During my time in the optical field, it has become my passion. Giving the gift of sight every day is my most cherished opportunity. My optical journey began seven years ago when I was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). After my car accident, I was unable to be a CNA anymore but still wanted to work in the medical field helping my community. My mother had a friend who was the general manager of My Eye Lab. They need an ophthalmic technician. I decided to give it a try and fell in love. Getting my Optician’s License would allow me to extend my range to other communities. I hope one day to volunteer with Essilor Luxottica’s OneSight program or VSP’s Eyes of Hope. They send opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other volunteers to low-income areas either in the states or abroad. Being able to watch a small child or adult see the clouds and their parents’ faces for the first time is what gives me the most joy in life. My dream is to give affordable, accessible vision care to everyone. Being low-income or living in a rural area does not mean you aren’t allowed to see clearly. If an individual can clearly see what is right in front of them, everyday tasks become easier. They have more opportunities for a growing career in their chosen profession. Therefore, they can better provide for their families with a newfound confidence and clarity. With a routine eye exam, no matter where you are, your optometrist or ophthalmologist can detect serious or even fatal health issues the patient was unaware of. Traveling to low-income areas, where basic health care is not readily available, the eye exam gives more than just a pair of glasses. It helps to give a patient a general understanding of their overall health. It may be limited, but at least it can possibly detect a detached retina, diabetes, unknown cancer growing from within, etc. Another dream of mine is to teach. With all the knowledge and experience I want to accumulate with my license I want to give back to those around me. For new and upcoming opticians, I would love to share my experiences with them. Show them how to work a lensometer or adjust glasses. If a patient cannot see out of their new glasses, what can we do for them? Currently, I am the Optical Supervisor at VisionWorks in Orange Park, Florida. Seeing the excited new faces that join our team, it's my opportunity to educate them in the art of Opticianry. I also have recently joined the local chapter of the Orange Park Lion’s Club. Their motto is “We Serve”. That is what I want to do. I want to serve my community, and communities all around the world. With this scholarship, I can work full-time at VisionWorks while continuing my education at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Plant City, Florida. Once my license is achieved, I want to volunteer with OneSight and Eyes of Hope. I hope to take my education to new heights. I may end up teaching Opticianry full time. As a Licensed Dispensing Optician, the possibilities are endless. Thank you to the James Michael Morris Family and The Education Foundation in Ophthalmic Optics, Inc for considering me for this very prestigious scholarship.