Hi! I’m Jasmine Gong, and I am incredibly delighted to be a member of the Baldwin Scholars Class of 2026.
I was born in Plano, Texas but spent most of my life in Rockville, Maryland. During this time, my involvements with my wrestling team and drumline played a pivotal role in my development.
When I first started wrestling, it was difficult learning the technicalities of a new sport while desperately desiring a sense of belongingness with my male teammates. Motivated to improve, I took advantage of every opportunity to get better, eventually captaining the team. As I look back on this experience, my most significant takeaway has been gaining the ability to advocate for myself and others. That's what I hoped to do by creating Duke’s Women’s Wrestling Club. Not only does it aim to empower women through the sport, but it has also been an avenue to connect with the local girls wrestling community as well.
Music has also played a prominent role in my life. I'm currently a drummer on the worship team for the RUF ministry and am also a DJ on campus. While music has always been my avenue of self-expression, I've also been learning how it has historically been a tool for advocacy as well. Ideas related to justice, religion, and the world around us all influence my desire to study psychology.
Being inspired by the ambition, resilience, and authenticity of other women has been a crucial element of my wrestling journey. I am incredibly excited to be a member of the Baldwin Scholars community, and I look forward to our experiences learning and growing together.