My name is Elle. I am a very open-minded person to which a lot of people would agree. I am a very determined person once I set my mind to something and seeing it through is critical. I have a passion for creativity and thinking outside of the box. I strive to stay disciplined and to finish what might seem hard at first. I have a multifaceted side and desire to learn to expand my horizon. I value loyalty and the Golden Rule, which is to treat others the way you would want to be treated. I value being a pleasant person because you never know what someone is going through. Perseverance is something that I carry close to my heart. I have a sign over my bathroom door that says perseverance, and it always reminds me to push through and that success does not come without work. Lastly is authenticity and honesty. I always feel it is important to tell the truth and to be authentically who you are. Why would you lie or be something who you are not? It is draining and exhausting. At the end of the day I still want to be that authentic and an honest person. Attending an HBCU will help me further my pursuit of excellence surrounded by colleagues that are dedicated, committed to mastering an educational goal and look like me. This experience will live beyond the degree through the rich history of HBCU traditions fueled by homecomings, celebrated 10, 20, 30+ alumni gatherings and other upheld traditions especially in The Yard. HBCU alumni are notoriously loyal and supportive of their alma maters. The alumni can assist in identifying internships, mentorship opportunities, and prospective employment opportunities. At an HBCU, I am the standard, not the exception. I will not be the minority, I will be the majority. I can learn from others and truly see how diverse the black community is. I remember going to TSU (Texas Southern University) homecoming in 2025 and sitting outside of my friends house. My friend lived close to the university and we could hear and see the marching band approaching. I felt so much pride to see the band standing all together, in step and representing their own HBCU. At 10 years old I was faced with a question I thought was cliche, and my response even more cliche. Volunteering at a young age made me realize early on that people aren't always treated the same way and nothing changes until you act towards changing it. I would go to these volunteer events with my mom, not because I was forced to but because I felt led to. One of the first volunteer events I did with my mom was at Christmas and I handed a lady a pair of socks. As soon as I gave them to her she started crying. Something as simple as a pair of socks felt like an ordinary moment to me. But that experience or act of kindness marked the beginning of my understanding that service was a part of who I am, and my genuine desire to help others. Service has always been a big part of my life since a young age. I knew coming into high school I wanted to continue in my own way . Serving lower income communities has shown me firsthand the disparities many people face, particularly in access to mental health resources. Instead of ignoring this issue, I chose to take action by founding the Mental Stars Club at my school. Our mission statement is helping those in lower income areas by bettering their mental health. Starting the club was not without challenges. Because it was mental health and the stigma that came with it, my peers shied away. I had to pivot, communicate harder and introduce engaging activities like making Care Packages and writing Empowerment Cards. I continued leadership roles serving as UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Chair for Top Teens of America, participant on the UNCF Gala Committee, and being a school ambassador. My vision is rooted in creativity, cultural understanding, and service. For college I plan to pursue a degree in Marketing and a minor in International Business, followed by a MBA with a concentration in Marketing. Throughout this journey I hope to build a firm foundation in consumer behavior, branding, and global markets. I have a gravitational pull to how ideas connect, grow, and influence people. Each experience has broadened my perspective on the many sides of business and confirmed that this is the path I want to follow; marketing specifically. What draws me to marketing is its creativity; it's not just about selling, it's about understanding the people who are being targeted. For example, what makes a fourteen year old pick a hot pink water bottle over a silver one they already own? The mix of psychology, storytelling, and strategy is what grabs my attention. My initial goal is to build my own international marketing agency, rooted in cultural understanding and authenticity and presenting creative “out the box” experiences for companies to connect with their consumers. Ultimately, my goal is not only to build a successful career, but to use my experiences to uplift others and create lasting impact. Giving back is an important part of my future. I plan to create mentorship opportunities for high school and college students, showing them the value of education and recognizing the impact of business in every field. I hope to continue service through establishing a foundation centered on service, authenticity, and community support.