Loyalty. Honesty. Non-judgmental. A kind-heart. A good listener…These are just a few of the characteristics needed to establish and maintain a true friendship. But like with any relationship, it takes two. How do I know? Because I embody these qualities and strive to ensure my friends know that I am committed to our friendship and support them no matter what. I realize genuine friends are hard to find, but once you do, you will fight to keep them. Friendship like anything else takes work, if you truly want the relationship to last. You have to learn how to be flexible, provide support without always giving unwanted advice, and respect each other’s opinion. True friendships can be hard to distinguish from the family relationships you were born into. The bonds created between friends are special and can last a lifetime, at least that is how I feel about my friends. My friends and I encourage each other to be our best selves and to not be afraid to try new things. We depend on each other to be honest and true about our feelings, and we always have each other’s back. The social interactions, displays of affection, and genuine support we provide for one another is what makes our friendship unique. We all need each other, and I cannot imagine this world without such great friends.

You are Loved! You are Worthy! You are Enough! These are just a few of the daily affirmations I repeat to myself as a part of my self-care routine. As a child, I was taught early to affirm myself, believe in myself, and take good care of myself. These are not just words but a way to deeply care for my inner being. Self-care is not just something I “practice,” it's a lifestyle. Self-care is essential to maintaining, improving, and restoring the best version of yourself. Taking time to nourish your mind, body and spirit is a must. I make the time to practice good skin care, using facial scrubs to exfoliate; I routinely get mani/pedis, and most of all, I watch what I eat and drink. What you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it. I also make time for things I enjoy, like reading my favorite book, binge watching Netflix, or listening to my favorite music. It allows me to focus on my needs and concerns. As a result, I am a better daughter, sister, friend and leader. Before you can give to others, you have to make sure you have something to give. The impacts of self-care are many. It has increased my self-esteem and confidence, allowed me to dream big and set goals for myself, but most of all, practicing self-care has taught me to love me for who I am, regardless of what others think.

We are all designed and made for a purpose. I was designed to build “things!” Building and constructing things is something I have always been passionate about. When my parents began to buy me 1000-piece architecture Lego sets of famous structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and the New York City skyline, I would complete the designs in the first few hours after I received them. That's how excited I was to put tiny pieces together to build a new structure. This passion has continued to grow and I hope to make a lasting impact on the world by providing strong leadership as an entrepreneur and being committed to developing realistic solutions to solve our infrastructure problems. My dad is a supply chain specialist at a manufacturing company and my mom is a physician assistant. Growing up, there was always constant pressure to follow in my mother’s footsteps to consider a career in healthcare, but building and constructing Legos is what fascinated me. I remember being so excited when my mom began signing me up for engineering-themed summer camps. The camps provided multiple workshops on different types of engineering. Some sessions allowed for hands-on learning group projects. It was during these summer camps that I discovered my interest in STEAM, particularly "civil" engineering. As I began to explore engineering more, I noticed few African-American females were represented in the field. This only made me more intrigued about a potential career in engineering. I thought, “why not me?” I enrolled in several honors classes, such as algebra and physics, and International Baccalaureate science courses, such as biology and chemistry. I am a hands-on learner, and these classes provided me with interactive labs that allowed me to understand the lesson’s concept more. I enjoyed learning about the periodic table and experimenting with pH balances by mixing certain chemicals was intriguing. These classes added to my love for math and science, and amplified my interest about STEAM programs, especially engineering. My plan is to attend Clemson University, the top institution in my home state for undergraduate engineering programs, according to "U.S News & World Report," to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. I want to become a civil engineer so that I can help improve the poor conditions of our roads and bridges. My education will allow me to determine what materials and/or technologies are required to make our infrastructure safer, stronger and more reliable for drivers. As a civil engineer, I will be able to fix the bumpy, uneven, pothole-filled roads, and the old, worn out bridges. Ultimately, I want to open an engineering company. As a business owner, I will employ people who want to help improve our communities and recruit others to invest money into much needed infrastructure projects. I am not sure what made my parents buy me that first architecture Lego set, but I am glad they did. It was the first step to introducing me to STEAM and all the possibilities. With African-American women only representing 1.6% of all engineers in the US, according to “Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering” (January 2017), I am determined to improve the statistics and make a lasting impact on the world by becoming a great civil engineer.

Throughout my life, I have been exposed to many different activities, such as music, dance, and art lessons and a variety of sports. However, it was not until my parents began to buy me 1000-piece architecture Lego sets of famous structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and the New York City skyline, that my interest in engineering piqued. I would complete the designs in the first few hours after I received them. That's how excited I was to put tiny pieces together to build a new structure. Building and constructing the Legos truly fascinated me! As I began to explore engineering, I noticed few African-American females were represented in the field. This only made me more intrigued about a potential career in engineering. I thought, “why not me?” The experiences I have had throughout high school have been preparing me for whatever obstacles, challenges, and accomplishments that come my way. Challenging myself with honor classes, such as algebra and physics, and International Baccalaureate (IB) science courses with labs, such as biology and chemistry, piqued my interest more to explore the field of engineering. Serving as president of the Future Business Leaders of America has allowed me to improve my leadership and communication skills by facilitating weekly meetings, organizing various service projects and delegating tasks. The leadership and time management skills I have developed will serve me well in the future. I also trust that the time and dedication I have put into my schoolwork over the years with late night studying, planning my schedule, and sometimes missing opportunities to hang out with friends, will pay off. I understand I still have many years of learning, but I am prepared for the journey. As I look forward to life after high school, one of my dreams is to attend a reputable four-year university to study civil engineering. I would love to attend North Carolina State University, which is rated as one of the top public colleges of engineering with a ranking of 25th-best overall and 12th among public institutions according to US News & World Report, to receive my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. NC State is known for its outstanding research and multiple opportunities to participate in internships and co-ops. If I were to obtain either an internship or co-op while in college, it would provide me with the on-the-job training needed to secure a job in my field. I am devoted to continuing to work hard to make my dream a reality. Having a well- rounded education is one of the key elements that will affect my future in a positive way, allowing me to solve real-world problems as a civil engineer. I hope to change the world for the better through continuous service and sharing of my talents. I want to improve our failing infrastructure by designing new bridges and improving our roads. Ultimately, my dream is to start an engineering company. As a business owner, I will be able to employ and empower young females who are just as passionate about building, constructing and designing as I am. I am not sure what made my parents buy me that first architecture Lego set, but I am grateful they did. With African-American women only representing 1.6% of all engineers in the US, according to "Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering" (January 2017), I am determined to change those statistics and become a great civil engineer. Embarking on this journey will be challenging and a bit terrifying, but I am confident all my dreams will come true.