Something that motivates me daily is being successful. In my family, not many people have had the opportunities that I have gotten. I can't thank anyone else but my family and God. They motivate me every day to become successful, to reach the goals that weren't attainable to them when they were my age. Being successful is something I have always wanted to be from a young age. I am successful in sports, academics, and now I want to be successful in life because not everyone has the chance that I have today. My goals motivate me to keep going, even when times get hard. Whenever I feel like giving up, I turn to God because I know he has a plan for my life, way before I even came to be. Sometimes things don't work out which is fine, but to me, failure is not an option. Success is the dream that I want to make my reality.

One change that I believe would make education better for future generations is the teaching of anything that has to do with race and the impact society's view of race has had on our country. What I mean by this is rather simple: teaching the completely accurate and full history of each race, which can progress the important aspects of acceptance. In this day and age, teens and adults don't truly have the concept of how impactful race is in America. Look at the events that have gone on over the past two years. Some people in this country truly did not know something to the extreme such as the lynching of African Americans still occurring today. Our history has been washed down, not expressing the stories of true American history. Not only does this apply to African Americans but other POC and even white Americans today. America is a melting pot, combining different races, ethnicities, regions, and cultural backgrounds. There isn't one race/ethnicity you expect to see in America because of that very reason. If we taught race the correct way, in a historical and societal aspect, I feel that would adequately prepare our future generations to deal with the way our generation and future generations have implemented into our minds. This gives them a chance to learn not only about their race and history but the true aspects of each race and the history behind them as well. This will create a more open-minded generation, one that will not have to deal with the hardships of today. Yes, there will still be racial and societal problems, but not only will the future generations be better equipped to deal with the circumstances, but they also will have the tools to change the standards that society has placed upon each and every one of them.

People think that growing up in the Caribbean is only about good food and music, but that’s far from the truth. There are unique characteristics of island life, such as the culture and joyous events, but extreme poverty, false stereotypes, and life-changing natural disasters also exist. In addition, there are teenagers, like teenagers everywhere, teenagers like me, who struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Being new to not only a school but also a new state was a significant culture shock. St.Thomas is a part of the United States, but living down there doesn’t feel like it at all. Adjusting to a new environment brought back that recurring feeling of isolation. For a while, that uncomfortable feeling brought me down every day, until one day, everything changed. I started making friends, joined multiple sports teams, and got involved more with my church and school. The temptation to close myself off still followed me around, but I was determined to face it. Transitioning from a small private school like FCA to a vast public university is going to be life-changing. Culture shocks, environmental changes, and more play a huge role in whether or not I will feel isolated. The most important part, though, is how I will overcome that feeling of isolation. My childhood experiences will help me succeed. Henry Cloud once said, “ There is a difference between solitude and isolation. One is connected, and one isn’t. Solitude replenishes, isolation diminishes”. Over the years, the feeling of isolation has tried to diminish me, but I refused to give in and will continue to do so. What I plan to do in the future is Kinesiology/Exercise Science. It has been a great passion of mine for such a long time. Even though I may not be able to pursue college-level sports, the medicine aspect of it is just that much more interesting. I want to be able to change lives, not only for athletes of all levels but for those who cannot continue their passion because of an injury.

In today’s society, women face many challenges when it comes to the workforce. Whether they’re an accomplished scientist or a famous athlete, they still struggle with not being “equivalent” to their male counterparts. From issues such as Women’s Suffrage to the Gender-Wage Gap, women strugled in the workforce. For as long as this nation has been alive and breathing, women have been at the end of the totem pole. They have been on the wrong side of history, underneath their male counterparts. As a Caribbean/Afro-Latina female, there will be various struggles I will endure in the workplace, but how I survive is most the most important thing. One I can address the different challenges that may arise because of the intersectionality in the workforce is advocacy. Spreading awareness about the disadvantages of being a woman and a person of color in the workforce will open the eyes of my peers and may start the change in my place of work. Talking about what I am struggling with may reach someone that is struggling with the same issue. It is inevitable that women, especially women of color, will continue to deal with intersectionality in the workforce for some time in the future. Another way that I can address challenges that may arise because of this problem is by enduring it firsthand. Even though I may be one person, I can begin making some noise to gain the attention the problem deserves. If people don’t understand how serious the issue is, or even how it feels to endure these challenges, then the problem can never be truly resolved. One final way I can address challenges that will arise because of intersectionality in the workforce is by reaching out to others for help. I may start the change, but without help, there is nothing I can do to progress the shift. Change can only start from within. If I don’t dare to stand up against these inequalities, advocate against the issue, and reach out when I am in need, then I can never change the situation. For a long time, women have struggled with this issue, especially women of minorities (such as color or disability), who have succeeded and failed in the fight against intersectionality. I want to be a part of that group of women that will succeed and win because, without someone fighting for the cause, things will always stay the same.

Dance and the performing arts have helped me express my emotions and have relieved stress over the past 13 years. No matter what situation was occurring or how I felt, dance was always there. Sometimes I felt like quitting, but no matter how long and hard I thought and even prayed about it, dance continued to be a crucial part of my life, no matter what. It might be cliche to say this, but dance helps me vocalize things I usually cannot project. Before I became a high school student, dance was an integral part of my lifestyle. Working out right before dance classes, being too busy to hang out with friends because of dance, and even not wanting to leave the studio after the class is over. I used to dance in my room to various songs, making up the moves as I went. Sadly, in the past couple of years, I have not kept dance a priority because of the new responsibilities as a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and upcoming Senior. Nevertheless, dance has still been a fundamental part of my life, speaking the words and showing the emotions I could never have said. One thing that I learned after not having dance in my life as much as I did before was how much I needed it again. At my church and many others nationwide, there is an event called Fine Arts. Fine Arts is a competition that includes a variety of categories from an ASL group (interpreting a song) to Urban Troop (dance) or Large Human Video (a story, but with only bodies and a ridiculous amount of intense facials). Being able to watch these performances and someday compete amongst my friends and peers is a dream come true. It has introduced dance back into my life but also has taught me a valuable lesson. Not only is Fine Arts competition, but it is also a way to minister to people and spread the Gospel, something that I truly want to be a part of. Even if it touches one person in the audience, they know that they are not alone. You never know what people are going through, especially strangers, so to have the ability to show people that there are always open arms ready to receive them is a blessing in disguise. Being able to touch the lives of others while showcasing the emotions within me to the audience is the greatest gift that God will ever give me and I am eternally grateful.

I am passionate about many different things, but the one thing that has a hold of me the most is sports and the training that goes behind it. Ever since I was a kid, I have been involved in sports, but lately medicine has crept in my mind. The rush of being in a high intense situation, someone’s life in your hands, is what made that path so enticing. But in the end, my love for sports and medicine ended up melting together, creating my over-burning passion for Athletic Training and Sports Medicine. The steps I plan to take towards a career involving Athletic Training/Sports Medicine is to simply pursue my passion. Research and study of opportunities to get there, taking the time out to get ahead on the knowledge I am going to use in the future, and stay determined and believe in myself because without faith in myself, I am never going to accomplish my dreams. I have to meticulously plan out what I have to do to accomplish each and every step so that I can put my best foot forward before I begin the next stage of my life, college. Becoming who I want to be is not as easy as it seems. In today’s society, the odds statistically and socially aren’t in my favor. People who don’t have to live with being a minority don’t truly understand how much it affects your future. If I am being truthful, there is not much adversity when it comes to my life. I have had the privilege of being able to attend an amazing school and get the proper education, which is not something that a lot of children can do that look like me. As a Caribbean/Afro-Latina, being in the position that I am today is the most important adversity I have overcome. Not only do I have the odds of statistics against me, but I also have societal pressure of not being the top standards of anything. I am thriving today, as a high school senior, I have the determination and my dream to become an Athletic Trainer, to go to college and come out the other end successful. Nothing will stand in my way, even if all odds are against me. To sum it up, even though I am and will always endure the battle of statistics not being on my side in today’s society, for now, I have overcome the odds and put myself in the position to fight the statistics, not matter how long it takes.