"L'Union fait la Force." The lifeblood of every Haitian. Ever since that blessed New Year's Day in 1804, this truth has rung true for every Haitian; and every day since I was born, more than 200 years later, my parents have kept this philosophy alive and ensured that I have known this to be true. As a middle child with six siblings, it is easy to feel overshadowed by others. But as I matured, I quickly learned that it was a blessing to have so many people around me to support me in all of my goals. Though my family was an essential part of this community, the love of a community knows no bounds. My community was the family friend who picked me up from school when my parents were busy. My community was the woman at church who would always buy my chocolate bars for school fundraisers. My community extended beyond the four walls of my home and I was lucky enough to grow up in a supportive environment where I knew I could depend on those around me. Time and time again, I was shown the power of unity and the duty you agree to by being a part of a community. You not only reap the benefits but gain a responsibility to care for others. As I began to seriously consider my goals for the future, it was never lost on me how important my duty to help others was. I began to explore different options that matched my skill sets and would help improve the world. Civil engineering excited me and drew me in because, when done effectively, it would create a tangible beneficial impact on the lives of those around me. Civil engineers play an essential and underappreciated role in society of protecting our communities. Civil engineers don't just build bridges, they take into consideration the well-being of others while using important logical reasoning to create solutions to problems and provide answers to questions. Becoming a civil engineer is the opportunity to shape the lives of those I love for the better. In the face of difficulties, I remind myself that I'm not just working towards a goal for myself, I am fulfilling my duty to uplift my community and all those who have helped me grow into the young woman I am today. Though I love my hometown and the people in it, as I grow and learn more about cities, urban planning, and civil engineering, I've also come to learn more about its faults. Accessibility has been a big issue for my community and my main goal is to continue developing the skills I have to be able to address this issue. In a city where overreliance on automobiles and cars is commonplace, I have the ability to improve livability for all citizens of all demographics using critical thinking, technical skills, and experience to improve mobility and create accessible infrastructure. Currently, I am taking advantage of every opportunity available to me to ensure that I can reach this goal. From studying internationally to holding leadership positions domestically, I have had unique experiences that aided in developing the skills necessary to excel in civil engineering. With strong resolve and the support and partnership of my community, I will be able to pay them back for all that they have done for me.