I didn’t learn how to swim until I was eleven years old. I was terrified of the water and the possibility of being lost in it. Now, I see my future when I look to the seas. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. I’ve always wanted to help others and see justice take place worldwide. However, it wasn’t until sitting down and talking with my dad that I realized the exact direction I desire to guide my life. My father, a former U.S. Naval Aviator, introduced me to the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, enthralling me immediately. The idea of serving those who serve others was exactly what I was looking for, but I just hadn’t found the right opportunity yet. It took some work convincing my mother that I should be allowed to go into the Navy, her little girl all grown up, but she’s now about as content as she can be with the idea as I move into the next chapter of my life, college. I’ve always known that it’ll take hard work to receive a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and attend law school to receive my Juris Doctorate. However, the ability to serve as a JAG lies in view on the horizon, and I'm racing headlong toward it. That work and the courage to set sail are well worth the trials and tribulations that might come with it, and I can’t wait to see where the tide might take me.

Dance has always held a special place in my heart. What started as something that my grandmother signed my three-year-old self up for at a local studio quickly turned into something that I loved doing. As I am approaching my fifteenth year of pursuing dance, I look back and think about how far the art has taken me and why I love it so. For me, dance has always been so versatile. I first began my dance training by focusing on the basic styles of ballet, tap, and jazz. When I realized that I wanted to do more dancing and broaden my artistic horizons, I signed up for every class that I could take and tried out for my studio's competitive team. I signed up for pointe, clogging, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and more. I made the competitive team, and it changed my life. My studio became a second home for me, and it was a place where I would not only grow my love of dancing but bond with my peers, do homework, and eat dinner during breaks. There were many instances when I spent more time at my studio than I did at my house in a night, but I loved every second of it. If I ever had a hard day, the ballet barre and classical music were there to provide comfort and hip hop was there to brighten my mood. Even though practice began early on Saturday mornings, knowing that I would get to clog that day made me excited to get out of bed. When it came time for me to go on to high school, I continued to dance at my studio for two years. During my freshman year, I was placed on my school's junior varsity drill team, and it introduced me to a new world. Suddenly, I was doing military, kick, and pom routines, and was told to be sharper as opposed to flowy with my movements. It was an entirely new experience, but I absolutely loved it. When sophomore year came around, I was placed on my school's varsity drill team and realized that I might not have time to partake in both studio and school dance. As much as I love my studio, I realized that it was time to branch off to something new, so I left my studio and dedicated my time to my drill team. I became a Spirit Leader on the team, who has the task of ensuring that our dancers have the best experience possible and leading my teammates in morale, confidence, and energy. Not only has my position allowed me to continue to cultivate my love of dance, but it has also given me an outlet to express my love of philanthropy. My position as a Spirit Leader has allowed me to organize food drives and donation drives for those in need, and I could not be happier. It is through dance that these opportunities have been presented to me, and I want to continue to grow my passion for dance in the future. In college, should the university that I attend have a dance team, I would love to continue to pursue the art. Dance allows one to release their emotions, have fun, and express their internal feelings to the external world through movement, something that is so unique to the art. When performing a piece that is personal to you, it can become personal to the audience, too. As dancers, we possess the extraordinary ability to tell a story, influence the emotions of others, and have fun for ourselves, all within movement.

It is no secret that women face more challenges than men in society, especially in Texas. Even though I am only 17 years old, I have seen firsthand the impact of the patriarchy and misogyny, which motivates me to fight for societal change, doing so through the field of law. As a woman, I have often felt underestimated. I constantly face people trying to explain things to me that I already know, because they can't believe that I would already have an understanding of complex ideas. Yet, my male counterparts do not receive these explanations and are simply welcomed into inquisitive discussions without receiving a briefing. This is wrong, and it is not the limit of the disparities that women face. Many men think that they have the right to make comments on a woman's body, as though it is their property. I have seen men not think twice about telling a woman that they're too fat, too skinny, too white, too dark, are wearing too much makeup, aren't wearing enough makeup, that their clothes are too modest, or that they should cover up. Additionally, I have seen men not hesitate to grab and violate a woman that they have never even met, and when the woman is rightfully outraged, men will rally around to tell her to "calm down" and that "boys will be boys," as if their comments make the man's actions right. Through observing things like the wage gap between men and women, the effects of misogyny on young women, and the rise of gender-based challenges for women in general, I have been inspired to pursue a career in law, concentrating on civil law. By receiving a Juris Doctorate and diving into the legislative arena, I know that I can help to advocate for those who do not have the chance to advocate for themselves. Women are often seen as weak and timid compared to their male counterparts, which makes legal disputes for women who have been wronged more difficult to achieve on their lonesome since some will always see what a woman has to say as less truthful than that of a man. By assisting these women in coming forward and righting the injustices that have been inflicted upon them, I aspire to make Texas a more equitable place. Even as a young woman in Texas, I know that the career that I receive with the education that I achieve may not result in equitable monetary results when compared to my male peers. This has been hard news for me to swallow, knowing that even though I have wanted to go into law since I was a child, Civil law and legislation offer an opportunity that has been hitherto undreamt of for women around the world. By receiving a law degree and expanding my legal horizons, I intend to benefit both the women of Texas, who should not have to strive to be seen as equals in society, and women across the United States and the world by setting legal precedence that our common law system will thrive upon when creating a more just and honest society for women.

The true meaning of life is not predetermined, nor is it the same for all who experience existence. For me, I believe that the true meaning of my life is to serve. While for others, life might have the meaning of creating or entertaining, all very needed in this day and age, I believe that mine has the meaning of service. There is nothing that makes me happier or prouder than seeing someone benefit from my actions. This driving sense of necessity to serve has inspired me to start a food drive within my school, where in the first year alone, nearly 1,000 items were raised to give to families in need during the holiday season. Additionally, it's the reason why I became President of my school's chapter of the National Honor Society. I know that with a program of dedicated students, our philanthropic potential knows no bounds, and I am positive that our community can benefit from our chapter's work. I've always enjoyed helping others. Whether it be on math homework or just being a shoulder to cry on after a rough day, I strive to ensure that those around me have what they need. For me, there is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone else fulfill their own meaning of life. Seeing people who are passionate about what they do and who they are inspires me to do what I can to aid them in their dreams. I believe that my personal meaning of life has called me to the profession of law to help those around me, especially those who are in need of the assistance most. And though I might not have been alive for too long, I believe that I can make the most of my time here and leave a lasting legacy through service.

Everyone knows that there's no place like home, and for me, my home is in Texas. As someone who's lived in the Lone Star State for my entire life, Texas has a certain personality and charm to it that makes me proud to be a Texan, and it's not just the Whataburger. To me, being a Texan means always being open and inviting to others, and having a personality and interests that are larger-than-life. Texans are known for their 'southern charm,' and for good reason, too. Being polite and respectful to those around you is part of what being a Texan means to me. True Texans make sure that all feel welcome and accepted when they are spoken to. I always try to embody this spirit. Even a simple "howdy" lets people know that you're friendly and polite, which is part of the essence of Texas. Being a Texan also means having big dreams and ideas. There's a reason that so many people know that "Everything's Bigger in Texas." Our state is a place of copious opportunity, so those with big personalities and ideas sure know how to make the most of it. Being a Texan means that you have extensive dreams and a tenacity with which you know you can accomplish them. Going to law school has always been a dream of mine, and I intend to continue working hard so that I can get there, just like so many past Texans worked hard to achieve their dreams.

People have always sought to be heard. Few things exceed the value of knowing that your voice and experiences have been recognized by someone else and that your story has been shared. I actively listen to those that surround me by ensuring that they know they have someone to reach out to. To me, listening means that you are a safe place for people who may be struggling. Having someone to understand your troubles and worries is an innate part of the human experience, and without it, mankind's humanity begins to wither away. I always make the effort to actively listen to those around me by offering my hand in their struggles. By responding to people's concerns when they reach out to me, I strive to let them know that someone is there for them. I listen to those around me without judgement, and leave my own opinions and experiences behind when someone tells me their story. Judgement has no place in true listening, and I am tenacious in my drive to keep my own judgement from tainting what someone is confiding in me. Listening is a powerful tool that takes a strong mind and will. To me, listening to someone and being listened to is a sign of a safe place. The aforementioned true listening that excludes judgement is something that allows for deeper connection among people from different backgrounds. As a leader of a scholastic athletic organization, I often listen to many people who have very different life experiences from me. It is a goal of mine, always, that the people who come to me know that they have someone within their grasp that they can come to with anything. By being a safe place for my teammates, I can create a better environment and more confident people.