Through community service and extracurricular activities, I’ve used my integrity and drive to push through and positively impact those around me. For example, my allegiance to the Student Equity and Inclusion group influenced other minorities at my school to express their voice. I enrolled in a predominately white high school whose student body was primarily privileged white students. In my first meeting as a Spokesman, I was able to speak for the small, often ignored lower classes in my school. The following year, after my membership and participation, other minorities joined and spoke their minds as well. My teachers were proud of my devotion to making a change and encouraged others to join. Additionally, my mother always feared participating in sports, so she allowed me to participate in cheerleading. When I told her about being appointed as captain, she was ecstatic. She told the whole family, and my younger siblings said they would be leaders like me. They portrayed me as a role model for my family, younger and older. With my determination to join programs that make changes and lead those around me, I was able to give others the courage to keep going. Furthermore, when volunteering at my church, I traveled to struggling communities to give gifts, provide lunches, and speak to the residents. I remember my mother and I conversing with a woman, and we explained that we were once the ones getting help. I didn’t realize as a child that those people who came to my apartment complex were donors, but my mother explained that we were on the receiving end before. The woman cried and expressed we gave her hope that her circumstances could improve. She introduced her eight-year-old daughter to me, and I told her never to give up when given great opportunities. I told her to trust that God gave her a purpose: to use her experiences as a person to benefit others. The holy spirit spoke directly to her through me, and I know she’ll succeed from that God-induced word. Additionally, I talked to one angry man, in particular, during another volunteering assignment with my mother. We gifted this homeless guy about 40 bucks, warm clothes, and a bible. He became reactive when he noticed the bible and cursed us. He believed that God had forgotten about him due to his circumstances, and this lie that he believed gave the devil access to his spirit. Instead of leaving out of fear, my mother and I hugged him, looked him in the eyes, and told him the devil’s lie would keep him bound. Although he has “failed” from the beliefs of today’s culture, God loves him. He started to bawl, and we read a few chapters in the bible. He relieved his purpose: to break out of his mental battles, trust God, and be an image of light to those still struggling. Volunteering and doing extracurricular activities made me see life through a different lens. Minorities in my school aren’t filled with doubt and fear when attempting to speak their opinions. My family won't feel restrained and incapable of succeeding in what they want. Lastly, that little girl will go into the world with a developing root, that homeless guy will break from strongholds, and they both will make a difference. Everyone just needed someone to show them resilience, integrity, drive, and faith are the keys to joy.

In college, my goal is to educate my mind and heart. God has graced me with a capacity capable of persevering through hardships. I want to grow into his image of me, deepening my roots like a tree. The deeper the roots, the more resistant the tree is to wind. My college possesses intelligent people who have learned from their experiences and returned to spread their knowledge. Scrawny trees often rely on their sturdy neighbors, hoping to grow sturdier themselves. Learning from them will result in newfound maturity and knowledge about the world to help me succeed. After college, as an interior designer, I will become a source of inspiration and intellect younger people need. When working with clients, my goal is to be a vessel that spreads wisdom. I get to know my clients, bring their thoughts to life, and inspire them to deepen their roots. I want mental and heart growth not for my sake but for the people I work with and help along the way. When volunteering at my church, I traveled to struggling communities to give gifts, provide lunches, and speak to the residents. I remember my mother and I conversing with a woman, and we explained that we were once the ones getting help. I didn’t realize as a child that those people who came to my apartment complex were donors, but my mother explained that we were on the receiving end before. The woman cried and expressed we gave her hope that her circumstances could improve. She introduced her eight-year-old daughter to me, and I told her never to give up when given great opportunities. I told her to trust that God gave her a purpose: to use her experiences as a person to benefit others. The holy spirit spoke directly to her through me, and I know she’ll succeed from that God-induced word. Additionally, though the world can be evil, the people here still deserve love. I’ve talked to one angry man, in particular, during a volunteering assignment with my mother. We gifted this homeless guy about 40 bucks, warm clothes, and a bible. He became reactive when he noticed the bible and cursed us. He believed that God had forgotten about him due to his circumstances, and this lie that he believed gave the devil access to his spirit. Instead of leaving out of fear, my mother and I hugged him, looked him in the eyes, and told him the devil’s lie would keep him bound. Though he has “failed” from the beliefs of today’s culture, God loves him. He started to bawl, and we read a few chapters in the bible. He relieved his purpose: to break out of his mental battles, trust God, and be an image of light to those still struggling. Volunteering made me see life through a different lens. Since birth, my purpose wasn't to make a life for myself to benefit my desire but to be a vessel of God to help others figure out their purpose. That little girl will go into the world with a developing root, that homeless guy will break from strongholds, and they both will make a difference. They just needed the guidance of someone else’s knowledge. My goal is to give guidance to anyone I come into contact with. Whether they are younger or older, outwardly or inwardly struggling, or unwilling to listen, I will do everything in my power to help. Everyone’s roots deserve to grow and strengthen. The world would be a better place if everyone used their gifts and talents for the glory of God.

Growing up down South frequently results in an internalized fostering of an impoverished and inferior mindset. The bland surroundings, the lack of encouragement in schools, the low minimum wages, the excess crime rates, and the lack of hope for the future are common factors that influence these mindsets. African Americans are often frowned upon due to their relations with those unfortunate circumstances. To this day, Southern citizens suffer from the unconscious act of separation by race. The “ancient” history of racism in the South is still affecting generations to come. Of course, not all parts of the South fit under these stereotypes; however, my personal experiences show evidence of this. For example, during a visit to my hometown, Jackson, Mississippi, in my junior year of high school, I finally took notice of the separation. My friends and I went inside a coffee shop located in one of the neighboring cities of Jackson, also known as the “white people area.” The instant shift in the environment made me uncomfortable, whereas my friends hardly noticed. The whispers and dirty looks I received from other customers shocked me, and my friends expressed it had always been like this. As a kid, I was oblivious to the realities of my surroundings. Luckily, my mother had taken notice early and removed me from that environment. She packed up and moved us to California right before my first year of high school. She hoped to give us a fresh start and to ensure that her children wouldn’t fall victim to a stuck mentality. The cultural shock that I experienced during my time in California and when I visited home in Mississippi caused me to encounter an identity crisis. I had no idea who I was. The biggest obstacle that I’ve overcome is the uncertainty of who I am and my purpose. During freshman year, I was stuck in my room due to COVID-19 and lost the ability and confidence to have social skills. So, when we returned to school in sophomore year, I had trouble making friends and opening up. They were people of different backgrounds. They were people who grew up with plenty of money and opportunities. I had subconsciously separated myself from those who I felt were “superior” because of internalized insecurity. I felt like I couldn’t be myself around the people in California, so I created a “mask” I used to get through high school until mid-senior year. I had made surface-level friendships and neglected my need for deep connections. I was scared of being perceived as lesser than. Acting like someone I hadn’t for two years furthered my confusion. I assumed visiting back home would be beneficial because I could finally remove my mask and be myself. However, the mask changed me. I had outgrown them and was too mature for their ways of life. Smoking and drinking became routine for them as they accepted that they would be just like their parents manifested, and I wasn’t going to fall victim to it. Realizing I wasn’t fit for either of my “homes” devasted me. I spoke with my mother, who encouraged me to give my life to Christ. A few visits to church turned into a lifelong commitment to following my Creator. I understood who I was. I was a child of God, and my mission was to trust in him and help his fellow children find their way to him. As a senior, I’ve primarily been focusing on growing closer to God and bringing as many friends with me before college. No longer am I shackled in uncertainty. I am God’s.

The well-known Barbie Dream House is a representation of an independent woman building her own emperor wiht her own chrisma. The representation creates inspirtion amongst women of all cultures to make their own iconic reputations. Given this, there is an incredible amount of women that wouldn't be given this opportunity due to their birthplaces. Countries in South Asia present women with the least amount of rights in the world. A Barbie house being built along the borders of Yemen and Saudi Arabia would give women the safe space they need to be themselves without attack. The dream house would be built with indestructible materials that will prevent it from being destroyed. Whether the destruction is caused by hate crimes or war missiles, the Barbie would withhold itself from any threat. The building would also have security excorts that bring the women and prevent from from any danger while traveling. It would contain a food court with cusines from all over the world. About 150 bedrooms containing two beds for 2 people and bathrooms that can be used for maximum of 4 people. An children's area, multiple livingrooms, pools, play grounds, libraries, and office areas would all be included. There would be a social worker area where the woman would be able to start a life for their family and any loving husband that they left behind. There would also be opportunites to be employed insude the house given the multiple task that present themselves. There would even be education areas that teach from 4 years old and beyond. Any woman would be encouraged to leave when they have secured a jobs, some money, safety, and food to empty space for other women. Through the buidling of this Barbie dream house, thousands of womens in South Asia would feel helped for once. They would feel seen and continue the influence the first dream house created. Though this project would be quite expensive, the happiness of those who are living the fortunates nightmares would overcome all.