Ever since that warm Sunday morning when my grandma stopped the car to let me out to help a box turtle get to the other side of the road, I knew I wanted to help animals. It was June 30, 2013 to be exact and I will always be grateful to my mom for capturing the life-changing moment with a snapshot! Although I was only seven years old, I undoubtedly knew that my place in the world was wherever animals needed assistance and I wanted to be the one to provide it with loving kindness. When I learned about the increasing human threats against sea turtles, I asked my mom to help me find a way to help. Imagine my excitement a few years later when my mom told me about a Sea Turtle rescue camp in Ft. Lauderdale. In July 2016, I attended the two-week internship and it changed my life. I made a pledge on the first day of camp that I still stand by today: I pledge that I will do my best to protect the sea turtles and keep the beach clean for the turtle nests. I had the fortune of attending the camp three years in a row, clocking approximately 210 volunteer hours. My responsibilities consisted of beach monitoring, providing thorough and relevant data to local, state, and federal conservation agencies, and active engagement with the community through outreach and education. I was especially excited when our 2018 research statistics were released to our group. I, along with 17 other youth interns, observed 2951 sea turtles: 756 unassisted to water; 2,195 RESCUED and RELEASED!! This statistic says that every 3 sea turtles that were born under our care, 2 had to be rescued from going the wrong way due to artificial light sources. This is one of the reasons I am so excited to study at and live in Norfolk, VA for my college career at Norfolk State University. I can use the skills, passion and expertise I gained to assist with the betterment of life expectancy and quality of all sea life at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and beyond. Empathy and Compassion. This is how I show excellence in my daily life and how I plan to use my Biology (pre-professional) degree to give back to my community. When I see a need, I’m compelled to fill it or find out how to help.

Ever since that warm Sunday morning when my grandma stopped the car to let me out to help a box turtle get to the other side of the road, I knew I wanted to help animals. It was June 30, 2013 to be exact and I will always be grateful to my mom for capturing the moment with a snapshot! Although I was only seven, I knew that my place in the world was wherever animals needed assistance and I wanted to be the one to provide it. When I learned about the increasing human threats against sea turtles, I asked my mom to help me find a way to help. Imagine my excitement a few years later when my mom told me about a Sea Turtle rescue camp in Ft. Lauderdale. In July 2016, I attended the two-week internship and it changed my life. I made a pledge on the first day of camp that I still stand by today: I pledge that I will do my best to protect the sea turtles and keep the beach clean for the turtle nests. I had the fortune of attending the camp three years in a row, clocking approximately 210 volunteer hours. My responsibilities consisted of beach monitoring, providing thorough and relevant data to local, state, and federal conservation agencies, and active engagement with the community through outreach and education. I was especially excited when our 2018 research statistics were released to our group. I, along with 17 other youth interns, observed 2951 sea turtles: 756 unassisted to water; 2,195 RESCUED and RELEASED!! This statistic says that every 3 sea turtles that were born under our care, 2 had to be rescued from going the wrong way due to artificial light sources. This is one of the reasons I am so excited to study at and live in Norfolk, VA for my college career at Norfolk State University. I can use the skills and expertise I gained to assist with the betterment of life expectancy and quality of all sea life at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and beyond. Empathy and Compassion. This is how I show excellence in my daily life and how I plan to use my Biology degree to give back to my community. When I see a need, I’m compelled to fill it or find out how to help.

Leadership means empathy and compassion. This is how I show leadership in my daily life and how I consistently give back to my community. When I see a need, I am compelled to help fill it. When I learned about the increasing human threats against sea turtles, I chose to attend Sea Turtle Rescue Camp (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) three years in a row. My responsibilities consisted of beach monitoring, providing thorough and relevant data to local, state, and federal conservation agencies, and active engagement with the community through outreach and education. When the homeless population grew in my community, I assisted my church with the clothing/food drive. We collected various necessities for the disadvantaged and set up a station in an alley where this population frequents. Along with other churches, we provided meals, good conversation, living necessities and even hugs/prayer when requested. We simply wanted to remind them they are valuable. When I learned how music improves moods, brings back older, happy memories, encourages socialization, and promotes overall mental and physical health in older adults, I organized a Golden Age Ball (senior citizens prom), and over 75 people attended. I created the Golden Age Ball to show our senior citizen community they are treasured and cherished. While dancing the night away is certain, I wanted them to also experience a night of nostalgia. I canvassed my community and secured donations from over 15 businesses from salons to food. While the news outlets may show riots, chaos, and doom and gloom, I choose to heed the words of Mister Rogers, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." I decided that if I cannot find the helpers, I will be the helper and inspire others to do so. I live in Chillicothe, Ohio. It’s a small, quaint town with a downtown my mom compares to a Hallmark Christmas movie! It has grown by leaps and bounds and I want to see it continue to flourish. This is why I reached out to our Down Chillicothe organization to offer my volunteer services. I’ve been in Chillicothe my entire life and I am proud to call it home. For Downtown Chillicothe, I am working with community members to organize carolers for our annual Rudolph Run 5K. In the words of Buddy, the Elf (Elf movie), “"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." This is my way of encouraging every runner and walker as they pass. I believe the smallest acts of kindness can get anyone through their darkest days. I live my life by this motto: “It costs nothing to be kind.” I make it my business to speak to everyone I see. You never know what a person is going through or has just gone through by the time you meet them. Life can be hard enough. Why would I add more burdens? When I attend Norfolk State University next Fall, I plan on finding all the groups who have community service as their cornerstone. I want to continue my journey of kindness no matter where I go. I want people to be better after having a small conversation with me. Some people are dealt a very bad hand in life. I am fortunate this is not my story. No matter what my day might look, there are other people who have it worse than I do. And even if people do not, a little brightness goes a very long way.

Empathy and Compassion. This is how I show excellence in my daily life and how I consistently give back to my community. When I see a need, I’m compelled to fill it or find out how to help. When I learned about the increasing human threats against sea turtles, I chose to attend Sea Turtle Rescue Camp (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) three years in a row. My responsibilities consisted of beach monitoring, providing thorough and relevant data to local, state, and federal conservation agencies, and active engagement with the community through outreach and education. When the homeless population grew in my community, I assisted my church with the clothing/food drive. We collected various necessities for the disadvantaged and set up a station in an alley where this population frequents. Along with other churches, we provided meals, good conversation, living necessities and even hugs/prayer when requested. We simply wanted to remind them they are valuable. When I learned how music improves moods, brings back older, happy memories, encourages socialization, and promotes overall mental and physical health in older adults, I organized a Golden Age Ball (senior citizens prom), and over 75 people attended. I created the Golden Age Ball to show our senior citizen community they are treasured and cherished. While dancing the night away is certain, I wanted them to also experience a night of nostalgia. I canvassed my community and secured donations from over 15 businesses from salons to food. While the news outlets may show riots, chaos, and doom and gloom, I choose to heed the words of Mister Rogers, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." I decided that if I cannot find the helpers, I will be the helper and inspire others to do so. I live in Chillicothe, Ohio. It’s a small, quaint town with a downtown my mom compares to a Hallmark Christmas movie! It has grown by leaps and bounds and I want to see it continue to flourish. This is why I reached out to our Down Chillicothe organization to offer my volunteer services. I’ve been in Chillicothe my entire life and I am proud to call it home. For Downtown Chillicothe, I am working with community members to organize carolers for our annual Rudolph Run 5K. In the words of Buddy, the Elf (Elf movie), “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." This is my way of encouraging every runner and walker as they pass. I believe the smallest acts of kindness can get anyone through their darkest days. I live my life by this motto: “It costs nothing to be kind.” I make it my business to speak to everyone I see. You never know what a person is going through or has just gone through by the time you meet them. Life can be hard enough. Why would I add more burdens? When I attend Norfolk State University next Fall, I plan on finding all the groups that have community service as their cornerstone. I want to continue my journey of kindness no matter where I go. I want people to be better after having a small conversation with me. Some people are dealt a bad hand in life. I am very fortunate this is not my story. No matter what my day might look like, other people have it worse than I do. And even if people do not, a little brightness goes a very long way.

Choice. As an American woman, I have the power to choose the trajectory of my life. I do not have to fear using my voice. I do not have to worry about being locked up for speaking out against injustices or issues that plague our society. When I learned about the increasing human threats against sea turtles, I chose to attend Sea Turtle Rescue Camp (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) three years in a row. When the homeless population grew in my community, I assisted my church with the clothing/food drive. When I learned how music improves moods, brings back older, happy memories, encourages socialization, and promotes overall mental and physical health in older adults, I organized a Golden Age Ball (senior citizens prom), and over 75 people attended. While the news outlets may show riots, chaos, and doom and gloom, I choose to heed the words of Mister Rogers, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." I decided that if I cannot find the helpers, I will be the helper and inspire others to do so. One change I want to in our country is more compassion and empathy. I believe so many rules, laws, and statutes are created with profit in mind. When dollar signs are involved, people are not looked at as people. We are simply pawns in the profit game. However, empathy and compassion can create more change than money ever could. Money runs out. Empathy and compassion do not. I am, in no way, discounting the importance of money. Can we be honest? Money is the reason abandoned buildings sit empty when the streets are filled with hungry people. If a profit cannot be made, the building will not be used. I would love to find grants that would allow me to open a shelter that doubles as a dayroom for homeless/disadvantaged people and a makerspace. The homeless population in my community (Chillicothe, OH) has extremely limited options for personal development opportunities, resources for physical needs (food, clothing, etc.), and places to shower and rest. Utilizing skilled and certified community members, this population could learn in small groups. All activities could be designed to satisfy their personal needs, encourage growth, produce creativity, and enhance self-confidence. Mental health counseling and health screenings would be offered every week using a rotating shift of medical professionals. As a day center, this population would be able to play card games, rest, speak with volunteers, and be given other opportunities to be acclimated into society as contributing members. A makerspace is a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring, and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. Each week the community would have the opportunity to come in and work on projects that are scheduled by a local artisan. This could range from quilting to learning the basics of woodworking. The goal would be to work together to learn, collaborate, and share. Most importantly, makerspaces allow us to explore, create new things, or improve things that already exist. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression. Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed. I am American by birth. I am a proud American by choice.