The afternoon glow poured through the window panes, as I sat at a sewing machine for the first time attending sewing camp at age 10. As if I was in a trance, I sat, mesmerized by the way the needle pierced through fabric and transformed it into a skirt, a design from my imagination. Captivated by the principles of fabric layout, illustration and design, my love for creativity and fashion was kindled. It was as if the threads were on fire, perfectly igniting the fabric to life as stitches wove through. Six years later, the joy I discovered when I learned to sew resurfaced in a new way. I learned to craft a vision and bring business concepts to life through strategy. Through my internship with Girls With Impact, I discovered the balance between creativity and commerce. These experiences fueled my aspiration to pursue fashion marketing, a field where creativity blends with strategy. With fashion marketing I plan to share fashion in exciting ways. Outside of my creative and business aspirations, I have been immersed in the International Baccalaureate diploma program for my entire high school tenure. Each year layered challenges, with higher academic expectations stretching me in ways I had not fully anticipated. The pressure mounted as the weight of multiple essays, looming deadlines and college decisions sat heavy on my shoulders. But, with the support of my family, school, staff and community, I learned how to navigate the chaos. Ironically, the very challenges that tested me also shaped me. The IB program pushed me to think critically, manage my time and trust my abilities. IB studies also gave me an opportunity to use art as a form of therapy, allowing me to rediscover the joy I feel when I tap into my creativity. Moving forward, I hope to continue building confidence and adaptability as I challenge myself with rigorous courses. I also want to take the knowledge and experience I gain and mentor younger people who have similar interests. I plan to offer support in the same way I received it through Girls With Impact. In college, I aim to develop the analytical and creative skills that will carry me through the world of fashion marketing. Just as a designer creates a vision before the first stitch is sewn, I am shaping my future in the present moment. With support, I would be able to focus on growth and ensure that every challenge becomes an opportunity to reflect, learn and then pay it forward.

Passionate engagement in my extracurricular activities allow me to make an impact on my community while pursuing the things I love. Reading and arts education have been transformative in my life and I strive to provide young kids with similar opportunities for growth and empowerment through my involvement in advocacy and education. At 12 years old, I discovered the power of female voices through The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. In the face of adversity, Anne navigated her identity and self-worth, and her resilience inspired me to challenge the barriers I encounter in my own life. This realization motivated me to provide other girls in my community with accessible tools to find that same sense of self assurance. Thus, the summer before entering highschool, I set out to complete my Silver Award, the second highest award one can achieve in Girl Scouts. I organized community support to construct a Little Free Library, a mini library structure that serves as a part of a global network of volunteer-led book-exchange boxes. To fill it, I hosted a donation drive using an amazon wishlist. I publicized it through family, friends, and social media. The books I curated focused on female empowerment including titles like, Girls Like Me by Valerie Thompkins, and Girls Can Do Anything by Caryl Hart. I contacted and collaborated with the East County Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring, Maryland to erect this mini library. It is vital that at a young age, girls have access to books featuring strong and skilled female protagonists. Not only does this library enhance access to literacy, but also nurtures girl’s self esteem and creativity as they read. Similarly, my passion for dance led me to develop a project that benefits young children in underserved areas who do not have the resources to learn ballet. Drawing from 13 years of dance experience, my Gold Award project, the highest award one can achieve in Girl Scouts, focuses on art education. It is designed to educate young students at a Title 1 Elementary School the art and technique of ballet. I will lead 4 workshops in May 2025 that will teach the fundamentals of ballet, including basic technique, vocabulary and musicality. By ensuring access to the ballet in my community, I hope to bridge the gap between creativity and opportunity. My extracurriculars allow me to transform my passions into meaningful contributions. As I grow older and begin a college education, I hope to continue cultivating a space where young children can develop confidence, creativity and a love for learning. Whether through books or ballet, I aspire to create accessible opportunities that empower the next generation.

Literary art and performing arts education is essential for empowering girls. Even if they do not become writers or dancers, these disciplines contribute to creativity and open-mindedness, and boosts their confidence as well. I believe every girl around the world deserves to feel empowered, just as I did when reading The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank at the age of 12. Through Anne’s story I discovered the value of female voices. In the face of adversity, Anne navigated her identity and self-worth, and her resilience inspired me to challenge the barriers I encounter in my own life. This realization motivated me to provide other girls in my community with accessible tools to find that same sense of self assurance. I decided to use my love of reading to make a change. The summer before entering highschool, I set out to complete my Silver Award, the second highest award one can achieve in Girl Scouts. I organized community support to construct a Little Free Library, a mini library structure that serves as a part of a global network of volunteer-led book-exchange boxes. To fill it, I hosted a donation drive using an amazon wishlist. I publicized it through family, friends, and social media. The books I curated focused on female empowerment including titles like, Girls Like Me by Valerie Thompkins, and Girls Can Do Anything by Caryl Hart. I contacted and collaborated with the East County Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring, Maryland to erect this mini library. It is vital that at a young age, girls have access to books featuring strong and skilled female protagonists. Not only does this library enhance access to literary art, but also nurtures girl’s self esteem and creativity as they read. Building on my commitment to girl’s empowerment, my Gold Award project, the highest award one can achieve in Girl Scouts, focuses on art education. It is designed to educate preteen classical ballet dancers on the proper safety techniques in preparation to dancing on pointe. Pointe is the most rigorous form of ballet dance and without proper technique and practice, dancers risk serious injuries. Drawing from my 13 years of dance experience and knowledge, I will lead 4 workshops in February 2025 at my African American-led dance school in Washington, D.C. These workshops will provide pointe shoe literacy and instruction for young ballet dancers. My workshops will equip them with the tools and guidance they will need to prevent injuries and progress in the pre professional ranks. By ensuring access to the pointe dance resources in my community, I hope to empower young dancers to pursue higher levels of dance with confidence. I am currently in an IB Art course, studying different forms of art media which is another extension of my artistic journey. I plan to pursue fashion marketing in college, and as I follow this path, I intend to use the diverse experiences I've gained to continue cultivating a space for young girls to feel empowered. I aspire to create easily accessible spaces that align with this passion, as I have done with dance and literary art.