1. What qualities or experiences make you a “YOU GOT IT GIRL”? And why do you believe this YGIG Scholarship will help you achieve your goals? I come from a household with a strong single mom raising me and my two siblings. Growing up in this environment has taught me resilience, hard work, and determination. I’m pursuing a career as an animal cruelty investigator because I’m passionate about protecting those who can’t protect themselves. This scholarship would help me financially stay in school and work toward my dream of making a real difference for animals in need. 2. Tell us about the sport(s) you compete in, how long you’ve been involved, and any accomplishments or awards you’ve received during your athletic career. I have been involved in competitive cheer since the age of three, continuing through age 17, and now I cheer at the Division 1 level with the top all-girl cheer program in the nation. In 2024, I won NCA College Nationals in the D1 All-Girl Intermediate Division, which was an unforgettable experience with my teammates. In high school, I was cheer captain my junior year, competed in gymnastics for three years, and participated in track and field my senior year—winning districts in high jump and qualifying for state in the 2A Division. 3. Can you share a time when you faced a challenge or setback, and how you turned that experience into a moment of growth and empowerment? One of the hardest challenges I faced was losing my best friend, Elissa Jepsen, to suicide on September 3, 2021. We shared every practice, competition, and even a special handshake before we performed. Losing her so suddenly filled me with overwhelming grief, but instead of letting it stop me, I chose to honor her by continuing cheer as long as I could. I now cheer not only for myself but for her, carrying her memory with me at every performance. 4. Who is someone you admire and look up to, and what is it about them that inspires you? I admire my mom the most. She has been a strong and determined single mother of three, balancing everything on her own to give us the best life possible. She has shown me the meaning of perseverance and sacrifice. Knowing that she was an athlete herself motivates me to continue pursuing my own athletic journey and carry on her legacy of strength and determination. 5. At YGIG, we believe in backing future athletes who are building toward something bigger. How would this scholarship support your journey? This scholarship would help me continue my journey as a college cheerleader by easing the financial burden of school. It would allow me to focus more on training, competing, and achieving my goals while pursuing my dream career in animal cruelty investigation. With your support, I’ll be able to continue excelling both in academics and athletics, building a future where I can give back and make a lasting impact.

Why I Want to Be a Police Officer Specializing in Animal Cruelty Investigation As far back as I can remember, I have felt a close bond with animals. They always comforted me, made me feel peaceful, and help me stay concentrated. But with time, I also realized that not all animals live safe, loved lives, many suffer in silence, victims of cruelty, neglect, or abuse that go unreported or unpunished. It's the realization of that that first made me want to be a police officer, an animal cruelty investigator, to be specific. I don't simply want to love animals. I want to advocate for them. It's not only that I love animals that makes me want this job, it's that I love justice. Animals can't call the authorities on their abusers. They can't leave bad homes or protest their mistreatment. They count on us, us with guts and heart, to step in and rescue them. As an investigator of animal cruelty, I'd be that individual who acts, who listens to the warning signals, who gives those animals a voice they have been robbed of. It isn't law enforcement, it's about being an advocate, a guardian, and sometimes a lifeline. My interest in this career also stems from personal experience that shaped my own understanding of justice, accountability, and the value of life. I've seen how easy it is for individuals, both human and animal, to fall through the cracks. After my dear friend Elissa Jepsen took her own life by suicide in 2021, I realized in a far greater way how pain can be concealed, and how important it is to listen, to act, and to never assume quietness is safety. That tragedy brought me closer to empathy and more determined to live a significant existence. It taught me the importance of prevention, of intervention, and of being an individual who can make a difference, before things become too late. Being an animal cruelty police officer is my path of turning that purpose into reality. I would like to investigate cases of abuse and neglect, bring the offenders to justice, and help shelters and veterinarians with rehabilitation and sheltering animals. I also wish to educate the public on how to identify signs of cruelty and encourage more individuals to report it. Real change begins not in the reaction to abuse but in its prevention. I get that this work will not be simple. The cases will be ones of sorrow. The system will move slowly. But I know it will be worth it. Every life preserved, every abusive situation shut down, and every law enforced brings us closer to a more caring world. Animals give us their loyalty and trust. The least we can do in return is advocate for them. At the heart of this dream is a belief that justice should be accessible to all living things. Becoming an animal cruelty investigator is how I plan to turn that belief into a career, one based on compassion, integrity, and unyielding commitment to doing the right thing.

September 3, 2021, was the day my life was changed forever. My best friend Elissa Jepsen took her own life by suicide at only 14 years old, the day following an otherwise ordinary conversation with me. Our last interaction has lingered in my mind so vividly; we laughed and joked and told each other goodnight like always. There was no clue to the pain she was probably feeling. That loss hit me in ways I would never have imagined. It shattered the world's perception of security I had, and it taught me to learn just how unstable life, and mental health really is. Elissa's death rocked me to my core. It made me question: How could someone so full of light be so alone? Why did I not notice? In the following weeks, months, and days, I wrestled with too much sadness, guilt, and confusion. But in time, I realized that even though her death was tragic, the way I chose to move forward could be a celebration of her life and honoring her through the sport she loved and adored most. That was a turning point for me in my life. My goals were shaped in a manner I never thought possible. I dedicated myself to mental health education and activism. I knew I would never wish for another person to feel the kind of suffering Elissa would have felt, or the kind of suffering I was left with when she died. My professional goals now involve a significant component of helping others, whether it be direct action, teaching, or just being a listener without judgment. Whether in my normal life or professional path, and especially in my venture into animal cruelty investigation, I carry this commitment to kindness and mental well-being with me. This experience also changed how I approach relationships. I don't take "I'm fine" at face value anymore. I put on my shoe twice, I check in more often, and I try to be more present. I've realized kindness, compassion, and just being there for someone does it all. I've also realized paying attention to my own mental wellness is priority one. It's not selfish, it's imperative. You can't give from an empty cup, and I've learned that being kind to myself allows me to serve the people (and animals) I love better. My world view has altered, too. I see life in a different way now. I appreciate little things more deeply, sunsets, moments of quiet, giggles with friends, cheer competitions, and those backstage moments. I've learned that everyone is fighting battles we don't always see, and that a little grace will take us a long way. Vulnerability is loveliness, and openness is strength. Having Elissa taken from me broke me into pieces that I'm still trying to pick up, but it also set something ablaze inside me. I want to be a force of change, of empathy, of understanding. I want to live in a way that honors her memory and inspires people to know, to feel, to remember that they are not alone. Her life, and her death, gave mine more meaning.

From a young age, I’ve felt a deep connection to animals. Whether it was rescuing a stray dog off the street, feeding a hungry cat that wandered into my backyard, or simply observing wildlife in quiet moments, I’ve always seen animals as beings that deserve love, protection, and respect. Over time, that natural compassion transformed into a firm sense of responsibility, and ultimately, a clear career path: to become an animal cruelty investigator. This decision didn’t come lightly. It was born from witnessing how often animals suffer in silence, their pain overlooked or ignored by a world too busy to notice. I’ve read stories, seen footage, and in some cases, personally encountered animals that had been abused, neglected, or abandoned. What struck me most wasn’t just the cruelty, it was how easily it could go unnoticed, how often no one was held accountable. It was the point of realization that turned everything around for me. I didn't want to care, however. I wanted to do something. I wanted to be a voice to the voiceless. I was instilled with the value of fighting for what is right even when it is hard to do so from a young age. Raised by a single mother who struggled to provide for my brothers and me, I watched her fight through adversity with dignity and strength. Our life was not easy, but it taught me empathy, resilience, and how to survive difficult times. These are the values that have shaped the way I perceive the world, and the kind of work I would like to spend my lifetime doing. Animal cruelty investigation isn't a glamorous job. It's entering difficult and tragic cases, struggling often with legal obstacles and emotional weights. But I believe the work is worth it. Every animal rescued, every perpetrator brought to justice, every new law or policy implemented begins with someone who is willing to investigate, document, and testify. And that is what I wish to be. My goal is to work with national and local animal welfare groups, combining field investigation and advocacy with education. I want to help strengthen laws against animal cruelty and assist in funding animal rehabilitation programs for animals rescued from cruelty situations. I will pursue a degree in criminal justice or animal science, with specialist certification in animal cruelty investigation. Knowledge, combined with compassion, is what will bring this work effective and enduring. This is not just a profession to me, it's a mission. It's about justice, not just for people, but for all creatures. Animals don't have voices. They don't have the ability to call for help. But we do. And I do. This is a choice of choosing to speak out for the voiceless, to bring to light hidden cruelty, and to save more animals safe, secure, and respected as they deserve. In a world that sometimes turns a blind eye, I’ve decided to keep mine wide open.

My ultimate goal is to create a career that focuses on preventing cruelty to animals and advocating for the welfare of animals who cannot speak for themselves. I want to work for agencies that rescue abused or abandoned animals, teach the public about humane treatment, and help in enforcing animal protection laws. I have always been really interested in animals, and over the years, I have learned that this is something that I want to turn into a life's vocation. Whether through shelter work, outreach programs, or by being an animal rights activist, I want to spend my lifetime protecting those who are in greatest need. Still, following this path is not only a case of dedication, but also that of a proper educational foundation coupled with financial support. That is why I require this scholarship. I was brought up being raised by a single parent with two other siblings. My mother worked her butt to take care of us, especially considering my father stopped child support payments. There were so many times that she had to make sacrifices just to feed us and house us, one of them being relocating us to another city where the cost of living was cheaper. I witnessed her sacrifice what she required over and over again so that we would have a more realistic chance. Her strength and willpower compelled me to work hard and never give up hope, even when impossible situations occurred. Money has never been any easier in our household, even with all of her hard labor, especially when it comes to college. I'm the first person in my family who has ever made attending college a priority, and I don't just bring my own dreams, I bring the dreams of my family too. This scholarship would enable me to reduce the burden of tuition fees, textbooks, and living costs, and make more time available to focus on my studies and field work, such as volunteering at shelters or interning for animal rights groups. With the reduced stress of financial concerns, I would be free to focus on acquiring the skills and education to make a positive impact. This scholarship is not just about helping me pay for school, it's about believing in a student who wants to make a difference in the world. I want to use my education and voice to be a tool for positive change. I want to show other young people from struggling families that they can achieve their dreams too. I believe that when someone else is helping to bring you up, it's your responsibility to help bring others up with you, and this scholarship would give me the platform on which to do so. In the coming years, I envision myself working alongside nonprofit organizations, crafting legislation that protects animals, and leading community efforts to educate people on humane treatment. This award would be more than just funds, it would be a launching pad for a compassionate-driven career built upon justice and sustainable reform.

Having grown up in a one-parent household, I was shaped in ways that I'm only now beginning to fully appreciate. I was raised by my mother and my two brothers, and although we didn't have much money, we were blessed with teachings of resiliency, sacrifice, and strength. My mother did everything she could to provide for us, even when the odds were against her, and watching her struggle through those years has left an indelible imprint on who I am today. My father was all but nonexistent in our lives. Although he was supposed to make child support, oftentimes he didn't, so my mother essentially raised three children single-handedly. There were times when we had no idea how the bills would be paid or if we would have to move again to make ends meet. But somehow, my mother always seemed to find a way. Her strength was unspoken but nagging, whether she was working long, late nights, scraping every penny together, or cheering us up when we felt discouraged. At one time or another, my mom had to make the difficult decision of moving us from one city to another looking for a cheaper place to stay. It involved beginning anew somewhere else — new schools, new habits, and new faces. It was not easy. I had to leave friends and what I was familiar with. But looking back, I see that it was a sign of love and survival. She moved us not so much to simplify life for herself but so that she could provide us with a better opportunity for stability. That experience alone taught me courage and resilience. I had to grow up quickly and be more aware of the work it takes to simply keep a house. I was more self-sufficient, more compassionate, and more committed to creating a brighter future not just for myself, but also for the people I love. My mom's strength taught me that you don't need perfect circumstances to grow up, you just need determination and grit. Watching her never give up on anything convinced me to be someone who wouldn't give up either. That's one of the reasons I'm so determined now. I want to be an animal cruelty investigator and be a voice for the voiceless. I've witnessed what it is like when they disregard or abandon, and I don't want that for any living thing, human or animal. Life unfolded as I did wasn't always easy, but I wouldn't trade those experiences