Leadership through service means seeing a need, taking initiative, and inspiring others to make a difference. One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was organizing a Books & STEM Drive through Give Hope Global to help build libraries and provide educational resources for students in Ghana. This project taught me that true leadership is not about recognition or titles but about serving others with purpose and encouraging a community to unite around a common goal. After learning that many schools in Ghana lacked access to books and basic STEM resources, I wanted to help create opportunities for students who deserved the same chance to learn and dream that I have been given. I organized a community-wide collection drive for children’s books, chapter books, novels, science materials, calculators, lab supplies, and other educational resources. I created promotional materials, shared information throughout the community, communicated with donors, coordinated collection efforts, and encouraged friends, family members, teachers, and neighbors to get involved. Watching people respond with generosity reminded me that one person can inspire many others to make a difference. Once the donations were collected, the work had only begun. I volunteered alongside other community members to sort, inspect, label, and package thousands of books and STEM supplies so they would be ready to ship overseas. Every box represented new opportunities for children to read, discover science, and imagine futures they may not have thought possible. Although the work required patience and long hours, seeing the impact our efforts would have made every moment worthwhile. The project also strengthened my own community. People of different ages and backgrounds came together with one shared purpose: helping children they would likely never meet. It reminded me that service has the power to unite people and create connections that extend far beyond geographic boundaries. I learned that leadership often means doing the behind-the-scenes work that no one notices because those small efforts are what make meaningful change possible. This experience has shaped the way I approach leadership in every part of my life. I continue serving my community by coaching youth basketball, participating in volunteer activities through school and church, and serving as a Bonner Leader at High Point University. These opportunities have reinforced my belief that leadership is measured by the positive impact we have on others rather than the recognition we receive. The Books & STEM Drive showed me that service can create opportunities that last a lifetime. A donated book can inspire a future teacher, engineer, scientist, or leader. I hope to continue leading through service by using my education, compassion, and leadership skills to help others overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Whether I am serving my local community or supporting communities around the world, I want my life to reflect the belief that the greatest leaders are those who dedicate themselves to lifting others up.

Change has always been a constant in my life. I’ve attended seven different schools from elementary through high school, and each transition forced me to adapt quickly or risk falling behind. I learned early on that if you’re going to make it, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I was raised by a single mother who has always done everything in her power to give me the best life possible. My dad, though he lived nearby, has never been a consistent presence in my life. His involvement came in brief moments — showing up to a game here or there — but those memories are scattered and vague. I’ve had to accept that, and it’s shaped how I define family and reliability. We moved often — across the country, from state to state — chasing stability, opportunity, and what my mom believed was best for us. I love my mom deeply, and I’m proud of who I’ve become because of her, but our life hasn’t always been easy. There were times when she worked multiple jobs and I bounced from daycare to daycare. At one point, we blended with another family through marriage, I gained stepbrothers, but eventually had to rebuild from the ground up when that relationship didn’t work out. Even though there was constant change and a need to adapt, academics were always a priority in our home. My mom held high expectations, especially when it came to school. I’ve always worked hard, but I struggled with focus. I often found myself daydreaming in class without even realizing it. Over time, this got worse, and my teachers grew frustrated. Eventually, after evaluations, I was diagnosed with both ADHD and ADD. My mom fought hard to get me the help I needed — from medication to strategies that helped me stay on track. Once I learned how to manage it, things began to click. I’ve always been intelligent, but now I could prove it. I grew stronger each year, and discovered a deep understanding and love for math. At first, I thought I wanted to pursue engineering, but as I learned more about myself, I realized my true passion lies in finance. I love numbers, strategy, and the potential to make real-world impact. My goal is to attend a school that offers strong business programs and a campus community where I can grow and where I can contribute as well. I hope to major in Business with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Sports Management if possible. Sports are a big part of my life — not just playing, but serving the youth in my community through coaching, refereeing and mentorship. I want to be a role model for kids who, like me, may not have the “perfect” situation. Kids who don’t come from two-parent households, who may not always feel seen, who can’t afford all the extras — I want them to know they can succeed. I am so blessed and thankful for the way I was raised and the obstacles that have helped shaped me into who I am today. I'm excited to see where the next phase in life takes me, because one thing I know for sure, I'm ready for the change and challenge ahead.