My senior year of high school I was given the opportunity to work in the Safe Center. This is a space that was created for students to go when they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out or threatened. There were two people I worked with Ms. Smith and Mr. Garcia, who truly allowed me to not only work in the center but also take advantage of the resources that were available. When I was feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, they encouraged me to talk about the things that were bothering me. They allowed me to be vulnerable when I was used to holding things in. Most of the time, when I am feeling that way, I will either use comedy to avoid the issues or withdraw and prefer to be isolated. Those two teachers helped me to understand that those behaviors are not bad, but they don’t help with finding a resolution. I came to understand with their coaching, that the kindness and understanding they showed me should extend to everyone who visited the Safe Center. We do not know what other people are going through, and it is important to give them the opportunity to work through their feelings. Ms. Smith and Mr. Garcia treated everyone in the same manner, even students I felt were troublemakers. It is easy to judge others from the outside because we don’t know what is going on inside them. Who was I to throw stones? What I gained from my year at that Safe Center was patience and understanding. We all must at various times, learn to be patient with people or situations, even though we are in a society where we want problems solved quickly or people to get over their feelings quickly. It is important to allow others and situations time to reveal what is at the heart of their story. As I prepare for my academic journey at Agnes Scott College, I have decided to study Environmental Science and art. There are many ways to connect them both. Many scholars feel that “by combining the arts with environmental science, we are able to inspire transdisciplinary learning, thus sparking new ways of imagining and envisioning the future” (Hayley Jean, UVM ScholarWorks, Connecting Art and Science: An Artist’s Perspective on Environmental Sustainability). People use their senses to identify with places, tastes, smells, sounds, and experiences. I would like to use my art to create an even deeper awareness of the importance of protecting our environment. I am thinking of ways to connect with various communities and encourage the use of art as a tool to encourage recycling and broaden our understanding of global warming and how we can make a difference. Starting in local communities is where we must impact change; change the behavior, and create a different outcome. All of these ideas are possible because I was supported by Ms. Smith and Mr. Garcia at Tri-Cities High School when I was facing challenges during the day. These ideas were nurtured and supported by the staff at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and the friendships I developed while working there. It will be supported and strengthened by the staff at Agnes Scott College, as I take steps annually to secure my degrees. Most importantly, it is supported by my parents and family who have always seen the best in me. I am fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by a community that supports my dreams.

Last Summer, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. This was the Summer of many firsts for me; my first job, my first time opening a bank account, and my first time playing a significant role in the care and protection of plant life. My mom loves plants and is always experimenting with gardening and growing edible plants she would often encourage us to join her and we did, so I had a basic knowledge of caring for plants and watching their life cycle. I was even aware of the impact of bugs on plants and common household remedies to deter the havoc they would wreak on our garden. I am saying all this to let you know that before my Summer at ABG, my confidence that I could have an impact on environmental issues was limited to what happened in the garden we cared for. That Summer, we were introduced to plant conservation and cultivation and offered guided tours through the garden. I was selected to work in the Orchid Center where I cared for high-elevation orchids and protected them in a protected setting. One of my responsibilities was to educate visitors about the impact of mankind on these fragile flowers and how land loss and climate change if not corrected could see the end to these flowers. The more I talked to visitors and educated them on changes we need to make to stop or slow climate change, the more my eyes were opened. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and introduced me to an additional career choice, environmental science. I love art and illustration, but I also have developed an interest in biology, so much so that I am pursuing a double major. After my Summer at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I spent time during my senior year, sharing with my peers information on global warming and the impact that we are having on the environment. I helped to champion causes on campus related to recycling and school-wide cleaning campaigns. I realize that it is everyone's responsibility to care for the planet we live on and even taking small steps within our community can make a difference; like reducing the amount of plastics that are used on campus, setting up recycling bins in the cafeteria for water bottles, soda cans, etc. I was one of the lead students in the Safe Center, a space designated on campus for students who needed somewhere to go that was not-threatening either mentally or physically, and I was allowed to share information on ways we can protect our community. Overall, my goal is to become an Environmental Scientist and incorporate art into the process. I would love to establish healing gardens that encourage the re-establishment of plant life specific to the region by educating the local communities on the growth and maintenance of plant life. We have to get into the practice of replacing what we take from the earth. I would also tie into this concept, open art studios to who the community how to use recycled goods to make art. I know it has been done before, but why not make an ongoing project; reach one, teach one? My message left on the mountain would be, "Be mindful of the steps you take and where you place your feet, your impact is greater than you can begin to understand."

I don't seek out leadership positions or strive for leadership, but I always seem to be nominated for or appointed to leadership positions. During my first year at Tri-Cities High School, I was asked to be Vice-President of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. In truth, I had never heard of the organization before attending Tri-Cities but I became friends with some of the members and the teacher who was supervising the club asked me if I was interested. She said she was impressed by my decision-making skills and how I conducted myself in class, with my peers, and around the school. I was quite surprised and humbled by her offer. I accepted the position and worked with the President to introduce business ideas to School leadership that encourage student entrepreneurship and also represented Tri-Cities at local and regional competitions. We won several state competitions under my leadership. I served in the role for one year only. I believe that leadership does not always have to be bold. I am quiet by nature but firm in my position when it comes to social justice and equality. When I encounter occasions where I am a witness to these injustices, I find my voice and speak out against these behaviors and those who are offenders. If you were to compare me to an animal, I supposed I would be some sort of feline; composed and restful most of the time, but poised and ready to pounce when the situation arises. There were many occasions in high school when students chose to get into fights and I have little tolerance for such foolishness. I would definitely call out the behavior and say it was not welcomed at our school, but on a more productive level, I worked with the school to organize a safe place for students to come when they felt pressured or needed an escape. My style of leadership is quiet and unassuming and measured by the examples that I set. I was the Lead Dancer for the Amazing Grace Youth Ministry for over four years. I did not ask to serve in this role but became a leader through skill and character. My Dance Instructors, Ms.Teresa and Ms. Kenya, saw the potential in me as a leader and encourage and fostered those behaviors as an example to the younger dancers. I exemplify leadership through my knowledge of self and my concern for others. I treat people the way they deserve to be treated but always in a manner that is fair. I exemplify leadership every day by being the best me I know how to be and respecting myself and those around me.

My grandmother on my father's side was born and raised in Canada. She was of mixed heritage, of Afro-Cuban and Native American (Chippewa) descent. She married my grandfather, an African-American from Alabama and came to reside in the United States where she had two children of her own, but raised four. My father and his siblings all attended college, thanks to the hard work of his father and the support of their mother. As I get ready to embark on my journey to Agnes Scott, I am reminded, after learning of this essay, that I am a second-generation student who is able to go to college thanks to the sacrifices and commitment of my family. When I think about the journey of those who have gone before me, I am humbled. There is a lot that I have taken for granted along the way. I have a brother and sister who attended college before me and both of my parents went to college as well; proud graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). I have always felt pressure to do well in school, but I never really felt pressure to finance my college experience because I thought the money would just be there. I was wrong. There are so many students, like myself, who worked hard to get into college and are competing for ways to fund their education. Knowing the history of my family and how much they have sacrificed in order for their children to get a quality education and become successful empowers me to do even better than my parents before me. I will become an environmental scientist and also use my art degree to both protect and beautify the world we live in. This is the best way to honor that legacy.

I am the youngest child of four in a family of six. My parents have taught us that being responsible for the home we live in and caring for the things and people we have in our lives is one of the most important things we can do. We are in no way financially secure, but we are a family that has grown in love and appreciation through the highs and lows that life throws at us. My middle years experiences were more than just transitioning from elementary to middle to high school, in the space of four years, I changed schools four times. These constant changes led to the loss of friendships that I treasured. In addition to that, I also lost my pawpaw (grandpa) and my dog that was like family, was hit by a car crossing the street. I felt like I had no control over anything, and that life was spiraling out of control. I found that I was putting on a show to appear happy in front of others so that they wouldn’t worry. The truth of how I was feeling was written in my journal; words and images of my self-worth poured out on the pages. It was in my eighth-grade year that a friend happened to read my journal and grew concerned enough to take me to a Counselor. The Counselor got my parents involved and I started receiving therapy. My psychologist visit my home regularly and also came to my school. It was because of the tools and strategies she provided and the outlet of dance and the love of my family that I was able to find solid footing. By studying biology in college with a focus on botany, I will be able to participate in research that will help with the development and understanding of plant life. It is important to find ways to protect plants from the destruction of natural disasters and people. We take so much from the earth and abuse plant life in ways that it is a wonder that we haven’t destroyed the earth and created a level of air pollution that we can not recover from. I believe plant conversation is important as well as plant research and reproduction. If we are to solve hunger issues globally, we must dedicate resources to scientists in order to understand plant reproduction and recovery from the destructiveness of wildfires and diseases or other natural elements. As a Botanist, I will engage in that research with a focus on plant care and reproduction so that we can combat hunger and global warming; the more plant life there is, the closer we can become to stabilizing the levels of 02 in the air.

I plan to be a dual major when I attend school this fall at Agnes Scott College. I will have a focus on art and illustration and biology/ botany. A degree in illustration will allow me to fully step into the world of animation and represent myself among the legends that have gone before. I am an introvert who shies away from attention but finds that I must expose intimate aspects of myself to succeed. I will become an illustrator on my own terms. I will represent myself in a manner that honors my gender and my hopes and my ancestry. I know that the scale of who I am to become depends entirely on how committed I am to myself and my dreams. Receiving this scholarship will bring me closer to achieving that dream. How does this help the larger community you ask? Millions of people enjoy illustrations that lead to animation starting from toddler years to senior citizens. Illustrations serve to lighten our moods, make us laugh, bring about social awareness and allow us to escape the day-to-day challenges of life through our imagination. In contrast, by studying biology in college with a focus on botany, I will be able to participate in research that will help with the development and understanding of plant life. It is important to find ways to protect plants from the destruction of natural disasters and people. We take so much from the earth and abuse plant life in ways that it is a wonder that we haven’t destroyed the earth and created a level of air pollution that we can not recover from. I believe plant conversation is important as well as plant research and reproduction. If we are to solve hunger issues globally, we must dedicate resources to science in order to understand plant reproduction and how they recover from the destructiveness of wildfires, disease, and other natural disasters. As a Botanist, I will engage in that research with a focus on plant care and reproduction so that we can combat hunger and global warming; the more plant life there is, the closer we can become to stabilizing the levels of 02 in the air. These are two very different and unique areas of study but there have been countless people to go before me who were double majors and became successful. The same communities that I seek to serve after graduation, are the communities that currently support my growth and nurture me. I am proud to be a representative of change, just not in the spotlight but quietly making a difference.

I am the youngest child of four in a family of six. I don't like a lot of attention and prefer to be in the background. I’m witty and I tend to be the voice of reason. I like good jokes and love puns. I enjoy bike riding, quiet time, and long walks listening to music. I believe that being kind should not be a random act, but what you should live by daily. I love art and illustration and was confident that I would focus solely on art in college, but an experience last Summer changed my direction. Last Summer I was able to participate in an internship at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG). I was placed in the orchid care facility. Taking care of orchids was far easier than conducting tours and I learned how delicate plants respond to the environment, light and sound, what are the best conditions for growth, and what are the best soil conditions. This was the spark that helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a degree in biology. Every Spring, my mom starts her gardening in multiple pots around the house; she would try to engage us in gardening all the time with little success. This year when she asked me my thoughts, I shared what I had learned at the ABG about plant care and how she was not exposing certain plants to enough light and overwatering others. I was very excited to show off my skills and I could tell it made her happy. By studying biology in college with a focus on botany, I will be able to participate in research that will help with the development and understanding of plant life. It is important to find ways to protect plants from the destruction of natural disasters and people. We take so much from the earth and abuse plant life in ways that it is a wonder that we haven’t destroyed the earth and created a level of air pollution that we can not recover from. I believe plant conversation is important as well as plant research and reproduction. If we are to solve hunger issues globally, we must dedicate resources to science, to understand plant reproduction in order to recover from the destructiveness of wildfires, diseases, or other natural elements. As a Botanist, I will engage in research with a focus on plant care and reproduction so that we can combat hunger and global warming; the more plant life there is, the closer we can become to stabilizing the levels of 02 in the air. I will not give up on my love of art and illustration and will find ways to merge the two on some level.