I am drawn to the study of law because it shapes decisions that affect both individual lives and the security of our communities. My experiences advocating for children in foster care and studying international security have shown me that, whether the stakes involve a single child or national policy, legal institutions depend on sound judgment to protect those who rely on them. These experiences led me to pursue a legal career grounded in public service. I am now a first-year student at the University of Texas School of Law aspiring to serve as an Army Judge Advocate General. My commitment to service began through my work with children in foster care. That experience revealed the hidden hardships many children carry and instilled in me a lasting responsibility to advocate for those whose suffering often goes unseen. Since 2018, I have volunteered with Love Fosters Hope at a summer camp for children in foster care, completing annual child development training and mentoring youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. I listen as children describe night terrors, food insecurity, the origins of their scars, and separation from siblings. These conversations demand high emotional intelligence. Each year we host “Birthday Night,” where every child receives a personalized cake and gifts. One camper once told me he had never received anything with his name on it before. Moments like this reinforce my commitment to ensuring children feel recognized within systems that too often make them feel invisible. My work in Washington strengthened this commitment. As an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C., I interned with CASA for Children of DC while completing coursework on policymaking and advocacy. There I saw how legal representation directly affects a child’s access to services and shapes outcomes in the foster care system. The experience deepened my respect for the responsibility lawyers carry when advocating for vulnerable clients. I now serve as a volunteer coordinator for Love Fosters Hope, where I help lead volunteers and support programming for children at camp. At the same time, my academic work introduced me to legal questions operating at a broader scale. As a Texas Ex, I have benefited from close proximity to the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Working as a research assistant to Professor Patrick McDonald further developed my interest in these issues. While studying the interwar period and tracking militarized interstate disputes for his forthcoming book, I examined how states navigate conflict and deterrence. This work showed how legal frameworks shape decisions that affect the stability of societies. I later returned to Washington to work as a press intern in the United States Senate. There I observed how national policy debates are communicated to the public and how those decisions ultimately affect communities across the country. Translating complex issues into clear guidance required careful judgment and an understanding of how law and public institutions interact. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the legal profession as one that operates at many levels. Lawyers advocate for individuals who need protection, and they also help guide institutions that safeguard the public. Through my legal education, I hope to contribute to both by advising military commanders and helping service members and their families navigate the legal system.