The gym was loud, people clapping, names being called, cameras flashing. I should have been focused on the moment. It was my fifth grade graduation. I was stepping into middle school, moving forward like everyone else. But when I looked into the crowd, I found my mom. Her eyes were bloodshot, her movements just slightly off, her smile not fully there. Even at that age, I knew something wasn’t right. I didn’t have the words for it yet, but I could feel it. I stood there holding my certificate, trying to be proud, but something in me felt incomplete. Growing up with a parent struggling with addiction and cycling in and out of incarceration was something I didn’t know how to process. I was often told to “stay in a child’s place,” the unspoken rule in a black household that you don’t question, you just accept and keep moving. But I couldn’t. I always felt the difference. I saw other people with stable families, with support systems that felt whole, and I didn’t. That feeling followed me everywhere. It turned into anxiety, then into anger. I lashed out at people. I stopped making friends. I lost my sense of purpose. My mindset became simple: if I hurt others before they hurt me, I would be okay. For a long time, I believed that. But anger only takes you so far before you realize you have nothing left to fight with. By the time I entered high school, I had become reclusive. The anger had turned into exhaustion. Then something shifted. I remember seeing a sign that said, “Make a difference. Be a leader. Join Student Government.” I didn’t see myself as a leader, but I needed something to hold onto. Getting involved gave me a sense of purpose and pride in who I was becoming. Over time, I stepped into leadership roles and was honored with the Outstanding Senior Leader Award, the highest recognition a student can receive in Broward County Public Schools. More than the title, it showed me what I was capable of in spite of my circumstances. But it wasn’t just in school. I got involved in my church, joined choir, and worked in food distribution serving families in my community. I began working with my local library, teaching elementary students chess fundamentals. I loved working with them, their energy, their curiosity. I didn’t have a family in the traditional sense, but I found one in my community. Through all of this, my understanding of mental health changed. What I felt growing up, was something that needed to be understood. It made me realize how many people are dealing with things silently, just like I was. That changed how I build relationships. I listen more. I pay attention to what people don’t say. I try to create spaces where people feel safe enough to be honest. The same way I once needed that space, I now try to be that for others. All of this has shaped what I want to do in the future. I plan to study political science and go into public policy, focusing on education and how we prepare students to understand both the systems that govern society and the systems within themselves. I’ve seen how institutions overlook what students are actually dealing with, and I want to be part of changing that. Mental health is not separate from success, it is a part of it. For a long time, I felt defined by what I didn’t have. Now I understand that I am defined by what I chose to build anyway.

When I was five years old, I declared to my family, “I want to be a neurosurgeon!” At the time I didn’t fully recognize what being a neurosurgeon entailed. I just knew it was a person whose job is to fix the brain. I liked the sound of being able to fix something, especially something as abstract as the brain. But as I got older and began experiencing the world around me, I noticed fractures in the systems that I knew. Whether it was seeing someone at the corner store push past an elderly woman clearly struggling to carry her groceries—woefully unaware they might experience that same helplessness. Or driving past homeless people pushing carts across the road, knowing I should help, but only offering pity instead. As I continued to grow I became less concerned about the systems of the body, but more invested in the systems that govern everyday life. There are so many injustices in this world, tragedies that happen day in and day out that make people assume the worst in humanity and in themselves. We have become a society based on suspicion, afraid of those who look or speak differently than we do. The reason I want to have a career in law is to remind people of the simple values that make up our society: respect, empathy, love. I believe the little things carry the most weight. So, if I can make someone's life a little bit easier by challenging inequality through the law, then I will. For it is my belief that the law is how we govern a society and morals are how we govern each other. My goal is to bring morality back to the law and rebuild public trust in it. I have chosen to devote my life to this mission and have put myself in a position to grow and learn from others so that I can fight these inequities effectively and without being deterred. As President of my Model UN team, I lead dynamic debates on global issues and craft resolutions that compel us to explore nuances and truly consider opposing perspectives. As President of the Human Relations Council, I work to ensure that every student feels respected and safe. This has taught me more about the value of empathy and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Breaking barriers has only strengthened my passion. I am currently the first African-American Student Government President at my school. This has given me a boldness, because it proves that anything is possible. I strive to represent my fellow students' interests and to never back down in the face of adversity. I do these things not for prestige but for the impact I am able to make. I understand the power of a single action and the difference that it can make. My passion for a career in law can be summed up in one word: Impact. I want to influence the world around me by restoring both morality and trust in our systems of governance and in one another.

I remember riding the bus on my first day of high school, the morning dew still gracing the windows with a thin shine. The Rickey Smiley Morning Show—whose voices I’d grow accustomed to—blasted from the speakers. You could hear the faint whispers of conversation as kids shook off the day’s grogginess. If you had asked me then, I wouldn’t have admitted it, but I was scared out of my mind. My shoes felt too tight, and my heart was pumping so hard I could hear it in my ears. I felt like I was on my way to war. The only sense of comfort I had was my copy of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. At that moment, I couldn’t imagine what the coming days or even years would hold, but I decided that if Percy could face Greek gods and monsters, I could face eight hours of high school. Books have shaped my approach to life and dealing with challenges. They have taught me countless lessons that could fill volumes. the most important of those being the power of choices—and the importance of bearing witness to the choices of others and the ones I make for myself. In every story, I see how decisions—good or bad—mold people. Bearing witness to others struggles, whether fictional or real, has helped me confront my own challenges and learn to accept myself. Books have also taught me to be comfortable in my own skin. I am a Black kid raised by a single mom who works seven days a week to make ends meet. We live in low-income housing in Miami. To some people, I am a walking statistic and that’s all I will ever be to them. But if they turned the page, they’d find an A student who has probably spent more time in the library than the librarians. Someone with a passion for law and public advocacy, who has served on boards and committees to improve education standards and support student mental health. Someone who volunteers at church to help distribute food and lead youth programs at my local library. Even with all of this, I still have moments of doubt and struggle. A moment of note that tested me was the first C I ever received in calculus. I was in shock. I tried to get the grade changed, but my teacher said there was nothing she could do. I blamed myself and entered a dark place. Then one day, as I was wallowing in self-pity, a senior I admired asked me, “Did the world stop spinning?” I laughed at the absurdity of it all. That experience taught me that setbacks are not finite, and the world keeps moving whether I’m ready or not. If I wanted to grow, I had to move forward too. I have never had formal mentors, but I have learned by observing the people around me. Whether it was that senior reminding me to keep perspective, my mother modeling perseverance, or characters in books showing me courage, I have found guidance in unexpected places. They taught me that resilience is built through both success and failure. I know I am not defined by where I come from or by the obstacles I’ve faced. I am defined by my choices. So, every day when I wake up, I make the choice to commit myself to helping others, no matter the obstacles. I am determined to keep growing to fight for my goals, and to keep bearing witness to the wonders of the world.

Whether you are an avid reader who loves to dive deep and discuss character arcs or intense plot lines or you're a non-reader who just wants to hear about a good story. #BookTok has cultivated a community of readers and non-readers who facilitate thoughtful and progressive discussions that enable for all opinions to be considered. As an avid reader who was coming back into society after the pandemic, I felt that my book choices were dull and not as fulfilling as I wanted them to be. #BookTok reignited and reinforced my passion for reading, at a time in which I was lost in my reading journey. A few of these books stood out above all as I’ve continued my reading journey: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, A Court Of Thorns Roses by Sarah J. Mass, and The Women by Kristin Hannah. These books with their suspenseful plot and longstanding plot progression had me hooked from the beginning.  As a big fan of the historical fiction genre, I love the sentimental and vintage feeling the books offer. I usually stuck to regency romances and never even considered the possibility of other types of historical fiction other than that. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo opened up a world of possibilities and created an addiction to last a lifetime. The main characters' pragmatic and matter-of-fact tone made it an instant favorite. The plot appeared to my curiosity as a reader and kept me asking, why? I came for the character and stayed for the plot.  Coming from a lower-middle-class family, I have never had the opportunity to have encounters with the celebrity rich. This leaves me with questions like, how do they live their lives? What does it feel like to constantly be in the public eye? The Inheritance Games provided that to me. This book's deceptive nature left me in an unnatural awe. It again appeared to my curiosity as a reader, the thrill of trying to solve the mystery before the characters became addicting.  A Court Of Thorns and Roses single-handedly caused #BookTok to create a spice-level rating on books that have mature content in them. This book captivated its readers by having that mature content, some people tried to look past it and focus on the plot of the book. Truth be told this book did interest me because I had never seen a book have such mature content. As the book progressed I became fascinated with the beauty of the world. The colorful and sometimes gruesome descriptions of even the smallest things transported me away.  The Women is one of those books that makes you stop and think. Loving historical fiction, I appreciated the way history was handled in this book. I greatly appreciated how mental health was shown and delved into. I felt represented in this book as a person who has struggled with feelings of abandonment and self-doubt. Overall, #BookTok has created a community that allows the fantastical world of books to be shared with all. It encourages constructive and amazing discussions that allow for all opinions to be considered. Personally, it has given me a new outlet to find books, besides going to the library, and has allowed me to hear other people's opinions on a variety of different genres and books. I am grateful for it and want to see it continue to blossom.

In J.K. Rowling's enchanting world of magic and wizardry, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stands as a symbol of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Among its four distinctive houses, Ravenclaw is renowned for nurturing those who prize intellect, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge. As a Ravenclaw, I find myself drawn to these values and understand the profound connection between the traits of this house and the principles that guide me in my own life. At the heart of Ravenclaw lies an insatiable hunger for knowledge. The house reveres those who constantly seek to unravel the mysteries of the universe, whose minds are like sponges soaking up every drop of information. This mirrors my own belief in the importance of lifelong learning. To be a Ravenclaw is to embrace the notion that wisdom is a dynamic, ever-evolving pursuit and that one's capacity to grow is limitless. The pursuit of knowledge, whether through books, observation, or experimentation, is not merely a task but a passion that shapes one's perception of the world. Furthermore, Ravenclaw's emphasis on intellectual curiosity fosters an environment that celebrates the diversity of thought and a willingness to explore the uncharted. This echoes my appreciation for open-mindedness and the recognition that the world is a tapestry woven with various perspectives. Being a Ravenclaw means valuing the exchange of ideas and valiantly challenging conventional wisdom. In a similar vein, I strive to engage with different viewpoints, constantly refining my own beliefs through thoughtful discourse. Wisdom, often regarded as the culmination of knowledge and experience, is another hallmark of Ravenclaw. The house acknowledges that information alone is insufficient; it is the discernment to apply that knowledge appropriately that truly matters. This parallels my personal conviction that knowledge gains its true value when utilized to make informed decisions and contribute positively to society. Ravenclaw teaches us that wisdom is not a destination but an ongoing journey, prompting me to seek growth not only in intellect but in character as well. The diadem, an iconic symbol of Ravenclaw, holds a mystical allure, much like the quest for self-discovery that lies at the heart of our existence. Just as Luna Lovegood, a prominent Ravenclaw, unflinchingly embraces her quirks, being a Ravenclaw encourages me to embrace my own uniqueness. It reminds me that self-discovery involves acknowledging my strengths and weaknesses and finding the courage to face challenges head-on. In this pursuit, I resonate with the Ravenclaw spirit of individuality and authenticity. Ravenclaw's common room, perched high in the castle, offers a sweeping view of the Hogwarts grounds, reflecting the house's desire to soar to great heights of knowledge and understanding. In a world brimming with distractions and noise, being a Ravenclaw reminds me to seek moments of solitude and introspection. It prompts me to detach from the clamor of everyday life, allowing space for contemplation and the refinement of my thoughts. This practice, akin to Ravenclaw's penchant for reflection, has helped me navigate the complexities of the modern world with clarity and purpose. In conclusion, being a Ravenclaw in the enchanting realm of Harry Potter mirrors my personal values of intellectual curiosity, wisdom, open-mindedness, and self-discovery. The house serves as a constant reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth is a noble endeavor, enriching both the mind and the soul. Just as Rowena Ravenclaw herself prized wit and learning in her students, so too do I value these attributes as cornerstones of a fulfilling and meaningful life. Embracing the Ravenclaw spirit allows me to spread my intellectual wings and soar toward the endless possibilities that lie ahead.