Walking into high school the first day of my freshman year, I knew I was in for an amazing experience. I had set my mind to making the most of every opportunity that came my way. Now that I am about to graduate, there is no way I am ready for it to end. I feel successful academically, but honestly that was all just a means to this end. The extracurricular activities I have been involved in have taught me so much more. My home life has been challenging. So, extracurriculars have been a safe place for me as well. Of course, with hardships comes opportunities to grow stronger as a person. Looking ahead to my college years, academics will hold more weight, knowing I am working towards a career goal that will make a difference. However, I will continue to be heavily involved in sports and my community, because that is where real growth happens. Extracurricular activities have been my lifeline. Volunteering at a farm set up as a safe haven for kids who need extra care, was life-changing. The compassion I felt for the kids and animals was deeper than anything I had ever felt before. Youth group has been an eye-opening experience, proving that not all Christians act in biblical ways. Although I had a negative experience, my faith is stronger because of my time there. Working a part-time job in retail sales has provided me a plethora of opportunities to learn social skills and responsibility. Volleyball, wrestling and track and field have taught me perseverance, the art of compromise, the value of leadership, and the invaluable strength of teamwork. Theater developed my character in ways I could not have imagined. I never considered myself shy, but being on stage built my confidence to speak in front of a crowd. Most importantly though, it showed me that being unapologetically me is the only way to be. Now it is time to move forward to pursue a career, and actively work towards making a positive impact on society. Everything I will accomplish over the next four years will be about making the world a better place. With my Criminal Justice degree, my goal is to be a huge proponent of improving safety practices in our country. I will strive to continue my journey of personal growth so that I may emerge as a well-equipped leader in the field. Ultimately, I want to be a well-rounded person, and hope to enjoy my job as much as I love my time with family and friends. Armed with the lessons I have learned, I have complete confidence in my ability to succeed in the future. Of course, school is important. I would not be heading to college without the wonderful teachers I have had over the years. But the experiences I have had outside the classroom have made me who I am. Volunteer work, church, my job, sports, and theater have shaped me into the confident person I have become. My home life has given me the strength to adapt to my circumstances, as well as have compassion for those adapting to theirs. My goals are what challenge me to continue my education. Without further education, my dreams of changing the world will never happen. I will soon be on my way with hope for a bright future and gratitude for those who support my journey. Walking into college on my first day, I know I will have an awesome experience. In the end, my life will be dedicated to making lasting contributions to society.

Stepping onto the mat, my heart was pumping so hard it felt like the cartoon rendition of it popping out of my chest. A new sport on a new team, and I was going to be fighting. Everything in me was screaming, “back out now!” But I didn’t back out. I took one step and then another. Next thing I knew, my opponent and I were tied up like a pretzel, trying to overtake each other in front of my team and a full gym of spectators. A few minutes later, my arm was lifted into the air and I was declared victorious! Finding my courage paid off, and I found myself excited to face my next opponent. I wondered why my school had decided to wait until my junior year to assemble a girl’s wrestling team. All I could think is, I could actually be good at this. I have never really been scared of much, so feeling that angst, I finally had an indication of how I would react. I was proud of myself for not letting the fear get the better of me. An unexpected complication presented itself during my second match. I had been bumped up a weight class, and a much larger girl had me pinned, using the entirety of her weight to hold me down. All of a sudden, I could not breathe. Gasping for air, I heard myself wheezing and felt like I was going to pass out. I assumed this was normal with all that pressure on my lungs, but I tapped out to keep from fainting. The next couple of meets, I noticed it was happening every time, whether I was being pinned or not. After a visit to the doctor, I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. Once I had an inhaler, I found that, “bring it on” mentality again. Through months of conditioning, and mock matches with teammates, I felt stronger than I ever had before. I loved the energy I felt and the confidence I had built. I certainly did not win every meet, but I found that I had a lot to learn through the losses. Yes, my body was strong, but there were so many techniques that I had yet to learn. Several other schools had started their girl’s wrestling teams two or three years before, so many of my opponents had those years of experience over me. I was grateful to be challenged by them, and ecstatic when I won against them. Now when I step onto the mat, I know my capabilities. I watch my rivals closely throughout the season and take note of their strengths and weaknesses. Wrestling has taught me focus and observation. It has brought me strength, despite adversity and skill from new found discipline. Most of all, being a wrestler has given me the tools I will need to defend myself if I am ever in a dangerous situation. The confidence I have now shows on my face and in my posture. Knowing I have become a competitive wrestler, despite challenges and fear, lets me know I can accomplish anything I can dream of.

Sitting in a theater July 5, 2023, waiting for a movie to begin, I had no idea how my life was about to change. As the film started rolling and the screen was filled with heart wrenching scenes of children being kidnapped and sold as slaves, I suddenly knew exactly where my life was headed. Coincidently, thanks to 'Sherlock Holmes', an enthralling book I read in middle school, criminal justice was already my intended field of study. Until that day, however, I had no idea where that path would lead me. My original thought was that I would become a Private Investigator. After seeing 'Sound of Freedom', a true story of human trafficking, I now know exactly what my focus will be. An education in criminal justice will lay the foundation for my career, and Florida Atlantic University has a phenomenal reputation for their Criminal Justice department. The possibility of an internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigations was one of the most influential aspects that made FAU my top choice. Now that human trafficking is my primary focus, an internship with the F.B.I. would be an invaluable experience to add to my education. If chosen for that position, I will take every opportunity to learn from those who are actively working in the field. Hands-on experience would be the optimum enhancement to what I am being taught in the classroom. Of course, the ultimate goal would be to secure a long-term position with the F.B.I. in the department that works to combat human trafficking. Human trafficking is a vile crime against humanity that not only affects the victims and their families, but also the community as a whole. From the consumers who selfishly put their own needs above others’ basic human rights, to the suppliers whose greed motivates them to force both youth and adults into unspeakable acts of servitude, there are so many layers of human trafficking that are destroying the world around us. It may seem like an insurmountable task to take on, but I am determined to peel back those layers of modern slavery until a solution is found to dismantle the industry. Someone once told me, "In order to change the world, you have to pursue solutions to the issues that break your heart." Learning about this horrific industry has certainly broken my heart, and it is my mission to deconstruct human trafficking from the inside, out.