1. I found TXT during their VMA performance with Anitta. I always love watching award shows and finding new artists. Watching TXT perform with Anitta, I was entranced. I was unfamiliar with K-Pop, mostly just knowing BTS. I loved the feel of the song with a beat, almost like a marching beat. The choreography was insane, especially with Yeonjun’s kick (which I found out he worked so hard to master). After watching that performance, I instantly saved that song, and saw that they were having a comeback soon, and listened to all their music before that so I could prepare! 2. One of the most important characteristics of being a MOA is having a big heart. Each member of TXT has such a huge heart and has a different way of expressing their love language, no pun intended. Having a loving and open heart is important when each member of TXT has a big heart. 3. Soobin! Just like his Weverse display name, he truly feels like home, like a warm hug. He’s so handsome, kind, and caring. Soobin loves his members and MOA so much. In the most affectionate way, Soobin is a nerd, he loves watching anime and reading manga, which is one of my hobbies too! He also loves to game, although he likes League of Legends, I am more of a life -sim player. Soobin’s warmth, sincerity, and kindness are the biggest reasons why he is my bias! 4. My ultimate biases are Soobin of TXT and Namjoon of BTS. 5. My favorite song is Tinnitus. I am a huge Afrobeats fan! When Name Chapter: Temptation dropped, I was pleasantly surprised at the genre shift in TXT’s music. The beat was truly what hooked me in. The soft vocals over a pumping beat made it one of my favorite songs. 6. Yes! Act: Sweet Mirage in Belmont. My first k-pop concert! 7. My favorite concept is the Dream Chapter: Eternity. I loved the physical album looking like a diary, I even carry the keys on my keychain. The surreal vibes of the concept photos and the pictures within the album photobooks convey the dream like atmosphere of that album! 8. I am committed to beginning my studies towards a Master in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School in the Fall. Unfortunately, to date, I have not received any funding or financial assistance towards this goal. If no funding is secured, I will finance the remaining cost of attendance through a private student loan. Currently, I anticipate borrowing approximately $95,000 for the 2026-2027 school year to cover tuition ($72,106) and living expenses ($18,600). However, I may encounter challenges with this option if I am required to borrow the full amount needed due to a lack of a guarantor/cosigner. While some graduate students can rely on family financial support, that is not an option as my father is deceased and my mother is retired and on a fixed income. 9. This scholarship will truly mean the world to me as I am desperately trying to reduce my loan amount needed to increase my chances of getting a loan approved. This scholarship is not about receiving a handout but rather a handup. 10. TXT has influenced me by bringing me out of my shell. As a more shy and introverted person, TXT has allowed me to not only express myself but feel more comfortable to connect with other TXT fan communities. 11. I am returning to school to learn how to support governments in tackling climate change through public policy, which will allow me to be a leader in the industry after graduation. Once I return to the workforce, I will pursue policy roles at think tanks, such as the Brookings Institute or the World Resources Institute. Down the line, I aspire to transition into a role within the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction or Office of Climate, Peace, and Security. At the pinnacle of my career, I desire to return to the White House to lead the Council for Environmental Quality or serve as the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. All in hopes of reducing the negative impacts of climate change in communities globally.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mEyZSe_Co7W-GFbxLnm3GpLnjjUXV9Br/view?usp=sharing

I was ready to jump. I looked down below at the city lights and thought, if this is the end, I am alright with that. As I was considering what I assumed would be my final moments, all I could think to myself was, “At least I won’t hurt anymore, and at least there would be no more pain”. But God in all of his infinite wisdom knew that my story wasn’t over yet. Right as I was ready to give up, one of my mentees ran to the balcony and said, “I need you”. As trivial as it may sound, those three words saved my life. I need you. It's a powerful phrase when you think about it. It is a declaration that somebody’s world would be forever altered if you were no longer a part of their journey. It's a statement that can remind us to be selfless, to reflect on the notion that at times, while we may feel isolated, we were never truly on this journey alone. In that moment, when the burden of life felt too strong and my familial support was diminishing, all I needed to pull through was to know I wasn’t alone. My mental health challenges stemmed from a period of grief. I consistently asked myself, “How do I continue to show up when faced with the unimaginable?” I had just lost my beloved father, and it felt as if the ground fell from beneath me. Devastatingly, as I was laying my Dad to rest, my Auntie was diagnosed with cancer, and she lost her battle one month later. The grief that I experienced was insurmountable. As I am an only child and my parents were divorced, it left me to be in charge of everything from his funeral and burial arrangements to navigating what needed to be done with his personal effects. Between processing my grief, completing end-of-life planning tasks in conjunction with balancing the nuances of a burial during the COVID-19 Pandemic, I genuinely had no idea how I was going to continue to show up as a student, campus leader, or as a colleague. All of this weighed heavily on me as I began interning for Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. Coupled with this, I was also balancing an increased course load due to my prior election to undertake a double major in Political Science and African-American Studies. All while having anteceding commitments in both student government and a part-time job to support myself while in school. My advisors recommended that I take the semester off or significantly reduce my coursework, as this was a heavy load to bear. My professors urged me to consider receiving an incomplete. Meanwhile, my peers encouraged me to relieve myself of my student government positions so that I could focus on my family. Ultimately, my personal experience with depression allowed me to grow closer to God. I began to regularly attend church services and I found a young adult community at the church that welcomed me with open arms. It ended up bringing the family closer together as we collectively began to intentionally plan to spend more time together so that nobody would grieve alone. But what I am most proud of is the advocate that I became on campus. I took the lead in bringing more mental health resources to campus and, as an alumnus, even hosted a grief circle to bring the Howard community that was also navigating grief together. The relationships with my peers began to blossom. While my sophomore year nearly broke me, I emerged victorious and used my pain to empower those around me. I planned a beautiful homegoing burial service for my father in his hometown of Philly that reconnected the family. I also maintained each of my scholastic endeavors by earning 4.0 semester GPA, emerging as a leader within my internship cohort, earning 5th Place at HBCU Speech and Debate Nationals, and was honored with the “Coordinator of the Semester” award by the College of Arts and Science Council. As I reflect back on this period, I thank God each day for my life. I thank God for keeping me. God knew that my story wasn’t over yet. Since this night, I have completed so much. In Houston City Council, I organized the first-ever District F Job Fair, yielding over 60 on-the-spot hires, with attendance exceeding 500 people. I joined the Forbes 30 Under 30-recognized, Révolutionnaire, as an Environmentalism Action Leader to educate and empower youth across the country to knowledgeably advocate for environmental justice. Then, following graduation, I began my career working in the White House as a Political Appointee in the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach. Now, in the Fall, I will begin my Master's of Public Policy at Harvard University, where I will continue to write my story and live out my purpose. I did not allow my circumstances to define me but rather to reveal the level of strength and perseverance that I innately held. This period also demonstrated to me that a public servant must continue to be of service despite the personal obstacles they are facing. Essentially, my purpose was bigger than my grief. I am proud of myself for holding my head high to the finish and I know my father and aunt are as well.

Working my way through college required a level of discipline, endurance, and sacrifice that I could not have fully anticipated when I first began my academic journey. Like many students from limited financial means, I quickly realized that pursuing higher education would be not only an intellectual challenge, but also a financial one. Each semester, I worked two part-time jobs, held an internship, and participated in a research assistantship. This became my consistent routine throughout my undergraduate years. My weekly schedule was carefully structured around survival and success. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I balanced my internship responsibilities alongside one of my part-time jobs. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I worked my second job. The jobs I held reflected both necessity and perseverance. I worked at Bahama Buck’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and for an elder care company. These positions were not simply sources of income—they were the means by which I paid tuition costs and reduced student loan obligations while still enrolled in school. The financial pressure of higher education meant that I could not focus solely on academics, even as I pursued a double major. I had to constantly shift between roles: student, employee, researcher, and intern, often within the same day. Balancing this workload was exceedingly difficult. There were moments when exhaustion felt constant, and when the demands of work and school competed for my attention in overwhelming ways. However, I understood that while the short-term sacrifices were significant, the long-term investment in my education was essential. My sacrifices were not in vain as after graduation, I became a Political Appointee in the White House Office of Political Strategy & Outreach under the Biden-Harris Administration. Despite these challenges, I not only persisted but excelled. I graduated summa cum laude from Howard University with a BA Political Science and Afro-American Studies and earned the highest GPA award. My academic work was further recognized through selection as an Inaugural Fellow at the Mark Q. Sawyer Institute on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics at UCLA. Beyond academics, I pursued leadership and professional opportunities that expanded my engagement beyond the classroom. I became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. I was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. These honors reflect not only academic excellence but also a sustained commitment to leadership, service, and intellectual growth. My efforts have also been recognized through several awards, including the 2024 White House Emerging Leader Fellowship, the 2023 UC-HBCU Scholar Award, and the 2021 Gen Z Leader Award from JUV Consulting. As I continue my academic journey, I will be attending Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government to further my studies in public policy and leadership. I am honored to have earned this opportunity, though I do not currently have a scholarship to cover the cost of attendance. As a result, I will need to take out approximately $100,000 in student loans—$72,000 for tuition and $28,000 for housing and living expenses for the academic year. I have been actively applying for scholarships in hopes of reducing the amount of debt I will need to assume. Even while continuing my graduate studies, I plan to work multiple part-time jobs to help cover living expenses and begin responsibly repaying my existing loans, which still total approximately $10,000 from my undergraduate education. My journey reflects resilience, discipline, and a deep understanding of the realities of balancing ambition with financial responsibility. Despite significant financial barriers, I have remained committed to excellence, leadership, and service.

Whether at home in Houston, the campus of Howard University, or the White House, I have consistently strived to drive positive change through both my personal and professional endeavours. My efforts have been cross-sectoral and have supported the advancement in addressing the climate crisis, higher education, and preserving human rights. In Houston City Council, I sought to address workforce development and climate change in minority communities. I organized the first-ever District F Job Fair, yielding over 60 on-the-spot hires were realized with attendance exceeding 500 people. In 2021, I led the planning of a youth conference on environmental justice. This conference convened youth from across the city to speak directly to elected officials about the lack of emergency preparedness and the ongoing climate crisis. Additionally, I joined the Forbes 30 Under 30-recognized, Révolutionnaire, as an Environmentalism Action Leader to educate and empower youth across the country to knowledgeably advocate for environmental justice. As the Director of Special Projects and Programs at Howard, I ensured that my peers from all backgrounds were represented by leading a team of 10 students to execute over 24 events for our 12,000+ student body. The monumental moment of the year were: the first-ever Pride Fest, which was a week-long celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. Other groundbreaking programming consisted of the Princeton Review seminars, which were semester-long training sessions for economically disadvantaged students to receive free graduate school tutoring; and the independence days engagements, celebrating our international student body. My legacy continues as to date these have been established as annual events. While serving in the White House, it was a priority of mine to bring people from all walks of life to the “people’s house”. My colleagues and I ensured that over 2,500 Americans were welcomed to the White House in just one year. Our two most profound initiatives were the Communities in Action Series and Labor Unions at the White House. As one of the youngest appointees, I took great pride in bringing youth voices to meet with senior leaders. A highlight was hosting the “In Truth & Service: Shaping Future Howard Leaders” event, which brought together 50+ students and 100 alumni in the public policy field to meet with the most senior Black officials in the Administration. Internationally, I traveled to the Dominican Republic in support of a research investigation, conducted by my professor, which sought to understand the human and labor rights violations being endured by Haitian-migrants. We uncovered inhumane tactics used by the Central Romana Corporation to cheaply harvest sugar. The workers were forced to live in insalubrious settlements, earning $3 per day, and were deprived of basic needs. This research was included in the U.S. Department of Labor’s case to issue a Withhold Release Order (WRO), which halted the importation of sugar from the corporation until the worker’s conditions improved. Outside of these endeavors, I was an Inaugural Fellow at the Mark Q. Sawyer Institute on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics at the University of California, Los Angeles. My research was been featured at the McNair Conference and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. I am honored to have been recognized for my leadership and commitment to service with the following awards: 2024 White House Emerging Leader Fellow, 2023 UC-HBCU Scholar Award, and 2021 Gen Z Leader Award by JUV Consulting. I am immensely proud of what I have accomplished thus far and I look forward to expounding upon this foundation to enhance my impact in service to communities globally once receiving my degree from Harvard University. Aside from my accomplishments, there are a few barriers to me earning my MPP. First and foremost, it was an honor to be admitted into the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, however, I did not receive a scholarship. Funding my education will be one of the largest barriers for me maximizing my student experience. Furthermore, on April 3rd, I loss my job at the beloved ONE Campaign due to leadership transition. I do hope that the scholarship community may take this into consideration as my application is reviewed. All students go through so much while in school as this phase is meant to push you into greatness. For me, my greatest challenge came sophomore year. That year, I constantly asked myself, “How do I continue to show up when faced with the unimaginable?” I had just lost my beloved father and it felt as if the ground fell from under me. Then, one month later my auntie passed. The grief was insurmountable along with having to manage their arrangements. Everyone encouraged me to take time off school because I had every reason to take a break. In my heart, I knew this was not an option, I had to preserve. All of this weighed heavily upon me as I began interning for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. I was also balancing an increased course load after adding a major; along with commitments in student government and a job to support myself while in school. Despite my circumstances, I completed the semester with a 4.0 GPA, emerged as a leader within my internship cohort, earned 5th Place at HBCU Speech and Debate Nationals, and was honored by the College of Arts and Science Council. This experience shaped me immensely, it showed me how public servants continue to be of service despite the personal obstacles they might be facing. Overall, my purpose and commitment to service was bigger than my grief. As I reflect on this time, I am proud of myself for holding my head high to the finish and I know both my father and aunt are as well.

During my sophomore year at Howard, I consistently asked myself, “How do I continue to show up when faced with the unimaginable?” I had just lost my beloved father. In the midst of trying to process that grief, my family was struck by another heartbreaking blow. My Auntie Dyana, affectionately known as Dy-Dy, lost her battle with Stage 4 lung cancer after years of courageously fighting. Her cancer had spread to her brain and spine, and watching one of my greatest heroes endure that pain was devastating. Dy-Dy had already conquered breast cancer years earlier. She fought once and won, carrying herself with grace, resilience, and unwavering faith. To then see her forced into a second battle against a disease even more aggressive was deeply painful. She had always been one of the strongest people I knew, the kind of woman whose presence made everyone feel safe. When she lived with us, she was the backbone of our family. She embodied wisdom, humility, discipline, comfort, and unconditional love. She kept us grounded, reminded us of who we were, and held us together through life’s storms. Losing her while we were still reeling from my father’s passing felt almost unbearable. As an only child with divorced parents, much of the responsibility following my father’s death fell to me. I managed everything from funeral and burial arrangements to navigating what needed to be done with his personal effects. Simultaneously, I was helping my family cope with Dy-Dy’s declining health and the reality that we were preparing to say goodbye to her as well. Between end-of-life planning tasks, balancing the nuances of a burial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and carrying unimaginable emotional pain, I genuinely had no idea how I would continue to show up as a student, campus leader, or colleague. All of this weighed heavily on me as I began interning for Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. I was also balancing an increased course load due to my election to undertake a double major in Political Science and African American Studies, while maintaining commitments in student government and working part-time to support myself through school. My advisors recommended that I take the semester off or significantly reduce my coursework. My professors urged me to consider receiving incompletes. Meanwhile, peers encouraged me to step away from my student government positions so I could focus on my family. In my heart, I knew relinquishing roles I had worked tirelessly to earn was not an option. My father never completed his bachelor’s degree, so finishing mine was not solely for me, but for him as well. I also knew that Dy-Dy, who had always poured strength into me, would expect me to keep going. The only choice I had was to wake up each morning and choose perseverance. Ultimately, I planned a beautiful homegoing service for my father in his hometown of Philadelphia that reconnected our family. I continued my scholastic endeavors by earning a 4.0 semester GPA, emerging as a leader within my internship cohort, placing 5th at HBCU Speech and Debate Nationals, and receiving the “Coordinator of the Semester” award from the College of Arts and Sciences Council. I did not allow my circumstances to define me, but rather to reveal the strength I innately held. This season taught me that public servants must continue to serve despite personal hardship. My purpose was bigger than my grief. I am proud that I carried myself to the finish, and I know my father and Dy-Dy are proud as well.

Growing up, I was the kind of child people labeled before they ever tried to understand. I was “the nerd.” The girl with her hand raised too often, the one who loved reading more than gossip, the one who got excited about history projects and debate topics while others rolled their eyes. I was the student who took school seriously in spaces where seriousness was often treated like a flaw. For many people around me, intelligence was something to mock, discipline was something to resent, and ambition was something to question. I learned early that being focused could make you feel lonely. There is a particular awkwardness that comes with being young and different. It is not always loud bullying or dramatic cruelty. Sometimes it is quieter than that. It is being left out of conversations because you care “too much.” It is hearing people laugh when you mention your goals. It is pretending not to know answers so you do not seem intimidating. It is shrinking yourself to make others comfortable. It is being told, directly or indirectly, that excelling academically somehow made you less relatable, less interesting, or less worthy of belonging. For a long time, I wondered if something was wrong with me. I wondered if I should loosen my grip on my dreams just to fit in. I wondered if it would be easier to care less, to study less, to dim the part of me that wanted more. But even in those moments of insecurity, there was something inside me that would not let go. I loved learning too deeply. I believed education could open doors too powerfully. I knew there had to be a bigger world beyond the narrow opinions of people who could not see my value. That quiet persistence changed my life. The same girl who was looked down on for caring about school graduated Summa Cum Laude from Howard University with degrees in Political Science and Afro-American Studies. The same girl who was teased for always being prepared became a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. The same girl who was considered “too serious” found sisterhood and leadership through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Chapter, and Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. The same girl who once felt awkward in classrooms went on to intern for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Cory Booker. She worked with the Houston City Council, contributed to Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s reelection campaign, and gained experience at Impact Research. She became an inaugural fellow at the Mark Q. Sawyer Institute, studying race, ethnicity, and politics through one of the nation’s leading academic programs. And today, that same girl served as a Political Appointee in the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach for President Biden at only 23. When I look back now, I do not see an awkward child who did not fit in. I see a young woman who was building herself before anyone else understood what she was becoming. I see discipline disguised as awkwardness. I see vision mistaken for weirdness. I see excellence that made others uncomfortable because it reflected possibilities they had not embraced for themselves. Being a nerd did not hold me back. It saved me. It gave me purpose when belonging felt uncertain. Sometimes the traits people ridicule in your youth become the very qualities that elevate your life. One day, the things that made you awkward in their eyes will become the reasons you rise.

As a young woman, Sabrina Carpenter has inspired me in many meaningful ways through her confidence, creativity, resilience, and determination. She represents the kind of woman who is unafraid to grow, take risks, and remain true to herself despite the pressures of the world around her. Watching her journey has reminded me that success is not simply about fame or recognition, but about hard work, self-belief, and the courage to evolve into the best version of yourself. One of the qualities I admire most about Sabrina Carpenter is her confidence. She carries herself with elegance while also being bold, expressive, and unapologetic. In today’s society, young women are often placed under intense pressure to meet unrealistic expectations about appearance, behavior, and success. Sabrina challenges those standards by embracing her individuality and showing that confidence comes from within. She inspires me to believe that I do not need to shrink myself or dim my light to make others comfortable. Instead, I can stand proudly in who I am and trust the gifts that I have been given. Another reason Sabrina inspires me is because of her creativity. She has proven herself as more than just one thing. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and fashion icon, showing that women do not have to fit neatly into one category. Too often, society tries to place limits on young women and define what they can or cannot become. Sabrina shows that it is possible to pursue multiple passions and succeed in many different spaces. Her willingness to experiment with music, style, and performance encourages me to embrace all sides of myself and never feel pressured to choose just one path. Her music is especially inspiring because it often reflects honesty, confidence, and emotional growth. Through her songs, she shares experiences that many young women can relate to, such as heartbreak, self-discovery, and empowerment. She transforms personal experiences into art, which reminds me that challenges in life can become sources of strength and creativity. Her ability to turn emotions into something beautiful teaches me that vulnerability is not weakness—it is power. Sabrina Carpenter also inspires me because of her resilience. Growing up in the public eye is not easy, and she has faced criticism, judgment, and constant attention. Despite this, she has continued to grow stronger, wiser, and more successful. She does not allow negativity to define her. Instead, she focuses on improving herself and moving forward. This is a lesson that deeply resonates with me. Life will always bring obstacles, criticism, and setbacks, but what matters most is how we respond. Sabrina reminds me that setbacks do not determine my future—my persistence does. I also admire how Sabrina continues to evolve. She has matured both personally and professionally, showing that growth is a lifelong journey. Sometimes young women feel pressured to have everything figured out immediately, but Sabrina’s journey shows that it is okay to learn, change, and reinvent yourself over time. Growth should be embraced, not feared. This inspires me to be patient with myself and trust that becoming who I am meant to be takes time. Overall, Sabrina Carpenter has inspired me to be confident, creative, resilient, and authentic. She shows young women that we can be powerful while remaining graceful, ambitious while staying genuine, and successful while continuing to grow. Her example motivates me to chase my dreams boldly, trust my own voice, and never let fear or criticism hold me back. As a young woman, seeing someone like Sabrina Carpenter succeed while staying true to herself reminds me that I can do the same in my own life.