Water, the life-giving substance that is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together, is not merely a component of human existence, but rather a pillar of our society and integral part of my being. While 60% of the human body is composed of it, for me, it feels closer to 90%. From the depths of the ocean to the dull surface of a school pool, these aquatic domains are my home. Water is the essence that invigorates me, granting me a sense of vitality and purpose. Looking at the water gives me an unfathomable feeling of ecstasy. From colors like air, to a murky green, teeming with life. As a little girl regularly thrown into the pool, I learned to swim and stay afloat. Now I scuba dive, fully submerging myself alongside marine life. The current at 20 meters below slowly sways me back and forth - it brings me unquestionable peace. It feels as though I am being held in mother nature's arms, a layer of protection around my body, mind and soul. I witness creatures of all shapes and sizes living in harmony, following a certain biorhythm and think, if only life on land was as melodious as under the sea. I have always known that this is where I am supposed to be - connected to something that touches all parts of life essentially. This is something I cannot live without. Water is crucial for life, but it is also a valuable tool. In water polo, it is a powerful force to be harnessed. My body takes over my mind and my movements become meticulous. The way my hand glides through the water becomes thrilling. My legs hold me up, and I determine how much power I put in to pass, shoot, or score. My water polo team was a gateway to new friendships and relationships - a team that builds its members to truly thrive in a group environment. We utilized communication skills and accountability to ensure our success while keeping ourselves active, disciplined, and focused on goals. Now every body ache is not debilitating but a path forming to triumph. Water does not belong to one person (or fish!). It can also be used to give back to the community and support others. Since I love working with children and seeing how their minds operate, becoming a swim instructor was perfect. The class I teach is full of energetic 5-year-olds, and most are ambivalent about getting in the water. Some struggle with sensory issues that emerge from autism. This often resulted in kicking and screaming, however, their parents wanted them to learn a valuable skill that would last a lifetime and open a door of opportunities. My goal is to instill in these children the same level of comfort and security that I have experienced in the water, and to demonstrate that water need not be feared. By empowering them to navigate it, I hope to inspire them to embrace it with confidence and joy. Water is indeed an essential part of my life, since the beginning and well into the future. I want to share with people the happiness water brings me and what it can do to others physically, mentally and socially. I experienced so many exclusive things in life because of my association with this medium: from new friendships to helping others, bringing great joy and serenity to my life with wonderful memories and valuable takeaways. I want to push past my boundaries with water so that I can record more in my legend about my favorite world.

Leadership is to help people achieve something that they don’t want to do or do not think is possible. Leaders challenge others and leaders possess something special that is recognized by others so that they are willing to follow. Leaders are grown, not born. I have invested in my personal growth by challenging myself as shown by my Congressional Award Gold Medal which I earned in high school by giving 400 hours of community service, spending 200 hours of personal development, performing 200 hours of physical fitness, and a 5 day expedition. Number of participants: 41,195 - Gold Medals Earned: 483, Silver Medals Earned: 320, Bronze Medals Earned: 477, Certificates Earned: 265. A pivotal community where I demonstrated leadership has been Jack and Jill of America. This program is dedicated to empowering the future of African-Americans by offering opportunities to learn about community, adulthood, and responsibility. Within the St. Louis chapter, I held the role of Chaplain and was twice elected as Teen Foundation Chair. As Chaplain, my focus was on the mental well-being of teenagers, providing them with meditation and mindfulness practices. In my capacity as Teen Foundation Chair, I worked diligently to organize engaging events for teenagers and their families. Collaborating with my two Lead Team Advisors and the Foundation Chair Mother, we successfully executed multiple fundraisers, including two double good popcorn pop-up shops, trivia nights, need-based drives, and teen parties. These endeavors allowed me to collaborate with organizations like the Little Bit Foundation, Covenant House International, and Loyola Academy of St. Louis, all of which are dedicated to providing essential education and leadership resources for children. Through my involvement, I have cultivated compassion, kindness, and consideration for others, while also honing my skills as an effective leader and community member. Another experience where I demonstrated leadership is my journey as a team captain. My involvement in two Junior Olympic championships provided a unique opportunity for leadership development. The 2022 championship, in particular, was a significant test of my abilities. We were part of the U16 team, however, a lot of the girls who were playing on our team were 13 and 14. Our team faced the diversity challenge of blending players of varying ages and experience levels. Navigating team dynamics, from internal conflicts to on-field challenges, required decisive action. With my co-captain, we orchestrated strategic plays, implemented player rotations, and adapted our communication to maximize our team's strengths. This was our first Junior Olympic tournament and we only won our very last game over the 5 days. It was frustrating and fun however we only grew from that experience. Despite facing these numerous losses, I remained resolute, giving my all in every game, thus demonstrating leadership. I want to study cognitive and behavioral psychology and the intersection with neuroscience delving into the complexities of thought and behavior. Simultaneously, I am dedicated to promoting diversity acceptance, particularly within the underrepresented black community in this field. Communities I grew up in like St. Louis have a low and disproportionate number of psychologists to the people in the community needing services. This often leads to disconnect and unresponsiveness to treatment among minority groups. During my career, I want to connect with others on a personal level so they feel comfortable to be open and express their truth, be vulnerable, and be helped. Along with those aspirations I also want to eliminate certain stigmas in the community that have to deal with stereotypes or past generational trauma that has been passed down. My professional career will be a launchpad that will help guide my leadership that will positively influence communities.

Throughout my high school career, I have been fortunate to encounter diverse opportunities that significantly shaped my personal and academic development. One experience that stands out to me was my participation in the Best Healthcare Program, a program aimed to create a supportive environment for underrepresented minority students in STEM by providing a platform to explore and network within various healthcare fields. The program, hosted at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in Saint Louis, proved to be an eye-opening venture, which allowed me to step into the shoes of a nurse, visit dermatology clinics, and even practice suturing on real human skin at a Saint Louis University lab. Beyond career exploration, we delved into basic human anatomy, honed professional development skills, and engaged in insightful conversations with a neurosurgeon and cardiovascular perfusionist. This exposure broadened my understanding of healthcare professions and encouraged me to believe in my capacity for continuous growth. In addition to my academic pursuits, I sought adventure and valuable life lessons through scuba diving. I was extremely nervous but there was no turning back. I went through the training at school and then I was in Mexico for spring break waiting to do my four open water dives to complete the criteria. The wind was so rough that day, but even after two dramamine pills and all my preparation, when it came time to jump, the only thing going into the water was the contents of my stomach. The typical dive recommendation was: two open water dives, go back to shore then come back out for another two the next day due to the nitrogen build up. However, due to my seasickness I persuaded the dive school to allow all four dives in one day. Despite these initial challenges, I persevered through the training and completed all four open water dives that day. This taught me that determination and a resolute focus on my goals could lead to personal triumphs, even in the face of adversity. Another crucial facet of my high school journey has been my growth as a team captain. My involvement in two Junior Olympic championships provided a unique opportunity for leadership development. The 2022 championship, in particular, was a significant test of my abilities. We were part of the U16 team, however a lot of the girls who were playing on our team were 13 and 14. Our team faced the challenge of blending players of varying ages and experience levels. Navigating team dynamics, from internal conflicts to on-field challenges, required decisive action. With my co-captain, we orchestrated strategic plays, implemented player rotations, and adapted our communication to maximize our team's strengths. This was our first Junior Olympic tournament and we only won our very last game over the 5 days. It was frustrating and fun however we only grew from that experience. Despite facing these numerous losses, I remained resolute, giving my all in every game. I want to be able to instill that type of teamwork wherever I go and create a positive atmosphere. These experiences have collectively shaped my journey, equipping me with resilience, adaptability, and a profound appreciation for teamwork. They have empowered me to believe in my ability to effect positive change and to continuously strive for excellence. As I transition to the next phase of my academic and personal journey, I carry the lessons learned from these diverse undertakings. I have shared these experiences with my communities and I have been told that my experiences have inspired others.

I want to be a Neuroscience Behavioral Researcher. I have always been captivated by the mind and reasoning behind people’s thoughts and behaviors. I have a passion for helping people tackle challenges and gain new skills. I am always up for an opportunity to support underserved communities, especially those with special needs. Growing up, I was part of a family that was great in many ways and different in some than others. This influenced my interest in psychology and neuroscience because it was significant to the reason behind how my family was different. My older dyslexic brother had a hard time reading and identifying letters and my middle brother, who is half deaf, learned the world through sight and touch. I never thought about how they were affected by the world and what made them the “weird” ones because to me they were normal to me. I later observed how people behaved differently to them and others with disabilities. It all came together when I began teaching swim lessons to children who had mental disabilities. I had a hand in helping special needs children grow and learn in a technical and spiritual way just by being there for them and making them feel safe while tackling their new challenge: swimming. Some have sensory issues or are on the autism spectrum, so it makes it especially challenging for them to do certain things in the water. As I work with them, I also gain insight into how to introduce new techniques and collaborate with other instructors to improve the experience. This experience makes me wonder constantly about how the children function away from the lessons and the ways that they are unique. There are countless things to discover about people, habits, and the brain. Working with children inspires me to do more than become a psychologist. I want to learn and practice in-depth and be a progressive and perpetual researcher. I want a profession in developmental psychology combined with children’s research through immersive and application-driven studies. I look forward to pursuing this type of profession. I’m dedicated to acquiring a diverse spectrum of experiences that will shape me into the global advocate I aspire to be, that is my excellence. My upbringing in an open-minded family instilled values that exposed me to perspectives beyond our own household. I hope to create similar experiences in college where I encourage students in the classroom to embrace differences and inspire them to also teach about diversity. Some classes I wish to take are Cultural Diversity, Autism, and Developmental Disabilities. Studying Race and Ethnicity will help me achieve a level of becoming knowledgeable about others and their identities and how they are treated by society. I believe that representation and advocacy for certain people in support of mental health is not enough, and I want to take on this initiative. By establishing an environment armed with compassion, care, and sympathy, I want to encourage transparency between the professional and client, so fitting care can be administered. Cultural Diversity also discusses communication and ethical ways to discuss and educate people about sensitive topics. Finally, classes like Disability Studies connect us to the community and exemplify paths to becoming an ally to the people - an important facet of communication often overlooked. Graduating from college with an expanded range of practical skills, will help me be excellent in making an impactful change to my community and hopefully the next generation. With this ambition and determination, transforming an individual and eventually, a community is not just a wish but my spirit of excellence.

I’m dedicated to acquiring a diverse spectrum of experiences that will shape me into the global advocate I aspire to be, that is my excellence. My upbringing in an open-minded family instilled values that exposed me to perspectives beyond our own household. I hope to create similar experiences in college where I encourage students in the classroom to embrace differences and inspire them to also teach about diversity. Some classes I wish to take are Cultural Diversity, Autism, and Developmental Disabilities. Studying Race and Ethnicity will help me achieve a level of becoming knowledgeable about others and their identities and how they are treated by society. I believe that representation and advocacy for certain people in support of mental health is not enough, and I want to take on this initiative. By establishing an environment armed with compassion, care, and sympathy, I want to encourage transparency between the professional and client, so fitting care can be administered. Cultural Diversity also discusses communication and ethical ways to discuss and educate people about sensitive topics. Finally, classes like Disability Studies connect us to the community and exemplify paths to becoming an ally to the people - an important facet of communication often overlooked. Graduating from college with an expanded range of practical skills, will help me be excellent in making an impactful change to my community and hopefully the next generation. With this ambition and determination, transforming an individual and eventually, a community is not just a wish but my spirit of excellence. In November I earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal which required 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of Personal Development, 200 hours of Athletics, and a 5-day expedition. This program helped me to develop a spirit of excellence in my life by requiring me to define goals, execute a plan, and write reports over a three years period. Excellence is proven in this program by simple national annual statistics: Number of Participants: 41,195 - Gold Medals Earned: 483, Silver Medals Earned: 320, Bronze Medals Earned: 477, Certificates Earned: 265, Pursuing this award required me to consistenly give back to my community. Through my own perspective-shifts from my community work and experiences, I gained a lot of kindness, compassion, and resourcefulness, which I want to bring to the school. My favorite experiences have centered around community. I worked with diverse communities within a variety of organizations: The Jewish Community Center, UNICEF, Elements Club, Food Bank, and the Covenant House Missouri. A circle that I have always been a part of that has guided my growth as a leader and communicator is Jack and Jill of America. This program's goal is to promote the future of African Americans by providing a platform for learning about community, culture, and responsibility. The primary goal of Jack and Jill is to develop excellent young adults and I have taken advantage of the organization's commitment to that goal. Over time, I became more interested in becoming involved within the city I live in, St. Louis, and seeing how our teen body could make a difference. I decided to run for the role of Teen Foundation Chair and have held the position for two years. During that time, I have come to know hardships within the community: homelessness, food insecurity, lack of education, and addiction. As the foundation chair, I felt it was crucial to build trust through initiatives that gave back to our city. Working with partners like Little Bit Foundation and Covenant House to uplift others and build networks. This will make for a more harmonious and engaging life for all who interact.

I’m dedicated to acquiring a diverse spectrum of experiences that will shape me into the global advocate I aspire to be, that is my success. My upbringing in an open-minded family instilled values that exposed me to perspectives beyond our own household. I hope to create similar experiences in college where I encourage students in the classroom to embrace differences and inspire them to also teach about diversity. Some classes I wish to take are Cultural Diversity, Autism, and Developmental Disabilities. Studying Race and Ethnicity will help me achieve a level of becoming knowledgeable about others and their identities and how they are treated by society. I believe that representation and advocacy for certain people in support of mental health is not enough, and I want to take on this initiative. By establishing an environment armed with compassion, care, and sympathy, I want to encourage transparency between the professional and client, so fitting care can be administered. Cultural Diversity also discusses communication and ethical ways to discuss and educate people about sensitive topics. Finally, classes like Disability Studies connect us to the community and exemplify paths to becoming an ally to the people - an important facet of communication often overlooked. Graduating from college with an expanded range of practical skills, will help me be successful in making an impactful change to my community and hopefully the next generation. With this ambition and determination, transforming an individual and eventually a community is not just a wish but a success.