted me with its close knit community and technology supported learning, as well as the
math and science based curriculum. Bioscience has taught me to look at a problem through multiple
perspectives and make strong connections. Its also given me the opportunity to learn in an environment where
creativity is supported and freedom is reinforced. It has made me become more outgoing and be a better speaker,
as well as a better observer because Bioscience taught me not to be scared to ask.

7. Which school subjects do you like best? What are your best qualities and strengths as a learner? Tell me
about an academic interest or passion. What have you done in class and outside of class to pursue this interest?
I love Humanities the most. I think my best quality is my creativity and flexibility. I know how to form
ideas and plans to make a funducational project, and I also dont faze easily and know how to go with the flow.
An academic interest/passion of mine is learning more about the human body. I have followed my passion by
joining the medical pathway here at school and joining summer programs that specializes in medicine and the
medical field.

8. Write about one BioScience class that has changed your thinking and/or impacted you in a significant way.
Explain.
The class that impacted me the most is Humanities during sophomore and junior year (because I
consider it as one class). I loved learning about history and ancient civilizations, and connecting it to our present
and future. The projects were also really fun, giving me the challenge and freedom to be as creative as I wanted.

10. Describe your school-based extracurricular activities.
a. Tell me about your athletic, artistic, student government, club or other extracurricular involvements. How
have you contributed to our community?
I am a member of STUGO (two years), UNICEF, NHS (two years; vice president), NCHS (historian),
STARS, and involved in freshman tutoring. I am part of the SCENE program partnership with ASU since junior
year (working on a lab with a grad student and competing in the science fair with said project).
My internships include: AZ Science Center (Body Depot Intern), Farm to School Program, SCENE
program, and freshman mentoring and tutoring.

b. Do you intend to continue with a sport or activity in college? If so, at what level?
I dont know what Im going to do in college as far as extracurricular activities would go. But definitely
not sports.

c. What have you learned about yourself as a result of your activities?
That I am outgoing, outspoken, responsible and can handle children pretty well.

11. Describe your involvement in the community of Phoenix, and beyond.
a. What volunteer work have you done? Tell exactly what the task involved. BE SPECIFIC.
I volunteered as a transport at John C. Lincoln from the summer after freshman year to the summer
before senior year every Saturday for four hours, from 12-4 pm.
Then I would volunteer with school events or school related events like freshman orientations, club
events (e.g. STUGO events), Roosevelt Row events (e.g. Pie Social, Chili Pepper Festival), etc.

b. What activities have you been involved with in the community? For example, Roosevelt Row businesses,
youth group, club sports team, piano lessons, ballet.

I took singing lessons for six months during junior year every Friday for an hour before I had to quit due
to my busy schedule which was stressing my voice. I volunteered at the Pie Social, and Chili Pepper Festival.

c. How have the above experiences helped you to be a better person and/or given you skills which you can use
in the future? How has your involvement changed your life?
It helped me become more outspoken and not afraid to approach potential stakeholders for help. Its also
given me a chance to form connections and be able to work with others. Its given me the confidence as a leader.

12. Do you have a passion for something outside of academics? Is there one thing that is most important to you?
Explain. Its OK if you dont have a passion for something!
I have a passion for literature and music. I love reading and writing; they are my favorite past time. I can
spend hours reading books and fanfictions or think of scenarios and plots to the stories I hope to write in the
future. I also love singing. Karaoke has become a bonding time with my family. I like dancing and also playing
the guitar.

13. How do you spend your free time? Tell me about your hobbies and interests other than school or sports.
I spend my free time reading. Sometimes, I sing and play the piano or the guitar. I also love dancing. I
like going to the movies with my friends, or watching movies and TV shows in my room with Netflix. Oh, and
eating.

14. What have you done for the past three summers? Be specific.

-Summer before freshman year (2010) I joined COMPUGIRLS which is a five week program that offers
girls from grade 8 12 a chance to combine social justice issues with technology. They gave us macs and I
spent the summer making a 15 minute documentary about the genocide in Darfur. It was good enough that they
made my group present it to the leaders of the program in ASU.

-Summer before sophomore year (2011) I joined NYLF on Medicine and stayed ten days in the UCLA
campus. During those ten days, I spent time with various leaders of different medical fields and learned their
point of view, what they do for a living and what we should expect if we choose to do the same job in the future.
We had different workshops, like casting our feet to learn our everyday life (podiatry) or making fake wounds
depending on which gun you were shot at in the battle field (nursing). It was also beneficial to stay at UCLA
because it was a taste of college life, eating on campus and staying on dorms.

-Summer before junior year (2012) I joined ASU STARTALK at ASU Tempe, Barrett Honors College for
two weeks. It was an intensive residential program for exploring the Chinese language and culture through a
highly structured theme- and task-based curriculum. At the beginning of the program we had to take a
placement test and in the four levels, I was placed on level 3. We did a lot of cultural activities, like make
dumplings, perform a Chinese song, make Chinese knots and fish, calligraphy and paint our very own panda.
During my stay, I spoke more Chinese than English, which I found really helpful in fully immersing myself in
the Chinese culture.

-Summer before senior year (2013) I joined NSLC at UC Berkeley for ten days. Its similar to NYLF in its
structure, but I think it focused more both on leadership and medicine. They had a lot of speakers, from
neurosurgeons to veterinarians. We also had scenarios, like an after an earthquake situation, where you have to
use your learned skill and act like a trained professional. Both program has made me sure that I want to go to
the medical field, specializing on working with children.

15. From your perspective now as a senior, what have you learned about yourself since you began high school
that has surprised or pleased you? Describe what you have gained from your BioScience education. How are
you different from that first day freshman year?

The person I was that first day of freshman year was lost, meek, and had no confidence in herself and
what she can do. Bioscience has given me the closed knit community and supportive environment in which I
can thrive. Ive found my confidence, and thats what Im thankful for the most. I found my courage to make
new friends and to approach strangers, as well as presenting in class. Ive formed positive relationships with my
peers, both students and teachers alike. I am pleased that I now dont put as much significance to my GPA
(although it is still important). It was a bit unhealthy how hard I worked myself to get the best grades. Now, I
am calmer therefore I enjoy school more which gives me more motivation to succeed.

16. Ask one of your closest friends (not family) to describe you and your character. Ask them to be specific.
Give their exact words in a quotation, and indicate who said it (print clearly). This quote should be at least five
sentences long, at a minimum.

Kamaria Minter: Laughter is poison to fear. When it comes to Alexa, she has no fear and its because she is
always laughing. The first time you meet her she will make you smile, laugh and feel welcomed, youll never
feel out of place. She defends her friends and sometimes in a loud and obnoxious way, but you learn to
appreciate it. Alexa always sings what she feels or thinks and it makes you want to sing along. I dont know
what else could possibly be said about her, shes the best friend money can buy!

17. Have you worked in the past 3+ years? If so, name the company, position, and explain what you learned
from the experience. Why did you choose to work?

I cannot work for profit. My mother has a working visa and under a contract to work in PUSHD, and I
am under that visa as a dependent. Legally, I cannot make money.

18. Is there anything else I should know about you that would assist me as I write your college recommendation?
Religious background? LGBTQ? Student in transition? Parents undocumented? 5th degree black belt?
Religious affiliation and interest in a religious schools? Are there any extenuating circumstances that have
affected your academic performance? This could be a special family or financial situation, a learning disability,
illness, or a blip in your academic transcript. Have you received special recognition in the community? An
award? Please explain with as much detail as possible.

I am an Aglipayan, which is under Catholicism and is a religion made when Filipinos separated from
Spaniards, religion included. I consider myself as an LGBTQ ally. Liana OConnor and I participated in last
years state science fair under the SCENE Program. We worked with an ASU graduate student and our project
was about making a nanoparticle based dye to detect levels of glucose in the blood. We won first place in the
chemistry division and an award from the Yale Science & Engineering Association Inc.

Optional section: Get a quote about yourself from 2-3 teachers. Have them comment on your work ethic and
contributions in the class. These should be different teachers than those writing letters for you. Give their exact
words in a quotation and attribute them.

Deadline: 2 wks. Before you need it!