The personal achievement I am most proud of is being named Valedictorian of the Class of 2026. While many people see valedictorian as simply having the highest grades, to me it represents much more. It reflects years of hard work, perseverance, leadership, and personal growth. It is a reminder of how far I have come and the challenges I overcame to reach this point.
My journey to becoming valedictorian was not always easy. During middle school, the COVID-19 pandemic changed what should have been some of the most important years of my education. Instead of meeting new classmates, participating in activities, and building friendships, I spent much of my time learning through a computer screen. When I entered high school, I felt disconnected and uncertain. To make matters more difficult, I had lost many of my friendships before my freshman year and walked into school feeling completely alone. I remember being nervous about where I would sit, who I would talk to, and whether I would fit in.
Although those experiences were difficult, they taught me valuable lessons that shaped who I am today. I learned that it is okay to start over, that growth often comes from discomfort, and that challenges can become opportunities if you are willing to keep moving forward. Rather than allowing setbacks to define me, I focused on my goals and committed myself to becoming the best version of myself.
One of the most influential experiences during high school was attending the Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC). From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported by a community that encouraged students to pursue their passions and develop their potential. Through the Health Occupations program, I discovered my passion for nursing and healthcare. I earned certifications, gained hands-on clinical experience, and developed skills that prepared me for my future career. Just as importantly, I learned the value of leadership and service.
At MVCTC, I made it a priority to help others whenever I could. Whether it was sharing notes, helping classmates study for exams, offering advice about balancing school and work, or simply being someone they could rely on, I wanted to contribute positively to the community that had given so much to me. Those experiences showed me that true success is not measured only by individual accomplishments but also by the impact we have on others.
Outside of school, my involvement with Enfinity Harvest strengthened my leadership skills. As a Market Leader and Trainer, I worked closely with youth ages 11 to 16, teaching them about farming, entrepreneurship, customer service, and healthy living. Watching young people develop confidence, gain new skills, and believe in themselves was rewarding. Through this experience, I learned that leadership is about empowering others and creating opportunities for people to succeed.
Becoming valedictorian has had a profound impact on my life because it has given me confidence in my ability to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals. More importantly, it has shown me that success is not something accomplished alone. My teachers, mentors, family members, classmates, and community organizations all played a role in helping me grow into the person I am today.
As I prepare to pursue a career in nursing, I will carry the lessons that helped me become valedictorian with me. I have learned the importance of resilience, service, leadership, and lifelong learning. This achievement is not just a reflection of academic success; it represents determination, compassion, and perseverance that will continue to guide me throughout my future. It serves as proof that challenges do not define us. Our response to them does.
Who would have thought my mom’s Facebook addiction would change my life? Well, it did, and the lives of thousands of foster children in the process?
In 2022, I considered myself a 13-year-old fashionista, with a plethora of too-small clothes. Well, that would all change when my mom saw an urgent plea (on Facebook of course) for clothing donations for three young girls immediately being placed into foster care. Well, guess whose wardrobe was about to decrease dramatically? But why the urgent need, and how foster care? What did it all mean?
As the inquisitive teen I am, I needed answers. My investigation began immediately. Ignorantly, I had assumed foster children were automatically provided with clothing, toys, and devices. After a long Google search, I learned that foster children, on average, moved a total of 9 times before being provided with permanent residency. That meant 9 different homes, 9 different families, and 9 different schools…adjusting that no young child should have to bear. To make matters worse, I learned that when transitioning from home to home, foster children were provided with trash bags to transport their personal items. TRASH BAGS!!! I was taken aback by this imagery. This insensitive action could lead many children to believe that they and their belongings were no more than trash. All while dealing with the personal trauma that forced them into the foster care system.
I knew the narrative must be changed, and so the “Love Carries On Drive” was born. This drive is a philanthropic effort that raises duffel bags and luggage tags for foster children. Initially, I reached out to my village, providing them with a quick Amazon link, and within three weeks, we were able to raise 100 duffel bags and luggage tags that were immediately delivered to a local child welfare agency in the Chicagoland area.
Creating the “Love Carries On Drive” and working to expand it over the past four years makes me proud for many reasons. First and foremost, I have been bestowed an unexpected honor while cultivating this drive. For it has been an honor to serve others. As a teenager (part of a generation often deemed as selfish), I have been able to use my time not to improve my life, but also to enhance the well-being of others…my peers, and that brings me considerable pride and joy. Secondly, youth often feel that we have no place in the improvement of society; we can’t vote, so our thoughts and contributions rarely matter. I am proud to have defied that myth. Showing that there is no linear correlation between age and impact. Lastly, I am proud of myself for having the courage to start, persevering with the donation of each duffel bag.
To date, the drive has expanded nationwide, hosting events, partnering with corporate sponsors, and curating fundraising campaigns that have allowed us to raise well over 1,000 duffel bags/luggage tags for foster children. I have met some beautiful people, realizing that compassion is contagious. I have learned that giving of oneself is one of the best forms of SUCCESS. I am proud to continue to change the narrative, as LOVE CARRIES ON!
