I vividly remember the early mornings of elementary and middle school when my mom would wake me with her soft whispers, saying “Mya, it's time for school.” With excitement and anticipation, I got ready for the day, laced my shoes, packed my lunch, and was out the door, headed towards the day’s adventure. Middle school was a big milestone, and I couldn’t wait to embrace it. However, as the weeks passed, and my book bag grew with an overwhelming load of textbooks, a discomfort started to grow in my back. What began as a minor ache soon escalated into an excruciating pain, a constant reminder that something was terribly wrong. Everyday felt like a persistent warning, and I knew I couldn't shake this growing torment. On October 7, 2018, my long-awaited doctor’s visit revealed a horrifying truth, one that would alter my life forever. Being diagnosed with severe scoliosis at 12 was a reality I never expected to face. The curvature of my spine had reached a critical point, compressing my right lung and left me with no choice but to get spinal fusion surgery. The weight of this news was almost unbearable. I felt a sense of regret for not acting on my condition sooner. The day of the surgery marked a turning point in my life. The procedure involved inserting two titanium rods and twenty-two screws into my spine to correct its dramatic “S” shape. Waking up from the surgery was an ordeal of its own. The pain was agonizing and sharp, like a jagged knife being dragged down my back repeatedly. Every movement felt brutal beyond words. Simple actions like walking, sitting, and even standing became a massive challenge. It felt as though I was re-learning the basics of living. This drastic change went beyond the physical; it seeped into every aspect of my life. The pain of not fully experiencing middle school and being with my friends left a hole in my heart. We had so many plans for how our first year would unfold, from the school dances, field trips, showcases filled with laughter and joy—until everything I looked forward to was ripped away. I dealt with deep sorrow, making it difficult to reach out to them. It was overwhelmed with a perpetual pain that had become my reality. My inner turmoil was transparent as I repeatedly asked my mom, “Why me? Why did I have to go through this?” When I look back on that transformative period of my life, I remember it as a time of intense struggle and incredible resilience. It was a moment when I had to come to terms with my new reality, in which my body felt strange and restrictive. This period of my life became a test of my growth. I discovered a deep strength within myself, both physically and mentally. By embracing positive affirmations, receiving unwavering support from my family, and taking one day at a time, I was able to push through. I made sure to always lead with kindness realizing that being upset about my situations was not going to lead to any progress. I learned that adversity is not an invitation to wave the white flag but a chance to rise and press forward with a renewed mindset. My life came with a huge curveball, but I refused to let it shatter me. Instead, I embraced the opportunity to rebuild and grow. My experience, though difficult, shaped me into someone who understands that resilience is developed during hardship.

The word “college” has resonated with me from the moment I could fully understand its importance. Now that I am a senior and I am at the beginning of a new chapter in my life, it feels like a huge puzzle I must piece together. My journey to this very moment has been developed with so many challenges thrown my way, but it was a chance to rise and press forward with a renewed mindset. As I prepare for the future at Florida State University I can't wait to continue to grow and achieve without limits. Supporting underrepresented communities is crucial because it promotes equity and inclusion. When we uplift those around us, we provide them with opportunities to succeed and impact their communities. This creates a more diverse and balanced society, improving all areas of life, including education, the arts, and media. In the world of journalism, where storytelling influences social change, it is especially important to ensure that voices from underrepresented communities are heard and valued. As an aspiring journalist with a passion for sports media, I have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference. My career can serve as a platform to promote diversity and inclusion, particularly in areas where underrepresented communities are often misrepresented. One of the most impactful ways I can give back is by focusing on mentorship and providing opportunities for others in similar positions like me. For instance, the sports media club at Dillard High School played an essential role in shaping my passion for journalism. This environment nurtured my love for sports journalism and provided a foundation that allowed me to pursue my goals. By returning to this space and offering mentorship, I can help the next generation of aspiring journalists who are interested in venturing into that career. Offering guidance, sharing my experiences, and providing resources can empower these students, giving them the confidence and tools to pursue their dreams in the media industry. Furthermore, as a journalist, I can use my platform to tell the stories of underrepresented athletes, coaches, and communities. I can share the stories of these people that highlight their contributions, struggles, and triumphs. Covering a diverse range of sports figures not only enriches the conversation but also helps to bring much needed visibility to communities that are often overlooked. This could mean focusing on athletes from different backgrounds, small sports organizations, or local community events that don’t always receive media attention. Finally, I can continue to give back to Dillard High School and other institutions that have shaped my journey. Whether through guest lectures, hosting workshops, or partnering with local media organizations to create internship opportunities, these initiatives can make a significant impact. By promoting a culture of support and inclusion, I ensure that mentorship and opportunity continues, benefiting both current and future generations of young journalists.

I vividly remember the early mornings of elementary and middle school when my mom would wake me with her soft whispers, saying “Mya, it's time for school.” With excitement and anticipation, I got ready for the day, laced my shoes, packed my lunch, and was out the door, headed towards the day’s adventure. Middle school was a big milestone, and I couldn’t wait to embrace it. However, as the weeks passed, and my book bag grew with an overwhelming load of textbooks, a discomfort started to grow in my back. What began as a minor ache soon escalated into an excruciating pain, a constant reminder that something was terribly wrong. Everyday felt like a persistent warning, and I knew I couldn't shake this growing torment. On October 7, 2018, my long-awaited doctor’s visit revealed a horrifying truth, one that would alter my life forever. Being diagnosed with severe scoliosis at 12 was a reality I never expected to face. The curvature of my spine had reached a critical point, compressing my right lung and left me with no choice but to get spinal fusion surgery. The weight of this news was almost unbearable. I felt a sense of regret for not acting on my condition sooner. The day of the surgery marked a turning point in my life. The procedure involved inserting two titanium rods and twenty-two screws into my spine to correct its dramatic “S” shape. Waking up from the surgery was an ordeal of its own. The pain was agonizing and sharp, like a jagged knife being dragged down my back repeatedly. Every movement felt brutal beyond words. Simple actions like walking, sitting, and even standing became a massive challenge. It felt as though I was re-learning the basics of living. This drastic change went beyond the physical; it seeped into every aspect of my life. The pain of not fully experiencing middle school and being with my friends left a hole in my heart. We had so many plans for how our first year would unfold, from the school dances, field trips, showcases filled with laughter and joy—until everything I looked forward to was ripped away. I dealt with deep sorrow, making it difficult to reach out to them. It was overwhelmed with a perpetual pain that had become my reality. My inner turmoil was transparent as I repeatedly asked my mom, “Why me? Why did I have to go through this?” When I look back on that transformative period of my life, I remember it as a time of intense struggle and incredible resilience. It was a moment when I had to come to terms with my new reality, in which my body felt strange and restrictive. This period of my life became a test of my growth. I discovered a deep strength within myself, both physically and mentally. By embracing positive affirmations, receiving unwavering support from my family, and taking one day at a time, I was able to push through. I learned that adversity is not an invitation to wave the white flag but a chance to rise and press forward with a renewed mindset. My life came with a huge curveball, but I refused to let it shatter me. Instead, I embraced the opportunity to rebuild and grow. My experience, though difficult, shaped me into someone who understands that resilience is developed during hardship.

I vividly remember the early mornings of elementary and middle school when my mom would wake me with her soft whispers, saying “Mya, it's time for school.” With excitement and anticipation, I got ready for the day, laced my shoes, packed my lunch, and was out the door, headed towards the day’s adventure. Middle school was a big milestone, and I couldn’t wait to embrace it. However, as the weeks passed, and my book bag grew with an overwhelming load of textbooks, a discomfort started to grow in my back. What began as a minor ache soon escalated into an excruciating pain, a constant reminder that something was terribly wrong. Everyday felt like a persistent warning, and I knew I couldn't shake this growing torment. On October 7, 2018, my long-awaited doctor’s visit revealed a horrifying truth, one that would alter my life forever. Being diagnosed with severe scoliosis at 12 was a reality I never expected to face. The curvature of my spine had reached a critical point, compressing my right lung and left me with no choice but to get spinal fusion surgery. The weight of this news was almost unbearable. I felt a sense of regret for not acting on my condition sooner. The day of the surgery marked a turning point in my life. The procedure involved inserting two titanium rods and twenty-two screws into my spine to correct its dramatic “S” shape. Waking up from the surgery was an ordeal of its own. The pain was agonizing and sharp, like a jagged knife being dragged down my back repeatedly. Every movement felt brutal beyond words. Simple actions like walking, sitting, and even standing became a massive challenge. It felt as though I was re-learning the basics of living. This drastic change went beyond the physical; it seeped into every aspect of my life. The pain of not fully experiencing middle school and being with my friends left a hole in my heart. We had so many plans for how our first year would unfold, from the school dances, field trips, showcases filled with laughter and joy—until everything I looked forward to was ripped away. I dealt with deep sorrow, making it difficult to reach out to them. It was overwhelmed with a perpetual pain that had become my reality. My inner turmoil was transparent as I repeatedly asked my mom, “Why me? Why did I have to go through this?” When I look back on that transformative period of my life, I remember it as a time of intense struggle and incredible resilience. It was a moment when I had to come to terms with my new reality, in which my body felt strange and restrictive. This period of my life became a test of my growth. I discovered a deep strength within myself, both physical and mental. By embracing positive affirmations, receiving unwavering support from my village, and taking one day at a time, I was able to push through. I learned that adversity is not an invitation to wave the white flag but a chance to rise and press forward with a renewed mindset. My life came with a huge curveball, but I refused to let it shatter me. Instead, I embraced the opportunity to rebuild and grow. My experience, though difficult, shaped me into someone who understands that resilience is developed during hardship.

Service in leadership is essential because it inspires others, fosters personal growth, and strengthens communities. Someone exemplifying leadership is beyond giving orders but someone who serves and motivates those around them. The theatre magnet program at my school has consistently put up incredible performances, and as President, I was excited to end the year off with the thrilling musical “Once on This Island.” However, about two weeks before opening night our director had to step away due to unforeseen circumstances. This was devastating to everyone involved in the production. There were so many key components to the show that were incomplete, so this situation made me, and my peers, feel a bit hopeless. Our director was the backbone for everything involving the theatre department, so without him it left everyone looking to me for guidance and direction. Truthfully, I was just as frustrated and uncertain as them. However, I refused to allow this unfortunate event hold us back from putting on an amazing performance that we worked so hard for. I was quick on my feet and emailed everyone within the performing arts magnet program to help assist us with this show. I constantly scheduled meetings with the light and sound director, the artistic director and even the principal to ensure that we had all the resources to put on this show. I was able to find someone to supervise us as we rehearsed after school because I refused to miss any practice time. I also contacted a few people outside of school that I knew had artistic expertise to assist us with any vocals and the technical aspects. Most importantly, I uplifted all my peers and encouraged them to keep their head lifted during such a challenging time. This situation was the biggest test of my leadership. I was filled with overwhelming stress and concerns about the nature of the production but to see how all my peers came together, that truly gave me the strength to push forward. It allowed me to step up, guide them and ensure we were all focused on our goal. Overall, this experience taught me that leadership is not only about making decisions, but it is also about uplifting others to work together in the face of hardship. As I venture off into the next phase of my life by heading off to college and pursuing my professional and personal goals, I will continue to make it my duty to serve in leadership. In college, I plan to get involved in organizations that foster leadership, education, and diversity. I want to be able to use my voice to uplift others as I navigate through college. Through mentorships and peer support, networking with others will allow me to fully step out of my comfort zone and strengthen my leadership. For my personal and professional goals, I plan to continue to use my leadership skills throughout my career. As an upcoming communications student, I want to continue to always implement leadership through everything I do. Leadership is essential for any career choice, and I want to develop skills that could help me grow in my field of study. I want to enhance my communication skills, so that way I can continue to inspire others whether its through my writing or even speaking engagements. Leadership means taking control of your future and I plan to develop skills that allow me to be successful and, in the position, to help others. Leadership is about service and the impact on others, and I want to continue to carry that with me in every aspect of my life.