Editor's note: Sikai Song's "The First Time" is the first place winner of the Synapse Storytelling Contest's personal essay category.

I was petrified my first time, my heart stuck in my throat.

For Dave, who told me this story needed to be shared publicly as soon as I shared it with him When people find out I am from New York, they almost invariably ask if I plan on moving back after medical school.

Editor's note: Emily Yao earned an honorable mention for Bay Bridge and Boat, her entry into the Synapse Storytelling Contest, photography category. Cupid’s Span is a popular location to play with dogs, eat lunch in the shade, nap in the

Thoughts from the Trauma Bay is the second place winner of the Synapse Storytelling Contest's personal essay category.

In 2017, I skied for the first time. In 2018, I slipped on ice and broke my collarbone. My classmates got me through the next months, and we crowned my recovery by returning to the slope that started it all.

Results are in for the eighth annual Last Lecture — students have chosen Dr. David Wofsy as the professor from whom they most want to hear an inspiring speech.

On November 8, 2018, I woke up to 65 text message notifications. One was from my close friend in New York City. It read, “Holy shit the news about TO [Thousand Oaks].”

I slowly indulge

in the warm whispers

and tingling waves

that travel up and down

from around outside

Deep within

an impulse arises

bubbling my

cold red blood